PAST STIRRINGS

MARCH-APRIL 2002  

Rants that have previously appeared in Shit Stirrer

19/04/02

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

It's taken five years since being appointed as Chancellor, but Gordon Brown has finally found it within himself to finally deliver a Labour budget and not one drawn up in Smith Square.

It was a shame that it took the loss of his daughter Jennifer for the Chancellor to finally see the mess that the Tories (and his previous policies) had left the NHS in. Whether The Blessed Tory really approved of this Budget we will never know. He was sitting next to Gordon Brown with a blue tie on looking the very model of a Tory Prime Minister so it must have come as a shock to see his next door neighbour daring to implement the policy that dare not speak its name (socialism).

If you listened closely on Wednesday night there was a strange sound in the air. It was the pips of the rich squeaking. Denis Healey must  be proud of the current Chancellor.

It was a brave and absolutely necessary move to break the taboo of increasing National Insurance contributions above the ceiling for the top earners. It is a nice thought that as BP had their annual shareholders meeting yesterday the boss of one of the world's worst polluters, Lord Browne, would have to find another £32,000 to help pay for treatment of ordinary people. Perhaps next year the ceiling can be abolished entirely so the rich have to pay 11% NI on all their earnings?

It was noticeable that the usual gang of business leaders etc were paraded afterwards and on Thursday to say how the raise in the employers' contribution amounted to a "tax on jobs". What complete bollocks they talk. These are the self-same people who were wheeled out in the 1997 election to say what a devastating effect the minimum wage would have on the employment figures. We are now five years into this government and in total contrast to all the CBI and Institute of Directors scum's dire predictions unemployment is at its lowest level since the days of Harold Wilson. For the first time in many years full employment is an achievable goal. What a contrast to the 3m unemployed of Thatcher and Major.

I have been a major critic of the Labour Government in the last couple of years, but there has been substantial improvement on the disastrous policies implemented by the Tories in their 18 years of mis-rule. This Government deserve to be given credit for starting to address the balance. The system of tax credits they are implementing is a major socialist principle. We seem to have what was unthinkable 15 years ago - a Labour Government that is economically competent and fair. Let's hope they continue as they have promised in this budget.

After this budget I'll have a pint or two (at reduced prices!) in the FILO to celebrate a socialist budget.

25/03/02

COMPLETE AND UTTER BOLLOCKS!

This weekend the remnants of the Tory Party have met in Harrogate to try to find a way forward following last year's mauling that they suffered at the hands of the electorate.

In this meeting of the senile, deranged and plain barmy, they came up with the idea of "Caring Conservatism".

Forgive me dear readers, but isn't that a contradiction? How on earth can anyone be caring and a Conservative! It's like talking of nourishing food and McDonalds in the same breath (or Archer and truth!)

However, we know what they really stand for.

This is the Tory Party which, not five minutes ago, was talking about dismantling what is left of the NHS after the mess that they left.

This is the Tory Party which has been calling for massive tax cuts for the rich whilst planning to increase VAT which always hits the poor hardest.

This is the Tory Party which was talking about ending the state pension.

This is the Tory Party which gave us the vile Poll Tax where Lord Ashcroft of Belize paid sod all and the lowest paid were thrown into jail when they couldn't afford to pay.

This is the Tory Party which did more damage to British industry than Hitler's bombs.

This is the Tory Party which boasted of creating a "low pay economy".

This is the Tory Party which encouraged fat cats to pay themselves millions in bonuses whilst telling the people who were producing the wealth to make do with £2.50 per hour.

This is the Tory Party which created mass unemployment.

This is the Tory Party which opposed the minimum wage.

This is the Tory Party which this very month voted to increase their own council allowances whilst voting to throw the elderly out of care homes in East Sussex.

This is the Tory Party which this very month voted to cut funding to charities helping the poorest people in East Sussex.

This is the Tory Party which this very month voted to cut funding to special schools in East Sussex.

This is the Tory Party which is talking out of their collective arses. This is the Tory Party which is talking complete and utter bollocks. This is the Tory Party whose members are obviously in the "Care in the Community" scheme. Only a fool (and a Tory) would believe this shit and it is no surprise at all that this crap was spouted in the very same week that the Mad Cow Th*****r was told to shut up!