Joe Mayes

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 and author of ‘Blue Murder’

To write something so fun and accessible about the inner workings of the Treasury is no mean feat. It couldn't be more timely.

Clever and original, this will be of real use to anyone interested in high office, as well as to the rest of us. Written with the insight of a dedicated reporter, it is also accessible and user-friendly. A political and economic handbook for our age.

Mishal Husain, Editor at Large for Bloomberg Weekend

A fabulous choose-your-own adventure for anyone who wants to understand the pay-offs between economics and politics. An extremely entertaining must-read.

Kitty Donaldson, Chief Political Commentator at The i Paper

Joe Mayes has written a very readable book for the general reader identifying the trade-offs in the myriad of decisions any Chancellor has to make. The reader is invited to try his or her hand at making those choices, usually choices between the impossible and the unbelievable.

Norman Lamont, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1990–3

A must-read for armchair Chancellors.

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 2022-4

This clever, witty book is so much fun to play with. I loved it, right up to the moment that I was stabbed in the back by the Prime Minister.

Tim Harford, bestselling author of 'The Undercover Economist'

Hugely entertaining – Joe Mayes achieves the seemingly impossible feat of making fiscal policy fun. Essential reading for anyone interested in understanding just what a nightmare it must be to serve as Chancellor.

Tim Ross, author of 'Landslide', 'Betting the House' and 'Why the Tories Won'

I absolutely devoured Can You Run the Economy?... a much more enjoyable way to spend an afternoon than despairing over the UK’s sclerotic growth figures.'

Rachel Cunliffe, Associate Political Editor of the New Statesman

An interesting and fun new book, Can You Run the Economy?… lifts the lid on some of the economic and political trade-offs faced by those who occupy 11 Downing Street. The book confronts the reader — you as the armchair chancellor — with a series of often unpalatable options.

David Smith, Economics Editor of The Sunday Times

An interactive adventure inside the Treasury

AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 TODAY 
 
Do you have what it takes to be the Chancellor? Find out in this interactive adventure where YOU are in charge, from award-winning political reporter Joe Mayes. 
 
“This clever, witty book is so much fun to play with. I loved it, right up to the moment that I was stabbed in the back by the Prime Minister.” – TIM HARFORD, bestselling author of The Undercover Economist 
________________________ 
 
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. 
 
Are you ready? 
________________________ 
 
“A political and economic handbook for our age” - MISHAL HUSAIN 
 
“A must-read for armchair Chancellors” - JEREMY HUNT 
 
“A fabulous choose-your-own adventure” - KITTY DONALDSON 
 
“Engaging, and highly readable” - NORMAN LAMONT

Joe Mayes

Praise for Can You Run the Economy?

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.

To write something so fun and accessible about the inner workings of the Treasury is no mean feat. It couldn't be more timely.

Clever and original, this will be of real use to anyone interested in high office, as well as to the rest of us. Written with the insight of a dedicated reporter, it is also accessible and user-friendly. A po ...

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.

To write something so fun and accessible about the inner workings of the Treasury is no mean feat. It couldn't be more timely.

Clever and original, this will be of real use to anyone interested in high office, as well as to the rest of us. Written with the insight of a dedicated reporter, it is also accessible and user-friendly. A po ...

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.

To write something so fun and accessible about the inner workings of the Treasury is no mean feat. It couldn't be more timely.

Clever and original, this will be of real use to anyone interested in high office, as well as to the rest of us. Written with the insight of a dedicated reporter, it is also accessible and user-friendly. A po ...

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter