Vince Cable

[gerontius]

I read today that only 16% of voters think he's best suited to run the economy, fewer than Alistair Darling and George Osborne. Now, this would be fine, except VC is the only one with a doctorate in economics. I think it's a shame. Discuss.

I do like Vince Cable but I think we need someone with a practical experience of business and finance as Chancellor being advised by a team of well educated civil servants that includes a few economists.

Economics is a largely theoretical subject and in the real world its theoretical models and constructs often fail although they can provide a useful starting point for considering a problem.

Vince Cable would be a good adviser, indeed I would like him to be Bank of England Governor but not runnning the Treasury. Indeed, I really hope Dave Cameron appoints him in as BoE Governor.

He was Chief Economist for Shell. Does that not count as experience of business? And he seems to be the best at predicting economic events. As the Lib Dems aren't going to get in it would be nice to see him in some sort of position.

Yes he has worked in business but never run a business or made an investment decision or bought and sold anything or raised capital.

He has always been an analyst and adviser and I think he would serve well in that capacity in future in some public office (e.g BoE Governor). He seems a man of integrity and would analyse and advise as he saw fit and without fear - which he has done very well in the current crisis.