Peter Hoskin

Do take the time to read through the Independent's Q&A with Ken Clarke today.  Beyond his classic answer to the question "What was your biggest mistake as Chancellor of the Exchequer?" (clue: it involves malt whisky), the most noteworthy thing is how ably he dodges the numerous, inevitable, "split" questions.  There's the stock reponse of "I have no intention to change or challenge the party's policy on x", but he mixes in a few tongue-in-cheek curveballs, which do a great job of defusing the situation.  This has to be one of them: In December you came out against supporting marriage through the tax system. David Cameron feels differently. Have you changed your mind?

Forgive me for being exasperated, but Team Dave's latest Big Announcement is just plain exasperating.  An Economic Recovery Committee to - and I quote the press release - "review and analyse the economic situation"; "discuss immediate policy proposals to deal with the current crisis"; and "coordinate strategy for the long term reconstruction of Britain's economy"?  Now, it all sounds well and good - and something may come out of it.  But it's little more than slapping a name on something that the Tories should - and will - be doing already, and packaging it as something new.  It was cynical enough when Brown did it, with his National Economic Council, but it's even more cynical to then follow his dubious lead.

However hard he tries, and however much taxpayers' cash he throws at the problem, Gordon Brown just can't seem to get credit flowing to UK businesses.  Here are details of two surveys, released today, from today's FT: Conferederation of British Industry survey: "While 63 per cent of businesses who had sought new credit said its availability had worsened in the past three months, 59 per cent said they expected it to be harder to access in the next three months." Federation of Small Businesses survey: "Many small businesses told the trade association that banks had turned down their applications for government-guaranteed credit. Others complained that public sector bodies were ignoring a government pledge to pay in 10 days. And almost all said that a 2.

Andrew Grice sets the rumour mill a-whirling with this blog post suggesting that David Cameron might ennoble Michael Howard and draft him into the Cabinet, should the Tories win the next election.  It certainly sounds plausible enough.  After all, Howard has been a key figure in Cameron's career; he's had experience of government already; and has been making some impactful media appearances over the past few weeks.  On top of that, the largely successful* return of Ken Clarke has shown the worth of having some Big Beasts around. The worry, though - particularly for current members of the Tory shadow cabinet - is that Cameron's set to go Big Beast crazy, and overlook the contributions that some of his younger recruits could make.

A thought-provoking article from Martin Kettle in today's Guardian.  He makes the point that the worsening economy, and a heavy defeat for Labour in this year's European elections, could encourage calls for a national government.  But he also mentions the moments when Team Brown might expect to claw back some ground on the Tories: "The 2009 political calendar offers a few openings for ministers to take charge of the agenda, such as the G20 London summit and, more significantly, the budget, out of which a popular political leader might hope to conjure fresh support." Here on Coffee House, we've already raised a sceptical eyebrow or two at the idea the G20 will give Brown a boost.  But what of this year's Budget?