Could stubborn inflation eat into Labour's poll control?

Every administration in the genuinely) democratic world to seek re-election in 2024 has failed the first time this has happened, according to psephologists.

- SEAN O'GRADY

In the great majority of cases, the relevant economic conditions have been the major part of the reason. Such a global accumulation of redundant former ministers and rejected governing party candidates should serve as a reminder, if one were needed, that no government can afford to lose the electorate’s trust that it will make their lives better. The Budget, whatever its merits, has proved controversial. Which brings us to the latest inflation data…

The numbers aren’t that bad, are they?

No, but neither are they encouraging, and there is just a hint that economic conditions could be worse even than anticipated in the coming months. The annual rise in prices of 2.3 per cent in October was above the official 2 per cent target, and a little above the 2.1 per cent that investors were expecting. On the upside the major factor is a rise in global energy costs, which no government can do much about controlling directly. On the downside, it’s becoming increasingly clear to people that the Budget measures are going to push prices higher than otherwise, and depress wages.

So ‘working people’ are affected?