I agree that Tories' spending plans are woeful next to grandiose historical comparisons they are trying to conjure up, & it's worth saying so. But we all know it’s not enough: “your (already unimaginably big) number should be unimaginably bigger!” alone won’t cut with people. 1/5

2/5 Tories are going to be sharp. They’re going to target smaller amounts on quick builds in places that have been starved of investment for years. If you’re in a desert, a glass of water can seem like a miracle. They want to make this a triumph of despair and low expectations.

3/5 The left policy response, I think, needs to be three parts. First, focus on details of investment. Tories spending money=high risk of corruption, so zero in on that and hammer them for it. Second, reframe discussion about purpose of economy.

4/5 Crisis has shown us need to focus on care, local communities, small scale. Develop narrative around better jobs, more time for family, security for all. Oppose cuts, support welfare expansion. Develop narrative around better jobs, more time for family, security for all.

5/5 Oppose cuts, support welfare. 3rd, decentralisation. Build narrative on support for high streets, small businesses, community ownership. Develop data policy here. 4th,be more expansive,less technocratic on the environment: adaptation; circular economy; working time reduction