Labour have found two ways of circumventing Hunt’s spending trap: first, to ignore it, and, second, to reduce pressure on the public finances through optimistic promises of economic growth.
Also: Another woeful week for the SNP as its health minister refuses to resign over £11k roaming fee and Yousaf defies calls for an ethics inquiry into allegations he misled the Scottish Parliament.
if you look at the odds for the next Conservative leader, there are no white men among the front runners. The top five comprise Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, James Cleverly, Suella Braverman and Gillian Keegan.
The Labour leader refused to be put off by a protester, and went on to give a masterclass in the higher priggery.
Some projects that had previously been announced were included, as were some projects that had even been completed. Some of the announcements related to local projects for which the decision to proceed rested with regional mayors not central government.
The ninth part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
The second part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
The number of possibilities teaches us three lessons about politics today. Firstly, never to underestimate the role played by mere chance. Secondly, that this is not an age of great leaders who make their own luck. And, thirdly, that we need to choose more carefully in future.
A half-baked reform attempt would not only distract from his policies aimed at voters’ priorities, but actually make them harder to even pass.
There are many things that can be done to resist the tide. The first would be for ministers to make the philosophical case for where state responsibility ends, and personal responsibility starts.
A critical first step would be a reboot and reorganisation of the Monetary Policy Committee, with greater scrutiny of appointees, with shorter terms.
Abolishing IHT would look extraordinarily out of touch to those struggling to pay their bills or worried about the state of the public services – and would undermine any claim to fiscal responsibility.
The A list and its successors haven’t kept a golden generation out of Parliament. Many of those who might have made it up aren’t putting themselves forward for selection in the first place.
On education, high speed rail and smoking, he will allow our country to pursue an ambitious and optimistic future for people, whoever they are and wherever they come from.