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EXPRESS COMMENT

BLAME PM FOR CREATING BRITAIN'S SHIRKING CLASSES

Tuesday June 24,2008

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Gordon Brown yesterday attempted to set out a defining “big idea”. He claimed his political mission was to “build a fairer, more prosperous and upwardly mobile Britain”.

There is nothing to object to in that goal. But Mr Brown’s fatal flaw is that the means with which he pursues it are counter-productive.

The Prime Minister is always keen to raise extra cash for long-term welfare claimants but can even he say that doubling the 10p starting rate of tax was fair?

The move hit low-paid workers, making it harder for them to be upwardly mobile. And how can it be right to mount huge tax raids on private pension schemes, then use the funds raised to further subsidise gold-plated public sector schemes?

Blaming Margaret Thatcher, who left power nearly 20 years ago, for a fall in the number of people from modest homes making it to the top of their chosen occupations is preposterous.

It is the Government’s woeful mismanagement of the state education system that has prevented bright children from modest backgrounds succeeding. Labour’s refusal to sanction either a return to academic selection or tough disciplinary standards in comprehensive schools has undermined the life chances of millions.

By using taxes to decimate the finances of families striving for self-reliance, Mr Brown has also set the State machine firmly against the working classes and in favour of the shirking classes.

His greatest folly, among many, is to think that continually indulging the feckless with handouts will encourage them to mend their ways when it will only serve to swell their ranks.

Whatever he says, the devastating truth is that this Prime Minister is actually making Britain less fair, less prosperous and less upwardly mobile.

BROWN'S MIDGETS ARE ANGRY.

24.06.08, 8:28pm

We are all so downwardly mobile at the moment we seem to be skidding along on our noses. Brown lives in a dying twilight of egomania, like Hitlers last days. Like Napoleon at Elba. Like sunset boulevard's grand diva. Sure we should laugh - but it is all so bloody sad. I used to love my country, used to be proud of it. But now it's like watching a punch-drunk boxer who's been flattened talking about the next fight. Sympathy, or contempt?. You pays your money and kick your choice into touch.

• Posted by: bluenote • Report Comment

GORDON BROWN

24.06.08, 5:34pm

The problem with Gordon Brown is that he has bright ideas, but is too thick to think them through.
As he also fires anyone who disagrees with him or even tries to offer advice, EVERYTHING he does turns into a disaster.

• Posted by: peterwest • Report Comment