A good year for political debate

This morning's Independent leader looks forward to the year as being one for clear political battles and division lines between the two parties.

At last,I can hear the political commentators cry.After years of seemingly consensus politics we finally,thanks in no small part to the global financial meltdown,three parties that have clearly defined an distinct strategies.

On the one side,Labour says that

Government spending and tax cuts are needed to help pull us out of the downturn

.

The Tories believe

there should be no extra public spending, nor tax cuts in the immediate term.
What the Government should be doing instead is establishing aNational Loan
Guarantee Scheme, to encourage the provision of credit to the economy.

Whilst the Lib Dems

echoed Mr Brown's justification for a fiscal stimulus in his own New Year
message, but criticised the form of the Government action taken thus far. Mr
Clegg wants tax cuts for the low-paid and substantial public investment in clean
energy infrastructure.

It will surelyh be a good year for political debate