Alan Johnson
The letter from Conservative high command via 35 of the UK’s leading businessmen was clearly given to the media to coincide with Alan Johnson’s first appearance as shadow chancellor. It was not just the timing that was a little petulant. I’m not sure a statement by 35 of the wealthiest businessmen in the country has any political weight or clout in regards to an austerity programme that largely stays well clear of their own personal wealth. They may be experts at accumulating wealth, but does their lavish lifestyle permit them to empathise and understand what it is like to live on the bread line?
I am surprised Sir Philip Green (the governments anti bureaucracy tsar) was not on the list. He seems more than qualified to make the cut. In part due to the fact that he dodged giving HMRC some £285m from a dividend of £1.2bn that he conveniently transferred to his wife. It may well have been legal, but does that make it morally acceptable?
It seems Sir Philip has all the qualities of making his government advisory role a more formal arrangement. You would have to suggest he is top cabinet material. He, and the 20 or so cabinet millionaires would get on like a house on fire. Although I dare say his personal fortune makes Cameron and Osborne look like peasants, so perhaps not.
Of course there is nothing wrong with success, especially if it combines job creation and has significant positive ripple effects in the regional and national economy. However, a group of fat cats stating that we should embrace austerity looks, and is quite insulting.
Enter Alan Johnson, Labours new shadow chancellor. One of the qualities Alan has, unlike his government counterparts, is that he will be able to empathise and connect with an increasingly sceptical electorate. George Osborne is hardly a heavyweight, but I would suggest Johnson needs to learn his lines too. The fact he did not stick around for questions after his speech today indicates that he is still in the process of doing just that.
However, Johnson made three great points in regards to the lies the coalition government are spreading;
- The deficit was avoidable, and was all Labours fault
- There is no alternative other than fast and deep cuts
- The cuts are progressive.
Lies, lies and damn lines.
Johnson has stuck to Alistair Darling’s pre-election position; to cut the deficit in half over four years. That in turn would mean that government departments preparing for a 14% cut in their budget would instead, on average be trimmed by 8%. In what should go down well with the majority of the electorate, Johnson advocates increasing the levy on banks by a further £3.5bn.
The alternative may have little in the way of meat and gravy right now, but it is certainly a start. Contrary to the Conservatives, there is a fairer alternative. Doesn’t it make your blood boil when you hear George Osborne state “we are all in this together”? It certainly does for me. I wonder if he’ll utter it at the comprehensive spending review tomorrow…
