Brown and Darling - still delusional

The Prime Minister's monthly press conference showed Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling still claiming that the UK economy is fundamentally sound and well placed to ride out the economic troubles caused by the global banking liquidity problems. Some interesting points on Northern Rock which point to a managerial problem, so the taxpayer has been forced to allocate £100bn to support this company. THERE is not going to be a repeat of boom and bust or 10-15% interest rates, maintain growth, highest employment figures and strongest economy, protection for house-owners.

Guarantee that taxpayer will get back all money. All monies loaned are backed by assets. Alistair Darling, Bank of England needs to get money loaned back. Northern Rock has a good mortgage book. One of our priorities is to get money back that was lent by Bank of England.

During Michael Crick's question re Labour MPs appalled by "British jobs for British workers", did you see Gordon's faked uncomfortable smile.