Political Currency When will Labour’s communication catastrophe end?
13 snips
Dec 4, 2025 Tensions continue as Labour grapples with the fallout from a disastrous budget leak. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is under scrutiny as criticism mounts over her communication failures. David Lammy proposes drastic jury reforms to tackle a justice backlog, sparking debate about civil liberties. The rise of far-right parties in Europe raises questions about the UK's political landscape and what Labour can learn from these shifts. Join the hosts as they dissect these pivotal moments and the implications for the future.
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Budget Optimism Lost To Mixed Messaging
- The OBR leak and conflicting messages turned a favourable fiscal position into a political catastrophe for Labour.
- Mixed signalling from the Treasury, media briefings and the OBR destroyed the budget's intended political narrative.
Independence Created Operational Weakness
- The OBR's desire to assert independence led to tech and process choices that created vulnerabilities.
- George Osborne warns that publicising pre-budget interactions risks damaging OBR-Treasury trust.
Use Good Forecasts To Own The Narrative
- If a forecast shows fiscal room, present that as evidence the plan is working and use it to own the narrative.
- Emphasise stability, fiscal rules adherence, and reframe policy choices as principled rather than panic-driven.
