Financial Assistance (Ireland)

Chris Williamson Excerpts

Monday 22nd November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Osborne]

I think my hon. Friend is referring to the period between the general election and the creation of this Government. I have given the House my account of that. I thanked the former Chancellor for keeping us out of the eurozone facility, but I did not agree with his decision to commit us to the mechanism, and I communicated that to him. However, I also made it clear at the time there can only be one Chancellor of the Exchequer operating for the UK, even in the unusual situation between the general election and the formation of this Government. He will account for his decisions and I will account for mine.

[Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab)]

I know that a week is a long time in politics, but can I take the Chancellor back to when he was the shadow Chancellor? He wrote an article for The Times in which he said:

“Ireland stands as a shining example of the art of the possible in long-term economic policymaking…They have much to teach us, if only we are willing to learn.”

Does the Chancellor stand by or repudiate that article?

[Mr Osborne]

Yes. The shadow Chancellor read out the same quotation.