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Will this focus attention on the issue of ‘privatisation’? Two big news stories in the last day or so – the postponement of the partial sale of Royal Mail (Lord Mandelson cited current economic circumstances, and potential buyers being unable to offer deals that were value for money), and the temporary nationalisation of the East Coast Line rail franchise by Lord Adonis. The Royal Mail part-privatisation delay will mollify union opposition (who are, let us not forget, Alan Johnson’s base…

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Will it be another knife-wielding Chancellor? I tend to make a point of looking to the First Post for particularly juicy scoops, and yet again they have delivered. Their article from ‘the Mole’ yesterday indicates that the growing feud at the top of Government is between Chancellor Alistair Darling and First Secretary of State Lord Mandelson. Mandelson had trampled on Treasury toes by announcing that the Comprehensive Spending Review would be delayed until after the next election – the Treasury…

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Are electorates follically prejudiced? There are all sorts of patterns that exist in politics. Some are entirely coincidental, such as every US president elected in a year ending in zero dying in office from 1840 to 1960 (and Reagan – elected in 1980 – was shot but survived); others have a relatively clear mathematical and logical link, such as the relationship between the vote share of a party and the seats it’s likely to win. Then there are others that…

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What line might Cameron take today? It could be a tricky PMQs today for Gordon Brown – I’d expect him to take heavy fire over the refusal to completely scrap the ID cards programme, and wouldn’t be surprised if Ed Ball’s recent spat with Fraser Nelson of the Spectator didn’t earn a mention (here is the story, see also a definition of the Streisand Effect). After Greg Hands MP complained that the PM and Schools Secretary not only failed to…

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Does this suggest Johnson is still angling for the top job? There is still a large school of thought that thinks Brown will be allowed to step aside with dignity before the next election, and that such a promise was given to stop him being ousted in an ugly coup a month ago. Alan Johnson, who reputedly had a leadership campaign ready to launch, was suddenly promoted to Home Secretary, and the general feeling of those who doubt Brown will…

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Could Craig cash in on the anti-pol mood? The news that Craig Murray is to stand in the Norwich North by election could really shake up the race and makes the betting quite interesting. Murray came to public attention in 2003 when he was sacked as Britain’s ambassador to Uzbekistan for taking a stance against torture. He now says that he’s to run in the July 23rd by election on an anti-sleaze ticket which might just capture the public mood….

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CON 36 (-3) LAB 25 (+3) LD 19 (+1) But the Tories are most trusted when it comes to cuts There’s a new poll tonight from ComRes for tomorrow’s Indy. The figures are above and although the changes are all within the margin of error they should provide a touch of encouragement for Labour supporters. For they have the party closer than in any poll since Labour’s June 4th elections disaster and if this indeed was the election outcome out…

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This afternoon we had the third “draft Queen’s speech – the new addition to the commons scene – the trailing of the Queen’s speech setting out the planned legislative programme. This was first seen two years ago and provides a peg for PMs present and future to set out a broad vision as well as some detailed proposals. Given the proximity of the general election today might have been a key occasion – a chance to float ideas that could…

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