Alistair Darling fails to sparkle
Alistair Darling has come in for severe criticism in the press today regarding his handling of the UK budget and the way in which it was presented. He has even been accused of having a "boring attitude" when in reality there was not an awful lot for him to shout about bearing in mind the economic situation in the UK. Would voters have appreciated an upbeat sounding Alistair Darling giving the worst economic news the UK has seen for decades?
In many ways, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been fighting a losing battle since day one because he is or has been seen as Gordon Brown's "friend" with some in the City suggesting he is a "yes man". However over the last few months we have seen a significant change in the characteristics and personality of Alistair Darling who now appears prepared to take on Gordon Brown on issues which he feels strongly about and the friendship of years gone by appears to be diminishing.
At the end of the day, it is Alistair Darling who will be remembered as the Chancellor of the Exchequer and live and die by his decisions and his policies. When Gordon Brown was in charge of the Treasury he effectively cut Tony Blair out of the picture and was very much his "own man".
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