You are correct in that there does not seem to be a coherent or a well-researched economic plan in place, but given the haphazard nature of Reform growth, and a rather eclectic ideological composition, its unsurprising that the numbers don't add up at present. If tax breaks can be married to modest savings, without sacrificing the core entitlements, there is a chance for a demand-led growth internally, but only if those changes are implemented in stages.
I am sure that there is more that could be put on the chopping block, and there are other, structural elements that underpin UK's abysmal growth (low capital investment, over-reliance on cheap labour, high energy costs), which ought to be resolved. I am yet to see these policy proposals from Reform itself though, as opposed from the vast number of commentators and policy wonks, who have been throwing their ideas at politicians for years with little effect.
Nothing wrong in principle indeed with wanting a smaller state. But demographic headwinds re aging population do make that tough, and the lesson of the austerity years is very much that across-the-board salami-slicing can store up big problems for the future (see policing, NHS capital budgets, etc.).
I work for an SMR developer in the UK, would be happy to talk with you about the space if interested.
Yep, would be good to chat-- my email is firstlast@economist.com, send something over and we can take it from there
You are correct in that there does not seem to be a coherent or a well-researched economic plan in place, but given the haphazard nature of Reform growth, and a rather eclectic ideological composition, its unsurprising that the numbers don't add up at present. If tax breaks can be married to modest savings, without sacrificing the core entitlements, there is a chance for a demand-led growth internally, but only if those changes are implemented in stages.
I am sure that there is more that could be put on the chopping block, and there are other, structural elements that underpin UK's abysmal growth (low capital investment, over-reliance on cheap labour, high energy costs), which ought to be resolved. I am yet to see these policy proposals from Reform itself though, as opposed from the vast number of commentators and policy wonks, who have been throwing their ideas at politicians for years with little effect.
Nothing wrong in principle indeed with wanting a smaller state. But demographic headwinds re aging population do make that tough, and the lesson of the austerity years is very much that across-the-board salami-slicing can store up big problems for the future (see policing, NHS capital budgets, etc.).