That was the Daily Mail's headline on Nigel Lawson's autumn financial statement last week. The Sun, the Express, the Times and all the other normal backers of Thatcher's government tack on the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The reason was not hard to find. A Tory rovernment elected in 1979 on a pledge to cut axes has now systematically increased them since taking another de facto tax increase last week in the form of an increase in government determined as and electricity prices. In this situation even int by the Chancellor of the taxes might go budget was enough to send roof. The whole row was attributed to the supposed "bad luck' now government.
Only the Financial Times, which considers itself above vulgar political considerations expressed quiet satisfaction, support, for Lawson's measures.
The reasons for the row are now hara to tina. Probably more significant than Lawson's state ment itself was a little reported story which came out three days later. longer term leading economic indicator - the index which predicts the performance of the economy in twelve months time - has now moved downwards for the third successive month. Britain is now having a small economic upturn based on consumer spending. douds are already gathering on the economic horizon and threatening to burst in a year's time.
Lawson's claims because of a prediction of three per cent growth this year - are laughable. They ignore the small fact that this three pears - from 1979 to Even if the 'optimistic' Treasury predictions are realised this year the British economy will have grown at an veen 1979 and 1984.
west rate of growth for any period since the Se cond World War and one of the worst in British history. The results of that stagnation in terms of unemployment, decline of the welfare state, and the crisis of the cities can be seen all around.
Far being a government's disaster for Britain and its people.
It was a nasty one Nigel, with much worse to come.
The revolt of the cities NO PART of British society has taken a greater pounding the highest levels of bie is. Ment. are worst and most vicious racist police forces. They have suffered the biggest cut backs in their finances from central government.
This situation is still getting worse. Next year Tate capping will be introduced to stop councils maintaining their services by increasing rates. The metropolitan councils and the GLC are to be abolished - which among other things will make London the only capital city in Western Europe without a democratically elected local government.
What is also happening however is that the simmering anger in the big cities against these policies is pushing forward quite different types of Labour Parties than have been seen for a long time It is also helping create a new type of support for socialist ideas and policies.
It is not an accident that Ken Livingstone and David Blunkett - two of the most popular leftving Labour Party figures in the last twenty ars - came out of the local government of the perty defy the government. ok is continuing to take place between left and Got over control of the manchester Labour far.
The back ghetto's of the big cities exploded before in 1981.
The tot re of the big joined in a ferocious public atslipped through Exchequer that up yet again in next springs La rocket through the affecting the Thatcher and unequivocable The government's But darkening economic success per cent growth is after two 1981 when the declined uninterruptedly.
average of only half a per cent a year This is easily the 'success the Thatcher record has been an economic the Thatcher ONE WEEK after the arrival of cruise missiles Greenham Common airbase now looks like a concentration camp. The perimeter of the base is covered with huge bales of barbed wire. As you drive round the base you see small piles of sand bags placed to protect soldiers who wish to lie down and fire.
Spotted along the route every 20 yards or so stands a cop or a paratrooper. watch towers have been built, just in case someone slips through unseen.
It's amazing to see just far the process defence has gone. No expense has been the American forces with adequate security to protect the missiles from the terrible Greenham women.
When 141 women were arrested gates last Tuesday there were hundreds of police on hand including women constables. "The were in use. Paratroopers soldiers watched from inside the tence as van load atter van load of women were driven away to Newbury to be charged. fence surrounding the At various points On Saturday 29 October when the Greenham perimeter fence had been cut down scores arrested taken inside the base to the special detention centre.
I spoke to told me that women had been asked to strip before they were searched.
The Newbury magistrates getting more and more disillusioned with the view that the protests will stop now has arrived.
Woman after woman comes up before the bench and says she will refuse to pay the fine for obstruction or criminal damage.
The fines for criminal damage for cutting down The Greenham message spreads the fence vary enormous v and arbitrari. One woman was fined £25 while the woman on her shoulders was fined £1500.
Harassment is also being stepped up. Publicans taxi Newbury their services any woman who TOOKS like a Greenham woman — one taxi driver had a notice on his car say'No lesbians or drop outs'. Missiles The cruise missiles may have still have to become operational and they still have to be taken out on the roads trial runs When the missiles come out of the base their road-wide lorries the ingenuity of the Greenham women will once again be given full reign blockade and protest.
Greenham is going to continue to dominate the anti-missiles movement or weeks to cone COME TO mal THE LEADING ROLE in the campaign against played by the Greenham women has been recognised by many people in The I hear devery woman to 33701228-385 decision to install a new generation nuclear weapons in Europe This year women are being asked to bring pots, pans and whistles to make as much noise as possible Incy are diso being askca
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photo. IENNY MATTHEWS (Format) USAF GREENHAM COMMON DECEMBER 11th 1983 NO CRUISE NO!