More Tory Muddle

You may or may not know Gideon made a speech today on the economy.

One would expect some meaty policy today from the Tories to distract from the recent missteps and to try and dominate the news cycle in response to the steadily tightening polls. The Tories trapse journos and hangers on over to the British Museum, and again, clearly, anyone of sound mind would expect this to be some 'clear blue water', the rushed release of a policy to retake the initiative.

Anyone of sound mind?


Rather, the hungry presspack are drip fed soundbite after soundbite, "benchmarks" to judge his economic performance on (Gideon, if your not careful, your going have to be emphasising 'our' performance, because you're going to be heading straight to the Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship...), without any new policy or clarification of any of the V-Turns (I heard it's a U-turn with a point; ie: to win an election)

Which makes me wonder. The ComRes poll out last night which showed Labour trailing by only 7 also showed the rather worrying (for the blue team) statistic that:

82 percent of voters have doubts about Cameron’s economic policies and say he should do more to explain his plans

The Tories have had a terrible few days, and the reds do seem to be on the front foot now. Perhaps we should bastardize Clive Tyldesley? "...can Labour win...they always win..." This is the second half of injury time and it is Labour who seem to have the legs to run until injury time. Why not release a new policy? A big idea? Demonstrate Gordons beloved dividing lines?

Like I said, I was wondering, and sat on the train this evening it came to me. Maybe...maybe they don't have any? Maybe this is all they have? Maybe they have been poaching the knock ons (to mix my sporting metaphors) and now they are on the 22 they realise they have no creativity in the backline?

But the lack of beef is not all...

Within the speech, Osborne said:

I am delighted that Lord Stern has agreed to advise us...

So, perhaps something significant. A member of the House of Lords crossing the floor? Oh, no, he's a crossbencher, and, oh no...Lord Stern issues a statement saying that whilst he would be happy to work with both parties (he already consults on climate change policy with the government):

...I am not, and have no plans to be, an advisor to any political party.

Whoops.

No problem though, because Stelios of easyjet approves. (Oh, and 6 other CEO of FTSE 100 companies)