The Belfast Agreement decoupled Northern Ireland’s constitutional future from day-to-day elected politics, but the pro-UK parties failed to adapt.
Also: Sturgeon warned that she risks repeating Labour’s mistakes by governing timidly; Hain hits out at Cardiff Bay for dodging referendum on powers; and more.
The former Prime Minister may stand down from Parliament next year. Here’s our attempt at a friendly send-off.
Also: From the demise of non-English ‘big beasts’ to increased culture clash – how we might drift apart in the age of devolution.
That IRA letters crisis: Ulster rejects amnesty call; today’s Labour apologises for letters, whilst yesterday’s dismisses outrage.
By Harry PhibbsFollow Harry on Twitter The Labour Party have been keen to make political capital over the increase in the number of people using Foodbanks. Labour's response crass for various reasons. Foodbanks were already expanding under the Labour Government. Most of those that use foodbanks are in a short term crisis. The need for foodbanks […]
By Matthew Barrett Follow Matthew on Twitter Earlier on this week, the head of public-sector union UNISON, Dave Prentis, used belligerent and class-war rhetoric to call for "a campaign for strike action without precedent". You might think it would be politically sensible for Ed Miliband and his team to shut this story down and remove themselves […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter An extensive examination of Labour's strategy and leadership failure is conducted by Dan Hodges (one of the Left's thoughtful commentators) in the New Statesman this week. On the one hand, Labour's policy review is seemingly comprehensive: Labour is currently consulting on as many as 25 separate policy initiatives. Titles […]
Tim Montgomerie No messages of congratulations to the happy couple or any celebration of a wonderful day, just this sour tweet: 1pm: Fifteen minutes after this post Peter Hain tweets a message of congratulations. Coincidence?
By Jonathan Isaby The Labour Party yesterday published a consultation document, Refounding Labour, raising many questions about the party's future structure, organisation, and policy-making processes, amongst many other things. It was written by Peter Hain, shadow Welsh Secretary and chair of Labour's National Policy Forum, at the invitation of Ed Miliband, and he includes the following […]
Despite all the myths that have built up around it, the first person to coin the phrase ‘Thatcherism’ on the record was most likely the Lady herself.