Alex Massie 
Liam Fox shows David Cameron how to lead the Tories to a historic defeat
I think it is fair to say that Dr Liam Fox has never been one of David Cameron’s chief chums. The former Defence Secretary has, as Paul Goodman notes, been… Continue reading
35 Comments
Ed Miliband's Convenient, Part-Time, Cowardly, Zionism
For a few hours this morning it looked as though Ed Miliband might do something uncharacteristically courageous. The Jewish Chronicle reported that the Labour leader had described himself as a… Continue reading
98 Comments
The worst idea in literary history: Sebastian Faulks is writing a "PG Wodehouse" novel
The history of literature is replete with folly but the news that Sebastian Faulks is writing a novel featuring Reginald Jeeves and Bertram Wooster knocks all other blunders into a… Continue reading
15 Comments
Hugo Chavez: A Clown Masquerading As A Threat
As would-be dictators go, Hugo Chavez was on the clownish end of the repressive spectrum. By the end, however, the joke was wearing thin. He was, as Rory Carroll aptly… Continue reading
23 Comments
The Great Defence Procurement Rip-Off, Housing Edition
There’s no business like government business. Reacting to Philip Hammond’s statement on future army basing yesterday, today’s newspapers have led on either the decision to strip the Desert Rats of… Continue reading
3 Comments
Revolting, Panic-Stricken Tories are doing Ed Miliband's job for him
Panic, once let loose, is hard to corral. And there seems to be plenty of panic on the Tory benches at Westminster. The Eastleigh by-election result, the stagnant economy and… Continue reading
16 Comments
What is the point of the modern Conservative party?
Who are the Conservatives? No, really, who are they and what do they stand for? Once upon a time – as James Kirkup points out in a typically astute post… Continue reading
47 Comments
Can't Bat, Can't Bowl, Can't Field: Is this the worst Australian cricket team ever?
Stuart Law. Darren Lehmann. Jamie Cox. Phil Jaques. Brad Hodge. Michael di Venuto. Chris Rogers. Martin Love. Tom Moody. Nine men who count as some of the unluckiest cricketers ever… Continue reading
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If David Cameron is serious about losing the next election he'll cuddle-up to UKIP
OK. Remember this: by-elections are always liable to be interpreted too keenly. Elections often fought on local issues then have their results scrutinised as though the election was a miniature… Continue reading
36 Comments
80 years ago, Bodyline ended and English cricket enjoyed a triumph
Today, February 28th 2013, is the 80th anniversary of the conclusion to one of the finest – and certainly the most controversial – test series ever played. Eighty years ago… Continue reading
19 Comments
No, the Syrian civil war is not "Obama's Rwanda"
Today’s Question To Which the Answer Is No is asked by Will Inboden over at Foreign Policy. To wit: Has Syria Become Obama’s Rwanda? There are many reasons why it… Continue reading
6 Comments
Scotland's position in europe is weaker than the SNP would have you believe
Nicola Sturgeon, arguably the SNP’s most effective asset at present, went to Brussels today to deliver a speech about Scotland’s future relationship with the EU. Most of it was as… Continue reading
162 Comments
Small By-Election in Hampshire; Not Many Dead
By-elections are catnip for the media. But they are also, almost invariably, subject to greater scrutiny than they can reasonably bear. Only occasionally do they herald a new era or… Continue reading
3 Comments
Are British Doctors Paid Too Much?
I knew that British doctors are well-paid but unti I saw, via Kevin Drum, this chart I had no idea they were so much better-paid than most of their peers… Continue reading
15 Comments
Brave, the Oscars and the Scottish Cringe.
Hurrah for Brave, the little movie that could! And did! All Scotland salutes her Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Another triumph for the plucky underdogs at Disney-Pixar. That, at any rate,… Continue reading
64 Comments
Vicky Pryce and the Usefulness of the Not Proven Verdict
Like John Rentoul, I think much of the scoffing and chortling at the expense of the poor jury asked to consider Vicky Pryce’s guilt (or innocence!) is misplaced. This was… Continue reading
34 Comments
Hilary Mantel did not attack Kate, she defended her.
Like grief, stupidity has a hierarchy. So, on balance, Ed Miliband’s response – if it can be so dignified – to Hilary Mantel’s essay about the mystery and magic attraction… Continue reading
15 Comments
Scottish Independence: Can't We do Better Than This Dismal Campaign?
Mario Cuomo, former governor of New York state (and father of the present governor) is perhaps these days most famous for his quip that politicians campaign in poetry but govern… Continue reading
59 Comments
Europe's defence budgets may not be noble, but they are at least rational
Gideon Rachmann is unhappy that european defence budgets are still falling: Since 2008, in response to the economic downturn, most big European countries have cut defence spending by 10-15 per… Continue reading
6 Comments
The Myth of the Immigrant Benefit-Moocher, Part Two
I am afraid, dear reader, that I have misled you. Yesterday’s post on immigrants and benefit-claimants contained an inaccuracy. I repeated a claim I’d seen in the Telegraph that there… Continue reading
81 Comments