Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
"The Murdoch scandals are turning into a first-class disaster for the prime minister, David Cameron, and his party, while so far leaving Labour intact." It didn't have to be like this but Cameron's moral blindness has made it so
"Two arrogant posh boys who don't know the price of milk." So said a party colleague of David Cameron and George Osborne. And, with the economy falling back in recession, it's a label threatening to stick
David Cameron hand-picked a crew of 30- and 40- somethings as his Tory back-benchers. And got more than he bargained for. They don't toe the line like party hacks. Their rebellions are putting some life back into parliament
Interview with British political commentator Charles Moore. "Conservatives should be in favour of inequality, but they have to explain why. They should not be in favor of injustice or special treatment for the rich"
Best political speech of the century is still the valedictory given six years ago by Tony Blair. And even that was memorable mainly for a single joke. Modern fashion demands simplicity, banality, brevity, a few soundbites
The Scottish question. In different ways, puts both Labour and Conservatives in a difficult position. Tories must handle referendum and possible break-up of UK. But Labour faces longer term threat of exclusion from power
"Modernisation" is little more than set of techniques for securing, keeping power. Practitioners included Blair, Mandelson, Cameron. Worked in electoral terms; useless at tackling national problems. Looks intellectually bankrupt now
Cameron's big idea is the "big society". Trouble is many people think it's a meaningless slogan, or worse. Here's what it stands for: Decentralisation, promotion of independent community organisations, self-help
David Cameron's "no" to a new European treaty was a negotiating tactic that backfired. He meant to bluff, his bluff got called. Now Britain stands alone. No special relationship with the US, and a dwindling one with the EU ($)
"The EU's tectonic plates have slipped momentously along same the fault line that has always divided it—the English Channel." British PM David Cameron says it was "a tough decision but the right one" for his country. Is he correct?
Thoughts on first resignation of a Conservative from British PM's cabinet. Liam Fox is first defence secretary forced by resign by scandal since Profumo. Does his departure say anything more deeply damaging about this government?
Alexander Litvinenko died a horrible, painful death in London five years ago. The suspect, whom Britain wants to extradite, sits in Moscow. But is the British prime minister giving up the chase in favour of business and trade?
Simon Jenkins, on bombing Libya
"The iron law of plunging into someone else's civil war is choose the side most likely to win and make sure it does"
