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Libby Purves

Where am I?

There used to be a reliable pecking order of professions that were held in public disregard. Bankers attracted little sympathy but retained a certain mystique. Politicians and journalists were still less respected. Estate agents came beneath the lot. The past few weeks have overturned the rankings. No group attracts greater derision and outrage than profligate banking executives.

As the Government takes majority stakes in the banking system, top bankers - first Sir Fred Goodwin, at the Royal Bank of Scotland, but certainly more to follow - step down as the price of the survival of...  full article