As a nation we really need to have a national debate rathet than fumbling around on a shifting sands basis. Do we really want a 5* public sector matched to a belief in a significant global presence and capability?
If the answer is yes, then it will have to be paid for. This can either be through increased taxation or increased international borrowing.
Any sensible person should rule out increased borrowing so the real answer is pay more tax or fundamentally re-write how we do health, welfare, education, defence etc..
Sadly our political leadership on any side seem to be burying their heads in the sand with the standard lines of; we will spend more on the NHS, more on education, will lower taxation and borrow less etc..
If the main parties both agree that the UK needs to save or cut another £84Bn from non-ringfenced OGD budgets (as they appear to do), then I look forward to seeing their detailed plans of how they will achieve this prior to the election next May.
