Who's miserable now? Minister's apology backfires

Tom Harris appeared on a string of TV and radio shows to say he was sorry if anyone had been offended by his claim that people had never been so wealthy despite the credit crunch.

But the transport minister's strategy appeared to backfire when scores of viewers and listeners lambasted him for the remarks. He faced further criticism when he suggested the public were "out of touch" rather than MPs.

"The idea that politicians are out of touch is an out of touch idea because politicians live in their constituencies, we speak to constituents all of the time and have families of our own," he told BBC Radio FiveLive.

Writing in his blog, Mr Harris had complained that people seemed to be afflicted by "crippling levels of cynicism and pessimism".

He recounted a long list of luxuries that "would have made our parents gasp" including regular shopping trips, expensivemeals out and HDTVs. Then he asked: "So why is everyone so bloody miserable?"

His comments came after figures showed shoppers are still flocking to the high street, with retail sales up a record 3.5 per cent last month, the highest monthly rise for more than 20 years.

But with Downing Street trying to convince voters that it understands their worries over fuel and food prices, Mr Harris was forced into a swift apology.

He added: "I absolutely was not telling people to cheer up. I was simply asking why people in the current generation - even those who aren't suffering as much from the current economic slowdown - aren't as happy as our parents' generation. Am I being too optimistic in expecting a grown-up debate about this?"

Shadow treasury chief secretary Philip Hammond said: "The short answer to Mr Harris's question asking why everyone is so miserable is, because we've got Gordon Brown as our Prime Minister.

"Like his boss, he clearly lives on a different planet from ordinary hardworking families who are struggling with soaring living costs, stagnant earnings and falling house prices. " Mr Harris's blog was inundated with comments from critics. John McDermott wrote: "Yep, you and your parliamentary cronies have never had it so good, that's for sure, with second home allowances and just about everything paid for, including food and council tax. What do you all spend your (not insubstantial) salaries provided by 'hard-working' taxpayers on?" Stephen Wilson said: "See if you can persuade Brown and all your other Scots politicians you are not wanted here. Miserable? I'll cheer up a lot when you have all decamped back over the border. A Friend. (You probably don't have many)."