Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

Facepalm :D

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

As has been mentioned taking on debt to fund an asset, especially one which creates further value, is different to taking on debt to sustain day to day spending.

Taking on debt to fund investment in infrastructure is not what New Labour are criticised for. It was funding annual spending via increasing deficits. This was the 'bad state of the economy' people are referring too likewise when they say Labour didn't 'fix the roof whilst the run was shining'. The whole justification for austerity and the central project of the Conservative Government from 2010-2016 was to eliminate the deficit.

When people say 'balance the books' they mean the budget and not investment in things like HS2.

If Boris Johnson intends to fund social care via running higher deficits then this isn't a costed proposal, this isn't balancing the books and it is ultimately kicking the bill down the road until it's picked up by future governments.

If you count that as 'costed' then fine but it makes the discussion pointless because ultimately everything we spend will be funded by debt and the entire argument OB was making about the Labour government is undermined.

(There is an argument that running permeant deficits is sustainable so long as the economy grows faster but that's more a lefty vision of the world ;) )

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

Depends who the wealth is being created for - if it’s for Venture Capitalists, Hedge Funds, Oligarchs, and Offshore Funds, that doesn’t fund improved public services.

The "trickle down" effect has been proven not to actually happen - all that happens is the wealth gets further consolidated in the top 0.1%.

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

If his experience with the garden bridge, Routemasters and the cable car is anything to go by, then I'm afraid the answer is just two letters long.

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

exactly it trickle up economics that's what tories are best at making the rich more richer

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

:tu:

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

Borrow to invest - is the road to success.

Borrow to spend - is the road to the end.

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

+1

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

You could write the Tory manifesto Hugh ! ;) Will you be out campaigning for Bozza when the GE comes ?

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

Which is?

And creating wealth for who?

For instance, the people who own Wal-Mart are wealthy, but their workers need food stamps...

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

Why bother creating 'wealth' when it gets spent on crap?

This brilliant high speed rail link will cost £billions, but the NHS is falling apart and schools are going bankrupt :rolleyes:

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

Re: [Update 2] PM Boris forms a government
 

What ? The 'not we' poor people ?