For some weeks now, Labour have struggled to project a clear voice on the economy. You
can see what they’ve been trying to do: pitch themselves as an alternative to immediate, deeper cuts, whilst also accepting the requirement to deal with the deficit. But, as I’ve said before, this all too often comes across as nervous equivocation; a kind of
“on the one hand, on the other hand” stuttering that won’t persuade many observers either way. You sense that Team Miliband have tried to correct this in recent weeks, with a few punchier
performances, but, even then, mistakes and deceptions have greased into their offering.
Anyway, I mention this because Alan Johnson’s interview with the Times (£) today only adds to the confusion. The
New Statesman’s Mehdi Hasan has already highlighted the two key passages, but they’re worth repeating
here. First up:
And then Johnson adds:“The former cabinet minister insists he is actually an instinctive cutter.”
From the perspective of the right, this is sensible talk from Johnson: cutters have a privileged place in our politics, and the 50p tax rate is not a policy for the long-term. But it does present his party with one or two problems. One of Labour’s favourite attacks is that the Tories are cutting for the sheer enjoyment of it, but how does that work when their own shadow chancellor is an “instinctive cutter”? And how does Johnson’s attitude to 50p chime with his Ed Miliband’s claim that he would “keep the 50p rate permanently”? Opposition never promised to be straightforward, but Labour are only making it more difficult for themselves.“I am only backing 50p [top rate of tax] for the times we are in. It is not ideal; five years ago (we) wouldn’t have done it. Our policy has to be based on fairness and what encourages people to do well.”
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