Budget 2007

MM Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 03:11:05 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Gordon Brown is presenting his 11th Budget on Wednesday.  What are we hoping that he will deliever?

What has Mr Brown achieved? (Assessment by the BBC's economics editor Evan Davis)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6459543.stm

Gordon Brown: A decade of Budgets
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6442161.stm

The normally well informed Larry Elliott (Guardian Economics editor) basically gives the Budget in this mornings paper:

'Budget to give tax breaks for green homes'
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/economics/story/0,,2037235,00.html

So if these various leaks are true will it be enough to pacify Labour members?  Will a so-called 'Green Budget', increases in spending on Education and a possible cut in business corporation tax lead to a surge in the polls?

I just hope the Chancellor has something more up his sleeze on Wednesday afternoon.  He has produced some shocking performances in recent months i.e his conference speech and his pre-Budget report.  Let's hope this blog entry is correct:

Will Budget Day launch Gordon?
http://broganblog.dailymail.co.uk/2007/03/will_budget_day.html






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Budget 2007 | 4 comments (4 topical)

Re: Budget 2007 (#1)

by MM on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 03:28:49 AM GMT

Opportunity for Brown to go out with a bang:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0082ee10-d580-11db-a5c6-000b5df10621.html

Tory tax pledge puts pressure on Brown:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/625edee6-d599-11db-a5c6-000b5df10621.html

Osborne keen to avoid last-minute blunder:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2f18a91c-d590-11db-a5c6-000b5df10621.html


Re: Budget 2007 (#2)

by liz on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 11:07:12 AM GMT

I do not expect any major announcements - the odd headline grabber will of course be made.  More importantly we have been aware for some time that less money will be available for public services.  Given current problems in the NHS (despite huge increases) the next few years will be crucial in ensuring a further labour government.

I agree that recent performances have been awful despite obvious coaching on facial expression/smiling.  Everything now looks contrived.    The article by Matthew Parris in the Times on 17 March made grim reading.  GB gave a speech to the EOP/Fawcett society and the report claimed that he was unable to listen to those present nor engage with them.  What hope for the future.........


Re: Budget 2007 (#3)

by MM on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 03:01:57 PM GMT

It's now or never to stand up to Mr Brown, the vote loser:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article1528019.ece

It should be remembered that Matthew Parris is a keen supporter of Cameron, but I have to say his article was very perceptive.  He articulates the many concerns that I think a number of people have about Gordon Brown.

As for the Budget I expect that Brown will talk a great deal about locking in long term finanical stability etc.  But despite less money being available to public services, I do think he needs to do be able to have a pretty radical budget in the mould of a Lawson/Clarke rather than his dull affairs.

'It's simple, Gordon. Cut taxes, bail out the NHS'
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/tim_hames/article1533801.ece

Budget for Brown:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article1533976.ece

Brown has concocted the ultimate poisoned chalice:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/budget_2007/article1533906.ece

Road tax doubles to curb `gas guzzlers'
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/budget_2007/article1533942.ece

It's remarkable how the Tories have closed the gap on Labour in terms of the economy in the polls:

Party Preference on the Economy:
http://www.ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/issues/economy/

Doubt this has much to do with Tory policy and probably more to do with people being annoyed with the Government.  But it's important that the Chancellor and the Treasury team do deliever on Wednesday.


[ Parent ]

Re: Budget 2007 (#4)

by MM on Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 01:44:56 PM GMT

Gordon's big day:
http://broganblog.dailymail.co.uk/2007/03/gordons_big_day.html#comments


Budget 2007 | 4 comments (4 topical)