There is yet more speculation in the papers today about whether Osborne will be moved from his role as Shadow Chancellor. But it is almost certain that he won’t be. If David Cameron were to shift him he would be handing Labour, the press and his internal critics a major scalp. It would demonstrate that, under pressure, Cameron can be pushed into jettisoning even his closest political allies. We can debate if Osborne is the best choice for Shadow Chancellor until the cows come home, but this essential political reality cannot be ignored.
If Osborne is shuffled away from his job, it will suggest that Cameron’s confidence is shot. It would also mean that much of the criticism that is currently directed at Osborne would be redirected at Cameron; leadership speculation would, inevitably, soon start up in these circumstances.
As Fraser says in The News of the World, Osborne needs to get his response to the Pre-Budget Report right. He must show the country both what Labour is doing wrong and what the Tories would do differently. Every Tory should wish him well. Like it or not, Osborne’s fortunes and the prospects of Tory victory at the next election are inextricably interlinked.
Comments