The date of that was 14th November. The speech she gave at Downing street was on the 4th November. At that speech she made no reference to improved forecasts, but we now know she had them at that point. That is where people claim she has misled them. Had she said at that point productivity is down but tax take is up so we are better off overall, nobody would have a stick to beat her with. As it stands, on the 4th November she left key information out and left it unsaid for 10 days. Some might argue we only got the article on the 14th because the FT had already been running stories about the change of heart on income tax rises. None of this changes my opinion on the budget. But calling that breakfast news conference was quite extraordinary, and now to understand only part of the picture was shared is problematic imo.
That's more or less it. Sleight of hand. You might get away with it in many other circumstances. But not when you're the chancellor. Whatever excuses are made, the most important people are the bond markets. And they are not happy having been played.
. I have to say, that statement makes me very sad indeed and pretty much says it all ... ... no wonder I choose to live in my own happy little bubble.
