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Don't punish us at polls for tough times says Brown
Nicholas Cecil, Political Correspondent01.05.08
Embattled Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued a last-minute plea to voters not to punish Labour in the local and London mayoral polls today.
He admitted many families were facing a "tough year", with soaring fuel, food and mortgage bills, and confessed to "differences and debates" over his Government's actions including the axing of the 10p starting rate of tax.
But he urged voters today not to turn their backs on him and London Mayor Ken Livingstone. Losing the capital to Boris Johnson would be a huge blow to Labour and Mr Brown sought to portray the choice facing Londoners as "stark". He said: "I know this is already a tough year for many people. It is vital that we stick to a course of stability."
Mr Brown has taken a more contrite stance in recent days but it was far from clear whether voters will have been swayed by his vow to listen more to their concerns.
The Prime Minister may have seen a glimmer of hope that he could emerge from the woes that have engulfed him since he called off the election-thatneverwas last autumn.
The Bank of England signalled that the worst of the economic buffeting being suffered by the UK may be over within months. But it also told banks and building societies they could harm the economy if they do not relax their squeeze on credit including higher mortgages, which could leave hundreds of thousands in financial difficulties.
Giving a warning that the correction in the credits markets has gone too far, the bank predicted that feared losses by financial institutions may be overstated and that City chiefs would soon start to regard some assets as looking "cheap".
John Gieve, deputy governor, said: "While there remain downside risks, the most likely path ahead is that confidence and risk appetite will return gradually in the coming months."
However, other experts warned that the wider economy could still be hard hit. Former Financial Services Authority chief Sir Howard Davies, now director of the London School of Economics, said: "The worst of the particular type of credit crunch that we have been living through since last August may well be over. But we may now just be moving into straightforward economic recession where all kinds of other assets begin to deteriorate in quality and in price."
In America, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25 to two per cent yesterday, raising pressure on the Bank of England to take similar action next week.
Tory leader David Cameron, though, blamed the Government for the country's-financial difficulties, telling the Institute of Directors last night: "They've failed on their central mission - to deliver social justice and economic efficiency."
Ministers are braced for the loss of London and about 200 town hall seats, with the possibility of being pushed into third place behind the Liberal Democrats. That would spark fresh talk of Mr Brown being asked to step aside.
More than 4,000 council seats are being contested and some Labour chiefs fear falling to 25 per cent or below and losing key town halls such as Reading.
Reader views (10)
Why not? its your fault Mr Brown you were chancellor and now you are our unelected Prime Minister. We want to punish you, we did not vote for you we don't want you.
- A Tax Payer, Berkshire
Is Brown 'avin' a larf? Punished!
I hope that Labour are completely obliterated for what they have done to England and the UK.
- Jeremy Zeid, Harrow, England
How desperately embarrassing for any Labour supporters. The PM is actually asking the electorate to forego their democratic right. For surely it is our right to punish any government when they so evidently get things wrong. As a number of people have pointed out, the reason we face hard times is because of Brown as chancellor and PM. Who tax and spent? Who sold our gold reserves when gold was at an all time low? Who has left us with the highest budget deficit of any Western European country? Who has destroyed private pensions? Who has mortgaged this country to the hilt with PFIs that we will be paying back for decades? One man - Gordon Brown. The sooner we send a message to him the better. Get rid of Ken, get rid of Gordon.
- Tim For Change, Esher, Surrey
Please let this be the end of Labour. Please London vote this ghastly mob out of power. Please let the rout of Brown start here and banish Labour for years to the margins of politics. As to Brown's plea? That tells you how worried this arrogant man really is. Good!
- John, Surrey UK
Oh really, Gorlmess Gordon you really are the limit! This is not just about world economics, but has a specially British dimension, you nitwit! You're whole success story was smoke and mirrors, based on a housing boom that was irresponsible and manipulative. Government must have the financial interest of the average citizen at heart - you just simply don't! In fact the fall in house prices may in the long term help ordinary folk, if you don't attempt another spurious (and dangerous) bubble.
- Big Man, Islington, London
Don't punish us for tough times? Brown the useless YOU are the reason the times are tough, if the real Labour party ever came back, you would be the first casualty out of the door.
- Steve Johnson, Ealing
He deserves a kicking, besides who honestly wants to see this man smile.
- Howard, London
To late Gordon, all my family have voted for Boris. Why should voters listen to you? You don't listen to us. You have been part of, and now lead the most dictatorial Government since Oliver Cromwell. You are boring, dreary and dull, and I hope your NuLabour cronies get decimated.
- Charles Bailey, Mitcham, SW London.
If ever someone deserves to b e punished its Brown.
- Albert Hall, Kettering
hHpe your not telling me how to vote Gordon bean, you are the weakest link, goodbye.
- Diane Benjamin, London
