I don't think you really need me to tell you that our country's finances are in a mess. Over the last twelve years Gordon Brown has consistently overspent at a time when most countries were reducing their national debts.

In an article for the Centre for Policy Studies, Conservative MP and opposition whip Brooks Newmark shows the apalling reality of Gordon Browns irresponsibility.

He says: “The Government claims that Britain’s debt stands at an already shocking £805 billion, equivalent to 57.5% of GDP. This is a significant underestimate. In truth, Britain’s public debt is an astronomical £2.2 trillion, equivalent to 157.2% of GDP. This means that, in addition to grappling with the effects of the recession and credit crunch, every single British household is being hobbled by the ball and chain of public debt to the tune of £85,610”

The reason for this huge discrepancy is the extensive use of off balance sheet PFI schemes and huge unfunded pension liabilities.

Brooks goes on: “This black hole in the finances would cause most responsible governments to act with honesty and prudence. But not this profligate Prime Minister. At the recent Labour Party Conference, Gordon Brown showed no sign of ending his spending spree when he announced yet more spending commitments – all unfunded. At a time when the level of debt is rising at almost £1 billion a day, or a staggering £700,000 a minute, this is economic irresponsibility, plain and simple”

“The Chancellor has slammed the banking sector for doing exactly what they have done:

“I agree with… the need for far greater transparency. There also needs to be stricter rules in relation to off-balance sheet activity, which has enabled some banks to get around their regulatory responsibilities. That is clearly not a satisfactory position.”

To demand transparency and accountability in the private sector is a fine aim. But, to refuse to apply this in the public sector stinks of hypocrisy and double standards.
It is our children and grandchildren who will be left to pay this debt off for generations to come”.
Unless we have a change of government, and soon, there is no telling what further destruction will come to our country. Only the Conservative party are willing to bring the necessary financial discipline to bear in order to restore our country to financial and economic stability and strength. To achieve this we need a Conservative MP in Edinburgh West. Will you help us achieve this?
As your candidate, I offer a strong voice for change in Edinburgh West and will fight to restore our
economic strength once again.

Banks are in business to lend

Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat MP John Barrett called on banks to make more money available to local businesses. Somehow I wonder what planet Mr Barrett is on.

Banks are in business to lend money, that is what they do. If businesses are finding it difficult to borrow money it will be because the businesses cannot make the case that they are a good risk and will be able to repay the loans made.

Surely with all the government money invested in the Banks the public would be rightly enraged if they thought that the Banks were being irresponsible in their lending? After all, is this not how they got into this mess in the first place?