My Most Memorable Interviews & Calls on LBC in 2018
- 24 Dec 2018
This will be my last blogpost before Christmas, so can I wish everyone who reads my articles on this site, and all my LBC listeners a very Happy Christmas. It's been great to have you along for the ride in 2018. 2018 has been an odd year for me in some ways. In September I ...
How Did My 2018 New Years Resolutions Turn Out?
- 24 Dec 2018
I just looked back at my the resolutions I made for 2019. Here's how I did... To be consistently under 16 stone by the end of the year. I’m 16 1/2 at the moment and have been for some time. ACHIEVED. I'm under 15 1/2 now. To say ‘no’ more often, and not feel guilty abo...
From the Archives: My Long Read 'In Conversation' With Paddy Ashdown
- 23 Dec 2018
Back in 2009 I did a lengthy interview with Paddy Ashdown for Total Politics. Last night I found it on an old computer so I thought I'd share it with you. It makes for fascinating reading and really stands the test of time. This is the full length version and has never been pu...
My Personal Tribute to Paddy Ashdown - A Political Hero of Modern Times
- 22 Dec 2018
"I would absolutely LOVE to do this." Those were the typically enthusiastic words from Paddy Ashdown when I emailed him to invite him to take part in one of the first episodes of my new political panel show, CROSS QUESTION. Sadly it was never to happen. Only a few days ...
My Top 200 Tweeters of 2018
- 22 Dec 2018
I have a love-hate relationship with Twitter. It can be the most amazing communications method, and when there's a breaking news story it is totally invaluable. But it's also become a sewer, which allows people to hurl abuse and rudeness around without fear of consequence. Thi...
"I've Got 40 Pills Here, And I'm Going to Take Them..."
- 17 Dec 2018
Before I start this article, I wish to make clear that the person who it's about has encouraged me to write it. On Friday's 'Politics Live' I took part in a very constructive debate on mental health with Tom Kibasi, Faiza Shaheen and Isabel Hardman, who has talked openly ab...
Giving Birth to Gavin Williamson
- 16 Dec 2018
I feel like I've given birth. When I left Biteback I decided that one of my priorities in the second half of 2018 was to write more. In July I asked Eleanor Mills, editor of the Sunday Times magazine, if she'd like me to write a profile of a senior politician. I put a list of ...
My Top Twelve Favourite Songs of 2018
- 15 Dec 2018
You're going to think this is my job application to be a presenter on Smooth FM, but my favourite songs of 2018 are a bit middle of the road. Indeed, three are from The Greatest Showman, which surely has to be the musical soundtrack of the decade. I must admit to downloading l...
My Long Read Profile/Interview with Gavin Williamson in This Week's Sunday Times Magazine
- 14 Dec 2018
Some time ago I wrote a long read profile of the Miliband brothers for GQ, followed up by a profile of Nigel Farage. But when I started Total Politics magazine and started doing monthly long-read In Conversation interviews I didn't really write any more profile as I didn't hav...
The Chances of Us Leaving the EU on 29 March Are Receding
- 14 Dec 2018
I said on Good Morning Britain (when I could get a word in edgeways with Labour MP Rupa Huq) that I couldn't recall a worse week for a British Prime Minister in living memory. Theresa May leaves Brussels today humiliated, and not for the first time. I have no idea why she thou...
David Dimbleby: Master of Question Time
- 13 Dec 2018
Tonight marks the end of an era. One of the greatest broadcasters of our age, David Dimbleby, hosts his last Question Time, after 25 years in the job. I am a typical TV viewer. I hate change. I hated it whe Robin Day left the programme. I thought Peter Sissons was treat...
Tory Leadership 'Spill': It Could be the Cabinet That Decides Theresa May's Future
- 12 Dec 2018
It's finally happened and the 48 letters which are needed to trigger leadership challenge have finally been received by the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. What the Australians would call a 'leadership spill' will take place tonight, and voting in a vote of ...
My Top Ten Books of 2018
- 11 Dec 2018
2018 hasn't exactly been a bumper year for the kind of books I like to read. I should explain that I mostly like to read political memoirs, biographies and diaries, with the odd football book thrown in for good measure. I hardly read fiction at all, which is something I want t...
Brexit Deal Poll Results
- 10 Dec 2018
Given the Prime Minister, in her infinite wisdom, has pulled the vote tomorrow, some questions in this poll have proved to be somewhat academic. However, I'll post them anyway. For the record, 2,318 people took part in this poll. I must emphasise that there is nothing scientif...
Poll: The Withdrawal Deal, a Second Referendum & a Government of National Unity
- 9 Dec 2018
We could be entering one of the most momentous weeks in British politics for a few decades. Or maybe not. Rumours are rife that the government might 'pull' the meaningful vote on Tuesday. Theresa May is so far resisting advice to do so, but who knows what will happen. Ther...
Conservative Leadership Poll Result: Boris Wins!
- 9 Dec 2018
Last night at around 8pm I launched a 13 question Conservative leadership poll. Since then more than 4,000 people have voted. I don't pretend that this is anything other than a bit of fun. It's certainly not scientific. Polls like this cannot be taken hugely seriously because ...
Poll: Who Would Win a Conservative Party Leadership Contest?
- 8 Dec 2018
It is not beyond the realms of possibility that by this time next week, a Conservative Party leadership contest could be underway. I know, I know, we've been here before, but if the Brexit vote goes ahead on Tuesday, and the government loses by a substantial three figure major...
The Perils of a Second Referendum & Why Remain Must Not Be on the Ballot Paper
- 7 Dec 2018
Let me make this clear from the start. I am wholly opposed to a Second Referendum, a People's Vote, a Loser's Vote, call it what you will. In 2016 we were told that it was a 'once in a generation vote' and that the government would 'implement what you decide'. Since then, t...
My Ten Favourite Pubs & Bars
- 6 Dec 2018
The pub is a uniquely British thing. They come in a variety of styles, but the sad thing is that they're disappearing at an alarming rate. So I thought I'd celebrate some of my favourite pubs, plus one US bar which I used to go to a lot in Washington DC, but has sadly now also...
Keith Simpson's Christmas 2018 Reading List For His Fellow MPs (And You!)
- 5 Dec 2018
This guide to interesting books published this autumn has been compiled at a time of great crisis over the future of the Brexit agreement, the ability of the Prime Minister to continue and a Parliament and nation divided. Thirty years ago the late Julian Critchley, MP for Ald...