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). Things had to become a little more sober from then […]
There’s a logo that seems to be starting to appear everywhere… It’s on the dustbin lorries in Westminster, on the road sweepers’ carts in Lambeth, and, so it seems, it’s all over the world doing all kinds of environmental and transport work – trains, buses, water, environmental services. It’s the […]
I’ve been receiving sinister automated messages on my voicemail for the last few days requesting that I call Westcot Credit Services. I first checked with Vodafone, my network provider, to find out what’s up. I was assured I had no outstanding bills, a fact confirmed by the direct debit payments […]
Gordon Brown’s cabinet is taking shape and overall it looks fine – I’m especially happy to see David Miliband as Foreign Secretary. But there are 2 matters of concern. Firstly the Minister of State for Europe (most recently Geoff Hoon under Blair) had been entitled to attend cabinet, and that […]
There’s a nasty conference centre that belongs to the European Commission in Brussels called the Albert Borschette building. It’s close to Place Jourdan and is a 1970s construction. But the story behind its name is an intriguing one. Albert Borschette was a Luxembourg diplomat who rose to the position of […]
As anyone who reads this blog often will know, I don’t make a habit of writing about sport. But today I’ll make an exception. For it was with considerable sadness that I read today that it has been confirmed that Thierry Henry has left Arsenal for Barcelona. Not only has […]
I’ve been away in Sweden for Midsommar, but have been reflecting on the Treaty compromise while sat on the plane back to London. Overall the actual result could have been a lot worse – the main elements of the Constitution have been maintained. But I do wonder the price that […]
I can’t remember in recent years getting to June and not having any plans for the summer. Anyway, things have now more or less fallen into place for a 2 week trip north with Helena at the end of July / start of August – train to Newcastle, then the […]
We’ve won! Harriet was elected deputy leader of the Labour Party with 50.43% of the vote. I’ve been responsible for the website of the campaign that has at least played a small part in the successful result. Harriet defeated Alan Johnson in the final round, after Blears, then Hain, Benn […]
It’s summit week. Finally. The EU news sites, and the mainstream media to a certain extent, have been trying to analyze what may or may not emerge from the European Council at the end of this week in Brussels. It looks like Poland is at least softening its tone slightly, […]
I’ve just spent the last 2 days in Brussels for work and I’m left asking myself this question: why did I ever leave? First of all I know so many people there – I keep on bumping into people I know in the street. That never happens in London. Yesterday […]
I’ve been reading ‘Britain and Europe: A City minister’s perspective’ by Ed Balls MP [more details from the CER]. It all strikes me as reasonably standard Brownite fare – realising that Britain has to be part of the EU, but not really enthusing about the European Union all that much. […]
