While working on my dissertation I’ve spent some time reading the party manifestos from the 2010 election. It really is as thrilling as it sounds… One thing however, did catch my interest – the uncanny resemblances between Labour manifesto pledges and actual economic policy introduced by the Coalition since coming to office.
Below, I’ve put in bold some of the notable manifesto pledges from Labour in 2010 together with the Coalition’s policy response in the same area. As you’ll see, there are some remarkable similarities:
Cuts to lower priority spending
In 2010, Labour claimed that tough choices had to be made with regards to public spending. Money was only pledged in areas deemed to be of high priority. The Coalition instead has said they are only prepared to fund projects if they offer high added value. Isn’t this what Labour were saying albeit using slightly different language? Surely high priority projects in reality are those with the highest added value?
Rebuilding the banking system
The Labour manifesto refers to making deals with banks to increase lending, changing boardroom culture, curbing executive pay, and breaking up banks. We’ve seen the Coalition advocate each of these with ‘Project Merlin’ to increase lending, Osborne and Cameron’s recent stance on the Barclays Libor fixing shenanigans, and Vince Cable’s push for wholesale reforms of the state-owned banks.
Investment in infrastructure
The two main infrastructure projects that Labour are looking to push in their manifesto are the roll-out of high speed broadband across the UK, and an upgrade of the national transport network, especially with the HS2 rail network. The past couple of Budget statements from George Osborne have clearly stated the Coalition’s desire to push through infrastructure upgrades in both these areas too.
Capping of public sector pay
Unions have been heavily critical of the lack of public sector pay increases together with pension reforms brought in by the Coalition. However, the Labour manifesto itself calls for “action to control public-sector pay including a one per cent cap on basic pay uplifts for 2011-12 and 2012-13” and for “tough decisions on public sector pensions to cap the taxpayers’ liability.”
Deficit reduction
This is probably the big difference that everybody likes to talk about. In reality though, Labour manifesto pledges and current Coalition policies are not that far apart from one another. Although clearly stating that they would not “put the recovery at risk by reckless cuts to public spending this year” Labour nevertheless pledges to “halve the fiscal deficit over four years.” They even state “Once the recovery is secure, we will rapidly reduce the budget deficit.” To me, this says that Labour spending cuts would have started only a year or so after the Coalition began theirs, would have only been marginally shallower, and would have taken only slightly longer than under the Coalition’s current plans.
The similarities in attitudes don’t just end here either. Labour promises to cut red-tape and regulation, and to support SMEs are cornerstones of current Coalition economic policy. Furthermore, Labour’s proposed “Finance for Growth Fund” sounds remarkably similar to the Coalition’s current Regional Growth Fund. And there are plenty of other uncanny resemblances that I can also pull out.
I have my own theory on this. In terms of economic policy, the ideological differences between New Labour (even under Brown & Darling) and Cameron & Osborne’s brand of Conservatism were always limited. Both put forward centrist and minimally interventionist policies although inevitably both camps adopted different rhetoric. The introduction of the Lib Dems into government has forced the Conservatives to blunt their approach somewhat and adopt the more conciliatory rhetoric and policy that you’d naturally expect from New Labour.
The main thing to take away from this article however, is that the Coalition since coming to office has basically followed the same economic approach that Labour was willing to back in 2010…
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Sunday, 8 July 2012
What might the England football squad look like in 2014?
With Euro 2012 having finished a week ago and the Olympic football tournament yet to start, I’m in an unusual position of not having any meaningful upcoming football to talk about. I’ve taken the opportunity instead to reflect on where English football might be in the future. In particular, I’ve starting thinking about what the England team may look like come the 2014 World Cup (assuming they qualify…) Rather than trying to predict a starting XI, in this article I look at the players I think will be pushing for squad places in Brazil.
Goalkeepers
Based on what we saw in Euro 2012, barring injury or major loss of form, Joe Hart will certainly be England number 1 for many years to come. Support could well come from Jack Butland who has attracted some Premiership interest and is in the 2012 Olympic squad.
Right backs
After some assured performances in Euro 2012, Glen Johnson is the man in possession and it will take some effort to dislodge him. Kyle Walker is certainly an exciting prospect but may need to become a better defender. Don’t discount Micah Richards either who is likely to remain a Manchester City regular.
Centre backs
We’re likely to see a changing of the guard with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand both leaving the England fold. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have shown great promise and could be in line to become first choice centre backs for Manchester United in the near future. Nevertheless, as an England partnership, 2014 may come too soon for them both so expect experienced figures like Gary Cahill and Joleon Lescott to be England regulars for the next of couple of seasons.
Left backs
Roy Hodgson will want to keep some experienced figures in his starting XI at Brazil so expect Ashley Cole who’ll be 33 come the World Cup, to remain firmly in the frame. Leighton Baines is currently the shoo-in understudy for Cole but will expect some stiff competition from Kieran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand who are likely to be Cole’s long-term successors.
Central midfield
Lots of promise for England in this area. Jack Wilshere is already well-established and will be certainly be one of England’s most important and influential players come the next World Cup. Jack Rodwell is in prime position to take over the defensive midfield position from Scott Parker / Gareth Barry. Add Josh McEachran and Tom Cleverley to the mix as well and there’ll be plenty of young talent to draw on in 2014. James Milner will offer experience and a move away from Man City could enable him to establish himself in his preferred position in the centre of the park. Steven Gerrard, who will be 34 come Brazil 2014, might also one final tournament in him.
Attacking midfielders and wingers
England’s current squad players in this area are still young so I’d expect the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Ashley Young to be firmly in the mix for the World Cup. A move away from Man City again may help Adam Johnson. His rare trait of being a left-footer who can dribble past people will be useful to England. Expect other young up-and-coming talent to also stake a claim.
Strikers
This is an area that particularly concerns me as I’m not aware of any new talent coming through. Wayne Rooney of course is a no-brainer. He’ll be 28 by the time of the next World Cup and therefore hopefully in the prime of his career. Having seen off both Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov at Man United, expect Danny Wellbeck to become a United and England regular. Andy Carroll is your stereotypical England number 9 so he’ll also be in the running. And again, expect a new young charge to gain prominence ahead of the World Cup.
I’m sure those with more extensive football knowledge than myself will throw some additional names into the mix too. All in all, I expect the next World Cup squad to be considerably different to the one seen in Euro 2012. Whether any of these predictions actually come true or not is a different matter. That’s something for me to write about in 2014!
Goalkeepers
Based on what we saw in Euro 2012, barring injury or major loss of form, Joe Hart will certainly be England number 1 for many years to come. Support could well come from Jack Butland who has attracted some Premiership interest and is in the 2012 Olympic squad.
Right backs
After some assured performances in Euro 2012, Glen Johnson is the man in possession and it will take some effort to dislodge him. Kyle Walker is certainly an exciting prospect but may need to become a better defender. Don’t discount Micah Richards either who is likely to remain a Manchester City regular.
Centre backs
We’re likely to see a changing of the guard with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand both leaving the England fold. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have shown great promise and could be in line to become first choice centre backs for Manchester United in the near future. Nevertheless, as an England partnership, 2014 may come too soon for them both so expect experienced figures like Gary Cahill and Joleon Lescott to be England regulars for the next of couple of seasons.
Left backs
Roy Hodgson will want to keep some experienced figures in his starting XI at Brazil so expect Ashley Cole who’ll be 33 come the World Cup, to remain firmly in the frame. Leighton Baines is currently the shoo-in understudy for Cole but will expect some stiff competition from Kieran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand who are likely to be Cole’s long-term successors.
Central midfield
Lots of promise for England in this area. Jack Wilshere is already well-established and will be certainly be one of England’s most important and influential players come the next World Cup. Jack Rodwell is in prime position to take over the defensive midfield position from Scott Parker / Gareth Barry. Add Josh McEachran and Tom Cleverley to the mix as well and there’ll be plenty of young talent to draw on in 2014. James Milner will offer experience and a move away from Man City could enable him to establish himself in his preferred position in the centre of the park. Steven Gerrard, who will be 34 come Brazil 2014, might also one final tournament in him.
Attacking midfielders and wingers
England’s current squad players in this area are still young so I’d expect the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Ashley Young to be firmly in the mix for the World Cup. A move away from Man City again may help Adam Johnson. His rare trait of being a left-footer who can dribble past people will be useful to England. Expect other young up-and-coming talent to also stake a claim.
Strikers
This is an area that particularly concerns me as I’m not aware of any new talent coming through. Wayne Rooney of course is a no-brainer. He’ll be 28 by the time of the next World Cup and therefore hopefully in the prime of his career. Having seen off both Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov at Man United, expect Danny Wellbeck to become a United and England regular. Andy Carroll is your stereotypical England number 9 so he’ll also be in the running. And again, expect a new young charge to gain prominence ahead of the World Cup.
I’m sure those with more extensive football knowledge than myself will throw some additional names into the mix too. All in all, I expect the next World Cup squad to be considerably different to the one seen in Euro 2012. Whether any of these predictions actually come true or not is a different matter. That’s something for me to write about in 2014!
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