March 2010 Budget speech
Alistair Darling opened his third budget on Wednesday 24 March 2010, as the UK emerged from the sharp recession after the world economic crisis. Although a general election had to be called within a month, the collapse in government revenues and what was then considered astronomical borrowing limited the ability for pre-election giveaways; instead the main announcement was a one off tax on bankers' bonus payments.
David Cameron's speech is strong on electioneering attacks, while perhaps everyone should have paid more attention to Nick Clegg's strong argument for cuts in government spending.