Best of the Spectator Quite right!: Rachel Reeves’s Budget ‘bollocks’ & Britain’s everyday crime crisis
Nov 5, 2025
Rachel Reeves stirs controversy with her Downing Street address, hinting at potential tax rises while defending her party’s economic stance. The hosts debate the implications of these political moves amidst ongoing economic strife, rejecting Brexit as the sole villain. A chilling surge of violence raises alarms about nihilistic crime in Britain, questioning public tolerance for petty offenses in a climate of anarcho-tyranny. Finally, a playful discussion ensues over Halloween and Bonfire Night, sparking cultural debates on tradition versus modernity.
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Pre-Budget Softening Strategy
- Rachel Reeves used an early Downing Street address to 'soften up' the public ahead of the Budget.
- Michael Gove says the speech framed blame and preserved political cover for likely tax rises.
Don't Leak Drastic Tax Plans
- Avoid signalling extreme measures like an exit tax before implementing them because leaks spook investors and residents.
- Gove warns that announcing punitive moves would push wealth and investment abroad.
Markets And Ministerial Insurance
- Reeves aims to reassure markets while consolidating her own position on fiscal balance.
- Gove argues this positions her as essential to prevent market panic and protect the pound.