There are some bits of news that, no matter how unreasonable and unwanted, you just expect. So it was no surprise to wake up this morning and find that the Con-Dems had dealt a vicious and serious blow to the plurality of the media by allowing NewsCorp to complete its takeover of BSkyB. Forget all… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
In September, I asked on these pages whether Vince Cable was the most likely senior Lib Dem to fall foul of the coalition government and move to the backbenches, or even defect to Labour. In some respects, those questions have proved to be important ones, given Cable’s recent infidelities in declaring that he would be… [Read more…]
October 11, 2010
The leadership of the Liberal Democrats must surely be bracing themselves for what promises to be a difficult few days. With Lord Browne’s review of higher education funding set to be unveiled tomorrow, it seems most people already know what he is set to propose. And these proposals look set to divide the Liberal Democrats,… [Read more…]
September 29, 2010
David Miliband’s retirement from frontline politics was always going to dominate the news agenda once it was announced, and given the day the coalition government had been having up until that point you could forgive Cameron and co for being mighty relieved that the spotlight was off them at a moment when divisions within it… [Read more…]
September 22, 2010
There is no doubting that Vince Cable, the business secretary, is right to attack excessive bank bonuses and the “spivs and gamblers” that receive them. The major economic mouthpiece of the Liberal Democrats, such views and the forthright manner in which he has expressed were commonplace in opposition and earned Cable a reputation as one… [Read more…]
September 24, 2009
A valuable tool, one that I have not taken proper advantage so far, is They Work For You, a website that keeps an eye on how exactly your MP is voting in Parliament. It’s certainly worth playing with, if only to shatter your illusions about certain politicians. I’ve always admired Jon Cruddas, for his principled… [Read more…]
September 15, 2009
So Gordon Brown has finally brought himself to utter the dreaded word. No, not ‘resignation’. ‘Cuts’. Well done Gordon. As a leftie I have a natural aversion to cutting public spending, and would much prefer continued investment. But the nation’s debts are massive, and the three major parties now appear unanimous as to the need… [Read more…]
March 3, 2011
0