Alistair Darling: Should he stay or should he go?

Is it time to say "goodnight darling"? Give us your verdict

Opinion Polls & Market Research

We also want to hear your views. What do you think of Alistair Darling's first Budget? Post your comments below.

Comments

[IKE RANOLA]

he must go....no actio.....all reason........no good....he must go......call an election is much better........

[IKE RANOLA]

THE TRUTH ALL OF THEM MUST GO.....TOO MUCH BEAUCRAZY NO ACTION....ALL REASON....NO ACTION....EVEN HANDLING OF THE CRISIS...NO ACTION...NO IDEA....THE BEST THEY MUST ALL GO.....CALL AN ELECTION LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.....

[Jules]

Gordon Brown has not a clue about running the country, all he is interested in is the title of PM and how much he can take from everyone each month. He goes on about fixing the problems of today but when do we see him doing this. Has he not just come back from a holiday that lasted 3 weeks to then go and watch the olmpics, so much for caring about the problems. As for global warming, he can try and do whatever he feels but he will never stop it happening as it has been stated in the bible that this will happen so he would be better focusing his time on reducing taxes and clamping down on all our greedy banks and helping the housing market go forward again. It is obvious to everyone that Brown is only out for himself with his big wages, paid for house and long holidays. I think is is time he went

[Peter Middleton]

I like Labour to dump Darling & Brown and have a fresh start to Politicks! Replaced Darling by Jeremy Clarkson as Chancellor he has got the right Ideas' Replace Brown with Richard Hammond As prime Minister He want take us for a load Stupid Ediots! Instead anther stride towards poverty! Then labour will win the next genral election hands down!

[John Smith]

I may be wrong but no-one has yet mentioned greedy Gordons' £5 billion a year grab at the pension funds that ruined probably the best final pension scheme in the world. Except for National and Local Government employees!(And MP's of course).Prudence begins at home,and Darling won't put that right.
J.S.

[TC]

He should go. And so should Gordon Brown. High Inflation (and labour spin mongering to make it seem lower), 3.5mn people claiming benefits, presiding over the most ridiculous housing bubble in UK history, bailing out failing banks, selling gold reserves at the worst possible time the list of incompetence goes on and on.

[Robert El-Cid]

Five fathom five the country lies in a sea of Nu-Labour debt and waste. With millions whose only income is welfare payments laughing at the workers as the tax system drowns them. Brown's concept of Socialism seems to have run its course but who has got the answers???

[Mark Smith]

I am truly thankful I have nothing to reproach myself for - I have never voted Labour in my entire life and these last eleven years have confirmed my distrust and loathing of socialism and nulab in particular. I can only hope that the 30% or so of ignorant fools who might still vote for them at the next election might just might come to their senses. God help us if they do not.

[Ashanollah]

Alister Darling must go, what is the Labour Party trying to do lose the general election, don't they realise how much damage they have done to this country by letting Mr Darling handle the fianace,it is bad enough with Gordon Brown at the helm.

[M. Cawdery]

Having read most of the comments above one comment springs out; unanimous.
Out with Nulab, Mr.Bean Brown and all his incompetent stooges.

[David]

Darling isnt the problem because he isnt in charge of the Treasury. It is Gordon Brown who is pulling the strings, it was Brown who got rid of the 10p rate and it is Brown who should GO and GO NOW.

[Phil de Buquet]

There are people around long enough to remember the previous time that Labour were the government. I never thought that the British people would be so stupid as voter for Labour again even after eighteen years on the back burner in opposition. Everything was quite reasonable for the first four years whilg Gordon was using the plan designed by the Conservative Chancellor.

While he was sitting in his backroom he was thinking up all these clever wheezes to squeeze money out of everybody except those with great wealth who said "start messing with me or my money and I'm off matey, so please yerself !

So now we find ourselves with a different Chancellor who is suffering all that is being thrown at him, and most of it is not of his making.

We really are now up to our necks again just like we were in 1979. What did we ever do to deserve this kind of treatment.

[m lumley]

It infuriates me the manner in which Brown, Darling and friends say off-handedly to those just out of the poverty line and clobbered by the mess over the end of the 10p tax rate: "we will get around to doing something for you soon."
These people need help NOW! Ministers and their flock of supine MPS should put down the John Lewis catalogue and stop salivating over possible additions to their second homes - and think for a moment about whom they represent. Most taxpayers can only dream of having an MP's pay and perks, ýet now many people just out of the poverty line are contributing to MPs'gilt-edged liofestyle.

[Michael Bowden]

I feel that Brown is both Prime Minister and Chancellor, and that Darling is just Brown's stooge. Blair and Brown were a unique partnership each a force to be reckoned with. Since Blair retired things have sadly deteriorated.

[Margaret]

RUBBISH! OR WAS BROWN TELLING HIM WHAT TO DO?
WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE ON BENEFITS ARE NOT GETTING A REDUCTION?
Seems fair - if we are paying more tax they should get less! I work for the NHS and pay £2,400 a year in tax - Abu Qatada (Bin ladens ambassador) gets £1000 a month in benefits - This means I work all year to pay him almost 3 months benefit? He claimed asylum on false papers!
HOW MANY MORE LIKE HIM?
NO WONDER Darling IS BROKE - If below spending contributes to his economic state--
BENEFITS
100 MILLION ON DRUG ADDICT BENEFITS
300 MILLION ON BENEFIT CHEATS + the rest
100 MOSQUITO NETS
1 BILLION PLUS - LEGAL AID TO IMMIGRANTS
9 BILLION OLYMPICS
TRILLIONS WASTED ON STUPID GIV PROJECTS
MILLIONS TO SET UP GOV DEPTS TO MONITOR IMMIGRATION
Above spending is only the tip of the iceberg!

[John Oliver]

Darling is merely the scapegoat. Gordon Brown is entirely responsible for the situation we are in and should take full responsibility. He has demonstrated a degree of political cynicism and deviousness unparalleled in modern political history and should be forced to take the consequences.

[J McGarrigle]

Time Labour went they only know about raising taxes hitting the poor low wage workers who are not scrounging of the rest and the married and single worker, car tax vat petrol heating all taxes es folks welcome to tax land.kick them out at the local elections.

[Craig]

Alistair Darling should definately go.

And he should take all his labour cronies with him.

They are all useless

[rowna sorrentino]

This is not Gordon Browns fault but the idiot who was in so called charge previously if he was in the UK at the time instead of enjoying a free holiday with the rest of his family. Labour will not change so why grumble if you voted for them - I did not and would never even think about doing so they always line their own pockets first. England is the worst looked after place in the UK - but on saying that what choice have we got it is time the British people stood up to their government and make them listen because at the moment they get away with any changes that they vote for they most certainly do not deserve any more money allowances and should work for every penny - most of them do not know the meaning of the word WORK. Would Mr.Cameron be any better or ould he line his own pockets as well?

[chris]

why get rid of someone who will punish those who voted labour? darling is the best news the conservatives have had for a long time and the longer he is in his present job the better off everybody will be in the fullness of time. Put someone competent in Darlings place ( reservation: is there such a person in Labour ? )and the conservatives will continue to look what they are: second rate: maybe third rate.

[kevin daniels]

Once upon a day you could rely on the labour government to be supportive of the ordinary working class person,now with the scrapping of the 10p income tax rate for low earners one wonders.
You earn your wages and then after that everything you buy is taxed and even your savings are taxed.
If a government could sort out this mess then it would get my vote.

[steve]

Extra tax on alcohol will not stop binge drinking but what it will do is cause the closure of some pubs that are on the edge of survival.
He has also increased the purchase of alcohol in Calais for those lucky pepole living in Kent.

[Olga]

I lived and worked in the UK for the last 8years, my salary has increased nearly £20k, but I can afford much less for the money I earn now 8years later. I love this country despite of Darling-Brown, but it would be so much better without them and their party! When I came here it was still good after Conservatives, the Labour had not destroyed it yet. I am dreaming about good times to return back! Olga, Cambs

[Robert Dixon]

I am amazed by the poll in todays Times that seems to say that the budget is fair enough. Do people not realise that real inflation is running at about 9% and the country has been bancrupted by this incompetent government. The only thing that keeps me sane is being able to have a glass of wine at the end of the day and I seriously object to paying to this bunch of rascals for the privilege.

[Andrew]

Gemma. Smokers fund the nhs. If they were to stop, we would be even more screwed. They cost the NHS Billions less than they contribute.

The poll should be. Who wants this government out! I would love to see the result.

[Mark Ociepko]

The budget is defective as its main underlying purpose is to deal with the huge costs of the two expensive wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. This is why government borrowing is out of control. The long involvement of the army in N. Ireland came to an end and it looked like the economy was going to benefit through more money being spent on fighting for what the people really found were the issues and these issues were within this society here. No way I am afraid to say. Once again we are being taken on board to a destination not of our choice. Do you have the feeling that many of our leading politicians are in a mess with their policies aspirations?

[Hugh McKay]

the surprise is always in the detail of a New Labour budget.
The truth of the abolishment of the 10% rate is that it will only affect those at the poor end of the money chain - the old and those in the poverty trap.The Darling dummy did not talk about the benefit claw back so typical of the mirrors used in past budgets by his master Brown

[Lee Stringer]

When are people ging to realise that global warming / climate change is a cyclical event that will happen regardless of carbon emissions. What caused the last change?.. long before the human element!! Climate change prevention is just an excuse to make tax hikes sound more acceptable. If this government spent less money helping other countries and focused more on our own problems FIRST, it would be far better off... charity begins at home. Once we have a great economy and a second to none national health service etc etc then by all means help out those less fortunate. In the mean time close the doors, The UK is full and should not re-open to anyone who has nothing to offer until further notice!!!

[richard england]

As Skinner told the torries take ur ragtail and bobtail and go, it now applies to labour

[Geoff]

Alistair Darling was a puppet when he was the Transport Secretary, and he is one now as the Chancellor. It's time for a change. The Labour Gov't continue to bleat about what the Tories left them after their tenure, yet it is now some 10 years since Labour started to rule. It is the poor average person that will once again suffer from this budget, and not the fat cats who pro rata do not pay as much tax as the average person. Scandalous !!!

[IAN PAYNE]

Move over Darling !!!

[Andrew]

Brown to Darling to who? The lack of competent, trustworthy politicians in the labour party is obvious.

Even the reasoning behind the VED increase is obviously to raise and yet they think they can cover it up by saying "gas guzzler".

Tax increases on a tiny fraction of the total vehicles driven (Ferraris etc) make no real Co2 difference even if they are all crushed tommorrow. Hidden VED increases on all vehicles don't change the marginal cost of each mile driven which means people will still drive.

All done to tax people where they have no choice but to pay. What exactly do I get for my money?

[d smith]

The one comment that for me encapsulates the whole attitude of this government towards the people of this country is the one made by Ed Balls "So what"? says it all

[markie mark]

After raising tax on booze ,how does this government expect to get any votes? A stone cold sober general public could not possibly do it! Come on you are undermining the basis for your own success!

[george]

Another beating for the ordinary working joe, over 70% of my money each month goes on taxes before the next payday. income tax, NI, council tax, fuel tax, cartax,insurance tax, VAT on EVERYTHING. how is that fair for 65 hours work a week for £21k to raise a family on? Now it will be 72-75%, why should I bother to keep on fighting to get by? If everyone productive either emigrates or gives up and becomes a benefits freeloader, who will he tax then? no commerce left? Do tell, oh wise and brilliant Brown/Darling - who have never run a business, created a real job or made a profit. Here is the problem with all of labour, new or old, they are budget people, get a budget and spend it, no matter how badly they screw up, they just hit the taxpayer for more next year and spend that too, IMBECILES!! Time to emigrate, there's no reason to stay.

[Dr. D. Shepherd]

This government's M.O. is to oversimplify a problem, demonise a scapegoat, then force a raft of half-baked knee-jerk policies on us.

This time the scapegoat is alcohol and the knee-jerk is to ramp up prices (an idea already proven a failure in Norway and Sweden).

i.e. They KNOW alcohol consumption will NOT fall - overtaxing it is NOT a health policy, nor will it do anything to deter hoodlums - this is just a cynical attempt to buy votes from suckers and jack up stealth tax to fund their war.

All punitive legislation based on lifestyle is DISCRIMINATION. Why are some minorities protected and some not?

[Mike Bibby]

Weren't Gormless Gordon and the Brown Nosers a failed pop-group in the 90s?

[GS1]

Just the usual shafting again!
Promises of this or that for 2009 or the future, but before we get there everything changes again. You want to help families, then bring the changes in now! They increase wine etc and those changes happen instantly!
Big wow to tax cuts, what with fuel busting rises, and paltry pay rises low income familes are no better off.
Here's an outrageous idea.... lose overpaid MP's and channel that money to the public!!

[Lucy Bulpin]

What's the point in putting so much tax on alcohol and cigarettes, when we all know that it just increases the booze cruises. But at last the tax has increased the tax on spirits - how annoying in the past that spirits have been spared, when it's common knowledge that spirits are drunk by m.p.s whereas increases on beer affects the working man's pocket.

[R W SLATER]

The most boring non event of a budget I have ever seen or heard and I have heard over 50 budget speeches.

[me]

he should go

[Mrs Grist]

LABOUR SHOULD GO THEY ARE JUST A BUNCH OF BUNGLING IDIOTS. PLEASE GOD THEY ARE NEVER ALLOWED IN AGAIN.

I am nearly 70 years of age and I cannot afford heating so I sit in my coat and scarf since this lot got in. When the Conservatives were in I could at lease make a cup of tea occasionally.

[Richard from Worthing]

Please don't be fooled by the cut in basic rate tax from 22% to 20%.
Because the chancellor has removed to 10% band the difference is minimal. Plus this change now means tax relief on pension contributions are reduced to 20% further impacting the growth of struggling pension funds.

Also, none of the other measures actually stop people drinking alcohol or driving larger vehicles. The government doesn't want people to change their habits just pay more tax in to the coffers of the treasury.

Incompetent does not describe the utterly shambolic position the UK find itself in after 10 years of Labour governmentand more to the point 10 years of Gordon McBrown policies placing us in this unenviable position. How can the UK be better placed to ride out this economic turmoil when we currently have the highest debt burden, highest tax burden of any western economy.

The conservatives are once again going to have an almighty mess to sort out as soon as this lot are kicked out by the long suffering voters of this country. (remember the late 70's)

[ricky]

Sadly, this government has lost the plot, frittering away the surpluses of previous years to place us on the edge of the proverbial precipice. Far from fostering stability, this unelected PM and his spineless flunky have risked the immediate futures of the ordinary, hard working taxpayers of this country in their increasingly desperate bid to cling on to power.

[John]

Do not blame the monkey because you don't like the tune the organ grinder is playing.

[Justin]

Let him stay. He's the best chance the Conservatives have of getting in at the next election!

[Babis Gakis]

Read Vernon Coleman's "Living in a Fascist Country" to learn more about what a bunch of thieving muppets we have running this country into the ground. Get rid of the lot of them.

[Sam Smith]

e should stay for now. Seriously, who is there to replace him?

Balls looks about as mature as a schoolkid, with absolutely no credibility. And lets not beat about the bush here, Darling is inheriting a load of problems given to him by Brown. Lets face it, the LAbour party, not Darling needs to go, unfortunately there is going to be a very painful downturn before that happens, possibly a depression.

As for AMAC, it isnt as if you wake up one morning and discover you are a pensioner, so why not save for your future? You have had 300% house price growth, starving the younger generations facing a lifetime renting, now you want them to pay for a comfortable retirement as well? PAY FOR IT YOURSELF!

[Andrew Smith]

The UK needs to change this goverment as they have crushed familys with taxes plus why do labour give more to divorced couples.

We have been sold out to the a sad Goverment thata tax crazy..

[Ron Griffiths]

I really cannot be bothered to comment on the Chancellor; When the whole Labour Party are a complete shambles esp. the PM. who seems to spend all his time trying to cover up the mess they are in and the mess they have put the country in! The sooner we can get shot of them the better.