Osbourne and Gordo agree on something

[OwlHoot]

The Chancellor compared France to Italy, Greece and Portugal, which have already been hit by the financial turmoil, and warned that it was having to make tough decisions about public spending.

Mr Osborne disclosed that his European counterparts were “terrified” by their debt situation but insisted that Britain was in a relatively strong position as plans to cut Government spending were already well advanced.

Last week, French debt prices rose sharply and Gordon Brown, the former prime minister, warned that the country risked being “picked off” in the coming weeks.

For "mainstream" UK politicians to be as forthright as this about EU matters in public, there must be an unbelievable load of gyp going on behind the scenes, probably with France desperately demanding absurd amounts of funds from the UK and/or impossible concessions such as the UK agreeing to full tax harmonisation etc.

We don't know the half of it, or even a small fraction. So let's hope (rather forlornly) that Cameron and co hold their nerve.

[Doggy Styles]

Someone somewhere said that the only way the euro could work would be to turn the Italians, Greeks, French and the rest of the eurozone into Germans.

[DodgyAgent]

"Meanwhile, I and the rest of the government will focus all our energies on making sure Britain once again leads the world in payment protection insurance."

[Pondlife]

Mash on top of the issues again.

"Meanwhile, I and the rest of the government will focus all our energies on making sure Britain once again leads the world in payment protection insurance."

[TimberWolf]

All very distracting, but when is it the UK's turn? Unemployment figures out soon, deficit and debt won't be cut, can't be long now.

[gingerjedi]

Didn't a ratings agency accidentaly downgrade France last week before hurriedly reversing the decision?

Ever feel like the whole debacle is just being played out?

[DodgyAgent]

No. I am not signed up atall. I can't see telegraph comments are clientco and I can't be bothered to read the right wing drivel comments at weekends.

So which particular doctrine spouted off by the Telegraph is so at odds with your position as a highly paid IT contractor?

[Mich the Tester]

Mash on top of the issues again.

[Mich the Tester]

No. I am not signed up atall. I can't see telegraph comments are clientco and I can't be bothered to read the right wing drivel comments at weekends.

Shame; I'd have given +ve rep (for what it's worth) for getting a chutney spoon or Andyw comment published.

[BrilloPad]

Are you 'Brillopad1' on the telegraph?

No. I am not signed up atall. I can't see telegraph comments are clientco and I can't be bothered to read the right wing drivel comments at weekends.

[Mich the Tester]

At the moment the focus seems to be on Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. With changing priority.

Ultimately the other 11 EURO countries are going to have to leave and form a new block leaving those 6 with the EURO.

Are you 'Brillopad1' on the telegraph?

[BrilloPad]

At the moment the focus seems to be on Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. With changing priority.

Ultimately the other 11 EURO countries are going to have to leave and form a new block leaving those 6 with the EURO.

[Mich the Tester]

This might get a bit ugly

...especially if the likes of Osborne keep stoking the fires.

[Jog On]

George Osborne spells out France’s problems - Telegraph

The Chancellor compared France to Italy, Greece and Portugal, which have already been hit by the financial turmoil, and warned that it was having to make tough decisions about public spending.

Mr Osborne disclosed that his European counterparts were “terrified” by their debt situation but insisted that Britain was in a relatively strong position as plans to cut Government spending were already well advanced.

Last week, French debt prices rose sharply and Gordon Brown, the former prime minister, warned that the country risked being “picked off” in the coming weeks.

This might get a bit ugly