Blackpool contribution to the Budget debate

Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire, Conservative)

I would like to congratulate the Chancellor and his team on producing an innovative Budget in difficult times, but none the less a Budget for business and hard-working families. We need more jobs, more employment and more businesses set-up, because we cannot borrow our way out of a crisis, as Labour would like us to do. Rather, we have to earn our way out of this situation.

I find it strange that Opposition Members are so miserable all the time. All they can do is pour scorn and misery on what is a very good Budget. There are so many things in the Budget that are good for Britain and good for hard-working families, but Opposition Members never seem to be able to see it. Nick Smith is no longer in his place, but I was pleased that he mentioned the measures dealing with future armed forces spending, such as the doubling of the service accommodation relief for families and the welfare grant, along with council tax relief. I am sure that everybody in the House, including Opposition Members, will welcome anything that helps our hard-working service people, who are out there fighting for this country. However, apart from the hon. Gentleman, I have not heard anybody else mention the fact that the Chancellor is doing that.

There are so many positive things in the Budget that it is difficult to pick them out.

• Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 22 March 2012, c1013)

Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South, Labour)

Do try.

Isn't it wonderful, from a party in opposition that absolutely destroyed a legacy of thrift and prudence, the only tangible contribution has been a sarcastic remark at a Blue Rinse backbencher?  They learned nothing from a decade and a half of excess except that their followers will swallow (forgive me for a second because that reminds me of a recent incident where, in a local hostelry, we were discussing wine tasting.  It was mentioned if you could tell which would swallow or spit when one of England's finest young unmarried mothers interjected at the disgusting conversation to be had whilst she was having "her dinner".  I say no more on this...)... I bet this ill-educated sponger on my pension, sorry, I can't say that about thieving politicians.  Mixed metaphors and confusion?  Not where politicians are concerned.  They all look after themselves and their friends, stuff the rest.

Eggs have shot up by almost 80p a dozen.  Eggs are a staple part of most pensioners and poor peoples diets and reflect the true nature of inflation.  Whisky has escalated from £12 per litre to £22 plus in the past two years and the Government and shopper stays silent.  The lunacy of disinformation coming from the mouths of Gordon Marsden, Alex Salmond and the Chancellor of the Exchequer is making sensible elderly people squirm in disbelief; except that at the next elections the morons will go out and put a cross against the name of a total incompetent because...