The Tories have averted economic disaster – but can they stay the course?

Sunak and Hunt should, at all costs, ignore the voices within their own party and the media and stick to what they’re doing, writes Chris Blackhurst

Any temptation on Sunak and Hunt’s part to cut taxes must be resisted (pixel8000)

This is the time of year when the UK downs champagne by the bucketload.

The season is upon us, beginning with the Chelsea Flower Show, leading to the Derby, Wimbledon, Glyndebourne, Royal Ascot, Henley. In the mix, too, are festivals galore. And the weather is improving at last. Raised glasses all round!

Now, thanks to the IMF, the cause for celebration is suddenly doubly strong. According to the fund, the UK economy has turned a corner. The country is not expected to suffer a recession this year, nor will it have the weakest economic growth in the G7 group of leading industrialised economies. A predicted 0.7 per cent contraction has been replaced by 0.4 per cent growth. Compare that as well with Germany, on course for “near-zero” growth.