As it emerged this week that Big Ben is beginning to tilt, the 1922 committee, cheered on by angry right-wingers around the country and the Daily Mail, have insisted that the iconic tower is clearly bending to the left. ‘It’s totally obvious’, one supporter of the theory explained. ‘You can see it for yourself if you … Continue reading
Seien wir ehrlich, liebe Leser. Die meisten von uns haben sich bei Bekanntgabe des Berliner Wahlergebnisses nicht etwa überrascht gefragt: ‘Was, nur 1,8% für die FDP?’, sondern eher: ‘Wo zur Hölle waren die 1,8% die letzten zwei Jahre?’ oder: ‘Was, fast zwei Prozent Hotelbesitzer in Berlin? Das ist ja ein Hotel auf fünfzig Einwohner!’ Und … Continue reading
If there is one type or argument I can’t stand, it goes like this: Things have always been this way, therefore that is how they are supposed to be. Seriously, it’s the worst argument ever (that is, if you don’t count arguments based on what any God, religious book or other supernatural source says, but … Continue reading
Let’s be clear, I know politics is not usually a main topic on ITV’s This Morning. Fair enough. But does that really excuse the absolutely astonishing lack of basic knowledge about our political system displayed by their presenters today? I mean, surely they could at least have let their researchers look into the fundamental principles … Continue reading
I’ve been intending to write this piece for a while now – for ten days to be precise. Dear Liam Fox, I wanted to start, because as you might remember – or not, in fact, because ten days is a long time in politics – ten days ago, much to his unfeigned surprise I am … Continue reading
Justice is a balance act. Ken Clarke was reminded of that when he tried to walk the tightrope this morning – and failed spectacularly. How deep he will fall we have yet to see, but with the opposition clamouring for his head and the Tory right hoping to finally replace him with a more tough … Continue reading
There we are, it’s official now: The Yes and No to AV campaigns have declared the British electorate to be as thick as a brick. Although I’m sure even the brick would be offended by the insults thrown at its intelligence by various leaflets and broadcasts on electoral reform. But, whatever else can be said … Continue reading
One of twenty winning essays in the Deloitte Public Pocily Essay Competition 2001 Question: Can ‘Big Society’ replace ‘Big Government’? If not, what other options should be considered to deliver efficient services and help cut the size of the public deficit? If there is currently one characteristic feature of the Big Society, then it is … Continue reading
Last May, back in the Brokeback Mountain phase of the coalition, when the new prime minister and his deputy told the assembled press in the No 10 rose garden how the last government had left them a ‘terrible economic inheritance’, there were three groups of people: those who agreed, those who disagreed and those who … Continue reading
