So the surveys are telling us that people are in favour of government spending cuts. One reason we got into the mess we are in is because people lived beyond their means with debt they could not afford to service. It follows therefore that if people cannot survive financially neither can the government. Shame it is taking so long to wake up and smell the coffee. So now Brown and Darling can pretend to show leadership without looking behind themselves because they know that it won’t rattle the public too much. Doesn’t matter lads – it’s too late and hopefully you will both be in opposition this time next year. NOTE TO MARC – There was no date set on original entry

So a government minister has committed a civil offence and paid the price in pounds shillings and pence. Big deal, not a reason to call for a resignation, but what the opposition should be banging on about is what this highlights. Namely, the crushing burden of regulation thrust upon small business and the swingeing penalites for small oversights – £5,000 for failing to photocopy ??? Surely, if this immigrant worker, has an NI number and all the other gubbins the government has a record of their legititmacy or otherwise. But no – the burden fall upon the employer. I could go on about how over-regulated we are since Labour came to power (leaving it soon hopefully) but I won’t, as I need to get back to work to earn to pay the stealth taxes of Gordon Brown. NOTE TO MARC – There was no date set on original entry

So the pundits reckon the recession is over. I’m not so sure, judging from what I am seeing as a company formation agent, debt counsellor and practising accountant. Oh, yes – I am also a businessman. My money is on a double dip, a “W” shaped recovery. I don’t believe that the coming dip will be as bad as the recession at its depths but it is certainly not worth looking forward to. It’s easy to make predictions I hear you say. Indeed it is, but I am translating my prediction into action in terms of business planning and stockmarket activity. Not convinced? I hope you’re correct. NOTE TO MARC – There was no date set on original entry

That means he should admit defeat and walk away. A good businessman knows when it is time to quit but the trouble is that Gordon Brown is not a good businessman. All SME owners will be hoping and praying that David Cameron gets his legitimate place at 10 Downing Street and we can start fixing things and cuttign corporation tax and creating jobs.

As a fan of The Apprentice I was intrigued to see that Sir Alan was joining the losing “Team Brown”. For a man with gut instinct it means one of two possibilities – Sir Alan believes that Mr Brown is going to recover or his gut instinct is telling him that it’s the fastest way to a peerage. But the big mystery is – did he consult with Margaret or Nick?

An accountant colleague of mine is fond of repeating the mantra he tells clients. ” If it’s not in writing it didn’t happen”. Sound advice indeed. I wonder how the threat of having one’s phone calls intercepted changes this ? Nothing beats a face to face meeting!