Latest news with #ProjectFear2.0
New Statesman
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
Will Nigel Farage go the same way as Liz Truss?
Photo by'Liz Truss all over again': this is how Keir Starmer characterised Reform UK's offer to the British people at a speech in a glass factory in St Helens. What Nigel Farage is offering, the PM said, is 'billions upon billions of completely unfunded spending, precisely the sort of irresponsible splurge that sent your mortgage costs, your bills, and the cost of living through the roof'. Farage responded that this was 'Project Fear 2.0'. The politics of this are interesting. Labour's presence in parliament is more than 80 times the size of Reform's. Keir Starmer has 403 MPs. Farage has five, two of whom have majorities of fewer than 100 votes (Sarah Pochin won the Runcorn and Selsby by-election by six votes). Reform is polling very strongly and claimed a large popular vote in the general election by fielding paper candidates across the country. But it is not the opposition. Why act as if it is? One explanation was suggested by a line in Nigel Farage's speech on Tuesday: the actual opposition, the Conservative Party, have 'had a good 200 years', Farage said, 'but they're done'. It's obvious why Farage wants the public to accept this. But it might also be in Keir Starmer's interest. Since the Labour Party was formed in 1900, the Conservatives have been in power (if you include coalitions) 66.4 per cent of the time. Labour wins when voters tire of what has been, since the mid-19th century, the usual party of government. So, while the polls say Reform is a real threat to Labour, it is perhaps not entirely unreasonable to argue that when Keir Starmer acts as if Nigel Farage is leader of the opposition, he is presenting voters on the right with a choice that might take a large chunk out of the Tory vote. The calculation may be that the damage Reform can do to Labour is less than the damage Reform can do to the Conservatives. If this is part of Labour's strategy then it also implies a confidence that the more power Reform gains, the more its threat is defused, because it'll trash the place just like Liz Truss did. Hence Starmer's (and Ed Davey's) warning that Farage in power would 'crash the economy'. I wonder how durable the Truss Crash Effect will be. Which bills were sent 'through the roof', as Starmer put it, by Liz Truss, and how? It was Truss who, in her historically brief tenure as PM, introduced an energy price guarantee to limit bills against a spike in wholesale prices. Water bills remained the same under Truss (they have since risen by 26.1 per cent). The steep inflation experienced during Trusstober 2022 was exogenic (caused by circumstances external to the UK); whatever you think of Liz Truss, she did not invade Ukraine. Do you know anyone who lost their job as a result of the Truss-Kwarteng omnishambles? Apart from Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, obviously – anyone with a real job? There was no steep dive in GDP, no mass unemployment. If the 'crash' was the bond market reaction, then let's check the yield on a ten-year UK gilt: higher now than it was during the Trusspocalypse. Does that mean Keir Starmer is also 'Liz Truss all over again'? Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe In Farage's speech earlier this week, he offered to make tens of billions of pounds' worth of tax cuts, just as Truss did. A lot of people, including me, would argue this is a terrible idea. But Truss defenestrated herself by ignoring the Bank of England, the OBR, the Treasury, and anyone else who could have helped her implement her economic plan without causing market turbulence that threatened to explode the arcane plumbing beneath pension funds. It was not the prospect of lower taxes that ruined Truss, but her failure to announce the austerity that would have made her borrowing appear sustainable to the market. Donald Trump is currently pursuing a much more damaging agenda than Truss promised and he has yet to be deposed by the bond market (still, you never know). Like Trump, Farage is a populist who runs on easy answers: slash public services, abandon any attempt to address the climate crisis, maybe sell the NHS. The bond market would not necessarily reject such policies. That's the thing about the bond market: it is a predictor of the path of inflation and government borrowing. It has no interest in good government. Voters want more from Labour than a promise to just handle the beast more carefully than anyone else. This piece first appeared in the Morning Call newsletter; receive it every morning by subscribing on Substack here [See also: Neo-Nazi safari] Related
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Mirror Daily Digest - Liverpool suspect pictured to Starmer-Farage fallout
In this Thursday's Mirror Daily Digest, we've pulled together the biggest stories of the day from pictures of the man accused of driving into fans in Liverpool to Keir Starmer's insult at Nigel Farage Welcome to the Mirror's Daily Digest, where we'll be pulling together all the biggest stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Health teams and more. This Thursday, we're featuring everything from the man accused of ramming his car into crowds at the Liverpool victory parade to Keir Starmer's speech where he branded Nigel Farage" Liz Truss 2.0". We've also got the latest on Eamonn Holmes' health update after the presenter fell off his chair live on GB News, and the new strain of coronavirus which has prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to issue an alert. 'Family man' charged over Liverpool crash horror pictured for first time This evening, our News team published pictures of the man accused of ramming his car into crowds at the Liverpool victory parade, injuring almost 80 people. Paul Doyle, 53, of West Derby, Liverpool, is accused of dangerous driving, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, wounding with intent to cause injury, and attempting to cause GBH with intent when he ploughed into football fans celebrating Liverpool FC's title win. He is due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' court on Friday. The dad of three was finally identified today, as detectives were given more time to quiz him over the incident on Monday night. Police were stationed outside his family home this afternoon, where Doyle lives with his wife and their three sons. Loved-up pictures on social media show the family enjoying various holidays including Disneyland Florida, Dubai and at the beach. Starmer humiliates Farage with one of worst political insults imaginable This afternoon, our Politics team attended Keir Starmer's speech in the north west where the Prime Minister branded Nigel Farage" Liz Truss 2.0". In a ferocious attack, the PM accused the Reform UK leader of planning a 'mad experiment' that will hammer family finances. He compared Reform's uncosted pledges to Tory disaster Liz Truss, who triggered market chaos and sent mortgage rates rocketing with her tax-slashing mini-Budget. But Mr Farage hit back, accusing the PM of "Project Fear 2.0". The PM said the promises proved Mr Farage cannot be trusted, saying: "He set out economic plans that contained billion upon billions of pounds of completely unfunded spending, precisely the sort of irresponsible splurge that sent your mortgage costs, your bills and the cost of living through the roof. It's Liz Truss all over again." He added: "What Nigel Farage is doing is Liz Truss 2.0, same promises of billions and billions of pounds in unfunded cuts with exactly the same results. I feel very strongly it's my responsibility to protect working people from being put through that ever again." Eamonn Holmes issues heartbreaking health update In other news, our Showbiz team covered Eamonn Holmes' heartbreaking health update just days after he fell off his chair live on GB News. It comes after the 65-year-old was taken to the hospital earlier in the month following a fall at his home where he had to ring an ambulance for help. Sharing his dismay at his ongoing issues, Eamonn took to social media to share a picture of himself looking healthy and sprightly from just three years ago. The presenter said it 'made him sad' to see his decline as he told fans: "I could walk then." In a bid to stay positive, Eamonn added that he was motivated to "redouble my efforts." The presenter has been working hard on his rehabilitation after undergoing spinal surgery in 2022 for chronic back pain caused by three slipped discs. Over the last year he has been seen using a walking aid and a wheelchair as his mobility has become effected. Mum-of-six 'murdered by wanted man as she walked her dog' An on-the-run man who was living off-grid to avoid being recalled to prison killed a grandmother who was out walking her dog in a "vicious and brutal attack", a court has heard. Anita Rose, 57, was subjected to "numerous kicks, stamps and blows being delivered to her face, head and body", prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC told a trial at Ipswich Crown Court. Roy Barclay, 56, of no fixed address, denies her murder. Opening the case for the prosecution today, Mr Paxton said mum-of-six Anita left her home in Brantham, Suffolk, to walk her dog Bruce on July 24 last year. She was found by passers-by but died four days later at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge on July 28. Mr Paxton said: "After she left home and before 6.25 that morning, Anita Rose was subject to a vicious and brutal attack with numerous kicks, stamps and blows being delivered to her face, head and body. Found by passers-by, help was called for but on July 28 Anita Rose died in Addenbrooke's Hospital from the injuries she received." Infectious new Covid strain hits three holiday destinations Meanwhile, our Health team has been following the new strain of coronavirus which has prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to issue an alert. The new strain is spreading rapidly in multiple countries, including three destinations popular with UK holidaymakers. An expert has explained the symptoms of the new strain, saying it appears to be able to spread more easily and quickly than previous variants. The WHO has warned over a surge in Covid cases with the new variant now responsible for more than 10 per cent of all infections. The WHO has designated the new strain NB.1.8.1 as a 'variant under monitoring' amid concern about the sharp rise in cases. The strain has been detected in multiple countries, including Australia, the US and possibly the UK.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Have your say on whether Nigel Farage could be Prime Minister
Keir Starmer has launched a ferocious attack on Nigel Farage shortly after a poll revealed the Reform UK leader is British voters' last choice to be Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ramped up his war of words with Nigel Farage, humiliating the Reform UK leader by naming him 'Liz Truss 2.0'. The Prime Minister's ferocious attack came just days after a poll revealed 'political fraud' Nigel Farage is voters' last choice to be PM. In a major speech this Thursday, Keir Starmer savaged the Reform UK leader, accusing him of planning a 'mad experiment' that will hammer family finances. The PM compared Reform's uncosted pledges to Liz Truss, whose Tory government sent mortgage rates rocketing with her tax-slashing mini-Budget. Mr Farage hit back at the Labour leader, accusing the PM of "Project Fear 2.0". However, economists have said Reform's plans would blow a hole in the public finances, which included a promise to raise the tax free personal allowance to £20,000, costing up to £80billion alone. Keir Starmer's attack on Nigel Farage came just days after a YouGov poll revealed that the Reform UK leader is voters' last choice to be Prime Minister. In the poll Brits prefered Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch or Sir Ed Davey over Mr Farage. If you can't see the poll, click here. 44% of the public backed the current Prime Minister to lead the country compared to 29% choosing Mr Farage when asked who would be the best PM out of the two. Asked about the poll results, Mr Farage said the UK did not have a 'presidential election' and he needed a 'team of people that look competent and capable of going into government'. Attacking Nigel Farage and Reform UK's pledges, Keir Starmer said: "He set out economic plans that contained billion upon billions of pounds of completely unfunded spending, precisely the sort of irresponsible splurge that sent your mortgage costs, your bills and the cost of living through the roof. It's Liz Truss all over again." The Prime Minister went on to swipe at the Reform UK leader's decision to jet off to Las Vegas today to appear at a Bitcoin conference. He said: "Apparently (Mr Farage) is in Las Vegas today at a casino, and it's not a surprise, because he said that the Liz Truss budget in his view was the best since 1986. That shows his judgment. It shows what he'd do and the result would be exactly the same. I'm not prepared to let that happen. "What Nigel Farage is doing is Liz Truss 2.0, same promises of billions and billions of pounds in unfunded cuts with exactly the same results. I feel very strongly it's my responsibility to protect working people from being put through that ever again." It comes as the Reform UK leader was labelled a 'political fraud' by the TUC after announcing headline-grabbing welfare and tax policies funded through controversial cuts to climate change strategies and diversity programmes. However, Mr Farage claimed Reform UK's weakness was that it has never been in government and that newly-elected council leaders now needed to show the party is capable of governing. Reform UK have found themselves under fire this week after Nigel Farage was savaged as a 'poisonous man' by Leader of Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar after he defended a 'racist' political advert. The attack advert in question claimed Anas Sarwar - who was born in Glasgow to Pakistani Muslim parents - will "prioritise" Pakistani people. At a press conference that was televised to the nation on Tuesday, Mr Farage played a clip of the Labour politician which he said supposedly justified Reform UK's advert. But the video did not show Mr Sarwar saying what the ad had claimed, leading the leader of Scottish Labour to label Mr Farage a "poisonous man who doesn't understand Scotland".
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer humiliates Nigel Farage by blasting him as 'Liz Truss 2.0'
Keir Starmer ramped up his war of words with Nigel Farage as he warned Reform UK's uncosted pledges would trigger economic chaos that would hurt ordinary workers Keir Starmer has launched a ferocious attack on Nigel Farage - branding him " Liz Truss 2.0". The Prime Minister turned his fire on the Reform UK leader in a speech in the north west today, accusing him of planning a 'mad experiment' that will hammer family finances. He compared Reform's uncosted pledges to Tory disaster Liz Truss, who triggered market chaos and sent mortgage rates rocketing with her tax-slashing mini-Budget. But Mr Farage hit back, accusing the PM of "Project Fear 2.0". Economists have said Reform's plans would blow a hole in the public finances, which included a promise to raise the tax free personal allowance to £20,000 alone costing up to £80billion. The PM said the promises proved Mr Farage cannot be trusted, saying: "He set out economic plans that contained billion upon billions of pounds of completely unfunded spending, precisely the sort of irresponsible splurge that sent your mortgage costs, your bills and the cost of living through the roof. It's Liz Truss all over again." He accused Reform of gambling in the same casino as Ms Truss, and took a swipe at Mr Farage's decision to jet off to Las Vegas to appear at a Bitcoin conference today. Mr Starmer said: "Apparently (Mr Farage) is in Las Vegas today at a casino, and it's not a surprise, because he said that the Liz Truss budget in his view was the best since 1986. That shows his judgment. It shows what he'd do and the result would be exactly the same. I'm not prepared to let that happen." Mr Starmer said he understood what it was like to grow up struggling to pay the bills, unlike privately-educated banker Mr Farage. He said: "I know what it means to work 10 hours a day in a factory five days a week, and I know that because that is what my dad did every single working day of his life, and that's what I grew up with. "So I don't need lessons from Nigel Farage about the issues that matter most to working people in this country." He added: "What Nigel Farage is doing is Liz Truss 2.0, same promises of billions and billions of pounds in unfunded cuts with exactly the same results. I feel very strongly it's my responsibility to protect working people from being put through that ever again." Mr Starmer said the Tories were "sliding into the abyss" and suggested he sees Reform UK as the real electoral threat to Labour. Asked why he was focusing on Mr Farage, he said: "I do think that the Conservative Party has run out of road. "Their project is faltering, they are in decline. They're sliding into the abyss." He added: "The choice at the moment is between the choice of a Labour Government that thinks stable finances are at the heart of building better lives for working people, or Nigel Farage and Reform, who only this week said they would spend billions upon billions upon billions, tens of billions of pounds, in an unfunded way, which is an exact repeat of what Liz Truss did. "And it wasn't Nigel Farage that lost, he's all right, it's working people across the country who lost out, and I am not prepared to allow that ever to happen in this country again." Mr Farage told the Sun: "In the last 24 hours I have been subjected to political attacks by everybody from Keir Starmer to John Swinney because Reform UK are winning. "The Prime Minister is now resorting to dirty tricks borrowed from the 2016 referendum campaign. This is Project Fear 2.0."
