José Manuel Barroso has called for an end to austerity all across the European Union, reports Left Foot Forward’s Alex Hern.
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, has become one of a growing chorus of voices calling for Osborne and Cameron to abandon their unwavering commitment to a program of austerity or ruin.
Following on from the new boss of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, who at the beginning of this month warned that Britain should slow the pace of its spending cuts, Barroso said:
“It is true that we do not have much room for a new fiscal stimulus. But that does not meant that we cannot do more to promote growth.
“First, those who have fiscal space available must explore it – but in a sustainable way.
“Second, all member states need to promote structural reforms. Together, we must tap the potential of the Single Market, exploit the benefits of trade and mobilise investment at the Union level.”
His calling for investment was not just on a state level; he also urged an upgrade of the ability of the European Investment Bank:
The Union and its Member States should urgently consider how to allow their own policy-driven bank, the European Investment Bank to do more – and possibly much more – to finance long-term investment. To do so, we need to explore ways to reinforce the EIB’s resources and capital base so that it can lend to the real economy.
If Osborne finally gives in and accepts that we must switch to a plan B, he will be moving from the doubtful company of pre-crash Ireland – no longer the shining example he once considered it – and following the advice of Legarde, Barroso, and Obama, whose speech calling for the Republicans to accept the Jobs Bill could be adapted with very little change and addressed at the Conservatives bringing Britain to financial ruin on the back of unwavering ideological belief in rolling back the state.
See also:
• Obama mocks the mad Right and makes the case for the State – Shamik Das, September 9th 2011
• IMF boss repeats call for Plan B – Will Straw, September 5th 2011
• Osborne to help Ireland: a “shining example of long-term economic policymaking” – Will Straw, November 17th 2010
• Judgement day approaches for the eurozone – Ben Fox, September 27th 2011
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11 Responses to “Barroso joins the international push for Plan B”
Awake!
clearly the ariter of this article simply dosen’t get what is actually happening right now. fair enough, it’s alittle complex, well actually not that much once u cut thru political babble, but be careful- just as a certain Investment bank advised the Irish to underwrite bondholders as well as depositors (ahem, said bank had exposure possibly? cough cough) then it’s just as easy for bBarolo to advise that UK spen some (that helps HIM out as well. As for Ireland, well they’re ok at moment (againb what is the writer on about> wanna know why> cos they attracted so much invst low tax blah blah blah so they meeting coupons… this isn’t hard Hern. As for the trade tax, again, be careful- if u REALLY feel it should be implemented, then have the proceeds come HERE, not to Europe. I remind you that as labour were leaving downing street Osborne rand Darling and PLEADED not to sign Greek bailout treaty- Darling did as he walked out- nice touch that. Let’s not cut our noses off to spite faces, even if it’s a tory face cos u just cut off a labour nose to do so. UK thanks, euro clowns have lost the plot and saying ANYTHING…
London IWW
Barroso joins the international push for Plan B http://t.co/4D8TKyrK | #GlobalEconomy
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