Prospects: Wednesday, 12 March, 2008
- 12 Mar 08, 10:54 AM
Robert Morgan is tonight's programme producer. Here's his early email to the team.
Good morning everyone,
Budget
It's Alistair Darling's first Budget day. Can he rescue his reputation after the bad reception he received for his pre-budget report and Northern Rock? The ±«Óătv's learned that an increase in tax on fuel won't be imposed next month. The Chancellor had been planning to confirm the two pence rise when he delivers his first budget at lunchtime, but has now shelved the idea for six months because of the rising price of crude oil. Will he go for green taxes and higher duties on alcohol? How will he help reduce child poverty, as Gordon Brown has promised? What will be the effect of the credit crunch and the recent nationalisation of Northern Rock on government spending?
The Budget is at 12.30pm (). Ideas on how to do the story are welcome.
We have a disco set up between Clare Short and Major General Tim Cross following tonight's really strong film on problems with post-war planning in Iraq.
Robert
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I see no point asking us about a politician's reputation. It is the media which makes and breaks political reputations and very often against the better judgement of the people. I would guess that Gordon is a whole lot more popular than the screaming prejudice and sheer insults (e.g. the Mdme T reporting) of the media would suggest.
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WAR CIVILISATION DEMOCRACY
It seems to me that the whole concept of war deserves scrutiny; particularly now the Bush – Blair “global pre-emptive attack” is de-facto endorsed by the UN.
Could Newsnight cover:
(1) Candid acknowledgement from front-line fighters that they LOVE the chance to shoot at live targets; and the joy of the annihilating air strike.
(2) The disconnect between the Prime Minister with his eye on a glorious legacy and the ordinary citizen who watches the death and destruction, wondering just what the truth of it is.
(3) The juxtaposition of displays of heroic homecoming of the “walking victorious” and the limbless, mindless and futureless casualties; particularly viewed in the light of (1) above.
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WAR CIVILISATION DEMOCRACY
It seems to me that the whole concept of war deserves scrutiny; particularly now the Bush – Blair “global pre-emptive attack” is de-facto endorsed by the UN.
Could Newsnight cover:
(1) Candid acknowledgement from front-line fighters that they LOVE the chance to shoot at live targets; and the joy of the annihilating air strike.
(2) The disconnect between the Prime Minister with his eye on a glorious legacy and the ordinary citizen who watches the death and destruction, wondering just what the truth of it is.
(3) The juxtaposition of displays of heroic homecoming of the “walking victorious” and the limbless, mindless and futureless casualties; particularly viewed in the light of (1) above.
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Is that a school disco or a 70's disco?
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Dear Mr Morgan/Stephanie Flanders
Just some questions really,
Q-In whose interests is it exactly to keep inflation down?
One of the stated goals in the Budget (as usual) is to keep inflation down, something that is readily trotted out by everyone it seems, but what is the real inflation level?, are there in fact different levels according to your economic position in society? and is inflation in itself something really to be feared, or really as bad as people say?
Or could there perhaps be some beneficiaries from high inflation levels? If you have a mortgage for example inflation might even help by boosting your wages relative to your debt?
best wishes
Bob
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Please report more on the falsehood presented by the government that inflation and the economy is on track and doing better than other western nations, when so many things essential to sustaining a living in this country are left out of the calculation.
Can you provide a comprehensive report on the relative cost of living in Britain today compared to the pre-blair era.
Perhaps the litmus test for the economy should change to the cost of living index.
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Please report more on the falsehood presented by the government that inflation and the economy is on track and doing better than other western nations, when so many things essential to sustaining a living in this country are left out of the calculation.
Can you provide a comprehensive report on the relative cost of living in Britain today compared to the pre-blair era.
Perhaps the litmus test for the economy should change to the cost of living index.
Complain about this post
Disabled made the scapegoat yet again
This is simple a false job creation scheme for any excess potential junior doctor Mengele's we trained recently. I expect that the only qualification examiners will need is to be a good corporate Nazi like the chancellor. ( even though he did tax the non doms )
I see he is providing extra funding for his pet " spy in the sky " eco-fascists dream road charging scheme. Perhaps many politicians have worthless shares since Ruth Kelly virtually ruled it out recently.
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How come the financial cost of the war is never mentioned these days? Surely that cost is a major reason why the UK has to borrow so much in spite of UK citizens being taxed out of existence. Still, it suits Brown and Co. to keep quiet about that.
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