How Janus-faced George Osborne defied stereotype and triumphed | Simon Jenkins

For a chancellor four years into office after presiding over the worst slump since the war, his popularity is remarkable

The Osborne star continues to rise, even as his Tory party slumps. In the latest Guardian/ICM poll, the Conservatives dropped three points against Labour, yet George Osborne as manager of the economy is ahead of Labour's team by two to one. For a chancellor four years into office after presiding over the worst slump since the war, this is remarkable.

How can it be? Osbor...