Near the heart of a decision that both approved was a distrust of the style of politics pursued by the Chancellor’s predecessor.
The Chancellor sounded as if he was auditioning for a role in the Christmas panto.
His position as an adviser was more than decorative and he will be a loss. But as someone or other once put it, there is no alternative.
If our survey’s findings are representative, this majority either agrees with the Chancellor or is in unity mode or both.
It’s always tempting for politicians to outsource important decisions. But it doesn’t work.
George Osborne ignored the well-justified caution which had kept minimum wage rises so modest, and the evidence that his ploy will harm employment growth.
Plus: Labour goes all Smethwick in Copeland. And: Sky News dumbs down at breakfast.
In the last year he has lost much of his grassroots support and a powerful patron, leaving him without political armour.
The harsh truth is that, nearly seven years into Conservative-led Government, we are still living beyond our means.
To make STPs work, Ministers need to have the courage of their convictions. That starts with the NHS and social care budget, of which STPs should take full control.
Children lose out, and there’s a knock-on elder care, too.
Most of the latter are used to trying to stop rebellions, not start them.
Macmillan’s efforts succeeded because Churchill backed him fully. The Communities Secretary is not in the same happy position with May.
“The Government has chosen – and I respect this decision – not to make the economy the priority.”
The second piece in our pre-Budget series on how to eliminate the structural deficit.