What would a Tory budget that is actually good for the country look like? Here’s an idea

‘This is an imaginary reminder of how democracy is badly served by politicians pandering to prejudices peddled by a rightwing press.’ Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman and Jeremy Hunt during prime minister’s questions in the House of Commons. Photograph: Andy Bailey/UK Parliament/AFP/Getty Images

Let’s imagine this. The prime minister and the chancellor are men of good intent who want to do their best for Britain in hard times: they promise brave and unpopular decisions. Privately they know how much their party is to blame. But they use this last chance to leave a better legacy.

These realists can read political runes as well as spreadsheets, so they see their chance of winning the next election is not far from zero. Freed from fear of defeat, they decide to seize this rare two-year chance to correct longstanding toxic issues ducked by all parties fearing electoral retribution. Yes, it’s only a thought experiment, but let’s imagine just a few reforms that are long overdue, left undone through all parties’ political cowardice.