Oops: Osborne's opportunity...

Gordon Brown has called for an end to the "age of irresponsibility" and he has advocated a "new global order, founded on transparency, not opacity". [BBC] Would that age of irresponsibility be including anytime in the last ten or eleven years? hehehe... Benedict Brogan points out what Gordon seems to have missed and what could be a great opportunity for George Osborne.

Brown also stated that "co-ordinated" solutions to the economic downturn were needed. All sound very familiar:

1998: House of Commons: The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Gordon Brown):

In this year's pre-Budget report, we seek to steer a course of stability amid a world economic downturn...

First, I shall deal with the foundation for long-term economic stability...

Long-term interest rates are now at their lowest for 35 years and the lowest since Britain's boom-bust cycle first became entrenched...

Long-term monetary stability is a precondition of our economic success...

It is also because Britain has a new long-term fiscal framework with clear disciplines set out in the code for fiscal stability that we are laying before Parliament this afternoon that, as world growth slows, fiscal policy is able to make its contribution to stability and future growth in Britain...

The Government are steering a stable course, prudently investing in our future, proudly building strong public services and consistently keeping our promises to the British people. I commend this statement to the House.

Of course he said similar things on several occasions every year for the last decade and all would suggest the same thing...HE LIED! This must be the age he means to end. Let's hope so and what better way to start by disappearing from the scene...PLEASE!