I am a member of the Labour Party and CSM (Christian Socialist Movement) but I find myself in sympathy with David Cameron, and (even more unlikely) George Osborne. Yes, Osborne’s welfare reforms weren’t properly thought through – a family receiving joint income of £80 000 is to receive child benefit whereas one earning over £44 000 is not. But in my book, neither of them should get anything. The welfare state was not set up to provide pocket money for the middle classes. It should not be a universal right. Only the poorest and most vulnerable should have to rely on the state. The argument about rents in the south east of England doesn’t wash.Shame on you Diane Abbot – you were second on my list of preferences for Labour Leader! If the rents are unaffordable, landlords should be forced to put them down. The property bubble burst; the same should happen to lettings.
The last labour government was too generous with welfare benefits. A woman on a high salary received more than one on a low salary for child care. She shouldn’t have received anything as she could afford to pay. David Starkey talks about the unworthy poor, what about the unworthy rich?
Cameron? Well, I do occasionally like Conservative politicians. I have quite often found myslef agreeing with Ken Clarke. Cameron, apart from banging on incessantly about the legacy of the last Labour governernment, is doing an OK job. I’m keeping an open mind. Nick Clegg is a different matter all together. Take note Ed Milliband – we are watching.
