AT one stage, possibly around the time of his third “boom and bust” boast, I actually began to believe Gordon Brown was different from all previous Labour chancellors.

I thought perhaps I had been wrong to think that never in my lifetime would I see a Labour government which did not ruin the nation's economy.

I know better now but, as ever with Labour, it will have cost all of us a fortune to find this out.

Brian Gordon, Councillor, Meadowhead Ward.