Honestly Darling: what prompted Alistair's apocalyptic warnings?
Updated on 30 August 2008
He says he must be straight with the voters but the chancellor's comments on the economy have just created confusion.
This morning in a newspaper article he called it "arguably the worst" outlook for the British economy in 60 years.
Later the chancellor explained that every country was facing severe problems, though he still predicted a "profound downturn" in the UK economy.
He promised the government would do "whatever is necessary" to support growth, help for the housing market is expected early next week.
But why the apocalyptic warnings?