Those Liberal Democrat predictions

The Chancellor’s reputation has taken a severe battering over the last year. Few believe his growth forecasts, and few believe that the Chancellor’s reputation for prudence is a sufficient basis for belief in his budget.

Matthew Taylor MP, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, 18 June 2003

The UK economy is gathering pace, and looks set for a robust performance this year, output figures have shown. Preliminary gross domestic product (GDP) estimates show the economy growing at an annual 3% in the first three months of 2004. Although this is slower than some forecasts, it leaves the economy poised to meet the Treasury growth forecast of 3-3.5% for the year as a whole.

'UK economy still roaring ahead', BBC News, 23 April 2004

Comments

[Andrew Ian Dodge]

I am guessing that Taylor didn't notice that Kerry tried the same trick and it didn't go well. Slag off your opponent's handling of the economy right before good results come out...very clever.

[Rob]

Hmm. Expert political judgement, as always.

[Matthew]

But Oliver, surely you're sacrificing your fabled reputation for honesty and impartiality in matters Lib Dem? For Matthew Taylor's statement, whilst rather silly, is not a prediction. Furthermore taken literally it was true -- few did believe Brown's growth forecasts, and few do believe that a reputation for prudence is sufficient.

Reading the rest of the press release though I take the point. The bit about the trade deficit is particularly strange.