National’s legacy

Using the figures quoted in Brian Gaynor’s Weekend Herald column, when the National Government took over in 2008 New Zealand had a surplus of $5.6b and debt of $10.3b. We owed twice as much as we had saved. National sold assets to reduce debt. Today the Government has a surplus of $3.3b and debt of $66.4b. The fiscal genius of Bill English has let us now owe 11 times more than we have saved.

While building this debt National have not made payments to the Super Fund. With an ageing population this will further increase the debt to future generations.

Furthermore, when Labour took office, the debt was 37 per cent of GDP. Labour reduced this to 17 per cent. In nine years Bill English grew debt levels again to 37 per cent of GDP. Under National we have seen tinkering to appease polls but an increased social divide and inequality, statistics that reflect an increase in homelessness, mental health issues and prison populations, on top of rampant house prices, excessive immigration and an inadequate commitment to health, education and infrastructure.

When National’s spin is eliminated and the results examined, the Government has failed this generation and future generations of New Zealanders.

Rubin Levin, Devonport.