Hammond’s ‘make-or-break budget’ wasn’t bold – just more of the same | Aditya Chakrabortty

The chancellor had a choice, an economic stimulus or reprising George Osborne’s austerity. He chose very badlyPhilip Hammond is going nowhere – or so he wants you to think. For months, the chancellor has faced a guerrilla campaign from his cabinet colleagues and backbenchers for his sacking and replacement by someone more Brexity, someone more spendy; someone more, well, happy. Wednesday’s budget was his response to all the back-biting and poison briefings. Hence the opening op