Tories U-Turning Before They Get to Power

Little over a year ago George Osbourne promised that the Conservatives wouldn't make cuts in public expenditure. It was seen as a similar pledge to the one Labour made back in the lead up to 1997 not to increase the level of tax set by the Tories and therefore as a major plank to lure disheartened voters from the other side. Well unlike the political convictions so loved by Gordon Brown or an Iron Lady these Tories are for turning and haven't even had the removal vans turn up to turf Gordon et al out of Downing Street yet, at least Gordon didn't go back on his no more taxes pledge until he started issuing budgets.

Now Osbourne has said he is likely to inherit and "economic mess" well we can all many of us can see that around us. Those of us who can see it know that many of those who are worse off will need help from the public purse. However, he goes on to say that he will not give details until after the Government set public expenditure budgets up to 2014 next summer of what he says will be a "tonal change" over his policy to match that spending until 2011. The Conservative have long made clear that they will aim to share the proceeds of growth, yet as Mr Osbourne is facing a potential shrinkage in the economy it is not clear how as he claims he will free cash to cut taxes and reduce debt.

He's also hinted at scaling back the Tories early eagerness for green taxes, even though he says, "I think green taxes are a very powerful tool in tackling climate change.[But the] case is made much more difficult by Gordon Brown and Labour because they have used them as stealth taxes, by which I mean they don't replace some other tax." So why isn't he going to be able to make a case for them, or was he planning to introduce them stealthily himself instead of being up front about it. Maybe Caroline Lucas is right that Labour and the Tories have borrowed environmental rhetoric merely to dump it when the nay-sayers (most specifically those in the Conservative Party) are claiming it is hard to be green in a credit crunch.

Unionist Says No to Cameron: Just Who Will Speak for the Poor?

Ulster Unionist MLA Chris McGimpsey has put his own person kibosh on Dave "caring" Cameron's plans to merge the Conservatives and Unionists once more. Interesting in light of Dave's apparently more considerate and caring conservative brand one of the key reasons that Mr McGimpsey, who's bother Michael is the Health Secretary in the Assembly, is that it would "deprive working-class Northern Ireland of an important voice".

Now that is a sting in a tail not just to the merger but to the Conservatives appearance as reaching out across the political divide. All the more reason for the Lib Dems to stand up for hard working people everywhere, not just as Jennie Rigg rants about just those in families Nick. If the Tories aren't viewed as standing up for the working class and Labour are only happy with them as long as they fleece more taxes out of them the working class need a voice. Liberals down through history have long been radical in workers rights and reforms and are ideally placed to be so once more, lets not be branded like the other two main parties for the sake of sameness being less of an issue. We always have been looking for fairness to those most affected by poverty so let's take the argument to the place it needs to go rather than follow the headless chickens in the wrong direction.

Labour City Councillor Dies

Knowing from recent family experience that even when you think someone has won a battle with cancer they can very suddenly go downhill and lose the war I was saddened to learn, via J. Arthur McNumpty, that Cllr. Elizabeth Maginnis has also suddenly passed away.

Her blog reports that she was attending a surgery on Wednesday but the Scotsman reports that she was admitted to the Western General on Thursday with a suspected brain hemorrhage. She's had been a councillor for 21 years and was working for her constituents right up to the end.

My thoughts go to her family at this time.

Hockey Mom has Done a U-Turn

Hat tip to Concerned08 who posted this comment.

It appears that Governor Lipsticked Pitbull doesn't quite know whether she supports of disagrees with Sen. Barak Obama's energy policy. On September 3 while accepting the Republican nomination for Vice President she said:

"...we Americans need to produce more of our own oil and gas.

"And take it from a gal who knows the North Slope of Alaska: we've got lots of both.

"Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's
energy problems - as if we all didn't know that already.

"But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all."

Nothing she says it what her opponents are going to do yet from the State of Alaska archive less than a month before on August 4, she said:

"I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska’s
natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs,”
Governor Palin said. “The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this
past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the
energy our nation needs."

In a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called
for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, "Over the next
five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in
Alaska for oil and gas production. And we should also tap more of our
substantial natural gas reserves and work with the Canadian government to
finally build the Alaska natural gas pipeline, delivering clean natural gas and
creating good jobs in the process."

Governor Palin also acknowledged the Senator’s proposal to offer $1,000
rebates to those struggling with the high cost of energy.

"We in Alaska feel that crunch and are taking steps to address it right here
at home," Governor Palin said. "This is a tool that must be on the table to buy
us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already
enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see
Senator Obama get on board."

The Governor did question the means to pay for Obama’s proposed rebate —
a windfall profits tax on oil companies. In Alaska, the state’s resource
valuation system, ACES, provides strong incentives for companies to re-invest
their profits in new production.

"Windfall profits taxes alone prevent additional investment in domestic
production. Without new supplies from American reserves, our dependency and
addiction to foreign sources of oil will continue," Governor Palin said.

Of course the Governor doesn't suggest any other way to pay for these rebates, but seeing as she has been slashing state spending no doubt she'd expect Obama to find this from Federal funds so she can blame it on Washington when she has to seek re-election as Governor or when she may challenge for the Presidency in 2012.

If you ask me the only one who's prepared to do nothing about this herself is the Governor of Alaska not the Democratic Nominee for President.

Andy to Take on Fed

Oh what a night. The resumption of the Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray semi-final in the US Open took place on the Arthur Ashe Stadium and a different Rafa Nadal seemed to have come out when the the 3rd set continued with serve with Rafa hardly under threat on his own serve a difference from the night before. The Spanish world number 1 ended up taking that set 6-4 after returning to court 3-2 up and facing a break back point in that 10th game.

The start of the 4th set both players went to 0-30 in each of the the first 5 games. but it was the third at 1-1 that could have been a turning point as Andy had 7 break points on Nadal's serve but each time the Spaniard somehow managed to keep himself in the game, taking it on his third time of asking. Andy then started to serve up too many unforced errors losing his next service game to love with four unforced errors from the Scot. We all did start to wonder if the pervious game now spelt the end of hope for the Scot. However on the next game on his first break back point Andy was back in the match, befo9re holding his serve to take it to 4-3. The next two games went with serve leaving Rafa serving at 4-5 down to stay in the match.

Andy had a lucky netchord on the first point and thte ball dropped in with RAfa unable to do anything about it. then taking the game to deuce Andy came into the net punching away a volley to bring up his first point to take him to a slam final. Then it was Rafa's turn to employ an illtimed. illexecuted drop shot which the Scot easily got to before smashing a forehand drive past Nadal to take on Roger Federer in this evening's final.

Andy was already assured 4th place in today's rankings whatever the outcome of the match but tonight he goes for what may be his first slam. Roger will no doubt be hoping not to go the whole season without winning a Slam. But Andy has beaten Federer in the past indeed he is one of the few players to have the better of their head-to-head record over the former world number one. The way he has played and talked this fortnight Andy belives he can win this tournment. Tonight may be the last night we hark back to 1936 and Fred Perry's win in this tournament as the last British man to win a Grand Slam event.

Even Rafael broke with tradition and posted on his Time's blog after losing beacuse it was our player. Magnanimous in defeat just as he was at the end of the match.

All the Best Andy. All of Scotland and now the bulk of the UK (listening to 6-love-6 last night) are behind you.

Go Andy Go - Live Blogging on Murray v Nadal

ANDY Takes First two sets 6-2 7-6 2-3 rain delay

Ok Andy Murray and Rafa Nadal are on Louis Armstrong Stadium while Federer and Novak Djokovic are on Arthur Ashe.

The Scot breaks Rafa in the third game of the first set before holding his own serve and breaking the world number 1 again in the seventh game. Then he takes the set with a little bit of Wimbledon-esque serve volleying. As David Ferrer the only person to beat Rafa in a five set match also took the first set this is looking good for the Scotsman.

Second Set

At 1-1 in the second set Nadal is struggling when he fires a backhand out wide to Murray's forehand, but the Scot smashes back a forehand winner down the lime to make it 15-40 and two more break points for a third break for the Scot. Andy maybe getting a wee bit to excited at the possibility squanders them both but at Deuce Rafa fouls up a driven volley to give another break point. However hawkeye confirms the shot that may have caused Nadal problems early in the second set is wide. Nadal having clawed it back from the brink with the help of technology hangs on, for now, as the players return to their seats. Apparently Mr and Mrs Greg Norman (ie Chris Evert) have come over from the Arthur Ashe stadium for this one, we know the former Mrs Lloyd has a soft spot for Brits who do well in New York, she married one. Andy serves out game 4 to love, over to Rafa again.

Andy is doing a lot to make it hard for Rafa and takes it to 30-30 before Rafa puts a forehand wide for the Scots 4th break point in two games. But after Andy returns the first smash, Rafa makes sure to get this game to deuce on the second asking. However, a cross court backhand sees the Spaniard again facing breakpoint. Whoops first dodgy drop shot is swallowed up by Rafa, followed by a tame attempt at a lob. Another game of survival for Nadal, you'd think that Andy was the world number one at the moment though. Murray holds serve after a drop shot fails first point. But with two forehand winners and two aces takes it easily again to level at 3-3. A couple of error from Murray allows Nadal to ease to 30-15 having lost the first point. Then after a won point by Nadal Murray puts it into the net. Nadal has his first easy hold of the second set.

Murray comes to the net but is passed, but then scores an ace 15-15. Another ace takes the Scot to 40-15 before coming again to the net to put away a forehand volley into the open court, 4-4. Rafa puts a forehand out down the line, first point in game 9 to Andy. A cross court forehand down at Nadal's feet makes it 0-30 on Nadal's serve. But he responds with his third ace of the match, then forces Murray out wide to score an easy forehand winner. Murray goes for a big forehand winner down the line but just misses. After a great rally pummelling away Andy pulls it into deuce. But Andy puts it into the net on his forehand, then putting a service return wide. Points won so far Andy 61 Rafa 46 the winner will play Roger Federer who has just won 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-2 against Novak Djokovic.

Andy serving to stay in the set. Andy plays a drop shot which Nadal scrambles to get but a vollied lob gives Andy the start. Just wide from Rafa makes it 30-0. Nadal again errors going wide with his backhand, before another ace to round up the game to love. On Nadal's serve he is made to go left and right before ending the rally by netting. A slice backhand from Rafa forces Andy to lay the ball up on plate for Rafa to put it away. Clean service return winner cross court take it to 30-30. First serve misses, Andy crushes a return Murray break point. Nadal saves another break point at the net and does a double fist pump when Andy can't reach it. Murray again moves Nadal around and forces the Spaniard to go long from the baseline another breakpoint for the Scot his 8th in the match so far. Nadal almost puts away a clean winner but Andy reaches it but the defensive lob is easily put away by Nadal back to deuce. Murray puts it into the net advantage Nadal, but Nadal fails to take it deuce once more. A mishit forehand from Murray allows Nadal back in again, which he then takes with an ace. He's saved seven break points in this set alone, Murray has yet to face one in the entire match. Starts with his twelfth ace, but then crashes a forehand too long, then puts a forehand wide. Is Andy starting to try too hard? Then another crushing serve down the middle 30-30. Nadal puts it wide as Andy serve vollies of second serve and with another big serve takes it to a tiebreak.

First point of the tiebreak is a mini break to Murray as Nadal puts it wide. But straight away take it back as Murray set the ball up to high. Another Murray ace! 13-4 on ace count. Nadal lazily puts a drop shot into the open court Andy chases it down and puts it away down the line. But big serve and Andy puts it wide, but the Scot still has the mini break. Andy double faults, his first, going for a big second serve. First serve long but Andy comes up with another forehand winner 4-3. Nadal puts his first serve into the tram lines but a backhand from Murray goes way too long. Murray nets his next service return. 5-4 Nadal. Second serve from Andy picks up and Nadal's return trickles along the net before landing on the Spaniards side, then another big serve for set point for Andy. Rafa serving to stay in, Andy punches a twohander down the line and then Rafa pushes his shot wide. Two set to love for Andy Murray.

Third Set

While Andy may be putting some shots just long he is going all out for this. But putting it into the net makes it 15-30 on Murray's serve at the start of what may be a very important set. Going for a big backhand Andy just puts a cross court wide, Nadal's first break points of the match. Murray puts it long and Nadal takes his first break on his first breakpoint of the match. Andy starts the next game with a big winner. Then goes long on his backhand next point. Rafa is getting pumped as Murary puts it into the net. Murray stops mid-rally to challenge the line judge and gets it right as Nadal has put it wide. Nadal punishes a Murray drop shot to take the second game of this set. Andy starts with a serve volly but is easily passed, but constructs a better rally to bring it back. An ace served out wide, followed by another. Andy comes in to serve volley but Nadal doesn't even make him have to play it, 1-2.

Andy gets back into the point but instead of going downline goes back across court and misses. Nadal goes long with a forehand. But on the next serve a Murray mishit goes wide and another wide shot makes it 40-15 Nadal. A strong Murray backhand only sees Nadal put it into the net. But a great serve down the Murray back hand forces the error and wins the game for Nadal. Another double fault at the start of the next Murray service game. Nadal mishits the second serve return on the next point but is let off when Andy nets his shot. Then Nadal returns the favour. Murray scoops it up cross court in a squash type shot, Nadal runs it down but misses down the line, another Murray two aces brings up another game and Andy shows that he can recover when under pressure now. Andy 2-3 down with the break to Nadal.

The umpire has come down from his chair to check the conditions on the court has the rain from Hannah arrived? They are going to wait for this little shower to stop and then see where we go.

Andy is not happy and goes out into the centre of the court saying he doesn't think it is slippery. They are finally taking the players off the court. Depending how long this takes I may pick up my blogging later.

Draft Lipstick's Step-Mother-In-Law for VP

If running for Mayor of Wallisa is enough experience to become a Vice Presidential nominee and if John McCain really wanted to be seen as bi-partisan maybe he chose the wrong Palin for his ticket.

Yeah Faye Palin the step-mom of First Dude in waiting Todd Palin stood for mayor of Wallisa in 2002 when Sarah maxed out on term limits in 2002. She didn't get the nepotistic endorsement of the outgoing Mayor whether it was because she supported a women's right to chose or whether she was a Democrat it's not clear which was the greater sin.

However, when Time magazine were researching that article they found out that Iris Robinson would probably scarily fit in with the Palin's at their church, Wallisa Baptist Church. There was an insert in the order of service advertising Love Won Out a conference being held in nearby Anchorage the aim of this conference on homosexuality was to teach attendees how to "respond to misinformation in our culture" and help them "overcome" homosexuality.

Judging by the fact that the Governor and the High School in Wallisa both think that Abstinence-only is the only form of sex education it's not misinformation but lack of information that is the issue. This is a state which as Ed Pilkington points out in today's Grauniad "has the highest per capita incidence of chlamydia in the country". There is, and indeed, should always be more to sex education than merely how to prevent pregnancy but the abstinence only gospel that the Republicans seem to be preaching does more harm than good as the "mistakes" (their quote not mine) that invariably happen to teenagers lead to all sorts of questions that should already have been answered and discussed.