Public Spending

Alec Shelbrooke Excerpts

Thursday 17th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that, after their cynical attempts to buy the last election, the crocodile tears of Labour Members do nothing to raise the standing of this House in the public’s eyes?

[Danny Alexander]

I share the hon. Gentleman’s hopes for higher standards in Parliament, but Ministers of the previous Government ought to have known in the context of the financial situation that the country faces and of their own plans to cut £50 billion from public spending that these additional spending commitments and claims on the reserve were simply unaffordable. That chicken is coming home to roost today.