Depressing news for fans of economic growth as Hunt claimed it’s “virtually impossible” to make any tax cuts until the economy improves on LBC’s Tonight with Andrew Marr. This is despite lower inflation and a stop to interest rate hikes. Who’s surprised?
Guido thinks its worth reminding the Chancellor and Number 10 what they said about tax when they were making “all the right noises.”
There used to be a time when Chancellors had the stomach to prioritise investment and growth despite loud calls from quangos, charities, and commentators to hike taxes ever-higher. Distant memories…
Andrew Marr is in awe…
… the world of the Tony Blair Institute is to go back to a sunnier, lighter age; hyper-educated, beautiful young people with transatlantic accents play data ping-pong and talk admiringly of Kissinger on the balance of power. The raw desperation of life for ordinarily chaotic people trying to pay their bills in 2023 seems a long way away.
As predicted, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is throwing its toys out the pram over Liz Truss’s upcoming visit to Taiwan. Speaking to Andrew Marr on LBC last night, CCP media spokesman Victor Gao claimed Truss’s trip next week risks causing “mortal wounds to China-UK relations”, and somehow even escalates tensions “to the point of no return”. Just as they said of Pelosi’s trip…
Gao said the trip will “make it more likely that China will exercise jurisdiction over Taiwan sooner rather than later”, adding:
“Her proposed visit to Taiwan in her official capacity will only achieve one goal: that is to further alienate relations between China and Britain, hurting the fundamental interest of the British people.
[Truss should] pay attention to [how] she conducts herself, because she does not want to inflict mortal wounds to China-UK relations”.
The Chinese communists aren’t the only ones appalled at a former PM daring to set foot on Taiwanese soil. Alicia Kearns, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, has also attacked Truss for making the trip, claiming “the trip is performative, not substantive“, and “the worst kind of example of Instagram diplomacy“. A spokesperson for Truss immediately fired back:
“The former Prime Minister has been invited to visit by the Taiwan government. They are better placed to know what is in the interests of the Taiwanese people than the MP for Rutland… Alicia Kearns should apologise for misusing her position as a select committee chair to engage in petty political attacks.”
Unsurprisingly, Downing Street are keeping out of it…
Before ruminating on the “lies” and “propaganda” of the Brexit campaign, Jean-Claude Juncker heartily endorsed Rishi Sunak’s Northern Ireland deal. Speaking to Andrew Marr for LBC, he called the deal a “real breakthrough”, saying he was “quite happy” with what he described as “diplomacy at its best”. Jean-Claude then gave further insight into why he was so keen on the deal:
“I think that the European Commission will have more authority than it seems. And as the European Court of Justice has been reconfirmed in its role as arbiter, when it comes to internal market questions concerning Northern Ireland. So, I think that although the deal is giving response to the major British concerns, there is a part of European Union in the deal some in Britain is trying to hide.”
Rishi will not be grateful for this lavish endorsement. Boris might be onto something here…
The moment nobody’s been waiting for may soon be upon us. Speaking to Andrew Marr on LBC last night, David Miliband couldn’t deny his intentions to make a political comeback.
MARR: I’m putting it to you that you will be back in Parliament by the time of the next election.
MILIBAND: Well, erm (SPLUTTERS) that’s NOT been decided.
As Andrew Marr concluded, “He didn’t say No.”
What with Labour’s position in the polls, Miliband has certainly picked his moment. Brother Ed must be delighted…
