Shadow Treasury minister Chris Leslie said the value and timing of the sale raised "serious questions".

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Since they are now only a shadow of what they used to be in entertainment value (and are grossly expensive), perhaps they should be shorter.

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Yes, their retirement accounts were a shadow of their former selves, but their homes were rising in value 10% a year, every year.

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Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Reeves, said if the downgrading affected the value of the pound people could really start to suffer.

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Shadow Treasury minister Chris Leslie had sent a letter to Mr Osborne, raising concerns about the value and timing of the sale.

BBC: Northern Rock: Osborne to reveal EU deal over 2013 sale

The Shadow of the Colossus creators may be stuck in a previous century, but this does raise questions about the value of realism in games, and how realism can be used to accomplish more than just aesthetic immersiveness.

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