How Theresa May can relaunch her leadership
- 30 Jan 2018
Politics is about momentum. It is about constantly moving forward – with ideas, policies, initiatives and engaging with people, groups, organisations, business, charities, everyone who wants to see you. Politics requires vision and pragmatism, decisiveness and patience, determ...
On Boris....
- 25 Jan 2018
This week we have, again, had ringside seats at the West End political spectacular that is Boris Johnson’s membership of the government . The Borisification of government is a remarkable attempt to twist the team orientated collaborative nature of Cabinet government into a one...
After the reshuffle comes….delivery
- 13 Jan 2018
New Ministers, and those already serving as Ministers but were moved to new jobs, have been moving into their new offices this week and learning about their new responsibilities. They have also been making the journey by road and rail up to Sandringham, the Queen’s Norfolk cou...
Book Review: Confessions of a Recovering MP by Nick De Bois
- 12 Jan 2018
Nick De Bois spent five years as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Enfield North. He was elected in 2010 as part of David Cameron’s crawl into No 10, and defeated in 2015 as Cameron won a majority that surprised himself, confounded the polls, but left De Bois behind. H...
The best job in government is up for grabs
- 4 Jan 2018
Any minute now the Prime Minister will shuffle the government. Some ministers will be promoted, some sacked, and others moved sideways. It will be a dramatic moment. It usually is. For those involved directly it is a hugely emotional and draining day – careers are made or brok...
Review: Fall Out by Tim Shipman
- 16 Dec 2017
Tim Shipman’s new book, Fall Out, follows on from his previous account of the referendum campaign. This new work picks up where All Out War ended, offering us the inside story on a year of political mayhem – right up to Theresa May’s difficult speech at the Conservative Party...
A Prime Minister back in business and why she may survive for longer than you think
- 15 Dec 2017
Theresa May approaches Christmas in good political shape. She is secure in her job, with approval ratings strong, and the European Union’s agreement to move on to the second stage of the Brexit talks. This has been an extraordinary political year by any standards and the Prime...
Review: A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic
- 1 Dec 2017
Ten years ago this month I took my young daughters to see their first big ‘West End’ show. It was Cinderella at the Old Vic. Expensive tickets were bought, a late night planned, huge excitement mounted. The production was lavish, a real visual feast. The acting, of course, wa...
It was a sensible, Conservative budget – but will it be a success?
- 22 Nov 2017
Chancellor Philip Hammond has now delivered the second Budget of 2017. He did so with humour and grace. On the face of it, he delivered a series of sensible, practical and Conservative measures. In ‘normal’ times this would and should be enough for a Conservative Chancellor. T...
Wednesday’s Budget needs to be a success
- 20 Nov 2017
This Wednesday the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, will be putting the finishing touches to his Budget. The big decisions will all have been made. Priorities determined, rows had, compromises made. For better or for worse all that is now left to the Chancellor is to fine tune the...