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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
John Crace

We survived Rachel Reeves’s ‘exciting plans’, but newts and bats may not

Rachel Reeves speaking at the lectern
Cheerful Rachel, awkwardly, is Shouty Rachel. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters

And twenty-thirdly … Any Rachel Reeves speech is always going to be something of an ordeal. As much for her as anyone listening. A battle for meaning. Music to the ears of insomniacs. Tractor production is up again.

In fairness, you could say that none of this matters. You don’t pick a chancellor because she can deliver a decent speech. You pick her for her grasp of detail and understanding of macroeconomics. A serious subject demands a serious politician. Someone who can walk the walk. Even if she struggles with talking the talk.

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