Does Fred’s pension put stopping the Tories beyond reach?

Does Fred’s pension put stopping the Tories beyond reach?

How can minsters claim competence after agreeing to this? The numbers involved are on such a scale that it’s hard for the ordinary voter to comprehend the crisis that the financial system has been going through in the past five months. The challenge for ministers has been to appear confident and competent without being complacent. And for the most part since then the government has given off an aura of knowing what it’s doing which has been picked up in…

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The Tories down 3 points with YouGov

The Tories down 3 points with YouGov

Updated CON 41(-3) LAB 31(-1) LD 15(+1) But there’s still a double digit lead? The Daily Telegraph’s YouGov survey for February is just out and as predicted on the previous thread is showing a 10 point Tory lead. The changes are all within the margin of error though they do offer a spot of comfort to Labour. Interestingly the best poll findings for Brown’s party are coming from the on-line pollster at the moment and the margin is the smallest…

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How damaging is Fred’s RBS pension to Labour?

How damaging is Fred’s RBS pension to Labour?

What can Darling do about the £650k pa outrage? The big talking point on many of the radio phone-ins today has been the mammoth pension of £650,000 a year that the ex-RBS boss is due to get for the rest of his life. Listen in – there’s a lot of anger and fury out there and who can blame people. This comes on the day that the Royal Bank of Scotland posted a £24bn loss – the biggest in British…

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Could the politics now become less personal?

Could the politics now become less personal?

Will we see a new relationship between Dave and Gord? If it had not been postponed because of yesterday’s tragic death David Cameron and Gordon Brown would have been meeting later today at Number 10 for the formal unveiling of a portrait of the last Tory PM but one. The organisation of this event had been marked by extraordinary bickering and an apparent effort by Brown first not to have Cameron there at all and then, once that became impossible,…

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Update on the PB Racehorse Syndicate

Update on the PB Racehorse Syndicate

A note from Peter the Punter A few weeks back I floated here the idea of a PB racehorse syndicate and I am glad to say that there were enough responses to justify going ahead. The horse in question is currently unnamed but is likely to be called either Political Punter or Tsar Louis (being by Xaar out of Amanda Louise). It is apparently very forward in its training and is therefore likely to be racing soon, quite possibly at…

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Has Bobby blown his chances for 2012?

Has Bobby blown his chances for 2012?

Can Huntsman backers breathe a sign of relief? The Fox News coverage of Bobby Jindal’s response to Obama’s big speech overnight says it all. The 37 year old Oxford alumnus who had risen sharply to become the Republicans great hope had the national spotlight on him when he came to give his party’s response. This was a great opportunity for the young man whose parents arrived in the US as immigrants from India shortly before he was born. And judging…

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Our thoughts are with the Camerons

Our thoughts are with the Camerons

Sky News Rightly normal politics are on hold As most people are no doubt aware David Cameron’s son, Ivan, died in the early hours of the morning at St Mary’s hospital in Paddington. Gordon Brown has sent his condolences and political activity has been suspended for the day. There will be no PMQs at midday. I find myself very moved by the news which strikes very hard. To lose a child is a terrible tragedy and who knows what David…

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Does this say that “The End is Nigh”?

Does this say that “The End is Nigh”?

guardian.co.uk But are the Tories right to back Brown? On the day the day that Mrs Thatcher returns to Number 10 for the unveiling of a portrait it is perhaps ironic that one part of the public sector that she decreed was a privatisation too far – the Post Office – should be causing so much difficulty for Mr. Brown and his government. The Guardian reports today that senior cabinet figures, David Miliband, and Alan Johnson have voiced concern and…

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