The Chancellor has not always been well treated by his neighbour, and deserves support over public spending. But he has mishandled his internal position over Brexit.
Government encouraged drivers to switch to it. Now some want to penalise them for doing so.
Well, it’s been quite a week, hasn’t it?
And there are other policies she could pursue. More nurseries in primary schools. Tougher school discipline. Longer sentences for child abuse.
“In light of what has emerged as a clear view among colleagues and a significant section of the public, I have decided not to proceed…”
Fudge, delay or in-fighting won’t make it go away. It must be dealt with swiftly.
Near the heart of a decision that both approved was a distrust of the style of politics pursued by the Chancellor’s predecessor.
Plus: Hammond’s blunder. Peers’ folly. Stephen Hawking is not, repeat not, controlled by MI5. And: my inner Mary Whitehouse meets Katie Hopkins’ slack vagina.
“People across the country will recognise a basic unfairness when two people earning the same amount of money, accessing the same benefits, are paying very different contributions”.
May and Hammond are right to prioritise the working class, but an attack on small traders and self-starters is only going to alienate them – and many more besides.
The Telegraph and the Sun also have harsh words for the new taxes facing the self-employed… but the Express brushes it off in a sentence.
And May’s reputation for straightforwardness risks damage from the Budget’s proposals for NICs.
Mass analysis of Twitter reaction shows its reputation was sealed by mid-afternoon. The proportion of angry tweets reached half the total.
Studying 43,639 Tweets posted during Hammond’s speech and Corbyn’s reply shows the challenge facing the Chancellor.
I am determined to see our health service offer the safest, highest quality care anywhere in the world.