A few words on the budget which happens today. Politics at its very worst. Not just because it’s George Osborne, that most cynical of political operators, although that’s a good enough reason in itself, but because it’s little more than theatre. The budget itself is an enormous document, covering all of government spending. Today, as with every other budget ever, the chancellor will only read out the bits he thinks will be of use in terms of politics.
Expect plenty of ‘long term economic plans’, ‘we’re all in it together’ and ‘fixing the roof while the sun is shining’. The stuff he won’t read out – like slashing benefits for the sick and disabled, slashing vital frontline public services to the bone and the bits that have gone wrong, like just about everything he has done since becoming chancellor – will appear in the small print.
And today’s budget has next to nothing about us. It’s about two other things: the first is the forthcoming referendum on EU membership and the second is the succession, or otherwise, of George Osborne to the Tory leadership. They are inextricably linked. That is why there will be nothing to further piss us off. There will be nothing in the way of major tax increases, some small cuts in some areas and stealth tax increases to pay for it (look out for insurance taxes to rise).
Can you actually believe that a government is going to plan future spending in order to serve its own interests? In the words of Sarah Palin, you betcha. That is exactly what it is about and what every budget ever has been all about.
It is also a major reason many people hate politicians. I don’t hate all politicians – I have two good friends who were once (Labour) MPs and I am quite certain they were in politics to make people’s lives better, but by the same token, some of my MPs were in it for quite different reasons.
Finally, some words of sympathy for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. He will have to reply to Osborne’s speech today, without knowing the first thing that will be in it. He will need to be critical, forensic, wounding and in command of his subject. I would go so far as to say, today will determine whether or not he is up to the job. Not only will he need to please his backbenchers, he will need to unite the country against Osborne. No mean feat, but if you aspire to lead your country, you need to inspire. Just saying what you think is not enough. No one who calls themselves Labour will want him to fail.
Today we will either see the next prime minister presenting his budget or the man who will become yesterday’s man if we vote for Brexit. Not too much depending on it, then, but don’t expect the priorities to be us.
