Few speeches receive as much attention before their delivery as a Budget speech. And when that Budget speech, delivered by the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, is deemed an emergency then the sense of anticipation is palpable.
The new Chancellor, George Osborne MP, has sought the advice of previous Chancellors in the run-up to this speech. Their views are unanimous. A well-received budget is bad for the economy; and a poorly-received budget is good for the economy! Pain is good when you are the Chancellor.
So with the voices of earlier incumbents ringing in his ears, George Osborne’s speech had better be tough. It’s a speech that will be analysed, dissected and probed far more than any other speech you can expect to give. Every comment, detail and nuance will be considered by his immediate audience and the country as a whole.
It’s a surreal public speaking event, but one that always generates interest.
