Ever keen to show that there’s a man lurking behind the Spreadsheet, Chancellor Philip Hammond usually uses his Budget speech to crack a few jokes, and try to convince the country he possesses a sense of humour. This year was no exception, but whether he managed to achieve anything close to comedy, Mr S will leave readers to decide. Here are the best (yes, these were the best) and worst gags from his Budget speech this year:
1.
‘I’m sure like me, many Members of the House keenly remember the last Budget that was delivered on a Monday. It was 1962. I was six years old. Tensions between Russia and the United States were rising. And a former foreign secretary turned Chancellor delivered a budget amid cabinet revolt. Mr Deputy Speaker I am acutely aware of the phenomenon of false memory, but I could swear I remember my parents turning to me and saying, Philip, one day that could be you.’
2.
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