Tony Blair
Clegg’s great rejuvenator falls a little flat
‘Constitutional reform is a waste of time, pure and simple. It never actually achieves its avowed end of reconnecting the voters with democratic institutions,’ wrote John McTernan, the former advisor… Continue reading
36 CommentsMacShane’s contradictory testimony to the Iraq Inquiry
A trickle of documents from the Chilcot Inquiry have been released today, among which is the written witness statement of former Europe Minister Denis MacShane. It’s rather intriguing. MacShane told… Continue reading
26 CommentsExclusive: Gove’s free school policy gets Labour support, finally
This week’s Spectator reveals the rather tantalizing fact that Peter Hyman, Tony Blair’s former director of strategy, is setting up a Free School in East London. This – I kid… Continue reading
7 CommentsLibya: Bombing does not preclude preparing a Plan B
The PM is looking to intensify the military campaign in Libya. Losing is not an option. Just think about it. The US gets its man; Britain gets angry, bombs a… Continue reading
16 CommentsOsama Bin Laden’s death: the world responds
We have already seen Barack Obama’s statement on the death of Osama Bin Laden. Below is more reaction from across the world: David Cameron: “The news that Osama Bin Laden… Continue reading
15 CommentsThe Royal Wedding by numbers
I know, I know, it’s deeply unromantic to anticipate tomorrow’s Royal Wedding through the prism of opinion polling. But as no one ever said that a political blog has to… Continue reading
29 CommentsReinforcing the schools revolution
There is extraordinary news today, suggesting that the Academies revolution is continuing apace. What was a trickle under the Labour years is turning into a flood. This time last year… Continue reading
36 CommentsFrom the archive: the consequences of Nato bombing Kosovo
There are two reasons to return to the Kosovo Conflict for this week’s hit from the archives. First, of course, the surface parallels with Libya: Nato involvement, bombing raids, all… Continue reading
9 CommentsGaddafi defiant as the international coalition prepares his noose
The fog of war lies thick in Benghazi this morning. There are reported explosions and gunfire and Sky News is showing footage of a Soviet-era fighter jet combusting in mid-air… Continue reading
16 CommentsThe threat to a British liberty
It’s a funny old world. I have now been contacted by two journalists informing me that Bedfordshire Police are investigating The Spectator. Why? Because of the Melanie Philips blog where… Continue reading
156 CommentsTime to bury the hatchet?
Who says irony is dead? The Four Barrow Hunt and the Countryside Alliance are holding a fundraising auction in April. The lots are largely predictable: a subscription to the Telegraph,… Continue reading
25 CommentsThe emergence of a Cameron doctrine
Daniel Finkelstein makes a simple but important point in the Times today (£): a Prime Minister’s foreign policy is determined by events more than by instincts. The revolts in the… Continue reading
32 CommentsA new dawn for Dubya?
Who is the unsung hero of the Egyptian revolution? Why, the 43rd President of the United States of course. (And, presumably, Tony Blair as well.) Reuel Marc Gerecht leapt to… Continue reading
23 CommentsWhy the government is right to look beyond ASBOs
We shouldn’t have believed the hype. For all of Tony Blair’s earnest focus on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, this flagship policy was barely in effect at all. By the latest figures,… Continue reading
10 CommentsGeneral Hague, attack
William Hague must be feeling that the incoming rounds are coming closer and closer. The Spectator, The Daily Telegraph and now The Times (£) have each allowed their pages to… Continue reading
19 CommentsMuch more than a networking event
What’s the point of Davos? This is a question seldom addressed in the reports filed from the five-day “World Economic Forum” which ended on Sunday. Many speeches are made, many… Continue reading
33 CommentsThe dangers of CameronCare
A consensus has formed in the commentariat that besides George Osborne’s stewardship of the economy, Andrew Lansley’s healthcare reforms could become the government’s vote-loser. The political facts are as simple… Continue reading
39 CommentsThe Big Society in 1997
Titter ye might. The Big Society? In 1997? If the idea was of, erm, limited electoral worth in our last general election, then it was certainly of little use when… Continue reading
14 CommentsHow do you snare a spin doctor?
So, who’s next after Andy Coulson? This question is oddly important, and will certainly influence the direction of his government. It shouldn’t, but you have to understand the way the… Continue reading
44 CommentsThe Coulson story won’t be buried – but will it matter?
There’s not much chance that the Andy Coulson story will be buried in tomorrow’s newspapers. Blair’s appearance at the Chilcot Inquiry will scatter a handful of earth across it, as… Continue reading
17 Comments