We bought a house in 1980 that we could afford. Not long after that interest rates reached staggering proportions (under a Tory Government). We hung on in there with bailiffs leaving us notes every other week.I had a poorly paid job, and my wife worked at whatever she could, and then MIRAS (mortgage interest relief at source) was stopped, as was the married man's tax allowance, Still we hung on in there. We didn't have tax credits for our children (who are now 32 and 30 years old) but we did have child allowance. I was made redundant 5 times in 10 years, and still we hung on in there. For the last 12 years of my working life (as a temp, so no job security - thanks to New Labour who wouldn't agree to the European way of doing things for Temps) I never had a pay rise, but still we hung on in there.I remember Purchase tax at 33.33% and higher. I've just retired and just wonder what the hell are you all moaning about? Do you think that all this procrastination is going to change things one little bit? All you want to say is 'I told you so!' Maybe you did - but how will any of you change it in the next 5 years, and do you think the last tory government we had (it sure as hell wasn't labour) would have done anything different? Personally I think not!
John Barden