The feature on political advertising in the Independent on Sunday is both a fun and insightful read. The party political poster mock-ups (which you can cycle through here) have been put together by some of the country’s leading Mad Men; so they’re a fairly good indication of the themes and images that the parties might
Thank you all for sending in your New Year’s resolution suggestions for David Cameron. We’ve now picked out our favourite; which comes courtesy of Robert Simpson and which, like all good New Year’s resolutions, is simply phrased but also challenging and oh-so-worthwhile. Here it is: “To resolve to produce 5 core reasons to vote Conservative
Let me offer up something that isn’t quite a prediction, but more something to look out for in 2009: Labour rebellion. There’s already one brewing over Peter Mandelson’s plans for Royal Mail, and – according to today’s Independent – it could be pretty sizeable. The reports are that “more than 100” Labour MPs are set
Coffee House will be going a bit quieter over the next couple of days; so just to wish CoffeeHousers a happy Christmas, and to thank you for reading and contributing over the past year. If you’re looking for something to do, I’d recommend this year’s Christmas short story in the magazine (here); or you could
The ComRes poll in today’s Independent could well be signinficant. It puts the Tories on 39 percent (up 2); Labour on 34 percent (down 2); and the Lib Dems on 16 percent (up 2). But it’s the below-headline findings on tax and spend that really pack a punch. Tim Montgomerie’s already pulled out the key
As anniversaries go, it’s a fairly ignominious one. But it’s still worth noting that Peter Mandelson’s first resignation from the Cabinet – over a home loan from the then Paymaster General, Geoffrey Robinson – took place exactly ten years ago today. For posterity’s sake, here’s The Spectator‘s leader column on the matter (from the issue
This from Ben Brogan: “The expectations from the Yard tonight are that Mr Quick is finished and will be quietly moved.” And rightly so, I’d say. As I suggested earlier, the key now for the Tories – at least in the short term – is to wash their hands of this Bob Quick furore /
Michael Gove makes a striking point in his Times column today: “I am delighted Bruce Forsyth will be getting his knighthood shortly. But why, still, no K for Christopher Lee? I don’t begrudge McKellen or Gambon their honours, but Lee is quite simply our greatest living screen star. He is 87 next year. A career
Further to Fraser’s post, it’s worth noting that Dominic Grieve (along with David Davis) has accepted Bob Quick’s apology; adding that “This does not itself in my view cast doubt on his abilities as a senior officer to do counter terrorism work.” Yes, what Quick said was both foolish and vindictive, and it reflects worryingly
Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers’ Wall. For those who haven’t come across the Wall before, it’s a post we put up each Monday, on which – provided your writing isn’t libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency – you’ll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no
After visiting Downing Street, Kevin Maguire beats the drum for Brown in today’s Mirror. To spare CoffeeHousers the details about how our PM is “brimming with ideas” and how he puts in “Herculean” 12-hour days, here’s the key passage from towards the end of the article: “[Brown] hinted that a Treasury forecast of recovery in
I know, I know; all the election speculation’s starting to get tiresome – if it wasn’t already tiresome weeks ago. But it’s still worth noting the comments of one of Brown’s closest allies, Charlie Whelan, who’s suggested that June 2009 will be an “ideal opportunity” for the PM to hold an election. His thinking is
Books I’m just coming to the end of Ahmed Rashid’s compelling book on the conflict in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, Descent into Chaos. It’s an essential brew of fine research, persuasive analysis and lively prose – all in all, it feels definitive. The best work of fiction I’ve read and re-read this year – John
An effective article by George Osborne in this morning’s Telegraph, sticking up for savers and pensioners. It’s well worth reading the whole thing, but here’s the first couple of paragraphs: “Over the past year, someone with £10,000 of savings in an easy access high street account has seen their income fall from £50 a month
So, is bailing out Jaguar an urgent necessity or a dangerous precedent? According to the papers this morning, Business ministers – marshalled, of course, by Peter Mandelson – are veering towards the former viewpoint, while the Treasury veers towards the latter. If so, I’m with HMT on this one. Although Mandy warned yesterday that the
CoffeeHousers, the mission is straightforward – suggest a New Year’s resolution for David Cameron in the comments section below; we’ll pick out the best one on Boxing Day; and its author will win a bottle of champagne. Good luck.
Inspired by last week’s New Statesman cover piece, we at Coffee House Central figured we’d pick out some of our favourite political speeches. You can find them listed below – along with our comments and YouTube footage, if availiable. Do mention any of your own favourites in the comments section. I’ll get the ball rolling with
And the Quote of the Day belongs to Rowan Williams. Here’s what he said to the Beeb earlier on Gordon Brown’s borrowing binge: “I worry a bit about that, it seems a little like the addict returning to the drug.” Say what you will about the Archbishop getting involved in politics, but this is manna from
Here are Theresa May’s answers to the questions put forward by CoffeeHousers: john miller “Why have Government ministers been able to spout the most outrageous lies over the last few months, effectively unopposed by the Conservatives? The Tories seem to lack a short succinct rebuttal that gives a voice to the feelings of the public.”
I’ve just uploaded my set of culture recommendations, which you can read here. If CoffeeHousers have any culture picks of their own, please give them a mention in the comments section to this post.