News

Howard's Way.... a weekly column from the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC. MP. 

4 December 2008

Last week was certainly eventful.

On Monday we had the Pre-Budget Report. The details have been extensively reported and you will know by now how the changes affect you. It is clear to me that the cost of repaying the staggering amounts of money the Government is borrowing will be a burden on us all for very many years to come.

During questioning afterwards I pointed out that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had said that if the economy performed more strongly than he is predicting he would review the tax increases he had proposed.

I asked what he would do if the recovery took longer. The answer, when you strip out the jargon, was that the tax increases might need to be even bigger. No comfort there, I am afraid.

Last Thursday I was privileged to speak at the Thanksgiving Service for Lord Bruce-Lockhart who so tragically died a short time ago. As Leader of Kent County Council, Sandy Bruce-Lockhart had been a true champion of our county to which he was devoted. He had gone on to become a Life Peer and Chairman of English Heritage.

He had so much more to contribute and is greatly missed.

Later the same day the news broke of Damian Green’s arrest. Like many others, I was outraged by this development. Politicians of all parties have made use of leaked documents for as long as democracy has existed.

Gordon Brown made his name by using leaked documents more extensively and effectively than almost anyone else. It would be quite disgraceful if there was to be one law for Gordon Brown when he was in Opposition and a different law for everyone else when they are in Opposition.

The mischief in what has happened lies in the need to protect communication between Members of Parliament and our constituents. The police have taken possession of Damian Green’s office computers which contain all the correspondence which his constituents have sent him. But all our constituents are entitled to write to us in confidence. That confidence has now been broken which is why what has happened is so great a concern.

Finally, looking forward, tomorrow, the 5th December, is Carers Rights Day.

There are thought to be over 10,000 carers in Shepway and they can find out about benefits and support to which they may be entitled by attending an event at County Square, Ashford or contacting Carers’ Support on 01233 664393.