Shropshire Star

Sober Chancellor delivers a sobering budget for difficult times

Churchill drank brandy while he delivered his budgets, Gladstone preferred sherry and beaten egg. Hugh Dalton liked a rum and milk, while Ken Clarke drank whisky.

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Screen grab of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivering her Budget to the House of Commons, London. Picture date: Wednesday October 30, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Budget. Photo credit should read: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire

Presenting her first budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves drank water. But you knew that already, didn't you? Our Rachel never comes across as much of a bon viveur. A sober chancellor giving a sober budget was the clear mood.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x97wwt8

There were attempts at humour, some successful, others less so. She got a decent laugh when she thanked previous chancellors for their counsel, 'including the former member for Spelthorne (Kwasi Kwarteng), who admitted his mini-budget wasn't perfect'.

Even her uber-earnest deputy, Chief Secretary Darren Jones, burst out laughing at that one. He's an interesting character our Dazza, he sat dutifully behind his boss, looking like a character from a bygone age. He's only 37, but with his immaculately brilliantined hair, and round tortoiseshell spectacles, he looks like he would be more at home in some period drama, sat behind a Churchill or an Attlee. I bet if he ever gets to deliver his budget, he will drink a small glass of port or something.