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Category: Budget

Why I am not playing budget bingo this year

Why I am not playing budget bingo this year

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William Hill budget bingo pic.twitter.com/9z1SjyOJo8 — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) March 8, 2017 .@SportingIndex budget betting https://t.co/rSKroIPwt1 pic.twitter.com/pqJnXS9FjF — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) March 8, 2017 The novelty of this year’s budget, which takes place after PMQs at about 1245, is that George Osborne is neither Chancellor nor shadow chancellor – the first time this has happened since 2005. So few people have held the shadow or actual position that you have to go back nearly a quarter of a century to…

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Copeland and Stoke Central – the final push

Copeland and Stoke Central – the final push

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A round up of some of the literature Latest LD communication delivered in Copeland looking like a freebie paper pic.twitter.com/kfgopx1T3s — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) February 19, 2017 CON A3 leaflet delivered yesterday in Copeland on this final weekend pic.twitter.com/KQW1fJF0hT — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) February 19, 2017 LAB wrap round ad in local Copeland paper which obviates need for activists to deliver pic.twitter.com/nveukghAZl — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) February 19, 2017 Just 3 days left with so much hanging in the balance…

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Theresa May’s big speech – a round up of reaction

Theresa May’s big speech – a round up of reaction

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Theresa May promises a Parliamentary vote on @Brexit, but what does that mean? We explain https://t.co/SvqS1P6UEa pic.twitter.com/uVzopLB3Yb — Bloomberg (@business) January 17, 2017 PM now on phone to Tusk who says UK approach now "more realistic" https://t.co/VFExNl61GO — Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) January 17, 2017 The Front National loved May's speech https://t.co/J7IkSmoh7i — Alberto Nardelli (@AlbertoNardelli) January 17, 2017 When Downing Street briefed they were expecting May's speech to cause "market correction" did they mean upwards? https://t.co/NVl8w4NRk9 pic.twitter.com/81gAFzQ6nX — Ben Chu…

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Cameron’s first policy resignation: IDS quits

Cameron’s first policy resignation: IDS quits

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But it’s Osborne in the firing line There are two easy assumptions that need dismissing about IDS’s resignation yesterday. Firstly, this is not a power gambit on Duncan Smith’s part; and secondly, his going is not to do with Europe. The two in fact tie together. There could be – and perhaps already is – an explanation that runs thus: IDS has really quit because he is upset by how the Remain side is conducting the European debate; in leaving…

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LAB in lead for first time since last May as the Tories pay the price for being split

LAB in lead for first time since last May as the Tories pay the price for being split

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YouGov post budget LAB 34 CON 33 LD 6 UKIP 16 Osborne's own ratings as Chancellor now back to quite strongly negative (bad job 46% good job 23%). 51% think the gvt handling economy badly — Sam Coates Sky (@SamCoatesSky) March 17, 2016 More detail from Times story on its YouGov poll pic.twitter.com/hXp0reb6l8 — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) March 17, 2016 The YouGov LAB lead poll follows Monday's ICM phone survey which had LAB & CON level pegging — Mike Smithson…

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The first post budget electoral tests: Three CON Local By-Election defences

The first post budget electoral tests: Three CON Local By-Election defences

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Aylsham (Con defence) on Broadland Result of council at last election (2015): Conservatives 43, Liberal Democrats 4 (Conservative majority of 39) Result of ward at last election (2015): Emboldened denotes elected Conservatives 1,588, 1,513, 1,125 (32%) Liberal Democrats 1,521, 1,065, 926 (31%) Labour 1,082 (22%) United Kingdom Independence Party 719, 658 (15%) Candidates duly nominated: Christopher Jenner (Lab), Steve Riley (Lib Dem), Hal Turkmen (Con) Ashby de la Launde and Cranwell (Con defence) on North Kesteven Result of council at…

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A budget for the referendum and Osborne’s career ambitions

A budget for the referendum and Osborne’s career ambitions

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The measures designed for a REMAIN outcome Perhaps the most astute post budget observation was contained in this Tweet from the political academic Tim Bale. Which voters are most likely to favour staying in the EU? Comfortable middle classes & young people. So who does best out of #Budget2016? — Tim Bale (@ProfTimBale) March 16, 2016 Perhaps more than anybody Osborne’s career is very much tied up with REMAIN winning the referendum in three months time and who could blame…

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Alastair Meeks says George Osborne’s star is dimming

Alastair Meeks says George Osborne’s star is dimming

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What the Chancellor should do if he wants the top job The last few months have not been good for George Osborne.  When he rose to give the last budget in July, he looked like a man ready to take over the top job.  Following the general election he had been appointed First Secretary of State, recognising his place as second among equals.  He had carved out a distinct policy agenda of his own within government on the northern powerhouse. …

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