Can Blair bring peace to the Middle East?
Douglas Davis has done a fantastic piece for us looking at the likelihood of Blair bringing peace to the Middle East in his retirement. In short, don’t hold your breath.
The Spectator
Wednesday
How we saw the day
Scroll down for our analysis of events on the blog. But we’ve also got some great articles on what happened today including a review of Blair’s last act and Brown’s matinee by the Spectator’s theatre critic Llloyd Evans, an essay on what it was like growing up under Tony Blair by Clemency Burton-Hill, a look at whether business
What on earth was the BBC thinking?
So the Prime Minister of 10 years standing is answering his final question at PMQs and what does the BBC do? Cut away to a trailer and then the tennis. This is a complete abdication of its public service responsibilities. It has denied viewers the chance to witness a historic moment. Indeed, it is hard
More grist for the defection rumour mill
Iain Dale reports that William Hill have stopped taking bets on a Tory defection.
Reshuffle will be official at lunchtime
Just back from the first lobby briefing with Michael Ellam, the new Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (except he’s dropped ‘official’ so he’s just PMS). His hands were slightly shaking, the poor thing, and I can’t really blame him. The room was packed, and a few of us are proudly sporting little red badges saying ‘Feral
Conservatives at war
No, this has nothing to do with the Tory response to Gordon Brown — or to Quentin Davies. This is about what, in another context, Richard Hofstadter called ‘the paranoid style in American politics’. In the latest issue of the liberal New Republic Johann Hari has an immensely funny piece about his adventures on a
How about a really radical reshuffle?
All this “talent” business is getting out of hand. In some of Gordon’s speeches, it sounds like a reference to the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30). And, for the record, this is how that particular Gospel story ends for the unfortunate soul who squanders his asset: “Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer
Beckettt’s gone
Fraser is tipping David Miliband. Apparently, she didn’t want to go.
A healthy reshuffle
Patricia Hewitt to stand down as Health Secretary. No surprises there. Gordon has been saying throughout his grand tour that, while education is his “passion”, health is his “priority”. And no wonder: the Tories have stolen Labour’s lead on health policy, perhaps Cameron’s most remarkable and certainly his cheekiest achievement. Brown is an implacable believer
Can we have what you had, Mr. Brown?
When the Prime Minister (its so weird writing that) told us on the steps of No10 that he “went to the local school” in Kirkcaldy and chose its motto as his personal leitmotif, it is worth recalling the type of education he actually had. He enjoyed the ultimate academic selection, being chosen from primary with
Brown’s agenda
The school motto of Kirkcaldy High School: “I will try my utmost”. That was the principle which Gordon Brown promised to make the foundation of his work as Prime Minister. It is up there with Boxer’s “I will work harder” in Animal Farm. But this was the son of the Manse speaking from the heart.
“Beyond narrow party interest”
That line makes me suspect that Brown really does have something up his sleeve even post-Ashdown.
Welcome Prime Minister Brown, goodbye Mr. Blair
We’ve just posted The Spectator leader that will be in this week’s print magazine; it looks at the challenges facing Gordon Brown. We’ve also put up a fantastic essay by Clemency Burton-Hill on what it was like growing up with Tony Blair. Do give them a read and keep on coming back for more.
Paging John Bercow (UPDATED)
I don’t know where John Bercow is having lunch right now, but a lot of people wish he’d switch his phone on. Perhaps thanks to Guido, there’s a rumour flying around Westminster that he’s the next to cross the floor and join Labour. Well, didn’t Ed Balls omninously suggest there are more Tory MPs out
Who’d have thought it?
Back in May 1997 what odds would you have got on the most generous tribute at Blair’s last PMQs coming from Ian Paisley?
Au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen and Areverderchi
For the first time in my time in the Commons, the press gallery was full. “A lot of so-called journalists I’ve never seen before” grumbled the doorman. And no wonder. This was box office – or was supposed to be. It turned into a rather tame love-in. David Cameron had technocratic, statesman-like questions – getting
The coming battle
We’ve got two great pieces up today on the new political landscape. James O’Shaughnessy explains why the master tactician Gordon Brown is putting housing at the top of his agenda. While Martin Vander Weyer looks at whether business will prefer David Cameron or the devil it knows, Gordon Brown. Check back for more later in the day.
What’s the next Brown surprise?
Iain Dale reports that Ed Balls was understandably gloating about the defection of Quentin Davies last night at a Fabian Society reception last night and promised his audience that, “There’s more to come – as I know.”
How important is the defection of Quentin Davies?
Two contrasting views in the papers this morning. Here’s the key passage from The Guardian’s leader on it: “There has been no more brutal assault on a Tory leader since Sir Geoffrey Howe plunged the knife between Mrs Thatcher’s shoulders in 1990. Mr Davies’s withering comments will be endlessly repeated. They represent a huge new
The piece you should read before Brown takes over
This Fraser Nelson piece from September reveals which eight people will really matter when Gordon Brown finally gets his hands on the crown. Do give it a read.