
Politics Unpacked Reeves Drops A "Waffle Bomb"?
Nov 4, 2025
Libby Purves, a Times columnist known for her cultural insights, and James Marriott, a commentator on populism and society, delve into the implications of Rachel Reeves' pre-budget speech. They debate its clarity and the potential for tax increases, with James discussing how growth expectations influence democratic promises. The pair also tackle the effectiveness of blaming past governments and the appeal of populism through quick judgments. Additionally, they explore education access and the impact of curriculum changes on language studies.
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Reeves Signals Realism Amid Criticism
- Rachel Reeves signalled realism about difficult choices and implicitly prepared the public for tax rises.
- Libby Purves criticised the timing and called the speech a short "waffle bomb" that offered little new detail.
Growth Expectations Underpin Democratic Trust
- James Marriott argues democracy struggles when constant economic growth stops.
- He warns repeated broken promises erode public trust in democratic politics.
Blame As A Political Tool
- Blame can be politically effective and was used by Cameron and Osborne to justify austerity.
- Marriott suggests Labour missed an opportunity to consistently blame Brexit and the last Tory government earlier.




