It is one thing to fight a bye-election in a seat vacated by the resignation of Chris Huhne, a former minister whose political career has collapsed following a guilty plea to a charge of perverting the course of justice. At best it is a difficult challenge to hold such a seat. To then discover that […]
This blog has consistently lent towards the pragmatic approach of the Russians and away from the Western enthusiastic support of unidentified rebel factions whose post Assad agenda is far from obvious and whose vision of a new Syria is far from clear. The point of contention has been principally whether talks should take place with […]
The news that Moody’s has downgraded the UK credit rating comes as a savage political blow to Osborne and Cameron, but the impact damage is political rather than actual. The markets expected it, government borrowing costs have been rising because of that, and both America and France have found business more or less as usual […]
Of all the news which has percolated through the media over the last week or so, by far the most important for the United Kingdom is the warning from Ofgem concerning the perilous state of our electricity supplies. There are few other issues which better illustrate political failure by successive governments of all parties, than the […]
Welcome to the new look blog. I hope your visits will be visually more engaging. You can be assured that the quality of the content will remain at a high standard and continue to challenge orthodox opinion on current affairs both at home and abroad.
The historic significance of the deal achieved by Cameron to reduce EU spending was not the fact that it happened, but how. The how part may have far reaching impact not just on the budget, but on the future shape of the EU and especially Britain’s place in it. For most of the history of […]
It would be bad enough for the Tory party if all that was wrong was that their economic policy is good in parts, but not working overall. That fact alone would be enough to put paid to a majority after the next election. But between now and the election in 2015 they might be able […]
The shocking conclusions of the inquiry into the bad treatment and cruelty which became the hallmark of the Stafford Hospital should prove a wake up call to the nation, which is so emotionally attached to the NHS, that it refuses to accept what an inefficient and ham fisted organisation it has become. True in a crisis it saves lives […]
There is a feeling of government by disconnection creeping over the country. It is not the detail or the individual policies. It is down to two issues. Europe and the economy. The two Es. Europe is going through transformation pangs, self inflicted economic issues and problems of integration. Not one of these is within the […]
Only one thing is for certain about David Cameron’s speech. He would never have made it at this time but for the divisions in his own party. Everything else is unclear. What changes does he actually want? Will the other members agree to real negotiations or just offer a fig leaf to mask Cameron’s difficulties. […]