The UK government was warned in the article “Prime Minister, sort out this mess, please” about the risk that by making all the savings and cuts, without taking adequate protective steps, it is is “inviting” the “financial markets” to downgrade the UK rating. I.e. the saving and cuts are very likely to be perceived by the “markets” as the government's increased capacity to borrow short term by the amount of those cuts and savings. Hence it will be able to pay more in interests to the “financial markets”. There seems to be a little doubt that the “financial markets” are not going to miss such opportunity to get even more money from the taxpayers. “Financial markets” have a very short term strategies. Practically it is all about to the next bonus, a Madame Pompadour view of the world: “aprés nous le déluge”. As it seems the credit rating agencies do not play a role of objective judge of credit worthiness but are merely tools for making money by the “financial markets” players.
After the article “Prime Minister, sort out this mess, please” was published this is precisely what happened to Ireland. On 19 July 2010 The Irish Times announced having made massive spending savings, cuts and implemented austerity measures, Ireland rating was downgraded. The same strategy of the “financial markets” can reasonably be expected towards Britain. This is how the "financial markets" work these days. Indeed they are already half way there, i.e. the government announced saving and cuts without taking adequate protective measures. And the reasons for the UK downgrade will not be important: they will always be found.
After the article “Prime Minister, sort out this mess, please” was published this is precisely what happened to Ireland. On 19 July 2010 The Irish Times announced having made massive spending savings, cuts and implemented austerity measures, Ireland rating was downgraded. The same strategy of the “financial markets” can reasonably be expected towards Britain. This is how the "financial markets" work these days. Indeed they are already half way there, i.e. the government announced saving and cuts without taking adequate protective measures. And the reasons for the UK downgrade will not be important: they will always be found.
"the saving and cuts are very likely to be perceived by the “markets” as the government's increased capacity to borrow short term by the amount of those cuts and savings. Hence it will be able to pay more in interests (sic) to the “financial markets”. There seems to be a little doubt that the “financial markets” are not going to miss such opportunity to get even more money from the taxpayers."
ReplyDeleteAny economist knows that someone with cash in his pocket stands to get a better price.