100 days war starts here as PM pledges welfare cuts
At last he’s sounding like a proper Tory, says Mail: he’s also happy to join TV debates (with caveats)
With 100 days to go to the general election, and with the Tories and Labour still neck-and-neck in the polls, David Cameron and Ed Miliband have set out their stalls. And the divide between the two parties is clear.
Cameron has pledged to cut the welfare cap per family from £26,000 to £23,000, to raise the threshold at which the 40p tax rate becomes payable, and to remove housing benefits from jobless 18 to 21-year-olds.
"The choice at the next general election is competence with the Conservatives or chaos with the others," was the PM’s message as he toured the broadcasting studios this morning.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ed Miliband was due in Manchester today to launch a new pledge to improve the NHS. According to The Guardian, he will promise 36,000 more staff and the repeal of privatisation laws. His speech comes as a Populus poll shows the NHS is seen by the majority of the electorate as more important than the state of the economy.
Nevertheless, Cameron’s pledges brought a big pat on the back from the Daily Mail this morning.
“As the election campaign enters its final 100 days, David Cameron comes out fighting at last like a Tory,” the paper said in an editorial.
“Inevitably, his enemies on the Left will proclaim the return of the ‘nasty party’, as he pledges to cap benefits further and raise the threshold for the 40p tax rate.
“But quite apart from pressing economic necessity, there’s a powerful moral case for ending the misery of welfare dependency and rewarding hard work.”
The Mail concluded: “If Mr Cameron can keep this up for 100 days, he may yet overcome voters’ disaffection with the political class and get the chance to prove what he can achieve without the Lib Dems to tie him down.”
Cameron also appears to have relented on the issue of the televised leader debates.
He indicated this morning that he would take part – but with two caveats: he wants the Democratic Ulster Unionists invited too, and he wants the debates to take place before the “short campaign” - as the strategists call it – gets going three to four weeks before 7 May.
The PM has been dragging his heels to avoid boosting Nigel Farage with a free platform. But with the broadcasters now inviting seven party leaders – and with that number rising to eight if they agree to invite the Ulster Unionists – the Ukip leader will find it much harder to make an impact.
Asked on Radio 4’s BBC Today programme if he wanted the TV debates to go ahead, Cameron responded: “Yes - I want that to happen.”
Whether the debates will be watchable with so many participants or whether The Guardian’s Nick Watt is correct in prophesying a “democratic bore-athon”, we shall see. The Mole has his money on the latter – which, of course, will suit Cameron very nicely.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Cameron put the Falklands sovereignty dispute to bed?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary says issue 'not up for discussion' ahead of visit amid renewed push from Argentina
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will America recognize a Palestinian state?
Today's Big Question Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the move. Some see it as the only route to peace.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Fasting to burger buffets: the weird and wonderful diets of politicians
Why Everyone's Talking About Rishi Sunak reportedly starts his week with a 36-hour fast
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published