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What’s the electoral impact of the Harman “U-Turn”? The Guardian is running with a story that ‘fear of [a] backlash’ has forced the Government to abandon plans for so-called ‘all-blackshortlists’ in its new Equalities Bill, sponsored by Harriet Harman. The Bill is already a target for those who would claim the codification of ‘political correctness gone mad’ and Thursday’s close second place for the BNP in the East Wickham ward (Bexley) by-election seems to have been the straw on the…

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Who might have suggested this defence? There is nothing I like less than being rudely awakened. “Rumpole? I say, Rumpole? I’m coming in, so put on your trousers, there’s a good chap” It was ten after three, and my mind in twixtplace-slumber was turning to thoughts of a decent bottle of Chateau Thames Embankment and a bitter cheroot, when my door was rudely knocked and opened by my one-time pupil, part-time dilletante, and occasional imbibing-partner, Alistair. “What the devil is…

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The Menu Has Changed There once was a time that Britain had a fairly straighforward choice of restaurant. Our beloved class structure, in which every Earl and urchine knew his place, and each understood the choice of fare that was offered. They were simpler days, before we infused our gastronomy with foreign flavours, and yielded in silent homage (rhymes with fromage) to the culinary imperatives of Continental cuisine. Sadly those days are gone, and the Blonde and I this week…

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Michael Kennedy is the 2008 PB Forecaster of the Year The final results for the 2008 prediction competition have now been number-crunched – the top 20 are shown above, while the full results are available via the link below. Congratulations to the leading forecasters, with Michael Kennedy finishing ahead of Houndtang and Ian Hunter, and thanks to everyone who took part. Just check out the questions here. PB 2008 competition results For the 2008 events section, only two players predicted…

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Israel’s invasion of Gaza leads the broadsheets Last night’s entry of Israeli ground forces into Gaza leads most of the Sunday newspapers, although the Mail on Sunday chooses instead to highlight the UK waste paper mountain. The Times, Telegraph, Observer and Independent all feature the stepping up in military operations by Israel, after several days of air strikes. With Knesset elections still scheduled for 10th February, and Defense Minister Barak and Foreign Minister Livni leading Labor and Kadima into the…

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