A Young David Versus a Political Goliath Tory Leader Lets Calm Slip

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Summary

IT was their first clash across the dispatch box: the young David Cameron pitched against a political Goliath.

Gordon Brown began his Budget speech by congratulating himself on his longevity in the job.

Extract

A Young David Versus a Political Goliath Tory Leader Lets Calm Slip

"The last chancellor to deliver 10 Budgets in a row was Nicholas Vansittart in 1822, " Mr Brown said to cheers.

The new Tory leader had to wait just four minutes before the chancellor took his first swipe.

"On Black Wednesday - September 1992 - interest rates reached 15- per cent, " he said. "Since 1997 interest rates have averaged 5-per cent."

Labour MPs cheered. Thi...