Labour minister leaves laughing

8:16 am Economics and Finance

This would be humorous if it wasn’t so serious.

Liam Byrne, the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, last week wrote a letter for his successor – the Liberal Democrat David Laws – stating: “I’m afraid to tell you there’s no money left.”

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mr Laws said: “When I arrived at my desk on the very first day as Chief Secretary, I found a letter from the previous chief secretary to give me some advice, I assumed, on how I conduct myself over the months ahead.

“Unfortunately, when I opened it, it was a one-sentence letter which simply said ’Dear Chief Secretary, I’m afraid to tell you there’s no money left’, which was honest but slightly less helpful advice than I had been expecting.”

The letter – which Mr Byrne claims was meant to be humorous – represents a sign of the stark challenges facing the new Coalition Government to reduce Britain’s record £163 billion budget deficit.

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Arran Gold

3 Responses
  1. real conservative :

    Date: May 17, 2010 @ 9:20 AM

    Makes you wonder why Brown was desperate to cling to power at the end doesn’t it? Oh no I forgot he was in it only for himself and his chums. Screw everyone else.

  2. fern st albert :

    Date: May 17, 2010 @ 9:28 AM

    Its called “Brown Humour” – not funny if you are Britain. Just watched the new Robin Hood – its about ambitious bureaucrats, over taxed population and foolish foreign policy. Nothing changes, it remains the same. Cheers.

  3. Glendronach :

    Date: May 17, 2010 @ 11:48 AM

    At least Labour proved the Brown Note wasn’t just an urban legend.

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