Politics

Throughout Labour conference, the Tories will be trying to promote the message that the conference shows Labour is on the way out. Expect the Tories to pump out lots of statistics about how the number of delegates attending is down, how there are fewer commercial stands, lobbyists and the like. The other thing the Tories plan to do is constantly contrast it to John Major’s last conference, a sweet form of revenge for all those in the Tory party who worked for it during the Major years—a group that includes Cameron and Osborne. Tory researchers have been reading Major’s 1996 conference speech ready to point out parallels between it and

Apparently the Labour Party is selling tickets to sit behind Gordon Brown during his leader’s speech for a bargain £130 a pop. At the same time they are struggling to fill the seats for their gala fundraising dinner in Brighton. Things are getting desperate. Already, last year in Manchester, the exhibitors’ hall was dominated by Labour associated organisations and unions. The corporate world abandoned the party long ago. The interviews in this morning’s papers show a new change in the political weather. Ed Balls continues his charm offensive and even borrows the rhetoric of Peter Mandelson’s “fighter not a quitter” speech as a rallying call for the party. (I’m not

It’s the question that won’t go away for Gordon Brown: should he – will he –  take part in a televised leaders’ debate?  On this weekend’s Straight Talk, Andrew Neil takes the opportunity to quiz Ben Bradshaw about his views on the matter.  Here’s how the Culture Secretary responds: “I don’t think [Brown]’s got anything to lose by doing that ….  My advice to him would say, I think you’ve got the arguments, you’ve made the right decisions, you could demolish that guy.” Like Mandelson’s interventions before now, Bradshaw’s advice will slightly raise the pressure on Brown to take part in a debate.  But the first half of it also

James has already highlighted the New Statesman’s interview with Gordon Brown, but it’s worth flagging up this passage as well: “Again and again, throughout our interview, Brown refers to the next election as being about ‘big choices’, not the small issues, which he says the Conservatives would prefer. ‘What was the latest thing? The cost of food in the House of Commons?’ he asks, referring to David Cameron’s recent gimmicky pledge to cut public spending by reducing subsidies on MPs’ food. This theme of ‘big choices’, say Brown’s aides, is one he is likely to pursue in his conference speech and beyond.” To my mind, this exemplifies one of the

Brown’s pursuit of Obama through the UN canteen has finally paid dividends: PoliticsHome is reporting that Barack Obama will hold bilateral talks with Gordon Brown later today. After yesterday’s negative headlines, Obama was always going to make a gesture that indicated how much he valued Brown; but from the Prime Minister’s point of view, the damage has already been done.