As the LibDems linger around the 11% point in the polls, Nick Clegg has come up with his latest idea to try and make people like him – giving every taxpayer shares in RBS and Lloyds, the banks they own. Individuals could sell their stake once the price of the 46 million shares rose above the cost of bailing out the banks. The idea was originally mooted by the CPS, and Guido is intrigued, but also a little worried it could cost at least £250 million to administrate. It’s going to take a while for any fruition, given the government is currently down nine billion pounds. Clegg will be hoping people will be able cash out at a convenient time…
Sometime around spring 2015 would be ideal.