The odious optimism of two complete plonkers
I’ve been posting a great deal of late about the ludicrous lies being emitted from the facial orifice of the Chancer of the Exchequer George Osborne. This has – natch – branded me A Leftie among the crazy cadres of the Rabid Right.
Time now therefore to redress the balance by delving into The Slog archives, and digging out a somewhat telling extract from the Brown Years.
In October 2010, I posted this piece as an entirely justified dart designed to puncture the hypocrisy of the man who had by then become – by default and dastardly design – Prime Minister. It referred back to the recent past to repeat what Brown had said in his Budget Speech of 22nd March 2006 :
“Mr deputy speaker, the British economy is strong and strengthening. I can report that inflation is currently 2% – on target.
And in the latest quarter, the economy is growing at an annual rate of 2.5% – on target, as we enter the 10th year of growth under this government, the only government in British history to be entering the 10th consecutive year of uninterrupted economic growth.
And with the pace of world economic change accelerating, this is a budget to further strengthen Britain for the global opportunities ahead: to lock in stability, but also to lead the world in the new industries and technologies which will increasingly shape our future.
For British people, higher-skilled jobs with higher wages, but also new choices for parents to balance careers and family life…..As I have said before mister deputy speaker: no return to boom and bust.”
Listening to that speech, who could possibly have foreseen the cockup that lay dead ahead? We know not – but let us apply the same test to this, Mr Osborne’s latest effort:
“This is a Budget for building a resilient economy. If you’re a maker, a doer or a saver: this Budget is for you. It is all part of a long term economic plan – a plan that is delivering security for the people of this country….in this Budget we make sure hardworking people keep more of what they earn – and more of what they save.
Today the OBR forecast growth in 2014 of 2.7%. That’s the biggest upward revision to growth between Budgets for at least 30 years. Growth next year is also revised up to 2.3%. Then it’s 2.6% in 2016 and 2017…we’re now growing faster than Germany, faster than Japan, faster than the US – in fact there is no major advanced economy in the world growing faster than Britain today.
Today again we are reminded that the most important consequence of our plan is more people in work – with each job meaning a family more secure. The pace of net job creation under this government has been three times faster than in any other recovery on record.
Our combined goods exports to Brazil, India and China have risen faster than those of our competitors….A more resilient economy. A government on the side of manufacturers. A Britain that makes things again.”
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Let’s observe the commonalities between these two speeches from two politicians of two opposed Parties eight years apart.
“Mr deputy speaker, the British economy is strong and strengthening…..there is no major advanced economy in the world growing faster than Britain today.”
“the only government in British history to be entering the 10th consecutive year of uninterrupted economic growth……the biggest upward revision to growth between Budgets for at least 30 years.”
“For British people, higher-skilled jobs with higher wages, but also new choices for parents to balance careers and family life……the most important consequence of our plan is more people in work – with each job meaning a family more secure. The pace of net job creation under this government has been three times faster than in any other recovery on record.”
The Slog 