George Osborne is the most over-rated politician in Britain

Many moons ago, Charles J Haughey, Taoiseach of the 26 free counties, bestowed a great compliment upon an up-and-coming young Fianna Fail politician. Bertie Ahern, Haughey observed, was the coming force: “He’s the man. He’s the best, the most skilful, the most devious, and the most cunning of them all.” Now, granted, that kind of praise was akin to Jimmy Savile suggesting you have a great future in children’s entertainment but the point, nonetheless, was made. Bertie Ahern was a cute hoor who could cute and hoor with the best of them.

I often think of Haughey’s praise for Ahern at this time of year. Because this is, invariably, the time of year when stocks in George Osborne soar to fresh and improbable heights. The Chancellor, people insist on claiming, is the cleverest, most dastardly, most devious, most adept political strategist of his generation. A veritable political genius, no less!

Well, maybe. For years now Osborne has made a virtue of missing his own targets.