Joe Mayes, award-winning reporter at Bloomberg News, joins The Chiswick Calendar Media Club to talk about his book Can You Run The Economy?

Congratulations! You’ve just become the Chancellor of the Exchequer – one of the most powerful people in Britain.

The Budget is fast approaching. And as you turn each page, you’ll face dilemmas and tough choices of every kind, including bailing out big business, negotiating with trade unions and managing the media fallout from your Budget choices.

Will you overspend and trigger an economic crisis, or tighten the purse strings too much and crater your party’s approval ratings? Or will you play your cards just right enough to lead your party to victory at the next general election? It’s all up to you....

"If you ever thought it was easy being Chancellor this book will put you right. An eye-opening journey through the trade-offs of the Treasury and the fickleness of public opinion" - Ben Riley Smith, political editor of the Daily Telegraph

Rachel Reeves' autumn Budget was the biggest domestic story of 2025 - coming top in YouGov's survey of the most read stories.

Joe Mayes is a political and financial journalist for Bloomberg News who covers the Treasury. Joe is a regular commentator on UK politics and economics, appearing on the BBC, LBC and Times Radio.

Come and hear him talk at The Chiswick Calendar's Media Club at 7.30pm in the Boston Room of George IV pub in Chiswick.