that .... cameron .. and his side kicks

[grahamw48]

In 1979 when Thatcher took over from Labour, interest rate was around 14%.

[jimeve]

In 1979 when Thatcher took over from Labour, interest rate was around 14%.

and when she was ousted interest rates 15 % didn't she do well

[Manila_Paul]

and when she was ousted interest rates 15 % didn't she do well

As far as I can see from the stats, after a relatively long period of low inflation after the war, it first got out of control under the Heath/Barbour government in the early 70s. It hit 27% at one point! No wonder the unions were recommending strike action to their members! And no wonder when Heath asked 'who governs' the electorate said 'well, not you mate... on your bike!'. Then after a period of struggling with it, Labour got it under control again by the late 70s before it galloped off again under Thatcher. To be fair to her, the stats show it then falling but it was increasing by the time she left office in 1990: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBAS...9&More=N&All=Y

To me, I really don't see where the Tories rep for economic competence comes from. I would say it is more to do with the fact that they've been lucky enough not to be in power during the major global economic crisis of the last 30-40 years. And when they have been in power during the good times, they truly haven't fixed the leaking roof. Our infrasture is in a bad way. It is embarrassing to compare with places like Germany or Norway. Far too much was squandered on tax cuts for the super rich when those tax revenues could have been used to invest in the future of our country.

[grahamw48]

As far as I can see from the stats, after a relatively long period of low inflation after the war, it first got out of control under the Heath/Barbour government in the early 70s. It hit 27% at one point! No wonder the unions were recommending strike action to their members! And no wonder when Heath asked 'who governs' the electorate said 'well, not you mate... on your bike!'. Then after a period of struggling with it, Labour got it under control again by the late 70s before it galloped off again under Thatcher. To be fair to her, the stats show it then falling but it was increasing by the time she left office in 1990: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBAS...9&More=N&All=Y

To me, I really don't see where the Tories rep for economic competence comes from. I would say it is more to do with the fact that they've been lucky enough not to be in power during the major global economic crisis of the last 30-40 years. And when they have been in power during the good times, they truly haven't fixed the leaking roof. Our infrasture is in a bad way. It is embarrassing to compare with places like Germany or Norway. Far too much was squandered on tax cuts for the super rich when those tax revenues could have been used to invest in the future of our country.

It's not just a matter of inflation though is it ?
How much is and was the country left in debt by preceding govts. ?

Both Callaghan and Bliar left the Tories a right mess to clear up.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/e...the-books.html

Believe me, I remember very well what life was like back then, and how things have changed since.

Poll tax for instance:

As a single person using minimal services I was all for it.
Why should I pay for everyone else ? I already paid higher taxes at that time.

The current system was designed to encourage breeding, dependence and irresponsibility, to facilitate divorce and single parenthood, and no longer to recognise the stability of marriage....hence how society has ended up today.

[gWaPito]

It's not just a matter of inflation though is it ?
How much is and was the country left in debt by preceding govts. ?

Both Callaghan and Bliar left the Tories a right mess to clear up.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/e...the-books.html

Believe me, I remember very well what life was like back then, and how things have changed since.

Poll tax for instance:

As a single person using minimal services I was all for it.
Why should I pay for everyone else ? I already paid higher taxes at that time.

The current system was designed to encourage breeding, dependence and irresponsibility, to facilitate divorce and single parenthood, and no longer to recognise the stability of marriage....hence how society has ended up today.

I wonder how many of us experienced living through the 3 day working week?
I wonder how many of us experienced living through the power cuts? (black outs)

Those were very dark days, believe me.

The unions of that era brought the country to its knees.

We have hard times now granted. It's nothing like it was back in the mid seventies.

[Englishman2010]

Those were very dark days, believe me.

The unions of that era brought the country to its knees.

We have hard times now granted. It's nothing like it was back in the mid seventies.

The ultra militant Union bosses did more to destroy British manufacturing than any thing any Political leaders or CEO's with a big cost cutting axe could have done. BL, Ford and Vauxhall were crippled by strikes and poor workmanship, it's no wonder that Ford and GM moved some of their manufacturing at the time to Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium - not because it was cheaper, but because the job would get done without strike interference and would be done to a higher standard. British motor manufacturing was once the envy of the world, but in the 70's it became a laughing stock and gave the Japanese a clear run to dominate the British market with their well built cars.

[gWaPito]

The ultra militant Union bosses did more to destroy British manufacturing than any thing any Political leaders or CEO's with a big cost cutting axe could have done. BL, Ford and Vauxhall were crippled by strikes and poor workmanship, it's no wonder that Ford and GM moved some of their manufacturing at the time to Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium - not because it was cheaper, but because the job would get done without strike interference and would be done to a higher standard. British motor manufacturing was once the envy of the world, but in the 70's it became a laughing stock and gave the Japanese a clear run to dominate the British market with their well built cars.

The political leaders at the time, labour could done what Thatcher did. Drop the axe on them.

The buck stops with the government of the day.

[jimeve]

I wonder how many of us experienced living through the 3 day working week?
I wonder how many of us experienced living through the power cuts? (black outs)

Those were very dark days, believe me.

The unions of that era brought the country to its knees.

We have hard times now granted. It's nothing like it was back in the mid seventies.

It weren't the unions, they just wanted a fair days pay for a honest days work. Ted teeth then thatcher decimated the trade, then destroyed what was left of the working mans life. Yes I remember the 3 day and all the strikes. WHAT A GOVERNMENT THAT WAS

[scott&ligaya]

The current system was designed to encourage breeding, dependence and irresponsibility, to facilitate divorce and single parenthood, and no longer to recognise the stability of marriage....hence how society has ended up today.

an excellent perception and totally correct in my opinion. Says it all really.

[Manila_Paul]

It's not just a matter of inflation though is it ?
How much is and was the country left in debt by preceding govts. ?

Both Callaghan and Bliar left the Tories a right mess to clear up.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/e...the-books.html

You would have a point if we were the only country to go into debt over this period but it was a global crisis for all those countries which had mistakenly hitched their horses to the finance capital wagon. George Bush and his 'free market' Republican loonies ended up having to nationalise a large percentage of the US banking sector. The Tories would have had to do much the same. Except, it would have been an even bigger debt under them as they were pushing for further deregulation and for more power to the city. New Labour were crap, no doubt about it. But the Tories over 13 years backed them all the way on all the key issues and were urging them to go further.