Osborne has made an entirely reasonable and sensible comment. I fear most of the negative comments left about him on here really stem from people's prejudice against the Bullingdon crowd, and should realise that the whole economic crisis in the UK stems from Labour policies of the last decade!

Alistair, London,

Don't assume that everyone who posts on Conservative Home is a Conservative - it advertises itself as a website for those with Conservative-leaning views! This means that UKIPPERS and even members of the BNP add their views - not to mention the "trolls" from Labour and the Lib Dems...!

Sally Ann Roberts, London, United Kingdom

I thought Osborne performed reasaonably well on the Andrew Marr show - pity is it is always simplified messages that get broadcast by the media. Labour will blame Osborne if the pound CONTINUES to fall - but they are in charge not teh Tories.

Dr I Burgess, Bristol,

Osbourne may be incompetent but the idea that the world financial system dumped sterling because of his remarks is farcical. After a fall in sterling interest rates, coupled with the legacy of Brown's ten years in the Treasury, it is surprising that the pound is even worth one dollar. Now blame me!

David James, Port Erin , Isle of Man

The pound had already fallen by 25% before George Osborne said a word. It is fatuous to pretend he is to blame.
The oldest trick in the book is shoot the messenger..

Deborah, Herts,

Er, isn't George earnest by any other name?
You have to do the right thing because it is right, and you have to visualise this damage limitation exercise for what it is, pure penance!

Mrs Maggie Snook, Wool , Wareham, Dorset UK

Free market capitalism proves to be a corrupt and highly state subsidised sham; So people warm to socialism. What can't pundits understand about that? I regret it. I would prefer genuine free market economics, but the people have seen through the 'welfare for the rich' charade that the 80's began.

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

Brown has been chancellor for 10 years and PM for 18 months, so clearly if there is a run on sterling then it is George Osborne's fault.

ian, swindon, UK

This story just proves that honesty doesn't pay in politics.

Poor George!

CJ, Coventry, UK

Osbourne is right. Could it be Brown's plans to take us into the Euro at parity (it's about 82p right now)?

William, Guildford, UK

Much of this credit crunch is a question of confidence, and therefore you should not as Osborne had done frighten the horses. If Sterling does fall further now, he will get the blame, and maybe he should for being irresponsible.

paul goddard, andover, UK

This is the third gaff in the last few months. My vote is slowly sliding towards the Labour party and Osborne is the main reason for that. Labour are not perfect of course, but Brown/Darling don't seem to put style over substance like Cameron/Osborne.

Mark, London,

Gordon Brown can't handle the truth. It's that simple. How many stupid people actually believe that investors rapidly leaving UK plc have to be told (by George Osbourne) what a shoddy state we are in.
With any remaing monies the goverment has left I suggest that the cabinet buys a large sandpit.

Dave Roy, Wellingborough, England

As usual if the press decides it does not like George Osborne then he will eventually be forced to quit. If the media actually thought about the mess Brown is getting us into they would use caution in openly slating GO for stating the obvious.
Its the gullable public who lap it up that scare most!

Paul, Grantham, UK

Didn't Alistar Dariling say some weeks ago that the Country was heading for the worst recession in 70 years back in August. Is George Osborne meerly trying to highlight as many consumers already know that we can't continue to borrow and at some stage we need to start repaying. Gov't needs a diet.

Mike, Maidenhead, UK

George Osborne seems to be doing more spinning now than even the Blair Government. Starting with the briefing about Mandelson, which badly backfired on him, the other day the media were told that the reason he was doing so badly was that he was doing Mrs Spelman's job. She denied this. He looked sad.

Andy Hunt, Acton, England

Osbourne is absolutely correct in what he has said. I can't believe that people are being so critical of a politician who tells us the truth.... Maybe we have the government we deserve....

Tony, Hull, UK

I dont support GO's stance at all. His statement not only created more panic, but undermined governments efforts for a solution. He should abandon party politics, impulsive comments and work towards a solution for the people of England. GO cares for nobody but himself- he has demonstrated this.

Leela malur, Isle of wight, United Kingdom

It would seem hat the truth hurts. George Osborne might not be saying what everyone wants to hear and believe but it is still, nevertheless, the most likely outcome.

Chantel, Wales,

I believe Osborne is perfectly right to challenge G.B's desperate attempt to fool the public. G.B and Greenspan are solely responsible for the financial crisis facing the world. This problem was created both in London and wall street so GB should not absolve himself from the mess he partly created.

Mike Fregene, London,

It seems everythinjg this guy touches turns to rubble. He is the worst shadow chancellor I can remember

Keith Price, Luton, UK

Isn't the only person quoted in the article a member of UKIP, not the Tories?

Would you quote the views of say an SNP member as representative of criticism within Labour's ranks?

Was it just incompetence to use this to manufacture a headline or have you some ulterior motive?

Chris Jones, London, UK

It is Osborne's absolute duty to intervene when the value of the £ has dropped 25%.

Labour may spin that Brown leads the world economic fight, but the world seems to take a different view - clearly expressed in the 25% figure. They have no faith in Brown. They are all selling sterling.

Ken P, Stafford, UK

Those reading this should also read GO's article in the Sun Tel. He is pointing out how it is. This government cannot stand anyone having a different opinion. If they think Osborne is wrong let them state their reasons not just attack him-they probably know he is right but won't admit it publicly.

NeilM, Berwick, England

Whether or not you agree or disagree with what George Osborne has said, the proof is in the pudding. Watch what happens over the coming weeks. Browns way is going to cost this country billions in the coming years - buy yourself out of a recession, what a joke!

Martin, York, UK

Gerge Osborn simply told the truth.

Gilt yields have not moved down in line with base rates. The 1.5% yield gap is predicting falls in sterling which will be catastrophic when combined with further rate cuts and increased borrowings.

Michael Corby, London, UK

Read what George Osborne said, not New Labour distractions and you will understand that his statement explains perfectly reasonably some of the reasons for the mess we are currently in.

Don't you like the the truth?

Colin, Kent, UK

we shouldnt chastise GO for telling truth as he sees it.,.. in this case GB is selling the currency down the river and should be attacked for it. since when did the tories adopt a policy of appeasement rather than attack when the govt is borrowing us into a bigger mess than we are in now

zugerman, zurich, switzerland

In an ideal world, David Cameron should ask Vince Cable to cross the chamber to the main opposition benches and take up the shadow Chancellor position. Of all of them, Cable is the one man I'd trust in charge of the country's finances.

Ian Dickson, Brighton, UK

If the shadow chancellor cannot publicly state the catastrophic folly of this delinquent regime's economic policies, then who can?

James E. Petts, Burnham, England

Brown's incompetance is decimating the currency and he is praised. Osbourne has the guts to tell the working man in the street the truth and he is hung drawn and quartered. madness.

Martin Smith, leeds,

The man has stated nothing wrong. The event he describes has already happened. Labour wants to devalue the pound so to increase exports and join the UE; Well, we don't have any manufacturing companies who can export and we already abide by EU rules. Conclusion- Labour to blame.

jay, harrow,

So called Tory Grandees can say what they like.They contribute nothing to the party other than to gloat at good polls caused by bad Labour. The myth of Brown basking in self styled global leadership to conceal is own role over the last ten years has to be broken so go for it

Chris, Berkhamsted,

Isn't the point of opposition to oppose and argue down the demons of Government arrogance and posturing? As a Government worker I have seen this insidious "support without question" culture seep into every rank until the slightest comment can cost you dearly. Emperor's new clothes ?

Phil, Weymouth, UK

Incredible. A politician pilloried for having the temerity to tell the truth.

john, oxford, england

Well, BoE talks about recession few weeks back and Sterling plunge. So, let's get rid of King? Before that, Brown said how dynamic UK economic was, the Sterling plunged. If UK has $1 trillion dollar reserve like China then Sterling will do just fine no matter what Osborne or Soros say.

Steven, Berkshire,

i find it funny, that people want politicians to tell the truth, and then as soon as they do re Osbourne about sterling, they want him removed. Sterling was always going to collapse as soon as the back cut interest rates by a large amount...

Karl, genf,

Osborne is right that Brown's borrowing will devalue sterling although I am unsure that I would call it a run as such. The real message is that further borrowing is very wrong economically. What Brown is trying to do is equivalent to using a credit card to pay the mortgage which is fiscal suicide.

Steve, Birmingham, United Kingdom

...Osbourne is right to tell the truth. If the govt keeps borrowing and keeps lowering rates the pound will be destroyed. For the pound to strengthen the pound has to be bought. To be bought it hs to offer an attractive rate of return, that is why to save the pound interest rates will have to rise.

karl, genf,

A run on sterling? It's already happened - from $2.10 down to $1.48; the euro down from €1.40 to €1.16.
Any fool can see that if you print money like crazy and throw it at banks, government spending, PFI, and a hundred other things over the last 11 years the currency is going to fall.

Richard Painter, Aldbury, GB

The inconvenient fact that sterling had collapsed over 25% prior to Osborne's comments seems to have been conveniently ignored by the Labour attack dogs as they once again try the "big lie" to deceive a frightened population. That's more than the housing collapse ! Whose comments drove housing down?

David Leighton, East Preston, England

osborne has passed the point where he can regain his credibility.
until he is replaced i will be taking my vote elsewhere.

kirsty alone, inverness, uk

Osbournes haughty arrogance was always going to catch up with him at some point......I hope the tories are foolish enough to let him stay on,he is an asset to a Labour victory

Eric, Southwick, England

Cameron needs to search the Backbenches for someone with real experience and sensitivity. Osborne is demonstrating a complete misreading of Economics, Politics and Understanding of the Need for Teamwork. He's behaving like a thoroughly spoilt Kid trying to get back in favour..and failing miserably

Michael, Woodbridge, England

Osborne seems to want to bankrupt stirling just to gain a few votes.. Clearly he is trying to put the interests of the conservative party before the interests of the British taxpayers..

Keith, Perigueux, France

What he said was necessary and right. It is about time that someone in the Opposition blew the whistle on the damage that Brown's bailout to Brown's recession is doing this economy.

If we don't avoid a sterling crisis it will be pure luck.

IanC, Stafford,

Its time Mr Obsorne thinks before he speaks .This is not a sign of a responsible MP. It appears that he may not realize the consequence of making this statement .Tories have lost my vote

kishore, london, uk

Why does cameron like Osborne ? He ( osborne ),
is unable to say anything without proving himself incompetent. I now feel sorry for him ( osborne ),
it is time to put forward another member of The Bullingdon Club. !

Mike Ryan, Christchurch, UK.