Why did Gordon Brown’s promise to end economic boom and bust face criticism?

Gordon Brown’s 1997 promise that the days of economic "boom and bust" were over faced significant criticism because it was fundamentally undermined by the global financial crisis that hit Britain in 2008.1

While Brown had built a reputation for competent economic stewardship during his time as chancellor, the subsequent recession and the resulting decline in consumer confidence—exacerbated by a steep drop in housing prices and rising inflation—directly contradicted his earlier assertion. This economic downturn, coupled with an ever-increasing budget deficit caused by efforts to stimulate the economy, severely damaged his poll ratings and weakened his political authority as prime minister.12