Is it risky for the Chancellor to attack Trump?

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Apr 16, 2026

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ANECDOTE

Phil Willis Funeral Left A Strong Personal Impression

Ed Balls recounts attending Phil Willis's funeral where Tony Blair and Gordon Brown spoke and many were moved.
He reflects that Willis did important but under-recognised work, making the service deeply poignant for family and friends.

ANECDOTE

Osborne Reflects On Hungarian Roots And Orbán Meetings

George Osborne describes a Washington trip meeting high‑level figures and recalling his Hungarian roots and meetings with Viktor Orbán over decades.
He traces Orbán's transformation from liberal hero to cronyism and corruption concerns.

INSIGHT

US Iran Talks Could Yield A Face Saving Nuclear Deal

The US and Iran sat down directly for the first time in decades, producing a ceasefire and possible follow-up talks led by the US vice president in Islamabad.
George Osborne says this may lead to a durable deal focused on nuclear language and face-saving measures rather than regime change.

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The Middle East conflict raged on during our Easter break and George Osborne comes back to us with news from Washington and word from friends in high places, like incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. He and Ed Balls discuss the failed peace talks from George’s other mate, JD Vance, and where things go from here.

They then weigh in on the UK’s shifting tone towards the Trump administration, and why they’re becoming more critical. It’s aiding them for now, but will it come back to bite them? The ongoing defence spending dilemma also rears its head with Labour peer George Robertson openly critcising the Government. The pair predict this will come to be the biggest challenge for Rachel Reeves and the Treasury in this year’s budget.

Earlier this week the International Monetary Fund forecast that Britain would be one of the countries worst hit by the Iran war. Ed explains why he disagrees with this assessment, and how the Bank of England can avoid debilitating inflation. George cautions that Reeves is in a tough spot, and faces some unpopular choices should the IMF’s forecast come to fruition.

Finally, George sheds some light on emerging cybersecurity threats particularly Anthropic’s Mythos model. Alarms are ringing in Washington over this model, with the new threats of AI on defence and security becoming clear. George highlights the risk and opportunity inherent in these technological innovations, and they call for regulation as these models become more and more advanced.

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