Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
"An unabashed member of the privileged classes, he has somehow managed to win the affection of a Labour-leaning city as it endures the harshest cuts in public expenditure since World War II." How does he do it?
"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
Constitutional expert on Britain's alternative vote: it wouldn't make much difference to elections anyway. Safe seats would remain safe. Most historical results would be the same. It's a referendum for politicians not for the public
Influential insider's analysis of 2010 campaign weakness. Conservatives promised change, but failed to define or explain it, leaving them vulnerable to Lib Dems
British election commentary by director of "In The Loop". Voters calculated "just the right formula for absolute and total searing pain across the political landscape"
Game theorist maps choices available to Clegg. His best course: "a deal with Tories with inbuilt failure, so Lib-Dems can return to a PR negotiation with other parties in 9 months"
British political parties offered similar platforms, resulting in confused vote. "Any democratic choice is arbitrary, and ambivalence—of the kind expressed last night—is the most honest answer"
Crisp primer for tomorrow's British vote. Likely outcome, Conservative win. Outside chance of Conservative-Liberal coalition. Collapse of Labour, rise of Liberals, may speed electoral reform
Gorgeously funny piece about mediocrity of British election contenders. “David Cameron? A private gynaecologist. Nick Clegg? British Airways short-haul pilot of the year, 2010"
Historian evokes parallels from 1920s, offers shrewd advice to Nick Clegg: LibDems should refuse alliance with new Labour, present themselves as heirs to libertarian strain in old Labour
Another winning performance from Liberal Democrats' Clegg. Cameron's Tories can probably still scrape a majority, but it's getting a lot edgier. Labour in serious danger of finishing third
Liberals have captured public mood. UK faces coalition government. Both main parties would accept Cable as chancellor. But Liberals also want proportional representation. Which means alliance with Labour
