Monthly Archives: January 2010

It is common for British media commentators and political types to decry American news and TV coverage. There’s a lot to aim at, but the biggest targets are usually right wing talk radio stations and Fox news, both of which appear … Continued

I see Boris Johnson has decided to step down as Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, as he’s found it hard to devote enough time to the job. In other news, Boris Johnson still earns £250,000 a year writing columns … Continued

Before returning to our regularly scheduled political diatribes, I wanted to highlight an interesting comment on the previous post by “Tired Mum”  (judging by a couple of references, she must be an old P&G colleague of mine) She says: “I … Continued

I had more sympathy with the purpose of David Cameron’s speech about the Edlington case than you might expect. It is the duty of politicians to discuss controversial issues, to offer explanations and propose solutions.  For a leader of the opposition to address these issues is not only reasonable, it is … Continued

We’ve had a little spate of good, (or at least, not bad) news on the economic front – lower than expected unemployment, lower than expected December deficit and so on. As a result of this I have been struck by … Continued

Before Christmas, Stephen Byers announced he would be standing down as an MP. Today, the NEC special selection panel today decided that North Tyneside will be an all women shortlist.  I mention this because it’s a fairly open secret that … Continued

Hurrah for two lots of unexpected good news in two days. First unemployment falls, and now police crime figures are down 8%, which, in a recession, is pretty remarkable. I wonder how Conservative spokespeople will use these figures to claim … Continued

There’s a new beast stalking Westminster.  The Bolicy. – so dubbed because it is barely a policy, and ends up being total… well, you can do the rest. The Bolicy is born out of  the political urge to do things that … Continued

….wishing the Government had been able to get these laws passed or won these votes in the House of Lords. I know, I know. It’s wrong to want stronger powers  to section people just  because the guy in the flat below me spent the whole … Continued

For any tetchiness displayed here today. I was sick for much of the weekend, and could really have done without the man in the flat downstairs deciding to spend 4am onwards ranting and raving out of his window at the top of his … Continued