The phrase “Buckaroo!” originated from a children’s game where players stack gear onto a mule until it bucked. Now, the term has taken on a new meaning in British politics. Government ministers often play this game with business sectors, piling on policies and regulations until they become unsustainable.
It started with housing, energy, or pharmaceuticals being designated as “beasts of burden” to be reformed through heavy-handed legislation. However, these efforts rarely lead to long-term success. Eventually, the policy burdens pile up, causing chaos, and the system collapses.
This phenomenon is not limited to the UK government alone; other countries may face similar challenges due to the temptation to use certain sectors as a means of implementing policies.
Source: https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/10/22/buckaroo-the-british-governments-favourite-game