On 24 January 2011, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris hosted Lord Alistair Darling, former Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, for a discussion moderated by Renaud Girard. The event focused on economic governance, the aftermath of the global financial crisis, and the challenges facing Europe and the international system.

Darling, who served as Chancellor from 2007 to 2010, shared his insights on managing the crisis at its height, reflecting on the pressures of stabilising the financial sector and safeguarding economic resilience. He discussed the lessons learned from that period, the importance of regulatory reform, and the continuing risks to global financial stability.

The exchange provided a rare opportunity to hear directly from the figure who steered Britain’s economy during one of its most critical junctures. His reflections not only illuminated the dilemmas of crisis management but also offered guidance for policymakers grappling with financial uncertainty today.