The usual bedwetters are lining up this morning to proclaim that Cameron signalled never-ending austerity last night. They’re moaning about ideology etcetera.

Have a look at what Dave actually said:

“We have a plan – and we are carefully implementing that plan. Already we have cut the deficit by a third. And we are sticking to the task. But that doesn’t just mean making difficult decisions on public spending. It also means something more profound.

It means building a leaner, more efficient state. We need to do more with less. Not just now, but permanently.

It can be done. Consider these facts. There are 40 per cent fewer people working in the Department for Education – but over 3,000 more free schools and academies, with more children doing tougher subjects than ever before. There are 23,000 fewer administrative roles in the NHS – but 5,000 more doctors, with shorter waiting times. So you can have a leaner, more efficient, more affordable state that actually delivers better results for the taxpayer.”

Guido will believe the “leaner, more efficient, more affordable state” when he sees it, but it is hardly an unreasonable aim? What do the left have against being careful with taxpayers’ money? If you are opposed to efficiency, then you are the ideological one…