Dear Kemi,
Do you want to be PM or NOT!
Living within our means is a very noble and sound philosophy when it’s possible, it applies to our household expenses and equally to government budgets, we should all do it and here we 100% agree, … however sometimes in life, things do just not add up, we have X coming in and X +1 going out, as hard as we may try cutting the outgoings is just not possible. Should we cut our rent for example, cut our food for the children, cut our electricity or gas bills, we have already cut holidays, sweets, trips to the cinema, cancelled our Sky subscription and so on….
Similarly,
If we, as a government, are spending on essential services nationally, such as the NHS, Social Services, Education, Local Government, etc etc, not to mention the civil service in all its forms, and the current income from Taxation etc, does not cover these costs, then yes, we could cut on these.
This, resulting in even more strikes, worse NHS service, road closures and so on, and we have tried these cutting measures before, known as Austerity!
Austerity refers to policies aimed at reducing government budget deficits during periods of financial crisis or economic downturn. These policies often involve:
• Spending cuts (e.g., reducing funding for public services, welfare, education, healthcare)
• Tax increases
• Or a combination of both
The trouble with Austerity is, we know if fails!!
Of course we would like to, for example re-Boot the NHS, a top to bottom reorganisation, saving £millions and a 100% better service, value for money! Why not? Why did we not do this in the last 14 years of government 2010 to 2024?? Why didn’t Labour do it in their 13 years of government 1997-2010, even Thatcher shied away from this major re-boot!
Other departments too could benefit from a complete overall, we all know this, all parties, well all sensible parties, but we do nothing. And, even if we start this very major job, it would take so very long, 10 Years?
So the only alternative,
When the family Budget just does not add up, go earn some more money!
Domestically this is not always possible, however with the UK, this certainly is possible, the UK can take a course to increase Growth, thereby increasing taxation income, and solving budget problems.
Poor Liz Truss tried this, but no thanks to the BOE increasing rates in panic, she was thwarted, what is needed now is a carefully planed and costed “Growth Programme”, starting with a reduction in interest rates, if the EU can do it, 2% base rate why cannot we?
Kemi’s letter to me, …
Dear Lee,
Living within our means.
Every family, every business and every charity knows what it means.
If you’re maxing out your credit card, or if there’s too much month at the end of your money, then there’s only one answer.
Cut spending.
But this Labour Government is behaving as if the rules don’t apply to them. They think living within our means as a country isn’t “nice”.
But it isn’t nice to leave debt for our children and grandchildren. And they’ll be paying the price for Labour’s mistakes unless we act, now.
Lee please watch my speech from earlier today and share it with your friends and family.
The papers are reporting Keir Starmer will try to cut welfare spending again. Despite his supermajority, we all know he’s too weak to do it alone.
When he tried in July, he was humiliated, creating a £5 billion hole in the Chancellor’s finances.
Labour now have a new Welfare Secretary, a new Chief Whip, and a new opportunity.
The Conservative Party will always act in the national interest. So I’m making Keir Starmer a clear offer.
Sit down with us. Let’s agree a sensible plan to cut welfare spending.
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves now have a choice.
They can capitulate to left-wing Labour MPs again.
They risk our economic future by hiking taxes and borrowing more money in the November Budget.
Or they can do the right thing, and work with us to cut welfare spending.
Lee please watch my speech from earlier today and share it with your friends and family.
Yours sincerely,
Kemi Badenoch
Leader of the Opposition