The Osborne Identity
Discussion
Has George Osborne quietly been doing a very good job over the last 6 years? I've not seen him interviewed much so can't comment on him as a leader/motivator, but quite a few of the things he announces I've thought 'actually that's quite good', even if some of it was nicked from Labour manifestos. But even that shows that he doesn't let party allegiance/ideology get in the way of a good idea.
Not sure I can see him as Prime Minister, but he seems to know what he's doing in his current role. Or is it all an illusion?
Not sure I can see him as Prime Minister, but he seems to know what he's doing in his current role. Or is it all an illusion?
Interesting that we don't see many interviews with him. I think there's something a bit nefarious about him and focus groups have indicated similar responses. He might be a very capable chancellor but he has a sinister air about him that makes the conservatives keep him hidden away. Perhaps he's actually a robot or one of the undead?
Fittster said:
Of the goals he's set for himself around borrowing and the deficit how many has it actually achieved?
I don't know, that's kind of why I'm asking.If he doesn't have an economic background, I'm guessing he picks and chooses who and what he listens to very well, which must be one of the keys to being a good politician. Maybe he developed the skills of critically selecting and analysing research during his History degree.
Hugo a Gogo said:
I wonder at what point he learned his economic skills? was it during his History studies, or when he was flipping his houses and claiming expenses for buying DVDs of his own speech on "saving taxpayers money" 
disclaimer: yes, I'm sure Labour politicians are exactly as bad
It was when he was folding towels in Selfridges disclaimer: yes, I'm sure Labour politicians are exactly as bad
Twilkes said:
Fittster said:
Of the goals he's set for himself around borrowing and the deficit how many has it actually achieved?
I don't know, that's kind of why I'm asking.If he doesn't have an economic background, I'm guessing he picks and chooses who and what he listens to very well, which must be one of the keys to being a good politician. Maybe he developed the skills of critically selecting and analysing research during his History degree.
http://blogs.new.spectator.co.uk/2015/03/the-budge...
But as this is PH I suspect it's all the fault of jeremy corbyn.
Fittster said:
Twilkes said:
Has George Osborne quietly been doing a very good job over the last 6 years?
Of the goals he's set for himself around borrowing and the deficit how many has it actually achieved?He's almost nailed on for next Tory leader if we don't have another recession. I think that's quite a big if though, otherwise it'll be between Boris and Gove. Personally I 'd like Gove to get the gig, gave an absolutely brilliant speech today, a proper liberal.
I think the ideal situation would be for Osborne to be Prime Minister In Hiding, doing all of the work and decision-making but never exposed to sunlight; and for Boris Johnson to be Prime Minister's Spokesperson, representing the government in public but not allowed to have thoughts or opinions of his own.
Gove just shouldn't be allowed.
Gove just shouldn't be allowed.
BJG1 said:
[ There seems to be pretty much unanimous agreement amongst economists that cutting faster (which he did at the very star then slowed down) would stifle growth.
I think you're pushing it there. A lot of economists think the cuts were completely wrong and government spending should have increased not reduced.Fittster said:
He has the luxury of setting his own goals but has failed to meet them:
http://blogs.new.spectator.co.uk/2015/03/the-budge...
But as this is PH I suspect it's all the fault of jeremy corbyn.
Well given that all of the posts thus far have been taking a pop at him... not so much..http://blogs.new.spectator.co.uk/2015/03/the-budge...
But as this is PH I suspect it's all the fault of jeremy corbyn.
sidicks said:
Fittster said:
I think you're pushing it there. A lot of economists think the cuts were completely wrong and government spending should have increased not reduced.
'A lot'?Our growth compared to other countries suggest they were wrong!
What I find interesting is how so many people think they know better than economists. If a noble winning physicist makes a statement about physics you don't see lots of people in the media and internet forums jumping up to say "He doesn't know what he's talking about, although I've no qualifications at all in the subject I know more about it than him!"
Fittster said:
What I find interesting is how so many people think they know better than economists. If a noble winning physicist makes a statement about physics you don't see lots of people in the media and internet forums jumping up to say "He doesn't know what he's talking about, although I've no qualifications at all in the subject I know more about it than him!"
Economics has more in common with sociology than it does with physics, so two economists could have opposing opinions but neither of them necessarily be wrong (or indeed, right).It's about scarcity of resources and the behaviour of people - if there was an infinite amount of everything then we wouldn't need economics because everyone could just get what they want whenever they wanted it; and if people could be trusted to behave like computers then all of the economists little graphs and formulae would be correct every time.
My favourite quote about economists is that they are very good at predicting what has just happened. Usually on late night news programmes.
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