A copy of a letter that George Osborne sent to Alistair Darling today:
Alistair Darling The Labour Party 39 Victoria Street London SW1H 0HA
9 April 2010
Dear Alistair,
In the course of today, the Labour Party’s economic policy has collapsed in a heap of contradictions.
In the morning, you attacked our efficiency plans on the grounds that they would reduce public sector headcount – but by lunchtime your own Treasury Minister, Stephen Timms, admitted that your own spending plans meant that “there will be some job losses” (The Daily Politics, BBC 2, 9 April 2010).
On Monday 5 April you told the Today Programme that there would be “no” job losses as a result of your National Insurance rise, an assertion that flies in the face of economic logic and the views of over 80 leading business figures. But today, on the BBC One O’clock News, you admitted in questioning from me that your planned increase in National Insurance will lead to what you describe as “manageable” job losses.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in