Electoral Dysfunction Is the government gaslighting us over tax rises?
Nov 28, 2025
A political earthquake erupts as a significant budget is revealed, driven by a dramatic leak from the Office for Budget Responsibility. Tensions rise after Kemi Badenoch's fiery response, stirring debates about tax rises and public trust. The hosts delve into how the leak skewed advantages, budget implications, and whether Labour’s actions breach prior manifesto promises. The discussion touches on public welfare measures, the perception of the party as a tax-rising entity, and the challenges of regaining voter trust amid contentious debates on tax and welfare reforms.
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OBR Leak Shifted Budget Dynamics
- The OBR accidentally publishing the fiscal forecast handed the opposition a huge advantage before the budget speech.
- That leak undermined Rachel Reeves's ability to control the narrative during delivery of the budget.
Watching The Moment Of The Leak
- Harriet and Ruth watched in the Peers Gallery as Torsten Bell passed a phone confirming the OBR leak.
- They saw Rachel Reeves absorb the news calmly before making her statement at the dispatch box.
Significant Tax Rises And Threshold Freezes
- The budget raised around £26bn more in taxes and extended threshold freezes, increasing the tax burden to a post-war high.
- These measures will drag hundreds of thousands into tax and expand higher-rate payers by about a million.