For every step forward, a score of false starts. The economic crisis has forced the UK government to take meaningful action. But, for every serious decision it has taken, it has produced a host of arguments, schemes, sops and ruses, many simply to unsettle the Conservative opposition. The Tories, however, have been little better.

Veteran watchers of Gordon Brown will recognise his recent performances. As chancellor of the exchequer he crowed about the success of his decision to give the Bank of England independence, while giving every impression he was still orchestrating national success by tinkering with the tax system and pulling policy rabbits from his ministerial red box.