Conservative opposition opens fire on government over economy

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 11, 2008, 10:50 GMT

George Osborne,Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer United Kingdom speaks at a session on \'Seizing opportunities of the new global economy\' organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, India on Wednesday, 06 September 2006. EPA/MONEY SHARMA

(M&C) - Tories will attack the Labour government over the economy claiming its poor running has made Britain the "least prepared country in the developed world" to cope with a global fiscal downturn the Press Association reports.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne will launch his attack saying the prime minister failed in his management of the economy during his years as Chancellor. He will make the accusations in a speech at the London School of Economics.

"Our competitors used the fat years to prepare for the lean years. Britain did not," he will insist. "We are the least prepared country in the developed world to cope with the current financial turbulence."

Mr Osborne will say the blame for economic problems "lies squarely and fairly with Gordon Brown".

"He didn't fix the roof when the sun was shining. His 11 budgets have left us with the worst public finances in Europe."

The Tories believe the recent Northern Rock financial crisis and a raft of poor economic figures have left the government vulnerable to attack on the economic front.

Mr Osborne is expected to pledge economic reforms during his speech.