Expectations for 2007

Written by Vincent Cable MP and published in Informer on Tue 19th Dec 2006

My personal New Year's resolutions include spending more time with my two grandsons. I have been blessed with a loving family and it should always take priority.

In politics, I expect three big developments this coming year. The first is the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq. The War and occupation have been a disaster. Our troops risk further death and injury for no reward.

Second, after several years of big public spending we are approaching a tight squeeze. This means trouble and battles ahead for hospitals including Kingston and the West Middlesex, which are already feeling the pinch; further cuts in adult education which the government, foolishly, treats as low priority; and less government money for local councils.

Third, we shall get a new Prime Minister: Gordon Brown. Having shadowed him for several years I respect his intellect. He has delivered stability. But his poor record on pensions and the environment; the expanding bureaucracy around means testing; his neglect of rising personal debt: those will come back to haunt him. I am also pretty confident that he will hang on to a General Election in 2009, leaving 2007 an election free year in London.