Quote of the day

From Joseph Stiglitz who predicted the slump years ago.

Stiglitz wants Gordon Brown – who he met for dinner yesterday evening – to hold his nerve, defy the markets and ignore those who want him to start reducing the budget deficit, which is pretty much everyone it would seem.

Interview with the Independent

Quote of the Day

Lord Mandelson has another difficulty. The other day, a Cabinet minister had lunch with a journalist. "What happens if you win?" enquired the hack. The minister looked astonished. It was clear that this possibility had not occurred to him. Having regained the power of speech, he replied: "There'd be an immediate leadership challenge". Mandelson may be running the election campaign, but Gordon Brown will be leading it. That is a challenge beyond even Lord Mandy's powers

Bruce Anderson in the Independent who says that the Tories may wobble but Brown remains their strongest asset

Quote of the day

Yet some reform is surely better than none. The head of the Electoral Reform Society described it yesterday as "not a final destination", but "a stepping stone". We agree. By calling for a vote in this Parliament, Mr Brown has put the subject back on to the political agenda, which is to be welcomed as a step forward, not back.

The Independent's leader on yesterday's announcement by Gordon Brown on electoral reform