Parliamentary Column Autumn 2008

Published on Thu 16th Oct 2008

Tough economic times are upon us again. Food prices are going up in the shops. Petrol prices have never been higher. Houses are not selling. Mortgages are unavailable. It is hard to find many reasons to be cheerful.

So what should be happening? How must our Government respond?

Well, in Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrats have an economic expert who knows what he is talking about. He predicted the current problems in the global economy. He has the experience of a life in the business world. Over several years, he warned the Government about the dangers of building an economy on the back of unsustainable debt.

There are several practical steps that can be taken. We need to be honest about the situation we are in. We need to step in to help people in danger of losing their homes through re-possession. We must end the City's culture of paying huge bonuses for short term results. And we must help people struggling to pay their weekly bills.

Will Labour listen to us? After 11 disappointing years, they must act decisively, before it is too late.