Proof that the Conservative party has adopted the path of prudence over petty populism. Wasteful expenditure must be removed at any point in an economic cycle, and necessary expenditure maintained at every point in the cycle. The Labour government has done the opposite at all points in the cycle.

James E. Petts, Burnham, England

There seems to be a lot of flip-flopping with regards to Gordon Brown's ability to run this country. He obviously failed and must go. Not much point in trying to blame the opposition's statements.

al, London, UK

The amount we are borrowing only makes sense when taken as a percentage of GDP (i.e. how much you owe over how much you earn). Our debt now is roughly 3.5% of GDP, in 1993 it was closer to 7%. Don't believe everything you hear and read.

Bob, Swindon,

what happens if the rest of g20 leave gordon with a massive millstone his and our necks, if we are going to have to pay it back why not start now by tightning the proverbial belt.

ken moody, sheffield,

Cameron is now back to the same policies that failed in the 80s. Flip flop, flip flop. Memories must be very short indeed of why the Tories failed. UK Plc was run down,. Public services were on their knees because of these policies, which in turn lead to many of the deep social problems now faced.

Ian, London, uk

Rocky, London

If there is a wolf at the door, you don't leave the door wide open and then fall asleep for ten years. And when said wolf enters and tears up the place, you don't claim absolution by saying you didn't give birth to the wolf. Yet plenty are willing to swallow it. Bizzarre!

James David, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Rocky claims others don't read the news, but how long has he been around? Anyone my age can remember at least three Labour governments. Each one inherited a sound economy from the previous administration, and each one blew the money away, leaving its successors to pick up the pieces. Remember IMF?

Richard B, West Wales, UK

alternatively stop spending large sums of money on benefits and send the current recipients to afghanistan - two birds with one stone...

andrew, london,

Cutting public spending is the only way to ease the crisis, sadly jobs will go but why should we the taxpayer have to pay for more of them than we need! Brown would never do this as it would risk losing votes from the only fools stupid enough to vote for them again! Rocky from london wake up!

hamish, london,

Borrowing above our means is what has caused this whole mess in the first place. Now Brown wants to exacerbate his folly. He's clearly learnt nothing then to hide his head in the sand and borrow more, putting of the real issues till tomorrow. How did this complete fool ever get to power?

Darren, London,

Tax is only payable if you have a JOB (or pension), without action tax increases wont matter to a lot of people!

Dan, Ipswich,

the simple truth is that the bloated public sector is unaffordable, major cuts need to be made in it now.

john g, london, uk

Well said. Its pretty obvious that if you overborrow now somebody has to pay in the future. Labour cant just keep borrowinglike there is no tomorrow.

Ian, BRISTOL, UK

At last the politics have turned and someone is brave enough to say that throwing money at a problem is not the solution. Look at Baby P, £100million spent on children's services could not save him. The state should do much less and do it much better and attempt to fix the rot at the core of society

Bruce Mcaaw, Grantham,

I have an idea, it's slightly crazy but it might just work... stop spending large sums of money fighting pointless wars in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. Sorry, but somebody needed to point it out to them.

julian, shrewsbury, uk

Good! Gordon Brown's tax cuts will be like the 10p tax band anyway, and make everyone, but especially the poorest pay more, and trashing the economy before he is booted out at the next election will just leave us all with a massive debt to pay off whilst he enjoys his platinum plated pension.

Peter, London,

The problem with cameron and the conservatives is that they will continue, and this is absolutely important, they will continue to propagate this idea that the bank of england should be given greater independence when in fact history shows that the central bank is a BIG part of the problem here.

simon lomax, warrington, uk

Saying cutting spending will make it tougher for people in a recession assumes Gordon Brown's profligate spending is efficient - it is not. Cutting spending on massive waste will not result in reduced public services - it will actually improve them

Peter, London,

Correct. Couldn't agree more. The country is BANKRUPT. Brown has BLOWN it all.

He now aims to cynically buy votes to win an election. The pain will come tenfold down the line.

At least Cameron's got the guts to tell the truth, but do the dim British have the guts to listen?

Dave White, Notts, UK

sorry rog j , this is a world problem, not one of labours creation, or don't you read the news?
cameron makes it up as he goes along, him and osbourne justhaven't got a clue.
other world leaders are following browns ideas. i know who i'd rather have in charge now..

rocky, london, uk

It will be the taxpayer, as usual, who will pick up the tab for the Labour government's incompetence and the financial sector's irresponsibility, excesses and greed. Very little else will change. We can then look forward to the next crisis.

Rog J, Portsmouth, uk