Gordon Brown
9:25am Tuesday 6th May 2008
A COUNTRY which has prices and the cost of living spiralling out of control day to day, which has both food and fuel poverty, which detains people for long periods without trial, which treats the international community with derision, and its electorate with disdain.
I do not refer to Zimbabwe, but Gordon Brown's Britain.
In the wake of last Thursday's local elections it is hoped that this Stalinist leader finds himself in the throes of deposition - not only by the electorate but also by his party.
Examine the reasons for discontent: the abolition of the 10p tax rate, the financial insecurity of businesses due to taxation anomalies and the worry experienced by every household (particularly the poorer paid) due to rampantly rising costs - all were created by Mr Brown who sinks into the shadows while his stooge, Chancellor Alastair Darling, weathers the storms.
This Prime Minister, who has admitted he was wrong about the 10p tax rate, has shown he is unworthy of leadership of not only the Labour Party, but this country.
He will be beaten in the next General Election - as and when he has the courage to call it.
Colin T Mortimer, Pity Me, Durham.
I WOULD never take pleasure in saying "I told you so" but as the last week's local election results came in I couldn't help but recall a letter I submitted last July about a conversation I had with my good friend and fellow HAS correspondent, Christopher Wardell.
The topic was that Labour will not win the next General Election.
Ladbrokes and William Hill would have loved our money at that time.
Among other HAS correspondents, the one who makes a habit of defending his "Iron Chancellor" should now feel lonely.
Conservative Jim Tague, be ready.
Your party will be forming Her Majesty's next government. Instinct says smaller taxes will follow. It's what Tories do best.
To David Lacey, I would wager on a Tory government within two years. Shadow Chancellor George Osborne will put money back in your pocket, where it belongs.
Don't ask this present lot how to spend it. They've had their chance - and they'll have years in opposition to think about where they went wrong.
Des More, Darlington.
Your Say YourNorth-East
Peter Dolan, Newton Aycliffe says...
10:57am Tue 6 May 08
Des More, Darlington says...
12:56pm Tue 6 May 08
Taxes and how they are distributed is always a major concern, i am sure the burden on those that actually contribute will reduce, as those that do not are no longer indulged to the extent they are now.
David Lacey, NEWCASTLE says...
4:13pm Tue 6 May 08
Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland says...
10:58pm Tue 6 May 08
Then how come last year newly elected Tories in Hammersmith & Fulham reduced council tax by 3%, and publicity spending by 35%, the latter assisting the former, by allowing local businesses to advertise on council publicity material and newsletters.
How come many Tory councils have to raise 80% of their budget, but many northern Labour councils only raise 30-40%...yet the Tories still manage to hold down council tax bills, whilst providing services. Just how come Wandsworth Band D average is £694?
I will be writin to colleagues down south soon regarding specific matters of finance and hopefully I'll keep you all informed about any reply.
Des More, Darlington says...
2:02am Wed 7 May 08
He wanted credit for economy that had nothing to do with him.
Let him now take credit for the price risies, he asked you to thank him for low prices.
Ask me in three years from now, when all the well meaning Labour men that will vote Labour regardless, ask me who took the money back from the many socialist funds the present mob, pours your money into, ask me when Mr Osbourne pours it into your pocket.
They have rode the gravy train too long. 11 years too long. They have the cheek to question the price of the Monarchy, which by the way is less than 1p, Black Wedensday? How many more has this govenment paid for? Billions more is your answer!
If i could speak for the greatest peace time Prime Minister, i know she would say, Labour, Labour, Labour, out, out out! Nothging New about spending thew working man's pound, it's what they do!
Des More, Darlington says...
2:12am Wed 7 May 08
TimeBandit, Co Durham says...
8:09am Wed 7 May 08
Paul Leake, Bowburn, Co. Durham says...
10:26am Wed 7 May 08
David Lacey, Newcastle says...
11:12am Wed 7 May 08
Des More, Darlington says...
3:49pm Wed 7 May 08
It was of course the Reagan/Thatcher partnership that brought an end to the cold war. President Reagan is on record stating he had the utmost respect for Mrs Thatcher and her strong leadership.
Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland says...
9:26pm Wed 7 May 08
Absolutely true in many respects, areas down south (on average) have more properties in higher council tax bands.
Therefore, it goes without saying that people (from what is said to be a disadvantaged area) in Band A/B/C should be paying considerably less than those in Band D down south...but unfortunately it isn't always the case.
I would hazard a guess that a large percentage of people across Durham are not paying the full amount of council tax attributed to the property in which they reside.
Until we start addressing the reality of the local situation, or indeed at least admitting to it, then how on earth do we find solutions?
Your sayYourNorth-East
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David Lacey, Newcastle says...
10:44am Tue 6 May 08
There's no way out of the mess we are in and with some estimates showing the population will double in the next 40 years, I'm glad that I won't be around to experience the grotesque society that will follow.