Budget 2010: A trivia special

On 18 April 1853, Tory Chancellor William Gladstone spoke for a sanity-sapping four hours and forty five minutes. Gladstone not only holds the record for the longest Budget speech, but he was also the longest-serving Chancellor - serving for 12 years and four months. Benjamin Disraeli is said to hold the record for the shortest speech, at forty-five minutes, on 4 April 1867. Gladstone's stamina may have been due to his tipple of choice during the speech: sherry and beaten egg. The Chancellor is traditionally allowed an alcoholic drink while delivering his speech and this is the...