Open Letter to Ed Balls

Dear Ed,

I have always been a huge fan- so I feel entitled to write directly to you- and to call you Ed.

I thought it was perhaps Gordon Brown's biggest error that he did not make you Chancellor after you'd staunchly supported him for years- but of course there were other pressures on him.

Anyway, I'm not sure that people are aware of how bad the economic situation can possibly get- if we continue with the current strategies, and how desperate the need for change is.

I lived in West Africa in the early 80's when the economies there collapsed- and I can see all of the warning signs here now. I remember clearly sellers desperately slashing prices and trying everything possible to attract buyers- but just like it is here at the moment- nobody bought. Suddenly inflation took off and ran away, 20 years later things seem to be picking up a little.

It is tempting to believe that by cutting back hard, the economy will get back on track. I know that you argue for more gradual cuts- but cuts alone and restructuring will not get the economy working again. It wouldn't work in a household budget- to cut back, scrimp and save- if one owes thousands of pounds. One would need to "consolidate one's debts into a single manageable payment". Same for the country don't you think.

By all means restructure and cut back- hard as you like. The key thing- the most important thing is to put a bit of dosh in people's pockets.

I see shopkeepers standing in their shop doorways. Cars piling up on the forecourts. Homes in need of basic repair. Lowcost carriers begging to fly people abroad- but no takers. Who can afford anything in this climate. Without the people buying, shopping and stimulating the economy, it's downhill I'm afraid.

So if you ask me- keep the cut backs, restructure if you will- but don't tie people's hands behind their backs- give them their pay rises. We need measures that work. It's what the Labour Govt did- your govt- with holding down VAT, and the car scrappage scheme. It's what you guys did with the various tax credits.

Put money in people's pockets. It's all about confidence. Might be our only chance.