Comments

Philip Measures

2009-03-18 22:26:27

Whilst such high profile support is welcome there is a real danger in getting away with emotion and missing the harsh realities of the state of the social work profession.

There is ample evidence of the failings of social work education and to make it a Masters profession as Ed Balls is advocating is not the answer. There needs to be a root and branch revisiting of what social work is and how best for it to be delivered - I would also make a distinction between Local Authority (statutary) social work and that of other organisations (regretably Probation has seen a 'dumbing down' politically in recent years).

The 'split' into Adult and Children & Families Services has not been altogether helpful - increasingly there is no longer an 'holistic' view of families and I am extremely concerned at the issue of Domestic Violence where increasingly information is recorded against the child(ren) and not the parents - so important social work information on both victims and perpetrators is often not recorded and we all know that perpetrators often move on to new relationships - only Police checks (if carried out) will highlight previous concerns when social work records ought to.

The extension of 'Sarah's Law' enabling parents to ask if a paedophile is living nearby is also extremely limited - good and caring parents MAY avail themselves of that - others who are less enlightened will not but it scores a few political 'brownie points!'

Of major concern is the Integrated Children's System (ICS) which means many social workers are spending 3-4 days per week innn front of their computers with less and less time available for 'face-to-face' contact with children and families. The Government MUST seriously address this. ICS is unhelpful both in the way it records information (it is generally accepted that it does not 'tell the child's story' in an easy and comprehensible / analytical manner) and the limitations in respect of its ability to 'communicate' with other databases - Lord Laming's original Report has not been vigorously followed up to help minimise children who slip through the net - one system that I am aware of (Capita) does not permit searches under more than a couple of names / aliases - useless!

Yes, social workers do a lot of good but the profession is not in a healthy state. There are insufficient experiences senior preactitioners and many managers are not carrying out adequate and 'challenging' Supervision. Enquiry after Enquiry reveals some very basic practice failings.

Whilst it is perhaps unhelpful to have a 'blame' culture we certainly need an 'accountability' culture.

Philip Measures,
Registered Social Worker

Philip.measures@gamil.com

HM

2009-03-18 21:50:10

Thank you for your support for this beleaguered profession. So true in the comments that SW's can only make recommendations, not decisions. And even managers' hands are tied by budgets and targets set by the government.

RP

2009-03-16 10:25:51

Mr. Campbell, my frustration with the press is not that it outlines failures from Social Workers, although I do find that no journalist would speak of a doctor, nurse or policeman in that manner even when their failures lead to loss of life. My frustration is that in newspaper coverage Social Workers were singled out even from their employers and treated as if they have extensive power of decision and unlimited time in their hands.

The reality is that in most cases Social Workers do not make decisions, only recommendations. Team managers need to endorse even basic decisions, but for important decisions it could take 3 or 4 tiers of managers. Social Workers are employees and they need to do as they are told or they can be subjected to humiliating procedures and end up losing their jobs. Social workers are powerless in front of their employers and their only choice is to leave the department.

As for time, it is already acknowledged that Social Workers spend 80% of time doing paperwork. Is that their choice? NO! They are told they have to do it or they face consequences. At times these decisions on paperwork are made at a higher level than the Local Authority, who has no choice but to accept - see for instance the ICS forms.But these are not the only forms we must complete - there are also Court papers, adoption papers, referrals, requests for money, reports for every single meeting, plans, etc. Should I continue?

That does not mean that the 20% of time left is spent with the families! How about driving, time spent in multi agency meetings, team meetings, training, etc.
The reality is that Social Workers will only be as good as what they are asked to do. Even with all the good will in the world and doing unpaid overtime, there is still a limit to what we can do. It is up to YOU as employers, decision makers and the public to ask us to do what is the most important thing for children's lives.
I am worried like anybody else that Social Work is failing, but I do not feel it is a failure of the Social Workers!

cb

2009-03-12 21:37:56

I certainly appreciate the sentiments expressed here. I'm a social worker although in a different field and I try and document my work on a daily basis through my blog (http://fightingmonsters.wordpress.com). Although I doubt what I write is of much interest except to other social workers, it is an attempt at a broader idea of what social work is. There is a massive divide between what the public and media perceptions of social work are and what is actually happening on a day to day basis in offices around the country.
All I can say is ten years after qualifying, I am still proud and passionate about my profession. I did not go into social work to be loved or even respected but to be ridiculed and mocked constantly does become tiring after a while - mostly because I fear for those potentially excellent social workers who will be put off training in this field because they believe the poorly informed journalists.
But back to the point - thanks for the support, Alastair!

FIONA TEMPLE ROCHE

2009-03-12 19:20:33

As a journalist for more than 20 years who is now a social work student, I have a special interest in issues regarding social work and the media. I fully support Community Care's campaign to raise the profile of the profession and agree with Emma Maier that, in order to do this, the profession needs to take some of the responsibility by getting better at managing the press in a crisis - "Friendly journalists have pointed out how unrealistic, ill-organised and incoherent social workers can be when faced with media enquiries" - Aldridge (1994)- written a few years ago, but seemingly still pertinent.
I will continue to watch, listen and learn as the debate and the campaign continues.

Obnoxio The Clown

2009-03-12 16:27:04

Barnardos is a fake charity which suckles at the teat of the government, using taxpayers' money to berate the taxpayer for not meeting their ideals.

I wouldn't set much store by what they say.

Alina Palimaru

2009-03-12 13:39:26

To Emma Maier: Excellent points about how to approach the message re social workers. This way, the public will not only understand the demands of the job and the tremendous commitment social workers make, but also they will learn about the positive consequences of their work. Most importantly, it will give a human touch to what is, essentially, the ultimate human story.

Are there any "social worker" blogs out there? Not sure. But from my experience, whenever my colleagues and I tried to raise the profile of certain types of students, we would encourage them to blog about what they were doing, i.e. volunteering for a soup-kitchen, interning with the government, monitoring elections in El Salvador etc. This could be an effective way for social workers to bypass the media monopoly on negative stories and get their message across.

Jonathan

2009-03-12 12:18:16

I agree with this.

From the outside looking in, it looks like a demoralised profession with an obsession with form-filling and procedure and which offers little by way of management support or structure for the footsoldiers who are responsible for making big calls. This is a failure of management therefore, I would be looking at reforming management and decision structures if I were in charge.

Alina Palimaru

2009-03-12 12:04:04

Magnificent blog!

Emma Maier

2009-03-12 11:04:59

Freya, For me there is a distinction between coverage of social workers in news and in features.
I agree that front page news about social workers successfully rescusing a child. And, as you say, it probably wouldn't be desirable because of the concerns around the child's anonymity and privacy. However, there are other ways of getting the message across - for example articles such as 'a day in the life of a social worker' focusing on the professional not the client, interviews with people in the public eye who have had positive interactions with social workers (such as Samantha Morton, who was in the papers this week, or John Suchet, who created a massive boost in inquires about Admiral nurses when he mentioned them in interviews about his wife's dementia) or interviews with ordinary people who have had contact with social workers at an earlier time in their lives.
This type of coverage often appears in features in the newspapers or in women's magazine, or on broadcast media.
And the wider media also has a role to play - TV drams and soaps do influence the way the public thinks about a profession.
So I think the key is recognising that the media is much bigger than the national newspapers and news.
As for the social work sector, in order to improve its coverage it needs to get better at managing press in a crisis and needs to take a more proactive approach to talking about its successes.

Mennard

2009-03-12 09:28:56

I am a Barrister specialising in Child Care Cases .

This blog post is so true .

There can be no profession that is treated with so little respect .

Yes they are underresourced

They have to deal with families at the sharp end of life ,living lifes that we can not imagine .They make their judgement calls on the run with little support .

They make those calls within a beuracratic minefield .

They then have to find time out of their day to attend Court and have their work examined by smart alec's like me .Who may be able to make an argument but being constructive is perhaps another thing

I can think of no other profession ,except something that puts in you in the spotlight of the press where you almost get your work marked in public as a social worker does when they walk into the witness box.

I have tried in my blog, http://mennard-thestorysofmennard.blogspot.com. To reflect this .Though I come from a lawyers perspective .

They must have more support

I may comment again on this as I feel so strongly about it .

Bronagh Miskelly

2009-03-12 09:00:24

This supportive column will be greatly appreciated by social workers who will be feeling beleagured again today. If any of your followers want to find out more about the Stand Up Now for Social Work campaign, please check out http://tinyurl.com/cjs599.

Freya Sykes

2009-03-12 08:46:07

In fairness to the media (and trust me when I say I'm NOT the biggest supporter of the media generally - which IMHO is full of hacks doing poorly researched hatchet jobs!) but as I say they cannot really go round trumpeting when a case is resolved in a way that is good for the child because of anon issues that *need* to surround the cases. If there were some way round this issue then yes maybe more great social workers out there would get the recognition they so richly deserve. I just don't know how you would get round it in order to balance the needs for the child to grow up without the stigma the publicity surround their case that a "pat on the back" for the Social worker would bring?? Any ideas?

www.freyasykes.com

Stand up for social workers

2009-03-12 08:31:17

I sometimes go on about how Labour politicians tend only to get covered through a negative media prism. But they have it easy compared with social workers, again in the spotlight with the publication of the Laming Review which followed the Baby P disaster.

Of course when something so dreadful happens, it is right to hold an inquiry, right to seek to learn lessons, right to make some of the changes Ed Balls is likely to make. But it is wrong to overlook the incredible work that social workers in this country do, dealing with some of the most difficult challenges society can throw, often overworked and under-resourced and - crucially - without the public and media backing essential to supporting the fight for proper resources.

At least with teachers, nurses, doctors, police officers, you hear of the occasional hero story amid all the media negativity and the refusal to accept progress. But when did you ever hear or read of social workers doing good things? Hardly ever. They are do-gooding busybodies ruining people's lives, if you accept the general view of the press, in the news only when things go wrong, and with such force and venom that the whole damned lot of them get tarred. Then we wonder why people don't want to become social workers.

One of my Twitter followers (sim89) sent me a message yesterday to say he was going to start a campaign for fair coverage of social workers, and asked if I thought it could succeed. Maybe, but you will need a lot of support and it will take a lot of time.

You also need articulate advocates and so I was pleased to hear an excellent interview with Martin Narey, the chief executive of Barnardo's, on Five Live this morning, praising the work of social workers and asking for greater understanding of the incredibly difficult job they do.

He also made the compelling point that the same people who reacted so furiously to the handling of Baby P will be up in arms in a few months' time over an as yet unspecified case when a social worker takes a child from a family. In other words, they are between a rock and a hard place. That is not a place many people have to live their lives. Social workers do, and it is time they got the recognition the vast bulk of them deserve, and the support of all of us for dealing with problems that would test the best.

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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

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

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