Political thread I know - Labour's Ed Balls urges fuel duty rise delay

"Labour has said it will attempt to force the government to delay the 3p-a-litre rise in fuel duty due to come into effect in August.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said the government should "do the right thing" for the economy and families.

A Treasury source said the rise was a hangover from Labour's final Budget.

The source, speaking to the BBC, accused Labour of "hypocrisy", adding that Mr Balls had voted for the rise at the time.

The source said the government had taken action to ensure that fuel was 10p cheaper than it would have been under a Labour government."

Full BBC Story here

Is it just me or is this current shadow government just a waste of space - I can see right through them and, in my eyes, they have no credibility. Mr Balls comes across as a right idiot and, I'd imagine, that he is bully.

Don't get me wrong, I would love it if Labour managed to stop the Tories from raising the fuel duty by 3p, but since they originally agreed to the raise, this just seems like a cheap move to raise the party's popularity rather than a reactionary shift in policy. Let's face it - whilst Ed Miliband is in the driving seat - Labour will never get elected. He's not a prime minister in waiting - he's your classic 'let's get anyone in following our removal from government'.

I know it's the job of a shadow party to challenge the current government on their policies etc - but, to me at least, labour are doing it all wrong and are coming across like complete bunch of muppets.

I have no faith in any politicians whatsoever.

It's easier for the parties not in power to urge to "do the right thing", what makes me chuckle this is the same party who left no money what so ever in the treasury coffers when they left office.

I think the memo written to the incoming govt was something like "Good luck, there is no money"

I hate all these Austerity measures, but borrow, borrow, borrow mentality will just get us into more debt for future generations to deal with.

“Hi, I’m the Shadow Chancellor and I’ve got some great ideas about how we can get rid of all the debt that got left here so mysteriously. We’ll never know how Britain got into such a mess, but it’s okay because I’m here now with my completely new and exciting theories about public finance.”

Ed Balls is fairly high on the list of the numerous politicians I’d love to punch in the face.

On the other hand, due to the pathetic nature of our public transport, fuel tax is an easy option to target for collecting extra tax. It's helps to pay off our debt, while at the same time also allowing the bankers and the large company tax dodgers to get off scot-free

I believe the amount we raise in fuel tax in a year, is not that far off what we just let Vodafone paying it tax. It's a joke.

In order for a political thread to work, someone has to take an unpopular stance and await the fallout.

I bloody love politicians and 3p a litre is not too much to ask, you bunch of hippies.

Colonel Cardiffi wrote:In order for a political thread to work, someone has to take an unpopular stance and await the fallout.

I bloody love politicians and 3p a litre is not too much to ask, you bunch of hippies.

I disagree.

I'm not a hippie!

Colonel Cardiffi wrote:In order for a political thread to work, someone has to take an unpopular stance and await the fallout.

I bloody love politicians and 3p a litre is not too much to ask, you bunch of hippies.

Don't make me stroke my straggly beard in an overly thoughtful manner or sketch out an extra large banner with the words "I respect your opinion but I must say that I think you might be wrong on this occasion, if that's alright to say so"