It’s half-time in the Beergate versus Partygate contest. The current score, nil-nil, would suit both leaders perfectly.
The economy dominated PMQs. Unemployment, boasted Boris, has reached its lowest level since 1974. Great news. But inflation is at a peak last seen in 1982. Slow-footed Sir Keir didn’t mention that.
He pushed Labour’s pet-project, a windfall tax on the oil majors, which has been mishandled by ministers. Some flatly oppose it, others dither. Rishi Sunak won’t rule it out and Boris said today he was looking at ‘all measures.’ Why the wobble? Sir Keir predicted a U-turn and urged Boris to hurry up about it. The Tories have own-goaled this. If they bring it in, they’ll look weak. If they don’t, they’ll look mean. Game to Sir Keir. Unforced error.
Sir Keir is an incorrigible attention-seeker and he ruined his attack by prattling on when he should have kept quiet.
And he’s getting help from Tory disloyalists like William Haig who says he can’t wait to see taxes going up.
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