A New Vocabulary/Language I
Friday, April 24th, 2009I spent part of yesterday with a bunch of London economists (yes I know — it’s probably not good for my health).
It was an interesting discussion. All were left.Labour supporting economists and all pretty much agreed that the economy (and us) were screwed. Non believed in the Darling’s growth targets but even worse they thought [...]
Child Poverty Podcast
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009Neil Kinnock has caused some controversy this week by raising the commitment to ending child poverty.
We covered this in podcast with the New Policy Institute. This is a little old now but still relevant. I thought in the view of the interest in Kinnock’s piece in the Guardian that I’d re-post the link
Child Poverty Podcast
(click [...]
Preparing for the Long Haul
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009With his budget Darling may well have done as well as he could given the cards he had to play. But if we weren’t clear already then this budget has made it crystal clear — we are all facing up to life in a fundamentally different world. Labour will need a new vocabulary and a [...]
Why Keep a Dog and Bark Yourself?
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009This is a post about something I’m completely mystified about — any help that readers can give will be welcome.
Dangerous Times
There is something to be said for an independent review, especially when that review is looking at an area of activity that has become controversial and does not carry public confidence. The payment and conditions [...]
Brown Moves Quickly on Expenses — Too Quickly?
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009It is probably understandable that Brown has wanted to move quickly over the reform of MP’s expenses. He will want to try and grab the high ground before the various reports on expense claims are ready.
It is odd though that these changes emanate from Downing Street and are ‘owned’ by the Prime Minister. Surely [...]
The Most Critical Budget for Any Labour Chancellor
Monday, April 20th, 2009The Sunday Broadsheets were all agreed yesterday, that Wednesday’s budget is probably the most difficult to be faced by any Labour Chancellor.
I wish Alistair Darling well. As the Observer put it yesterday, is there anyone who would wish to be Darling at the moment?
The interesting thing for me will be to see how Darling deals [...]
Nuclear: The Business Case?
Friday, April 17th, 2009This week’s announcement of the potential sites for new nuclear reactors drew remarkably little comment from mainstream politicians (although Nick Clegg was talking in 2008 about a nuclear-free future for Britain). This shows much about the new consensus that is shared amongst many politicians. Nuclear energy, though, still has many drawbacks and the problems that [...]
I Do Not Believe It!
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009There is something to be said for being a keen mountain walker. it often gets you out of the way during the silly/quiet seasons when political scandals break.
The first I heard of the latest scandal was when returning to civilisation by train yesterday. Mind blowing. Let me me get this right, because I might be [...]
Open Source Governance
Thursday, April 9th, 2009Modern technology, coupled with open source philosophy, will have a profound effect on public and civic life. Do those of us in politics really appreciate this? Are we up for the Challenge?
Reflecting on Summits
Thursday, April 9th, 2009It is always difficult to comment on momentous political events as they happen. I’ve learnt not to do it. But periods of reflection can be a good thing.
What I found most fascinating about the London Summit was the way in which the UK — politicians and press — treated the French and the Germans. Those [...]
