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?

Fred, you're not very good at answering questions, but I'll have a try anyway.

Why do you persist in publishing on a public FBB your 'chip-on-the-shoulder' apologist half-formed views which are then invariably torn to shreds by other contributors to the board? Do you take some sort of perverse pleasure in making yourself look completely stupid or do you not realise you are doing so?

No insult intended, just the impression you generally give.

HI FRED WELL I MUST SAY I AGREE WITH YOU (1000 per cent)well i must go and have avery long DRINK OF STRONG STUFF??????////I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD EVER SAY THAT///WOW/////////WOW

PTH,

I can't stop myself from hoping that a person like you can be further educated and help with their fairly obvious problems.

I can but try.

I think you must try an read the others poster properly, or squelch mine and the other post which you don't like.

Honestly, it is very easy to do. 8-)


8-)

Well Fred, a 'person like me' has learnt an awful lot from many posters on this board, I'm afraid to say I cannot include you in the list. But in a roundabout way you are therefore educating me by making a fool out of yourself, for that I must thank you :)

I am glad to see Ken Clarke back on the Tory front bench. He was the last chancellor to lead us out of a recession and left a strong economy for Labour to ruin. He has very strong views on Labour's disastrous policies, such as stopping tax allowances on pension funds, which everyone is still suffering from.

I was a volunteer in 2005 working as part of his campaingn team in offices above Central Hall Westminster when he ran for leadership of the Conservative party. He is one of the nicest and most amusing politicians you could hope to meet and I would still prefer him as Prime Minister.

I went to a party for him after the leadership election and he told me that as he was walking through the lobby after losing the election, a Liberal Democrat MP said to him "we need a new leader, if you want a job!". That was a couple of months before Charles Kennedy resigned.

Good choice. Should highlight the Tory division. When is the next Tory party leader election. Need one quickly as Tweedle dee and Tweedle Dumb look washed out.

Agree with you Haystack-good news.

When will Gordon declare a "state of emergency" so that he can avoid having an election and his ultimate cumuppance at the hands of the electorate.

2010

Obama will call one soon.

KC and the sunshine VC would be a popularist duo . . .
+I find our current MP's are more worried about re-election than moving UK forwards.

and ONE THURSDAY VOTING IN THE LAW PUTTING THEM ALL ABOVE THE LAW////////////////

and ONE THURSDAY VOTING IN THE LAW PUTTING THEM ALL ABOVE THE LAW////////////////

I don't suppose there's any chance of subtitles?

Is the Tory party going role out Maggie.

That would be a real vote winner.

But even gaga she is better than the present Tory front bench.

ON THURSDAY VOTING ON A BILL TO put them above the law of discloseure/ regarding thier pay benifits etc etc

You been on the sauce again Fred?

Mr G Brown strikes again.

Northern Rock employees are to get a 10% performance bonus on Friday.

Cho, no left it all for you. You probably need it more than I do!

Bristles, I thought that it was ludicrous that MP expenses should not be disclosed.

I didn't realise the complications of disclosures may make to the individuals concerned and the increase in cost of security to give necessary protection.

I think there would be a sense in having and independant audit carry out in private with tight rules and publication of transgressions.

hi fred//but its not only MP s ITS ALSO PEERS /expenses etc