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Voters’ panel verdict on the autumn statement	Voters’ panel verdict on the autumn statement
2014-12-03 18:25:28 UTC	2014-12-04 14:50:24 UTC (about 20 hours later)
Bob Peters, 68, ex-army, owns and runs a bookshop in Rochester	Bob Peters, 68, ex-army, owns and runs a bookshop in Rochester
Peters has owned City Books, a second-hand and antiquarian bookshop in the centre of Rochester, for 17-and-a-half years. Previously he served in the army, from 1966 to 1969, and travelled widely around the UK as a lorry driver. A one-time Labour voter, he turned to the Conservatives in opposition to the unions and switched to Ukip recently. He says the move was motivated by the “abuse” of the welfare system, immigration and a “loss of identity”. He is married with seven grownup children.	Peters has owned City Books, a second-hand and antiquarian bookshop in the centre of Rochester, for 17-and-a-half years. Previously he served in the army, from 1966 to 1969, and travelled widely around the UK as a lorry driver. A one-time Labour voter, he turned to the Conservatives in opposition to the unions and switched to Ukip recently. He says the move was motivated by the “abuse” of the welfare system, immigration and a “loss of identity”. He is married with seven grownup children.
“I listened with great interest to what [George Osborne] had to say about investing in the north. That might sway some northern voters, but I think he’s playing a fast one. It’s an election ploy. There are some places in the south of England that need a boost, including in Kent and Essex. Take our Medway towns – thousands of jobs in industry gone.	“I listened with great interest to what [George Osborne] had to say about investing in the north. That might sway some northern voters, but I think he’s playing a fast one. It’s an election ploy. There are some places in the south of England that need a boost, including in Kent and Essex. Take our Medway towns – thousands of jobs in industry gone.
“I can’t see the stamp duty cut making too many Ukip supporters change their mind. It’s good but a fairly limited thing. Fuel duty is frozen, but things like that are an old chestnut. I don’t think any chancellor can really do much about the deficit. It wouldn’t alter my views too much again.	“I can’t see the stamp duty cut making too many Ukip supporters change their mind. It’s good but a fairly limited thing. Fuel duty is frozen, but things like that are an old chestnut. I don’t think any chancellor can really do much about the deficit. It wouldn’t alter my views too much again.
“Infrastructure plans are the kind of thing I’m interested in. It’s OK planning new garden cities and roads but where is the land for food production going to come from? It has not been thought through. I heard him talking about putting more money for research into science and exploring the distant planets, but to be honest I think the funds would have been better spent on essentials like supporting agriculture.	“Infrastructure plans are the kind of thing I’m interested in. It’s OK planning new garden cities and roads but where is the land for food production going to come from? It has not been thought through. I heard him talking about putting more money for research into science and exploring the distant planets, but to be honest I think the funds would have been better spent on essentials like supporting agriculture.
“I can see a percentage of the people who voted for Ukip recently here being tempted by what was announced today, but I don’t think Osborne has entirely pulled it off.”	“I can see a percentage of the people who voted for Ukip recently here being tempted by what was announced today, but I don’t think Osborne has entirely pulled it off.”
~~Aileen ~~Mackay,~~ 22, postgraduate from Glasgow~~	Aileen McKay, 22, postgraduate from Glasgow
~~Mackay~~ grew up in the former fishing village of Ardersier, near Inverness, and moved to Glasgow to attend university. She now lives in the Scottish Labour interim leader Anas Sarwar’s Westminster constituency of Glasgow Central, and works as an English tutor whilst studying for an MA in comparative literature. Mackay was first old enough to vote in the 2011 Holyrood elections, and cast her ballot for Labour. But she says that her real political awakening came around 18 months ago when she starting campaigning for a yes vote in the Scottish independence referendum with groups such as National Collective and the Radical Independence Campaign. The experience shattered her confidence in Labour, she says, and despite reservations she now plans to vote tactically for the SNP in the next general election.	McKay grew up in the former fishing village of Ardersier, near Inverness, and moved to Glasgow to attend university. She now lives in the Scottish Labour interim leader Anas Sarwar’s Westminster constituency of Glasgow Central, and works as an English tutor whilst studying for an MA in comparative literature. Mackay was first old enough to vote in the 2011 Holyrood elections, and cast her ballot for Labour. But she says that her real political awakening came around 18 months ago when she starting campaigning for a yes vote in the Scottish independence referendum with groups such as National Collective and the Radical Independence Campaign. The experience shattered her confidence in Labour, she says, and despite reservations she now plans to vote tactically for the SNP in the next general election.
“Normally I wouldn’t take something like this very seriously, but since the referendum campaign I’m trying to be more alert to what is happening in Westminster as well as Holyrood. The most striking thing is that he’s talking about an economy that I don’t recognise in Scotland. It’s the economy of stocks and shares and the City of London that he knows.	“Normally I wouldn’t take something like this very seriously, but since the referendum campaign I’m trying to be more alert to what is happening in Westminster as well as Holyrood. The most striking thing is that he’s talking about an economy that I don’t recognise in Scotland. It’s the economy of stocks and shares and the City of London that he knows.
“There is the huge discrepancy between the improvements Osborne is talking about and the reality of people’s lives here. He talks about job creation in Scotland but I have friends who have great degrees and are highly employable but the work simply isn’t there. We ~~hear~~ a ~~lot~~ in ~~the~~ ~~media~~ ~~about~~ ~~benefit~~ ~~scroungers,~~ so I support anything that clamps down on tax avoiders, but I’m not convinced because I know it doesn’t fit with Tory ideology.”	“There is the huge discrepancy between the improvements Osborne is talking about and the reality of people’s lives here. He talks about job creation in Scotland but I have friends who have great degrees and are highly employable but the work simply isn’t there. I support anything that clamps down on tax avoiders, but I’m not convinced because I know it doesn’t fit with Tory ideology.”
Omar Bush, 22, from London, studies accounting and finance at Kingston University	Omar Bush, 22, from London, studies accounting and finance at Kingston University
Bush decided to join the Conservatives because, he says, “the party represents hard-working people”. He went to his first party conference in 2010 and now spends his weekends leafleting for his local branch – even on rainy Sundays. He is a governor of a primary school and sees himself standing for a local government seat one day.	Bush decided to join the Conservatives because, he says, “the party represents hard-working people”. He went to his first party conference in 2010 and now spends his weekends leafleting for his local branch – even on rainy Sundays. He is a governor of a primary school and sees himself standing for a local government seat one day.
“It was a good speech, even though George Osborne was speaking for 50 minutes – I kept my concentration. I think the long-term economic plan is working out. Even though there are certain things that can be improved on, such as the borrowing £91.3bn this year, I think the government is doing a good job and I understand where they are coming from and what they are trying to do.	“It was a good speech, even though George Osborne was speaking for 50 minutes – I kept my concentration. I think the long-term economic plan is working out. Even though there are certain things that can be improved on, such as the borrowing £91.3bn this year, I think the government is doing a good job and I understand where they are coming from and what they are trying to do.
“Something that was very important was the review of business rates to help high street shops. Near where I live is Raynes Park high street, and we need businesses here to be competitive and make sure shops on the high street make a profit, otherwise these shops are left unoccupied. So it’s something that can boost economy, and I think businesses are absolutely key in ensuring the economy prospers and people need to be confident shopping on the high street.	“Something that was very important was the review of business rates to help high street shops. Near where I live is Raynes Park high street, and we need businesses here to be competitive and make sure shops on the high street make a profit, otherwise these shops are left unoccupied. So it’s something that can boost economy, and I think businesses are absolutely key in ensuring the economy prospers and people need to be confident shopping on the high street.
“One thing I think was very good was making stamp duty more progressive and easing it so that it’s easier for people who are buying at the bottom end of the market. At the moment I’m not able to buy, but in the near future it’s something I want to think of, so it’s something that affects plenty of people.”	“One thing I think was very good was making stamp duty more progressive and easing it so that it’s easier for people who are buying at the bottom end of the market. At the moment I’m not able to buy, but in the near future it’s something I want to think of, so it’s something that affects plenty of people.”
On the Google tax: “I think voters will like the Google tax on companies diverting their profits. It’s fair and they should be taxed if they are taking channelling profits offshore. People don’t like tax evasion.”	On the Google tax: “I think voters will like the Google tax on companies diverting their profits. It’s fair and they should be taxed if they are taking channelling profits offshore. People don’t like tax evasion.”
On wages dropping in real terms: “We are in a situation where difficult decisions are having to be made. So yes, people are suffering, people are in a difficult period in regards to wages decreasing – however, what are the feasible plans? Do we want to go back to the Labour government who created the mess?”	On wages dropping in real terms: “We are in a situation where difficult decisions are having to be made. So yes, people are suffering, people are in a difficult period in regards to wages decreasing – however, what are the feasible plans? Do we want to go back to the Labour government who created the mess?”
Kelly Turner, 31, primary school teacher from Bristol	Kelly Turner, 31, primary school teacher from Bristol
Turner completed a degree in business studies at the University of the West of England and worked in finance for a year before training to be a teacher. She has taught for eight years and has a six-month-old daughter called Ruby. Turner comes from a family that traditionally has leaned towards Labour. Her husband, Alex, 38, a management accountant, is a dialysis patient, which means the couple are very interested in health issues and the NHS. Turner voted Labour last time but in the past she says she has been “quite Liberal” and has been “quite interested in some of the Tory policies”. She probably won’t support the Conservatives at the next election and is torn between Labour, the Lib Dems and the Green party – the latter is expected to campaign hard in Bristol.	Turner completed a degree in business studies at the University of the West of England and worked in finance for a year before training to be a teacher. She has taught for eight years and has a six-month-old daughter called Ruby. Turner comes from a family that traditionally has leaned towards Labour. Her husband, Alex, 38, a management accountant, is a dialysis patient, which means the couple are very interested in health issues and the NHS. Turner voted Labour last time but in the past she says she has been “quite Liberal” and has been “quite interested in some of the Tory policies”. She probably won’t support the Conservatives at the next election and is torn between Labour, the Lib Dems and the Green party – the latter is expected to campaign hard in Bristol.
“It’s clear from the tone of the autumn statement that there’s an election coming. It raised more questions than answers for me in many ways. For example, they said they were going to increase spending on the NHS, but I question how they will do that. They didn’t go into any specifics.	“It’s clear from the tone of the autumn statement that there’s an election coming. It raised more questions than answers for me in many ways. For example, they said they were going to increase spending on the NHS, but I question how they will do that. They didn’t go into any specifics.
“There were some positive things for us as a family – for example, the announcement about stamp duty. With our family growing we would consider buying a bigger property in a better area. We always thought we probably wouldn’t get as much for our house as we’d want because of the pre-existing stamp duty threshold. If that is adjusted it may mean that we get more and we could move. I also like the scrapping of air passenger duty for children. That will help us.	“There were some positive things for us as a family – for example, the announcement about stamp duty. With our family growing we would consider buying a bigger property in a better area. We always thought we probably wouldn’t get as much for our house as we’d want because of the pre-existing stamp duty threshold. If that is adjusted it may mean that we get more and we could move. I also like the scrapping of air passenger duty for children. That will help us.
“We have quite a few savings and good pensions. They talked about ISAs being inherited tax-free and changes to the way inherited pensions are taxed. That’s good for us, considering Alex’s health condition.	“We have quite a few savings and good pensions. They talked about ISAs being inherited tax-free and changes to the way inherited pensions are taxed. That’s good for us, considering Alex’s health condition.
“There was a lot about transport but it was about cars and roads. There was very little mention of anything supporting alternative forms of transport. That concerns me. Bristol is very congested. As the years have gone by it’s got worse. But they are talking about investment in cars rather than cycling or trains.	“There was a lot about transport but it was about cars and roads. There was very little mention of anything supporting alternative forms of transport. That concerns me. Bristol is very congested. As the years have gone by it’s got worse. But they are talking about investment in cars rather than cycling or trains.
“When I was watching the statement, I was struck by the thought that actually David Cameron is quite a good leader. I think the leaders of the parties that I would normally look towards – like Labour – are not so strong. I would ask questions about how Ed Miliband would be respected by others.”	“When I was watching the statement, I was struck by the thought that actually David Cameron is quite a good leader. I think the leaders of the parties that I would normally look towards – like Labour – are not so strong. I would ask questions about how Ed Miliband would be respected by others.”
Philip Warren, 62, farmer and butcher from Launceston, Cornwall	Philip Warren, 62, farmer and butcher from Launceston, Cornwall
The butchery business was created in 1880 and Warren and his family have run it since 1979. The company now employs 70 people. Wife Margaret, 61, runs the office and son Ian, 37, and daughter Ria, 33, are also involved. It has around 6,000 retail customers per week and is increasingly being asked to supply into London, including Claridge’s and Harrods Georgian Restaurant. Born and bred in Cornwall, Warren is from a family of “working class Conservatives”, but following the Thatcher years he felt it best to the “middle of the road” politically. He believes there is no hope for Labour in the North Cornwall constituency (Lib Dem Dan Rogerson is the sitting MP), and hints that he may lean towards the Lib Dems rather than the Tories.	The butchery business was created in 1880 and Warren and his family have run it since 1979. The company now employs 70 people. Wife Margaret, 61, runs the office and son Ian, 37, and daughter Ria, 33, are also involved. It has around 6,000 retail customers per week and is increasingly being asked to supply into London, including Claridge’s and Harrods Georgian Restaurant. Born and bred in Cornwall, Warren is from a family of “working class Conservatives”, but following the Thatcher years he felt it best to the “middle of the road” politically. He believes there is no hope for Labour in the North Cornwall constituency (Lib Dem Dan Rogerson is the sitting MP), and hints that he may lean towards the Lib Dems rather than the Tories.
“The best thing for me in the autumn statement was the announcement that national insurance will be abolished for apprentices aged under 25. We have nine apprentices here at the moment. They are given a skilled trade that will last them a lifetime and most stay with us. Cutting national insurance means we’ll be able to employ more. I’d like to have another four on board and that will help us do that. It’s important in a place like Cornwall where there aren’t that many good jobs for young people.	“The best thing for me in the autumn statement was the announcement that national insurance will be abolished for apprentices aged under 25. We have nine apprentices here at the moment. They are given a skilled trade that will last them a lifetime and most stay with us. Cutting national insurance means we’ll be able to employ more. I’d like to have another four on board and that will help us do that. It’s important in a place like Cornwall where there aren’t that many good jobs for young people.
“I think changing the stamp duty threshold will also help a lot of people around here – the sort of people who work with us . A lot of the houses are worth between £160,000 and £230,000, so that change will help that sort of person a lot. I’m also delighted with the tax changes to ISAs and pensions. That will help my family.	“I think changing the stamp duty threshold will also help a lot of people around here – the sort of people who work with us . A lot of the houses are worth between £160,000 and £230,000, so that change will help that sort of person a lot. I’m also delighted with the tax changes to ISAs and pensions. That will help my family.
“Apart from the apprenticeships I don’t see a lot in it for smaller businesses. What we really need down here is better infrastructure. We are doing an increasing amount of trade in London but in the summer when the roads are packed it’s hard to get our goods there. Cornwall appears to be forgotten about apart from when Mr Cameron can’t get a phone signal. They still need to grab the bull by the horns and radically improve the roads and the rail lines. Until that happens, Cornwall will struggle.”	“Apart from the apprenticeships I don’t see a lot in it for smaller businesses. What we really need down here is better infrastructure. We are doing an increasing amount of trade in London but in the summer when the roads are packed it’s hard to get our goods there. Cornwall appears to be forgotten about apart from when Mr Cameron can’t get a phone signal. They still need to grab the bull by the horns and radically improve the roads and the rail lines. Until that happens, Cornwall will struggle.”
Liz Kitching, 56, anti-welfare cuts campaigner from Leeds	Liz Kitching, 56, anti-welfare cuts campaigner from Leeds
Kitching lives on her own in a rented housing association flat in Leeds. Illness forced her to leave her job in housing and mental health 10 years ago, and her income now comes from employment and support allowance. She has campaigned against the bedroom tax after being financially penalised for her spare second bedroom, which is used regularly by her disabled grandson. She feels demonised by the government’s welfare changes. Kitching is a lifelong Labour voter, though she is disillusioned by Ed Miliband’s leadership.	Kitching lives on her own in a rented housing association flat in Leeds. Illness forced her to leave her job in housing and mental health 10 years ago, and her income now comes from employment and support allowance. She has campaigned against the bedroom tax after being financially penalised for her spare second bedroom, which is used regularly by her disabled grandson. She feels demonised by the government’s welfare changes. Kitching is a lifelong Labour voter, though she is disillusioned by Ed Miliband’s leadership.
“I think the deficit figures show that this government has failed on their own terms, and yet at the same time they’re claiming economic recovery. But that’s only for people who are already very comfortable. People struggling with low wages and those dependent on benefits are still really suffering. They’ve attacked the poor, attacked the disabled and I think they’re making a more divided society. More austerity will just lead to stagnation.	“I think the deficit figures show that this government has failed on their own terms, and yet at the same time they’re claiming economic recovery. But that’s only for people who are already very comfortable. People struggling with low wages and those dependent on benefits are still really suffering. They’ve attacked the poor, attacked the disabled and I think they’re making a more divided society. More austerity will just lead to stagnation.
“The collapse in tax receipts isn’t surprising, they want tax cuts for the very top of society, a lower rate of tax for middle-class professionals and people on the lowest incomes paying no tax at all.	“The collapse in tax receipts isn’t surprising, they want tax cuts for the very top of society, a lower rate of tax for middle-class professionals and people on the lowest incomes paying no tax at all.
“This stuff about spending on roads and flood defences is just targeting marginal Tory seats. I think everybody will see through that. The £2bn of supposed extra money for the NHS is a downright lie because they have consistently cut the NHS. I think we’ve lost thousands of nurses. Nobody will believe them. I think they want to privatise it. They are stealing social democracy from under our feet. Making corporations pay their fair share would also be a good move, but I don’t think anyone believes Osborne on that either.	“This stuff about spending on roads and flood defences is just targeting marginal Tory seats. I think everybody will see through that. The £2bn of supposed extra money for the NHS is a downright lie because they have consistently cut the NHS. I think we’ve lost thousands of nurses. Nobody will believe them. I think they want to privatise it. They are stealing social democracy from under our feet. Making corporations pay their fair share would also be a good move, but I don’t think anyone believes Osborne on that either.
“Labour needs to recognise they have not been an effective opposition. If they want to actually win the election they need to speak out with more honesty and boldness against the Tories. We expect them to genuinely stand up for working class people. People like me who have voted Labour all our lives are just saying ‘what are you doing?’ It’s so disheartening.”	“Labour needs to recognise they have not been an effective opposition. If they want to actually win the election they need to speak out with more honesty and boldness against the Tories. We expect them to genuinely stand up for working class people. People like me who have voted Labour all our lives are just saying ‘what are you doing?’ It’s so disheartening.”
Gill Edmonds, 75, from Cumbria, volunteer	Gill Edmonds, 75, from Cumbria, volunteer
Edmonds lives in a small village just outside Keswick in the Lake District. Before moving to Cumbria she worked in London as the PA to the musical director of the National Youth Orchestra and for the Tourism Society, and since retiring she has volunteered as a parish clerk and as chair of a local musical society. She has been married for more than 50 years, and has grownup twin children. Despite describing herself as an “old-fashioned Liberal of the Jo Grimond persuasion”, she has voted for the Conservative party in most elections, apart from a brief flirtation with Labour in 1997. “Never again,” she says.	Edmonds lives in a small village just outside Keswick in the Lake District. Before moving to Cumbria she worked in London as the PA to the musical director of the National Youth Orchestra and for the Tourism Society, and since retiring she has volunteered as a parish clerk and as chair of a local musical society. She has been married for more than 50 years, and has grownup twin children. Despite describing herself as an “old-fashioned Liberal of the Jo Grimond persuasion”, she has voted for the Conservative party in most elections, apart from a brief flirtation with Labour in 1997. “Never again,” she says.
“I found George Osborne very convincing. In fact, the speech lifted my spirits because I felt like somebody is actually trying to do something and make things move on, like with the big infrastructure projects. It wasn’t all doom and gloom.	“I found George Osborne very convincing. In fact, the speech lifted my spirits because I felt like somebody is actually trying to do something and make things move on, like with the big infrastructure projects. It wasn’t all doom and gloom.