Comments
Good signals on coal and the Olympics
2009-04-24 10:45:28
As the credit crunch bit, there was a danger of a very bad 'either-or' situation developing - either we sort the global economic crisis, or we save the planet, but we can't do both.
To be fair both to Barack Obama and Gordon Brown, they have not lost sight of the importance of the green agenda amid the inevitable focus on the scale of economic carnage wreaked by the banking crisis.
Inevitably, and rightly, the big figures on borrowing and debt, the new top rate of tax, and the prospect of future spending cuts grabbed most of the attention after Alistair Darling's Budget. But amid it all there were several important steps, and important signals of leadership, on the environment agenda; among them the 'carbon budget' and the new limits on geeenhouse gas emissions, additional funding for energy efficiency as part of the economic stimulus, which should help with jobs as well as reducing energy costs, more on renewables. And whilst most people may put fuel duty down in the 'taxes up, hit on business' category, some may shift them to the 'green agenda' side of the ledger.
Then yesterday - and further proof that if politicians set out the scale of a problem, take time to listen to arguments, and then make bold steps to meet the problem, they can win difficult debates - the pledge from Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband that no new coal-fired power plants will be built without the guarantee of capturing and burying 25per cent of emissions now, and 100 percent by 2025.
It won't be enough for some in the environment debate, but it was a big step in the right direction which, in this ever more interconnected world of ours, will lead to change elsewhere. There is a lot of technological work to be done before we can be sure of the objectives of this announcement being met. But if they are, and the technology can be made to help other countries too, this will have significance way beyond the UK.
As ever with serious, difficult government policy, there are competing demands going on here - economic, industrial, environmental, energy security. The fact that Ed managed to get a broad welcome from some of the environmental pressure groups and some of the energy companies suggests he is on the right track. That track has a long way to run, but sometimes the sign posts at big political moments - which the Budget was - can be as important as the steps of detail that will follow.
I don 't imagine Ed came into politics to lead demonstrations in the chant of 'what do we want?- clean coal - when do we want it? - now' but that's where he is at.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the land of competing priorities, inspectors from the International Olympic Committee have been reviewing preparations for London 2012 and have gone away 'deeply impressed,' saying that they are close to giving a mark of 'ten out of ten' for the way things are going.
Needless to say, some have been out with another either-or question - either we sort the econoic crisis, or we have the Games, we can't do both. Nonsense.
The Games will be great for London, and for Britain. Particularly given the tougher times ahead, they can become not just a celebration of sport, but a symbol of recovery too.
I confess to being a bit down after the Budget. Not for nothing, I guess, is a grim economic situation described as a 'depression'. But thanks to the immediate signal of continued commitment to the green agenda, the news that the Olympics remain on track, a nice dinner last night to celebrate my old boss and current diaries editor Bill Hagerty's 70th birthday, another nice sunny day, another big game tomorrow, and the insight that David Cameron is going to have to do better than say he will fill the black hole by chopping a few quangoes, I feel a bit better today.
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Tremors of Japanese political earthquake will be felt far and widePublish date: 2009-08-30 15:50:54
Pressure on Ed Miliband can help get a climate change dealPublish date: 2009-08-28 13:39:08
Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success storyPublish date: 2009-08-27 16:03:34
Exposing the absurdity of Chris GraylingPublish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19
Joy and beauty and a night of magicPublish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11
Twitter NHS backlash good for ObamaPublish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49
A lifetime's ambition fulfilledPublish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02
Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish 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 worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish 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 FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish 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 betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish 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 ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish 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 speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish 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 LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish 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 BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish 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 itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish 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 nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish 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 ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish 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 BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish 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 ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish 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 G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish 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 godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish 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 strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish 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 othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish 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 songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish 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 vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish 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 NewsnightPublish 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 blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Robs
2009-04-24 21:27:27Hello Alistair,
Good blog post-nice to hear some refreshing analysis about it that isn't hyperbole about the budget. Plus, I am also excited about the Olympics. I don't care what the naysavers are coming out with-I know it will be the kind of hisotric event that will be talked about for years afterwards.
I run my own blog, if you would like to check it out. I am Graduated Student who is trying to find a job in the current economic climate. My blog is: http://graduatecalling.wordpress.com , and I would like to know what you think!
Thank you,
Robs :)
alex popplewell
2009-04-24 18:27:27Depressing to see the manifesto promises shredded and final nail in the New Labour project I guess.I too think Cameron will have to do better than chop a few quangos,but will do so,and more, from a position of a 100 plus seat majority
Rupert
2009-04-24 17:21:30Is this actually footage of AC cycling in Scotland? I think we should be told...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRlETldGhWI&feature;=related
Jane A
2009-04-24 17:14:32The Olympics will be a fantastic thing for Britain, for young people, for sport, for general joie de vivre - sport is a positive and hugely life-affirming force for good, as well as bringing people together and barriers down. If as a result they boost tourism and interest in the UK and what we do, all the better. I intend to go and see some form of Olympic competition in 2012.
Alan Quinn
2009-04-24 14:45:17FAO Al Rhodes.
You're right John Denham was hopeless. He should have confronted Starkey as a facist and told the audience that this government was spending money on keeping a generation of youngsters in work whilst the tories abandoned them in the 80's.
The woman from the institute of ideas slagged off our car industry... unbelieveable! We produve more cars than we have ever done, most for export. The Nissan factory at Sunderland is the most productive in Europe whilst the Honda Civic made in Swindon is the most reliable car in the UK.
We also have world class manufacturing at Burnaston, and Deeside via Toyota, BMW at Oxford, Jaguar/Land Rover in Scouseland along with GM. Ford make most of their engines in the UK as well as their vans.
She also slagged off the new for old car system which has been successful all over Europe.
Rattle some cages AC!!!!
Baloney Maloney
2009-04-24 13:17:41Maybe we should call them the Austerity Olympics
Melanie Bilston
2009-04-24 13:17:02You'd be even happier if you were doing the marathon. I enjoyed your tips yesterday which I have passed on to my son who is doing it for the first time. He is so excited, and so are his dad and I.I read the bit in your diaries again last night when you did the marathon in 2003, and I've sent him that too, because it had more tips in there, and also some wonderfully emotional moments. How you fitted in running a marathon when doing that job is a mystery
Al Rhodes
2009-04-24 13:15:28Alastair - please could you do the Party a favour and and bend a few of the prominent ears you have access to. The Tories and their supporters are winning all the arguments - even though their arguments are facile. Accidently saw Starkey run away with the show on Q time last night - showed the Labour rep up badly, which is pathetic as Starkey was talking rubbish yet the crowd lapped it all up. Maybe someone with more political nous copuld have confronted him and other Tories - all you have to say is that they are Conservatives, thereby do not ideologically believe in social democracy, as the Burkeian/ancien regimist Starkey et al do not, and game, popularity contest and election is won. Easy. Please do that for us. cheers old chap.
Alan Quinn
2009-04-24 12:56:41It appears Ed Milliband must have been reading your blog Ally as it was one of my points raised on here. There is a massive export potential if the UK can manufacture kits that could be fitted to coal fired power stations abroad.
Domestically we have the the bonus of the North Sea oil and gas fields where the C02 can be stored as well as forcing out the remainder of the gas and oil.
We have hundreds of years of coal here which along with renewables can give us the energy security we need.
How about giving the go ahead for the Severn Barrage Ed?
On the Olympics I can't disagree with you more Ally, it's a London centric games which many in the north can't be arsed about. The equestrian events for the Chinses games were held in Hong Kong which is over 1500Km from Beijing, my point being there is nothing for the rest of the UK.
It shouldn't be forgotten that after the Pickets Lock fiasco (the aborted International Athletics bid) and the botched attempt to cheat the Germans out of their world cup bid in 2006 that British sport was in the mire.
Then came Manchester's magnificent Commonwealth games in 2002 which established our sporting credentials.
Our thanks for this from Seb Coe and the cockney alliance? A football semi final at Old Trafford. (I could also go on about how the cockneys stole Manchester's winning bid for the English National Football Stadium in 1995, but that's for another day).
We also have the grotesque fact that commemorative cups for the games have been ordered from China whilst we have redundancies in the Potteries at our factories. Would that happen in France if Paris had won?
So the cockney games can be left to drown in jellied eels and pie and mash as far as I'm concerned.
Margy Steele
2009-04-24 12:41:16For years we have had politicians competing on saying where they will spend money. Now they have to spell out where they will cut. Cameron just couldn't answer questions about this on the media this morning. At least the Lib Dems have been open about some of the big ticket projects they would cut, but then I suppose they know they won't have to follow through. But I think the credit crunch and this Budget have transformed the terms of political discourse. I kind of feel anything could happen at the next election now.
Allan Macrae
2009-04-24 12:37:31The worry must surely be that the commitments won't be followed through with the hard cash because the figures are so bad. It is hard to get your head round just how much debt we are talking about. Yes it is important the government keeps showing willing on green but I would not want to be in their shoes with all the problems they face
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