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George Osborne: It’s ‘touch and go’ if Kwasi Kwarteng survives

'I think I underestimated the ability of the government to blow itself up in its first few weeks of office'

(Credit: Channel 4)

George Osborne knows a thing or two about an omnishambles Budget. Having hiked taxes on pasties back in 2012, the then-chancellor was forced into a humiliating u-turn. So far, his successor Kwasi Kwarteng is holding his ground over his ‘mini Budget’. But how long can that last? Osborne’s verdict is that it might not be long before we get an answer to that question. 

‘I think I underestimated the ability of the government to blow itself up in its first few weeks of office’

Speaking on the Andrew Neil show on Channel 4, Osborne said it is now ‘touch and go whether the Chancellor can survive’ after the catastrophic fallout from his unfunded tax cuts:

‘I think I underestimated the ability of the government to blow itself up in its first few weeks of office.

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Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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