22/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - “It is paradoxical that a government should build up such a deficit in a time of economic growth”, Timothy Kirkhope, leader of the British Conservatives at the European parliament, said, commenting on the Commission's report on Wednesday (EUROPE 9032). “If the economy takes a turn for the worse, the UK will be severely hampered because of the Chancellor's reckless spending spree”, he states in a press release. “The UK is constantly lecturing the rest of Europe about the need for economic reform and fiscal prudence. It's time the Labour government begins to practice what they preach and get a grip on the public purse before they bankrupt Britain”, the MEP said.