Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
UK's Brown, Cameron trade blows over economy, defense
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Slideshow
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Volcker: Taxes likely to rise eventually to tame deficit
06 Apr 2010
Iran's president attacks Obama on nuclear "threat"
8:55am EDT
Leaked U.S. video shows deaths of Reuters' Iraqi staffers
05 Apr 2010
Magnitude 7.8 quake shakes Indonesia's Sumatra
06 Apr 2010
IRS could tap refunds for health insurance penalties
05 Apr 2010
Volcker: Taxes likely to rise eventually to tame deficit
06 Apr 2010
IRS could tap refunds for health insurance penalties
05 Apr 2010
Iran's president attacks Obama on nuclear "threat"
8:55am EDT
Leaked U.S. video shows deaths of Reuters' Iraqi staffers
05 Apr 2010
U.S. forecaster sees increased 2010 hurricane threat
11:10am EDT
UK's Brown, Cameron trade blows over economy, defense
Adrian Croft
LONDON
Wed Apr 7, 2010 9:19am EDT
<
1 / 2
>
View Full Size
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and opposition leader David Cameron clashed in parliament Wednesday over the economy and defense in a taste of the arguments set to dominate the campaign for the May 6 election.
World
A day after Brown set the election date, Conservative leader Cameron accused Brown of wrecking the economic recovery with plans to raise payroll taxes and of failing to give British troops in Afghanistan enough helicopters.
Amid noisy shouts from MPs, Brown in turn said the Conservatives would put growth and jobs at risk with their plans for public spending cuts to pay down the gaping budget deficit.
The economy and nurturing the fledging recovery are set to dominate the election, in which the Conservatives are bidding to end 13 years of rule by Brown's Labor Party.
"This prime minister would wreck the recovery by putting a tax on every job, on everyone earning over 20,000 (pounds or $30,470 a year), a tax on aspiration, a tax on every business in the country -- this government would wreck the recovery," Cameron said, referring to Brown's plans to raise payroll taxes.
Brown retorted that to withdraw six billion pounds from the economy, as he says the center-right Conservatives plan to do, would put jobs, businesses and growth at risk.
"We cannot cut our way to recovery but we could cut our way to double-dip recession," he said.
CHANCE OF HUNG PARLIAMENT
While the Conservatives lead in the polls, many surveys suggest they will fall short of a parliamentary majority, resulting in a "hung parliament" that financial markets fear will lack the will to slash a budget deficit forecast at 163 billion pounds, 11 percent of Gross Domestic Product, this year.
Brown's last parliamentary question-and-answer session before the election gave the main party leaders the chance to rehearse lines they will use in three pre-election televised debates -- a first for British politics.
Nick Clegg, leader of the smaller opposition Liberal Democrats, who could play a "kingmaker" role in forming the next government if there is a hung parliament, attacked Labor.
"We all remember back in 1997 the hope and the promise of this new government. Look at them now, you've failed. It's over. It's time to go," he said to loud cheers from opposition MPs.
The Conservatives want to go faster and deeper than Labor in cutting spending to rein in the budget deficit.
The Conservatives switched focus last week by saying they would exempt most Britons from the planned payroll tax rise, funding the measure through efficiency savings worth an initial 6 billion pounds.
Bosses of some of Britain's biggest companies backed the Conservatives over the payroll tax but Brown told GMTV on Wednesday the executives had been "deceived."
Cameron repeatedly accused Brown of failing to give Britain's 9,500 troops in Afghanistan enough helicopters when they were sent to combat Taliban insurgents in the southern province of Helmand.
Brown denied the charge, saying: "We have done our best to equip our troops and we will continue to do so."
(Additional reporting by Matt Falloon, Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Matthew Jones)
World
More from Reuters
No signs of life heard in West Virginia mine
MONTCOAL, West Virginia (Reuters) - Drills broke through into a stricken West Virginia mine early on Wednesday but rescuers detected no sign of the four miners missing since an explosion killed 25 people in a major U.S. mine disaster.
Troops fire on Kyrgyz anti-government protests, many killed
U.S.-Israeli dispute still unresolved: Netanyahu
Obama seeks momentum from Russia arms pact signing
| Video
U.S. forecaster sees increased 2010 hurricane threat
Rio tries to restore order amid more rain, 96 dead
| Video
» More Top News
Dear shareholder: We didn't do it
Goldman Sachs issued a spirited defense in its annual shareholder letter against allegations it bet against its own clients during the financial crisis. Full Article
Bank investors: Show me the money
"Too big to fail" in crosshairs
Financials
James Saft:
Nice job, sorry about the pay
Just when the jobs situation looks to be making a recovery, another problem rears its ugly head: smaller paychecks. Commentary
CEOs of bailed-out banks get raises
NY masks deficit by "shuffling" money
Economy
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Wednesday, 7 April 2010 Baghdad blasts kill 35, destroy seven buildings
Predator priest cases in Italy only 'tip of iceberg': lawyer
Protesters seek change in Egypt, scuffle with police
US court deals setback to regulators over 'net neutrality'
Palestinian fears U.S. Mideast push in trouble
|
Tears, anger as Italians mark year since L'Aquila quake
Canadian researchers uncover China-based online spy network
Greece not seeking to amend EU-IMF deal
IAEA inspects Syria reactor in uranium traces probe
|
Russia names second metro suicide bomber
Spread dread for Greece as debt confusion roils investors
Arrest Warrant Issued For Rapper Coolio After Court Hearing Snub
YouTube drops Moscow attack claim video after Russian protest
Maid Agrees To Drop Suit Against Kim Kardashian
Baghdad blasts kill 35, destroy seven buildings
|
RIM releases new BlackBerry app development tools
Sean Penn Facing Lawsuit Over Alleged Paparazzo Death Threat
Comcast wins Web traffic fight against FCC
U.N. chief will press for abolition of nuclear arms
|
Nokia, others to follow Apple in tablet push
Tiger Woods And George Lopez Have Locker Room Encounter
German minister slams Facebook over data protection
Bodies of nine Mumbai gunmen buried secretly in January
|
China cyber-spies target India, Dalai Lama: report
Nokia, others to follow Apple in tablet push
New US policy limits role of nuclear arsenal
Nuclear weapons only in 'extreme circumstances': US
27 Taliban reported killed in western fighting
AOL says to sell or shut down Bebo in 2010
|
Apple's iPad debuts strongly, but key tests remain
|
CIA victim said to have rescued future Afghan pres
Protesters clash with police in Kyrgyzstan
Canadian researchers uncover China-based online spy network
RIM releases new BlackBerry app development tools
|
Brandy Discusses Upcoming New Album
Indian Maoists kill 75 in police massacre
Annual Beer Sold Out Ahead Of Time
Red Shirt protesters flood streets of Thai capital
Spirit Airlines Begins Charging Passengers For Carry-On Luggage
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Short-term solution on Tibet unlikely, says Dalai Lama
Fed Sees Strengthening Recovery, But Expects Static Spending
Professor Killed During Home Invasion In Plantation
Rescuers race to reach 32 trapped in China mine
Shares Of Massey Energy Slammed By Mine Explosion
Ally McBeal Season Two Gets DVD Release
Maoist rebels kill 76 soldiers in eastern India
Police disperse protesters in Kyrgyzstan
Lady Gaga, Soundgarden Confirmed For Lollapalooza 2010
Law Graduate Charged With Threatening Deadly Force To Stop Abortion
Renault set for new tie-up with Daimler
President Obama Hosts Christian Clergy From Across The Nation
Cambodian PM sets Chevron oil production deadline
Shanghai mayor visits Taipei amid protests
Report: China-based hackers stole India secrets
Festival celebrates the resurgence of TV series
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
UK actor, activist Corin Redgrave dies aged 70
"Date Night" hits home for Tina Fey, Steve Carell
Traditional French cafés innovate to survive
Actor Corey Haim bought more than 550 pills before death
|
Movie ticket sales strong despite price hike
|
Annual Beer Sold Out Ahead Of Time
Sheep Deaths, Experiments Linked To UFOs
Couple Charged With Theft After Not Returning Cash Found In Suitcase
Suspected Car Thief Dies After Turning Lights Off During Police Chase
Mass Arrest Follows New York City Gang Melee
Swedish Tin Can Collector Died A Millionaire
81-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Suing For Back Child Support
British Couple Lose Appeal Over Public Kissing
Women Steal Easter Offerings From Church
"Miracle" Rescue Finds 115 Alive In Flooded Chinese Mine
Iraq in 'open war' with Qaeda after Baghdad bombs
Former Norwegian bishop 'admits' child abuse
Tradition, Taliban threats give Afghans a dilemma
Thai red shirts briefly storm parliament grounds
|
White House: Graphic Iraq shooting video 'tragic'
Thirty-five killed as six bombs rock Baghdad
In first Russia, Polish PMs to honour Katyn WWII victims
US court deals setback to regulators over 'net neutrality'
White House hints Karzai visit could be in doubt
Police clash with protesters in restive Kyrgyzstan
|
South Sudan party to boycott elections in north
AOL to sell or close Bebo
No deaths in Indonesia quake; tsunami alert lifted
|
Palestinian fears U.S. Mideast push in trouble
US-TECH Summary
China cyber-spies target India, Dalai Lama: report
|
Antitrust senator seeks Google/AdMob scrutiny
IAEA inspects Syria reactor in uranium traces probe
One killed, 11 hurt in French factory explosion
|
Comcast wins Web traffic fight against FCC
AOL says to sell or shut down Bebo in 2010
North Korea sentences U.S. man to 8 years hard labor
|
Spread dread for Greece as debt confusion roils investors
China cyber-spies target India, Dalai Lama: report
China tightens rules on Internet cafes
Kyrgyz opposition clashes with police in capital
Rescuers race to reach 31 trapped in China mine
Survivors of sunken SKorean ship describe ordeal
Thai "red shirts" briefly storm parliament grounds
Asian allies welcome new US nuclear stance
China cyber-spies target India, Dalai Lama: report
|
'Red Shirt' protesters storm Thai parliament
Obama limits U.S. use of nuclear arms
Antitrust senator seeks Google/AdMob scrutiny
|
Histamine-Tainted Frozen Tuna Steak Sparks Recall
Rescuers gear up for new effort after deadly mine blast
Afghan suicide blast kills civilian, injures 15
Judge Rules Iran Must Pay $1.3 Billion To Beirut Bombing Victims
Thai protesters retreat after storming parliament grounds
U.S. Retail Sales Jump Last Week On Easter Holiday
Kyrgyz opposition vows to go ahead with rallies
NYC Unicyclists Bridge Gap Between Cyclists Non-cyclists
Adam Lambert To Mentor "American Idol" Contestants
U.S. Markets Finish Mixed As Fed Comments Provide Late Boost
Obama Announces Plan to Restrict Risks of U.S. Nuclear Strikes
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
7.7 quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra island
No deaths in Indonesia quake; tsunami alert lifted
Panic as major quake hits Indonesia
S.Korea buys over $1 bln to curb won's rise -traders
7.8 quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra island
USGS: 7.8 quake off Sumatra
India's 3G auction set to start Friday
Japan central bank stays put on interest rates
At 100 episodes, "Bones" not ready for burial yet
World Bank: East Asia needs reform to keep growing
Magnitude 7.8 quake shakes Indonesia
Seoul shares finish flat; techs, banks retreat
Bank of Japan keeps interest rate unchanged at 0.1 pct
Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy reveal split on Twitter
|
Report: Japan Airlines to speed up mass job cuts
Modern Family cast strategizes Emmy submissions
|
Buzz Aldrin voted off Dancing With the Stars
|
Toyota to aggressively defend safety record: US exec
"Modern Family" cast strategizes Emmy submissions
At 100 episodes, Bones not ready for burial yet
|
PAKISTAN
Adam Lambert to mentor American Idol finalists
|
Fed not ready for exit strategy: minutes
Soundgarden, Lady Gaga headline Lollapalooza
|
Playboy photographers find reality TV hard work
|
Adam Lambert to mentor 'American Idol' finalists
Buzz Aldrin voted off "Dancing With the Stars"
Guitarist Slash finally goes solo for new album
Playboy photographers find reality TV hard work
Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy reveal split on Twitter
Actor Corey Haim bought more than 550 pills before death
Jeff Koons paints BMW for Le Mans
Afghan election commission chiefs step down
Top judge to be tried for Spain atrocioties probe
Troops fire on Kyrgyz anti-government protests, many killed
|
Vodafone to offer Web via Opera in emerging markets
Eurozone growth halts in last quarter of 2009
U.S.-Israeli dispute still unresolved: Netanyahu
|
Iran's president attacks Obama on nuclear threat
|
Bangladesh convicts, jails 29 paramilitary mutineers
|
Iraqi police foil teenage would-be suicide bomber
|
Comcast Ruling Reignites Net Neutrality Debate
UK's Brown, Cameron trade blows over economy, defense
|
Al Qaeda members land in Somalia from Yemen: government
|
Russia, Poland eye reconciliation at WWII mass grave
|
Afghanistan plays down Karzai's anti-West remarks
|
Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy split -- via Twitter
IMF experts in Athens as crisis hits euro
Four WV Miners Still Missing As Rescuers Drill Holes To Release Methane
Man Charged With Threatening To Kill Senator Over Healthcare Vote
Discovery maneuvers to dock with space station
Egg-Based Breakfast May Be Effective Weight-Loss Tool
Govt: At least 180 wounded in Kyrgyzstan protests
Tribeca Film Festival Features To Be Available On Video On Demand
Giant lizard discovered in the Philippines
Eleventh Rendering Of "Doctor Who" To Premiere On BBC America
China, India agree to set up hot line for leaders
Tina Fey, Aaron Johnson To Appear On "Friday Night With Jonathan Ross"
Report: Kyrgyz protesters kill interior minister
Discovery Shuttle Docks At Space Station
Bangladesh sentences 29 guards over deadly mutiny
Scrabble Maker Changes Proper Noun Use
HHS Secretary Sebelius Warns Americans Against Health Insurance 'Crooks'
NKorea sentences US man to 8 years of hard labor
Car giants eye profits in new tie-up
China battles to save 29 missing in mine
Rescuers in fading bid to save 29 from China mine
Bangkok under emergency after Parliament stormed
Geithner to visit Beijing amid currency dispute
Pakistani stocks up; rupee firms, o/n rates flat
China to resume 3-year bond sales
Car giants launch new partnership
Japan's video game visionary: the console is dying
|
Shares rise on optimism over global economy
Google to face copyright lawsuit by visual artists
|
Treasury Secretary Geithner to visit Beijing
China shares mixed on policy tightening worries
Vodafone to offer Web via Opera in emerging markets
|
Nokia, others seen following Apple in tablet push
|
US says funds raised for Shanghai Expo pavilion
Report: Japan Airlines to speed up mass job cuts
World Bank: East Asia needs reform to keep growing
7.7 quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra island
Indonesian woman wanted to be martyr, court hears
Illness forces Whitney Houston to delay Euro tour
WHO mobilises 1,000 cities in urban health drive
Unite to recover looted artefacts, Egypt forum told
TV series Treme puts New Orleans back on map
|
'Five-a-day' has limited impact on cancer risk
Lloyd Webber delays Broadway opening due to health
|
Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy reveal split on Twitter
|
Whitney Houston postpones more dates after illness
Whitney Houston in hospital with nose, throat problem
Whitney Houston postpones more dates after illness
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights