The death of Trade Union Leader Bob Crow at 52 on 11th March surprised everyone.
So too did the tributes from opponents. London Mayor Boris Johnson, for whom Crow had been a constant thorn, said “whatever our political differences, and they were many, this is tragic news. Bob fought tirelessly for his beliefs and his members.”
The most prominent voice of the hard left, Crow was loathed by the right wing press but loved by his members and their numbers grew throughout the twelve years of his leadership of the RMT.
David Cameron was in Israel on last Wednesday so Nick Clegg deputised at PMQs and was given a hard time by Harriet Harman who accused him of selling out to the Tories and of hypocrisy for denouncing Government policies at Liberal Democrat conferences but voting for them in Parliament.
She cited the ‘bedroom tax’, cutting the 50p tax rate, youth unemployment and concluded that the Coalition were “two parties bound together by their mutual terror of the electorate”.
Clegg responded vigorously that with 1.7 million people on housing waiting lists and over 1.5 million spare bedrooms, encouraging some to downsize so that others might find a home made sense.
On tax he reminded her that the 50p rate only applied for one month of Labour’s 13 years in office and the rich now paid more than they did under Labour.
He said youth unemployment was higher pre 2010 than today and it was Labour’s record that needed defending.
Tributes are pouring in from all sides of politics to the veteran Labour politician and former cabinet minister Tony Benn, who died at home on 14th March at the age of 88
A major figure on the left of the party, he narrowly missed out on the deputy leadership in 1981.
Prime Minister David Cameron spoke of his sorrow at the death of a man he described as a ' magnificent writer, speaker, diarist and campaigner.
The Labour Leader said Mr Benn was a great parliamentarian and a conviction politician, "Tony Benn spoke his mind and spoke up for his values. Whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, everyone knew where he stood and what he stood for"
Next week’s Budget is the hottest topic at Westminster.
The Chancellor is expected to say the economy is recovering but the job is only half done and £25 billion further cuts are needed to clear the deficit and manufacturing for export needs to replace consumer spending as the driver of recovery.
The Chancellor is expected to say the economy is recovering but the job is only half done and £25 billion further cuts are needed to clear the deficit and manufacturing for export needs to replace consumer spending as the driver of recovery.
Opponents will look for what he proposes to cut youth unemployment, stimulate house building and fund a major flood prevention programme.
Others want him to offer means of cutting fuel bills and reduce dependence on imported energy resources, farmers will hope for increased investment in their industry to move us closer to food self- sufficiency.
Economists are pitching not just for a rebalancing of the economy but also for measures to encourage saving.
Some of his backbenchers are urging the Chancellor to ease the pressures on middle income households by raising the threshold for the 40p income tax rate.
Others want him to help the poorest by either increasing the personal allowance to take more out of income tax altogether or by raising the minimum wage.
Mr Osborne’s choices will inevitably be influenced by a wish to create a ‘feel good factor’ before the May 2015 General Election and his party is behind in the polls and threatened by UKIP’s appeal to Conservative Europhobes.
Crow fought for his members but cared little for the public he inconvenienced and most politicians are pre-occupied with gaining or retaining office.
Where is the vision that focuses on seeking the common good?
No comments:
Post a Comment