Alistair Darling admits he got it wrong
Alistair Darling has this evening paved the way for a significant change in economic predictions supplied by the UK Treasury. In a move which had been fully expected by opposition parties, Alistair Darling has apologised for errors and misjudgements over the last few months which have seen economic forecasts cast into the bin.
The admission by Alistair Darling that the recession is "worse than we thought" places more pressure on Gordon Brown to put his hands in the air and admit he has played a part in the downfall of the UK. The Prime Minister has so far refused to accept any criticism or any blame suggesting that everything "came from America".
Bizarrely, the admission by Alistair Darling comes as a new opinion poll shows Labour support strengthening by three points to 34% with the Tories unchanged at 41%. The 7% difference is the smallest since December although many had expected Gordon Brown to receive a "bounce" after his handling of the G20. However, Labour supporters will know we have been here before only for support to fall away when promises have failed to be delivered and the UK population continues to struggle.
Tory party supporters are concerned that David Cameron is still refusing to divulge his party's specific policies should they gain power next year. Will this leave an opening for Gordon Brown?
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