GB: We don't have agreement even this year on sorting out the economy

Nick, we already have what's called the business council for Britain and that brings together all the leading businessmen and women in our country with government ministers to look at what we can do. We have the tripartite committee for financial stability which brings together the Governor of the Bank of England and the head of the Financial Services Authority, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. We already have these things. But the key thing is that we've got to have an agreed plan to reduce the deficit, protect our public services, and get growth in the economy. And I'm afraid that we don't have agreement on what needs to be done even this year to sort the economy out. I want to see our economy grow this year. I want to see unemployment come down. I want to see businesses thrive, and that means we've got to keep the government support in the economy for the time being, something the Conservatives don't want to do. But I also want to say we should never take the votes of people for granted. The public must decide, and again it's up to the politicians to do what the public wants them to do. It's for the voters to decide. You're the boss, it's your decisions that will count. You have the votes to make a difference.

I want the parties to work together. When I became Prime Minister, I invited one or two Liberals to do things, like Shirley Williams, to do things for the government. I invited people who are businessmen and women to come into the government to work with us for national economic benefit. I will continue to ask people to give their talents to public service, and that is something that is really important to do. But there is this fundamental position about this year. I think we've got to resolve this. I have had to take the economy through the most global financial crisis. We made the right decisions to take ownership of the banks, and the right decisions to get the world together to deal with that recession. Every time, we've said we have to support the economy through difficult times. Now, what David is saying even when it is fragile, he wants, for ideological reasons I think, to take £6 billion out of the economy. That puts thousands of jobs, teachers, it puts policemen, it puts thousands of jobs at risk immediately, and that's why they're talking about an emergency budget in June. David, you're a risk to 30 the economy. Nick's a risk to our security with his nuclear weapons policy, you're a risk to the economy.

RELATED ARTICLESExplain
Visualizing the Prime Ministerial Debates
Domestic questions
G. Is coalition government the best way forward for Britain?
GB: We don't have agreement even this year on sorting out the economy
I want the parties to work together
Priority now is making sure that we have an economic recovery
There is a clear choice and It is a choice for the voters to decide
We already have the Business Council for Britain
We already have the Tripartite Committee for Financial Stability
We don't have an agreed plan to reduce the deficit
Gordon Brown (Domestic)
DC: We should try and work together when we can
NC: When facing big issues, it's better if politicians work together
Graph of this discussion
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