George Osborne, the modern day Winston Churchill?

George Osborne, the modern day Winston Churchill?

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Embed from Getty Images If Brexit does turn out be an economic mistake then could country turn to the man who warned about the risks of Brexit? We’ve been here before, a charismatic former Tory Chancellor who warned the country and Tory party against a particular course of action, his counsel was ignored, he was exiled on the backbenches whilst his warnings initially proved to be incorrect. But in the fullness of  time it was proved Winston Churchill was right…

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August’s Ipsos Mori issues index. Immigration & Immigrants regains top spot

August’s Ipsos Mori issues index. Immigration & Immigrants regains top spot

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A sign the voters don’t expect the Brexit deal to end the freedom of movement? The latest Ipsos Mori issues index is out. Ipsos Mori say After reaching a record level of concern in July following Britain’s decision to leave the EU, fewer Britons now show concern about the EU, according to Ipsos MORI’s August Issues Index. Three in ten (31%) now say they are concerned about the EU – down 9 points from July – although it is still…

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Nick Palmer on What next if Corbyn sweeps the board?

Nick Palmer on What next if Corbyn sweeps the board?

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Embed from Getty Images First, the YouGov poll is just one poll, which as we know could be quite wrong. But it fits with CLP nominations, widespread anecdotal evidence and the implications of the increase in membership. This article, for the sake of argument, will assume that the poll is correct. What happens next? First, what doesn’t happen. Widespread deselections are unlikely for the reasons set out by Luke Akehurst (a prominent non-Corbyn supporter) here: Note that deselection is difficult…

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One more heave won’t do it. Labour MPs have to now either back Corbyn or split

One more heave won’t do it. Labour MPs have to now either back Corbyn or split

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The Labour party has changed fundamentally in the last 16 months. Labour MPs have an important decision to make. Should they stay, or should they go? If last night’s YouGov Labour leadership poll proves accurate, then Jeremy Corbyn will win with an even bigger mandate than last year. I’ve always had the hunch the Labour rebels had a one more heave approach with Corbyn, reduce his mandate this year, to soften him to be toppled in a future leadership contest….

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Corbyn set to win Labour leadership contest with even bigger mandate than last time YouGov poll finds.

Corbyn set to win Labour leadership contest with even bigger mandate than last time YouGov poll finds.

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Corbyn set to win Labour leadership contest with even bigger mandate than last time YouGov poll finds. pic.twitter.com/IdlCJtfdI9 — TSE (@TSEofPB) August 30, 2016 Exclusive: Corbyn on course for an increased mandate – YouGov poll in tomorrow's @thetimes 62 to 38 excl don't knows. 1/3 — Francis Elliott (@elliottengage) August 30, 2016 Corbyn emboldened to purge critics with 48 per cent backing reselection for all sitting MPs 2/3 — Francis Elliott (@elliottengage) August 30, 2016 Most eligible to vote in…

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Just imagine if this story happened during the general election campaign and not in the silly season 4 years before a general election

Just imagine if this story happened during the general election campaign and not in the silly season 4 years before a general election

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https://twitter.com/Ned_Donovan/status/770579305562836992 4:30pm – Richard Barbrook's old emails reveal he defended a banned book about 'good' and 'bad' paedophiles. https://t.co/vcqXjspNAg — Ned Donovan (@Ned_Donovan) August 30, 2016   Whatever the rights and wrongs of this story, perceptions can sometimes matter more than the facts. Either Jeremy Corbyn and his team didn’t know about Richard Barbook’s background or they didn’t care about it, either option is pretty damning about the political nous of Jeremy Corbyn and his advisers. TSE

“It’s the switcher’s wot won it” – will that be the verdict on Owen Smith’s victory?

“It’s the switcher’s wot won it” – will that be the verdict on Owen Smith’s victory?

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I surprised a few friends in a previous posting when I declared I was a bit of a fan of Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell. I will surprise a few more when I say I am admirer of my former BBC boss John Birt. My enthusiasm stems in part from the fact that I was a Father of the Chapel for National Union of Journalists in Television News. Under the Birt regime there were lots of extra journalist jobs and progressive policies…

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In praise of Jeremy Corbyn

In praise of Jeremy Corbyn

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There’s a danger that we’re underestimating the Labour leader Outside of the Corbynites, the idée reçue amongst most of us is that Jeremy Corbyn leading Labour at a general election is going to lead Labour to experiencing an extinction level electoral defeat. On my most charitable days I’ll say Jeremy Corbyn has only two flaws, everything he says, and everything he does, but I’m going to challenge that perception and defend Jeremy Corbyn. Jeremy Corbyn – A very thick skinned politician One…

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