The evidence from the local elections is not that the voters are abandoning the Tories to back Reform or Ukip , but parties of the centre and the left. Their situation is bad, but it can be made worse.
On some issues, he got it wrong. On other issues, he got it right but is misrepresented by some of his cheerleaders. And on other issues, he was right in the context of the time but circumstances have changed.
Lawson backed Sunak last year due to his concern about unfunded tax cuts. Those using tributes to him to push for them again are failing to understand his record in office.
He was the most formidable Chancellor of the Twentieth Century and a titan of the modern Conservative Party – voting for Sunak and endorsing his approach in last summer’s Tory leadership election.,
Merely “looking at” such measures as raising the pension age and reforming the benefits system will not be enough to demonstrate fiscal credibility.
The former Prime Minister is of less importance than resisting the temptation to make her mistakes all over again.
Have we got to the stage where it is now considered beyond the pale to employ the services of an accountant or advisor to minimise one’s tax bill?
Recent governments have strained to take ever-larger numbers out of income tax whilst maintaining a large welfare state. The problem is whether this is sustainable.
Over this period, the UK’s economic growth was level with the US’s and exceeded the other five members of the G7. In other words, on international comparisons, we did well.
Is he fated to be a fire-fighter, a leader grappling with crisis? Or can he find the political space to deliver a more personal message – perhaps to do with education?
If we are to grow as a nation and pay for public services we need to encourage entrepreneurs and support businesses – not make life harder for them and kick them in the teeth.
A lower tax burden will be impossible without less supply of government. And for there to be less supply, there must first be less demand.
As a former Brexit Secretary, I know that we can use our Brexit freedoms to achieve incredible things. Changes to EU regulations in our five growth industries will mean that we can deliver the very best for our great country,
The first article in a new series on ConHome about how government might be made smaller, taxpayers better off and and society stronger – through strong families, better schools and good jobs.