Darling: British Economy Is at 60-Year Low

The outlook for Britain's economy is the bleakest since the days when the country was rebuilding from the Blitz, Chancellor Alistair Darling tells the Guardian. Darling warns that the downturn for the UK and the wider world could be "more profound and longer-lasting" than people expect. He acknowledges that voters are "pissed off" with the Labour party, and him personally.

"I was at a filling station recently and a chap said: 'I know it's to do with oil prices—but what are you going to do about it?' People think, well surely you can do something, you are responsible, so, of course, it reflects on me," Darling said. His assessment is darker than that of beleaguered PM Gordon Brown, who is attempting to win back confidence by explaining how he will help struggling families through the downturn.