Category Archives: UK
Oldham & Saddleworth Result: Thoughts
So that’s that then*. A solid result for Labour. A hold with an increased majority. I think the result was about as expected – you could, I suppose, argue the Tories did slightly worse and Lib Dems slightly better than … Continue reading
Filed under Election, UK, UK Politics, Uncategorized
Tuition Fees D-Day: Final Thoughts
There will not be a single Coalition MP went into politics to triple tuition fees. Yet here we are. A depressing truth of wielding power is often-times the only responsible choices boil down to picking ‘the least worst thing’. I wont repeat in … Continue reading
Filed under Centre Right, Education, UK, UK Politics
Insider View of Coalition Negotiations
On Tuesday I attended a fascinating seminar at Portcullis House on the nuts and bolts of the Coalition negotiations in May. The speakers were Lib Dem David Laws and Tory MP Rob Wilson, both of whom are peddling their respective … Continue reading
Filed under Centre Right, Politics, UK, UK Politics
Does the Irish bailout teach the UK anything about austerity measures?
Ireland has bowed to the inevitable and accepted the necessity of a bailout. There will be a lot written about the causes and blame for the sorry state of affairs. Take your pick: Reckless bank lending, reckless corporate and individual … Continue reading
Filed under Centre Right, Economy, Politics, UK, UK Politics
Whatever You Think of Him, Why We Should All Stand Up For Gareth Compton
It is the stuff of nightmares. You’re listening to a radio interview. The interviewee winds you up by saying that you have no moral authority to take a view on human rights. You react immediately by putting on Twitter an … Continue reading
Filed under Centre Right, Indulgent, Politics, UK, UK Politics
The Woolas Judgement: Good News For Our Democracy
That Phil Woolas will lose his seat (pending any last ditch legal challenge/judicial review) is sad news for the man himself but very good news for British democracy. One of the things that struck me during my campaigning at the … Continue reading
Filed under Election, Politics, UK, UK Politics
CSR: Coalition learn a trick from New Labour
New Labour used to do this thing. If they wanted to do something they knew would be unpopular with the Unions they would ‘leak’ that something far worse was in the planning. Once it was time to officially announce the … Continue reading
Filed under Center right, Centre Right, Economy, Politics, UK, UK Politics
Sir Philip Green: Great Report – Wrong Conclusion
We don’t need a Ministry of Paper-Clips, Open Data is the Answer. Sir Philip Green’s report on government spending is now online. Unlike most Government reports it’s a succinct thirty page slide deck in big print that can be read … Continue reading
Filed under Economy, Politics, UK, UK Politics, Uncategorized
Labour’s Bonkers Shadow Cabinet Selection
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I suppose that line could be New Labour’s epitaph. However, it’s still alive and well in the party’s internal democracy. As with the leadership election rules, the system for selecting their … Continue reading
Filed under Politics, UK, UK Politics, Uncategorized
Ed Miliband and the Battle for the Centre Ground
British Politics is a curious thing. Elections are won in the UK by convincing people who describe themselves as ‘of-the-centre’ to vote for you. You don’t get committed right or left wingers as swing-voters. The hardcore left will vote … Continue reading
Filed under Election, Politics, UK, UK Politics, Uncategorized
