Safe pair of hands
It's official. A Treasury official that "this is not the time for a pulse racing budget". This, they did not add, is hardly the chancellor to deliver a pulse racing budget. That though may, curiously, help Alistair Darling on a day when he wishes to reconnect his name with the phrase "safe pair of hands".
After the groans and jeers that followed his "Anything you can do I can do better" Pre-Budget Report (not to mention Gordon Brown's last "2p or not 2p" budget) last year, Darling is promising that this time there'll be no rabbits pulled from hats and no pyrotechnics.
What can you expect instead? Much talk of the charting a steady course through stormy global waters. Mr Darling's told colleagues at the Treasury about a visit to his Edinburgh supermarket when he heard two old ladies talking about the "sub prime crisis". His aim today is to make sure that when people worry about the squeeze in their finances or their falling house price or whether there'll be a recession that they're talking about that and not about a government that got good headlines on budget day only to see them unravel a day or two later.
UPDATE, 08:55: We now know the title of today's Budget and it sure ain't catchy. It's "Stability and Opportunity - building a strong sustainable future". Earlier in the week I set out my idea for a title. Can you do better?
I'm 
Comments
The 'chickens coming home to roost' budget?
I'm generally pleased with Alistair Darling's philosophy, handling of recent affairs, and his approach with the upcoming budget echoes the words of Confucius who said: "The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved." Perhaps, as is befitting a man with a sober attitude and shock of white hair, Alistair Darling is delivering a budget that is a silver lining against a backdrop of gloom. People who wish to put a name to this often call it hope.
How about: "More Spin and Deceit-how to cover up our incompetence"
Hi, Nick. How about the "Shaft Small Business" Budget? These clowns in Government seem determined to introduce unworkable tax legislation aimed at crippling small businesses, so this would be an appropriate title. Another one might be the "Can They See The Strings?" Budget, appropriate to the mindless puppet Chancellor.
A low key boring approach to the budget is probably what is needed and few could do it better than Mr Darling. Unfortunately, a similar approach during his term at Transport set the foundations for a transport system that is inadequate to either the current or future needs of the country.
In the not too distant future Mr darling will have to use some initiative to overcome the reckless regime of his predecessor. Has he got it?
Just noticed you can bet on the length of Darling's speech today! Should be good fun and brighten up proceedings!
How about "Thanks a bunch, Gordon"?
The sub-prime budget?
I always enjoy Charles Hardwidge's comments, however I would offer another quotation that might be more appropriate:
Ollie: "Every cloud has a silver lining."
Stan: "That's right. Any bird can build a nest but it isn't everyone that can lay an egg."
I suspect that offers a greater perspective on life and more meaning than anything that the Chancellor will ofer up this afternoon.
And by the way Nick - please don't dish out the usual headline rubbish. Remember that the devil is always in the detail.
The "hide what you can budget". There is a lot of talk about the reduction of debt but no mention of off-balance sheet finance and the payments required under public private partnership agreements. No mention that the basis of Government accounts is not the same as required from any company. Use of the same rules would give a very different picture. Comment on previous Governments did not mention the mess made by previous Labour Governments in the 1970's such that the IMF had to tell them to pull their finger out - which had effects for many years after the events
The sub-prime budget?
He`s keeping the money back so they can have a drink at Christmas .
As the founder and MD of a small PR business, I welcome the Chancellor's plans to improve access to finance by expanding the small firms loan guarantee scheme, and help female entrepreneurs. But I'd like to see the fine detail on this.
Frankly, I found the Budget very cautious and unimpressive.... and yes, dull and disappointing! This was Darling's chance to prove that he's a competent Chancellor - and that the economy is safe in his hands and can weather the storm. For me, the stark economic reality is that Mr Darling will borrow a staggering £140bn over the next four years!
The colossal sum is £20bn more than he forecast in his own pre-Budget report just five months ago and some £32bn more than Gordon Brown was predicting in his final Budget last spring. And now he plans to really squeeze the consumer by a huge increase in duty on drink - slapping a thumping 55p on a bottle of Scotch, ending a 10-year freeze on spirit duties.... don't forget that these duty increases are 6% above inflation.
I plan to cross the channel and stock up on my wine supplies!