Can it be fitted into the localism agenda? Earlier this week, Francis Maude gave a speech in which it was trailed that he may signal the end of national pay structures for the civil service. In the event, he didn’t touch on it, which caused some, such as Paul Waugh, to wonder whether the government decided that it was a battle too far at the moment. Perhaps, although it might simply be that the policy’s just not well enough developed….
What will his election inquiry come up with? The 1922 committee, following heavy prompting from Tim Montgomerie, is to launch an inquiry into the Tory performance at the general election. It will be led its chairman, Graham Brady, who, like Tim, is definitely is not part of Cameron’s fan club. They believe that their party could have secured an overall majority if Nick Clegg had not been given an equal billing in the debates and the party had had a…
Guardian According to PoliticsHome the political piece that’s getting most attention at the moment is Martin Kettle’s Guardian column in which he lavishes much praise on Cameron. It should be said that his views are not being universally welcomed by those Guardian loyalists who have responded. This is Kettle’s closing point: “These are still very early days. The coalition has to get through difficult votes on AV and negotiate the most difficult spending round in a generation. The economy may…
Is this now a contest between the brothers? Early on in the Labour leadership battle, Mike drew what I thought was potentially a good analogy between David Cameron’s succesful campaign for the Tory leadership in 2005 and Andy Burnham’s candidature for Labour this time round. Young Burnham, he surmised, could turn out to be the Cameron of this campaign – a relative unknown coming from behind to win while better-known front-runners faltered. As it is, Burnham has hardly achieved lift-off.  …
Surely not Michael Gove’s biggest foe? See Andy Smith’s story here
Is his high-handedness making it all a bore? There’s a fair bit of criticism developing over Speaker Bercow’s “management” of that great parliamentary tradition, PMQs. His warnings and threaten to sin-bin offending MPs led to what many are saying was one of the dullest ever sessions today. This guy simply doesn’t get it. He gives the impression of wanting to be the star of the show and his speech last night has diminished him. Come on John – you are…
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Republished Why aren’t they in open revolt? There is a widespread view that the Right of the Conservative Party loathe the Coalition with the Liberal Democrats, after the Conservatives’ failure to win an overall majority on May 6th, and will be looking to break up the Coalition as soon as they can. Certainly, Right wing Conservatives have gained fewer ministerial posts than they could have expected, had the Party won enough seats to govern on its own. Likewise, cherished policies…