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Theme : politics
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When the going get's tough
...the Tories get going. Or so said Alan Milburn on this morning's Jonathan Dimbleby programme, responding to Conservative criticism of the presentation of the case for war. It reminded me of this rant from a disappointed Democrat, in which they argue, "politics is now beyond issues. For Democrats, it?s existential". Had it not been for the war's continued unpopularity, I think we would have seen more of this approach from Labour - playing the Tories at their own game by fusing tough talk...
from : johncraig
1st May 2005
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1997 and all that
While much of this optimism still exists beyond politics, waning enthusiasm in the government and politics more generally is pretty much taken as read.The introduction goes on to say:The generations, brought up against the background of empire and traditional values are slowly giving way to a generation brought up with globalisation and information technologies, greater equality between men and women, and ecological awareness.Given the language banded about during the election campaign -...
from : samhintonsmith
27th April 2005
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Secrets and lies
He made the point that, as young people are less likely to vote, politicians (who are most interested in chasing floating votes in marginal seats) don't bother putting forward policies which address the concerns of young (non)voters. One example is the failure by all parties to address the dire need for new housing (and especially social housing) in the South East of England.The message to The Kids seems to be vote - and maybe next time they'll listen...
from : samhintonsmith
26th April 2005
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They want to be elected
MPs eh. You might have noticed that they work for you...well it also turns out that they want to be elected. Pretty simple idea, but i like it.[via the Guardian Election Blog]
from : duncanoleary
21st April 2005
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Pollsters or punters?
The Conservative party aren't doing too well according to recent polls. But being a bit of a sceptic when it comes to election polls, I thought I'd shop around and see what the bookies were offering.They seem to concur with the polls with William Hill putting a Labour majority of over 64 as the most likely option. Interestingly most likely turnout is around about the 59/60 per cent mark which would make it almost exactly the same as 2001 and possibly the lowest since 1945.
from : paulmiller
19th April 2005
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Seriously Small
Sometimes you wonder about the future of politics. And then you have your faith restored. Two policies from the Monster Raving Loony Party: - Children to be encouraged to sit closer together in school - to reduce class sizes. - Government to issue a 99p coin - to save on change.Surely both candidates for the Global Ideas Bank...
from : duncanoleary
18th April 2005
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Nothing but politics
It seems to have been a good week for the ?independents?. Sir John Stevens exploited his new-found independence with a helpful terror warning and the saga of Margaret?s shoulder rumbles on. Perhaps most importantly, Maria Hutchings has shocked few by appearing on a Conservative platform, backing their stance on SEN. First health now education, what increasingly seems like a Tory strategy is reminiscent of America?s Swift Veteran?s for Truth, whose connections to Republican strategists were...
from : johncraig
8th March 2005
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Hyperbole-checking
According to de Juvenal "the language of politics is the language of priorities" (thank you, Google). I for one have always wondered how many things have been, at some rhetorical stage, Tony Blair's 'top priority'. This is just the kind of problem discussed on the greenhouse before - the knowledge is out there, just not in one place. Today, ThinkProgress post a list of Bush's 'top priorities', all thirty of them. Fact-checking is hardly new, and will continue to grow, but were I a...
from : johncraig
16th February 2005
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Ignore the elephant
It?s either genius or insanity - to my shock, I agreed with David Aaronovitch this week, in his assessment of Labour?s announcements on ?immigration/asylum?, and the phantom sixth pledge that is to follow.So if, as I suggested a fortnight ago, the new Tory proposals on all this are a sort of shadow of the elephant in the living room, then Labour's five-year plan is the shadow of a shadow. It is motivated by fear of the distant prejudice, but daren't acknowledge it. While it may be easier to...
from : johncraig
10th February 2005
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The man behind the tan
BBC Four screened an entertaining documentary last night on Robert Kilroy-Silk. The silver-haired-daytime-TV-favourite-turned-Brussels-politico was followed by film maker Emeka Onono during his first 8 months as an MEP. Kilroy-Silk's stated intention of pursuing a 'politics of honesty' soon fell by the wayside as proceedings descended into farce.It was gripping stuff, for all the wrong reasons, with Kilroy-Silk eventually deriding his former UKIP colleagues for allying with 'bloody right wing...
from : samhintonsmith
1st February 2005
