The coalition are doing a great job on growth.

[Platypus]

Considering the horrible economic circumstances Brown's government was one of the wisest in UK recent history.

Sheesh.

[TimberWolf]

WHS. But we can still judge the politicians on how they handle the inevitable ups and downs. Imagine if Britain had got to the credit crunch with little or no public debt. The government could have comfortably bailed out the banks, and increased public spending on infrastructure without it being that big a deal. I think Gordon Brown didn't do too bad a job at handling the crisis; it was the years before that where he did the damage, and Osbourne and Co's hands are so tied they're following the only path they possibly can.

Except they've stepped harder on the accelerator...

[VectraMan]

Personally I'm of the opinion that global macroeconomics is more akin to the weather. One can forecast it to some extent but only crackpots and charlatans claim to have power over it.

WHS. But we can still judge the politicians on how they handle the inevitable ups and downs. Imagine if Britain had got to the credit crunch with little or no public debt. The government could have comfortably bailed out the banks, and increased public spending on infrastructure without it being that big a deal. I think Gordon Brown didn't do too bad a job at handling the crisis; it was the years before that where he did the damage, and Osbourne and Co's hands are so tied they're following the only path they possibly can.

[TimberWolf]

We're still pursuing the economics of the past 10 years, Gordonomics.

[doodab]

I reckon red tape creates jobs and increases market efficiency to some extent as it provides an incentive for companies to stay small, specialise at what they are good at and outsource other stuff.

[AtW]

How about cutting red tape and corporation tax?

Red tape isn't cut, and corp tax cut was balanced by removal of annual allowance - the main beneficiaries of corp tax cut will be big companies, well those of them who choose to pay taxes in UK.

Overall the Govt is all talk, pretending to have tough cuts strategy to bluff the markets whilst printing money to make up for investor interest in low yield gilts.

[doodab]

And you believe government can actually do anything in the tail end of the biggest worldwide slump since the 30s? Cretin.

Well they generally claim to be doing something so it makes sense to judge their claims, does it not?

Personally I'm of the opinion that global macroeconomics is more akin to the weather. One can forecast it to some extent but only crackpots and charlatans claim to have power over it.

[BrilloPad]

And you believe government can actually do anything in the tail end of the biggest worldwide slump since the 30s? Cretin.

How about cutting red tape and corporation tax?

[russell]

And you believe government can actually do anything in the tail end of the biggest worldwide slump since the 30s? Cretin.

The US had growth, or does that not count in sasguru world?

I'm sure the tories will still be wheeling out the "It's all labour fault" excuse after 5 years in power and less growth than the hair on SasGurus baldy head.

[Zoiderman]

my ass still smarts from his involvement

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Considering the horrible economic circumstances Brown's government was one of the wisest in UK recent history.

Very valid point. I actually believe Gordon Brown was one of the smartest and hardest working Chancellor/Prime Ministers we have had. I also think he was the most genuine. It was the severe lack of charisma and personal issues with other politicians which let him down. The ironic thing was the whole Biggoted woman in lancashire scandal actually made me respect him more.

[petergriffin]

Considering the horrible economic circumstances Brown's government was one of the wisest in UK recent history.

[d000hg]

So Brown was blameless after all!

[sasguru]

And you believe government can actually do anything in the tail end of the biggest worldwide slump since the 30s? Cretin.

[BrilloPad]

Since the Chancellor took over in mid 2010, there has been 0.6pc growth - less than the growth in the last quarter Labour were in power.

Way to go George.