The friendliness and expertise of the IfG’s staff, and worthiness of its aims, should not obscure its desire to place the fate of ministers in the hands of mandarins.
To avoid a 1997-style wipe-out, the aim is to imitate the strategy of John Major’s remarkable victory from five years earlier.
But there are truths in life – for example, that a stich in time saves nine, beggars can’t be choosers…and that you can’t spend more than your earn. His premiership ends with record spending and taxes.
As Blair realised, but his successor apparently does not, hysterical denunciations of political leaders are liable to prove counter-productive.
Johnson should be allowed to build a legacy with special projects – provided he agrees to big savings elsewhere. There is plenty of scope.
The author recounts how, despite the opposition of John Major and Conservative MEPs, he kept Boris Johnson on the candidates’ list.
Through the National Lottery, the public have raised over £43 billion for charities, sports, arts and other causes.
He says “our history is the history of freedom”, which includes the freedom to rebel when you think the Government is getting it wrong.
If the Treasury gets its way, the Chancellor will score a big victory. But Ministers should watch for Labour stealing their thunder over taper rates.
While Prime Minister, he channelled National Lottery money into sport, thereby avoiding a repetition of Britain’s humiliation at the 1996 Games.
I really worry when so many in our party and in the media think that is all over for the centre-left.
This comedian who came out as a Conservative also explains why Labour, by espousing vengeful moral certainties, has lost the working class.
The party has its own history of politicians with close links to business.
The rush towards Something Must Be Done should be paused. How about having a fresh look at ethics and values, as well as the concept of trust?
Rishi Sunak’s path to a second term rests many factors beyond his control. This gives added significance to determining what he can do, such as defining his own agenda and that of his opponents.