When the first Labour Government was elected in January 1924 Philip Snowden was appointed Chancellor. He was possibly even more keen on following Treasury rules than Rachel Reeves is. However his background was in the early socialist movement and the Independent Labour Party (founded 1893). As a result he retained a solid grasp of basic class politics. His first Budget (and only one until 1929) in May 1924 introduced what was known as the Free Breakfast. The concept in fact has its origins in later nineteenth century Liberal politics. It meant not that people would get free breakfasts but that that tax was reduced on some of the key elements of a working class breakfast. In particular on tea, sugar and prunes.
Fast forward a hundred years and Ocado reports that sales of prunes are up 60% in a year. They of course ensure regular visits to the toilet (drinking a bottle conditioned beer with the sediment in has the same effect) but also high in fibre.
A missed pointer for Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Statement. Reducing tax on prunes would address both Old and New Labour at the same time..
My dad born in the East End in 1922 ate prunes whenever he could. He would steep them in cold water before he went to bed and eat them when he got up. He used to say they made him shit like a wizard. I would be happy to hear from anybody who knows the derivation of that.
Sorry @kmflett I am having trouble with WordPress. So, sorry if you have received this multiple times already. My dad born in the East End in 1922 ate prunes at every opportunity. He would steep them in cold water last thing at night and eat them first thing in the morning. He said they made him shit like a wizard. If anyone out there knows the origin of this please let me know. Thanks Andy
WordPress can be glitchy. However your comment on prunes is interesting. I did have a look for working class prune eating before I posted, although AI is degrading search engines. It clearly was quite a thing after WW1 but its origins as yet I havent discovered, except prunes and the working class was big in New Zealand..