Cheered by backbenchers, Reeves’ headline pledge to scrap the two child benefit cap made for a party-appeasing Budget, writes Douglas Beattie

Rachel Reeves has sought to draw a line in the sand with her second Budget as Chancellor – unveiling a package of measures which are designed to move the country on from one era and belatedly kickstart another.

The extraordinary spectacle of the Budget leaking out by mistake via the OBR shortly before Reeves was due to speak simply added to the already heightened sense of Labour having a bumpy ride in office, amid talk of challenges to Keir Starmer’s leadership, resignations, briefings and rows.

Against this difficult backdrop, and poor poll ratings, the Budget was undoubtedly a golden opportunity for Labour to reconnect with the electorate ahead of crucial elections next May across local and devolved governments.

It’s not always the........

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