when a global economic downturn gets personal  

It’s one thing understanding what is happening to the world as banks and other financial institutions self implode, businesses run out of money and people lose their jobs. But when it’s your redundancy notice, the world is altogether a sadder, more worrying place. As an MP, I’m meeting many people whose jobs and businesses are uncertain. I know that people yearn for some signs of an end to the present difficulties. But there’s no point politicians talking about “green shoots” of recovery before they appear. The responsible thing to do right now is to give help wherever and however we can. That’s why Governments around the world have had to save banks from collapse, try to stimulate their domestic economies and consider ways of seeing vaulable businesses and jobs through exceptionally lean trading times. We have had to act. If we hadn’t have...