Tory Party leader David Cameron is on his feet predicably trying to rubbish Alistair Darling's 2009 Budget for the UK. Meanwhile the markets appear to have taken news of raising debt and increased taxes stoically - the FTSE 100 index is little changed, and the currency is stable. This is a Labour Budget. The New Labour election manifesto commitment not to increase income tax has been abandoned, with an increase in the top rate to 50% from April next year - i.e. before the next election.
On a personal note, I was asked last night on Sky TV what my budget wish was. Mine was more to ensure Labour sticks with its commitment to reduce child poverty, paid for by removing tax concessions for top rate tax payers pension contributions. Wish granted.
