Coffee House Shots Disraeli to Reeves: how each Chancellor drank their way through the Budget
Nov 29, 2025
James Heale, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator and a history buff, explores the unique drinking traditions of British Chancellors, from Disraeli's brandy to Reeves' modernity. He recounts tales of historical figures like Gladstone, Goschen, and Churchill, discussing their favorite tipples and significant budget moments. The conversation highlights the pressures facing today's chancellors, comparing Rachel Reeves' circumstances to those of her predecessors. They even speculate on what drink would suit Reeves, blending history with a humorous take on politics.
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Disraeli's Five-Hour Budget
- Benjamin Disraeli gave the longest recorded budget speech (five hours) and drank brandy and water to stay sober and warm.
- James Heale uses this to show old budgets were long, elite-focused performances rather than modern short technical statements.
Gladstone's Marathon Budgets
- William Gladstone delivered 12 budgets and once gave a single budget speech lasting four hours and 45 minutes.
- His sherry-and-beaten-egg tipple reflects the Victorian era's long oratorical style and intellectual appeals.
Churchill, Brandy And The Gold Standard
- Winston Churchill as Chancellor favoured neat brandy and famously presided over the 1925 decision to return to the gold standard after late-night dinners with Montagu Norman.
- James Heale links that choice to long-term economic consequences still debated a century later.
