Commenting on Alistair Darling's interview with the Guardian in which he reveals that the UK economy is facing a 60 year low and that people are "pissed off" with Labour SNP MP for Glasgow East John Mason said: "Alistair Darling should be working not moaning.

"Alistair Darling's indiscrete interview shows Labour has felt the impact of their defeat in Glasgow East but has no idea what action to take.

"Instead of talking down the economy and dithering over what to do Alistair Darling should be taking action over the rising fuel and energy costs that are crippling household budgets and small businesses.

"The SNP is taking action with a freeze in council tax, reductions in business rates and cuts in prescription charges. In contrast Labour has done nothing.

"Instead of working to help families in Glasgow East, Glenrothes and across the country Alistair Darling is reduced to moaning about his boss and mourning for his career."

Notes:

Alistair Darling's comments and interview are below;

"You have to be quite careful - unless you're one of those people who's happy to give everything of themselves."

"In the space of 10 months we've gone from a position where people generally felt we were doing OK to where we're certainly not doing OK. We've got to rediscover that zeal which won three elections, and that is a huge problem for us at the moment. People are pissed off with us."

"Wendy Alexander, the former Scottish Labour leader, is "not likable at all";

"There's lots of people who'd like to do my job. And no doubt," he adds, half under his breath, "actively trying to do it."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/aug/30/economy.alistairdarling

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/aug/30/alistairdarling.economy