Wednesday, June 22, 2005
We will all suffer from affluenza
On May 1st 1997, 18 years of cruel, heartless and latterly corrupt Tory rule had come to an end in Britain. The country ushered in a New Labour government, led by the charismatic, modernising and pragmatic social democrat, Tony Blair.

Quickly we saw a flurry of reformist zeal: a minimum wage, guaranteed union recognition, reform of the Upper House and tax breaks for the lower earners.These were heady days, ripe with change.

Eight years of continued economic and material growth later and Gordon Brown’s dream of eliminating child poverty is within reach, more people are employed than ever before, average incomes have grown and yes, most the poorer have got wealthier.

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