What has David Cameron done so far, which has marked him out as a prime minister? The answer is, surprisingly little, as John Rentoul observes in theIndependent on Sunday: “…the Prime Minister seems unformed. He is adroit at reacting to events, but not so good at making them happen.” But that does not mean he… Continue reading Welcome to the 2010s: the era of reactive, populist, say-anything politics
Category: Lib Dems
What Chris Huhne’s departure tells us about British politics
So, Chris Huhne has left the cabinet. Entire forests have already been destroyed over the interceding months, since the story broke about the speeding points allegedly taken for him by his wife. He will now be charged and is innocent until proven guilty: that is the fair play to which he is entitled. We will… Continue reading What Chris Huhne’s departure tells us about British politics
The coalition is on life-support
“Mummy, what is that man for”? This exquisite, though probably apocryphal, comment from a small child has been variously said to be about many politicians over the years, including Herbert Asquith. But Asquith’s successor a century later, Nick Clegg, may suddenly be finding that a real and painful question, as he reflects on the wreckage… Continue reading The coalition is on life-support
The New Politics (reprise) – Huhne’s Reagan Defence
Now, it takes a lot to make me indignant. Not at all partial to political witch-hunts or vicariously excited by the whiff of scandal. Non-plussed by the expenses scandal, thought David Laws foolish but not corrupt, same about Mandelson, couldn’t care less about Clarke or most of the myriad scandals which nowadays surround the political… Continue reading The New Politics (reprise) – Huhne’s Reagan Defence
The Lib Dems: Readiness To Govern, 101
For the nth time in the last few days, the Lib Dems have shown themselves thrown by the basic politics of government; as opposed to opposition, where they were supremely comfortable. Whilst our own reaction to scandal, in cases such as Phil Woolas, has sometimes been unnecessarily brutal – throwing someone out of the party… Continue reading The Lib Dems: Readiness To Govern, 101
To my favourite lightning conductor
The Centre Left has come by the following confidential letter, apparently written in the early hours of this morning following yesterday’s local elections: 10 DOWNING STREET LONDON SW1A 2AA THE PRIME MINISTER 06 May 2011 Dear Nick, Just a quick note: I really wanted to say how sorry I am about the election results. Gutted… Continue reading To my favourite lightning conductor