Monthly Archives: March 2010

TweetJames Graham has been slaving away creating a VoteMatch device for the general election – similar to the one for the Euro elections. You answer “agree”/”disagree” for a list of very relevant and thought-provoking statements, then pick the parties you want … Continue reading →

TweetThere’s a brilliant piece in the Independent by Steve Richards laying into the Tories’ changes in economic “strategy”: For an opposition that has changed quite so often, tonally and in policy terms, government must seem something of a nightmarish prospect, however … Continue reading →

Tweet   …And can I just say: How can you have “a tax on dead people”, as George Osborne kept on going on about? Yes, you can tax estates. But I’m not worried about my estate being taxed after my death … Continue reading →

TweetAt long last, what seems to be the final word on the expenses episode, from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Hurrah! I must say that I think it is absolutely crazy that MPs will still be allowed to employ their … Continue reading →

TweetThey used say “deficit” every second word. Now George Osbourne is spraying around largesse without a care in the world as to where it will come from: “efficiency savings, darling” he says, waving away enquiries with a limpid hand. LibDemVoice reports on Saint … Continue reading →

TweetYou see a nice smiling picture of Gordon Brown saying “Vote for me”. With the last posters you saw a picture of David Cameron and the words “cut the NHS” glaring out at you. No matter which agency the Tories … Continue reading →

TweetThere’s a letter from a group of bishops in the Sunday Telegraph It’s interesting that it always seems to be the same lot: Ah! Nazir-Ali! Ah! Scott-Joynt! Ah! George Carey – bless him! I hesitate to call them “the usual … Continue reading →

TweetChampagne corks are popping in Tory circles as a couple of polls show them on 37% today (for one they’re on 39%). According to UK Polling Report, calculating the latest average, that means the Conservatives will win 285 seats, just squeaking it … Continue reading →

TweetThe US Republicans really are being silly, since the Health Care bill passed. Firstly, John McCain spat his dummy out: There will be no cooperation for the rest of the year. They have poisoned the well in what they’ve done … Continue reading →

TweetThis is a victory for licence-payers. From the Times: The BBC will be forced to open its accounts to the National Audit Office after the three major political parties agreed that the Government’s spending watchdog should be able to investigate … Continue reading →

TweetDavid Cameron ought to require a change of underwear after seeing this poll. It’s from the BBC Daily Politics show, conducted by ComRes after the budget was announced. Since a similar poll in December, confidence in the Tories on the … Continue reading →

Tweet photo credit: AndyRob The Sun reports this morning “David Cameron slams 10% cider tax” or, for the hard of thinking: “Cam slam for 10% cider”: DAVID Cameron shows his support for cider drinkers yesterday – by downing a pint … Continue reading →

TweetFrom the Mirror: A journalist who filmed an interview about gay rights with a stumbling, confused David Cameron yesterday said the Tory leader’s press chiefs begged him not to release the embarrassing footage. Mr Cameron got so tied in knots … Continue reading →

TweetLatest IPSOS/MORI Reuters polling info (maybe I am going mad but I still not sure whether they have swopped the two main parties round): LONDON (Reuters) – The Conservatives still lag Labour in crucial marginal constituencies they must win to secure … Continue reading →

TweetIt’s a slightly disingenuous excuse anyway, but let’s take Iain Dale’s remarks on Cameron’s YouTube meltdown (below) at face value: I think the inherent problem with the interview was that Cameron didn’t know if he was giving a print interview … Continue reading →

TweetBBC News at One quoted the government as saying that the tax threshold freeze will save them £2billion. Presuming that is over a year, that is spookily the same as a 1 penny rise in income tax. Indeed, if you … Continue reading →

TweetThat’s the difference, it seems, between Darling and Osborne on the economy. Despite all his sound and fury, George Osborne wants to reduce the “bulk” of the structural deficit in the next parliament versus Darling’s 67% planned reduction. Osborne wants 80% … Continue reading →