The government says Cameron’s approach to the downturn is to talk Britain down

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told the House of Commons that David Cameron’s approach to the global economic downturn is to do nothing but talk Britain down.

The world is facing a set of unprecedented economic challenges which demand new ways of thinking and acting. Labour is acting on a national and international level to give real help to families and businesses now and real hope for the future and in order to ensure recovery in Britain and internationally.

By contrast, the Conservatives do nothing but talk Britain down.

Responding to David Cameron in the House of Commons today the Prime Minister said:

“I think that the Leader of the Opposition would recognise that we were the first to act to deal with the recapitalisation of the banks and to stop savers losing their money. He supported that until last week, when he walked away from that position.”

“We were also the first to recognise that there needed to be a fiscal stimulus. He will see today that countries that he often quotes, such as Canada, are now announcing a big fiscal stimulus. He will also see that it is right to extend lending. That is the way forward.

“We can play his game of student politics as long as he wants to play it, but what the country is interested in is whether we will take the action that is necessary to get us out of the difficulties. We are taking the action. His policies would cut public investment at a time when we need it: in other words, he would do nothing to help.”

Labour’s approach to supporting Britain’s economy has been threefold:

First, to prevent the collapse of the banking system so that people’s savings are secure and the banks can function; second, to take action to support our economy by increasing people’s spending power; and third, to take steps to get the financial system working again so it can support businesses, jobs and growth.

In the face of the global economic downturn, Labour is acting with a clear sense of purpose – determined to take the action necessary for a recovery to take place and to help people and businesses through the downturn.