
David Gauke: Is Britain really set to become a low tax, less regulated, free trading, buccaneering country?
Despite a surprisingly liberal migration policy, the bulk of the post-Brexit evidence so far suggests not.
Despite a surprisingly liberal migration policy, the bulk of the post-Brexit evidence so far suggests not.
The Government can’t deliver levelling up without more supply-side change, localism and public service reform.
Providing small businesses with technology and training will accelerate our recovery from Coronavirus.
Japan, Korea, Taiwan and now China, have all invested heavily in new technologies – through government support for new industries.
And the Chancellor’s score survives the Budget relatively intact: his score is down, but there is no sudden collapse.
Fifty eight per cent think was good or very good; 34 per cent a mix of good and bad.
Plus: Say what you like about Trump, but he had a better slogan than Clinton. And: Sunak’s budget was disappointing.
The Budget was, if truly honest, a sign that the Government shuns spending cuts and embraces tax rises – which is ultimately unsustainable.
The Prime Minister listened supportively, but jiggled his right knee up and down in a manner suggestive of unbearable mental tension.
His three part plan: protecting jobs and livelihoods. Securing the public finances. And laying foundations for the future.
Sunak is clearly the politician that alarms Labour – and the Opposition leader went for him personally over Covid and lockdowns.
“Let’s consider the alternatives. The first is to do nothing. To leave our deficit problem untreated. Our debt problem for someone else in future to deal with.”
Preventing as much long-term damage to the economy as possible now should be the Chancellor’s priority.
Conservative messaging implies an implicit belief that there are no major state functions ripe for reform in any fiscal repair.
It will probe whether or or not Sunak can prepare the country for that future – and perhaps succeed Johnson himself, “one fine day”.