Peter Hoskin

Monday

Peter Hoskin

The Blairites rally to Miliband’s cause

From our UK edition

One of the more startling aspects of the nascent Labour leadership struggle is just how quickly it’s dissolved into a Blairite-Brownite feud. Of course, it helps that David Milband – the key, would-be challenger – was one of Blair’s most trusted lieutenants. Then that Blair memo appeared, to stoke the flames of internecine struggle. And now the papers report that Blairites such as Charles Clarke and Stephen Byers are drafting a series of policy challenges and proposals – their aim being to keep up pressure on Brown, and boost David Miliband’s cause. The Blairites will be loving every minute of it.

Sunday

Peter Hoskin

Has Harman ruled herself out?

From our UK edition

Harriet Harman has been one of those mooted to succeed Gordon Brown.  But here's what she says in today's News of the World (article not online, as far as I can tell): "When you face these kinds of global problems you need as prime minister someone who is respected ... Gordon Brown is the right person for the job." With a leadership struggle on the horizon, there's a danger of reading too much into what the main players say.  And, as James suggested a few days ago, Harman could be holding back for strategic reasons.  But, still, this message of support sounds as unambiguous as they get.  Certainly more unambiguous than anything David Miliband's saying.

Peter Hoskin

Will the money men help Miliband’s cause?

From our UK edition

The Miliband leadership bid is picking up steam.  According to today's Sunday Telegraph, his team are already drafting the Foreign Secretary's speech for the upcoming Labour conference - and it's set to offer an "alternative vision of Labour's future" to the one put forward by Brown.  All fascinating stuff.  But, in the same Sunday Telegraph article, it's this passage that jumped out at me: "Allies of the Foreign Secretary signalled that wealthy private individuals who had stopped giving Labour money under Mr Brown were likely to be persuaded to reopen their cheque books if Mr Miliband became leader." If this is true, the money men really could play a crucial role in determining whether or not Brown goes.

Peter Hoskin

GB demolished by TB

From our UK edition

Earlier this week, the expectation was the the Brownite attack dogs would set about demolishing David Miliband in today's papers.  But - as I outlined here - they were soon brought to heel by Brown, on Stephen Carter's advice.  So what's in today's paper's instead?  Answer: a whole load of trouble for our Prime Minister. The worst for him is in the Mail on Sunday.  They've managed to get their hands on what is alleged to be a memo sent out by Tony Blair after last year's Labour conference.  In it, he lauches a scathing assault on Brown and his premiership.

Saturday

Peter Hoskin

The Sunday Essay: send in your submissions

From our UK edition

We're introducing a new feature to Coffee House - the Sunday Essay.   Each Sunday, we'll post an essay by one of our readers, on any political, cultural or sporting topic.  The first essay will appear on Sunday, 10 August. If you'd like your writing to be considered, just e-mail an article of between 500 and 1500 words to me at phoskin @ spectator.co.uk  - the Coffee House team will pick out the best submission each week, and post it on the website the following Sunday.  It doesn't matter whether you're an MP, a member of the policy wonk world, or have nothing to do with politics whatsoever - all submissions will be read and evaluated. So, get writing.  And remember to look out for the first Sunday Essay next week.

Peter Hoskin

Well done Ramps

From our UK edition

Hearty congratulations to Mark Ramprakash for becoming only the 25th player to score 100 first class centuries. It's quite a feat, and underlines his status as one of the modern game's finest batsmen. I'm sure many CoffeeHousers will – like me – be looking forward to century number 101.

Peter Hoskin

Will Toynbee’s praise help or hinder Miliband?

From our UK edition

Polly Toynbee's article in today's Guardian is really quite remarkable.  She's certainly cooled towards Brown and his government over recent months.  But now the split is complete and unequivocal.  Here's what she has to say about the Prime Minister's reshuffle plans: "It's all too late. No one listens to a leader once 85% of people decide he is 'not up to the job', as in this week's YouGov poll. It needs someone untrammelled by the past to change direction now." And who should that someone be?  Toynbee certainly rhapsodises enough about David Miliband.  His Guardian op-ed is described as a "sketched outline of radical policies".

Peter Hoskin

On the verge of a reshuffle

From our UK edition

Brace yourselves - the reshuffle forecasts have shifted from 'likely' to 'imminent'.  According to this morning's paper's, one could come as early as September 1st, as Brown tries to reestablish his government after the summer recess. So, who'll go where?  Well, there's talk of promotions to the Cabinet for Liam Bryne and Jim Murphy (the former was awarded The Spectator/Threadneedle's 'Minister to Watch' 2007, and the latter was recently interviewed by Fraser).  And demotions for Des Browne, Paul Murphy and Hilary Benn.  But the big question is of what Brown will do with David Miliband, if the Foreign Secretary hasn't formally lauched a leadership challenge by then.

Friday

Peter Hoskin

Your questions for Chris Grayling

From our UK edition

It's been a week since we asked CoffeeHousers to put forward their questions for Chris Grayling.  We've since picked out the best five, which have now been put to the shadow work and pensions secretary.  He'll get back to us at the start of next week. The CoffeeHousers whose questions were chosen can e-mail me on phoskin @ spectator.co.uk to claim their t-shirt and 180th Anniversary issue of the magazine. Anyway, here are the questions: Marcus Cotswell "What are your plans for reducing the incidence of means-testing in the benefit system, with particular reference to the impact on incentives to save?" Diana "Is there a place for Frank Field in your ministerial team, come a Tory government?

Peter Hoskin

Will the tensions at No.10 leave the door open for Miliband?

From our UK edition

Much has been made about the tensions between the Brownite old guard and the Stephen Carter-led new guard at No.10.  Those same tensions are now threatening to play havoc with Brown's response to the speculation surrounding his position. The initial response of "Brown's allies" to Miliband's infamous op-ed was all-out war.  They briefed newspapers that the Foreign Secretary is everything from "immature" to "a traitor".  The word in Westminster is that that briefing came from the stable of Ian Austin / Damian McBride - the Brownite old guard.  It wasn't sanctioned by Brown, and even he's said to have been taken aback by its ferocity. Equally taken aback - and furious - is Stephen Carter.

Peter Hoskin

Boris backs Obama

From our UK edition

Boris has endorsed Barack Obama's bid for the US Presidency, claiming that a victory for the Illinois senator would "do fantastic things for the confidence and feelings of black people around the world".  It means the London Mayor has broken political convention on getting involved in foreign elections.  And I imagine he's ruffled a few Tory feathers in the process. P.S. Do check out The Spectator's endorsement of John McCain here.

Peter Hoskin

Can anything go right for Labour?

From our UK edition

Since June, Jack Straw's been trying to push through reforms which would limit the Tories' ability to pour £millions into key marginal seats between elections – the 'Ashcroft Effect' as it's sometimes called.  Well, it's not looking too promising for Straw's plans.  The Guardian have got their hands on a document in which the Electoral Commission's chief executive, Peter Wardle, expresses "serious reservations" about the proposed reforms. Of course, the commission can't block the legislation.  But the reforms would only come into effect after it's offered its guidance.  And the commission's reservations mean that Straw may be waiting some time for that.

Thursday

Peter Hoskin

A poll battering for Brown, but it’s not good news for Miliband either

From our UK edition

The Telegraph have just posted the results of their latest YouGov poll.  It has the Tories a hefty 22 points ahead of Labour.  And Brown's personal ratings are disastrous.  Only 15 percent of voters think he's up the job; 65 percent believe he's an electoral liability; and 45 percent say that Labour's chances would improve were Brown replaced.  The list goes on. All good news for David Miliband, surely?  No, not really.  The poll finds that Labour would do no better were Miliband in charge - in fact, the Tory lead would go up to 23 points.  And other potential leaders would fare little better.

Peter Hoskin

Dealing with Miliband: the inclusive approach

From our UK edition

I wrote earlier that Brown is being urged to sack David Miliband.  But the Mirror's Bob Roberts puts forward a different scenario - that Brown annoints Miliband as his heir apparent, thereby avoiding a leadership challenge now.  According to Roberts, our Prime Minister's "ready" to do this, too - he may even seal the deal by making Miliband his Chancellor. Hm.  You can see the attraction for Brown - unless he does something pretty drastic, he's likely to be forced out before the next election, and won't have any chance to rectify his battered reputation.  But two problems present themselves: 1) this could make Brown seem even weaker, and 2) I doubt people will be too keen on yet another New Labour succession deal.

Peter Hoskin

Will Brown wield the knife?

From our UK edition

As Fraser writes in his cover piece today, Miliband doesn't want to bloody his hands during any leadership struggle. Sure, the Foreign Secretary's plotting with the best of them. But as for being the one to stick the knife between Brown's shoulder-blades – that can be left for Jack Straw or any of that batch of ministers prepared to resign over all this. Or at least that's the plan. Problem is, there's always the chance that others won't want to do Miliband's dirty work for him. Jack Straw certainly isn't too keen on the idea. And I suspect Harriet Harman, Ed Balls or any of the other suspected plotters won't be either. So who will wield the knife? One other option presents itself: Gordon Brown. This morning, the news is that he's being urged to sack Miliband.

Wednesday