John McDonnell’s U-turn was typical of the peril that can befall the treasury opposition brief. At least he knew, as his predecessor did, when to stop digging
It is proving quite a month for chancellors and shadow chancellors. The symmetry with which Geoffrey Howe, chancellor 1979-83, followed Denis Healey, chancellor 1974-79, both in life and in death (they died within a week of each other) was remarkable.
They both lived to a ripe old age – Healey to 98 and Howe to 88 – and got on famously, despite the oft-quoted jibe by Healey that being attacked by Sir Geoffrey (as he then was) in parliament was like being savaged by a dead sheep.
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