Iain Duncan Smith
Reasons for real hope amid the misplaced optimism
Today’s civil partnership between two men who look uncannily like each other will, I suspect, be remembered as a festival of misplaced optimism. Cameron overdid it a little, making out… Continue reading
51 CommentsIain Duncan Smith’s appointment is a triumph for the welfare agenda
Of all the Cabinet positions announced so far, one is more eyecatching, and holds more promise, than all the rest: Iain Duncan Smith has been appointed Secretary of State for… Continue reading
25 CommentsMaking social reform affordable
Last week we heard that the Tory leadership are considering limiting their £20-a-week marriage tax break to make the policy more affordable. And, today, Iain Duncan Smith outlines just how… Continue reading
11 CommentsThe man who hopes to unseat Harman
The papers have been stuffed with articles recently about the current crop of Tory party candidates – but few have been as readable, or as encouraging, as Rachel Williams’ profile… Continue reading
30 CommentsWhere to start cutting
Michael Portillo believes that a future Tory government, like those that came before it, will not succeed in cutting public spending. I agree with Pete: public finances are so parlous… Continue reading
17 CommentsThe centre left asks how? Well, here’s how
The One Nation sentiments that David Cameron expressed at last night’s Hugo Young lecture have been almost uniformly applauded. Labour’s sneers about Cameron being an uber-Thatcherite are isolated from mainstream.… Continue reading
17 CommentsIain Duncan Smith’s overlooked "affordable policy solutions"
After his superb work with the Centre for Social Justice, it’s encouraging that Iain Duncan Smith is being tasked by the Tory leadership to come up with "affordable policy solutions"… Continue reading
13 CommentsIs David Cameron going to be the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?
Could David Cameron be the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom? Clearly we’re getting ahead of ourselves here, but… Some regular commenters will hope so since this would, depending… Continue reading
14 CommentsCameron’s revolutionary speech
This was one of the best speeches I have heard David Cameron give. It may not have been a masterpiece of oratory, he may have read from notes, left too… Continue reading
39 CommentsPre-Freudian slip
Theresa May is chairing a discussion with a set of Conservative PPCs on ‘job clubs’, as part of this afternoon’s focus on welfare reform. She kicks off asking one of… Continue reading
6 CommentsTory welfare plan is welcome but does not go far enough
The Tories new welfare plan is, it seems, their old welfare plan – with a more ambitious timeline. It’s to be welcomed, but this is not the step change that… Continue reading
27 CommentsThe need to go further and faster on Welfare reform
I’m on my way to the home city of the best football club in the world (and one of the worst) shortly. In the meantime, it’s worth flagging up this… Continue reading
16 CommentsClegg: Are you one of the millions who turned to new Labour in 1997?
Nick Clegg joins the ‘progressive’ debate with a double of salvo in The Times and in a pamphlet, titled ‘The liberal moment’, published by Demos. The philosophically anachronistic Labour party… Continue reading
24 CommentsA report that should influence welfare reform for years to come
Iain Duncan Smith’s Centre for Social Justice has released a very important report today, and one which should influence the welfare debate for years to come. At around 350 pages,… Continue reading
17 CommentsWhy I remain unconvinced about the Tories’ tax break for married couples
Ok, Fraser – I’m not going to let this tax ‘n’ marriage debate rumble on interminably, but I do want the final word! First, I appreciate your response – it… Continue reading
17 CommentsWhy marriage should be recognised in the tax system
Cameron has been fairly bold in entering the debate on marriage, because we don’t like do that debate in Britain. Not really – it’s private, and we Brits don’t like… Continue reading
19 CommentsLove and marriage?
Ok, I must admit I’m quite wary of Tory plans to encourage marriage via a £20-a-week tax break for married couples. Not because I don’t think marriage is a positive… Continue reading
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