Mr Dale's Diary: Six Places Higher Than Lord Sugar
- 24 Jul 2011
On Tuesday we hosted a launch for Gillian Shephard’s new book KNAPTON, which is a social history of the village in North Norfolk in which she grew up. Our offices have a fantastic view over the river to Parliament, which the coachload of North Norfolkers very much enjo...
In Praise of Andrew Mitchell
- 22 Jul 2011
Last night I interviewed Andrew Mitchell on my LBC show about the growing crisis in Somalia. The response to the interview was immense. We got a shower of texts, emails and tweets saying what a good job he was doing. Even left of centre people reckon he’s performing well in a ...
A Political Counterfactual: Prime Minister Portillo...
- 22 Jul 2011
I wrote this political counterfactual back in 2004, as the lead chapter in the Prime Minister Portillo & Other Things That Never Happened book. I thought I’d resurrect it here for your delight and delectation, and as a taster for the forthcoming Prime Minister Boris & ...
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Crick to Leave Newsnight
- 19 Jul 2011
Word reaches me (not via hacked voicemails) that Newsnight political editor Michael Crick is on his way to Channel 4 News. Since Cathy Newman became a news anchor, there has been a vacancy in the political department there, although it is hard to see why a Newsnight political ...
How Very Dare I Talk About Cameron's Future!
- 18 Jul 2011
Oh dear. Apparently I should join the Liberal Democrats. That was one of the responses to my piece last night on David Cameron’s future, or possible lack of it. Alternatively, others decided I was in the vanguard of a David Davis led leadership coup and speaking for the hard r...
Sir Paul Stephenson: A Bizarre Resignation
- 17 Jul 2011
Well that was one of the more bizarre resignations I have ever seen. Sir Paul Stephenson basically said that he had done nothing wrong, his integrity was intact and well, that’s about it. So why on earth would he resign? Just because of some rather weak allegations about his u...
Could Cameron Be Next?
- 17 Jul 2011
About ten days ago a caller on my LBC radio show reckoned that the hacking scandal was turning into a British Watergate. I dismissed this thought as the ravings of a lunatic. I’m not so sure I was right to do that now. I can’t believe I am even writing this, but it is no long...
Art: I Know What I Like...
- 16 Jul 2011
I know as much about art as the average philistine. But I know what I like. Two Mondays ago, the Eastern Daily Press carried a wonderful picture of a painting by a landscape artist called Cornelia Fitzroy called The Red House. If you still have that edition, have a look. It w...
Gio Comes Home
- 16 Jul 2011
Just over a fortnight ago, the last blogpost I wrote on my old blog was devoted to a tribute to my Jack Russell, Gio. He had died, less than twenty four hours earlier. I make no apology for returning to the subject today. I have been incredibly touched by the letters and email...
Rebekah Brooks' Resignation Is a Week Too Late
- 15 Jul 2011
Strange timing, but Rebekah Brooks has finally bowed to the inevitable and fallen on her sword. Her position had been untenable since the decision to close News of the World and I was astonished she and the Murdochs couldn’t see that. Even now, judging by the tone of her resig...
I Admit It: I was Wrong
- 11 Jul 2011
OK, I’m going to hold up my hands and do a bit of a mea culpa here. Last December I wrote an article in the Mail on Sunday, ostensibly on Julian Assange, but I also used it to have a go at The Guardian for their pursual of Andy Coulson over his alleged involvement in phone hac...
The Making of Ed Miliband
- 11 Jul 2011
One thing Ed Miliband has proved over the last week is that he can learn from David Cameron’s experience as opposition leader. Back in 2009 during the MPs’ expenses scandal it was Cameron who grabbed the initiative and led from the front. In a difficult situation, it was he wh...
I'm Glad 'Blagging' Has Resurfaced
- 11 Jul 2011
It’s good that Gordon Brown has spoken out and revealed that at least one newspaper, the Sunday Times, had tried to hack his bank account details and the medical records of his son, Fraser. It’s outrageous that anyone, let alone a much respected Sunday newspaper should sanctio...
Andy Coulson: OK, I Admit I Was Wrong
- 8 Jul 2011
OK, I’m going to hold up my hands and do a bit of a mea culpa here. Last December I wrote an article in the Mail on Sunday, ostensibly on Julian Assange, but I also used it to have a go at The Guardian for their pursual of Andy Coulson over his alleged involvement in phone hac...
Welcome to Dale & Co
- 8 Jul 2011
Welcome to Dale & Co. When I stopped my old blog, Iain Dale’s Diary, I did it for several reasons, not least that I didn’t have time to update the site four or five times a day. But I already had it in mind to transform my blog into more of a group effort. Initially, I tho...
Gio: A Tribute
- 1 Jul 2011
Maybe it’s somehow fitting that this will be the last ever blogpost on this blog. It marks the end of two eras – the end of this blog, as in a few days time my new site, Dale & Co launches, and also the end of a life. Five hours ago my beloved little Jack Russell, Gio, di...
My Australian Diary
- 14 Jun 2011
WEEK ONE I last came to Australia twenty years ago, in September 1991. Last time Australia was in recession was in 1991. The week I arrive here the country goes into negative growth for the first time since 1991. Sorry, Australia, I seem to bring recessions with me. I didn...
My Australian Spectator Diary
- 11 Jun 2011
I suspect you Australians won’t be welcoming me back to your country any time soon. Last time I travelled down under, way back in 1991, the country was in the grip of a recession, and during my visit this time, Australia’s first quarter of negative growth since 1991 was record...
All I Am Saying, Is Give Clegg a Job!
- 8 May 2011
When LibDem MPs return to Westminster this week they could be forgiven for having a collective panic attack. In their 22 year history they have never had such an onslaught of the political heebie-jeebies as they experienced at the hands of 12 million grumpy voters this week. ...
Why I'm Going to Start Blogging Again
- 1 Apr 2011
It's nearly four months since I quit blogging. So many people have been kind enough to tell me they have missed my daily jottings, and indeed, I have missed them myself. My life just hasn't been quite the same. Indeed, I'm sure you won't think it pretentious of me to say that ...