His cabinet colleagues know his iron grip over their budgets is part of the government's defining political strategy.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

According to Fintan O'Toole, columnist at the Irish Times, the softening of the public stance on abortion seems to reflect, in part, this weakening grip of Catholicism in the Republic of Ireland following the Church's child abuse scandal.

BBC: Ireland shifts as abortion debate flares

Price regulators could play their part too by gradually easing their grip.

ECONOMIST: Breaking up BAA: A new departure for London’s airports | The