Labour must now find its voice, and punish the government’s unforced errors

 

By Matthew Hynds

So, the proposed cuts to the Personal Independence Payments, as laid out in the chancellor’s budget just a few days ago, have been dropped. This tyre-smoking u-turn is even more dramatic than last year’s, when Osborne ditched his planned cuts to tax credits. On that occasion, he was able to use a £27 billion windfall to the treasury as the means of paying for it, and to afford him some dignity in retreat. This was the result of higher-than-expected tax revenues, and lower interest rates on government debt.

Boris Johnson may be the next Tory leader, but hopefully not the next prime minister

By Matthew Hynds

Since Johnson announced his affiliation to the “Out” campaign, the bookies have installed him as the favourite to succeed Cameron – replacing Osborne as the front-runner. (It is worth remembering that Cameron has ruled out standing for re-election in 2020.)

Let battle commence!