The Guardian view on the autumn statement: the art of lesser awfulism | Editorial
Ever since 2010, an odd choreography has developed around budget time between George Osborne and the media. You could call it the Lesser Awfulism. Before every "fiscal event", the chancellor hints at all the really awful cuts he'll have to make, and the press trail just what these things are and how awful they will be. When the appointed day comes, he does something slightly less awful than promised - and the press hail his political savvy.
Wednesday saw the Lesser Awfulism strategy at its most effective. After months of speculation about cuts to tax credits, and over how badly squeezed police, prisons and councils would be, Mr Osborne went to the dispatch box - and announced that things would be much less awful than feared. Those cuts to tax credits will now be scrapped. Police numbers will go untouched. The result was an eruption of goodwill among Conservative MPs and a puzzled, disconsolate air on opposition benches. The analysts and commentators tuned in expecting a bloodbath: what they got was a relief rally.
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