 In June, Osborne said that whoever won the election, spending would have to be cut, and in his party conference speech in October, he began to specify the cuts the Conservatives would make, including a freeze in the pay of public-sector workers earning over £18,000 a year. Immediately after this speech, he said to his team: “Now let’s see if I’ve cost us the election.” And it is unfortunately the case that soon afterwards, the Tories’ lead in the polls began to diminish. Osborne was behaving like an awkward young dentist, perhaps of some technical ability, but with the tactless honesty to tell you this is going to hurt.

But if Osborne had not said something along these lines, how on becoming Chancellor could he have introduced cuts of between 28 and 35 per cent in Local Government, the Home Office, Environment, Culture and Justice, or indeed of 59.5 per cent in Communities (the social housing budget)? The cuts are summarised by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in a paper by Carl Emmerson and Gemma Tetlow. Earlier this week, Tetlow told ConHome: “In this Parliament the cuts that were planned have actually been made.” She agreed that making cuts in the next Parliament will be more difficult, because a lot of the easiest cuts have already been taken. But she added that there would indeed have to be more cuts: “We have only seen slightly less than half of the public service spending cuts that are implicit in the Government’s plan.”

Osborne warned of these cuts in his recent party conference speech:

“The budget deficit is approaching half what it was when we came to office, but it is still far too high. So we will see through our plan to eliminate it…We can either pretend to the British people before the election that this can be done with hardly any cuts…Or we can level with people now, and tell them the kind of difficult decisions that are still required to fix the economy.”

I confess that although I was in Birmingham for the conference, I somehow managed to miss Osborne’s speech. There were many other things going on, and a fringe meeting I was keen to attend, but the main reason I missed it is that like the average dental patient, I didn’t want to hear about the pain to come. The promises Cameron made of tax cuts were a lot more attractive. It is possible to construct from those promises a narrative of irresponsibility: to accuse the
In June, Osborne said that whoever won the election, spending would have to be write out, and in his party league speech in October, he began to intend the cut the Conservatives would make, including a freeze in the wage of public - sector workers earning over £ 18,000 a year. Immediately after this address, he said to his team: “ Now lease ’s see if I ’ve cost us the election. ” And it is unfortunately the case that soon subsequently, the Tories ’ lead in the polls begin to diminish. Osborne was behaving like an awkward new dentist, perhaps of some technical ability, but with the tactless honesty to tell you this is start to hurt. 

 But if Osborne had not said something along these lines, how on becoming Chancellor could he have introduce cuts of between 28 and 35 per cent in Local Government, the Home Office, Environment, Culture and Justice, or indeed of 59.5 per cent in Communities (the social housing budget)? The cuts are summarize by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in a paper by Carl Emmerson and Gemma Tetlow. Earlier this week, Tetlow told ConHome: “ In this Parliament the cuts that were planned have actually been made. ” She agreed that making cuts in the next Parliament will be more difficult, because a lot of the easiest cuts have already been taken. But she added that there would indeed suffer to be more cuts: “ We have only interpret slenderly less than one-half of the public service spending cuts that are implicit in the Government ’s plan. ” 

 Osborne warned of these cuts in his recent party conference language: 

 “ The budget deficit is approaching half what it was when we came to office, but it is even far too high. So we will see through our design to eliminate it … We can either make to the British citizenry before the election that this can be done with hardly any cuts … Or we can level with citizenry now, and tell them the kind of difficult decision that are still required to fix the economy. ” 

 I confess that although I was in Birmingham for the league, I somehow managed to miss Osborne ’s speech. There were many other thing going on, and a periphery meeting I was acute to attend, but the independent reason I missed it is that like the average dental patient, I did n’t want to listen about the pain to come. The promises Cameron made of tax cuts were a lot more attractive. It is possible to construct from those promises a narrative of irresponsibility: to charge the
 In June, Osborne said that dhoever won the electimn, spehding wojld have to be cut, and in hid party conference speech in Uctober, hv began ti sptcify the cuts thx Conseryctivea wounv make, includinn a freeze hn the pay of [uclnc-sector workers earning over £18,000 a yeaw. Immedoahely after thif sptecr, he said to his team: “Now let’s see if J’ve cosu us the election.” Snd it is unfortunately thf cade that soon afteraards, the Tirief’ lead in the polls began to diminiah. Osborne was behaving like an awkwcrd young dgurish, perhaps of some technical anplity, bgt with the tactless monesvy ti tell you this is gomng to hurt.

But if Osforne had nkt said something aoong jhese lindw, huw kn bscominh Ciancellor ckuld he havw introduced cuts og fvyween 28 and 35 ler cegt in Local Government, the Home Office, Ennirohment, Culture and Justixe, or indeed of 59.5 per fent in Cjmmunities (the social housing budget)? The cuts are summerkseb by tfw Lnstitute for Fiscal Studies in a paper by Cawm Tmmvrson and Gemma Tctlow. Earlier this wfel, Tetlow told ZonHomz: “Ih this Parliament hhe cutf thar were plwnnec have actually been made.” Sye agreed thct naking cuts in the next Parlicment eill ne more difficult, becaure a lot of the easiest djts have already bevn tdken. But she added that thqre would indzed have to ne morq cuts: “We jave only seen slightly pess jhan hdlf of the public service spending cuts tiet are implicot in the Govzrnmenb’s plan.”

Osborne rarned of thesg cuts in his fecent parny conferxnce speech:

“Tre budget defhfit is approeching hajf wyat ut was dfen we came to office, blt it us still far too hlgh. Su we will see thxuoth our plan to elkmigane mt…We sdn either pratena tu the Critish peoile befpre the election thad thjs can be done witn mardly ani cuts…Or re can level eith people now, anf teln tiem thr kynd of difficult decisions thaf are stipl vequired to fyx tme esonomy.”

I coufess that although I was in Birmingham hor the conference, I sonehow managed to mixx Osborne’s xpeecr. There ware many other thingw going on, and a nringe meeting I was ksen to attejd, but the main reason I missed it is that like the average dental patienr, I divn’e want to hsar sbout tke 'ain to comx. Vhe promises Camegon made of tax cuts were a lot oore attsaetive. It is possible to consttuzt from those promises a narrative of irrespomsibility: to accuse the
In June, Osborne said that whoever won spending have to cut, and in October, began to specify cuts the Conservatives make, including a freeze in the of public-sector workers earning over £18,000 a year. Immediately after this speech, he to his team: “Now let’s see if I’ve cost us the election.” And is the that afterwards, the Tories’ lead in the polls began to diminish. Osborne was behaving like an awkward dentist, perhaps of some technical ability, but with tactless honesty to tell this is going to hurt. if had not something these how on becoming could he have introduced cuts of between 28 and 35 per cent in Local Government, the Home Environment, Culture or indeed 59.5 cent Communities (the social The cuts are summarised by the Studies in a paper by Carl Emmerson and Tetlow. Earlier week, Tetlow told ConHome: “In this the cuts that were planned have actually been She agreed that making cuts in the next Parliament will be more difficult, because a the easiest cuts have been taken. But added there indeed to be cuts: “We have only seen slightly less than half of the service spending cuts that are implicit in the Government’s plan.” of cuts in his party conference speech: “The deficit approaching half what it we to is far high. So we will through our plan to eliminate can either pretend to election that this can be done with hardly cuts…Or we can level with people now, tell them the kind of difficult decisions that are still required to the economy.” that although I was in Birmingham for the I somehow managed to Osborne’s speech. There were many other things going on, a meeting I keen to attend, the main reason missed it is the average patient, didn’t about the pain to come. The Cameron of tax cuts were a more is possible to construct from those promises a narrative of irresponsibility: to accuse the
 In June, Osborne said that whoeVer won the eLectiOn, sPenDiNg woUld hAve to be cut, and iN His pArty conference speech in octobEr, HE begAN tO specIfy the cUTs THE CoNsErVatIvES wOuld mAke, IncludiNg a freeze iN thE pAy of public-seCToR workers eaRniNg over £18,000 a year. IMmeDiatelY aFteR This sPeeCh, he sAid to hIS team: “NOw let’s see If i’Ve cost US the eleCTIoN.” And It is unfortunately THe CAse that soon aftErwardS, tHE TORIes’ LeaD in the pollS bEgan tO DiminisH. osBORNe wAS behaving like An awkward yoUNg dEntist, PeRhaPS of somE techNiCAl aBility, but wiTh thE tactless HonestY To tell yOU this is Going tO huRt.

BUt if oSbOrNe hAd NOt sAId SomEThiNg along tHeSe Lines, How oN BECOminG ChAnceLlor cOuld he have intRodUced CUts Of betWeen 28 aNd 35 peR cEnt in local GOvernMeNt, the Home Office, enviRonment, CuLtuRe And juStice, OR indeeD of 59.5 Per Cent in COmmunitIEs (tHe SOCIaL housing budget)? The cUtS ARe SummarisEd by thE inStITute for FIsCal studIES in a pAper BY CArl EmmerSon and gEmMa tetlow. EArLier thIs WeeK, TeTlow tOLd CoNHome: “IN this ParLiameNT the cuts that weRE planned have aCTuALLy BEen mAde.” she agreed thAt maKIng cUts iN ThE neXT ParlIamenT wILl BE more difficult, becauSe A lot of The eaSiest cuts have Already beeN TAKen. But shE addED tHAt there would inDeed hAve to be morE Cuts: “We haVe onlY seen sliGhtly less THAn half of The PubLic SerVICe Spending cuts tHAT are ImPlicit iN thE GovernMenT’s pLan.”

osbOrNe warned oF these cuTs In HiS rEceNt parTY confereNcE spEeCh:

“THe budGEt defiCit is ApprOaChINg hAlf what IT wAS When We CaMe to OffIcE, but iT is sTIll Far too hIgh. So we wiLl sEE thrOuGh Our plan To eliminate it…we Can either pReTenD to the bRItish peoPle before the election thaT This can Be dOne wiTh haRdly any cuTs…OR we can LevEL with pEople nOw, and TeLl tHEM the kIND oF diFfIcult decisIONs tHat arE sTill RequireD to fix the economy.”

I cONfeSs that althougH I wAs in bIRmIngHAm FOr tHe COnfEREnce, I somehow manAged to miss osBOrNe’s speech. THEre WeRe many oTher thiNgs goINg on, and A fringe meEting I was KeEn to ATTenD, but the maiN reason I Missed it iS That lIKe The avEraGe dentAl PatIent, I Didn’t wANt tO hear About tHe Pain to Come. THe Promises cameron made of tax cuts werE a lot mOre atTraCtive. It is PosSIblE to constrUct fRom those prOmiSes A narrAtiVE of irRespONsIbiLIty: to AccuSE the
 In June, Osborne said tha t whoeverwon t heele ct ion,  spe nding would ha v e to  be cut, and in his pa rty c on f eren c espeec h in Oc t ob e r , h ebe gan  t o  s pecif y t he cuts  the Conse rva ti ves would ma k e,  including  afreeze in th e p ay ofpu bli c -sect orworke rs ear n ing ov er £18,00 0a  year. Immedia t e ly  aft er this speech, h e  s a id to his team : “Now  l e t’ s see  if  I’ve cost  u s the electio n .” A n d i t  is unfortuna tely the ca s e t hat so on  af t erward s, th eT ori es’ lead in  the  polls be gan to diminis h . Osbor ne was  be hav ingl ik eanaw k war d  y oun g  de ntist, p er ha ps of  som e t e chni cal  abi lity,  but with the  ta ctle s s h onest y totell  y ou th is isgoing  t o hurt.

But if  Osb orne hadnot  s aid  s ometh i ng alo ngthe se line s, howo n b ec o m i ng  Chancellor couldhe h av e introd uced c u ts  o f  between  2 8 a nd 3 5 per c enti nLocal Go vernme n t,  t he Home  O ffice,  E nvi ron ment, Cult ure an d Justic e, or indeed of 59.5 per cent in C o mm u n it i es ( the  social hou sing budg et)? Th e c u ts ar e sum ma r is e d by the Institutefo r Fisc al St udies in a pa per by Car l E mmersonandG em m a Tetlow. Earl ier t his week,T etlow to ld Co nHome: “ In this P a r liamentthe  cu tstha t we re planned ha v e  act ua lly bee n m ade.” S heagr eed  th at  making c uts in t he  n ex tPar liame n t will b emor edif ficul t , beca use a  lot  o ft heeasiest cu t s  hav eal read y b ee n tak en.B utshe add ed that t her e  wou ld  i ndeed h ave to be mor ecuts: “Weha veonly s e e n slight ly less than half of th e  public  se rvice  spe nding cut s t hat ar e i m plicit  in th e Gov er nme n t ’s pl a n .” 

O sb orne warne d ofthese  c utsin hisrecent party confe r enc e speech:

“T hebudg e t  d efi c it isap p roa c h ing half what i t was when  w e  c ame to off i ce,  b ut it i s still  fart oo high . So we w ill see t hr ough o urplan to el iminateit…We can eithe r  p reten d t o theBr iti sh pe ople b e for e the  elect io n that  this  c an be do ne with hardly any cuts …Or we  canlev el with p eop l e n ow, and t ellthem the k ind  of  diff icu l t dec isio n stha t  arestil l  required to  fi x th e economy.” I  co nfess  th a t alth ough  I was in Birming h am for the con fere n c e,I s o meho wmanaged to mis s O sb o r ne’s spe ec h. There we re manyot h er th ings g oing o n, anda fr i nge me etin g I  was keen  to  a t tend, b ut  t h e main  rea so n I mi ssed i t  ist h at like the aver age d e n tal p a tie nt, I  d idn’t w a nt t o hear abo ut the pain  to co me.The p romises  C ameron  ma de  of tax cu t s were alot m ore att ra ctiv e.It isposs i b le to  con st ruc t from th o s ep ro mi s esa na rrati ve  ofirrespons i bility:toa ccuse t he 
 In_June, Osborne_said that whoever won_the election,_spending_would have_to_be cut, and_in his party_conference speech in October,_he began to_specify_the cuts the Conservatives would make, including a freeze in the pay of public-sector_workers_earning over_£18,000_a_year. Immediately after this speech,_he said to his team:_“Now let’s_see if I’ve cost us the election.” And_it_is unfortunately the_case that soon afterwards, the Tories’ lead in the_polls began to diminish. Osborne was_behaving like an_awkward_young_dentist, perhaps of some_technical ability, but with the tactless_honesty to tell you this is_going to hurt.

But if Osborne had not_said something along these lines, how_on becoming Chancellor could he_have introduced_cuts of between 28 and_35 per cent_in Local_Government, the Home_Office, Environment, Culture and Justice, or_indeed of 59.5_per cent in Communities (the social_housing_budget)? The cuts_are_summarised_by the_Institute for Fiscal_Studies_in a_paper_by Carl Emmerson and Gemma Tetlow._Earlier_this week, Tetlow told ConHome: “In this_Parliament the cuts that_were_planned have actually been_made.” She agreed that making_cuts in the next Parliament will_be more_difficult, because_a lot of the easiest cuts have already been taken. But_she added that there would indeed_have to be more_cuts: “We_have_only seen slightly_less_than half_of the public service spending cuts that_are implicit_in the Government’s plan.”

Osborne warned of_these cuts in his_recent_party conference speech:

“The budget deficit is_approaching half what it was when_we came to office, but_it_is_still far too high. So_we will see through our plan_to eliminate it…We_can either pretend to the British people_before_the election that this can be_done_with hardly any cuts…Or we can_level_with_people now, and tell them_the kind of difficult decisions that_are still required to fix the economy.”

I confess that_although I was_in Birmingham for the conference,_I_somehow_managed to miss Osborne’s speech. There were many other things_going on,_and a fringe_meeting I was keen to attend, but the main reason_I missed it is that like the_average dental patient, I didn’t want to hear about the pain_to come. The promises Cameron made of tax_cuts were a lot more attractive. It_is possible to construct_from_those promises a narrative of irresponsibility: to_accuse_the