Rachel Reeves can’t win, can she?

[anothervoter]

After days and days of negative press and chatter about income tax going up, complaints on Mumsnet and across the media, today’s reports are that idea might be dropped and now she’s being accused of rattling the markets and making the cost of borrowing increase.

Honestly, genuine question- what can she do?

Seems to me that its the media throwing about these proposed taxes, this was done before the last GE, before the last budget too.

I'm not saying there isn't some kite flying but you only have to look at where these stories first appear, to know their origin.

I think you maybe mistaken.

The OBR has NOT confirmed this:

• The OBR found that an estimated £9.5 billion of additional spending pressures were known to the Treasury in February 2024 but were not disclosed to the OBR ahead of its March 2024 forecast.

Then there is things such as the state of the Prisons, Defence spend, Compensation pay outs, even tariffs.

None of these were ever planned for.

It does as that was Labour’s method for some bizarre reason. Chaotic and damaging.

Yes of course you are right. We all believe and trust this Chancellor in what she says. Of course. Which is why she is the most popular and successful Chancellor on record.

RR probably should have stopped herself doing that highly unusual pre budget speech to the media then.

But you don’t believe the OBR. Who do you believe? There’s healthy scepticism and then there’s obdurate denial in the face of facts.

The OBR confirmed that all the information was out there. Sorry. I know its being used as a shield by RR.

Even if there was a BH (which I don't believe along with most of the country). Why has she increased it to £50billion? Shes obviously not very good at being a Chancellor is she? Missed the £22 billion one (allegedly) and then proceeded to more than double it. And wrecked lives along the way.

So Reeves was lying before the election when she said in public constantly the government plans were unfunded, you imply she actually thought that they were.

And lets not forget that at least £10bn of the gap were the sweeties given to the public sector which were part of the fully costed and funded plans she had.

Yep

Plus she didn't have to follow the "hope for a miracle" strategy of leaving the budget to the last possible moment she could.

The OBR confirmed the reverse. I’ve posted the evidence - twice. You probably believe the earth is flat. There’s absolutely no point in discussing anything with someone who refuses to acknowledge evidenced fact.

So Reeves was lying before the election when she said the tory plan was unfunded. Maybe we should just have let them get on with it then, and saved ourselves all this hassle.

@Blossomtoes

Ive looked at your "evidence" such as it is. It does not prove what you are saying. The OBR have confirmed that all the information was available to RR before the election. Nothing was hidden.

The flat earther comment was rather rude and unfair. I just dont agree with you or what you think you have "proven". Doesn't mean I am stupid or you are cleverer than anyone else on here.

We politely read the comments of the few Labour fans left on MN. But most reasonable people in the UK have got fed up with governments bullshitting and gaslighting us. And making things up for political spin. As if that increases trust. No one trusts a word they say. And that's why they will not succeed in much during this Parliament. The £22billion black hole is just the same as the £350million to the NHS bus. Infuriating.

The OBR have confirmed that all the information was available to RR before the election.

OK. Show me the evidence.

Yep well said.

The IFS confirmed the information was out there for anyone who cared to look. The OBR would presumably have to agree with that unless it is incompetent.

RR just isn't a very good economist. There's nothing wrong with that in a person unless you lie on your CV to become Chancellor. And have no one else good at economics by your side.

So now the OBR “presumably would have to agree” with the IFS although it categorically knew a moment ago. So can I see the evidence, please? IFS or OBR or any other credible source will do - just post a link.

They twist and they turn. Just look uo the IFS comments. It hardly matters. If the information was out there it was out there. And RR either lied or couldn't understand it. Either way its not a good look for the UKs most popular Chancellor.

It may surprise you but I am a fair person. The conservatives were doing badly (not as bad as Labour we can now see) and it was time for a change. But I do think the TTBPBH was a big mistake by RR. It clearly is a lie for political spin and just annoyed people. I want the UK to do well. I want Labour to do a good job and stop making excuses for their own failure and stop spinning. The party of Alistair Campbell is alive but not well.. they just arent very good at spin and the electorate is too cynical now.

It’s you who’s twisting and turning. I’ve simply asked you to evidence an assertion you’ve been making for days. Either you can’t because it doesn’t exist or you won’t because you’re playing some kind of perverse game.

I ve just showed you that the Tory Govt did not provide all the information to the OBR.
You on the other just say they did... who are we to believe?

Plus, you said earlier that defence is the no1 priority of any Govt - How was that going to be paid for?

& all the other new commitments Labour could never have known about? Prisons for example.

You seem unable to accept any facts other than the ones you make up.

It may surprise you but I am a fair person. The conservatives were doing badly (not as bad as Labour we can now see)

Fair? i needed a laugh on this frosty morning!!

Really? the growth Labour have given us in their 1st 16months is higher than the Tories gave us in their last 16months, which included a recession in 2023.

& "Growth" seems to be the no1 thing a Govt is judged on.

They are also starting to put right some of our crumbling public services, spending a lot more on defence, something the Tories only ever cut.

Cons left us with interest rates at 5%, they are now 4%, good news for anyone with a mortgage & will fall further.

Migration too down from 1.2m under Sunak, now 345k.

Here is your "growth".

Interest rates are due to inflation, it isn't a good thing!

The most unpopular PM and Chancellor since records began. I suppose that is an achievement of sorts.

You're missing the big picture. The information was out there. RR just didn't understand it, didn't bother to look for it or lied. One or all of those three.

Prioritise defence over the Chagos deal, HS2, DEI and net zero costs.

They are the government. They need to stop blaming the bigger boys and get on with the job. Or resign. Which is probably what should happen.

Ah nice bit of selective graph there!!

Why don't you post the full 16months, instead of just the bit that makes then Cons look good?
Perhaps the Q3 and Q4 recession in 2023?

Thought not.