John Healey Just Lost Control
Yesterday, in a mad moment of optimism, I suggested Healey might go easy on the tax hikes next Wednesday. Those were the signals coming out of Number 11, with suggestions the chancellor would deliver a "do no harm" Budget on October 28. Given all the harm Rachel Reeves inflicted during her two horror Budgets, that would be a step up. Doing actual good is too much to ask for, I suppose, especially from a Labour chancellor. But it's better than the outright vandalism we've seen.
TL;DR
- Initial optimism suggested Chancellor Healey might ease tax hikes.
- The expectation was for a "do no harm" Budget.
- This was considered an improvement over previous Budgets.
- The optimism has faded, and tax hikes are now expected.
- The author criticizes the potential for "outright vandalism".