Lords Reform – an alternative

Lords Reform – an alternative

Might a plan like this win more approval? Conspiracy theorists have ascribed the revolt by many Conservative backbenchers earlier this month in the vote on Lords reform to any number of factors. What it really boiled down to was that it was viewed as the wrong solution to an irrelevant problem. It’s seen as an irrelevant problem by many in the Commons on both sides of the chamber because whatever the theoretical deficiencies of the Lords, its unelectedness assures the…

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Continuation thread

Continuation thread

With the final day of the Tour de France my mind has been on things other than politics. This has been a brilliant day for cycling enthusiasts like me made even better by picking up a four figure sum in betting winnings. Thanks to Ladbrokes for paying out so quickly. I was going to write on the US election but that will have to wait. Mike Smithson Recent Threads

Will YouGov fuel the Cable speculation?

Will YouGov fuel the Cable speculation?

Preferred Chancellor Total Vince Cable 22% William Hague 16% Ken Clarke 9% Phillip Hammond 3% Theresa May 2% Nick Clegg 2% Don’t know 47% We’ve now got the full details of the Sunday Times YouGov finding on who those politicians it is thought would make the best replacement Chancellor for Mr.Osborne. As can be seen there was a high don’t know element. By netting off the don’t knows we find that of those expressing a view 42% go for the…

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Was Vince putting his hat into the ring for the LD leadership?

Was Vince putting his hat into the ring for the LD leadership?

Could the 69 year old be serious? Five years ago when Ming Campbell decided to step down as Lib Dem leader Vince didn’t put his name forward because he and others thought that his age would be against him. He’s now 69 and his FT interview this morning has set off a buzz that he might indeed be considering such a possibility. His response when the question was put was that he “wouldn’t exclude it” which is further than anything…

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What will the “Turnip Taleban” say about Liz Truss now?

What will the “Turnip Taleban” say about Liz Truss now?

New Statesman Did they nearly stop Mrs Thatcher Mark 2? Liz Truss, the 38 year old ex-President of the Oxford University Liberal Democrats turned Tory MP, first came to national prominence six months before the general election when what became dubbed as the “Turnip Taleban” sought to de-select her in her SW Norfolk constituency. A leader of this faction was quoted at the time as saying: “Sorry, no, I have never said I’m anti-women. I have got absolutely nothing against…

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Who do we want to be our MP and how are we going to get them?

Who do we want to be our MP and how are we going to get them?

Henry G Manson’s weekly column It struck me as odd the other day. A few weeks back Labour said it needed to attract more working class parliamentary candidates. This is a worthwhile aim given the professionalisation of British politics and even more so for a party set-up by organised labour. It was something of an embarrassment when an aspiring parliamentary candidate in solid working class strongholds has a £5000 personalised number plate. We need to move away from that. So…

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YouGov poll boost for Condi and my 40-1 VP bet

YouGov poll boost for Condi and my 40-1 VP bet

VP possible Most qualified Least qualified Favourable Unfavourable Rob Portman 3% 5% 17% 19% Tim Pawlenty 5% 6% 25% 28% Bobby Jindal 5% 5% 25% 29% Paul Ryan 6% 9% 28% 29% Condoleezza Rice 31% 6% 53% 31% Marco Rubio 6% 9% 29% 28% Economist/YouGov poll How much will her good numbers influence Romney? With Mitt Romney due to announce his choice as running mate within the next month the question of who it will be has become just about…

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