By Paul GoodmanFollow Paul on Twitter With both Jeremy Hunt and Sayeeda Warsi under pressure, today's Times (£) reminds us that politicians can return as well as depart. Lord Young resigned some eighteen months ago as David Cameron's business adviser after saying people had "never had it so good" in this "so-called recession". Yet mirabile […]
Is ‘Spexit’ a word yet? We've already got ‘Grexit’ – a reference to the widely expected Greek exit from the Eurozone. But the appearance of Spexit in the headlines would herald an altogether bigger crisis – an impending Spanish exit from the Eurozone. Writing for EconoMonitor, Michael Pettis argues that Spain will soon have no choice but […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter My series profiling the backbench groups of Tory MPs has usually featured groups with general ideological goals. Groups representing the traditional right or Thatcherite wing of the Party cannot be said to focus on a single area of political life. Nor can newer groups like the Free Enterprise Group, or […]
"History is now and England". The Queen is now and history. The Jubilee is a time for celebration and merriment. It is also a moment for reflection, and for solemnity. Even those who regard themselves as monarchists often fail to do justice to the resonance and richness of that sacred creed. You will hear people […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter There was just one by-election this week. Cumbria County Council – Aspatria and Wharrels: Con 625 (34.7%, -22.1), Lab 520 (28.9%, +4.1), Ind 390 (21.7%, +21.7), LD 206 (11.5%, -6.9), Green 58 (3.2%, +3.2) Con hold. Swing of 13.1% from Con to Lab (2009).
7.30pm WATCH: George Eustice MP: An EU vote would mean "the vast majority who are somewhere in the middle don't get given the option they want" 4.15pm WATCH: Chuka Umunna MP: The idea that Beecroft "commands the support of the entire business community is simply wrong" 2.30pm Local government: Council by-election result from Thursday Noon WATCH: Nick Clegg […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter This morning's Sunday Telegraph reports the findings of a poll of MPs of all parties, which suggests that many Members of Parliament are receiving a significant amount of correspondance from constituents on the topic of gay marriage. The poll, conducted by ComRes for the Coalition for Marriage campaign, shows that 34% […]
While the biased coverage of the BBC comes in for frequent and well deserved criticism I always think the news reader who is most brazen in disregarding his obligation to be impartial is Jon Snow of Channel 4 News. I once attended an event where he described Glenys Kinnock as the "embodiment" of what he […]
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter Mrs Bone is one of the most famous spouses in Westminster. Peter Bone MP has turned her into a political celebrity by constantly quoting her opinions at Prime Minister's Questions.
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter Louise Mensch, the Tory MP for Corby is recommending that her followers donate £5 to the Liberal Democrats for today only. She thinks it will show solidarity with the Cleggs who have been targeted by UNuncut protestors today. Hundreds gathered outside the Putney home of the Lib Dem leader, some […]
Report on Local Government blog.
The DCLG have announced the following 12 "Portas Pilots." Each will get a £100,000 towards their schemes to revive the high street.
Mark Reckless is the Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood and serves on the Home Affairs Select Committee. Follow Mark on Twitter. It is ten years since I joined the Conservative Party Policy Unit and helped develop our policy for direct election of those who oversee our police. It was therefore a particular pleasure for me […]