Sound money, lower taxes...you're getting there George!

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I am feeling quite reassured – partly by Cameron’s speech today (although I didn’t watch it so am just seeing what most of the public will see) and partly by the reaction to Osborne’s Mais Lecture from economists who share my rather bleak view of our current economic condition:

“Mr Osborne is the only senior serving British politician…who has grasped the gravity of our situation. As such his Mais Lecture pledged an “early start” to budget deficit reduction, in order to “establish the credibility with the financial markets that buys you time.” That’s exactly right.” (Liam Halligan)

“Tyler is somewhat reassured by this speech. It is a weightier offering than the kind of politicking stuff George has sometimes served up in the past. It may not have quantified targets for spending cuts, and we still need to see him adopt clear fiscal rules - including that all-important third rule to govern spending - but this speech does have the makings of a serious plan for government (and see the TPA view here).” (Wat Tyler, Burning Our Money)

“I've only just got round to reading George Osborne's Mais lecture of a couple of days ago and it is rather good, one of the clearest expositions of the economic challenges facing Britain you'll come across.” (David Smith, Sunday Times)

Still a way to go – and not much time – but the Conservative economic agenda gets clearer. And coupled with some tax cuts presents the core message to the electorate – we’re on your side:

“The Prime Minister unleashes the forces of hell, I want us to unleash the forces of enterprise…

Our first budget will contain funded measures to boost enterprise and create jobs. We will abolish the tax on new jobs created in new businesses. We will cut the corporation tax rate paid for by removing complex relefis and attract international headquarters to Britain.

We will reduce the small companies tax rate by simplifying the tax code and make it far easier to get a business started.

For I am absolutely passionate about supporting small businesses. Together these will help power an enterprise revolution. A growing private sector, freed from the burdens of red tape and complex taxation, able to offer those without work hope.

A private sector in which our entrepreneurs are given every help they need to build our economic future and create the jobs Britons desperately need.” (George Osborne)

On economic policy we’re there – not everything in place but a clear strategy that faces up to reality. Certainly better than the Viv Nicholson economics of Gordon Brown