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William Grierson

Listed below are comments made by William Grierson between Wednesday, 12th November 2008 and Thursday, 5th March 2009.

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Brown's message to the United States 08:44am on 05 Mar 2009 This speech had another aim. The audience was also the British public, whose response is now awaited, before Mr Brown makes the biggest poltical decision of his premiership, which is to "seize the moment" and call a late spring general election.
Incidentally, he will loose big if he leaves it till spring 2010 and it is a reasonable gamble to go sooner.
Also remember that this man changes his mind regularly.It was only in january that he said something along the lines that an election was the furthest thing from his thoughts. All the more reason to sharpen your pencil now in time for a visit to your nearest polling booth .
The narrative of the new political era 09:11am on 22 Jan 2009 For all governments, including the UK--It is responsible to lead , to take the initiative, to take blame, to encourage and to give hope.
It is irresponsible to purely administer, to procrastinate, to take credit for pointing out the mis-management of others and to deny the reality of the future.
VAT slip? 08:39am on 26 Nov 2008 I wonder what other Treasury documents might be hanging around giving indications of future income tax levels, vehicle excise duty figures, fuel levies, council tax and anything else which would be more transparent evidence that things are just about to get a whole lot worse-big time.
Pre-Budget report reaction 4:26pm on 24 Nov 2008 Dropping the VAT on petrol and increasing the duty will enrage hauliers and private motorists. Stupid!
Stand by for panic at the pumps as fuel blackades take shape in the run up to Xmas.
Labour to end top rate tax pledge 09:04am on 24 Nov 2008 The best way of judging how all this will go down with Mr Ordinary, will be to look at the headlines in the tabloids tomorrow.

The vast silent majority of people don't give a damn what is proposed for the short, medium or long term, and as for stimulus, why bother?

These folk will still crowd the "xmas sales" as if there is no tomorrow-"Put it all on the never never- what the heck?" will be the cry.

All this group usually do is look for someone to blame when shot by massive winter fuel bills, threatened job loss and huge council tax rises expected in the spring. They might even go crying to their union bosses and get support for strike action.

One thing though is most likely.They will not vote Labour again.Either Old or New.
Giant borrowing payback looms 08:09am on 22 Nov 2008 And following this rescue package, with associated short term gains for all , the Government will take the lead in opinion polls and call a general election. It's SO obvious! June?
Tories free of spending commitment 6:15pm on 18 Nov 2008 I think Mr Cameron has been looking at the rather unattractive recent opinion polls for the Conservative party.
Does he sniff an early election in the air?
PMQs row over Baby P 10:47am on 13 Nov 2008 Yes, of course yesterday's PMQ's row will probably melt away-but was it not a gentle reminder of just how uncomfortable the PM is when handling issues other than those in his prized economic comfort zone?
Problem for the Tories 12:23pm on 12 Nov 2008 If this is the case-I am at a slight loss as to understand why it is deemed necessary for the government and the opposition for that matter, to do anything at all to stimulate the economy.

If Mr Brown is to sustain credibility, he will want to avoid medium term stop/go and clearly if there is to be any stop--then this will be achieved by the bank then putting interest rates back up again!

But of course!!-I keep forgetting that an election must happen before spring 2010.
Two political gambles 09:00am on 12 Nov 2008 Let us be clear about tax cuts.
* A tax break or holiday is NOT a tax cut.
* A tax cut that is later reversed after a general election is a BRIBE.
Treasury and indeed, Conservative Central Office please note.

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William Grierson