MAIL ON SUNDAY: David Cameron is ready to approve the biggest public-spending cuts in the history of the developed world in a dramatic bid to cut Britain’s soaring national debt.
He has ordered Cabinet Ministers to draw up ‘Doomsday’ savings of up to a staggering 40 per cent which could see vast parts of the public services shut down and tens of thousands of policemen, teachers, town hall workers and other civil servants lose their jobs.
The proposed cutbacks are even more extreme than emergency reductions used in other countries such as Canada and Ireland and are double the amount of the Geddes cuts imposed after the First World War when Britain faced bankruptcy from government debt and waste.
Mr Cameron’s shock initiative is a massive personal and political gamble.
There were gasps at a meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday when Ministers were informed of the package.
It could provoke a wave of crippling strikes – and may well threaten Mr Cameron’s alliance with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg. Many Lib Dem MPs, already unhappy with the VAT rise and cuts in benefits, are likely to rebel against the draconian new measures.
However, if it works, it could result in a second Election victory for the Prime Minister. Continue reading and comment >>> Simon Walters | Sunday, July 04, 2010
