April 30: Time to answer the questions...

Yet, despite Mr Cameron spending the past four and a half years attacking the Leader of the Opposition, this message has still to hit home. Mr Miliband has certainly outperformed expectations, despite misgivings about his economic policies and the possibility of Labour forming a post-election pact with the Scottish Nationalists.

However it is clear that Mr Cameron is under-performing – his campaign has been lacklustre and bereft of a clear narrative. And even this week’s attempt by the Tories to make the economy the central theme of the election smacks of a party on the defensive.

This was illustrated by Mr Cameron’s five-year “tax lock” that effectively guarantees no hikes in income tax, VAT or National Insurance prior to May 2020. Though this will chime with many, such a commitment would not be necessary if the Conservatives were winning, as they should 
be, the argument on economic trust.

The same can be said of Chancellor George Osborne’s Yorkshire plan of action for the first 100 days of a Conservative government. Though the list looks impressive, many of the announcements – like the long-awaited upgrading of the A1 in North Yorkshire – have been made on countless occasions previously. It is why tonight’s appearance is now so critical to Mr Cameron’s future. He is the leader with the most to gain – and lose.

Charity respect

Don’t take volunteers for granted

THERE is one very good reason why Yorkshire’s voluntary organisations are the envy of the country – and that this is the expertise, and empathy, that they provide. They are also an antidote to the Government’s mistaken belief that it has all the answers to the many policy challenges facing the country at large. Yet the key word is ‘voluntary’. Such charities were set up as a way for public-spirited people to give something back to their local community – part of the so-called ‘Big Society’ that David Cameron once envisaged before the concept fell by the wayside.

This is also the backdrop to a new report, published by the umbrella organisation Involve Yorkshire & Humber, which warns that many charities are struggling to meet public demand as a direct consequence of the coalition Government’s welfare reforms. Two points need to be made here. First, it is imperative that politicians do not take the voluntary sector for granted – such groups should not become the repository for policy problems created by those Ministers who did not think through the consequences of their decisions. Second, there is a danger that some charities are in danger of losing their moral purpose because so much time and resources is now spent on their management rather than assisting those in need.

Moving forward, a balance does need to be struck – Yorkshire would be a much poorer place without those charities which provide bespoke services for local areas. The hospice movement is a case in point. However the relationship between the Government and voluntary sector does certainly need to become more respectful.

Back to basics

Morrisons staff check in – again

HERE are five words that you did not expect to see written about Yorkshire institution Morrisons: “Unexpected cashier in bagging area.” Yet this is precisely what will be happening after the supermarket announced that its infamous self-service checkouts are to be staffed in future.

This common sense move, which is likely to be warmly welcomed by customers, is part of a concerted “back to basics” effort by David Potts, the new chief executive, to distance himself from the failings of the Dalton Philips management regime.

It also signifies that new technology has limitations and there is no substitute for the personal service which was synonymous with the food giant under its founder Sir Ken Morrison.

Yet what is surprising, given the number of U-turns being introduced by Mr Potts in a bid to revive the supermarket’s financial fortunes, is that Mr Philips was still entitled to a bonus of £1m – further proof that his was one of the more costlier appointments in retail history.