The Government is not being honest with the British public - Yorkshire Post Letters

Smoke and mirrors, deceit, duplicity…harsh words indeed, but really is there any wonder that the Chancellor, the Prime Minister, indeed the Government at large, are so mistrusted and unpopular with a huge proportion of the British public. Four issues come to mind that support this.

The Chancellor seems to have major problems with the size of various ‘black holes’, from the one she allegedly inherited from the Conservative Government (increasing in size by the day), to the one prior to the latest Budget, which was so large that she needed to prepare us all for a manifesto busting hike in income tax, only for it to emerge some two or three days later that in fact the OBR had indicated to her as far back as September that the financial position was better than expected.

Then we have the Prime Minister at PMQ’s talking up the achievements of the Government thus far, notably how well they had responded to the cost of living crisis, in particular citing the impending £150 cut in the average domestic fuel bill. That was Wednesday.

Thursday, we are told to expect an annual average rise of £108 to ‘cover the cost of updating the gas and electricity infrastructure’. This is going to be added to everyone’s fuel bill, regardless of income.

I can understand the need for the investment, but surely a more equitable way of covering the cost, even dare I say it, by a specific and targeted sum on income tax, would be a better way forward, and would not hit ‘ordinary working people’ in a disproportionate manner.

The third issue is that of the severe cut backs in jury trials. I am aware that the backlog is huge, and many people, whether victim or innocent accused, suffer a degree of injustice with the amount of time they await their day in court.

To be tried by a Judge and in front of a panel of our peers helps give balance to the process, and prevents factional interests and prejudices of various types, holding sway. The age old principles of Magna Carta should not be sacrificed on the altar of expediency.

Finally...the proposed postponement of next May’s Mayoral elections in some areas...it may be argued in areas where Reform is popular...makes this writer at least smell rather a large rat!

Come on, Government, be honest with us, then, even if times continue to be hard, at least we can work together to achieve the developments and improvements that are in the interests of all of us.