First published on Progressonline in the Young progressives column

The result in Norwich North is yet further confirmation that Labour’s Mr 10% campaigns and the investment vs cuts message is going down like a lead balloon. It finally appears that Lord Mandelson and others are trying to manoeuvre a new message, so what should it be?

The public have a strong sense that the public finances are in bad way (whether we got there for good or bad reasons) and that someone will need to make the difficult choices to put them back on track. Cameron plays to the reality for most British families who have to live within their means and resonates with those who personally borrowed too much and feel punished as they desperately try and bring their personal debt into manageable and sustainable measures. Their view is that the government should do the same. (more…)