Published in The Financial Times (March 6, 2012) Every successful leader of the postwar age in Britain has understood a basic truth of politics: success depends on winning […]
Politics
Why Dave will miss this hawk in hippy’s clothing
Published in the Daily Mail (March 3rd, 2012) Last week in Downing Street there was a seminar on the future of cities. First a Danish architect spoke of […]
Politics
Don’t let ministers treat London as their cash cow
Published in the London Evening Standard (February 20th, 2012) On one of those bitterly cold nights last month I chaired a discussion on national identity at the launch […]
Police / Policy / Politics
This local shakeup will transform the political scene
Published in The Guardian (February 13th, 2012) Soon after becoming leader of Liverpool council two years ago, Joe Anderson flew to Shanghai to drum up investment. He aimed […]
Politics
Like it or not, the PM has never been stronger. He should exploit it
Published in The Independent (December 13th, 2011) When George Osborne addressed Cabinet last week, he compared the proposed deal to salvage the euro and safeguard our futures with […]
Politics
Why these rebels without a clue can’t simply be ignored
Published in the London Evening Standard (October 18th, 2011) It is easy to mock them as rebels without a clue, let alone a cause. The ragbag revolutionaries against […]
Politics
Bring me sunshine
Published in The Guardian (October 4th, 2011) The meetings began in the summer with gentle debate down at Chequers over the central themes and tone of David Cameron’s […]
Education / Policy / Politics
Who, in this nest of vipers, stole a stack of Michael Gove’s private emails?
Published in The Mail on Sunday (September 25th, 2011) Shortly after the last General Election, Michael Gove was travelling by train to an important conference in Birmingham and […]
Politics
Lib Dems need to stake out their own territory
Published in the Financial Times (August 24th, 2011) One of the many twists to have occurred in British politics since the election is that the most eagerly anticipated […]
Politics
Believe it or not, Steve Hilton is the only real Thatcherite in Cameron’s No 10
Published in The Mail on Sunday (July 31st) Five years ago, as the hours ticked down to David Cameron’s first party conference speech as leader, there were nerves […]
Politics
Cameron must breathe new life into the coalition
Published in the London Evening Standard (July 25th, 2011) “We had lost our virginity on scandal,” wrote Tony Blair, reflecting on the furore over Bernie Ecclestone’s million-pound gift […]
Politics
The journey’s over, Tony Blair
Published in The Guardian (June 10th, 2011) Switching on the Today programme yesterday, it was like an unwelcome blast from the past. There was Tony Blair, that familiar […]