UK Politics

12.04.2007 UK Politics

Miranda Grell – Waltham Forest Lib Dems don’t know what they are up against

I was shocked to hear today that a good friend of mine, Miranda Grell, has been charged with alleged misconduct by candidates from an opposing political party in the ward she fought – and won for Labour – in Waltham

12.04.2007 UK Politics

Back from 18 Doughty Street, and not blogging much for the next few days

Just back from my 2nd appearance on 18 Doughty Street’s Vox Politics and End of the Day programmes. Iain Dale was hosting this time – first time I’ve met him and he’s very friendly and personable for a Tory. There

11.04.2007 UK Politics

Into the enemy den again, but with allies – 18 Doughty Street

Bit slow to post it here, but I’m on Vox Politix on 18 Doughty Street tonight at 22:00 BST, together with Sean Fear, a regular pundit on PoliticalBetting.com, writer of the Dave’s Part blog, Dave Osler, and former Paddy Ashdown

09.04.2007 UK Politics

The value of political blogging – Kamm is misguided

I came across Oliver Kamm’s article ‘A Parody of Democracy‘ in which the author tries to make the case that political blogs poison debate, rather than enhance it. Kamm is obviously sufficiently keen to avoid debate that it’s not actually

08.04.2007 UK Politics

Little hope in the spring sunshine

I’m sat typing at the table in the window in my small flat in Walworth. A small vase of daffodils stands on the table and the April sun is shining on the cars parked in the road outside. It’s Easter

05.04.2007 Technology / UK Politics

UK elected representatives – not leading the way online

The New Statesman is running its New Media Awards again this year, and I’ve just been casting my eye over the list of nominees in the Elected Representative category. What a terrible collection! There are some better efforts at interactivity

03.04.2007 EU Politics / UK Politics

The best picture of Margaret Thatcher you’ll ever see

I was asked for some information about the UK’s European Communities referendum in 1975 and hence turned to the Wikipedia page about it. The page is really detailed and gives an excellent overview of the referendum, but it also features

02.04.2007 UK Politics

BoKlok for Gateshead, ISO freight containers for London?

Everyone in Britain loves (or loves to hate) Ikea. So – with a hint of sarcasm and jibes about Allen keys – there has been a cautious welcome for the news that Ikea BoKlok pre-fabricated homes are to be built

30.03.2007 UK Politics

The Queen’s eternal youth

The Bank of England has issued a new Â£20 bank note. It’s been controversial as it has Adam Smith on the back side (see the Bank of England website for more). But what struck me when one of the new

05.03.2007 UK Politics

Accosted on the street by MENCAP

Today I was accosted on Villiers Street, close to Embankment station. No, it wasn’t those annoying people from London Lite and The London Paper trying to thrust a nasty rag in my face, but instead it was a guy trying

02.03.2007 UK Politics

Into the lair of the enemy

Was it a good idea? Not sure. I’ve just returned home after 2 hours of arguing with Tories on the internet TV station 18 Doughty Street, brainchild of Iain Dale. It really felt like walking into the lair of the

22.02.2007 UK Politics

UKIP has to pay back £300k – excellent!

Just a quick post as I have to head to Stansted in 4 hours and need some sleep, but excellent news this evening: the UK Independence Party has been told to pay back £367,697 of donations it did not collect