Cliff,
Sorry for the thread drift, I accept and understand your points. Just felt it can be easy to win the argument more difficult to provide the solution, and he should have taken the opportunity to put forward what he would do different. Maybe it wasn't the right time.
Nice, yes, agreed, it's easy to criticize, harder to have and present a better alternative!
To be honest, I don't believe people fully understand the level of debt that's burdening the UK and the US - it needs to be said, and said loud and clear as a first step. The honorable EMP at least did that, which is a start, although, as you say, the next step is having a plan!