Articles tagged UK Politics:
Saturday Diary: A Chance for Nick Clegg to Put His Foot Down
- 7 Apr 2012
The government has got itself into yet another unholy tangle this week over secret courts and surveillance powers. I have never quite understood why it is that when opposition politicians get into power, they almost immediately become authoritarian and fans of increasing go...
Where's Andy Coulson When You Need Him?
- 1 Apr 2012
“Where’s Andy Coulson when you need him “ joked one Tory MP to me yesterday. At least I think he was joking. Yes, it’s got that bad. Downing Street has, at times, seemed rudderless over the last ten days, as it has been buffeted by various political squalls, which, added toget...
We Need an Apology, Transparency & Immediate Reform of Party Funding
- 25 Mar 2012
In this country we like to think of our political system as being relatively free from the sort of corruption you often read about elsewhere. But the truth is, where money is concerned, there will always be a perception of wrongdoing even if there is none. If you want to make ...
A Very Political Budget From a Very Political Chancellor
- 21 Mar 2012
Well, no one can say that wasn’t an eye catching budget, no matter what you think of what was announced. It was a deeply political budget, from a deeply political Chancellor. It reminded me of a Nigel Lawson budget, and I mean that in a good way. And it was a budget from a Cha...
This Government Has a Quasi-Socialist Approach to Business
- 3 Mar 2012
What is it with politicians? Why do they think they can run businesses better than those of us who do? Thebest thing government can do is leave businesses to innovate, create jobs and make profits. Yes, profit. That’s what pays the tax that funds all the services government wi...
So What If Vicky Pryce Pleads Guilty?
- 23 Feb 2012
So, Chris Huhne takes over from Mr Frederick Goodwin as the nation’s whipping boy. But like Fred, Chris Huhne has yet to be convicted of any criminal offence. If I were a Liberal Democrat activist (what an awful thought) I would no doubt be arguing that his political career sh...
Labour Can't Afford to Lose the Likes of Harris & Bozier
- 16 Jan 2012
Tom Harris’s sacking as Labour’s new media tsar illustrates exactly what’s wrong with modern politics. Basically, anyone who displays a sense of humour has to be got rid of. Yesterday, Tom posted a Downfall spoof poking fun at Alex Salmond and one of his advisers, Joan McAlpi...
Is Parliament Becoming Relevant Again?
- 11 Jan 2012
I remember one day during the summer of 2003, while the Hutton Report was in full swing, appearing live on Sky News for a full half hour, live on College Green. Much as I like hearing the sound of my own voice, I did question why Sky had thought my pearls of wisdom were worth ...
Is Diane Right? Are Black Cabbies Racists
- 7 Jan 2012
Apart from Diane Abbott’s far left allies (yes, I mean you, Lee Jasper), most people think she made a big mistake with her apparently racist tweet on Wednesday night. I make no apology for admitting I was among the first to point out that if a white Tory MP had said the same a...
Twelve Predictions For 2012
- 30 Dec 2011
OK, here’s the ten predictions I made last New Year’s Eve in my Eastern Daily Press column. Let’s see how many I got right… Norwich City make the play-offs but fail to win promotion WRONGNorman Lamb becomes a Minister in a government reshuffle WRONGSeveral Norfolk councils en...