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Lessons for the GOP? Sir: In Charles Moore’s notes (9 October), he writes that ‘unusually in modern political history… American politics could learn from Britain something to its advantage’. He seems to support his ‘old friend’ David Frum, who says that the Republican party should follow the David Cameron model and detoxify their party brand.
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While it may be a little dangerous to speak so soon, a remarkable gulf is growing between the responses of the British and the French public to their governments’ attempts to balance the books. While it may be a little dangerous to speak so soon, a remarkable gulf is growing between the responses of the
From our UK edition
Universities in England should be able to charge unlimited fees, according to a report by Lord Browne of Madingley; students would start repaying loans when their earnings reached £21,000. Home Universities in England should be able to charge unlimited fees, according to a report by Lord Browne of Madingley; students would start repaying loans when
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The deficit fairy A six-year-old girl from Manchester, Niamh Riley, sent David Cameron a pound coin left by the tooth fairy to help pay off the deficit. If all children followed her example, how near would we be? —With 790,000 children born a year, each with 20 milk teeth, this would raise £15.8 million a year.
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Fraser Nelson highlights the Tories defying a profligate EU. James Forsyth watches Ed Miliband start with a bang, and sifts through the political consequences of the tuition fees decision. Peter Hoskin says that reforming incapacity benefit is crucial, and reports on Philip Green’s attempt to bring Arcadia to Whitehall. David Blackburn reports on Alan Johnson’s
From our UK edition
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 – providing 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
From our UK edition
… here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Ed Howker reveals the full tragedy of Britain’s welfare ghettos. Fraser Nelson argues that Ed Miliband’s shadow cabinet is defensive, and highlights Cameron’s greatest weakness. James Forsyth discusses the consequences of the child benefit row, and examines Cameron’s motives. Peter Hoskin notes
From our UK edition
Sir: I enjoyed Robert Stewart’s review of the book about James I’s grasp of spin (Books, 2 October), but there is one fact he omits. On pets and people Sir: Baroness Warnock makes a point — frequently made by those who advocate human euthanasia (‘Moral authority’, 2 October) — that ‘we recognise that in animals,
From our UK edition
It has been a remarkable week for the bright young Tories who worked for John Major in the 1992 election campaign. At the time, David Cameron, Steve Hilton and their friends were young praetorians who, after the Conservatives were returned to office, credited themselves with snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. They nearly did
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While we mourn the comic actor Sir Norman Wisdom, who died on Monday aged 95, we should also celebrate the incurable optimism of his most famous character — Norman Pitkin. Remembered principally for his trademark stumbles, flailing limbs, and saying ‘Mr Grimsdale!’, Pitkin, played by Wisdom in numerous films during the 1950s and 1960s, was
From our UK edition
Home At the beginning of the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced on the radio that from 2013 child benefits would be withdrawn from any family where one parent earns more than about £44,000 a year. Home At the beginning of the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, George
From our UK edition
Although elder siblings are often claimed to be natural leaders and second children natural rebels, none of the last seven prime ministers have been eldest siblings. Although elder siblings are often claimed to be natural leaders and second children natural rebels, none of the last seven prime ministers have been eldest siblings. —David
From our UK edition
Family politics Although elder siblings are often claimed to be natural leaders and second children natural rebels, none of the last seven prime ministers have been eldest siblings. Family politics Although elder siblings are often claimed to be natural leaders and second children natural rebels, none of the last seven prime ministers have been eldest
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Who knows who in the world of Westminster Click to see this feature
From our UK edition
Here is a selection of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson groans as David Cameron resuscitates the Big Society, and urges George Osborne to go even further on middle class benefits. James Forsyth denies that the Tories have committed their ‘10p tax mistake’, and awaits the end of universal benefit.
From our UK edition
Here are the results in full: Cooper 232 Healey 192 Balls 179 Burnham 165 Angela Eagle 165 Johnson 163 Alexander 160 Murphy 160 Jowell 152 Flint 139 Denham 129 Benn 128 Khan 128 Creagh 119 McKechin 117 Maria Eagle 107 Hillier 106 Lewis 104 Byrne 100
From our UK edition
Here is a selection of the blogosphere’s reaction to Cameron’s speech. Fraser Nelson notes that Cameron has resuscitated the Big Society. James Forsyth urges Cameron to concentrate on people power. Peter Hoskin ponders a peculiar speech from the Prime Minister. David Blackburn wonders what to make of Cameron’s disavowal of laissez-faire. Alex Massie asks if
From our UK edition
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 – providing 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
From our UK edition
…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson says Cameron will seek to de-Toryfy the Tory conference, and praises the coalition’s welfare reform. James Forsyth wonders how many Lib Dems are to the right of their Tory colleagues, and speculates that Ken Clarke is in the firing line. Peter
From our UK edition
Among the quango; Labour leadership; Power source; Gay population Among the quangos The government is to axe 177 quangos. Here are some of the most obscure, and their stated purposes: Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees 16 regional bodies which hear disputes over tied housing on farms Commission for the Compact Aids partnership between the government