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Tories offer PM help with economy Tories offer PM help with economy
(10 minutes later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has said his party will work with the government to tackle the continuing financial turbulence.Conservative leader David Cameron has said his party will work with the government to tackle the continuing financial turbulence.
Mr Cameron said, as a "responsible opposition", the Tories would help get legislation through Parliament.Mr Cameron said, as a "responsible opposition", the Tories would help get legislation through Parliament.
The prime minister spoke to Mr Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg on Monday night to keep them updated.The prime minister spoke to Mr Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg on Monday night to keep them updated.
Mr Cameron also told the BBC he was qualified to steer the economy through the global crisis.Mr Cameron also told the BBC he was qualified to steer the economy through the global crisis.
US share prices fell heavily in late Monday trading after a $700bn financial rescue plan was rejected by the US House of Representatives.US share prices fell heavily in late Monday trading after a $700bn financial rescue plan was rejected by the US House of Representatives.
'Important questions''Important questions'
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, from his party's conference in Birmingham, Mr Cameron said: "Just as you need cross-party working in the US to get this vital package through, so in the UK we should stand ready as a responsible opposition to help in any way we can."Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, from his party's conference in Birmingham, Mr Cameron said: "Just as you need cross-party working in the US to get this vital package through, so in the UK we should stand ready as a responsible opposition to help in any way we can."
He said they had to get legislation through on bank rescues, adding: "Parliament comes back on Monday and I think we need to get on with that job in a cross-party way."He said they had to get legislation through on bank rescues, adding: "Parliament comes back on Monday and I think we need to get on with that job in a cross-party way."
But he said he would still ask "important questions" about the legislation and called for a new scheme which "absolutely safeguards" deposits in banks and building societies.But he said he would still ask "important questions" about the legislation and called for a new scheme which "absolutely safeguards" deposits in banks and building societies.
I'm running a unified party that is a very strong team of leaders that are so unified that we are able completely to focus on the problems of Britain David CameronI'm running a unified party that is a very strong team of leaders that are so unified that we are able completely to focus on the problems of Britain David Cameron
He said further steps may be needed to provide stability, adding: "People will want to see cross-party support rather than perhaps what we have seen in the US, because we have to try and take public opinion with us for difficult decisions that may have to be taken."He said further steps may be needed to provide stability, adding: "People will want to see cross-party support rather than perhaps what we have seen in the US, because we have to try and take public opinion with us for difficult decisions that may have to be taken."
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has also urged a "suspension of normal political hostilities" and called for a cross-party consensus on dealing with the economic problems.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has also urged a "suspension of normal political hostilities" and called for a cross-party consensus on dealing with the economic problems.
Mr Brown said earlier it was "very disappointing" that the US rescue package had been voted down by 228 to 205 votes in the House of Representatives. He has pledged to take "whatever action necessary to ensure continued stability for Britain".Mr Brown said earlier it was "very disappointing" that the US rescue package had been voted down by 228 to 205 votes in the House of Representatives. He has pledged to take "whatever action necessary to ensure continued stability for Britain".
Financial stabilityFinancial stability
Asked about the Conservatives' offer of cooperation, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper told GMTV earlier it would be "helpful", but said they had opposed action on the Bradford & Bingley and Northern Rock.Asked about the Conservatives' offer of cooperation, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper told GMTV earlier it would be "helpful", but said they had opposed action on the Bradford & Bingley and Northern Rock.
"I think that was irresponsible because I don't think it would have been right for the government in those situations to just effectively let those banks go under with all the risks that would have posed for the financial stability of the system as a whole," she said."I think that was irresponsible because I don't think it would have been right for the government in those situations to just effectively let those banks go under with all the risks that would have posed for the financial stability of the system as a whole," she said.
The Conservatives have criticised the government over its handling of the economy.The Conservatives have criticised the government over its handling of the economy.
On Monday shadow chancellor George Osborne told the Tory conference there had been an "age of irresponsibility", allowing people to rack up more than a trillion pounds of mortgages and credit card bills and households debts.On Monday shadow chancellor George Osborne told the Tory conference there had been an "age of irresponsibility", allowing people to rack up more than a trillion pounds of mortgages and credit card bills and households debts.
And shadow business secretary Alan Duncan accused Mr Brown of planning to leave a "scorched earth" economy for the a future Conservative government.And shadow business secretary Alan Duncan accused Mr Brown of planning to leave a "scorched earth" economy for the a future Conservative government.
But a ComRes poll of 1,017 people for the Independent suggests that the prime minister is still seen as the "best in a crisis" of the party leaders.But a ComRes poll of 1,017 people for the Independent suggests that the prime minister is still seen as the "best in a crisis" of the party leaders.
Of those polled, 43% said Mr Brown was more trusted on the economy, while 33% trusted Mr Cameron more.Of those polled, 43% said Mr Brown was more trusted on the economy, while 33% trusted Mr Cameron more.
The prime minister has repeated a number of times his claim that, after 10 years at the Treasury, he is best placed to steer Britain through the financial turbulence, telling his own party conference it was "no time for a novice".The prime minister has repeated a number of times his claim that, after 10 years at the Treasury, he is best placed to steer Britain through the financial turbulence, telling his own party conference it was "no time for a novice".
But Mr Cameron told the BBC: "I've worked in the Treasury, I've worked in business, I've run the Conservative party for the last three years.But Mr Cameron told the BBC: "I've worked in the Treasury, I've worked in business, I've run the Conservative party for the last three years.
"I'm running a unified party that is a very strong team of leaders that are so unified that we are able completely to focus on the problems of Britain rather than what happened last week."I'm running a unified party that is a very strong team of leaders that are so unified that we are able completely to focus on the problems of Britain rather than what happened last week.
"I think even Labour Party people would accept they spent quite a lot of time talking about themselves but you have to prove this in politics over a period of time and that's what I'm devoted to doing.""I think even Labour Party people would accept they spent quite a lot of time talking about themselves but you have to prove this in politics over a period of time and that's what I'm devoted to doing."