Coffee House The Spectator Blog
Lee Rigby named as victim of Woolwich attack
The Ministry of Defence has named the solider killed in Woolwich yesterday as Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Rigby, 25 and father of… Continue reading
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The friendless Help-to-Buy scheme
Is there anyone left who thinks the Government’s Help to Buy scheme is a good idea? This week’s Spectator splashes on the risks of this property bubble wheeze. Merryn Somerset… Continue reading
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Why it’s not the 1990s all over again for the Tories
The last twenty four hours have been a reminder of David Cameron’s poise as a national leader. He has the ability to project a sense of resolve and calm. Before… Continue reading
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PM avoids knee-jerk response to Woolwich attack
It goes without saying that when it comes to serious national tragedies, David Cameron is the right man to give a statement from Downing Street. His response today to the… Continue reading
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David Cameron’s statement on the Woolwich attack
What happened yesterday in Woolwich has sickened us all. On our televisions last night, and in our newspapers this morning, we have all seen images that are deeply shocking. The… Continue reading
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The View from 22 — Osborne’s property bubble, the ongoing Tory wars and Google’s taxing issue
Will George Osborne’s manipulation of the property market cause catastrophe? In this week’s Spectator cover feature, Merryn Somerset Webb argues the Chancellor’s recycling of cheap debt through his Help To Buy and… Continue reading
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Woolwich eyewitness: one of the men fired a gun, but it backfired and he lost his finger
The reporting of yesterday’s murder was driven not by journalists, but by eyewitnesses quickly able to share what they saw. Here is one extraordinary chain of tweets by a rapper,… Continue reading
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Woolwich attack: the aftermath
Westminster and Whitehall are tonight trying to assess the implications of the brutal murder of a soldier in Woolwich. It is clear from the vile rant made by one of… Continue reading
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‘Not in our name’ – British Muslims denounce the Woolwich attack on Twitter
The Muslim Council of Britain has denounced the Woolwich murder and has been joined by hundreds of Muslims who have taken to Twitter to voice disgust over the idea that… Continue reading
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‘Soldier beheaded’ in Woolwich, south London – live reaction
Summary: A British solider has been reported to have been beheaded on the streets of Woolwich, south east London by two men at 2:20pm afternoon. The BBC is reporting the murder… Continue reading
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Exclusive: Clement Attlee backs Michael Gove’s free schools
Great news for all progressives: a private school has been effectively been nationalised. Queen Elizabeth Grammar in Blackburn, founded in 1509, is to enter the state sector as one of… Continue reading
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The chancellor survived the IMF report, but there’s another challenge ahead
George Osborne has got through the IMF’s report on the UK economy. It is far from a ringing endorsement of his approach but, as Isabel notes, its criticisms are couched… Continue reading
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Cameron leaves the goal open for Clegg and Miliband on tax avoidance
It’s fashionable to say Downing Street isn’t very good at strategy. So fashionable, in fact, that sometimes journalists worry they’re being unfair to the Tory leadership. But today we saw… Continue reading
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IMF verdict on the UK economy: the good, the bad, and the ugly
The International Monetary Fund published its long-awaited Ofsted report on the UK economy this afternoon. As usual, the written assessment contains enough to keep everyone on all sides of the… Continue reading
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Nick Clegg: I’m the grown-up in this Coalition
Ever the helpful friend in times of strife, Nick Clegg is giving a speech today in which he will soar above the troubles the Tories currently find themselves in to… Continue reading
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Same Sex Marriage Bill: how MPs voted
This is the full Hansard of list of how MPs voted on tonight’s third reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. It was a free vote, and the Bill… Continue reading
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Gay marriage easily passes third reading vote in the Commons
After all the parliamentary back and forth yesterday, gay marriage passed third reading by the comfortable margin of 366 to 161. Tory sources are briefing that fewer of their MPs… Continue reading
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Labour claims credit for gay marriage bill
Some might say it was rather audacious of Yvette Cooper to send an email to Labour activists this evening urging them to tweet something along these lines: I’m proud to… Continue reading
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David Cameron has caused a crisis in conservatism
David Cameron’s letter to party members added insult to injury after a week of headlines about ‘Loongate’ and the Tory leadership’s decision to bulldoze through the Same Sex Marriage Bill… Continue reading
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Cameron has reached the tipping point
The combination of complacency and incompetence that seems to have afflicted the Conservative Party is a wonder to behold. Janet Daley wrote at the weekend of her frustration at David… Continue reading
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