I had the closest thing I have ever had to an out-of-body experience lying in bed one morning. I turned on the 'Today' programme and item four on the news was: 'The shadow chancellor has ruled himself out of the leadership.' I lay there thinking that's interesting, then I realised it was me.

The foundations of a strong economy don't rest alone on the decisions of Chancellors or the spending programmes of government.

Tax cuts should be for life, not just for Christmas.

The foundations of a strong economy don't rest alone on the decisions of Chancellors or the spending programmes of government.

I understand the damage the expenses crisis has done to Parliament, and the paramount importance of restoring trust in our politics.

In football, as in politics, resilience pays off.