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Britain's 150-year-old budget box, first used by William Gladstone, takes its last bow

A red wooden box that has carried the government's budget to the House of Commons since 1860 made its last official appearance on Tuesday.

Treasury chief George Osborne struck the traditional pose, holding the box aloft for photographers, before he set off to the House of Commons to announce the government's budget plans. But he left it behind.

The box was first used by William Ewart Gladstone in 1860, and most Chancellors of the Exchequer have used it ever since. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown was an exception, using a new red box during his 11 years heading the Treasury....

Read entire article at AP