The Chancellor's Budget box has been SO leaky in recent times. This time there was real surprise.
After decades of pensions and savings policy being the 'Cinderella' of Treasury priorities - George Osborne today unleashed reforms for the thrifty that are bound to capture the imagination of the very voters on which he now pins his hopes.
For far too long savers have been abandoned by politicians on all sides. The incentives to save for a secure financial future destroyed by low rates and a constant all-out attack on the savings industry by policymakers.
But beyond the tactical politicking - I have to agree with the move. It is far too long overdue.
While it was right for both Alistair Darling and George Osborne to focus on the macro economy during the financial crisis - now is the time to support personal responsibility and encourage 'doing the right thing' for all families as we continue to recover.
But this Chancellor is always thinking ahead. His boost for savers - the huge boost to ISAs [up to £15,000 annual savings limit] and pensions [Government pensioner bonds opening up how pensioners can take their income in retirement] of course comes at a time when we all expect to see interest rates start to move UP again in the coming two years.
The noisy skirmishes in the Commons with the Labour leader are a test of the battle to come. Ed Miliband's argument: that the Chancellor presented a picture of the country that 'most' people will not recognise, and policies for "The few not the many". This will resonate with Labour's target voters too.
And that's just it. Some people clearly see things getting better. Many do not.
But the Chancellor knows well the demographics of voting in Britain. And it's the pensioners that really do vote.
Two [or three] tribes are going to war.