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Comprehensive Spending Review

In that respect, I do not think there is a difference. The hon. Gentleman and I are fundamentally divided on how we would deal with the deficit, but not on the fact that a deficit has to be dealt with. He is arguing that we have to do it quickly and deeply, while I am arguing the opposite. We tried to do that in the 1930s, when we had the biggest depression in the history of the past 200 years. We would not have got out of it had there not been a war. The second world war brought us out of depression and stimulated production. There is a fundamental divide. We cannot solve our country’s problems, be it the economy or the deficit, unless we stimulate production and demand. There is a basic difference between us, but I am sure that the hon. Member for Monmouth would agree that the economic fortunes of the country and our constituents’ interests are related. However, the hon. Gentleman and I, and others, may not be back next time to make that case, because of the reduction in the numbers of MPs. That is a real, deep shame.