Alistair Darling plays down the impact of G20 agreement
In a move which is deliberately meant to downgrade the hopes of the UK population, Alistair Darling has tonight suggested that the $1.1 trillion G20 rescue package would not immediately impact upon the UK economy. In direct contrast to Gordon Brown's trumpets and fanfare earlier in the week it appears that Alistair Darling is bringing a more sober mood to the UK economy.
This is yet another significant play for the media with Gordon Brown happy to shake hands and announce a "new world order", grabbing headlines around the world. While his supporters will suggest that he has played the media perfectly this week there are concerns that in reality the situation will be very different. Indeed Alistair Darling has also suggested that even though the UK government was very prominent in negotiating the deal there will still be significant job losses across the UK in the short to medium term.
This immediate downgrading of hopes has been grabbed with both hands by political opponents in the UK who are accusing the UK government of spin and deceit. In all honesty the truth is probably somewhere in between these two deeply divided opinions and as ever the proof is "in the pudding".
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