Kwasi Kwarteng, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, has adopted a notably more restrained approach following the backlash from the widely criticized mini-budget he helped design. In contrast to his former colleague Liz Truss, who recently published a book attributing the policy failures to others, Kwarteng has refrained from publicly assigning blame.

During an appearance on the Coffee House Shots podcast, Kwarteng was asked whether he had read Truss’s new book. He responded with a quip, referencing a historical anecdote: “I think Ted Heath was asked about Margaret Thatcher’s book and he said, ‘I’m waiting for the paperback.’” His comment was seen as a light-hearted way of avoiding direct commentary on the controversies detailed in the publication.

Truss, who was prime minister for a brief period in 2022, faced intense criticism for the mini-budget’s unfunded tax cuts, which triggered market turmoil and ultimately led to her resignation. The measures, which Kwarteng co-architected, aimed to spur economic growth but were met with sharp negative reactions from investors and financial institutions.

While Truss’s new book seeks to clarify her perspective on the mini-budget’s fallout by distributing responsibility across multiple actors, Kwarteng appears to prefer stepping back from the public debate. Observers note this contrast underscores differing strategies in managing political legacies amid tumultuous events.

Kwarteng’s understated response suggests he is choosing to refrain from further public dispute and controversy, at least for the time being. Speculation continues on how both former officials will navigate their reputations following one of the most disruptive episodes in recent British economic policymaking.