Published: Thursday, 8th January, 2009 10:35am

Gordon Brown comes under fire over financial crisis

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IN his New Year message, Gordon Brown said that 2009 'won"t be easy'. This is arrogant coming from a man who helped create our current financial and economic crisis.

Just some of Gordon Brown"s contributions which are now coming home to roost are:

He decided to tax pension funds fully in 1997. We now see the results with pensions taxed both as they are invested and then again when they are paid out!

He decided in 2007 to double the income tax rate for low earners from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. We now have a complicated and costly system of benefits.

He failed to introduce any form of regulation over the "wheelers and dealers" in the City of London, a select few who become very rich on multi-million pound salaries and bonuses.

He forced the unwelcome takeover of HBOS by making the financial rescue package (using our money) for Lloyds TSB and HBOS a condition of the deal. We have now lost the independent Bank of Scotland and with job losses to come thanks to Gordon Brown.

He promised an end to "boom and bust". Some promise.

He has increased many indirect stealth taxes such as on insurance premiums and airport travel.

He has created the biggest government debt ever, with more to come with multi-billion pound upgrades to Trident nuclear weapons in the pipeline.

Councillor William G Walker (SNP), West Fife

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