Brown's spend, spend, spend during his Chancellor's days has brought us into the current economy we are facing today. His appeal at a Downing Street meeting for the lenders to pass on cuts appeared to fall on deaf ears with HBOS, which owns the Halifax, increasing its rate on some mortgages from 6.09 to 6.59 per cent. Borrowers taking out this type of deal will now pay 46 more a month. On a two-year tracker, the rate will increase from 1.49 points above base rate to 1.99 points, giving a current rate of 6.99 per cent.

Other lenders are expected to follow Halifaxs lead.

If the Government wants the banks to lower mortgage rates to home owners - why not just offer them through Northern Rock? Everyone would rush to the Rock to get the loans forcing banks to match the rates or lose the business? Or maybe the government would then run into bigger credit crunch?

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/politics/politics-headlines/darling-has-secret-plan-to-keep-buggering-about-200811261420/

unless there is a cut in income tax to put cash in workers pockets there is no chance our economy will avoid depression, imho.

The man who sold the World..lol.

Cut in VAT a general flop with the voters---no chance of an election now worse luck!!

Why not "Flash" has saved the world!

Don't forget Gordon's famous recommendation "Let them Eat Waste!" - and isn't it nice to know that in addition to his 190,000 he gets paid for general incompetence he also claimed 15 for lightbulbs in his expense account ! What a prudent prat he is

Gordon Brown Says - Let Them Eat Waste!

Thanks, Gordon for putting so many people out of job. He has created a false economy over the past few years.

He is the biggest conman around; now old age pensioners are suffering as their life savings are earning pittance from the interests of their bank accounts.

Hly, What suggestions do you have to improve the situation?

Well, the milk has already been split. He has spend all these years without thinking of the consequences and Labour has been US poodle joining the Iraq war spending billions and life of soldiers.

Give Blair a medal in the USA the Peace envoy to the ME what a con they are.

The key to recovery is investor and workforce confidence. imho there is no chance of this returning while this mob remain in power especially with unelected Brown leading from behind ! Whatever did we do to deserve this character to lead the nation. I see there is talk of Clarke returning to the shadow cabinet. A good idea in my opinion, as long a the tories do not shoot themselves in the foot again wrangling over Europe. Clarke is a well reasoned thinker and would be a good hard hitter to counter Mandelson. What a sorry mess, be interesting to see what the history books in 10- 15 years time make of it all. ( God willing of course).

I hear they made Haig the deputy thats a good move he talks sense unlike a lot of Tories and bring back Clarke and they could do well.

Policies, dear boys, policies. What changes to policies would you suggest? Killing off Brown, at the moment, would be like killing the surgeon in the middle of a cardiac transplant on yourself.

I agree that Blair leading us being America's poodle was "folly" (not allowed to use the words I would like to). I think Blair was always more interested in his own self-advancement than concerned about Britain. Personally, I feel he was a deliberate liar and led us into an unnecessary war.

One could see from that time that the present economic and political chaos would occur.

Blair was a barrister; I would like to see him debarred.

As far as the B Liar being given the medal of honour, by Bush, it seemed to me, is a little like the lunatics running the asylum.

A bit like the thought of Cameron and Osborne being in charge of the economy.

Clarke, I dont think he would like the job of chancellor, but still might like the position of Prime Minister.

(At least we would then become a full, committed member of the EU.)

I think I would like to quitely die in peace rather than have a surgeon like Brown kill me off then bringing me back only to kill me again. He is a financial killer of the first degree. Better to wipe him out and let another surgeon have a go.

Gus, Again you action would be knee jerk, with less chance of survival.

What are your replacement policies for the economy?

I am interested as the more I try to think of possible solutions the more complexities I see.


Another question, why is the Tory party seemingly wheeling out its geriatrics once again. The ghosts of the past are appearing more and more in the media, especially our Norm Tebbit, Fouler Fowler, Black Tuesday Lamont, Heseltine and Clarke? When are they going to reincarnate Maggie, or is she still the LEADER?

Doesnt say much for the present Tory leadership, when is their next party leader election.

Fred,

I have a question for you. On other threads you have mentioned your age, your family and the fact that you've spent your life working.

Over the years, how have you handled your finances?

Spend, spend, spend allied to borrow, borrow, borrow?

Or earn a bit, save some and spend a little bit as and when it becomes disposable?

Just curious.

Yes Fred , I can just roll them off the top of my head from a distance. Policies that promote confidence and NOT desperation. Mandelson announced the first bit off good news today with small and medium business guarantees but, I noticed that he did mention that this represented action and NOT slogans. Could this have some hidden meaning for Brown's benefit. Surely not!

Hilary, You are inquisitive about my personal affairs. As it seems necessary for you to know, on this occasion I will on this occasion give you a little information.

Sometimes wisely, sometimes made mistakes. Always had food on the table and clothing for the family.

However, when I first acquired a property, I found it had a leaking roof and the plumbing system was a shambles and both needed repair and improvement for the future. I did the necessary repairs.

I didnt squander what I had earned by giving short-term gifts to some of my friends.

I suppose I could have ignored the problems and moved out, leaving it to the next owners to renovate.

I also held on to any silver I had for the future. (Dont dare mention the selling off of the gold reserves.)

Gus, one positive to Brown and Co

What are your other suggestions?

Do you agree with Obamas probable policies, or the monetary policies of the EU. Or, perhaps you agree with the future policies of the majority of the worlds' governments?

I only enquire, Fred, because I care about your gaskets. From the sound of things you've lived your life both prudently and in recognition of your responsibilities.

And yet here we have a government who have spent, spent, spent for a decade yet haven't put anything by for a rainy day. They now intend to borrow, borrow, borrow in the hope that it will get them out of this mess. Even the Australians recognised that the good times would not last forever and have been stashing some cash under the mattress over the last few years so they don't have to go cap-in-hand to their taxpayers.

I'd like to ask one more question. If you personally were in debt, would you borrow more to try and get out of the mess? Or would you knuckle down and work a bit harder and longer to try and clear some of the debt?

You would make a very good politician Fred, why not have a go yourself, might as well.