Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt can’t afford to be too harsh with cuts and tax hikes

There is a wry saying among medical professionals: “The operation was a success – but the patient died.”

Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt will have to be very careful that their crucial budget this week doesn’t produce the same result.

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Britain’s panting economy is clearly in need of a heavy dose of medicine.

But the prime minister and chancellor cannot afford to be too harsh with cuts and tax hikes, or they risk driving investment out of that country for good.

Without initiatives from UK and foreign companies we will end up paying off debt forever without ever creating enough growth to get rid of it.

Mr. Hunt paints a very bleak picture on this page today.

After the fantasy politics of Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, his honesty is welcome.

But just because Ms. Truss failed doesn’t mean it’s wrong to seek long-term growth.

This week’s budget will be a very delicate balance.

Yes, surgery must be performed to stop inflation.

But in the end the country must be alive.

By all means, staunch the wounds, Chancellor.

But please don’t leave the UK economy dead on arrival.

Angela restrains herself

NO ONE could accuse Angela Rayner of being a shrinking violet.

Least of all the deputy labor leader herself.

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You may recall her apologizing after attacking “Tory scum”.

Or hearing her brag, “I’m incredibly proud to be here as a red-headed Northerner who promises to always be outspoken.”

Ms Rayner has also revealed how “people like Barbara Castle have inspired me to say what you mean and mean what you say”.

What does this opinionated leftist arsonist think about the single most contentious issue in British politics?

In an interview this weekend, she says of Brexit: “I didn’t have a particularly strong opinion either way.”

This bland comment brings back memories of Labour’s tortuous fence-sitting in the dark days of Jeremy Corbyn’s disastrous leadership.

The party’s weasel contortions were precisely the reason Red Wall voters left Labor in droves.

With the likes of Ms. Rayner at his side, don’t expect it to be any different under Keir Starmer.