Philip Hammond blinks, but Jeremy Corbyn still can’t score

Chancellor Philip Hammond’s announcement today that he was backtracking on his proposed increases in National Insurance contributions came as a shock. Despite the fierce backlash against this rise since the Budget, the reversal makes Hammond – and the government – look weak and indecisive, while raising questions about the tension between the Treasury and Number 10. But could the opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn capitalise on such instability? He could not.

You can hear me discussing Hammond’s dilemma and Corbyn’s lack-lustre performance with Ed Bowsher from Share Radio below.

Needless to say, it was an open goal, and Corbyn missed it.