UK Politics

15.07.2007 UK Politics

Peruvian asparagus vs. British beef

It seemed like a good idea: some fresh asparagus on a summer weekend. Yet when upon starting to unpack the veg, it turned out we had overlooked the fact that it had been imported from Peru. Why, oh why, do

05.07.2007 UK Politics

Labour branding – what’s going on?

1997 marked the high point. Labour’s brand was strong, the message right for the times. The Mandelson-inspired red square, new Labour, new Britain marked a decisive step forward in UK political marketing – Labour had developed its brand (left image).

07.06.2007 UK Politics

Deputy Leadership – now’s the time to vote for Harriet

So it’s almost decision time. Ballot papers for the Deputy Leadership are being sent out and all members should get them by the end of the week. It’s with some mixed feelings that this decision time approaches – the Deputy

04.06.2007 UK Politics

Royal Mail mysteries

Every London cyclist must have experienced it. The revving of a small commercial vehicle engine behind you and – whooosh – a red Royal Mail LDV van powers past. Like more passionate versions of White Van Man, Royal Mail drivers

15.05.2007 UK Politics

John McDonnell flies the flag of the left

I was pleased to read yesterday that John McDonnell will be the challenger from the left of the Labour Party, facing Gordon Brown. John has conducted his campaign with a solid and gentlemanly approach, far different to Michael Meacher who

11.05.2007 UK Politics

British idiots want to have their bread and eat it

Red tape, regulation, burdens on British business. The number of times we hear that in the British press when complaints are made about Brussels. I was hence dumbstruck today when the tables have been turned and the reaction is still

11.05.2007 UK Politics

OK, game on – time for a new leader

Right, so that’s it then. Blair’s time is over. There was plenty of sancimonious stuff in his resignation speech, and religious references too. All a bit sick-inducing. But the really excellent bit was this: “There is only one government since

04.05.2007 UK Politics

Salmond – so you think voters are thick?

Yesterday’s Scottish elections have been criticised due to a large number of spoilt ballot papers, presumably because people did not understand the voting system in use in the 2 different elections taking place. Single Transferable Vote (STV) where you mark

30.04.2007 UK Politics

Beach huts

A great British institution – the beach hut. At Southwold in Suffolk there are plenty of them, in many bright colours. It was a pleasure to spend a weekend pottering around the Suffolk countryside, a welcome break from London.

24.04.2007 UK Politics

Britain’s homeless (and lack of housing) shame

I must look like just the sort of person who would give money to charity – people accost me in the street all the time. I do give a lot of money to charitable causes, but, so the argument goes,

23.04.2007 UK Politics

Jon Cruddas harvesting Compass e-mails – that’s not what Compass is for

I received an e-mail yesterday from a Slovene friend based in Brussels, wondering why he had suddenly started to receive campaign updates from Labour Deputy Leadership candidate Jon Cruddas. The e-mail address now on Cruddas’s list was subscribed to no

20.04.2007 UK Politics

Tough on crime, tough on the causes of the perceptions of crime

The Met yesterday announced that crime in London was at an 8 year low, with murders down 3.6%, gun/knife crimes down 11.3%, sex attacks down 9.6% and burglary down 6.6%. The news story from BBC is here. I however had