The Spectator

As seen in the New Statesman. 'Right, how about…' The Prime Minister's face is a mask of sweat. 'How about… 1p off the price of every Freddo… if you… ehhh… if you do… do at least ten hours of community work a month?' Preparations for the Budget are down to the wire. The PM's people had called me for a comms debrief with Andy and the Chancellor ahead of the statement to the House. But when I arrive at No. 11, it quickly becomes apparent that I would be getting much more than I'd bargained for. Sitting on a bottle-green Chesterfield sofa covered in briefing papers, Andy rummages through a Co-op plastic bag he has cradled under his arm and produces a pack of chocolate Hobnobs. 'These used to be a quid, now you'd be lucky to get two for a fiver.' ✍️ Connor McCabe Article | spectator.com/article/the-se…