Ministers U-turn over the Saudi prison deal following an unlikely alliance of Michael Gove and Jeremy Corbyn

Ministers U-turn over the Saudi prison deal following an unlikely alliance of Michael Gove and Jeremy Corbyn

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Gove & Corbyn unusual allies on cancelling Saudi prisons deal; MoJ objections overruled by FCO & No 10 (The Times) https://t.co/GyZ8hd5YkR — Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) October 12, 2015 And he has. Corbyn: "Cameron has been shamed into a u-turn on this terrible contract, but why was it set up in the first place?" — George Eaton (@georgeeaton) October 13, 2015 https://twitter.com/chrisbrooke/status/653913921078829056

The worry for LAB is that last night’s PLP could be a foretaste of the next four and a half years

The worry for LAB is that last night’s PLP could be a foretaste of the next four and a half years

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George Eaton's excellent report on last night's PLP meeting http://t.co/rtSBYLSWt1 pic.twitter.com/KW26XVZx47 — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) October 13, 2015 https://twitter.com/chrishanretty/status/653791847559462912 This is what happens when a leader has so little support from his MPs By all accounts last night’s meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party was one of the most fractious and bad tempered in living memory. The division between the leadership and the rest couldn’t be greater. The problem, of course, is that Jeremy Corbyn is the second leader in…

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Corbyn’s LAB gets to within 4% with ICM equalling the party’s best since the general election

Corbyn’s LAB gets to within 4% with ICM equalling the party’s best since the general election

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Wiki list of all GE voting polls since the general election https://t.co/XJa8AXv4HC pic.twitter.com/UoKkR4LNpk — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) October 12, 2015 This could calm the nerves of those worried about the new leader As the above panel shows there have been precious few voting polls since the general election. Many of the pollsters and those who commissioned them have cut back on their efforts pending the review a what went wrong on May 7th. But some have carried on notably the major…

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David Cameron’s popularity – the reason why we are having an EU referendum and the reason why LEAVE is likely to lose

David Cameron’s popularity – the reason why we are having an EU referendum and the reason why LEAVE is likely to lose

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The reason, of course, why we are having an EU referendum is that the Conservatives had such a stunning and surprise victory in the general election. One of the key factors in that, I would argue, is the personality and popularity of David Cameron himself. Without the “Cameron premium” then it’s likely that the Tories would not be in power and able to decide. Just look at the polling above which was taken just before the general election. This is…

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In the past 6 weeks EU referendum polls have ranged from a 3% LEAVE lead to a 19% REMAIN one

In the past 6 weeks EU referendum polls have ranged from a 3% LEAVE lead to a 19% REMAIN one

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Looking at the numbers on the day the REMAIN campaign launches The chart above is based on the difference between the REMAIN and LEAVE figures, before netting off the don’t knows, in all the EU referendum polls since the beginning of September. What is absolutely extraordinary is the sheer range of findings. These run from a LEAVE lead of 3% to a REMAIN one of 19%. Why this should be is very difficult to understand. It might just reflect that…

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It would be a mistake for Sadiq Khan to attack Zac Goldsmith’s out of touchness

It would be a mistake for Sadiq Khan to attack Zac Goldsmith’s out of touchness

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YouGov have published their latest polling on the London Mayoral race, YouGov say What’s remarkable is just how evenly matched [Khan and Goldsmith] are, right down to the different aspects of their personality. Likeable? Its 41%/41%.  Good in a crisis? 26%/27%. Up to the job of Mayor? 38%/39%. There’s only one area where you start to see a major difference – whether the two men are ‘in touch with ordinary people’. 41% think Mr Khan is, compared to only 18%…

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Rose might front Remain but he won’t lead it

Rose might front Remain but he won’t lead it

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Tory Peer & former M&S boss Lord Rose to lead the campaign to keep the UK in the EU. http://t.co/GSlsdgM8fC pic.twitter.com/4SNafUiYVl — TSE (@TSEofPB) October 10, 2015 Amateurs playing at politics will get swept aside by the professionals Politicians are not popular; not now and rarely ever. The bickering, the pettiness, the game-playing, the dirt thrown – much of which sticks to some extent, including to the hands throwing it – the actual policies proposed or implemented, the negative characteristics…

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The latest Politicalbetting/Polling Matters podcast: Conservative Conference special

The latest Politicalbetting/Polling Matters podcast: Conservative Conference special

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Keiran Pedley talks to Asa Bennett of the Telegraph and Rob Vance Polling Matters is back and Keiran discusses the Tory Party conference with Asa Bennett of the Telegraph and Rob Vance. Just how strong are the Conservatives right now? Who succeeds David Cameron? And what will the London Mayoral race tell us about the wider political situation in Westminster in the longer term?