Broxbourne MP hits out at �1 trillion debt

BROXBOURNE MP Charles Walker unleashed a sarcastic barb at Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper over the recession.

Mr Walker’s intervention came in a debate in the Commons on March 25, where he slammed the Government’s record on the national debt.

He said: “Will the right hon. Lady please tell me which part of the �1.3 trillion debt she is most proud of?”

Responding the Secretary of State, who is married to School’s Secretary and key Gordon Brown ally Ed Balls, said: “In fact, our debt as a proportion of GDP is still lower than those of many of our European competitors. Moreover, we have presented a serious set of proposals to bring borrowing down once the economy is growing and also, critically, to support the economy and support growth now.

The Conservatives have got it wrong on the recession at every turn-wrong on Northern Rock, wrong on the banks, wrong on help for the economy, wrong on supporting the unemployed.”

Ms Cooper also came under attack in the debate from Shadow Chancellor George Osborne.

Mr Osborne hinted that if re-elected Gordon Brown would axe Chancellor Alistair Darling and appoint Mr Balls in his place.

He said: “It is a pleasure to be debating these matters with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Yvette Cooper, because one thing is certainly clear. Depending on the result of the election, either she will be living in No. 11 Downing street or I will, so it is good for us to have this early debate.”