As both Labour and the Tories squabble over the way ahead for Britain in 2012, neither seems to have considered the Samoan solution. This is a once in a lifetime panacea for all economic ills, available, like those sale bargains, for one day only.
Because it straddles the International Date Line, Samoa has the option of looking either east or west for its time. Concerned that it was out of kilter with its main market, Australia, the tiny Pacific island has come up with a unique solution.
To align its time with its main trading partners, Samoa, along with neighbouring Tokelau, has scrapped today — December 30. When the citizens of Samoa went to bed yesterday it was Thursday, and when they woke up it was Saturday. Geordie drinkers of Newcastle Brown Ale will know the feeling, but this time there is no headache or embarrassing memories (unless of course you are a Geordie in Samoa). But we digress.
The Samoan solution, once applied to world economics, releases us from the pro- and anti-Keynsian debate of now into a new world of simple solutions to present problems.
Ed Miliband and his alter Ed — the other one — are ending this year as they began it: in the doo-doo. It is said that apart from leading the nation into a chorus of “Always Look On The Brightside”, they have nothing to offer.
But if they seize the Samoan solution, then they have. Simply scrap 2012 and move to 2013 where things can only get better.
Some might argue this is a nonsense approach to economics — but then, have you read the alternatives?
Peter McHugh is the former Director of Programmes at GMTV and Chief Executive Officer of Quiddity Productions.
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