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Paul - very well said! (@16:47) Your point should be stressed over and over.
Boris moves quickly to impose alcohol ban on London's tube and buses
From next month it won't be possible to drink alcoholic drinks on tube trains or London buses. Boris Johnson issued the following statement to the London Evening Standard: "I firmly believe that if we drive out so-called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime...
If we can include those from beyond the free-market grave, Keith Joseph.
And from the other end of the Tory spectrum (for it is a big tent, is it not?)...
Peregrine Worsthorne. A writer, and still very much alive!
I now brace myself for the consequences of that second suggestion.
Nominations for Lifetime Achievement
The first category in the Conservative Movement Awards 2007/08. Your nominations and citations are sought for this award recognising the exceptional, and perhaps unsung, achievements of someone who has contributed significantly to the conservative movement over many years.
Sir, enjoyed the article as always.
Though I do have to disagree with you about decent Americans voting Democrat. To be sure, the perception of the federal front man over the last seven years has damaged the GOP in the eyes of 'educated' voters, but also, keep in mind that Philly (I was born 45 minutes north of it) is an overwhelmingly Dem town. I can assure you that during Giuliani's two terms as mayor in New York decent people of all stripes voted for the Republican.
And there are (hopefully) just enough decent people out there who will see through Mrs. Clinton. I myself am considering printing and distributing tee shirts emblazoned with: "If Hillary Clinton is elected President I am moving to France."
Or maybe, if she wins, "Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying."
Graeme Archer: The Time of the Angels
Friday 2 November I write a lot about London Fields, I know. It’s not quite square, and not quite safe; the archetypal London park. One step further today: I’m writing this while sat on a London Fields bench, watching the mums pushing their toddlers and the dogs chasing their sticks. Step into m...
This'll be a little bit off the thread topic. But I happened to read all the above comments before I had a chance to watch Question Time online tonight, and therefore I despaired at the prospect of seeing Mr. Maude up against Galloway & co. .... Yet you know, as far as what Maude actually said I think he was mostly fine. He's just not a good public speaker, on television at least. Even his good points were met with the audience's weak applause at best, because he simply cannot put any emotion behind what he's saying. He should be kept off the show.
And despite fatty F representing everything in a party that makes me want to throw my laptop out the window, we should all agree with what he said about 'smacking', as well as his attempts to defend the Lords - in the face of Galloway and Ms. Brainless.
Tories remain 3% ahead according to YouGov - but voters remain unsure what a Cameron-led government would be like
The headline figures that YouGov have provided for tomorrow's Telegraph are exactly the same as we saw in The Sunday Times, one day after Gordon Brown 'bottled it'. Within the poll there is much more for us to chew on: By 48% to 34% voters are now dissatisfied with Gordon Brown. Last month Dav...
I winced on seeing this topic title because I had the mistaken impression that the Sun was cooling towards bullying, as in 'the bullying of Brown'.
Happy to see it's not the case!
Yet, I remember the Times headline the day after the 100% elected Lords plan passed the Commons. It blared, "Democracy Triumphs", or some such garbage. *That* was pure Murdoch talking and it really scared me, to see one man's influence on what used to be the UK’s paper of record. I've heard rumors that he's a republican.
In a 2004 Intelligence Squared debate on Margaret Thatcher’s legacy, one of the main points against Mrs T was that her economic liberalism allowed Murdoch to take over so much of the British press, and that Murdoch was never interested in conserving anything - especially institutions that Tories should hold dear.
The Sun’s support for DC is important, yet I think slightly repugnant, and also sad for us, because of its importance.
Is The Sun cooling towards bullying Brown?
Earlier this week Irwin Stelzer - 'Rupert Murdoch's representative on earth' - gave an interview to The Guardian in which he signalled a growing warmth of The Sun (and News of the World) to David Cameron. The Murdoch-Brown-Cameron relationships have been taken up by Roy Greenslade today in his...
Thanks Jim Carr@18:16, for adding nothing.
This isn't a presidential system and therefore a third-party leader's personal poll lead over DC means much much less than something similar would in France or the US. Ming is out because of that dreaded 11% party poll. Look up who was ahead in personal popularity before the 1979 GE.
Of course, personal polls do mean something, but not in the way you frame it.
And last time I checked the Tories were over 40% - DC's on track and not going anywhere. But up.
Ming who?
Although I noted that Campbell's resignation meant not many lobby journalists trekked up to Finsbury to hear Cameron speak about poverty this morning, the general level of interest in his surprise decision has been pitifully low. It's often not been the main story on the news bulletins and th...
Yes those are all killers. I understand exactly what you mean with String Bean Jean. And I've seen them three times, all here in NY. The first had Isobel still in the band and the last was a great free show in Battery Park in July '06.
Trumpeter Mick Cooke started out as an occasional sideman before joining ft right around their third album....
Now, if only I could tie the above into why we should bring back the hereditary peers.
:)
Graeme Archer: Waterloo Sunrise
I know what you were expecting: a diatribe about the brazen burglary committed by Alistair, Darling last week (I’m sorry but I can’t think of his name without inserting a comma). Well, you know, imitation is the sincerest form of etc etc, and I think recent events will have convinced most people...
Graeme, You're right, I shouldn't attach a poli angle to those lyrics, but I have to say that S Murdoch's themes and implications fascinate me to no end, themes that get bolder with each record it seems.
Songs? Well I love most all, but those early EPs really get me these days - especially the three slower numbers on the 3.6.9 Seconds record (Century of Fakers...). I must stop before I fill up a page here.
Graeme Archer: Waterloo Sunrise
I know what you were expecting: a diatribe about the brazen burglary committed by Alistair, Darling last week (I’m sorry but I can’t think of his name without inserting a comma). Well, you know, imitation is the sincerest form of etc etc, and I think recent events will have convinced most people...
Great to hear that you're a fan of B&S! I hoped there were a few of us on ConHome, and have always thought Stuart Murdoch's lyrics are profoundly conservative. Well, most of them...
Graeme Archer: Waterloo Sunrise
I know what you were expecting: a diatribe about the brazen burglary committed by Alistair, Darling last week (I’m sorry but I can’t think of his name without inserting a comma). Well, you know, imitation is the sincerest form of etc etc, and I think recent events will have convinced most people...
Enjoy the well-deserved rest! I think many of us wonder how the two of you can do all this...
Slow weekend ahead
These last few weeks have been exhausting. Sam and I have never posted as much. Traffic has never been higher. Events have been gripping. The turnaround in Tory fortunes breathtaking. Forgive us if the site is a little quieter over the next 48 hours. We are going to have a weekend off. T...
Good news.
And I think Mr 'Tory Toff' above is Labour operative!
First poll after Brown's non-election announcement gives Conservatives a 3% lead
I have not had this poll confirmed authoritatively but it comes from a usually good source. This Ipsos-MORI survey for The Sun suggests that the lead identified by YouGov at the weekend has been maintained. The Blackpool party conference bounce has hardened because of the effect of 'Brown's B...
Thank you Editor for the video. Very moving.
But, Graham Checker has point - even if it might not be comfortable to say.
The Scousers are coming
I know well that the phrase "Liverpudlian Conservative" has practically been an oxymoron in recent decades so please indulge me for a moment as I try to explain how that is changing... Like in other cities the Conservative Associations in the city amalgamated last year, coming under the impart...
Congratulations, and all the best...
Nick Boles selected for Grantham & Stamford
A rollercoaster few months for Nicholas Boles - and for the Grantham and Stamford Conservative Association - has ended in success with his adoption as the Conservative candidate to succeed Quentin Davies. Nick skipped Tory Conference in order to dedicate himself to the selection process that co...
Mr. Brinsmead,
Mike Bloomberg is despised, and I mean despised, by conservatives here in New York whether they are of the small or big ‘c’ variety.
The man switched parties for the 2001 mayoral primary only because he would have an easier time of it, and then ran a false campaign to woo supporters of the (wildly popular) Giuliani. Then as soon as he was elected he threw out an agenda based in the main on higher taxes, a truckload of amazingly intrusive government regulation, and of course Ken L-style national politicking. And you'd be amazed at how immediately dirtier and less efficient the city seemed within months of Bloomie's arrival in office.
It seems to many of us that he ran for mayor only to push some of his personal preferences -- such as banning ashtrays in outdoor cafes, for example.
And he won re-election by obscenely outspending a non entity. (nothing wrong with spending, but I just bring that up to underline why he won an easy second term)
How did the big beasts perform in Blackpool?
(10) In tenth position in my top ten of the week is Caroline Spelman. I’ve been going to Party Conference since 1989 and I’ve never known a Party Chairman to have been more anonymous. Perhaps Mrs Spelman’s behind-the-scenes efforts should be credited for the overall success of the Conference ...
And even better....from the current Graniaud online headline:
"The new ICM poll, from random telephone interviews of adults, shows Labour on 39%, Conservatives 38% and Liberal Democrats 16%."
A 1% lead.
Populus/ Times poll increases pressure on Brown
An hour ago we reported that Labour's lead had shrunk to 4% in a YouGov/ Channel 4 survey. A Populus survey for The Times confirms the trend. Labour are on 39% (down 2%) and the Tories are on 36% (up 5%). The LibDems are on 15% (down 2%). Other findings: He has what it takes to be a good Prime...
I'm not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but Anthony Wells over at UK Polling Report recently wrote (about that rumoured %3 lead):
"UPDATE - not true after all, seems those were interim figures and the final ones show a small Labour lead."
Still, it sure is great to see some good moods on the Tory blogs lately.
Thursday 4th October 2007
9.15pm ToryDiary: Labour credit inheritance tax announcement for 'Tory surge' 8pm ToryDiary: Populus/ Times poll increases pressure on Brown 6.45pm ToryDiary: Labour lead cut to 4% 4.15pm: Iain Dale is reporting that the overnight polls may have very good news for the Tories 4pm BritainAndAmer...
First off, it seems to me that the majority of people here criticising DC's performance today in the Commons simply do not want him - or his party - to succeed.
Now, my main point is a question... I'm not from the UK (or any part of the Commonwealth) and I have searched in vain on the conservative blogs for an explanation of the implications of Brown's proposed 'reforms'.
I'll guess I'm not the only who reads this site who has been left wondering, so could somebody please spell out responses to my three questions below:
1. Why are the PM's proposals inherently anti-Tory? (as stated above early on)
2. How exactly do they threaten the Monarchy?
3. Are they a threat to the C of E? (and how)
Thanks. Apologies in advance from the simpleton....
First blood to Cameron in Commons blast at Brown
Gordon Brown has told the Commons that he wants to deliver a new "constitutional settlement" for the British people: He promised twelve transfer of powers from the Prime Minister and the Executive to Parliament - including the Executive's powers to declare war, request the dissolution of Parli...
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