Localism
Who cares about HMV? Shopping has never been better. - Spectator Blogs
How many people presently lamenting the demise of HMV (at least in its current incarnation) actually spent any money there these past, say, five years? Not too many, I suspect.… Continue reading
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Life in Modern Britain: Charity Duck Edition - Spectator Blogs
A typical tale of nitwittery from modern Britain. And this, of course, is one of the problems with localism: it means giving more power to local councillors. That’s still, on… Continue reading
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Byrne for Birmingham?
Ed Miliband’s shadow cabinet could soon lack a Liam Byrne. The shadow work and pensions secretary is expected to announce his intention to run for the position of Mayor of… Continue reading
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My week in Westminster
I’m presenting Radio Four’s Week in Westminster this morning, on deficit wars, London wars, welfare wars, and another set of wars which no one has really discussed yet: the directly-elected police commissioners.… Continue reading
46 CommentsClegg sets out his stall for 2012
Under cover of discussing the Open Society and its enemies, Nick Clegg today set out his personal agenda for the next year of this government. Indeed, Clegg’s speech to Demos… Continue reading
21 CommentsThere is a Government Car Parking Policy? Jesus Wept.
Blimey David, the startling aspect of Eric Pickles’ announcement that central government will loosen the guidelines it issues to local councils concerning the proper provision of car parking spaces is… Continue reading
3 CommentsPickles lands a small blow for growth
Eric Pickles’ decentralisation revolution continues, with the announcement that Whitehall is relinquishing control over car parking restrictions in town centres. From now on, town halls will decide how much space… Continue reading
25 CommentsMiliband: We can’t go on like this
It’s odd how political leaders often address their parties in the clichéd terms of soap operas’ most tortured romances. Ed Miliband pre-trailed speech to the Labour’s National Policy Forum in… Continue reading
21 CommentsPolicing the local and the national
Today’s announcement on a proposed new National Crime Agency (NCA) is a key element in the government’s ambitious police reform agenda. Recent political attention has focused on changes to police… Continue reading
10 CommentsLabour councillors giving themselves pay rises
As the country tightens its belts, some councils are taking the courageous decision to increase spending on certain essentials. The Labour councillors who run the London borough of Southwark have… Continue reading
14 CommentsA campaign in the heartlands
The AV referendum: it’s enough to make you long for the life to come. As James notes, this Easter Sunday has been shaken by the Lib Dems’ righteous fury over… Continue reading
31 CommentsCouncils can seriously damage your health
There’s a fantastic post by Nicholas Timmins at the FT’s Westminster blog. Using the example of Enfield Council, which has just blocked moves to close failing wards in a local… Continue reading
20 CommentsCameron quells the storm
David Cameron turned in an emollient performance on the Today Programme this morning. He declined to stoke the coalition row over immigration, heaped praise on Vince Cable and stressed that… Continue reading
30 CommentsPickles wins
Eric Pickles has been fighting councils who publish newspapers to celebrate their exploits. The government has used a combination of political pressure and legislation to curtail these ‘Pravdas’. Most offending… Continue reading
24 CommentsPickles’ many enemies
Eric Pickles was on Newsnight last night, in what looked suspiciously like an attempted ambush. Pickles repelled boarders, illustrating why he is one of the government’s star performers. He was… Continue reading
31 CommentsTwo defining coalition reforms clash
The big society is crossing swords with the localism agenda in Brent, north London. You may recall the Friends of Kensal Rise Library, a voluntary group that was being frustrated… Continue reading
14 CommentsCameron takes it to the councils
Ignore what your council is telling you. So says no less a personage than the Prime Minister of our country, speaking at one of his freewheelin’ roadshow events this afternoon.… Continue reading
26 CommentsAn obstacle to the Big Society
Toby Young’s piece in the latest issue of the Spectator magazine captures one of the problems facing the Big Society. It’s not that people don’t want to donate their time… Continue reading
46 CommentsLabour fights back in Pickles’ war on propaganda sheets
Most councils publish a newspaper – usually delivered to your door and instantly discarded. The government has decided that these freesheets are both a waste of public money and detrimental… Continue reading
23 CommentsWhither the NHS Bill?
Reassurance — that’s what the happy trio of David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Andrew Lansley sought to emit during their NHS event earlier. And reassurance not just about where the… Continue reading
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