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Minister in new 'green shoots' gaffe
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor21 Jan 2009
GORDON BROWN faced fresh accusations of "complacency" over the dire state of the economy today after a minister claimed there was "light at the end of the tunnel" for Britain's jobless.
Just a week after another minister claimed there were "green shoots" of recovery, Employment Minister Tony McNulty suggested that things would get better on unemployment.
Mr McNulty told the BBC: "There is light at the end of the tunnel. It is some time off. This is not now life as we know it but we will get through it and people I think do need to understand that and cling to that hope."
The Tories immediately seized on his remarks, with shadow work and pensions secretary Theresa May pointing out that they contrasted with today's unemployment figures.
"Labour's astonishing claim this morning that there is light at the end of the tunnel shows how out of touch they are. This is a Government that has clearly run out of ideas," she said. "The rising tide of unemployment will be of real concern to hard pressed families up and down the country."
A week ago, business minister Baroness Vadera claimed that she had seen "green shoots" of recovery, echoing former Tory chancellor Norman Lamont's notorious phrase.
Reader views (5)
To have "green shoots" (or whatever spin) - you have to get period of stability - clearly we are still falling deeper in mire.
Propaganda - you should all be able to spot it by now.
- Garry Anderson, Haverhill UK, 22/01/2009 09:33
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If the best candidate that labour can now provide for a ministerial post is Tony McNulty, sucking up to Gordon Brown with ridiculous statements about recovery on the eve of what is going to undoubtedly be an economic train crash, then they have truly run out of steam and must be replaced before they take us all down with them.
- Peter Haldane, London, 21/01/2009 16:51
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Nothing new! and, no surprise, as our government treats the electorate as if we are idiots! Perhaps they should be made aware,(if they are not, it only confirms how totally out of touch they really are!) we are more sensible than they think, and, that we stopped listening to their programmed waffle long ago. The contempt they hold us in is mutual!
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London., 21/01/2009 16:39
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This comment is not a Gaffe but is simple optism, based on our British ability to overcome difficulties
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 21/01/2009 15:55
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Gee, foot in mouth disease.
- Hugh, Middx, 21/01/2009 15:27
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