Finis Well the debates are over. Last night they all fought their corners. Cameron was at his best so far, Brown was passionate and determined but looked worn out, Clegg held his own in the crossfire. Nobody had a run away win, but neither did anybody crash out. We will have to wait for the […]
The Gaffe Ooh what excitement for the media! Yesterday there were in a state bordering on hysteria. One of the most interesting things about this general election is the inability of the media to suss what is going on. The commentators and the political parties are feasting at one table, whilst the voters are eating at […]
Trouble in Euroland Whilst this is not good news, it brings confirmation to those who hold the opinion, as I do, that you cannot have a currency without a government. In the context of the Euro, this means not just a Central Bank, but a central Treasury and a central Finance Ministry. This would mean that […]
Defence Review This has been touched on in the election campaign, mainly in connection with Trident, but it is not really a campaign issue, not least because each party plans to hold one if in government. This blog is now going to look at some of the considerations which ought to be on the table […]
Education One of the greatest mysteries of the Tory campaign (the weakness of which is itself a mystery) is the element of the education policy proposing parents and charities set up their own schools with public money. This is a deeply flawed concept now causing controversy even among the Tories themselves. We already have Academies, […]
Recovery The UK economy has continued to grow in the first quarter, but by a tiddly amount, confirming the dampened state of economic activity and the remaining threat of another dip. There are encouraging signs of a revival of British manufacturing and the G20 Finance Ministers meeting in Washington think that worldwide recovery is moving […]
Good Tory Move I support the Cameron proposal to require an incoming leader of a governing party who becomes Prime Minister to go to the country within six months. I put this forward in my book, especially as today all the parties give their membership outside parliament (in Labour’s case the trade unions as well) […]
Two Down, One to Go The general view is that the second debate between the party leaders was more closely matched. Brown did better and so did Cameron. They both went for Clegg but he held on. Polls show them very even, but with most giving Clegg the narrow lead and Brown in the rear […]