Comments

Marek

2009-11-24 01:14:55

You should give up with these excuses for being normal.

You're the man who fed the British public with out of date nonsense in order to encourage war.

Tom

2009-11-24 01:11:10

Off piste, i know, but i can't help but notice (from following the link on your links page) that the Labour homepage has 10 mentions of Cameron by name, and just one of Brown at the moment.

Megan

2009-11-23 19:54:48

In the interests of fairness, I'm sure you won't mind me mentioning the latest Angus Reid poll which shows Labour support down to 22% - just 1% more than the LibDems.Maybe the pundit's 'Line to take - it is a blip', was the sensible conclusion to reach after all!

Elliott Burton

2009-11-23 16:54:56

"How dare the public have a different take on the political scene to the pundits? Line to take - it is a 'blip.'" - media and message management you would surely be proud of Alistair? A laugh a minute hearing you, of all people, complaining about the media carrying the Tory message etc etc given your past

AlexM

2009-11-23 15:54:55

"So why is the business position on the Tory decision to remove them considered to be so insignificant, especially given it is so clear? "

Because they have so little impact on business. They were started at a time of budget surpluses as a possible mechanism for encouraging investment. After several years they appear to have limited impact.

Simon Gittins

2009-11-23 15:21:33

'They also want people to take more responsibility for their lives. This will not work neither.'

What a load of cr*p !
Why shouldn't individuals take more responsibility for their own lives, do you really believe Labour's nanny state is preferable ?

Brian Hughes

2009-11-23 15:12:02

The slavish devotion of most of the press to the Tory cause is distressing but, as Tony Blair sort of said, politicians complaining about the media is as futile as sailors complaining about the weather.

The Tory phony trumpeting of localism is an attempt to appeal to their core saloon-bar-bore vote just as was William Hague's ghastly common sense campaign back in 2001. I don't think either has as much traction with floating voters as CCHQ might hope.

One way that Labour supporters might assist with the task of ensuring that these buffoons don't win next spring is to write sensible, non-ranting letters to their local papers gently exposing some of the flaws in Tory policies. Even though they're in serious decline, local papers tend to be much more widely read than even the most popular nationals.

As Mr B also more or less put it, if we can't defeat that lot we don't deserve to be in politics...

olli issakainen

2009-11-23 13:34:00

The Tories have this policy of giving more power to local people. My guess is that it will not work. They also want people to take more responsibility for their lives. This will not work neither. It reminds me of Che Guevara´s talk of a need for a "new man".
We played really well against Villa and deserved to win the game. So it is a short trip to Upton Park next in store for you as we are going to face the underperforming Hammers. Perhaps we can get something out of this match too.
I recently listened to a very interesting BBC Radio 4 programme called Politics Between the Covers. It is still available on the iPlayer, and includes comments by Lance Price on the similarities between Malcolm Tucker and AC.

J.Crockett

2009-11-23 13:13:13

Blood on your hands!

Hazico

2009-11-23 13:09:27

Hi,

I can't comment much on the business sector, as little knowledge- although I have two brothers who have built up their own small businesses, and it has been a very stressful time during the recession(but still surviving.)

On the subject of the media, it seems at present so little balanced coverage in the tabloids and mainstream press.(However- BBC excellent as ever.)

I hear very little actual critique of proposed Tory policies for next year; how can the public make a real choice in voting, if they don't know what's in the bag?

The only person I've come across who gives an intelligent and informed debate is Polly Toynbee in the Guardian.

Also- very little mention of the damage done to society during the 80's onwards, which to me explains a lot about quality of life now, and this sense of fractured communities and individualism.This is the legacy we are all still reeling from I believe.
And Yet David Cameron and his party are proposing to pull back the state; yet concurrently ease "poverty" by enlisting volunteers to tackle?!

Does anyone actually know what they are talking about, or is it all sound bites and spin/presentation alone?
It is substance, not spin that should win over voters.
Also- real evidence of progress.

I think the Tories are getting a very easy ride in the Press- but the depressing thing is, if they win, years down the line, we'll be back to square one.
The newspapers are fickle, change like the wind, and back whoever is the flavour of the month....

However, on a local level, something intersting has happened.Nottingham's council have been taken over by a Tory administration since June.Massive swingeing cuts
have been proposed- which may well hit things like social care, and vulnerable elderly people.(Reported on the BBC East Midlands Politics Show.)

The local paper, Nottingham E.P.have swung into fierce criticism of the impact it is likely to have on vulnerable people public services.

Also, Gordon Brown visited Nottingham last week, with a team of MP's- and made an excellent impact.He has also commented the new council's policy is very badly timed during the recession, and far too severe.

Let us hope the people of Notts and surrounds realise this is just a taster of things that could be yet to come...?

Maybe what local councils are doing up and down the country might hilight policies in action?

John K

2009-11-23 12:39:46

Part of the problem with RDAs is that they have no democratic legitimacy and we have no idea whether they are good VFM - or indeed whether they do any good or not. They are great at saying how much they support regional economy, but poor at demonstrating their impact.

Maybe they are effective in the NE and NW, I don't know about that. But here in the SW they are so anonymous most local people don't even know they exist or that they spend over £200 million a year - £25 million of that on staff and administration.

So while some regional-level enterprise effort may be a good thing, it's far from clear that the RDAs are the answer. I'm not generall a fan of the Tories but would definitely support a hard-nosed review of the effectiveness of the RDAs by whichever government we have come next June.

Alan Quinn

2009-11-23 12:07:36

I remember being told in the 1980's that manufacturing didn't matter and that tourism, leisure and finance were the future.
Some of us survived that onslaught where over one third of the UK's manufacturing disappeared overnight,maybe Dave fancies finishing us off.

Trickie Dickie

2009-11-23 11:30:25

At last some movement on the polls. Its been a long time coming. A spur to all of us who do not think this election is a done deal.
I get the sense that the press will turn on the conservatives (cum on Paxo get your teeth sharpened)if they can see some shift in opininions but to see it they need to get out more...move out of the Westminster bubble and earn their fat salaries. It makes me laugh when you hear the likes of Adam Boulton or Andrew Neil commenting on MP's salaries and expenses. How much has Mr Neil claimed on Bolinger tapping up his cronies over the years?
Just keep the pressure on Cameron and Co, never give in and lets see what happens. The story will never get out if you leave it to the media, only hard graft door knocking and face to face meetings will do today its too stacked against us. The recession proof moguls are at the wheel.

Colin Quinn

2009-11-23 11:22:32

It's hardly likely to be in the tabloid press. There's a large article dedicated to RDAs in today's FT. No doubt it will be picked up by the broadsheets tomorrow.

Jeffrey Peel

2009-11-23 10:58:56

Your comments miss the point. Regional development agencies have not been successful in doing what they are supposed to do. Staffed by civil servants with little to no business experience, they become vast behemoths that dish out grants and distort start-up markets. A much greater job creation effect could be achieved through giving early stage companies big tax breaks - such as scrapping corporation tax for companies with a turnover of less than £100,000 or getting rid of employers' NI contributions for companies with less than 5 employees. These actions could be paid for by scrapping - or seriously reducing in size - the RDAs.

Indeed there are lots of options other than employ hordes of people in development agencies.

Moreover, there is a vast cost associated with having UK regional development agencies competing with eachother - especally in overseas FDI markets. It makes no sense having East Anglia compete with Scotland or the WDA compete with Northern Ireland. Rather, the UK needs to be sold as a package - with special regional development tax incentives put in place. The Conservatives are making the right noises about regional enterprise zones.

RDAs are far from being a panacea - and there is no reason why the debate shouldn't happen about their future. The Conservatives are right to ask the question whether they represent good value for money.

Charlie Pryor

2009-11-23 10:51:11

I see one of your commenters yesterday said he thought the narrowing of the lead may be a result of people turning against the way the media keep telling us what the outcome will be. I was at Church yesterday and in half an hour milling around afterwards, met three people from different groupings - a charity, a business background and a student - all with their own different worries about the Tories. I am a Labour activist but I don't think they are. One of them is now though because I signed her up. RDAs a very good example of something that has done good and they would get rid without regard to the consequences. I live in the North East which still has problems but parts of which are utterly transformed from what you rightly call their decimation

Claire Mee

2009-11-23 10:47:52

Another worrying story I see today - statistically Tory councils less likely to give planning permission for new homes. In other words, speak of the need for new housing in theory, but stop them being built in practise

John Willman

2009-11-23 10:27:57

It's not the only policy business opposes. The City thinks Osborne's plan to scrap the FSA in the middle of a banking crisis is crazy. It is freezing activity for two years to move name plates - and to give control to the Bank of England which has had a very poor crisis (failing to act quickly on Northern Rock, interest rates etc).
Then there's the chief constables' opposition to elected police authorities.
The Tories have an open goal to shoot at, but their policies are gimmicks that reflect backwoodsem prejudices about Europe, regionalism etc. The latest Jedward poster is frankly pathetic - as most Tory bloggers appear to agree.

James Cowley

2009-11-23 10:27:18

It frustrates me how the Media have such a grip on things, where is the fair and balanced coverage from our lovely BBC. I can expect this from Mr Murdoch, but the BBC need to ensure fair and balance coverage.

Speaking more about the RDA’s and Business, I personally know a lot of businesses and local projects that have benefited from the support of the North West RDA, and getting rid of them will worsen the economic recovery for my region. I worried that if the Tories get into power they will decimate the North again, and totally disregard what local people need.

Business right to be worried about Tory axe on RDAs

2009-11-23 10:17:12

If a clutch of business groups had attacked an important Labour policy when we were in Opposition, I think you would have heard of it. Front page news, ramped across the TV channels, you'd have heard it.

Had the CBI, The British Chambers of Commerce and the EEF manufacturers' group all attacked our decision to introduce Regional Development Agencies, for example, you'd have heard about it. Nationally, regionally, it would have been a big issue.

So why is the business position on the Tory decision to remove them considered to be so insignificant, especially given it is so clear? I think we know the answer. It is the same answer that explains the sense of irritation at yesterday's Observer poll showing the Tory lead down to six. How dare the public have a different take on the political scene to the pundits? Line to take - it is a 'blip.'

Getting into a bit of Orwellspeak, the Tories say their decision is motivated by the desire to 'give power back to local people,' letting councils build enterprise partnerships which would take over the RDAs' main functions.

The CBI view? - strategic decisions need to be taken at a higher level than councils. The voice of business will not be heard.

The British Chamber of Commerce? - business needs something in between Whitehall and local authorities to plan a strategic approach to infrastructure.

The EEF? - local authorities lack the ability or the funds to identify and meet priorities for a region.

There are plenty of successes the RDAs can point to, individually and as a group, to justify their existence. But the Tories' big thing is to cut down the State, and they see this as an easy target. They care more about the ideological attack upon 'big government' than they do about the possible impact on regions, several of which previous Tory governments decimated economically.

I can understand if they don't want to listen to me. But you'd have thought they might listen to the CBI, the CofC and the EEF.

Both GB and Cameron are making speeches to the CBI today. Perhaps someone will ask them to explain their very different positions.

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Publish date: 2009-10-27 09:41:48

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Publish date: 2009-10-26 17:21:17

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Publish date: 2009-10-24 09:48:46

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Publish date: 2009-10-23 11:57:29

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Publish date: 2009-10-22 16:48:39

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Publish date: 2009-10-21 17:24:18

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Publish date: 2009-10-21 10:36:15

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Publish date: 2009-10-20 12:16:37

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Publish date: 2009-10-19 12:31:00

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Publish date: 2009-10-17 11:28:12

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Publish date: 2009-10-16 19:12:36

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Publish date: 2009-10-16 16:36:02

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Publish date: 2009-10-16 10:02:40

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Publish date: 2009-10-14 18:24:13

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Publish date: 2009-10-13 08:24:21

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Publish date: 2009-10-12 09:26:18

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Publish date: 2009-10-11 11:36:21

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Publish date: 2009-10-08 17:07:40

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Publish date: 2009-10-08 09:00:07

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Publish date: 2009-10-07 10:29:26

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Publish date: 2009-10-06 16:01:59

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Publish date: 2009-10-04 23:33:52

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Publish date: 2009-09-28 16:28:18

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Publish date: 2009-09-27 11:55:54

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Publish date: 2009-09-26 10:30:03

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Publish date: 2009-09-25 09:40:26

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Publish date: 2009-09-24 09:29:45

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Publish date: 2009-09-22 08:29:13

Why I love NHS walk-in centres

Publish date: 2009-09-21 12:13:03

Here goes with the smoked Salmond

Publish date: 2009-09-20 10:40:21

Breaking News - Cameron's vacuousness an impersonator's nightmare

Publish date: 2009-09-19 11:06:09

Cameron has an army of spin doctors - aka journalists

Publish date: 2009-09-18 10:07:06

On Scottish independence, Cameron's short-termism, and Jimmy Carter being right

Publish date: 2009-09-17 09:56:56

Is Cameron Alex Salmond's Trojan Horse?

Publish date: 2009-09-15 10:13:42

On the TUC, Roy of the Rovers and Anna Wintour

Publish date: 2009-09-14 11:04:46

Memo to Apple boss Steve Jobs

Publish date: 2009-09-13 17:36:31

A day in the life of a (crap) City trader

Publish date: 2009-09-11 17:52:25

Defend record with pride, attack Tories with gusto

Publish date: 2009-09-10 11:06:36

Cameron's Conservatism beyond parody

Publish date: 2009-09-09 10:38:00

On transforned cities, and tales of Princess Di and Laura Bush

Publish date: 2009-09-08 09:45:54

Labour should put minister up against Griffin on Question Time

Publish date: 2009-09-06 12:39:56

School speech the latest source of right-wing frothing at Obama

Publish date: 2009-09-05 08:23:02

More horse's mouth, less Beeb blah please

Publish date: 2009-09-04 22:49:20

Real respect for sport can be Olympic legacy

Publish date: 2009-09-04 09:27:34

First ladies watch out for Japanese bombshell

Publish date: 2009-09-03 10:47:19

TV debate - good idea in theory, but ...

Publish date: 2009-09-02 15:37:43

'No worries' - the new response to thanks

Publish date: 2009-09-01 12:25:19

Tremors of Japanese political earthquake will be felt far and wide

Publish date: 2009-08-30 15:50:54

Pressure on Ed Miliband can help get a climate change deal

Publish date: 2009-08-28 13:39:08

Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success story

Publish date: 2009-08-27 16:03:34

Exposing the absurdity of Chris Grayling

Publish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19

Joy and beauty and a night of magic

Publish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11

Twitter NHS backlash good for Obama

Publish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49

A lifetime's ambition fulfilled

Publish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02

Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holiday

Publish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49

No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DC

Publish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09

At last - something Obama cannot do well

Publish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47

Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?

Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01

Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener world

Publish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25

A time for GB to explain the whole picture

Publish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54

All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!

Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36

First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for Fiona

Publish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06

Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eye

Publish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52

Two great early morning moments

Publish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07

Cameron had better be sure he's right

Publish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22

Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and Cameron

Publish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54

Divisive legend: Lance Armstrong

Publish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23

First hug a hoodie, now grab a gay

Publish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09

Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdom

Publish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51

Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on Hitler

Publish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04

When the conmen move more quickly than the council

Publish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52

Andrew Lansley done up like a kipper

Publish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52

A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedian

Publish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40

When the power of black eyes fades

Publish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59

Farewell to Henry Hodge

Publish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12

Honouring the power of sport to do good

Publish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42

Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?

Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20

New Parliament will look very different. The younger the better

Publish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26

Two nice surprises, sad end to day

Publish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33

Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fund

Publish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26

Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on Iraq

Publish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54

Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...

Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23

By Dave's friends shall we know him?

Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20

The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend Parliament

Publish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44

Less a blog than an apology for not having done one

Publish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43

The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers down

Publish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28

On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrong

Publish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24

Thank you to three readers, now please get involved

Publish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35

A tribute to a lovely man

Publish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40

Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed Balls

Publish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47

A plea for five-figure cyber-donations

Publish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42

On two inquiries

Publish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39

From India to Iran to Labour wit

Publish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17

Memories of Princess Diana

Publish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55

A House Divided?

Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47

A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speech

Publish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46

Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league table

Publish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35

The shrinks await

Publish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16

As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record here

Publish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55

Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activism

Publish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10

Can today be as frenzied as Friday?

Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04

Take heart from a win in Lambeth

Publish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40

JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weak

Publish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20

Do we care more about the NHS or moats?

Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23

Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?

Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33

Who says Britain can't deliver the best?

Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38

Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNP

Publish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29

Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNP

Publish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20

White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignored

Publish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00

Elvis has a plan to make MPs King again

Publish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44

At least there's a campaign on in Italy

Publish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32

A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termism

Publish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41

It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want to

Publish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58

Highs feel better after so many lows

Publish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12

Only one present counts

Publish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46

Contrast Cheney and Bush

Publish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45

Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed Britain

Publish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57

Sport at both ends of the financial spectrum

Publish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23

Stronger together - whether Scotland or expenses

Publish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36

Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar arguments

Publish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34

Speaking up for Parliament

Publish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17

Peace in the Middle East - yes he can

Publish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35

Breaking news - one frenzy at a time

Publish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30

Getting a good look at Vince Cable

Publish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55

How do you solve a problem like Silvio?

Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21

It was the internet wot won it

Publish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57

There now follows ... a good whack at Cameron

Publish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28

They got their kit off - so you get your cash out

Publish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11

Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wage

Publish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08

We love you Burnley, we do ... what a night

Publish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17

A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGV

Publish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31

It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen Fry

Publish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15

Hate the Mail, love Obama

Publish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00

Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased report

Publish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32

MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet again

Publish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19

Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?

Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23

Musings from a sleepless night

Publish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49

Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be righted

Publish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29

Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinks

Publish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02

Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for Cameron

Publish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30

More Mr Benn and Co please

Publish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00

Going Fourth with JP

Publish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41

Journalism - print first, think later

Publish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01

In praise of two poets

Publish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36

JP hits the road again

Publish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11

My night with Eddie Izzard

Publish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25

Explaining the 50p top tax rate

Publish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53

George Best and Martin McGuinness

Publish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35

Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartiality

Publish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56

Guide ro Marathon running part 2

Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34

Good signals on coal and the Olympics

Publish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28

Tips for the London Marathon

Publish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27

Missed the Budget, saw why it mattered

Publish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31

Football good, politics bad. Allegedly

Publish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24

The Great Wall gets greater

Publish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22

Two sides to police story

Publish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54

Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan Boyle

Publish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45

Do muscles have memories?

Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44

Bring back standing at football

Publish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22

When Facebook friends fall out

Publish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16

Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agenda

Publish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16

The spin is all in the prism

Publish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41

A setback, not a crisis

Publish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19

The real lessons from Damian McBride

Publish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47

Will English always be the dominant language?

Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02

On the pipes and what makes a Scot

Publish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20

John Prescott lazy? NO WAY

Publish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31

David Frost is seventy

Publish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38

The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pm

Publish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31

Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missiles

Publish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24

When a call matters more than protocol

Publish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42

Green Cities Champions League

Publish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53

Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?

Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59

Of Benn and Bono

Publish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16

Memo to Sarko - allez vite a Londres

Publish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17

Happy April Fool's Day

Publish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05

Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpas

Publish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22

Why Kevin Rudd made an impact

Publish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41

Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 process

Publish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28

The Damned United

Publish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04

A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sport

Publish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23

Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed about

Publish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36

A sad sight of the old fearing the young

Publish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07

Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?

Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02

Learning the right lessons from Obama

Publish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15

Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy Ken

Publish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14

Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometown

Publish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09

Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?

Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13

Life beyond Dover ...

Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21

My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20

Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22

Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chess

Publish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13

The Age of Stupid

Publish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13

Is all change good?

Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06

The pressure of being a post-modern sex god

Publish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55

Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with business

Publish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49

Stand up for social workers

Publish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17

Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinner

Publish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25

Start of a new approach from Labour?

Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12

A peace process still strong

Publish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05

Day of destiny for the real footballer of the year

Publish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06

Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in full

Publish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21

Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle press

Publish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37

A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporter

Publish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47

GB - good speech, well delivered

Publish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05

Notes on the environment, a role in EastEnders

Publish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56

She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!

Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59

Some speeches matter more than others

Publish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45

Mental health and the Carling Cup Final

Publish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17

Inside the chocolate factory

Publish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59

GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy Kyle

Publish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36

Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!

Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12

Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?

Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59

Me, Dermot and ten top songs

Publish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19

Names round-up

Publish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39

What's in a name?

Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14

Editing the New Statesman

Publish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36

Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F word

Publish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58

Labour's communications challenge for the NHS

Publish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39

In praise of Keighley

Publish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57

A night at the Emirates

Publish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51

When marriage is tested

Publish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35

Spare me the myths and the whining

Publish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50

Dave Cameron - is that all there is?

Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55

Boris Johnson: F is for ...

Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10

The Cameron vacuum

Publish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33

Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culture

Publish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47

Eighteen interviews later ...

Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45

Time to talk about Time to Change on Newsnight

Publish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49

So that’s what they mean by online community?

Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51

First blog

Publish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57

Blog