Comments on: Checking the storm http://waleshome.org/2009/12/checking-the-storm/ Independent analysis from and about Wales Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:04:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Adam Higgitt http://waleshome.org/2009/12/checking-the-storm/comment-page-1/#comment-3864 Adam Higgitt Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:27:51 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5943#comment-3864 Luke What you call "a point" about nationalists and the Celtic Tiger was in fact a more-or-less total infatuation with Ireland and the property-driven, debt-driven Irish model from the mid-1990s until deep into 2009 (Plaid was still contrasting Wales's economic fortunes unfavourably with those of Ireland in April this year). For at least its last three Westminster manifestos, Plaid have had nothing to say about banking regulation, nothing to say about consumer debt, nothing to say about house prices (except in respect of affordability in the Welsh-speaking heartlands). In fact, apart from some consistently Keynesian supply-side ideas for the economy, Plaid have advocated nothing specific that fits your description whatsoever. The idea that they foresaw the crash is fiction. The only other area in which Plaid have been absolutely consistent in this area is in calling for much greater levels of public spending, which of course would have led to even greater levels of public debt than we have now. Luke

What you call “a point” about nationalists and the Celtic Tiger was in fact a more-or-less total infatuation with Ireland and the property-driven, debt-driven Irish model from the mid-1990s until deep into 2009 (Plaid was still contrasting Wales’s economic fortunes unfavourably with those of Ireland in April this year). For at least its last three Westminster manifestos, Plaid have had nothing to say about banking regulation, nothing to say about consumer debt, nothing to say about house prices (except in respect of affordability in the Welsh-speaking heartlands). In fact, apart from some consistently Keynesian supply-side ideas for the economy, Plaid have advocated nothing specific that fits your description whatsoever. The idea that they foresaw the crash is fiction.

The only other area in which Plaid have been absolutely consistent in this area is in calling for much greater levels of public spending, which of course would have led to even greater levels of public debt than we have now.

]]> By: Illtyd Luke http://waleshome.org/2009/12/checking-the-storm/comment-page-1/#comment-3857 Illtyd Luke Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:04:32 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5943#comment-3857 Give me Vince Cable over Blair, Brown and Cameron any day... But it's pretty anglo-centric to say that he was the only politician to have seen it coming. Plaid Cymru's economic thinking has for decades been closer to Cable than to the deregulated model. Though a point might be made that alot of nationalists had illusions in the Celtic Tiger. Cable is completely right about the economy and the way its gone, but let's not forget in the Welsh political context, where Thatcherism was rejected ten years ago compared to six months ago in the British context, his thinking isn't anything new. Give me Vince Cable over Blair, Brown and Cameron any day…

But it’s pretty anglo-centric to say that he was the only politician to have seen it coming. Plaid Cymru’s economic thinking has for decades been closer to Cable than to the deregulated model. Though a point might be made that alot of nationalists had illusions in the Celtic Tiger.

Cable is completely right about the economy and the way its gone, but let’s not forget in the Welsh political context, where Thatcherism was rejected ten years ago compared to six months ago in the British context, his thinking isn’t anything new.

]]> By: Ian Davidson McKirgan http://waleshome.org/2009/12/checking-the-storm/comment-page-1/#comment-3851 Ian Davidson McKirgan Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:57:15 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5943#comment-3851 If I have correctly understood the undercurrent of this piece, it supports my own consideration of the resolution to the crisis caused by the banks. From the very outset of the collapse of the banking system I have failed to understand Gordon Brown's total reliance on the Banks and City to bring about an economic recovery. Surely, it was a time to inject funds into rebuilding much of the deteriorating infrastructure of the whole nation. This would have created real work, putting real money into real workers pockets, who in turn would have deposited a proportion into savings. Perhaps also, cutting down on credit card borrowing. Or was that too simple. If I have correctly understood the undercurrent of this piece, it supports my own consideration of the resolution to the crisis caused by the banks. From the very outset of the collapse of the banking system I have failed to understand Gordon Brown’s total reliance on the Banks and City to bring about an economic recovery. Surely, it was a time to inject funds into rebuilding much of the deteriorating infrastructure of the whole nation. This would have created real work, putting real money into real workers pockets, who in turn would have deposited a proportion into savings. Perhaps also, cutting down on credit card borrowing. Or was that too simple.

]]> By: Ben Llwyd http://waleshome.org/2009/12/checking-the-storm/comment-page-1/#comment-3792 Ben Llwyd Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:44:51 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5943#comment-3792 Gethin Don't disagree at all; I do wonder whether he'd be allowed to get so high in either of the two "main" parties; he's analytical, uses complex arguments rather than soundbites and isn't excessively partisan - bit out of place for a wannabe Cabinet minister in the 21st century Gethin

Don’t disagree at all; I do wonder whether he’d be allowed to get so high in either of the two “main” parties; he’s analytical, uses complex arguments rather than soundbites and isn’t excessively partisan – bit out of place for a wannabe Cabinet minister in the 21st century

]]> By: Gethin http://waleshome.org/2009/12/checking-the-storm/comment-page-1/#comment-3790 Gethin Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:10:11 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5943#comment-3790 This man is pretty much the only politician out there who has the courage to talk about the hard decisions on what needs to be done. The action of the Banks is scandalous, and we cannot go back to the way things were before. Also good to see a senior politican talking about how we need to invest in skills now in order to build a better economy for the future. This man is pretty much the only politician out there who has the courage to talk about the hard decisions on what needs to be done. The action of the Banks is scandalous, and we cannot go back to the way things were before.

Also good to see a senior politican talking about how we need to invest in skills now in order to build a better economy for the future.

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