It’s a good bet that the opposition parties will pile in on this angle, accusing Healey and Burnham of ignoring the long-term pressures next week. One prominent opposition politician said: “This Budget can only be postponing, you have to assume that’s cynical because you are going to have an early election, or you are storing up a car crash for next year (the Spending Review).”
Downing Street sources counter that argument with Burnham’s decision to unpick the expensive triple lock to pay, at least in part, for future social care. Or his bolder approach to potentially ask to re-enter the EU, or certainly pursue much closer ties.
And remember that list of small things that could make a big difference? They have made political decisions that the polls suggest voters have noticed.
Even some of Burnham’s backers admit quietly that he is aware his first job in office was clear: to show action, to cheer up his party, and that seems to have had a positive effect in the polls.
His long-term view of the UK he wants is well known – with devolution, a national care service, and greater public involvement in the economy.
But the middle bit?
One official says: “Unless the prime minister has said something quite specific about something everyone is scrambling around trying to work out what he wants to do.”
Another well-connected source says: “The challenge has always been with this project, how do people feel in the medium term – it’s huge.”
Burnham and his chancellor’s start in office has been broadly successful if you look at the polling, or read the mood inside the Labour party.
Their dreams of future glories, long-term plans and policies, and gold medals on UK soil could point ahead to many years time.
But neither deal with the issues that need to be confronted in the middle.
The chancellor was working late in his Downing Street flat last night, finishing off his plans after having fish pie for tea, conscious his first Budget starts the between times – and they’re almost here.
Lead image: Future Publishing via Getty