Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

I understand it is because Gerard Coyne who stood against McCluskey thought that too much time and energy was being expended in support of Corbyn to the detriment of of members of the Unite union up and down the country.
But isn't that typical of many Union leaders who preach equality while furthering their own ends.

Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

I think you're right. I'll sit and chunter in a corner at home.

He hasn't specifically. What he has indicated is that he doesn't like the constraints imposed upon him by promises made over Income Tax, NI or VAT.
Yet it reminds one of the little fiasco after the budget when the government had to make an embarrassing U-turn over the self-employed NI hike. I'd say that was a harbinger of future doom meself.

But there's two separate issues here.
May's riding high on a wave of hopeful optimism that she'll be up to handling Brexit for us. She's seen as something of the country's lucky mascot ... if only because Cameron walked and she volunteered to take on the very mucky, messy job of EU extraction.
Had she waited until 2020 for the General election she would doubtless have been judged by her success on that.

Calling an early election is back to party politics.
I don't like what I'm hearing so far from her. She just has no idea about the ordinary working man or woman.
If UJ wasn't already gleefully throwing insults around at who he dubs nasty scumbags supporters ( and starting to sound like flicker over Brexit) .. I'd say I'm thinking of voting Labour simply because they've indicated they will honour a Triple Lock.

I'm getting to the age where I don't care if the country gets in a mess through overspending ... it'll just shunt it down the line to the next generation to have to deal with.
I am thinking first of .. Me.

Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

Or she wants to wash her hands of Brexit. They are not exactly setting themselves up for victory. I reckon they hope for a coalition so they can spread the blame when the so-called "bumpy" ride becomes a rollercoaster going off the rails into the sea.

Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

To the tune of Tannnenbaum: "We'll change the country bit by bit, so nobody will notice it ...."

Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

A bit gloomy but nothing would surprise me with them lot.

Bottom line is I expect the British public understand there will be a bumpy ride and it'll be a case of damage limitation and how much the divorce costs.
What is a bitter pill to swallow is that there is supposed to be a carrot and a stick.
The carrot is not there, not for British people anyway ... it's reserved for other countries who winsomely ask us for Foreign Aid.
A mistake. It gives the impression she's more concerned with our charitable world image instead of using it to help buffer our own forthcoming rocky ride.

Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

What makes you think that Annie , I would have said the reverse is true. I think the option to raise taxes if need be during the transition years of leaving the EU is a sign of May taking precautions and a wise move.

There will be no coalition, there is no party with whom it would be possible to form one.

Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

The coalition may not include Tories. Higher taxes were predicted by "project fear".... she was pro-remain after all. Perhaps she just wants to bow out and leave the hard brexit hot potato in someone else's hands.

Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

There are no carrots. There seems a general lack of innovative thinking about how to manage brexit (correct me if I am wrong and you've seen something inspired and positive come from the Tories on how we are going to manage the country going forward). The speech calling the election was incredibly gloomy. It was a cry for help maybe?

Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

Nowt wrong with Tax Increases, provided they are proportional and across the board, throughout the Pleb/Toff spectrum. I.E if a Pleb has to stump up say 3% more of their nett income, so should a Toff, regardless of what this equates to in £'s Shillings and Pence.

Re: Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

Tax increases just lead to pressure on wages, prices and inflation. It doesn't "cure" the underlying problem just delays it.