Will NHS chaos be an election issue for Cameron?

Will NHS chaos be an election issue for Cameron?

Comments 0 Comment

Henry G Manson on the health changes In a speech to the Royal College of Nurses GPs in 2008 David Cameron won applause for his election pledge against “pointless top-down reorganisation that aim for change but just bring chaos.” Yet ‘chaos’ is surely a considerable risk now. The biggest restructuring of the NHS since it was created, contradictions running throughout the revised Health and Social Care Bill alongside £20 billion of efficiency saving targets. Oh and let’s not forget the…

Read More Read More

Could UKIP be a force again with a change of leader?

Could UKIP be a force again with a change of leader?

Comments 0 Comment

Surely this should be the moment for a party of the right? You probable haven’t noticed it but the party that came second in terms of votes in the last national election but one, UKIP, is starting its annual conference in Eastbourne today. That election, for the EU parliament in June 2009 was something of a high point and since then they’ve really struggled. Their hopes of a Westminster seat at the general election were dashed when Nigel Farage came…

Read More Read More

It’s time for the PB Nighthawks Cafe…

It’s time for the PB Nighthawks Cafe…

Comments 0 Comment

The 100 songs that changed history? To kick off tonight Time Out’s got an interesting feature which has some political elements – its choice of the 100 songs that changed history. You can find it here. What do you think? Is the listings magazine on the right track – or should I say “tracks”. Have a good night. @MikeSmithsonPB

Can Dave go on ignoring the Tory EU sceptics?

Can Dave go on ignoring the Tory EU sceptics?

Comments 0 Comment

Or is he being constrained by Nick & the Lib Dems? Several observers are reporting that there’s increasing concern amongst Tory MPs about Dave’s position on Europe. His detractors want a more eurosceptic approach which is very different from what they are hearing from their leader. Daniel Knowles in the Telegraph reports on the feelings of many Tory backbenchers: “… For many, Europe has taken on significance as a test of the power of Parliament. Though they bang the desks…

Read More Read More

Will the GOP race now edge back to Romney?

Will the GOP race now edge back to Romney?

Comments 0 Comment

Has Perry’s arrival caused him to up his game? With just over four months to go before real voters start making real choices in real elections about the Republican nominee the main contenders slugged it out overnight at the Ronald Reagan Library in California. This was the first outing at such an event by Rick Perry, governor of Texas, who has quickly moved into the favourite slot after entering the race last month. The big focus of the evening was…

Read More Read More

Tonight in the PB Nighthawks Cafe…

Tonight in the PB Nighthawks Cafe…

Comments 0 Comment

What about Lembit O’Pik for Irish President? A couple of people who know Lembit Opik well have contacted me to suggest that the former MPs next move should be to run for the Irish Presidency. Lembit was born in Bangor, County Down in Northern Ireland which, I’m told, would qualify him to run. I’m not taking this seriously but it’s an interesting idea and Lembit is certainly looking for a new role. At the weekend he failed to become the…

Read More Read More

The Nadine moment from PMQs..

The Nadine moment from PMQs..

Comments 0 Comment

Today, of course, is when Nadine Dorries is moving her key amendment on abortion. I just wonder whether the PM was right to sit down – wouldn’t it have been better to give an answer to her point? @MikeSmithsonPB

Will EdM raise Dave’s Bullingdon past at the first PMQs?

Will EdM raise Dave’s Bullingdon past at the first PMQs?

Comments 0 Comment

Does the PM’s Today comment create an opening? It seems like an age away but it’s only seven weeks – the last time that Dave and Ed faced each other at PMQs. A lot’s happened in the meantime – the increasing pressures on the financial markets and of course last month’s riots. So how’s Ed Miliband going to use this first opportunity to question, probe, and hopefully for him, pull off what’s seen as a victory over the PM? One…

Read More Read More