I can't remember having to wait so long for the simple announcement of Budget Day - it is of course going to be used as an election tool, but is it any wonder that the value of the £ is going down as a result of uncertainty when we don't know when the election is going to be let alone what it will contain. Do you think Gordon and Alistair have forgotten? Most money was on March 17th, and a number of people forecast the 10th, too near now for that one. 24th looks increasingly likely but with Easter in the middle and parliament having to be prorogued around April 14th to allow for a May 6th election. What's my question? Curiosity really - can anyone remember the last time, in similar circumstances, we were left hanging on so long?
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Cynical but true
Whenever it is it will be pointless.
There is insufficient time for any changes to be enacted, and the whole thing will be an attempt to "buy" votes.
The next budget that matters will be, at a guess, in the Autumn introduced by the new government.
He's right
I'm sure Vince will want to put something budgetary together reasonably quickly.
I'd have more respect for Darling if he stood up and said that nothing he can do will have any definitive effect before the election so here's a piece of enabling legislation that passes for a Finance Bill and we'll get back to you. I believe there is some commitment from the Conservatives to a Budget within X days although I've forgotten the number (100?).
March 24th in my view
We need 6 days minimum for a Finance Bill and this would minimise the time available to plan around any controversial changes if there are any. I'm gutted as I had everything set up for 17th and I'm pretty certain there isn't time to have it then. All of the rumours I hear suggest that everyone is geared up for 24th - expect an announcement later this week.
Smoke & mirrors
Osbourne has already said he will not be bound by any labour tax plans and would "unpick" any changes they make.
He is also committed to cutting tax credits and child trust funds for the better off, and to slashing government expenditure.
What we will get from labour are lots of promises and lots of ludicrous unrealistic forecasts but very little substance. In other words a typical Labour smoke & mirrors effort.
Probably the lack of an announcement of the date is because Alister & Gordon aren't talking after Alister's recent revalations about the bullying tactics of number 10., although let's face it, the REAL decisions are all taken by the unelected Mandleson.
March election
I suspect the Budget has yet to be announced because any announcement would effectively rule out an early election in March. Now the opportunity to announce that has almost/just passed I anticipate an announcement in the coming days.Is the lack of notice really a problem? The Pre-Budget Report is often announced at very short notice- sometimes less than 2 weeks.
Mandelson the master manipulater
I am sure Mandelson will set the date as he will choreographing every move Labour's top brass make between now and the election. I don't like him but he's not stupid. If he pulls off a decent result for Labour it will be his greatest political triumph although a travesty for the country.
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