Politicians let the lending spree get out of hand

IT is remarkable that despite the plethora of advisers and researchers with whom politicians equip themselves that none of them could foresee the economic crises of the past year, not to mention the chaos currently in the financial markets.

Our politicians have contributed to the mess by refusing to confront lending practices and increased living costs. Then they have the audacity to ask the public to “support unpopular and painful decisions” in the forthcoming budget. Many people have worked for years, yet their financial standing deteriorates with every passing year. I would like to know if the Government is willing to accept all of the harsh consequences of its own fiscal mismanagement for the past 11 years? If they ever hold office again, this will indeed indicate that the electorate are masochists.

Dr Florence Craven