The right level of detail... But 1/3? |

Wednesday 7th October 2009 | 14:46

The right level of detail... But 1/3?

The Phi100 panel query the feasibility of George Osborne's aim to cut Whitehall spending by 1/3, but think his speech contained the right level of detail. The 50p tax remains very unpopular among right leaning panellists.

George Osborne's conference speech yesterday contained a good level of detail, but his aim of cutting Whitehall spending by a third during the next parliament seems unrealistic, and the 50p tax is very unpopular on the right.

That's the assessment of the PoliticsHome Phi100 panel of MPs, journalists and other political insiders.

Sixty five per cent of the Phi100 believed that he had got it right on the level of detail he announced.

Overall, just under two thirds of the panel thought that his speech had included about the right level of specificity.

This view was held across the political spectrum.

Twenty per cent thought it had not been specific enough, and eleven per cent thought it had been too specific.

A media panellist said ‘We got more detail than many expected. Risky - but honest.’

A non-aligned panellist pointed out that on one area perhaps Osborne had not been as specific as he might have been, saying ‘there are clearly tax rises on the way’.

Over-ambitious on Whitehall spending

The panel was also asked to assess the plausibility of the ambition of cutting the cost of Whitehall by 1/3, which was declared by George Osborne in his conference speech yesterday.

Fifty seven per cent of the panel reckon that it is unrealistic to hope to achieve this.

Just nine per cent think it is comfortably achievable. Thirty seven per cent say it is ‘ambitious but achievable’. Right leaning panellists tended to hold this view, but the left, Lib Dems and non-aligned panellists were united in doubting the likelihood of Osborne’s aim ever being realised.

A non-aligned thought leader thought the ambition was achievable, but said ‘whether it is sensible - which it isn't - is another question.’

A Lib Dem MP, however, dismissed it as ‘dope smoking twaddle...unless it's all smoke and mirrors,’ adding ‘I would guess real cuts of 10-20% would be more deliverable.’

Another non-aligned panellist said ‘I don't believe they'll even seriously try.’

Split on 50p tax

In addition, the 50p tax, which Osborne pledged to keep, is seen as a bad policy by a huge majority of right leaning panellists.

The left take the opposite view, strongly supporting the tax.

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