Tuesday's matinee at the alternative Whitehall theatre is unlikely to have convinced enough in the great British audience that John Major and his band of players should not be replaced by a new cast next spring. Thus some well rehearsed virtuoso performances can be expected this winter. And while it might be cynical to suggest that the Budget will only be remembered for the way it highlighted the news gathering skills of the Daily Mirror, the leak could be the feature that will most interest eager historians. Earlier speculation that the Chancellor would opt for a giveaway package vanished in the space of 75 minutes of prudency, lightened occasionally by witty verbal swipes at the baying opposition hoards. The best feature of Clarke the Juggler's act was the way he sought to sustain the feel-good factor while preserving his long-held reputation as a careful guardian of the nation's finances. Hardly surprising, since he went on to the Commons stage in the knowledge that the UK is enjoying a welcome rise in economic activity with consumer spending increasing and the business confidence barometers also rising. The grocery industry ­ while partially reserving judgement until all the fine print has been scrutinised ­ has rightly given a cautious welcome. But the British Retail Consortium, like many others, tempered its warm comments with disappointment at the proposals to phase out profit related pay ­ a point which could become a political issue between now and 1998. Disappointment in the drinks and tobacco sectors that the Chancellor had failed to tackle the issue of cross-Channel smuggling on the tax and price front is understandable. Increasing the number of customs officers, while recognising the problem, would certainly not erase it. But following what could turn out to be Ken Clarke's farewell performance, there remains the suspicion that the modest tax cuts handed out on Tuesday will be clawed back next year during another Whitehall Budget production ­ whichever party strides onto the stage.{{NEWS}}