Labour's debt binge - the Truth about 10 years

I keep hearing Labour ministers talking about reducing debt over Labour first ten years.

You know what ? It true ! But its very, very misleading. Most people would describe it as lying. It is certainly misleading.

Why do they say they reduced debt for the first ten years so often ? The answer is they are trying to hide the spending ( fuelled by borrowing in the economy and caused by a binge in the public sector ).

See the graph from the National Statistics Office record which I have annotated below (source here ):

I think most people on looking at that graph - published by the independent National Statistics Office - on hearing Labour ministers talk about reducing debt over 10 years and looking at the graph most people would say Labour are trying to persuade people of something that is not true.

Odd that I haven't heard any BBC commentators pick up Labour ministers ( Yvette Cooper on Newsnight last night, Alistair Darling on radio 4's Today this morning ).

The truth is that Conservative spending plans were adopted for the first two years of New Labour - so the Conservatives take the credit for those years and then Gordon Brown believing he had abolished Boom and Bust failed to fix the roof whilst the sun shined.

Every time you hear this for of misleading boast from Labour make sure they are made to eat their words. The problem with Conservative politicians sometimes is they don't counter these Meme's and spin from Labour with anywhere near the vigor and determination that is needed.

Bob Spink makes a potentially fatal mistake

And I don't mean defecting to UKIP. Rather he should initiated a bye-election for Castle Point.

The risk is that he loses his seat, but the reward is to fight an election without being spectacularly out gunned by national general election campaign.

If I had been in his shoes I would have sought a new mandate almost straight away. It would have been seen as principled and would have allowed a party like UKIP to concentrate forces to have a fighting chance of success. Instead they have allowed the prospect of having an MP for up to two years to get the better of them.

Fortune favours the brave and small parties have to ride their luck - and today UKIP have failed the test.

So what's this about Bob Spink MP ?

Just reading Nadine's blog and I must say I had the same idea - UKIP or the English Democrats could pick up their first MP. I guess this will probably let Labour through the middle at the general election.

Still Dr Spink has an impressive record of achievement in life, and the tone and content of the reason he gives for reigning (or being sacked - do we care ? ) is very serious. I hope the party doesn't make the mistake of covering up - but sends someone in to sort this mess out. And any accusations of criminal activity should be passed onto the police immediately.

This looks like an avoidable balls up - someone in the whips office should be for the high jump. [ Update - it appears I may have been too hasty as there are reason to believe that Spink was trying to strong arm the party into coming to his aid in a reselection battle in which he has brought partly on himself by his behaviour. So my apologies to the whips office - not that they mind what I say. ]

Disappointing.

Update: Guido is getting some of the answers here ....

Iain Dale is less sympathetic, however Luke Akehurst - whilst disliking Dr Spink's policies is willing to defend his integrity - despite, or perhaps because, of being his Labour opposite number once fighting the seat.

I just find it sad that a man who is so clearly self made, has worked hard in his life having made real achievements outside politics should be brought to this position. Surely he is the sort of person who the party needs.

Further update: As is mentioned in comments below and on Conservative home there is more to this story than meet the eye, with disgraceful behaviour part of the story. Apparently central office have investigate previously and decided to let things take their course.

Further information is emerging : The Daily Telegraph has an article here - it appears the so called affair was not with a married woman but with the 'long time partner' of the deputy chairman of the association. Not quite sure where that goes in terms of modern morals - but its not adultery.

It seems that Gail Boland, the woman named in the telegraph article has just been ambushed to stop her standing again as a Conservative councillor - or to have just failed to fill in some forms right (who knows ? ). See this Evening Echo article here . She is promising to stand as an independent.

All is not well in Castle Point.

Update: It seems that Bob Spink has joined UKIP but will not stand down for a bye-election.