Why political kite-flying is not helpful for clients or advisers

In 1947, Labour chancellor Hugh Dalton resigned. He felt he had no other option but to give up one of the great offices of state after he was found to have revealed details of the Budget to the press. The paper in question published the scoop, much of it market-sensitive information, before the speech was delivered and its key highlights hit the streets 20 minutes before Dalton stood up in the Commons. Compare this with the media-political environment of today, when for the last month and with still a month to go before the Autumn Statement the press is full of ideas being floated, wa...