Thursday, December 22, 2011

Gus O'Donnell interview

The UK Cabinet Secretary (a Civil Service post) retires on December 31, 2011 and has given an interview.

In this, he highlights the three key issues facing the UK;  The EU, The Economy and the Union.

The EU - If you believe some, the UK is isolated and so can expect to have little influence.  Reality though, is we are still a member and as such need to continue to push for reform of EU institutions in spite of what some petty Euro MPs think of us.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100124965/time-for-britain-to-make-the-great-escape/

Click on the above and Open!

The Economy -  Everyone (except Ed 'I think we should borrow more' Balls and Ed ' does my voice sound funny and whiny to you' Miliband) agrees that 2012 is going to be a hard year, and 2013 doesn't look great either!  However, stopping the austerity measures isn't really an option.  Indeed many say the cuts should be deeper and more immediate.

Also, the fate of the economy is inextricably linked to the actions (or rather, non-actions) taken by the EuroZone members.  At some  point, fairly soon, I expect (not wish for) that the financial markets will lose patience and will attack one of the Eurozone members.  I would not be surprised if they took a tilt at France.  The exposure to sovereign debt for French and German banks is worryingly high.

The Union - I have posted before.  Have a referendum in Scotland and one in England and go with the wishes of the people.  No more delay.  I see that Alex Salmond and the Welsh leader, Jones have requested a meeting with Cameron to discuss his handling and us of the Veto at Brussels.  They both full well know that Foreign Policy is a 'reserved' policy and falls outside the ambit of the devolved administrations.  Their comments are posturing such as only petty people can manage.  Time Cameron slapped them down and sent them scurrying back to their Celtic palaces.

I have just re-read the paragraph on The Economy.  Why is it that in the case of Labour, two Eds are not better than none?

Incidentally, Gus O'Donnell is retiring aged 59.  Presumably on a sizable pension linked to his final salary of around  £235K and index-linked for life!



No comments:

Post a Comment