But does the Guardian know who he is? The Jack W mystery is now being featured on the Guardian web-site. What a tribute to him and his role here over the past three years. I would love to share the secret with everybody but I did make a promise to Jack. Mike Smithson
Is there scope for exploiting Tory splits on the EU? This lunchtime we’ll see the third PMQ clash between Brown and Cameron since the election plan was ditched. Dave won the first encounter in October emphatically and most observers gave it to him last week on points. What will happen today? Could this be the moment that Gord hits back? Could he start to turn the EU referendum argument back against the Tory leader by pointing to the demands from…
Does that sound like a value bet? With the pressure on Gord to call a referendum the EU Treaty likely to intensify this week the bookmaker, Victor Chandler, is now accepting bets on whether or not he will go back on his refusal. The firm have priced up a referendum happening before the end of next year at 9/2. It is 1/8 that the UK ratifies the treaty without it being put to a public vote. My guess is that…
Hi all, For the first time for about six months, we’re having some problems with slow database access. In particular, attempts to post comments, or stories are very slow. I’m working on the problem and hope to have a solution soon. Thanks, Robert
The State of the Parties The last three months’ local by-elections have been the worst, in terms of seat losses, that the Conservatives have suffered for some time. Over that period, the Conservatives have made a net loss of eight seats, Labour a net gain of six, and the Liberal Democrats a net gain of two. However, analysis of changes in each party’s share of the vote suggests that the Conservatives still enjoy a substantial lead over the other two…
Ming’s preferred choice said to be not running Kennedy “unlikely to run” Cable won’t stand – “an older candidate is not electable” BBC says Kramer and Davey have ruled themselves out Webb says he has sufficient signatures Hemming reportedly has 5 out of the 7 nominations needed The race to succeed Ming is now taking shape, and unless John Hemming can secure the required seven signatures from fellow MPs, it’s starting to look less likely that anyone will enter the…
Cable takes Ming’s place Live coverage available here. Will Brown receive another mauling from Cameron and how will Cable fare? Paul Maggs “Double Carpet” Guest Editor Mike Smithson returns tomorrow Paul Maggs runs The Election Game – click on the logo to email for more information.
A guest article from Innocent Abroad Recently I’ve been involved in a local campaign to save a well-loved doctors’ surgery (its previous partners have included AJ Cronin, the author of “Dr Finlay’s Casebookâ€). The problem arose because the partners needed to sell their premises, as one of them was retiring. The Primary Care Trust decided that it wouldn’t treat this as an accommodation issue, but insisted that the doctors gave notice and then bid in open competition for their own…