Alistair Darling receives a £12 billion budget windfall

When Alistair Darling steps forward in 10 days time to deliver his budget speech he will be in receipt of a £12 billion budget windfall as a consequence of the recent recovery in the UK economy. In what many believe will be the most politically sensitive budget in years, with the government certain to use the stand to the champion its own political agenda, the divide between the Conservative party and the Labour Party will appear wider than ever before.

Even if the UK government is re-elected at next election many believe the Alistair Darling's days as Chancellor of Exchequer are numbered as his ongoing disputes with the Prime Minister are grabbing headlines day after day. There is a feeling that Alistair Darling will pull back from front-line public life and indeed he will have the opportunity to take on a number of roles within the private business sector whenever he feels the time is right.

It will be interesting to see whether Alistair Darling has won the battle of minds with Gordon Brown regarding the budget and the ongoing budget deficit. It is common knowledge that Alistair Darling favours a reduction in public spending while Gordon Brown wants to continue his spend, spend, spend policy.