What next for labour ?
Bill Bore | 28.09.2000 10:15
Pensioners have won a moral victory in Brighton. The unions have demanded a better deal for the over 65s, and the cabinet suggest that more money is available, for they and for schools. But this is counterposed to the fuel tax protest.
The cabinet have made it clear that they will not reduce fuel tax AND increase spending on schools and provision for the elderly. Cynically claiming to speak for pensioners, indeed stereotyping them as acquiescent and incapacitated , "those who cannot blockade" (perhaps MP Rooker has a different view now !) the cabinet want to establish a position in advance: Fuel tax reductions OR higher pensions.
Its already been pointed out on this wwwsite that the main cause for the financial crisis lies with the massive expenditure that went on Nato last year, so what's the game ? The fuel blockaders have imposed a self styled deadline, which still has some 40+ days to run, and there is no sign the government is going to cut duty. We may have certain reservations about their cause (particularly the Greens) but again, to cast this taxation as ecological is a bit much really. With no properly co ordinated transport system, users of London Underground are paying huge penalties constantly, so much that if you can afford a new auto, it can actually be cheaper than using the tube.
IF labour want to establish a serious transport system, suggest they merge all rail networks into one, abolish Railtrack, bring criminal charges, establish a rational tax tariff for fuel, and all those obvious things that we know they have no intention of doing.
Its already been pointed out on this wwwsite that the main cause for the financial crisis lies with the massive expenditure that went on Nato last year, so what's the game ? The fuel blockaders have imposed a self styled deadline, which still has some 40+ days to run, and there is no sign the government is going to cut duty. We may have certain reservations about their cause (particularly the Greens) but again, to cast this taxation as ecological is a bit much really. With no properly co ordinated transport system, users of London Underground are paying huge penalties constantly, so much that if you can afford a new auto, it can actually be cheaper than using the tube.
IF labour want to establish a serious transport system, suggest they merge all rail networks into one, abolish Railtrack, bring criminal charges, establish a rational tax tariff for fuel, and all those obvious things that we know they have no intention of doing.
Bill Bore