In the run up to the White Paper on Levelling Up, our interview with the former Chancellor opens this week’s ConHome series on localism.
The Chancellor extolled principles that point to the possibility of meaningful pro-growth reform of how revenues are raised.
There should be a growth target to complement the inflation target – to drive government departments to take actions that will promote more UK activity and jobs.
To appreciate the full wonder of this Budget it is necessary, as the Chancellor said, to be an optimist.
She shares with him the ability to throw opponents off balance – and a commitment to levelling up.
Conservatives must reach out, listen and engage much more with young people.
The Chancellor is damned if he yields to backbenchers’ demands for bailouts – and damned if he doesn’t.
As the jobs market expands, the taper could be lowered. This would leave low hours workers with more money, helping accelerate them into full-time work.
My view is that the only way to help square this circle is to rediscover our concern for public service reform.
The role of strong local leadership here cannot be underestimated in galvanizing place prosperity.
The centre isn’t where he or ConservativeHome or anyone else wants it to be. It’s where it is – “Far From Notting Hill”.
What we need is to promote a higher wage, higher productivity economy. Our economic targets should reflect those aims.
The fourth part of a ConHome series this week on Levelling Up as the Government’s White Paper nears publication.