Has the reaction to the Winter Fuel Payment cut scared Labour from making more big budget moves on welfare? And what ever happened to the tradition of the Chancellor knocking back a brandy while delivering the Budget? Ed and George discuss the best drinks of choice when outlining an economic plan to the nation… and what other Treasury traditions are in place.

Plus, is it a brief, is it a leak or is it just a plain old trail? The pair breakdown the terms and mull some of the most famous, career-ending leaks in British political history.

And with the US election just over a week away, what is the level of support for Donald Trump amongst the UK population? Do more Brits than we think secretly admire the Republican nominee’s approach?

Finally, for all you listeners desperate to join our Record Club, Ed has followed up his first suggestion of Kuunnelmia by Jukka Perko with another Scandi recommendation: Hoven Droven.

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producer: Rosie Stopher, Miriam Hall and Danny Garlick

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frenemies George Osborne and Ed Balls talk about great political friendships and rivalries. What was the unspoken understanding between former Prime Minister David Cameron and George that made their allegiance last? And which Conservative friendships were soured by Brexit?

They answer the question: Are economists just making it up as they go along? How can Rachel Reeves just change the definition of fiscal rules? And with questions from all over the world this week, Ed and George ponder: should we be rethinking about how we teach second languages?

You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!

Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.

Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency

Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producer: Rosie Stopher, Miriam Hall and Danny Garlick

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.