Even the Lib Dem fig leaf can’t hide shame of these Tory cuts

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Published: 9 July, 2010

WE were not surprised when Conservatives in Parliament voted for an unfair, unjust and unequal Budget.

They believe in protecting the rich and the powerful before protecting the poor, and are using the deficit as a cover for making fundamental changes to the role and size of the state.

But the Liberal Democrats had a choice, and they chose to sacrifice their principles for power.

They chose jobs for themselves in government over the hundreds of thousands of jobs that will be lost as a result of the cuts.

They chose to allow the Tories to use them as a fig leaf.

Labour’s plan, set out in our budget before the election, was to cut the deficit in half within four years, but not whilst the recovery was still so weak.

At that stage the Lib Dems agreed with us.

Since the election they have done a complete U-turn.

They support immediate cuts and paying off all the deficit within the next five years.

The cuts that they need to implement in order to shrink public funding in this reckless and unnecessary fashion will hit Islington residents, particularly the poor, very hard indeed.

Islington people know that the extent of the cuts were not necessary and that Lib Dems in the coalition could have stopped them.

By failing to do so, the Lib Dems have forfeited their claim to be a progressive party.

The Treasury’s own estimates say that this Budget will put up to 1.3 million people out of work.

The Budget ends support for Labour’s Future Jobs Fund – cutting help for people trying to get back to work.

The reduction of tax allowances for investments and the halt in loans to vital industries like Sheffield Forgemasters stifles manufacturing and green jobs which are vital to our recovery.

Experts warn the Lib Dems have endorsed a Tory plan which will mean 33,000 less police officers, less investment in higher education, and an £11billion cut in welfare for the very poorest.

And, rather than stick to their election pledge and protect the poorest from a rise in VAT, the Lib Dems have increased it on everyday necessities while pushing through cuts in income for those on welfare.

As Ed Miliband said in the Budget debate: “It takes a long time to establish an honourable political tradition, but it takes a very short time to destroy it.”

In Islington and throughout the country, the Liberal Democrat’s U-turn on investment, on jobs and on welfare has forever forfeited their claim to be a progressive alternative.

We needed a budget to encourage economic growth, protect jobs and cut the deficit fairly.

What we got was a plan which jeopardises the recovery.

Labour has always argued these cuts are too deep, too soon and will hit hardest those who can least afford it.

As the Institute for Fiscal Studies points out, the only claim to fairness in this Tory Budget is the continuation of previous Labour policies, like changes to pension contributions and the introduction of the 50p tax rate.

For those who want a progressive society, my message is this: Labour is your home.

Come and join us. In Islington alone, we have had more than 100 new members since the election.

Liberal Democrats must look at their Budget and at their party and face the tough question: “Is this the Government I voted for?”

• Emily Thornberry is Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury