BBC News Does he need a more sophisticated response? We all remember how Gordon Brown and others responded in the final days of the last government whenever issues over the economy were raised. “It all started in America” we were told time and time again to the extent that it became a bit of a joke. I just wonder whether George Osborne is making a similar error with his response to the latest growth numbers showing a decline in Q4…
Should the media acquiesce to Baldwin’s call? James Forsyth at the Speccie Coffee House blog takes up the ongoing argument over whether the term “Conservative-led” rather than “coalition” should be used to describe the government. Labour is keen for its purposes for the former to be used and broadcasters and other media outlets have been written to by EdM press chief, Tom Baldwin, suggesting that they do the same. Channel 4 has become the first to agree. But doesn’t this…
Who’ll prevail – the strategist or the tactician? It’s been a long time in the making but the George and Ed Show is finally under way. It should have started, of course, in Gordon Brown’s post-EU election re-shuffle in June 2009. Balls was offered the job and was so certain he was moving he had a leaving party at his old department. The incumbent at the Treasury, Alistair Darling, however, refused to budge and a weakened Brown could not force…
Is governing not as easy as it appeared last May? What a political week it has been topped off, of course, with the sensational resignations of Andy Coulson and Alan Johnson. Apart from this we’ve had amongst others:- The defeat over prisoners’ voting Unemployment rising markedly Inflation move worryingly upwards Fuel prices The Lords filibuster against the electoral reform plans The growing protests over the removal of EMAs The reception being given to the NHS reform plans Cameron’s alleged “betrayal”…
Is the answer a blue-yellow incumbents’ pact? One thing that strikes me following Old & Sad is that Labour is in a stronger position to gain seats in parliamentary by-elections than any opposition party has been for decades. For where SNP/PC considerations don’t apply the red team will always be the unequivocal choice for those wanting to oppose the government. The protest vote won’t be split. Normally they’ve had to have a spat with the yellows over who is best…
BBC News archive How long will the Goodwin knighthood remain a live issue? I very much doubt that when in 2004 Tony Blair signed off Gordon Brown’s recommendation of a knighthood for the then RBS boss, Sir Fred Goodwin, that anybody had any idea that this would be a live political issue seven years later. At the time Goodwin was one of the UK’s must successful businessmen to be lauded and praised and, as it turned out, to be included…
What do you think will happen this year? With the new year just over a week old and with Oldham East on Thursday, it’s time to sharpen your punditry skills and make your predictions for what could be a choppy year in British politics. Entries close 7pm Friday 14th January As before the competition is being hosted by the Election Game. If anyone would like to take part, the 2011 season is now underway – the Leaders & Finance game…
Would it be too much for both parties to swallow? The main political story this Boxing Day morning is a report of comments by an unnamed Tory minister that the coalition could go into the next election with some form of electoral pact. According to the report by Patrick Hennessy and Jonathan Wynne-Jones, “the minister, often seen as one of a tight inner-circle of “Cameroons”, went further than any member of the government yet has in endorsing joint candidates.” Referring…