But he looks to be a stronger candidate than he did four years ago, when he first stood to be West Midlands Mayor.
Perhaps the simplest way of putting it is: it’s all about economic credibility, stupid. Because come 2024, it certainly will be.
Labour has chosen a Corbynista as its Police and Crime commissioner candidate. He won’t provide the action we need.
By Mark WallaceFollow Mark on Twitter. At last, the famous note written by Liam Byrne to David Laws, his successor at the Treasury, has come to light, courtesy of ITV's West Country Political Editor: Liam Byrne is never going to live down those fateful words – "Dear Chief Secretary, I'm afraid there is no money. Kind regards […]
By Harry PhibbsFollow Harry on Twitter Writing in the Daily Telegraph this morning the Labour MP for Rochdale, Simon Danczuk wrote: "The Labour Party is a moral crusade or it is nothing,” said Harold Wilson. It’s time this sense of crusading zeal was applied to helping people off benefits – not pushing them into poverty […]
By Peter HoskinFollow Peter on Twitter Labour’s five-day jamboree ends today. There will be a closing speech by Harriet Harman at lunchtime, as well as some prior talks, before everyone leaves Manchester to the Greatest Football Team in the World, and decamps to their constituencies and to London. So apologies if this quick list of the […]
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter In today's Telegraph Liam Byrne announces that Labour will support the Coalition's benefit cap as long as it is regionalised. The Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary writes: "While all that £500 a week might get you in central London is a one-bedroom apartment, in Rotherham, Yorkshire it would get you […]
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter Conservatives have had some fun at Ed Miliband's expense this week. Today's Sun revelled in Ed Miliband's "Blackbusters" gaffe. "Silly Mili", it laughed. Guido Fawkes relaunched Iain Martin's Don't Underestimate Ed Miliband Association as the Don't Unseat Ed Miliband Association. "Save Ed Miliband" is the three word prayer of every […]
By Joseph Willits Follow Joseph on Twitter In an embarrassing twist for Ken Livingstone's election campaign, statistics used to accuse Boris of laziness have backfired. Official statistics suggest, that Boris's attendance at official meeting is in fact double compared to his predecessor. On Livingstone's website, in a post labelled 'part time Mayor', Liam Byrne is quoted as […]
Conservative values underpin what it can achieve – whether in apprenticeships, manufacturing exports, jobs or contributions to good causes.