No time for a novice

The Conservative front bench treasury team, of which Putney MP Justine Greening is a member, has changed its tune somewhat over the past few weeks. Compare and contrast:

Then:

In August 2007 George Osbourne welcomed proposals drafted by his party that "sets out how we liberate our economy to compete with the likes of India and China. Cut government regulation, planning restriction and red tape."

The report went on to state: "We see no need to continue to regulate the provision of mortgage finance, as it is the lending institutions rather than the client taking the risk."

In November 2006 Osbourne crticised Alistair Darling stating that "He has clobbered business with £50 billion of regulation, when we should be liberating our economy to compete."

Now:

"Osborne calls for tougher financial regulation"
The Independent, 29 Sept. 2008

"Business leaders have welcomed George Osborne's 'innovative and far-reaching' plan to...increase City regulation."
Daily Telegraph, 29 Sept. 2008

As I have written before, admitting to mistakes is no vice, but completely changing your position and trying to pretend that the Conservatives are anything other than the truest champions of the unfettered free market is shallow, vacuous and utterly unbelievable.