Monthly Archives: March 2009

One of the most interesting developments in modern politics is the way corporations are wising up to how easy it is to get media coverage and friendly PR by aiding the work of think tanks to put their case for … Continued

As you might imagine, I’m increasingly downbeat about the G20 and the chances for a decently sized economic stimulus package across most of Western Europe. (though the briefing that followed Kerry’s letter in the Observer cheered me somewhat). Right now, … Continued

Maybe I’m getting pompous, but I really couldn’t care less about the Jacqui Smith story. Mostly I feel sympathy for Jacqui (who I like a lot and has always struck me as a decent and hardworking person) and some distaste … Continued

Why should a politician be proud of being mindlessly loyal to their party? Iain Dale asked Tom Harris this question last week, saying that if an MP never rebels against their party whip it should be a matter of public … Continued

I’m currently typing, recumbent, on my new toy, a teensy tiny Samsung NC10 netbook, which I purchased to allow me to write, blog and play poker pretty much anywhere. It’s a pretty impressive piece of kit. My last but one … Continued

I’m currently travelling by train up to the midlands. The man in front of me is watching a film on his laptop. It looks jolly interesting, but it does seem to feature a lot of nudity and enthusiatic sex. (It’s … Continued

If you’re launching a report on healthcare, probably best not to advocate ‘survival of the fittest’ in your press release. Just sayin’

Delighted to welcome the Blackburn Labour blog to the blogroll. Please, to be reading?  As ever, let me know any other blogs I should be reading.

The good thing about being a prophet of doom is that you only need to be right once. I thought about that as I sat in the audience at the Orwell Prize last night. The panel of worthies, which included … Continued

…the press release from Henry Porter, Shami Chakribarti and David Davis that tells me that the release of those suspected of the killings in Northern Ireland after eleven days even though the police wanted to keep them for questioning for longer shows … Continued