PMQs and debunking Tory myths

The weekly session of PMQs, ostensibly where the government is held to account by the leader of the Opposition, has become somewhat farcical. Starmer`s questions provoke waffle, not answers, and the Speaker makes no interjections to improve matters. To his credit, and to Johnson`s obvious bewilderment, Starmer devoted all six of his questions last week to the callous cut in aid to Yemen. To show the need for moral leadership, it was a sensible move, but embarrass Johnson it did not! The temptation this week to focus all questions on the 1% pay offer to NHS staff should be resisted. Lead with it, by all means, but with Johnson and Sunak insisting "the government could not afford a higher increase", the five remaining should be devoted to the Tories` management of the economy, changing the focus each time to maximise the PM`s display of lack of detail (Johnson defends his 1% pay offer despite NHS staff exodus warning, 08/03/21). £25bn can be afforded to provide a tax break for companies which invest in plant and technology! Does Johnson not understand how economic multipliers work, how pay rises to public sector workers cost little, bearing in mind the boost they provide both to local economies and to the Treasury? Voters need to be shown how Tory understanding of economics is based on myths like the Laffer curve and private being more efficient than public, and how, despite Johnson`s claims about being a "one-nation" Conservative, Tory budgets end up favouring the well-off. Of course a more generous offer can be afforded!