What the chancellor can’t seem to realise is that other art forms are equally vital creative industries. Two years ago, he hosted (though he didn’t turn up) a reception at No 11 about tax help for the art world. But he personally vetoed the plan as a tax break for toffs.
Last week, Lord Stevenson, the former chairman of the Tate, said, when launching a manifesto for culture, that we “don’t need to persuade Gordon Brown of the benefits of the arts”. Oh yes we do.