Consequences of the CSR ...

Well, now we know ... well, sort of know ... what is going to happen to Government expenditure over the next few years:  how the hole in the public finances is to be filled.

And, to be honest, I don't believe that there is anything in particular to be very cheerful about.  This is going to be difficult, but I hope that it will be less difficult that we were told to expect. 

The Labour party and its supporters are going off at the deep end - and supporters of the Government appear nervous.  There are definitely risks of adopting the approach that has been adopted, but what of the risks of not doing so?

George Osborne has been very clever in his presentation - in particular his explanation that the proposals are almost identical in extent to those proposed by Alastair Darling will make it very difficult for Labour, who appear to have no ideas at all, save to criticise almost every individual decision. 

Alan Johnson was, I thought, rather weak; although the Government needs to be rather careful not to appear to be too bullish and he will, I suspect, grow into his role as Shadow Chancellor.

That absence of any real alternative proposals and it appearing that Labour is blamed by the electorate for its failings in Government that led to, at least in part, the need for fiscal restraint, will make for difficult times for HM Opposition.  They need to evolve a narrative - quickly - or else they will be left behind.