Kemi offers imaginary budget numbers to imaginary audiences of her imaginary friends

You would think we were in the final three months of a general election campaign, not three and a half years out. Everywhere you look there's a party leader giving a press conference. Demanding attention from a public that just wants to be given a break. This far out from an election we're just dealing in political fever dreams.

- John Crace

Yesterday morning it was the Tories and Reform fighting for airtime. Appearing simultaneously, and less than half a mile away from each other in central London. It was hard to escape the feeling this was Westminster talking to itself. Existential crises being played out in real time as pre-budget statements of little importance from Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage. Imaginary numbers in front of an imaginary audience made up of imaginary friends.

Kemi's presser took place in a tiny annexe of the British Academy. There was barely enough room for three rows of chairs. The front row reserved for a smattering of shadow ministers, there under duress.