News from Labour Matters

Are you as confused about cuts as the Conservatives?

In an interview with Channel 4 News on Thursday, David Cameron confirmed that if he gets the keys to Number 10 his “number 1 priority” would be to make immediate spending cuts, even if it made Britain relapse into recession. He conceded that his cuts would be unpopular “but we are being truthful with the British people and I think they respect that.”

Having been roundly criticised by leading financiers however, the following day Cameron appeared to soften his line, telling the BBC:

“We’re not talking about swingeing cuts. We’re talking about making a start in reducing our deficit.”

The apparent u-turn didn’t go unnoticed.

Today, asked by John Sopel on The Politics Show “how much do you want to save in the first year”, David Cameron replied:

“Well we don’t, we haven’t given a figure for that.”

Mr Sopel repeatedly asked for detail: “You keep saying you want to be honest and straightforward with the British people and I say to you well tell us what you’re going to do in year one, give us a rough idea of what year one will be like.”

But answer there was none.

If you’re left with a feeling of utter confusion, congratulations: so are Cameron’s Conservatives.

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