We have fallen massively behind since 1997 Do you remember how thanks to Brown's economic miracle, our GDP was soaring high above the rest of Christendom? Yes, you do. Yes, Gordo used to go on about it during his tedious Budget speeches. And during his tedious Pre-Budget speeches. And during his tedious CBI speeches. And during his tedious Party Conference speeches. And during his tedious Kir...

Minute-by-minute coverage of Alistair Darling's statement and the Commons debate 12.58pm: Borrowing will be £175bn this year, 12% of GDP. 12.57pm: This budget will represent an easing (ie a giveaway) equivalent to 0.5% of GDP this year. But from next year, until 2013-2014, there will be a tightening (ie more taxes) of 0.85%. 12.56pm: Around the world, debt and deficit levels are rising ...

Fraser Nelson in Coffee House: A reassuringly dull Budget Iain Dale’s Diary: The Chancellor who said nothing Jon Craig in Boulton and Co: A ‘Stuff The Tories’ Budget Dizzy Thinks: Budget Speeches – Spot the Difference Dr Eamonn Butler in...

A big tip of my hat to Michael White in today’s Guardian for his feature, Greatest speeches in parliament of the past 100 years, 1909-2009, which links to a number of the Hansard transcripts of Parliamentary speeches nominated by ‘46 distinguished figures, mostly living peers and MPs, plus a few officials and observers’. It’s well

Hansard celebrates its centenary as the official documenter of parliamentary sittings by issuing a book of the greatest speeches of that period chosen by the country's best known politicians. While some choices are predictable, many are surprising What were the greatest parliamentary speeches of the past 100 years? Lloyd George battling for the People's Budget of 1909? Churchill defiant ...

Vince Cable writes in today’s Guardian with his thoughts on the emergency budget. It should be no surprise that this is such a tough budget. Last summer, in pamphlets and speeches, Nick Clegg and I both prepared the ground for these difficult choices… Now, to put it bluntly, Britain is much poorer than we thought

LDV has been bringing you the words of our new representatives as they speak for the first time in the Houses of Parliament. We bring you maiden speeches from new MPs and new members of the House of Lords. You can find an archive of all maiden speeches we’ve published by clicking this link. If

How Wayne David voted on key issues since 2001: · Voted moderately against a transparent Parliament. votes, speeches · Voted very strongly for introducing a smoking ban. votes, speeches · Voted strongly for introducing ID cards. votes, speeches · Voted very strongly for introducing foundation hospitals. votes, speeches · Voted strongly for introducing student top...

“The Scottish parliament is wholly accountable for the budget it spends but not for the size of its budget. And that budget is not linked to the success of the Scottish economy. That is why we asked the Calman Commission to look at the financial accountability of the Scottish parliament” So said Gordon Brown in last

12:14 Nick Clegg stands up to ask a question. Time for a piss break. 12:09 Gordon Brown lies repeatedly, and on camera. No one notices. 12:00 PMQs commences. 11:59 Alistair Darling has arrived in the Commons.