The role of government
‘I believe that the failure of self-regulation in finance and politics mean we are now living through a profoundly progressive moment in world politics. Events have shown the irresponsibility of those who called not for stronger, but less regulation. Today, it is the values and policies of centre-left movements that are shaping the global response to the economic crisis—whether through intervention in financial markets, global co-ordination of macro-economic policy, or the transition to a low-carbon economy.’ – Gordon Brown, Prospect
‘But we can now see that governments have also been the solution, while finance has been a large part of the problem. So the question now is how to choreograph the recovery and get the balance right. Governments have to be sufficiently internationally- minded to give freedom to the private sector to generate growth but also not to allow it get out of hand and jeopardise the entire economic system.’ – Hamish McRae, The Independent
Maintaining services
‘Labour will take the difficult decisions on tax and spend, but we will do so in a fair and balanced way. We will not slash vital frontline services, put tax cuts for the wealthy few above the needs of the many or do anything that risks the recovery. That will be the choice on taxation, spending and the economy in the months ahead.’ – Ed Balls, The Independent
High speed future?
‘Brown will declare in a pamphlet, to be launched at the Labour conference in Brighton on Sunday, that high-speed rail could play an important role in helping to lower carbon emissions without jeopardising economic growth.’ – Nicholas Watt, The Guardian
Lib Dem conference ends
‘Vince Cable faced a mutiny by his own colleagues yesterday after the party’s new tax policy led to accusations that the Liberal Democrat star performer is high-handed and uncooperative.
In another awkward day for the party, Nick Clegg also faced defiance from frontbenchers on the conference floor with Steve Webb, the pensions spokesman, depicting his electoral strategy as “the audacity of gloom”.’ – Sam Coates and Suzy Jagger, The Times