The Chancellors

Steering the British Economy in Crisis Times

Howard Davies (LSE)

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English

Polity Press
27 May 2022

Political economy

When the Treasury lost control of interest rates to the Bank of England in 1997, its status looked under threat. However, it quickly reasserted its power by dominating policymaking across Whitehall and diminishing other ministries in the process. It also successfully fought off attempts by Prime Ministers, from Blair to Johnson, to cut it down to size.

In this fascinating insider account, based on in-depth interviews with the Chancellors and key senior officials, Howard Davies shows how the past twenty-five years have nonetheless been a roller-coaster ride for the Treasury. Heavily criticized for its response to the global financial crisis, and for the rigours of the austerity programme, it also ran into political controversy through its role in the Scottish referendum and the Brexit debate. The Treasury’s dire predictions of the impact of Brexit have not been borne out. Redemption of a kind, though a costly one, came from its muscular response to the COVID crisis.

Anyone with an interest in economic policymaking, in the UK and elsewhere, will find this a valuable and entertaining account.

By: Howard Davies (LSE)
Imprint: Polity Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 137mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 340g
ISBN: 9781509549542
ISBN 10: 1509549544
Pages: 200
Publication Date: 27 May 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Foreword 1. Economic Performance 2. Macroeconomic Policy 3. Public Expenditure 4. Tax Policy 5. Scotland: Saving the Union 6. Europe: the ins and outs 7. Financial Regulation and the City of London 8. Climate change: the road to Net Zero 9. The Treasury’s changing shape 10. Leadership 11. Trouble ahead Notes

Howard Davies is Chairman of the NatWest Group and a Professor at Sciences Po, Paris.

Reviews for The Chancellors: Steering the British Economy in Crisis Times

'A thoughtful, gossipy and highly readable account of recent British economic history, Howard Davies's survey covers all the big Treasury issues and personalities of the past twenty-five years, with especially interesting insights on financial regulation and the Treasury's post-Brexit policy challenges.' Ed Balls, former Education Secretary and Shadow Chancellor 'These are fascinating, personal assessments of the performance of our Chancellors by someone particularly well qualified to make them.' Gus O'Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary and Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury 'Witty and essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the Treasury. House Magazine Howard Davies has written a succinct and fascinating assessment of the Treasury's crucial role since 1997. How the department responds to the challenges of the future is likely to determine the UK's prospects for decades to come. Literary Review A succinct and fascinating assessment of the Treasury's crucial role. David Gauke, former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice This insider's view [...] manages to be both authoritative and quite cheeky. Ferdinand Mount, The Spectator Davies is kinder to the Treasury than I would be. Nevertheless, he recognises that trouble lies ahead: political and economic realities do not look friendly to the belief in free markets and fiscal discipline that guides this powerful institution. Martin Wolf, The Financial Times It's a fascinating story, covering many challenges and changes. The Weekly informative and entertaining William A. Allen, The Society of Professional Economists