Chris Huhne
Things are getting fraught inside the coalition as AV vote looms
Relations between the coalition partners are fraught at present, more of which in the column tomorrow. The main cause of this tension is the AV referendum which is pitting the… Continue reading
44 CommentsAn explosive session
This PMQs will be remembered for the Cameron Balls spat. As Cameron was answering a question from a Labour MP, he snapped at Balls who was heckling him, shouting ‘you… Continue reading
45 CommentsThe yellow bird of liberty stretches its wings
Remember when Nick Clegg said that the coalition was shuffling into a new phase? One where his party would would make their presence, and their differences with the Tories, more… Continue reading
32 CommentsSigns of nerves from the Lib Dems
Judging by today’s reports, it’s fear and self-loathing in Lib Dem Land. And it’s not just that one of their Scottish candidates has quit the party in protest at its,… Continue reading
27 CommentsNuclear hysteria
The above Japanese video – explaining the nuclear accident to children — makes a lot more sense than many of the hysterical reports we have been reading in the last… Continue reading
25 CommentsDuncan warns of oil price rise and King of future financial crisis
There are two important political interviews in today’s papers, Alan Duncan in The Times and Mervyn King in the Telegraph. Duncan, the international development minister, echoes Chris Huhne’s warning of… Continue reading
22 CommentsTinkering with solar panel subsidy risks making bad policy worse
The fallout from Chris Huhne’s sudden review of the government’s system of subsidies for small-scale renewable energy gathers momentum. Solar firms, who built business cases on the system of subsidies,… Continue reading
40 CommentsWasting away
The Independent has a remarkable story today which shows just how public money gets wasted. The paper reports that the Department for Energy and Climate Change has employed a firm… Continue reading
18 CommentsCoalition 2.0
Tomorrow’s announcement on university funding is a big moment for the coalition. It will show that the Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaderships have been able to come to agreement on… Continue reading
8 CommentsTen points about the Spending Review
In the end, George Osborne didn’t flinch. The Chancellor is a clever political operator – too clever, sometimes – but the result is a cuts package that has surprisingly broad… Continue reading
33 CommentsHuhne and the universal benefit conundrum
Chris Huhne has given an interview to the Telegraph. According to the front page report, the Energy Secretary has nothing to say about nuclear power, new wind farms or energy… Continue reading
19 CommentsWhither the Lib Dems?
A striking aspect of the Liberal Democrat conference is how discussion of cooperation with Labour takes place in public while talk of any future work with their current coalition partner… Continue reading
14 CommentsA lot done – and a lot still to do – for Nick Clegg
There’s always an after the Lord Mayor’s show feel at conference the today, after the leader’s speech. Adding to this feeling today is that the programme is relatively light; Simon… Continue reading
5 CommentsThe Lib Dems face the public
The most brutal session the Lib Dems will see is the studio audience currently assembled by Victoria Derbyshire for her Five Live phone-in. It’s a rare event in conference time,… Continue reading
15 CommentsClegg must resist temptation
As Pete notes, Nick Clegg is moderating the debate over the spending review in David Cameron’s absence. It’s an unenviable task. IDS and Liam Fox have been the most cussed… Continue reading
10 CommentsHuhne backs nuclear energy through gritted teeth
You could almost hear the thumbscrews being tightened as Chris Huhne appeared on Today this morning to back nuclear power. The Energy Secretary has an, erm, patchy history when it… Continue reading
16 CommentsGreen gold
Most of Tim Yeo’s proselytising on climate change must be resisted. He calls for a dramatic reduction in carbon emissions in the short-term, which would paralyse Britain’s already geriatric economic… Continue reading
27 CommentsAssorted LibDem-ery
Alastair Campbell is right on two counts. First, that this snippet from George Parker’s Budget preview is pretty fascinating: "Senior Lib Dems whisper that Vince Cable, the Lib Dem business… Continue reading
14 Comments