The consistency of Darling and Brown on the economy

The BBC have a helpful page to remind us of how Alistair Darling's stated views on the UK economy have changed over recent months, there are also some pronouncements by the architect of the destruction of the UK economy, Mr Gordon Brown:


CHANCELLOR ALISTAIR DARLING - 5 NOVEMBER 2007

"Despite this international uncertainty, which started from the problems in the US housing market, there are grounds for believing that we will get through this.

"We have a strong economy, its momentum will carry us through."


PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN - 27 JANUARY 2008

"Now in Britain, we are saying, as you know, that inflation is low, interest rates are low and we expect there to be growth.

"It's all the more remarkable that inflation generally is low, when you have, as everybody acknowledges, rising food prices round the world and rising oil and commodity prices."


PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN - 4 MAY 2008

"We have got to show, as we've done in the past, that we can come through this difficult economic times, make sure that people feel safer in their jobs and their mortgages and make sure also that people know that the economic plan that we have for the future is taking us out of the downturn and preparing for the upturn."


CHANCELLOR ALISTAIR DARLING - 5 JUNE 2008

Alistair Darling says the economy is "strong and resilient" and that employment levels are much higher than during the housing crash of the early 1990s.

But he adds that, in common with every other country, "We are feeling the effects of the problems that started in the financial markets and have spread to the wider economy."


CHANCELLOR ALISTAIR DARLING - 22 JUNE 2008

"Both Mervyn King and I have said that the economy, along with every other developed economy in the world, will slow down this year.

"That's been clear for some time."


CHANCELLOR ALISTAIR DARLING - 30 AUGUST 2008

Mr Darling says economic times for the UK are "arguably the worst they've been in 60 years".

He adds: "I think it's going to be more profound and long-lasting than people thought."

In contrast to earlier upbeat government statements, he told the Guardian newspaper the economic downturn would be more "profound and long-lasting" than most people had feared.