Comments

Trevor Malcolm, Portsmouth Hampshire

2009-05-17 04:55:21

===

BBC Newsnight Grills Monarchy

For shame, such unlikely headlines can be mothballed to gather cobwebs indefinitely. Because, as your concluding blog observation points out, Queen Lilibet still turns down all media interview bids, sorry

But we can at least relish the next best thing. This book quotation, "Genius, ... for that is Her Majesty's genius"

And for that insight, we thank Mr Jeremy Paxman, 59, of Henley-upon-Thames. He points out in his book on royalty that the Queen doesn't appear to have said anything remotely noteworthy or, God forbid, controversial, since she first took office

Hailed as a genius for keeping her mouth shut, for Chrissakes, since her 1950s coronation? That's one helluva record, especially, dare I say, compared to some, sir?

Yet, Mr Paxman further implies that, like the rest of her subjects - that means us lot - the Monarch, too, may not have much of import or merit worth hearing about

Of course, I appreciate the British Empire would never have tolerated a monarch as opinionated and forthright as the late Willie Hamilton, notorious Labour MP and extreme arch anti-royalist, par excellence

So, instead we're left with the Queen's annual bland message. Every Christmas Day at 3 o'clock, sharp. Plus formal speeches, penned by courtiers for state occasions, eg the Opening of Parliament, during the year

But that's the nearest you get to so much as a soundbite out of the sovereign, let alone a no-holds-barred, Martin Bashir interview on Panorama. The Queen's no Princess Diana

A recent illustration. The Queen visited Portsmouth, a week last Thursday, (30 April 2009) to honour war veterans at Southsea's D-Day Museum

Now, if you anticipated me cadging the Sovereign's undivided attention, to pull off the first World Exclusive with her Majesty, I understand your disappointment, really

What you got instead was the usual over-orchestrated, choreographed set-piece, all staged in front of fixed-point press photographers, to guarantee a good day's royal media coverage

At least, the Queen did risk a mini-walkabout in front of a few royalists, earlier supplied with Union Jack flags to wave, enjoying a moment to bask in Her Majesty's radiance. Yet even her inscrutable, fixed smile failed to express much warmth: bewildering

It's ironic her walkabout took place in the same Civic Square where the Queen's daughter-in-law, Diana, had mesmerised her fans each time she visited, in 1989, then in 1991 and again in 1992

Working her way slowly round the entire square, Diana's brand of magic, left thousands spellbound. Just ordinary citizens Diana had made feel, valued, loved and important

During her public engagements, Diana's performance, her informal chats with the well-wishers, beggared belief. Especially considering her own health problems, bulimia and depression, suffering "the anguish that used regularly to drive (her) to tearful despair" as her brother, Earl Spencer, confirmed in his funeral address

So, I'm flummozed, Mr Campbell. Because, to quote your concluding blog observation, it's the Queen who "probably has the most enduring positive media profile of any public figure, anywhere in the world"

Me, I'm amazed she retained any public favour after her sluggishness to show she shared the nation's grief at the loss of Diana, if indeed she did, holidaying at Balmoral

To my mind, it's the Spirit of Diana that lives on, forever. She claims first place. As the mother of her two children, William and Harry: they are the future of the monarchy, not the present Queen's "positive media profile"

Compare: Princess Margaret, the Queen's younger sister? The gone and forgotten. Even the Queen Mum? Gone, forgotten. (Her former home, Clarence House, now hosts parties of coach day-trippers)

We do need to create a new word to honour those we love and lose, like the People's Princess. Ungone, the ungone, forever. As tribute to those we love so much, yet lose, often prematurely. Often parents and close relatives, those departed we remember daily for the rest of our own lives. Our inspirations

It's irrational such a list includes iconic figures, like Diana, we never even knew or met personally. Maybe, Elvis, Monroe, Sinatra, J F Kennedy, might also apply. They too could do no wrong in the eyes of their fans and followers, positive media profile or not

Then, in the final year of her life, when Diana's unpredictable, at times oddball beliefs and behaviour encouraged foreign paparazzi to label her "The Loon" - even then, had she chosen to murder all senior members of the Royal Family, millions worldwide would have kept their faith in her and agreed wholeheartedly Diana's "inner demons" found the justifiably right thing to do

One regret remains. When the Princess offered you a job and invited you in person to work for her, instead of coy, blushing and tongue-tied like an entranced schoolboy, I do wish you'd blurted out these words

" ... Yes, please: how soon should I start, ma'am? ... "

Then, today, both of your histories may've read quite differently

Trevor Malcolm

=========

George Woodhouse

2009-05-16 23:01:21

Two thoughts occur to me in relation to ACs disparaging comment about the British Press "gorging" on the wrong thing - in his view.

Firstly consider of all the money being repaid to the tax payer for the "accounting mistakes" made by MPs - these would never have come to light without the UK press's involvement.
Secondly, and probably more importantly, the traditional party political opposition system clearly no longer works in this country. We might as well have a single party state. The battle is no longer between the left and the right - or the wealthy and the poor. Nor is it business against the unions or a battle of the working classes against the privaleged classes. It is now the electorate against the political classes - and the press ois the only real opposition we have on our side - and I am very grateful for it.

Em

2009-05-16 19:04:47

CPW: from what I understand, and I may be wrong, Alastair never confirmed being behind that "underpants" rumour. Then again, from what I know, he never denied it either.

Maybe AC has learned from being a writer in the media to being one of its subjects. If he were a journalist today, he might not write in the same manner.

There are good reasons to criticise the media (such as inaccuracies) but as things stand between British parties and the press it seems that the former can dish it out but they can't take it.

Either way, whatever Silvio's fascists rags have begotten onto others, Silvio deserves to get it all back.

Astrid

2009-05-16 18:44:21

The power focus and structure of the American political system is so different to our one here though? Also, I think when some British politicians are treating mis-claiming on the expense system as a right, people do have the right to know. Sitting here with Sky News in the background, I can see another MP blaming the system - thus trying to get out of any kind of self-responsibility. I can see how attractive it is to highlight other European politicians who may be acting strangely; but we have to admit that we have a serious problem with inappropriate behavior at home.

Marion

2009-05-16 17:07:28

This week of MPs expenses has reminded of something I read about corruption in a book on Africa. It was a throw-away comment by the author (who I forget now!) "Italy is the Nigeria of Europe". When I read this book I was living in Nigeria with an Italian - we both found this very funny! Here in Britain, as each successive newsreader and comedian has added a laugh about the MPs expenses I have thought how offended the British would be if this comment instead read "The UK is the Nigeria of Europe".

Taking up with a bimbo wouldn't make Gordon Brown more popular; however, if he put some eye-candy on the front bench he might get a few votes. At a time when almost all our MPs have lost their moral highground, he hasn't much to lose kicking out the deadwood... and I bet their expense claims would be more exciting for the rest of us!

Trevor Crocker

2009-05-16 16:29:57

A thought provoking blog. I suppose, to an extent, we get the media that we deserve but it has always appalled me how television/newspapers set the moral agenda rather than reflect it.

To me it is not,nor has it ever been, news that our political leaders "have feet of clay" - what should concern us is their ability to deliver "on policy rather than personality".

The ease with which the media can whip up moral fury should be of concern to us all. It appears to be an essential aspect of human nature to feel the need to scream in outrage at the startling news that someone in a position of power has a dubious sex life or is in some other way behaving in a manner which is deemed "inappropriate" by those who consider themselves arbiters of public morality.

On a popular level `Eastenders`suggests that it is perfectly acceptable to scream in unmitigated rage at a friend withour placing your future relationship in jeopardy, while`Britain`s Got Talent` and `The X Factor` consider it appropriate to allow individuals with delusions of grandeur to hold themselves up to public ridicule while simultaneously ensuring that those with a modicum of genuine talent plus a suitable `sob story` can be granted public approval.

Meanwhile, so-called quality newspapers instigate a feeding frenzy (into which the tabloids are only too glad to join) involving the abuse of our political leaders, not for failing to deliver their policies but for failing to match up to what the media decides is respectable behaviour. This is a dangerous state of affairs as it both undermines public faith in our leaders and opens the way for more sinister groups to "sneak in the back door" to political influence by seeming to provide a `common sense alternative`.

I agree that we do live in "a media age" where sensation comes easy.....but isn`t it time that some of this hypocrisy was weeded out so that newspapers and television can be granted sufficient space to plant a few seeds of thought which encourage consideration of genuine issues rather than mere scandal?

Em

2009-05-16 16:01:52

Alastair, a 63 year-old man has a relationship with an 18 year-old (she was 17 when they met) and you wonder what the "nature" of their relationship is? Funny.

I'm not particularly interested in politicians' extra-marital affair or their ephebophilic tendencies, but such stories reveal a lot about the judgement. I read somewhere that many politicians have borderline personalities, the kind that indulges in high risk behaviour so as not to feel numb.

Berlusconi is an entirely different kettle of fish and, as I once wrote on this blog, I cannot express my views on Berlusconi without diminishing myself or causing long-term harm on the reader.

As far as the Queen goes, I still fantasise about her hitting Silvio with a polo mallet. It COULD happen.

CPW

2009-05-16 15:39:59

"Freedom of information has become a belief that people in public life are entitled to no privacy at all. Whatever they do, say or think can be the subject of incessant and often inaccurate speculation and comment based upon it".

So how the fuck do you square this with your reporting of John Major's Y-fronts? You contributed to creating the appetite for this bullshit and now you're bemoaning it. I reckon you need a "Money for old rope" tab at the top of your site to advertise another of your multifarious talents.

gary Enefer

2009-05-16 14:07:00

Excellent article AC and a very good comment by Expatina.

Often 'buffoons'can have a nasty side and actually don't mind the media 'intruding'on their playboy image to cover this up.

Alina Palimaru

2009-05-16 12:19:19

To put it in nice terms, I do not have much sympathy for this horny scumbag. One profile I read about Silvio Berlusconi concluded that he is essentially Italy's biggest employer, owning television networks, radio stations, publishing houses, newspapers, magazines, a movie production company, Internet services and AC Milan... among others. I remain puzzled by the public's tolerance of all the legal and legislative maneuverings performed by Berlusconi and his allies to avoid prosecution for bribery and other crimes... this is redolent of a gangster state. Plus, his appointment of bimbos and starlets as ministers makes governance seem like a joke.

Finally, one grammar question. Shouldn't it be 'media are' instead of 'media is'? 'Media' is the plural of 'medium'.

Alan Quinn

2009-05-16 10:40:28

Thank God Prince Phillip has never given an interview then!

expatina

2009-05-16 10:24:51

I live in central Italy, a historically left zone where Silvio is seen for what he is--a rightwing fearmonger who manipulates the press and feels freedom to say anything he likes. He can't be like the Queen--he, and not his family,is the source of the scandals. He screams that anyone who challenages anything he says is a Communist. He blames the left for the breakup of his marriage (for feeding his wife "lies"). He gets away with what the right chalk up as a "Milanese" sense of humor. He's beloved in the north, where the money is, and the south, where he flames anti-immigrant and down-with-the-Roma emotions. I think it's horrifying that the foreign press continues to treat him like an embarrassing old uncle who tells dirty jokes at family dinners and "harmlessly" paws the girls when in reality he is dangerously changing the laws to make himself and his friends richer and more powerful.

Terry Evans

2009-05-16 10:21:36

I consider Berlusconi a little bit of a joke, and if he is having a relationship with an 18 year old girl, I don't think "good on him". I feel extremely sorry for his wife. As for the media intrusion, I hate this idea that the media have a right to really dig under the skin into deeply personal issues, but I presume that this man's newspapers have probably dug up scandal on his opponents, (It's the way of the world). There is an old saying that what goes around comes around.

Silvio no relation

2009-05-16 10:00:12

I am an Italian living in London and though I sometimes find Berlusconi embarrassing he is very popular with the ordinary Italian, and in part because he says what he thinks. Of course it is embarrassing for any man when a wife comes out and says what his wife did. But there is a part of most Italians - certainly men - that thinks well done to him for still flirting around - if that is what it is. Like you I don't know and am not sure I care much too

Janet Pearce

2009-05-16 09:57:27

Has the Queen really never given an interview? Good on her. Two fingers to the lot of them. Your Italian article is absolutely right about loss of balance or perspective. I think the TV is actually now worse than the papers

Gary Kirk

2009-05-16 09:53:21

The point about the Queen is very good. Perhaps there is some protocol or reason why, but still. Elizabeth R in the 80s is probably the closest you're going to get.

Also, obviously the Italian media is less intrusive than here, because it's mainly controlled by him. I hope that what you say about such a media mogul entering office here being unimaginable is true, for all our sakes.

Mennard

2009-05-16 09:42:51

Enjoyed this .The ebbs and flows of political life its interaction with the media and the modern world are fascinating .

How do you solve a problem like Silvio?

2009-05-16 09:32:21

As politicians here await the next blow from a newspaper driving the agenda over their expenses, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is involved in his own media scrap.

The Continental press tends to be much less intrusive than ours, but when his wife announced she was leaving him, and cited his relationship with a young girl, and his interest in others, as a reason, the Italian press went closer to the UK mode (though still way off the full monty).

Berlusconi has expressed his fury at La Repubblica daring to ask a few questions about the exact nature of the relationship with Noemi Letizia, like how they met, how often they meet, what they discuss etc. The one question I know a British paper would ask is not even among them yet he is livid at what he sees as 'a media defamation campaign.'

As it happens I occasionally write for La Repubblica and I had a piece in early this week which touched on some of these issues, which I reprint below.

Silvio Berlusconi is the subject of considerable fascination outside his own country. With his ostentatiously dyed hair and spectacularly whitened teeth, his habit of saying and doing the controversial, some political, some personal, he is an unusual modern leader. More interesting than most. More popular than most among his own electorate, something outsiders sometimes find hard to understand.

In Britain, for example, the idea of a media mogul becoming Prime Minister, and in many ways remaining a media mogul whilst governing, is by and large unimaginable. But he has done it, and survived many scrapes that might have brought down less confident, less politically skilful men.

As for the idea of a British Prime Minister becoming embroiled in a divorce seemingly provoked by his wife's anger at some kind of relationship with an 18 year old girl, no, this is definitely a very Italian, or more accurately very Berlusconic situation. Not knowing the facts about the nature of the relationship (and frankly reading the papers makes me none the wiser) I can easily imagine Berlusconi's team complaining that the media are distorting and exaggerating and driving politics down a more trivial agenda than it should. But then one thinks - he IS the media.

And he is one of the biggest characters in the often personality dominated politics that seems to be becoming more the way in Europe. Think of President Sarkozy in France and the chances are the next thought is of Carla Bruni, or some of the situations involving some of the glamorous ministers M Sarkozy appointed.

Here in Britain, our media is currently gorging not on global economic crisis but 1.5 million expenses receipts Parliament is being forced to publish, which show many bizarre claims made by MPs, for bathplugs, in one case porn movies, tampons (this by a man) and more seriously, major charges on second homes.

Then think of America where as much of the focus - in the main positive - is on Barack Obama the personality, the family, the man, as on Obama the policymaker. Then think back to his predecessor but one, Bill Clinton, whose Presidency almost came to grief on the back of an inappropriate relationship with an intern, Monica Lewinsky.

Like it or not, we live in a media age. There is now in most parts of the media little distinction between 'the public interest' and 'what we think the public are interested in'. So policy is boring, many in the media think. Personality is interesting. Rigorous analysis is hard. Sensation is easy. The day to day is dull. Scandal is not. The problem is that in many sections of the media - TV every bit as much as the tabloids in my view - balance is being lost.

Freedom of information has become a belief that people in public life are entitled to no privacy at all. Whatever they do, say or think can be the subject of incessant and often inaccurate speculation and comment based upon it. So the question becomes - how do the leaders have to deal with it? I go back to Clinton, a master of communications. When the Lewinsky scandal was at its height, and the so-called independent prosecuting counsel Kenneth Starr was about to publish his report, the then President was on the telephone to Tony Blair discussing the decommissioning of Soviet nuclear weapons.

Several years later, I asked him how he was able to stay focussed on something like that when all around him the world was convulsed by a report into his sex life. He said he had a clear objective - survival. He had a clear strategy - to get up every day and focus on those things where only he as President could make a difference. And his tactics were to make sure the American people knew that's what he was doing. In other words, try to ignore the noise, and get on with the job.

I know from my time with Tony Blair that the moments when the personal and the political collide are among the most difficult to handle. Mr Berlusconi is at one of those moments now. He could do worse than adopt that same calm approach as Bill Clinton. Objective. Strategy. Tactics.

He might also take a leaf from the book of another public figure (one who herself commented on Mr Berlusconi's behaviour recently) namely The Queen. She and her family have survived many scandals, crises and perceived public relations disasters. Yet I make two observations - she probably has the most enduringly positive media profile of any public figure, anywhere in the world. And second, she has never given an interview.

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Two very different stories of depression

Publish date: 2009-11-17 17:17:11

Congrats to Ellie on PPB campaign, and Willy Hague on getting van Rompuy

Publish date: 2009-11-17 11:40:14

Private schools worse than State schools - unless it's drugs you're after. Discuss

Publish date: 2009-11-16 12:10:25

Fiona Millar 5 Toby Young 0

Publish date: 2009-11-15 13:18:38

Where we fight we win

Publish date: 2009-11-13 11:22:00

Good luck to Number 10 on 'lobby' review. And a big NO to the other PR

Publish date: 2009-11-12 14:39:11

Robert Enke RIP. May his death increase understanding of depression

Publish date: 2009-11-11 17:59:53

On the exploitation of grief to get Gordon

Publish date: 2009-11-11 08:59:01

Why Tories are not home and dry, and wrong to call GB callous

Publish date: 2009-11-10 13:00:20

Labour needs more of the winning mentality

Publish date: 2009-11-09 10:30:44

The scandal of friendship and the shame of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Publish date: 2009-11-07 10:53:53

US clarity of strategy required for full explanation on Afghanistan

Publish date: 2009-11-06 10:31:48

Just because he is French doesn't mean he's wrong

Publish date: 2009-11-05 10:58:46

Congratulations to David Cameron and Trevor Kavanagh

Publish date: 2009-11-04 10:34:36

Is there a Sun blackout on Cameron's dumping of 'cast iron guarantee' on Europe?

Publish date: 2009-11-03 20:37:04

Johnson seems to get it on immigration. Right on advisors advising too

Publish date: 2009-11-03 11:58:59

Public opinion on climate change - the public might be the problem

Publish date: 2009-11-02 11:37:23

In praise of Stephen Fry, who should tweet or not as he sees fit

Publish date: 2009-11-01 09:29:34

John Sergeant spot on re TB. TB's Olympics legacy. Liam Gallagher's generosity

Publish date: 2009-10-30 11:50:44

Conservative contortions on Europe and Blair

Publish date: 2009-10-29 11:44:12

Two-jobs Osborne suffering credibility deficit

Publish date: 2009-10-28 09:14:22

Canaries win AC spin award with dark nights productivity survey

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

Blair - dead big in Japan!

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

No complacency, variants on a theme

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

Griffin may have been dreadful, but there can be no complacency

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

Margaret Hodge MP on how to fight the BNP

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

Thanks to Charlie Falconer and Dominic Grieve - yes, I know he is a Tory

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

On Biscuitgate, barmy Tory policy, and BNP v Generals

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

More on Obergruppenfuhrer Dacre, Biscuitgate and Bullingdon Conservatism

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

Biscuitgate and Susan Boyle, no win territory for GB

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

Hating the Mail - a mindset worth having

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

A line by line guide to the Mail statement on Gately article outrage

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

Hit the Mail where it hurts

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

Talking Cameron and Obama with US Democrats. Progressive Convervatism? No, he can't

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

Inspired by kids' green passion

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

Good news on leukaemia, good news on student activism

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

Musings from Bertie Ahern, and how I won the Nobel prize for literature

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

Continuing double standards in the media

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

The best policies in Cameron's speech were those of Labour Big Government

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

Tongues slipping all over the place

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

Cameron confuses strategy and tactics and puts Union at risk

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

Osborne inspires apathy at BBC Leeds

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

Let's see more of the Tory candidates please

Publish date: 2009-10-06 09:23:11

Labour needs to fight on record to stop Tory vandalism

Publish date: 2009-10-05 14:28:40

VacuDave goes all peevish at difficult questions. Bring on the debates

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

Lots of joking around in Jersey, though nothing as hysterical as Dave's Europe position

Publish date: 2009-10-03 10:31:22

On The Sun, Obama in Copenhagen and Alistair McGowan on the loo

Publish date: 2009-10-01 10:59:49

Sun switches ain't wot they used to be

Publish date: 2009-09-30 10:17:14

Darling and Mandelson show what I mean by authenticity

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

Serious Politics 1 Low Journalism 0

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

Media's love for Cameron should be turned into a weakness

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

Time for ministers to stand up and fight

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

Today's media double standards watch

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

Breaking News - GB wins award, Lib Dems face all ways

Publish date: 2009-09-23 09:43:49

Why authenticity is the key to comms, and why Merkel will win

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

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