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Darling in tough spending cut vow | Darling in tough spending cut vow |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The Chancellor Alistair Darling has warned that Britain is facing the toughest spending cuts in 20 years if Labour is re-elected. | |
In an interview with the Times, he says cutting borrowing is non-negotiable and he confirmed there would be a budget before the general election. | In an interview with the Times, he says cutting borrowing is non-negotiable and he confirmed there would be a budget before the general election. |
Mr Darling said: "My priority is to get borrowing down. Once recovery is established, we have to act." | Mr Darling said: "My priority is to get borrowing down. Once recovery is established, we have to act." |
He also said Labour had to regain the middle ground to win the election. | He also said Labour had to regain the middle ground to win the election. |
In the interview, Mr Darling said: "The next spending review will be the toughest we have had for 20 years...to me, cutting the borrowing was never negotiable. Gordon accepts that, he knows that." | In the interview, Mr Darling said: "The next spending review will be the toughest we have had for 20 years...to me, cutting the borrowing was never negotiable. Gordon accepts that, he knows that." |
Deliver pledge | Deliver pledge |
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said confirmation the chancellor will deliver a pre-election budget was designed to stem speculation there may be an early election. | BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said confirmation the chancellor will deliver a pre-election budget was designed to stem speculation there may be an early election. |
By law, there has to be three months between December's pre-budget report and the actual budget, making a March election all but impossible. | By law, there has to be three months between December's pre-budget report and the actual budget, making a March election all but impossible. |
Labour has been criticised by its opponents for not spelling out how it would deliver the pledge to halve Britain's deficit over a four-year period. | Labour has been criticised by its opponents for not spelling out how it would deliver the pledge to halve Britain's deficit over a four-year period. |
Our correspondent said to retain the confidence of the markets the chancellor wanted to talk tough about what would happen if a Labour government is re-elected. | Our correspondent said to retain the confidence of the markets the chancellor wanted to talk tough about what would happen if a Labour government is re-elected. |
He also indicated that it was essential for Labour to regain credibility with middle-class voters and stressed that election could only be won if his party recaptures the middle ground. | He also indicated that it was essential for Labour to regain credibility with middle-class voters and stressed that election could only be won if his party recaptures the middle ground. |
Mr Darling told the newspaper that electors support his plan to balance the books. | Mr Darling told the newspaper that electors support his plan to balance the books. |
"Most people know that public spending has doubled over the last 10 to 12 years, so we are coming off a much higher base, " he said. | "Most people know that public spending has doubled over the last 10 to 12 years, so we are coming off a much higher base, " he said. |
"We are not talking about a situation where we have already cut to the bone." | "We are not talking about a situation where we have already cut to the bone." |