To balance the books, Johnson must divide his party

Every week, the papers report a new tax supposedly under consideration by the Treasury. This week, it’s the idea of an online sales tax. The suggestion being that a tax on internet shopping could serve as a potential replacement for business rates. While No. 11 is keen to play down the likelihood of its happening, the charge has something in common with other recently mooted taxes: it has divided opinion in the Tory party.

When West Midlands mayor Andy Street took to social media to praise the proposal as an initiative that ‘can level the playing field with online retailers & local businesses’, Conservative MP Lucy Allan was quick to respond with her opposition to it – suggesting businesses must not be punished for adapting and moving online. This exchange is a taste of things to come.

As the Chancellor faces the prospect of a deficit for the financial year forecast at more than £300 billion, he and his team are beginning to consider how to eventually balance the books.