Feature: The man often dubbed 'the best prime minister we never had' was once a staunch critic of Tony Blair, calling for him to stand down in favour of Gordon Brown five years ago... more
Revenge, they say, is a dish best served cold. This is a Sicilian coinage and it means exacting vengeance in a cool and emotionally detached way, usually long after the original perceived slight has been committed. Being a Scot, Gordon Brown knows all about revenge... more
Chancellor George Osborne is even now considering just how much good news he might be able to afford to give us in next Wednesday's Budget. There's more than a strong possibility that drivers will get some kind of relief against soaring petrol and diesel prices. Whisky drinkers might even get a modest discount on the rise in duty on their favourite dram... more
The most toxic thing about bankers’ bonuses is that they hold up to ridicule the concept of shared pain by which the Government sets so much store... more
Two weeks ago, Bank of England monetary policy committee member Andrew Sentance decided to go public with his concerns about inflation, and his fears that it was just too virulent for this stage in the economic cycle... more
Budget: Single family pocketing £104,000 in housing benefit to live in Mayfair district was cited by George Osborne as evidence of the welfare state running out of control... more
City Comment: Nobody wants to pay more tax, but the vehemence with which high earners have reacted to the 50% top rate is a surprise to those like me who spent their first decade at work when it was 83% ... more
Though Tory leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne seem increasingly confused about what to do when in power to tackle the public sector deficit and associated mountain of debt, there is no reason for the rest of us to be in the dark... more
How very different yesterday’s Pre-Budget Report was from Alistair Darling’s first as Chancellor in October 2007, when he proudly boasted that Britain is “the fastest growing advanced major economy in the world”... more
It does not really matter what the Conservatives talk about in Manchester this week because it is almost certain it will not cover the one thing everyone wants to hear about ... more
If Cheltenham races can be blown off course, then what chance has the Chancellor? The tax rates and spending plans were set a year ago by the man sitting next to him, and all he could do yesterday was to catch the flak. ... more
Alistair Darling will drink plain tap water in the Commons when he delivers his first Budget next week - in support of the Evening Standard's Water On Tap campaign... more
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