Budget 2008

Reluctant Hero · Budget 2008

I think there will be war if they increase the tax on fuel again.

More likely to substantially increase cigarettes and booze.

Anyway, won't be long until we find out.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_dep...ness/2008/budget_2008/default.stm

Reluctant Hero

This was the most interesting part of the budget proceedings

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7294658.stm

Hansard backs Balls over heckle

Schools secretary Ed Balls did not try to "doctor" the official record of the Budget debate, MPs have been told.
Mr Balls heckled Tory leader David Cameron as he referred to Britain's tax burden, during Wednesday's debate.

On Thursday Tory Andrew Robathan said many MPs heard Mr Balls say "so what", but Hansard recorded he said "so weak".

He asked Speaker Michael Martin for a statement from the editor. Mr Martin said it had already been checked, and officials were happy it was correct.

During Mr Cameron's Budget response on Wednesday, he paused twice to refer to heckling by Mr Balls.

YouTube

He said: "As this country enters troubled times it could hardly be worse prepared. We have the highest tax burden in our history... 'so what?' says the minister for children."

Later, after another interruption from Mr Balls, Mr Cameron said: "I know he's minister for children, but he doesn't have to behave like one."

I reckon I can hear 'what' being said

Andrew Robathan

The "so what" reference was prominently reported in some of Thursday's newspapers, although Mr Balls insisted he had shouted "so weak".

On Thursday, Mr Robathan raised a point of order in the Commons, saying the Hansard record for Wednesday recorded Mr Balls, secretary of state for children, schools and families, making "a sedentary intervention allegedly saying 'So weak'".

"A large number of people on this side, in the gallery, journalists, heard him say: 'so what?'

"There is a site called YouTube on the net and you can listen to the video. "I reckon I can hear 'what' being said."

He asked: "Could you arrange for the editor of Hansard to come and tell the House, or make a statement, as to whether the secretary of state or anybody on his behalf approached Hansard to have it doctored."

Mr Martin said he had already checked with Commons officials and added: "They tell me they are satisfied and the editor of Hansard is satisfied that there is a correct record."

Aventinian

Ed Balls always strikes me as a bit of a c**t.