Labour has not messed up the strong economy it inherited from the Tories, and by giving independence to the Bank of England in 1997 did make it likelier that inflation would be kept under control.

ECONOMIST: Confidence or cynicism?

Voters may disagree over how much credit Mr Clinton deserves for the boom, but most will concede that he has not messed it up.

ECONOMIST: The country-club vote

" That would open the way to panels on "Why We Messed Up" and "How Not to Do it Again.

CNN: World's leaders aren't doing their jobs