It's the "So what!" government - thanks Mr Balls, you summed it up perfectly.

Refusing to acknowledge anyone will be worse off abolishing the 10p tax band shows an inability to use a pocket calculator, let alone head a government.

D. Reynolds, St Albans, Herts. UK

I have always thought she speaks in a very child like manner as if she is about to cry. But then again I suppose I would weep at the state of Liebour (Labout).

I wonder what her majority is?

Austin Tassletine, South West, UK

She "bottles" and "dithers" like Brown.

Dr M J Parkinson , Tewkesbury, ENGLAND

Milo ... Amen .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

One has to wonder about the qualifications of anyone who can say "Resignation of my post is therefore not envisaged.” This is plainly someone so addicted to spin that straightforward language is impossible. Not only is that a frightening convolution of the language, but she got it wrong anyway: one resigns FROM one's post, not the other way round, as "resignation of my post" implies.

B Dalcher, Hitchin, Herts

Brown is still denying that anyone will be worse off. That is patently wrong. John Hutton went into the BBC studios to claim that the maximum cost was a half of 1 %. The actual cost for someone on income of around 7500 pounds is nearer 3%. Brown & co are now prepared to lie even over matters subject to mathematical certainty. Incredible!

Robert Williams, Halifax, England

Like some of your other contributors I would like to know "How much it will cost the taxpayer"?

M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU.

McBrown's the man sold our gold
At knockdown price or so wer'e told
Then taxed the poor
And robbed the old
Of pensions fair, yet squandered wealth
Mainly gained through tax of stealth
And now he's in this sorry mess
His best solution?
BRITISHNESS!!!
Though minions threaten to resign
Fear makes them toe the party line
Well - soon t'wil be the first of May
Time to start him on his way
And prove the UK's not gone potty
"She'll no' tak much more o' this Scotty"!!!

Milo, Uckfield, UK

Obviously few members of Government have views about anything sufficient ly to make them take a stand on principle, any principle.
The only thing that would be worse than members of the current goverbment would be if we were to have U S Presidential candidates!
Regarding Mr Balls'al;leged hints perhaps he could tell loacl authrotities and others that their bills might be met after the Autum n statement, if they don't mind waiting for the Chancellor to correst his, or rather Gordon Brown's errors.

alan crowhurst, Kidderminster, U K

"I will look to do the right thing for the British people and the British economy.”"

Robin Hood he is not
- time you went ROBBING Brown!!!

and take Nu Labour with you.

Richard, Valencia, Spain

The Labour government under TB and GB have squeezed the will out of the middle and working class hard working people (I'm one of them). What's the point in grafting when the feckless in our society are supported hand and foot by this government regardless. And when at the twilight of a life they continue to squeeze the soul from families such as these with the demands for folk to sell hard -earned properties to cover the cost of nursing homes for their elderly leaving nowt to be passed on. And, how is it that these same MPs can vote themselves over-inflation rate increase in pensions but at the same time prevail over the lowest OAP payments amongst the top European economies - thus completing the financial misery of elderly people who really deserved more (after paying all of their contributions and mostly getting not much in return).

But WHERE IS THE OPPOSITION in parliament to such policies?

Brian Pask, bristol, England

Could we have a printout of all the MPs who think the abolition of the 10p rate is a good idea. The people can then make their decision on their FUTURE employment at the elections.

C. Farrar, Paphos, Cyprus

“I’m sticking to the job and getting on with the job . . . I will look to do the right thing for the British people and the British economy.”

Do we believe him kiddies.

Next thing he'll be telling us there's a Father Christmas.

SRB, Abergele, UK

Good old gesture politics in action, lets wait and see how many more Labour MPs try the same old trick before the next general election.

Cromwell, Leeds, England

She is right to resign. How can anyone justify making the lowest paid even poorer? Hopefully this will be a very loud wake up call . The growing reality is that they have created an electorate with every reason to be deeply disaffected.

J. B. Berkshire.

Jackie Bartlett, Newbury, Berkshire, UK

If the 10% rate had been 'abolished' it would now be zero per cent.

The 10% rate has been DOUBLED, and that is how the media shold refer to it. Just because Labour uses Orwellspeak in calling a doubling an abolition doesn't mean that the media should follow suit.

No one would refer to the doubling of council tax as its abolition... or would they?

Sean, Surrey, UK

Obviously this ladies principles were no more than skin deep, and for cosmetic purposes only.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Tarkan of Deeside - Gorgon Broon isn't capable of doing a real job. He went from school to university to politics. It says it all, doesn't it? I deal occasionally in gold shares and I know how disastrously wrong his stupid decision was to sell our reserves at the lowest possible price. The man is a disgrace.

Bill Harding, York, North Yorks

Angela Smith went from principled to pathetic within hours. What price integrity?

tom read, colchester,

Talking to a PPS who is threatening to resign? Any PM with authority would have fired her without a second thought. Credibility - Nul points

Zac Smith, London, UK

Angela Smith's proposed 'resignation' will have had a lot more to do with her worries about her seat at the next election than it did about principle. No doubt the good people of her constituency will be fobbed off with a new by-pass or something similar to shut them up...

Andy, Sutton,

Resign, not resign ? this indeciveness seem to be catching !

Tony, Cardiff,

So how much is she now paid for the job she used to do for free?

MR W Jones, Liverpool, England.

I thought Angela Smith was showing she had guts, and some sense of concern for those less well off ,but sorry no.
She is spineless like the rest and has sold out her constituents.

barbara, north east,

As someone who will be seriously affected by the abolition of the 10p. tax band, would it be possible for Gordon Brown to phone and reassure me about poverty please?

Martin Dibbs, Kingsbarns, Fife, UK

Well Angela, it's dithering and the me me me me attitude that hopefully will condemn your evil party to the wastelands of politics.
Just when we thought we'd found an honest, principled MP.

Ken Wyatt, Todmorden, UK

I am sure she was made an offer she couldn't refuse.

Tern, Manchester, UK

This is what has been missing in politics. People of principle, who stand up and are counted for their beliefs.

S. Barraclough, Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire

So GB still insists no one will be worse off because of removing the 10% tax band
I thought he was supposed to be good at math's. Sorry your score is Failed.

barbara, north east,

“"I’m sticking to the job and getting on with the job . . . I will look to do the right thing for the British people and the British economy.”"

Now come on, if he was really interested in doing what was right for the British people he'd call a General election or at the very least step down.
He's only been in office 5 minutes and his record to date show's he has no interest in what's right for the British people. He treats us with contempt at every step.
Referendum anyone?

Phill , The Wirral, England

Another one with limited principles at best. I bet she did not take much persuading.

Mark, Yorkshire,

The 20 p tax debacle is gift to the Conservatives. I am an oap.
still paying tax - for the first time in 12 years my pension has been reduced. For the first time in 60 years I will not vote Labour. Sorry but they have hit the most vulnerable in our society

Ron, Norwuch, U.K.

Angela Smith should take lessons in standing by your principles and keeping your integrity from Frank Field, possibly the only Labour politician not to have sold out the working class and remaining true to his beliefs!

R.B., Leicester,

I am worse of £100 with this idiots abolishing 10p rate and he is claming families better off. Gorden Brown should resign from his post and get a real job.

Tarkan, Deeside, UK