Sadiq Khan discusses the Union Jack with Total Politics:

“…the flying of which was a hostile emblem for me.”

Tax dodger turned tax campaigner Richard Murphy has a warped sense of perspective about a lot of things, but it’s rare that he makes it quite so obvious:

BBC News is downgrading budget coverage (and my commentary) for French gunman. Is that really appropriate? Isn't budget more important?—
Richard Murphy (@RichardJMurphy) March 21, 2012

“and my commentary”…

Jewish Labour supporters have written to Ed Miliband to express their growing concern about Ken:

“It is worth mentioning that it was made very clear to Ken the mood amongst Jewish Labour Party supporters. Despite his seeming obsession with Israel, which gives some quarters cause for concern, many of us had just about managed to vote for him in 2008. Today, many of us who would otherwise normally vote Labour are finding it harder and harder to consider voting for Ken, despite agreeing with his policies for London.”

A letter which has been leaked to the Jewish Chronicle cites Kens many rants, his dodgy cleric friends and his financial relationship with the Iranian state. Their complaints focus around a meeting with with left-leaning members of the Jewish community that does not seem to have gone very well:

“At various points in the discussion Ken used the words Zionist, Jewish and Israeli, interchangeably, as if they meant the same, and did so in a pejorative manner. These words are not interchangeable and to do so is highly offensive, particularly when repeated over and again as was done.” 

Most damning though is the revelation that Ken declared Jews won’t vote Labour because they are rich:

“Ken toward the end of the meeting stated that he did not expect the Jewish community to vote Labour as votes for the left are inversely proportional to wealth levels, and suggested that as the Jewish community is rich we simply wouldn’t vote for him.”

Given Ken’s tendency to dismiss any attack as a “conspiracy”, he will want to be extremely careful in responding to this one…

Time for another stern letter from Tom Baldwin…

Pic via @DeclanLyons

Despite a sharp jump in the Public Sector Net Cash requirement year on year, a fall in inflation as the VAT hike falls out of the calculation means we are a little bit happier than we were at the beginning of 2012. With the Unemployment Rate still high, we’re hardly dancing in the street though…

N.B. Stats bods can check Guido’s adding up here

Click the above to download the PDF with hyperlinks. Rules are simple: choose one phrase, policy or scenario from each row, so eight overall. Listen out during the Chancellor’s statement, first to six wins. Don’t forget to shout “Budget Bingo”!

Mystery over delay in top-rate tax cut bbc.in/GCSGlI—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

For self-assessment top-rate tax cut takes effect on April 1 this year – see end of blog. bbc.in/GCSGlI—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

Of course I meant to say cut in 50p rate of tax applies from April 6 this year (not April 1) for self-assessment—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

Oh gawd, I am no longer sure about start state for cut in top rate of tax. Apparently its complicated. Pls call me blithering idiot—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

I meant "start date" of course MT Oh gawd, no longer sure about start state for cut in top rate of tax…Pls call me blithering idiot—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

The Reithian qualities of Robert Peston have been much remarked upon here. Yesterday evening he gave us the benefit of his contacts and insight into the budget. As you can see above over a two hour period last night on the Twitter he invited us to call him a “blithering idiot”. Peston, you are a  blithering idiot.

We, along with many people in the City and business, just wish he’d shut up. Today is a good day to try CNBC’s coverage or Jeff Randall on Sky…