Will Angela Merkel decide Britain’s next government?

Will Angela Merkel decide Britain’s next government?

A guest slot from Richard Nabavi Any government can be rocked by external events. The MPs’ expenses scandal and the banking crisis dominated much of Gordon Brown’s time in No 10. Whilst we don’t yet know what surprises lie in store for the present government, there is already one crisis which could be a big factor in determining the next election. That is the unfolding financial turmoil in the Eurozone. For the coalition, the big danger is that a recession,…

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Are these five the clincher in the AV referendum?

Are these five the clincher in the AV referendum?

What’ll be the impact of Labour’s “old guard” saying NO? With less than six months to go before the referendum on electoral reform No to AV campaign has announced the backing of five of Labour’s old guard. All of them were cabinet ministers and all are familiar figures. Those opposed to change will be particularly pleased that former deputy Labour leader, Margaret Beckett, has agreed to become the president of the campaign and, no doubt, will a key public role…

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Are the police right to use kettling?

Are the police right to use kettling?

Could it just increase the anger and violence? There’s been a strong defence by the Metropolitan police of their tactic of using what’s known as “kettling” yesterday in containing the fees protests in central London. The plan is simple – the demonstrators are trapped for many hours in order to prevent the possibility of mass attacks that could lead to violence and criminal damage on specific targets. Yesterday it was said that they were aiming for the Lib Dem offices…

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What do you do when your time is up?

What do you do when your time is up?

Plato reflects on the ending of political careers Falling on your sword for the good of the Party has never been a popular career choice for an aspiring politician, but are our MPs any less honourable than their predecessors? Most careers ending in ignoble resignation fall into four categories – a tabloid sex scandal, money and favours, a massive gaffe or a visit from the boys in blue. Simple incompetence barely registers, as the cross party praise for Estelle Morris…

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Is ConHome right to be getting excited?

Is ConHome right to be getting excited?

Is this the politics for those who believe the Diana conspiracy? The Daily Express is not one of those papers that often gets cited on PB, or indeed other political sites, for its most noted for its front pages on the Diana conspiracy and regular new cures for one form of cancer or another. So how are we to regard it’s launch of a campaign crusade today to get the UK out of the EU? Is this going to resonate…

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YouGov LD rating moves back to lowest level ever

YouGov LD rating moves back to lowest level ever

Latest PAPA shares – CON 37.2: LAB 38.4: LD 13.2 Tonight’s YouGov daily poll has more bad news for the Lib Dems – down to nine percent which equals their lowest share ever with the online polling firm. YouGov has been reporting significantly smaller LD shares than the other pollsters but the trend from all of them is the same – a declining share for the junior coalition partner. This has an impact on PAPA – the PB All Pollster’s…

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Introducing PAPA – the PB All Pollsters’ Average

Introducing PAPA – the PB All Pollsters’ Average

PB All Pollsters’ Average Date CON % LAB % LD % PAPA Current 24/11/10 37.6 38.4 13.4 PAPA October 2010 31/10/10 37.6 37.2 15.2 PAPA September 2010 30/09/10 37.8 37.0 14.8 PAPA August 2010 31/08/10 39.3 36.0 15.0 PAPA July 2010 31/07/10 40.0 36.7 15.0 PAPA June 2010 30/06/10 40.2 37.2 17.2 Labour edge upwards as the LDs dive Here it is – the first PB All Pollsters’ Average (PAPA) as was trailed on a thread last week. Taking in…

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