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Henry G Manson asks: Time to Fell the Tree?

Henry G Manson asks: Time to Fell the Tree?

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Are the Conservatives Becoming Enemies of Conservation? The adoption of the tree by the Conservative Party five years ago appeared to signify more than an image re-spray. It built on an important historical strand of conservation running through the Conservative Party which understands in a world of chaotic change, continuity and conservation is increasingly important and reassuring. Tim Montgomorie described this sentiment earlier this year. ‘For us the preservation of the natural environment and good stewardship of the planet’s resources…

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Does anyone want to follow Iain Gray as the SLAB leader – anyone?

Does anyone want to follow Iain Gray as the SLAB leader – anyone?

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Henry G Manson on Labour’s challenge in Scotland The bookmakers were quick to develop a market for the successor to Labour’s Iain Gray after he announced his resignation in May. Months on, Gray is still in place, there is no timetable for the contest and currently no eligible candidates declared. Earlier this summer I tipped Ken McIntosh and went reasonably big on him on the grounds he was the party’s best remaining communication. It now seems in there’s a chance…

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Will the Tories conspire to lose the Law and Order battle?

Will the Tories conspire to lose the Law and Order battle?

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Henry G Manson on the riots aftermath The Conservatives should win the law and order debate hands down. Always. Their MPs traditionally go further than any other party and understandably there’s a huge appetite for tough action on those involved in rioting. Yet the failure to budge on the 20% cuts to policing leaves the government wide open to attack from Labour and parts of the Conservative-inclined press too. There are so many things to be said about the recent…

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How dangerous for Boris is his 50 pence tax stance?

How dangerous for Boris is his 50 pence tax stance?

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Henry G Manson says it could provide an opening for Ken With 9 months to go to London mayoral election we’re now in the territory where campaign themes are developed and firmed up. Even though it is not within mayoral powers, the 50p tax is one issue could certainly come into the mix. Boris Johnson has been the most strident Conservative politician in calling to abolish the last government’s 50p tax rate on those earning over £150,000 per year. This…

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Is the 50p tax the next Coalition battleground?

Is the 50p tax the next Coalition battleground?

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Henry G Manson on a possible Blue-Yellow clash So far public tensions and skirmishes between the two Coalition parties have centred on social policy such as on the NHS or democratic reform such as AV and the House of Lords. The greatest unity appears has been on the government’s economic agenda despite significant pre-election differences between the parties. That could soon change. There has been a growing frequency number of nods and winks from the Treasury that George Osborne intends…

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How steep a mountain does Labour have to climb?

How steep a mountain does Labour have to climb?

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How hard is it going to be to return to power? There are two schools of thought in the Labour Party on the scale of the defeat at the 2010 election. Important expectations are tied to each of these and are creating a peculiar dynamic in the party right now. It sounds strange, but one year on and many of us cannot agree how badly we did and how far we are from the winning post. The first camp led…

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Will newspaper endorsements matter as much any more?

Will newspaper endorsements matter as much any more?

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The Sun – May 6th 2010 Henry G Manson ponders about the post-scandal media world On Sunday, Damian Thompson, Editor of the Telegraph Blogs launched a striking attack on David Cameron and the News International phonehacking affair. He concluded, “It will be difficult to vote Tory at the next election.” This caught me by surprise and set me thinking if it was at all conceivable that the Telegraph could actually withdraw its support for the Conservatives under David Cameron? What…

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HenryG asks: Who’d take over if Dave is forced to quit?

HenryG asks: Who’d take over if Dave is forced to quit?

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Should you follow Mike’s 33/1 David Davis bet There’s increased speculation from Iain Dale and The Telegraph that David Cameron may end up quitting over the fallout from his relations to Coulson, Brooks and Murdoch. It’s worth considering who might takeover as leader of the Conservatives. The specific nature of this crisis hasn’t been reflected in the betting markets yet. I believe there is one candidate representing outstanding value. Let’s look at the frontrunners. Boris Johnson at 4/1. Isn’t even…

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