Can You Run the Economy?

If you ever thought it was easy being Chancellor this book will put you right. An eye-opening journey through the trade-offs of the Treasury and the fickleness of public opinion. – Ben Riley-Smith, political editor of the Daily Telegraph and author of ‘Blue Murder’To write something so fun and accessible about the inner workings of the Treasury is no mean feat. It couldn’t be more timely. – Adam Payne, Editor of PoliticsHomeClever and original, this will be of real use to anyone interested in high office, as well as to the rest of us. Written with the insight of a dedicated reporter, it is also accessible and user-friendly. A political and economic handbook for our age. – Mishal Husain, Editor at Large for Bloomberg WeekendA fabulous choose-your-own adventure for anyone who wants to understand the pay-offs between economics and politics. An extremely entertaining must-read. – Kitty Donaldson, Chief Political Commentator at The i PaperJoe Mayes has written a very readable book for the general reader identifying the trade-offs in the myriad of decisions any Chancellor has to make. The reader is invited to try his or her hand at making those choices, usually choices between the impossible and the unbelievable. – Norman Lamont, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1990–3A must-read for armchair Chancellors. – Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 2022-4This clever, witty book is so much fun to play with. I loved it, right up to the moment that I was stabbed in the back by the Prime Minister. – Tim Harford, bestselling author of ‘The Undercover Economist’Hugely entertaining – Joe Mayes achieves the seemingly impossible feat of making fiscal policy fun. Essential reading for anyone interested in understanding just what a nightmare it must be to serve as Chancellor. – Tim Ross, author of ‘Landslide’, ‘Betting the House’ and ‘Why the Tories Won’I absolutely devoured Can You Run the Economy?… a much more enjoyable way to spend an afternoon than despairing over the UK’s sclerotic growth figures.’ – Rachel Cunliffe, Associate Political Editor of the New StatesmanAn interesting and fun new book, Can You Run the Economy?… lifts the lid on some of the economic and political trade-offs faced by those who occupy 11 Downing Street. The book confronts the reader — you as the armchair chancellor — with a series of often unpalatable options. – David Smith, Economics Editor of The Sunday Times

Joe Mayes is a political and financial journalist for Bloomberg News who covers the Treasury. Joe is a regular commentator on UK politics and economics, appearing on the BBC, LBC and Times Radio. Joe was nominated for Young Financial Journalist of the Year at the Wincott Awards in 2019 and was the winner of MHP’s ‘30 to Watch’ award for journalists covering the City and Business in 2020.

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