The duplicity of this government continues
unabated. Whilst there are more working people classed as living in poverty than
unemployed, the coalition has the audacity to claim they represent the interests
of the "hard-working strivers". Presumably, outsourced cleaners with three jobs,
and carers making over 20 calls a day, need to "strive" harder? However, whether "toil for scant reward" should be the "great issue of the
day" is questionable, simply because there are so many contenders for this
description. The "launching of a stealthy
assault on low-earners" in this month`s Autumn Statement, with more reductions
in universal credit is simply appalling, and Lib Dem support for it should
ensure no liberal-minded person ever votes for Clegg and his cronies
again.
More deceit with the government playing the
"fairness card", yet Osborne fights the case against capping bankers` bonuses;
they support social mobility, yet end the Education Maintenance Allowance,
triple student fees and allow Gove`s examination reforms to pave the way for a
two-tiered system of education.
Yet more with Cameron and Clegg competing with
each other to be the families` champion, and giving unnecessary tax relief to
married couples to encourage "family values", they disgracefully rush through at
the end of the parliamentary year a policy which, on their own admission, will
split up 17,800 families. Well done, Archbishop Nichols, for raising concerns
about these new immigration rules. Spouses being refused entry, or being deported because their
partner does not earn £18,600, is wrong on so many moral and social accounts,and
it is not enough for Yvette Cooper to call for a "swift review". Labour should
be more pro-active on the issue, demanding figures of families broken up so far,
asking questions at PMQs, and demanding a Commons debate. Of course, as the
Archbishop admits, "concern about levels of immigration is high", but that does
not mean inhumane and uncivilised measures have to be taken, or that a
duplicitous government, which uses deportation as an electoral tool, should not
be defeated,
The only thing about which I have mixed feelings in this government, is its dire incompetence: is that a further indictment or, actually, a mercy, in that it prevents it achieving some of its cruellest aims, or at least achieving them in full.
ReplyDeleteBut on their deceitfulness and the brutality of their policies, you've summarised the position perfectly.