Osborne: Don’t write off my political career just yet

GEORGE OSBORNE has fuelled rumours that he plans a political comeback by turning down offers to write his political memoirs.

The former Chancellor says that at the age of 45, he is far too young to write an autobiography, adding teasingly: ‘We don’t know how the story ends.’

His comments contrast with the attitude of David Cameron, who has already started writing a book about his Downing Street days. And they lend further weight to reports that despite his humiliating defeat in the EU referendum and being sacked by Theresa May, Osborne has not given up his leadership ambitions.

Friends have pointed out that if he became Tory leader in 2030, Osborne would be 59, the same age as Mrs May now. In his review, below, of former Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls’ memoirs, Speaking Out, Osborne says he has spent the summer ‘contemplating’ his future.

He adds: ‘I’ve been wondering whether to write a political memoir and come to the conclusion that I’d rather not.

‘Autobiographies by those who’ve just left the political front line have to try hard to avoid a number of pitfalls. We don’t know how the story ends.’ Defiant Osborne said he hoped history would prove that he and Cameron ran a successful government – and he would continue to speak out.

He says: ‘I hope they will recognise the turnaround we achieved in the economy, and the change we brought to make the Conservatives a modern, compassionate and credible party of government.

‘I intend to go on arguing that we Conservatives must remain firmly rooted on the centre ground of British politics, with a credible economic policy and in touch with modern Britain.’

And he was determined to show he had learned from Brexit.

He says: ‘I don’t think there is any point in me re-living the ins and outs of the EU referendum campaign.

‘I made my arguments, a majority of British people didn’t accept them, and that’s that. In a democracy, you listen and you learn.’