Did you know?

After nearly 13 years of a Labour Government

Almost five million people are on out of work benefits.
Over one million violent crimes were recorded last year.
The poorest families are paying a higher share of their income in tax than anyone else.
Government debt is growing by nearly £20 million every hour - with the Government spending more on debt interest than on educating our children.

And in the time it has taken you to read this blog Gordon Brown will have increased the country's debt by a further £360! It's time he stopped spending our taxpayers money, and is held to account at the ballot box.

Happy Retirement

Over the years there has been one place guaranteed to offer the latest medical news on the blogosphere. The excellent NHS Blog Doctor. I would personally like to wish 'Dr Crippen' an extremely happy retirement. Perhaps the words of Michelle Obama are a fitting wave goodbye to such a great blog that stood up for the medical profession:

"All of us are driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won't do - we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be."

Thank you NHS Blog Doctor. We will miss you.

Bad Budget from Labour, Clean Fighting from Conservatives

Countryside

Today it has felt as if spring has arrived. In North West Durham we are lucky to have some of the most picturesque landscapes in Great Britain. However, this Labour government does not seem to have understood the rural communities nor rural issues. Professor Robert Huggins, who devised and compiled the UK Competitiveness Index, suggested that urban development has been at the expense of rural areas, stating that 'local economies in rural areas are suffering from declining competitiveness.' Perhaps it's not just time for a change of season, but also a time for a change in government.

Next Week is the Big Budget

When Mr Darling delivers the budget next week it may be worth remembering that hedge funds and speculators are betting against the pound. The latest data published by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission show that net short positions in sterling now stand at their highest since at least January 1999. With 67,549 net short positions, compared with 29,475 at the start of the year.

The weight of speculative money is building fast and the weight of debt is threatening to topple the Labour Party at the General Election.

Music Album

The band Stained Glass heroes have already released their single and we are now awaiting the album. As the drummer in the band is a psychiatrist I thought I'd add them to this blog.

David Cameron Talking About the Economy

Labour's Neglect of Manufacturing in the North East

The Conservative Party have published a report highlighting that 94,857 manufacturing jobs have been lost in the North East between June 1997 and November 2009. Additionally, the number of advanced manufacturing jobs in the region, a key medium to hi-tech sector for which figures are available, fell by 56 per cent in that time.

Ken Clarke MP said, “This has been a tragedy for the North East, an area with a proud manufacturing tradition...We need to rebalance the economy away from Labour’s over-reliance on financial services towards high tech investment and exports. That is why we will cut corporation tax rates, simplify the tax system and support high tech innovation. British manufacturing cannot afford five more years of Gordon Brown making things worse. Only the Conservatives have the energy, leadership and the ideas to make Britain open for business again."

This report follows the Sir James Dyson report I blogged about a couple of days ago. I am glad to see that the Conservative Party are not just thinking about the election, but are thinking long term about how to improve science education, research and development. Ultimately, increasing jobs within the science and manufacturing sector.

The last decade has been termed the decade of the celebrity and excess, immortalised by Hirst's diamond skull. Let's hope any future Conservative Government returns respect to hard working British taxpayers.

Congratulations!

We have some amazing people in North West Durham and one of those is Mr Andrew Adams who is now famous as Mr President amongst the hedgelaying community. Many thanks to all who attended the fabulous cheese and wine party. More evidence of the wonderful community spirit that we are so lucky to have in Great Britain.

Engineering Excellence

Sir James Dyson completed a report for David Cameron highlighting the importance of science to help diversify the economy. Dyson has called for more support for science teachers and tax breaks for high-tech firms to conduct research to encourage an economy where Britain designs, makes and sells.

Among the report's key recommendations are greater financial and regulatory freedom for universities to promote investment in science and engineering, public-private institutes to help translate research into commercial opportunities and more generous tax relief for investors in start-up and established high-tech firms.

David Cameron summarised "I think we have a choice where we go on as we are borrowing money from the Chinese to buy their products, or we can say 'no - wait - this is actually a country with great design, great scientists, great engineers, let's make sure we are developing products and services and goods we can sell to the Chinese as they get richer'."

Gordon Brown has stifled the great British people for too long. It's time to release ourselves from the red tape of the Labour party and vote for change.

Tax

Think tank Reform have recently produced a paper entitled 'Reality check: Fixing the UK's tax system'. It was a very timely report considering the expected budget. Reform's proposals would cut taxes on employment at a time when the economic recovery depends on business growth and increased work effort, and reduce complexity in personal taxes. They would restore the link between sound principles and tax policy making, improving stability and confidence. However, Mr Darling is expected to give a budget aimed at electioneering rather than sound economic thinking.