A first at yesterday’s Treasury committee: A Chancellor who actually seemed happy to be there.
It’s never been seen before. Gordon Brown would chew on his fingers and scowl at anyone who dares to question his precious numbers.
George Osborne was a man I can remember spending hours drumming his fingers like a person with a train to catch.
Rishi Sunak, on the other hand, was a shining example of courtly deference.
The committee tried to unravel his budget for almost three hours. But he kept the charm and manners of a regency princeling throughout.
The committee tried to unravel his budget for almost three hours. But he kept the charm and manners of a regency princeling throughout.
In rare cases when he was unable or unwilling to reply, he offered to write.
He laughed at their horrible jokes.
For the life of me, I couldn’t work out why he looked so happy. Then, it hit me.
Being there saved him from attending the Cop26 snoozeathon. Jackpot!
Dishi arrived shortly before 3pm in the black suit and black tie combination that appears to have become his uniform.
All part of building the brand. Can a Sunak doll be far behind this?
He was accompanied by two fresh-faced Treasury bods, Dan York-Smith, director of strategy, and Conrad Smewing (director of public spending).
Uninformed observers might mistake them for two work experience lads.
Let’s see if Rishi’s still smiling by the next election, when we’ve all felt the brunt of his tax rises
Mr Stride was formerly chief secretary of the Treasury and speaks the language used by the Treasury
Mel Stride (Con), Central Devon was the committee chairman and he was responsible for much early bowling.
Mr Stride is a former chief secretary to the Treasury and speaks the language.
Stride was curious to know more about the fiscal targets Rishi had outlined in his Budget.
He wondered what was keeping his awake at night.
The Chancellor smiled and twiddled the pen.
Judging by his nonchalance, I’m not sure he loses sleep over anything.
He felt he had a ‘better than a cat in hell’s chance’ of hitting his targets. Well, that’s comforting.
Tax cuts were much discussed.
Stride wasn’t sure why Sunak had declared himself to be a low-tax Chancellor but barely cut any in the Budget.
Rishi said something about adjusting universal credit’s taper rates.
The sound of spluttering was suddenly heard at the horseshoe tables. The committee were perching around.
‘That’s not a tax cut!’ squawked Siobhain McDonagh (Lab, Mitcham and Morden) ‘That’s a benefit adjustment!’
Siobhain McDonagh accused Sunak of idolising Margaret Thatcher but being more like Ted Heathand presiding over a low-growth, high-tax economy
Her arms were folded crosswise. She accused Sunak that she idolized Margaret Thatcher, but that he was more like Ted Heath, and presided over a low growth, high-tax economy.
The Chancellor’s once-languid body language now seized up.
His shoulders stiffened. He tenderly rubbed his other arm.
McDonagh would sometimes get a nervy look from him. It was as though he’d been buttonholed at a cocktail party by the guest from hell.
The pyrotechnics quickly ceased when Angela Eagle (Lab Wallasey), was invited as a speaker.
Miss Eagle, as you will be able to see, has a monotone so strong that it could cause flowers to wilt in a vase.
She wanted to reduce government waste. ‘We could talk about test and trace,’ Eagle droned.
‘Well, I can’t because I wasn’t the minister responsible,’ Rishi interjected hurriedly. Translation: Blame Hancock.
It was hard going at times, but it was worth it. The irrepressible Rishi kept going regardless
Eagle inquired about the manifesto-busting move to end the triple lock pensions. What was it going to do for the Government?
Rishi passed this on to Conrad. He shot him a look as if to say, ‘Sorry, pal.’ Conrad smiled nervously. ‘Er, it’s £6billion a year,’ he replied.
‘I think,’ said Eagle tartly, ‘you’ll find it works out at £30.5billion over the next five years.’ Same thing, of course, though the boys were too polite to point that out.
It was hard going at times, but it was worth it. The irrepressible Rishi kept going.
Let’s see if he’s still smiling by the next election, when we’ve all felt the brunt of his tax rises.