Bad planning by Labour on Iraq and public services

September 2007

Following recent events in Iraq, I am reminded once again of the questions that Menzies Campbell asked in Parliament in 2002: “What is the exit strategy? Who will replace Saddam Hussein? How long would coalition troops be required to remain in Iraq? And will Iraq split up?” Key questions not properly answered or heeded. Our brave troops have performed heroically but perhaps Brown and indeed David Cameron should have listened to Menzies rather than being all gung-ho for war. Thousand of lives have tragically been lost – British, American and Iraqi and £5 billion gone down the drain - money that could have gone into our schools and hospitals.

Last week, for example, the NHS said to pay for the new replacement buildings at Queen Alexandra hospital, it will have to employ 750 fewer people in Portsmouth. And with A&E departments likely to close in Sussex, it is likely we will have people flocking to Portsmouth to be treated. But what use will a new hospital building be, however welcome, if we have to wait a long time in an overcrowded and understaffed A&E?

And while Cameron rants, remember the Tory record on the NHS. 51,390 fewer nurses, 41% fewer hospital beds, 50,000 operations cancelled in one year alone and patients turfed out of their beds at 1am to make way for emergencies.

And the list of bad planning by this Government is not restricted to Iraq or the NHS. Billions of pounds have been overpaid in tax credit leading to stress and hardship for many when the Inland Revenue tries to claim it back. There was Brown’s claimed tax cut in his last budget which will actually mean a tax rise for those earning under £18,000 – as Menzies Campbell was the first to point out. And billions are going unclaimed in Pension Credit due to its complexity and means-testing. So the Lib Dems would pay all pensioners a decent pension – over £100 a month on the basic state pension immediately. We would cut the basic rate of tax for all by 4p. And we would get to grips the administration of tax credits and the CSA.