The Tory Threat

More and more the weakness of the Tories on policy shines through. At the same time, cuts by Tory councils are showing what the Tories would be like in government. David Cameron and George Osborne have promised to cut taxes every year under a Conservative government through their so-called ‘proceeds of growth’ rule. The third fiscal rule applied over the economic cycle would require cuts to spending of £21 billion this year alone. David Cameron has himself admitted that implementing this rule would lead to ‘dramatic’ cuts in public investment compared to Labour’s plans. Not only that, but the cuts would be to fund unfair policies like marriage tax breaks.But at the same time as promising huge cuts in public spending, David Cameron and George Osborne have lost control of their front bench colleagues with half the shadow cabinet going around making unaffordable spending commitments, and the other half promising massive tax cuts.The Tories have to fund even larger cuts in front-line public services on top of their proceeds of growth rule. As every new tax cut or spending pledge is made, the Tories reveal how they still can't be trusted to run the economy or fund public services.Even the Tories’ flagship policies are unravelling under scrutiny. The Tory plan to put VAT on airline tickets would only apply to domestic flights, would save just 50,000 tonnes of carbon – less savings in one year than achieved by the climate change levy in just one week, a levy the Tories oppose – and business would be able to claim back the VAT. Despite talking tough on crime, the Conservatives have repeatedly voted against Labour’s investment in law and order and the tough measures Labour has taken to fight crime. David Cameron has made calls to hug-a-hoodie and show louts more ‘love’, while dismissing Labour’s anti-social behaviour orders as ‘gimmicks’. His party have repeatedly tried to block Labour’s tough measures, including voting against enhanced powers for councils and the Environment Agency to tackle local environmental quality and anti-social behaviour.At a local level, Tory councils are showing what the Tories are like, and would be like in government. Despite the new gloss, across the country, when the Tories get into power they are showing that they follow the same old policies of cuts to vital local services.