LABOUR - THE THERE'S NO MONEY LEFT PARTY

THOUGHT TO PONDER AS WE APPROACH THE GENERAL ELECTION


NOTE FROM LIAM BYRNE, LABOUR'S FORMER CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY
LEFT AFTER ITS DEFEAT AT 2010 GENERAL ELECTION


"I'M AFRAID THERE'S NO MONEY LEFT."


LABOUR - THE THERE'S NO MONEY LEFT PARTY WHICH HAS CREATED

ECONOMIC CHAOS EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN IN OFFICE.

Financial black hole left by Clarkson

The BBC's possible liquidation of Top Gear, the corporation's £50m
flagship, is a worrying example of its mismanagement of creative

talent and licence fee income.

Jeremy Clarkson is an original and unpredictable talent, who has given
the programme such wide appeal. Inevitably, we should now 

expect that this will lead to an even poorer quality and range of programmes -

the result of the corporation struggling to repay the millions received from

global broadcasters, in advance, to televise the series.

It will certainly come as no surprise if they do not accept the option of

alternative presenters, who would be unlikely to attract the same 350m

audience around the world.

IMMIGRATION - THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

A recent report on immigration during 

Labour's thirteen years in power 

is a stark reminder of a pre-determined

situation, which is beyond control.

More migrants have arrived here 

in the UK since 2004 than during

the entire preceding period following 

the Norman Conquest. The impact on

the social fabric and infrastructure

of our country has been profound.

Notwithstanding the debatable

benefit of marginally higher GDP, the 

effects of such a massive inflow can

be seen in the NHS, housing and 

education, where scarce resources are 

being stretched to breaking point.

We are where we are but should remind 

ourselves how this situation has arisen. 

The continuing assertion that, when in office, 

Labour acted in good faith in not properly 

assessing the impact of immigration and 

of integration is contradicted by the facts. 

A publication of 2000, obtained under the 

Freedom of information Act, contained a 

secret Cabinet Office report. This 

characterised Labour's open-door 

immigration policy as a deliberate attempt 

to rub the Right's nose in cultural diversity.

In this, Labour has clearly succeeded.

Its aim was to expand the Party's 

support among the immigrant population, 

where, according to Chris Mullen in his book 

A View from the Foothills, 80% vote Labour.

Current projections are that by 2026 immigration 

will add to England's population about the 

equivalent of seven cities the size of Birmingham,

changing the nature of the British identity.

Research shows that in Manchester no fewer 

than 151 languages are spoken. It indicates 

rapidly growing immigrant numbers, accompanied by

white flight. The dynamic is one of accelerating

cultural change which is transforming 

urban connurbations throughout the UK. 

As we approach the general election, what is

strange is that while immigration, together with 

the NHS, is at the top of voters' concerns, EU

membership which has driven immigration, is 

not.