The Howard government does indeed have generally good economic sense, but they have also been fortunate to ride a wave of western prosperity in recent years. The same is true for many western governments, irrespective of whether their policies have lent to the 'left', 'centre' or 'right' in the last 15 years.
Spot On! The British govt has been 'left' for a long time. The Canucks just voted a conservative govt in after over a decade in opposition. The Canucks have a budget surplus, trade surplus, oil, a strong dollar (aprreciated over 15% to the AUD in the last 8months) but threw the 'left' govt due to a financial corruption issue between the feds and some Quebec party hacks. BTW the corruption was a lot
less in strength to the AWB wheat hypocrisy/fiasco IMHO.
Mind you, its a 'right' govt (a loose term) in DC that is fiscally buggering that once great nation whilst alienating 7/8ths of the globe. Clinton handed over a reasonably sound fiscal machine in 2000.