In the interests of Britain, it is time for George Osborne to go

I have to admit I find myself rather shocked at the depths to which the Tories will go to win power. Even going as far to increase a risk of a run on the pound at the most delicate time for our national economy. Not only do I pity George Osborne for doing more to effectively end his future as a serious politician before it begins, but I find myself extremely angry at his thoughtlessness. He has put himself in the position of someone who has something to gain from a “run” on the pound and is probably now willing it to happen – a chance to say “I told you so”.
We all know there are risks in today’s economy. And the drop in sterling’s value hits many of us in different ways. I was just one of many who saw a trip to America planned months ago suddenly become much more expensive than expected. But I also heard many Americans saying how they might finally plan a trip to England – as it is a “good time to do so”. Sometimes a reduction in currency value can be a helpful correcting mechanism to increase investment by foreign enterprise and visitors from abroad who are also more likely to spend.
It seems to me that there is a pattern in the Tory approach to the economic crisis – to identify a fear, regardless of the probability of it happening, and stoke it up – making it more likely to be a reality. Imagine kids round a camp fire when there are smouldering embers – some trying to put them out, others fanning the sparks and hoping they’ll catch. Neither outcomes are inevitable – but they are a lot determined by the action you choose to take.
Osborne and the Tories made a clear choice – if talking Britain into a deeper recession is what it takes for them to think they can win power, then that is what they will do.
If this shows anything, it also is that Osborne has never really left behind his university debating society and operates, unfortunately for Britain, as if he just needs to get the cheers from his side in the Oxford Union and he can win the day, and no damage will really be done. Well, Britain needs more than that. And dare I say it, it needs a more mature opposition to be working in partnership with the Government. It is surely time for Osborne to go.

The Day America Changed

(This blog is posted on ProgressOnline)
It’s daybreak over San Francisco. The Golden Gate bridge stands glorious and majestic, as America wakes up to a new dawn. A new dawn in self confidence, and its standing in the world. Yesterday I spent the day with the San Francisco Democrats. The phone banks in the office just off Market Street were already packed with people – well over 100 - by 11am. With military organisation, volunteers were told to sit down with a phone and raise their hand, when a phone bank captain would come round with a script and sheet of voter ID. Blitz calls to Pennsylvania were followed by calls to Missouri (pronounced ‘Missoura’), then Iowa, then Alaska. Motivation was kept high by bells on every table “Ring the bell when you find a strong Democrat supporter!” said the sign. And round the room, which resembled a large call centre, spontaneous cheers would be constantly heard as bells were rung and callers shouted out when they found a new democrat. Raffle tickets were given out to volunteers, with occasional breaks in calling when raffles were drawn – a way to keep rewarding callers and hope people stayed longer. And to help reduce the queue for mobile phones, every now and then a “Money for Minutes” bucket would be passed round. People would donate so that a volunteer could dash across the road to buy more mobile phones.
The whole day was like a party. And as Democrat voters asked callers “How are we doing? Have you heard anything?” the same question would go round the tables as people yearned to know what was going on out there. Then the cheer as a “captain” would walk round with some exit poll results on a board – all pointing to the same thing – Obama neck and neck or just in the lead in key swing states. Still people dared not hope too much, just in case.
But Obama had to win, surely. As I talked to activists during the day, from 70 year old Jesse to 14 year old Elijah, it was clear Obama’s campaign had built together an extraordinary coalition of ordinary people from all backgrounds, all wanting, in their own way, and in their own words, change in America. These weren’t just ordinarily active Democrats –the majority of people I spoke to were active for the first time, and like 39 year old Eric from a Republican family, or 66 year old Independent Vicky, this election was a mass reaction to disappointment in what America had become.
At 8pm the long campaign day finally ended. Out of the secret back room came the local campaign director – with someone holding up a new sign saying “It’s All Over – You Did It!” An emotional speech followed, thanking everyone who had been pivotal in the local campaign – including distant friends who had gone to help in other states. Many were tearful as they realised the long hard slog was over. The 21 months for some, who had been involved with Obama from the start of his campaign. Chants of “Yes We Can! Yes We Can!” were replaced by “Yes We Did!” “Yes We Did!” And then perhaps the loudest cheer of the night – when a message went across from the secret backroom like a Chinese whisper to the campaign director giving a speech – an announcement that McCain had conceded.

How will America vote?

Tuesday 4th November 9am.
It’s a bright day in San Francisco. The torrential rain is holding off, and the papers are predicting record turnout in today’s general election. I’m expecting to see legions of people around town wearing the official “I’ve voted” sticker – as the nation goes to the polls.
I heard this morning some interesting views from a neutral but well informed American entrepreneur – the sort of person who embodies the American dream. He has been struck by the how close the two candidates are in the politics – more closely aligned on the middle ground than the country has seen for a long time – and surprising when you consider how divided the country has been.
Perhaps, of course, not that surprising in one way, as you consider where the real battle is likely to be – around the middle ground. However he therefore “liked them both” – though what concerned him most about Obama was whether the was really experienced enough to be President. I understand that isn’t to devalue the hugely developed political skills he does have of oratory, debate and connection. It is just to state a fact, that brings with it a risk factor that votes have to assess for themselves.
This same voter talked about how he has had cause to go to Alaska in recent years and how he has been aware of Palin for some time. Longer than the masses.
And has been impressed by her confidence and tenacity in standing up to corporate oil forces. There aren’t many who will have had a view about her before the elections. And what this clearly shows – albeit from one view of an informed and respected citizen who in his own way is an opinion former, is that the fault lines of this election, even a day before or on the day of poll, remain incredibly close to call.

It is fascinating being in America for the General Election. Not just because the results here will have profound implications for the economy and politics worldwide,but because there is always something to learn from the way America does politics. Voters in California don't just have the ballot for President. There are a host of other smaller elections and votes on measures - or "propositions" which were put on the ballot paper by the legislature or campaigners. I'm browsing the California General Election supplemental guide, which contains one additional measure which has qualified for the November ballot. Proposition 1A is for a safe, reliable high-speed passenger bond act. A YES vote for this measure means "the state could sell$9.95bn in general obligation bonds to plan and partially fund the construction of a high speedtrain system in California, and to make capital improvements to state and local rail services". The guide then goes on to provide "impartial analyses of the law and potential costs to the Taxpayer prepared by a legisative analyst", arguments in favour of and against the ballot measure prepared by proponents and opponents,text of the proposed law and other useful information."
I'm struck by the extent of information provided, and the clear focus not just on arguments but on costs, including a section on "fiscal effect". What strikes me about this system, which I have read about but not previously seen in action, is the respect it has for voters in providing such analysis, more along the lines of what you might produce for a company board, and the greater seriousness which which these votes are then taken.

Civilising Society?

The row over Ross and Brand this week has been fascinating to watch, for the reaction it has triggered and what it says about the BBC. We are remarkably inconsistent in our opinions of what is acceptable, but the growing chorus of anxious complainants suggests we are increasingly moving to a culture of public conservatism (as distinct from morality) when it comes to sex and also violence. Which in some ways may be no bad thing. Have we gone too far? Big Brother being a striking example, when what is clearly encouraged in later series (rather than the early few which were genuinely fascinating to watch) is pretty demeaning behaviour that lowers the tone and encourages vulnerable young people to pursue a life of being a tabloid babe with story after story of sex and "relationships". Two things struck me when listening to Jim Naughtie interviewing Michael Lyons, Chairman of the BBC trust on Radio 4 today programme yesterday. The first was the rather innocent question which said "Doesn't the BBC have a role in civilising society?". Good question. A more interesting question might be who doesnt have a role in civilising society, and are we going to start a new conversation about de-civilising society? What are the public standards we now want to adhere to? And a second thought, which made me feel incredibly fortunate to be a British citizen. The mild irony of a BBC news programme, interviewing the Chairman of the BBC Trust, holding him accountable to the public about how the BBC behaves. Fantastic listening. Well done BBC.