When they say spend more, we say cut back

Today's opinion poll shows that most people want the government to spend more in real terms on health and education, every year.

Tomorrow, Labour ministers will announce plans to cut public spending in all areas, including health and education, and do more New Labour reform instead. These plans are seen as vital to Labour's re-election campaign.

This leaves the Tories with the tough political choice between getting the credit for being prepared to spend more on health and international aid than Labour would, or having the political cover to drop those policies if they seem inconvenient. I bet they are quaking in their boots.