Matt’s plea in the House for Rishi to exercise caution just happened to be exactly what he wanted to hear. The strongest economic line the Government has against Labour is that they are insufficiently sober on spending – all while Tory MPs lined up to thank the Chancellor for pouring levelling-up cash into their constituencies, and hinting they’d like a bit more.

Sammy Wilson, the DUP MP for East Antrim, was the only centre-Right MP who suggested the Government might ease the cost of living crisis by dropping both the National Insurance increase and green levies.

Never, said Simon Clarke for the Treasury. “There is no other responsible way for us to finance [extra NHS spending] than if we do it through a broad-based tax increase” (designed to go easier on the poor). That was said on the same day we learnt that the Government had watered down a plan to scrap EU regulations in order to keep its green targets – one has to ask what the difference between the Conservatives and Labour actually is.

Labour’s answer: We’d save money and cut taxes. Outside the window, two pigs flew past in a convertible.

Step forward Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, a most effective voice in Labour’s post-Corbyn strategy and sounding not unlike one of those money experts on TV who show how, by not insulating your attic, you’re throwing away “pound, after pound, after pound”.

Nearly five billion has been lost on fraud during lockdown she said, citing the resignation of Lord Agnew, a Conservative peer, on this point. In one bizarre case, a drug dealer and a car thief with 48 convictions was given a £50,000 loan. “Taxes are at a 70-year high!” Reeves declared, channelling the spirit of Maggie Thatcher. “With one hand, the Government raises taxes – with the other. it throws money away!”

Watch out, Rishi. If Conservative Party members were asked to vote for a new leader tomorrow, Ms Reeves might win.