I’m backing George Osborne’s Project Fear – if it helps keep us in Europe | Martin Kettle

The chancellor’s sudden economic pessimism is aimed at creating insecurities about Britain quitting the European Union

Perhaps we should let Labour go for a while. As a party of government, it has left the electorate behind to go on a voyage from which it may or may not return. A Labour government in 2020 is unlikely, although you never know, and may even be undesirable. Right now, every column about Labour’s internal arguments runs the risk of being an indulgence or just slightly irrelevant.

One day, this may change. But for the moment, only two parties are shaping this country: the SNP and the Conservatives. This is where British politics in 2016 will be fought out.

Related: George Osborne warns UK economy faces 'cocktail of threats'

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