Could this be more damaging than the 10p tax row?

Could this be more damaging than the 10p tax row?

Will Brown regret his reply to Cameron? Ever since the budget in March the potential for an explosion over the vehicle excise duty changes has been hovering in the background. Applying higher rates to vehicles that pollute the most was in line with existing green policy and Darling’s plan to impose the regime on existing vehicles as well as new purchases did not attract all that much immediate comment. In June, when Cameron pressed Brown hard on the issue he…

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Had Harriet been reading the last PB thread?

Had Harriet been reading the last PB thread?

Was the “men will flee” response inspired by comment number 1? Some commentators are suggesting that Harriet Harman made a gaffe in her final reply to William Hague at PMQs when in response to a suggestion that she might become PM replied: “It wouldn’t be possible because there aren’t enough airports in the country for all the men who would want to flee…” Watch the exchange yourself by clicking on the picture above. I wonder whether the idea for her…

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Will Labour PMQ stand-in Harriet seize the moment?

Will Labour PMQ stand-in Harriet seize the moment?

Does her elected status mean she’s fire-proof? When Harriet Harman, first stood in for Brown at PMQs at the start of April there were widespread expectations that Cameron’s stand-in, William Hague, would do to her what he had done to the former deputy PM, John Prescott. But Harriet was ready and by all accounts came out from the exchanges on level terms if not better (judge for yourself by clicking the panel above) Today the woman who was the surprise…

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Who’ll remember what this was supposed to be about?

Who’ll remember what this was supposed to be about?

Will Davis think that it’s all been worth it on Friday? When David Davis first made his extraordinary move to resign his seat and force a by-election I asked whether many people would remember the original cause on polling day. Well that is now only two days away and all the political focus is on another election several hundred miles away in Glasgow. It’s hard to see Davis being beaten in Haltemprice and Howden but turnout is likely to be…

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How dangerous a line is this for Cameron?

How dangerous a line is this for Cameron?

How will the poor takes lessons on their plight from an Old-Etonian? A day after Gordon Brown was lecturing us about not wasting food the Times is splashing Cameron’s speech yesterday when he said that some of those “who are poor, fat or addicted to alcohol or drugs have only themselves to blame.” The report goes on:“In a conscious shift of strategy, the Tory leader said he would not shirk from discussing public morality and claimed that social problems were…

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The favourite pulls out of the Dems V-P race

The favourite pulls out of the Dems V-P race

Will Kathleen Sebelius become the punters’ choice? Big changes in the betting on who will fill the V-P slot alongside Barack Obama following a statement within the past hour by Senator Jim Webb from Virginia. In a statement Webb said: “Last week I communicated to Senator Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country. Under no circumstances…

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Tory lead down to 13% with Populus poll

Tory lead down to 13% with Populus poll

The July Populus survey for the Times is coming out this evening and some information is starting to come out. I have not got the figures yet but the Tory lead is the second highest ever from the pollster – which means that there has been a recovery since June when it was C45-L25-LD 20. UPDATE: The shares are: CON 41% (-4): LAB 28% (+3): LD 19% (-1) One of the headline items is that most Labour voters think that…

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Is Harriet worth a punt as next Prime Minister?

Is Harriet worth a punt as next Prime Minister?

Will her deputy victory last year put her in a strong position? I’ve had a soft spot for Harriet Harman as a betting prospect after tipping her in June 2007 when she was 9/1 to become the Deputy Leader of the Labour party. Now, according to today’s Daily Mail, she is quietly pitching herself as the best option for a stand-in prime minster should a vacancy occur. The paper says that MPs acting on her behalf are quietly testing opinion…

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