FT.com / UK / Politics & policy - Banking industry chief slams attacks on bonuses.

From the FT this morning (edited):

Angela Knight, chief executive of the British Bankers’ Association has decried the government as “deeply irresponsible” and potentially “stupid enough” to act “emotionally and not logically” in its attack on banks, bankers and bonuses.

She is particularly damning of the 50 per cent supertax on bonuses revealed in Chancellor Alistair Darling’s pre-Budget report this month.

She writes in a new year message to members: “There are literally tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of British jobs directly and indirectly related to banking — bringing billions of pounds in tax income.

“Some of this is now at risk ... Decision makers increasingly either wish to ignore it or — even more dangerously — choose not to believe it.”

Angela, I've got news for you.

There are 2.4 million out of work becasue of banks.

There is the biggest peacetime deficit because of banks.

We have the worst recession since the 1930s becasue of banks.

We need banks, I agree.

But we don't need casinos or the jobs and chaos they create.

Now quietly go away and sit in a corner and get on with making amends. Nothing else is acceptable, and all you say and do of this sort harms your cause.