At this year’s Labour conference, John McDonnell went somewhat off message when the shadow chancellor announced at a fringe event that his party was ‘war-gaming’ for a ‘run on the pound’ if elected. Given that this hardly signs like a desirable outcome for a party of government, the shadow chancellor has since tried to retract his comments – claiming there will not be a run on the pound.
But that hasn’t stopped them ‘war-gaming’. On today’s Sunday Politics, Richard Barbrook, a key member of the McDonnell’s Treasury ‘war-gaming’ team, made an appearance to explain how he is helping prepare the party for power. Barbrook, who runs an organisation called ‘Class Wargames’, said it was important to plan in a ‘game-like’ atmosphere as you can re-iterate the game ‘again and again’ until you get it right.
Alas for all his talk on learning, Barbrook didn’t take so kindly to those who raised doubts over Labour’s financial proposals.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in