We can’t let the Tories threaten Britain’s economic recovery.

07.04.10 - John, Unions Together

A report by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), one of the foremost authorities on global economic matters, says that, as predicted in Alistair Darling's budget, Britain's economy is starting to grow again – estimated at 3.1% a year. That puts Britain ahead of every other G7 nation except resource-rich Canada.

Yet, the report emphasises caution in light of what it calls the "fragility of the recovery". There are many variables at play in shaping an economy, and market forces can be incredibly volatile. This, they said "underscore(s) the need for caution in the removal of policy support." Otherwise, we could very well fall into a so-called 'double-dip recession', risking even greater job losses and long-term economic damage.

The Tories, however, seem to have their collective heads in the sand on this issue. This is the same party arguing for "clear and courageous cuts", an "emergency budget" seemingly designed only to introduce swingeing cuts, and whose Chancellor promised to introduce an "age of austerity" if given the reigns.

How can the Tories argue for swingeing cuts, even though top economists say it will threaten Britain's recovery? Simple: it's ideological. They don't care if cutting will threaten jobs and the economy at large; at their core, their first concern is the size of the deficit, and nothing more.

Remember, when faced with the last recession the Tories claimed that unemployment was "a price worth paying". Their policies resulted in a recession with higher unemployment, higher crime, higher foreclosure rates, and a slower recovery than we've faced. That is despite the fact that this recession is categorically worse in economic terms.

Do you really want to give the Tories the chance to threaten the recovery and the job market?

Join the campaign to make sure they don’t have the chance.

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