Brown Looks For Scapegoats As Budget Approaches

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 31st Mar 2003

Responding to Gordon Brown's speech today to the British Chamber of Commerce, Matthew Taylor MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, accused Gordon Brown of looking for a scapegoat to blame for his management of the British economy. Mr. Taylor said:

"Gordon Brown finds it impossible to talk of Britain's economic difficulties without casting around for a scapegoat."

"The 'blame culture' at the Treasury, whether it be war or the world economic slowdown, cannot mask the fact that the UK's problems predate the current uncertainties. Britain is suffering from imbalances that Gordon Brown has chosen to ignore."

"If he is to present solutions in his Budget, the Chancellor must first admit that many of our economic problems are made in Britain."