In a bizarre off-the-record interview last week, there are signs that Chancellor Alastair Darling may not be up to the job of running the British economy.
In a casual chat with financial journalists, Mr Darling was asked if he was happy with the amount of credit in the economy.
The Chancellor hesitated and started to think out loud - "Credit… yes… that's the number with the CR after it, isn't it… that's good isn't it, when your account is in credit, … yes, it's good because you've got money. Although....hang on.... why would you need credit then, if you've already got money….
"No, lets think this through again….if I've got £10 in my pocket, and I buy £20 of petrol with my credit card…..so….. BP debits my credit card …. no, hang on….how does that work … surely you have to credit a credit card .... because I'm pretty sure the bank debits my debit card ...
"Yes, so that must be like a refund then….. so now they owe me £20. And I've still got the tenner in my pocket. Plus a tank of petrol in the car. Ya beauty !!"
