The economic policies of Jeremy Corbyn have come under widespread criticism. This exceeds the level of scrutiny of his policies; many of his critics do not seem to have troubled themselves to read his key policy document. It also be far exceeds the level of scrutiny devoted to any of his leadership rivals. This is […]
Posts under ‘Trade’
Too left wing? Corbyn concedes too much on public spending – trade deficit matters more
Aug 14th, 2015 by Bryan Gould.How Left wing is Jeremy Corbyn? If anything, argues Bryan Gould, Corbyn’s economic platform concedes too much on the government deficit – it is the balance of payments deficit which should be our main focus As the warnings about a Corbyn leadership become more and more hysterical, we need to ask – just how left-wing is Jeremy […]
Why the economy is in far worse shape than Osborne admits
Jun 23rd, 2015 by Michael Meacher.Osborne’s portrayal of the British economy as having “the fastest rate of recovery of any advanced nation in the world”, which he again repeated yesterday, is sheer poppycock. He continues to boast that GDP growth can be expected to average some 2.5% per annum over the period ahead, but on every key economic indicator that […]
TTIP and the rule of law: a response to Jude Kirton-Darling MEP
Jun 11th, 2015 by Keith Ewing and John Hendy.Thanks to Jude Kirton-Darling MEP for replying to our previous article. No-one could suggest she was capable of doing anything ‘shabby’. We are grateful that it is she, not us, who has to deal with the complex procedures of the European Parliament which she describes. We make several points of substance by way of response. […]
How Labour & Social Democrat MEPs are fighting for the millions who oppose ISDS
Jun 9th, 2015 by Jude Kirton-Darling.Jude Kirton-Darling, Labour MEP for the North East of England and European Labour Party spokesperson on TTIP writes in response to Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC In an article published last Friday by the Morning Star and Institute of Employment Rights, Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC accused Labour and Social Democrat MEPs […]
Labour & social democrat MEPs back a shabby compromise on TTIP
Jun 6th, 2015 by Keith Ewing.The Socialist and Democratic group of MEPs (which includes UK Labour) have agreed to a “shabby compromise” supporting TTIP, leaving all the most unjust elements of the deal intact say Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is the secret trade deal currently being negotiated between the EU and the US. Its […]
Cameron’s one-nation programme: pull the other one!
Jun 3rd, 2015 by Michael Meacher.Like Thatcher declaring on the steps of Downing Street in 1979 that, like Francis of Assisi, “where there is discord, I will bring peace”, so Cameron in the Queen’s Speech debate has pledged a one-nation Britain – until one looks at the detail and reads between the lines. To take one example, the most recent […]
Why doesn’t Labour lambast the Tories on their weakest point – the economy?
Apr 22nd, 2015 by Michael Meacher.It is strange that Labour hasn’t launched a full frontal attack on the Tory handling of the economy over the last 5 years, because it’s been deplorable. The only points the Tories make in defence of their own management are growth and jobs. But look at the record. Osborne’s bizarre idea that contracting the economy […]
Privatisation debate: long-term market share v get-rich-quick barrow-boys
Apr 9th, 2015 by Michael Meacher.The Tories have always boasted that privatisation of major industries has been good for the economy and good for Britain. A rain-check on the history of Thatcher’s mass programme of privatisation now suggests otherwise. Who thinks the privatisation of energy, or of water, or of telecoms (or of the Post Office) has been a roaring […]
Productivity is central flaw in Tory economic argument
Apr 5th, 2015 by Michael Meacher.One of the company bosses signing the Telegraph letter sought to clinch his case by saying it was ‘madness’ to abandon the government’s economic policy since it was only half done and they needed to ‘finish the job’. But what is half done? Not reducing the deficit since it was £118bn when Alistair Darling’s two […]