'A complete mess'

This week, more than ever, David Cameron used the legacy of the last government to beat off criticisms of further cases of his government's cuts at Prime Minister's Questions. Not only has it become his favourite 'come-back' at the dispatch box but he seems to believe it provides endless justification for his government's decision making. It will forever be a key political tactic of a government to blame their predecessors for the issues they face. Not only does it allow them to influence public perceptions of where responsibility lies but allows them to justify challenged or unpopular policies by blanketing all negative connatations on to their opponents. But how far is the government's economic agenda decided by necessity rather than ideology?

Many political commentators today argue that ideology is a dying term with all the three main parties aiming to occupy the centre ground and win the votes of middle Britain. However, the threat of the word still enjoys great prominence among both the parties and the public. Labour have naturally championed those who believe the the government's economic policy is driven by old Conservative ideology (steam-rolling over any liberal recommendations) which seems to have fuelled David Cameron's enthusiasm for his favourite phase. Which view will hold sway with the public will be crucial as the parties navigate their way through the next four years of the parliament.