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I'm beginning to worry we have a Walter Mitty character here - does he not remember whipping MPs to vote against people having the chance to vote for an option which included returning powers, having a looser relationship with Europe etc. Now he's saying: 'we sceptics'!
Is he for real?
Cameron: I am determined to do everything possible to deliver fundamental reform of EU
By Tim Montgomerie Follow Tim on Twitter At last night's Lord Mayor's Banquet David Cameron made the most Eurosceptic speech of his time as Tory leader. The 81 rebels can be very proud of what they've achieved. They'll need to keep the pressure up, however. Most of David Cameron's words represe...
Unfortunately David Cameron found himself on the wrong side of this argument. There's no point sounding all eurosceptic at election time and then imposing a three line whip on your MPs when there was a perfectly reasonable motion to vote for. I could have told himn how that vote would go, as could anyone else who's taking notice. It wasn't just the 'bellyachers'- though niice try trying to present it as such - it was the majority of the non - 'payroll' MPs, the party in the country and the public in general...ever thought someone in Number 10 isn't listening?
Bruce Anderson: Right-wing pundits should stop the belly-aching and let Cameron get on with a very difficult job
The wisest Tory aphorism was minted by Lord Falkland: "When it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change". That does leave open the question of how to tell when change is necessary, but even so. The silver medal goes to an Irishism, which is also the best guide to the recent hist...
Isn't it time people grew up and realised most MPs work damn hard whether Parliament is sitting or not?
The past wrong doing of some MPs is well known and has been punished that doesn't change the fact that
MPs haven't had a real terms pay increase for 7 years, and in many cases are now having to subsidise their jobs by paying for things that in any other job would be a legitimate business expense. Do we really want to go back to the days when only the rich could stand for Parliament?
MPs have little confidence in the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
By Matthew Barrett Follow Matthew on Twitter The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which was set up as the regulator for expenses following the Parliamentary expenses scandal, has often been criticised by MPs for being too bureaucratic, remote from those it seeks to regulate, and f...
Yes, that's true, there are many MPs who would prefer to go to the country under the existing boundaries rather than wait for the new constituencies to be announnced - things could get very rocky. meanwhile, having praised Andrew Lansley for his extensive knowledge of the NHS I would not like to see him dumped on as the price of retaining Clegg in order to keep David Cameron in Downing Street. what else will get dumped in order to do that?
If the Coalition doesn't reform the NHS it will never get control of its budget
By Tim Montgomerie The Lib Dems were fully signed up to the NHS reforms until a few months ago. Nick Clegg - with David Cameron - personally signed the introduction to the NHS White Paper. John Redwood posts the additional evidence. But, now, it is obvious that the pause in NHS reforms is becomi...
All-women shortlists are so unbelievably patronising to women. Surely no able, principled woman would be happy to be selected in this way?
Joanne Cash defends David Cameron's plans for all-women shortlists
Joanne Cash is prospective parliamentary candidate for Westminster North. We are all agreed that politics is in crisis. The public are disenchanted with all parties. Apathy is at an all time high and as they say in any relationship “indifference is the killer”. In my view the fact that parlia...
It may well be that the House employs press advisers who work on behalf of the speaker, but they didn't seem to do a very good job for Michael Martin did they? If I was John Bercow, I would certainly want someone I knew to be effective and could place my trust in. What's more, his work in reaching out to schools and engaging with the community will probably involve more press work than previous speakers have required. Rebuilding the reputation of Parliament will take some work and I know that he will work hard. The Bercow bashing on here is becoming very tedious. Letts is a major snob; he didn't like the idea of 'Gorbals Mick' in the chair and probably doesn't like the idea of a taxi driver's son doing it either; Bercow is twenty times more capable than the previous speaker and should be given a chance, not condemned for everything he tries to do.
John Bercow recruits £87,000 "chum" to be special adviser
The BBC revealed yesterday that John Bercow has recruited former Times commentator Tim Hames as his special adviser and spokesman. Mr Hames - who wrote an excellent Times column - will be paid at least £87,000. The appointment has raised eyebrows because, says The Telegraph, "the House of Commo...
Probably shouldn't publish his addresses
Sir Peter Viggers to step down over new expenses allegations, as Bill Wiggin faces questions about a "phantom mortgage"
After decisions to step down from Tory MPs Douglas Hogg and Anthony Steen over the last 48 hours, the Daily Telegraph is revealing this evening that Sir Peter Viggers (pictured), the veteran MP for Gosport, is also to retire at the next election after the extent of his expenses claims became a...
I'm a bit of a Bercow fan; he's a very good 'Commons man' - when we went into opposition in 97 many of the older Tory MPs just seemed shell-shocked and it was the young bloods like Bercow, Brady etc who were on their feet in the chamber providing the opposition. People have very short memories and it would be a shame if his considerable talents were forgotten. He also has an unbelievable (photographic?)memory for dates, seats,names etc and can tell you the date of a conversation he had with you from years ago. It could prove to be a useful talent as speaker and just remembering everyone's name would be a welcome improvement after speaker Martin. He has certainly travelled a long way in policy terms and I may not be with him on that but its a shame that there are so many negative comments about him.
Sir Alan Hazelhurst would really be up to the job, there is something rather theatrical about his performances in the chair,he has authority and it would be refreshing to see him whizz through questions where the last speaker plodded. He would be a perfectly good choice.
Having said all that, my vote (if I had one) would be for Frank Field. This is going to one of the most important speakerships in our history. Frank is the man who is prepared to think the unthinkable is respected across the board, is able, analytical and will have the guts to make the changes necessary. This choice is going to be so important, let's hope the MPs don't screw this one up!
Frank Field for Speaker
Well that was an anti-climax. The Speaker has announced that he will relinquish his post for the 22nd June. There is talk of Ann Widdecombe being an interim Speaker. Although Miss Widdecombe is a great woman of integrity and I ran a little campaign to see her nominated to the Lords I think...
Would much rather face Labour led by Gordon Brown than by Alan Johnson at the next election... time for a save Gordon campaign?
The case for Alan Johnson gets stronger
A PoliticsHome poll found yesterday that support for Alan Johnson has increased sharply among voters. Perhaps more significantly 70% of Westminster insiders back Johnson as the best man to replace Brown. Analysis of today's expenses revelations put him alongside Ed Miliband and Hillary Benn a...
Gordon Brown's defence against the attacks from Tory MPs was to accuse them of failing to raise real issues which affect their constituents. Just before the close of PMQs, Graham Brady challenged him: " A million people across the North West worked to raise the £6m that the Christie Hospital stands to lose in the collapse of the Icelandic Bank Kaupthing. Why is he the only person standing in the way of compensation?"
Rather than help the cancer charity, Gordon said he was worried about setting a precedent; it was an argument which didn't work too well for him over the gurkhas!
A painful PMQs for Gordon Brown
Jonathan Isaby's verdict: A painful half hour for Gordon Brown, with a sustained attack from David Cameron, a clutch of Tory backbenchers and Nick Clegg all questioning his authority and judgment, occasionally mocking him, and exploiting divisions within the Government. Gordon Brown may not want...
Either you think that the Chamber is special and you have to wait to be elected to sit there or you regard it as just another facility... if the Youth Parliament is allowed why not other organisations? Once you set a precedent you can't really say no to others... what next? Weddings? Bah mitzvahs?
Backbench Tories fail to stop UK Youth Parliament from being able to use House of Commons chamber
Christopher Chope MP was unsuccessful yesterday in his bid to block the UK Youth Parliament from ending centuries of exclusive use of the Commons by elected MPs. Here are some of the MP for Christchurch's arguments: "I could understand a case being made for the use of this Chamber by any number...
Did anyone hear Rhona Cameron on radio 4 on Saturday slagging off tories generally and calling on Eton to be bombed? She was very angry.... but not very funny
Today's 'edgy' comedians are the most likely to hail establishment views
What a marvelous piece from Brendan O'Neill on Comment is Free: So much political comedy these days upholds the cynical and even mainstream view rather than challenging it. It will be a nippy day in hell before anyone is surprised by something Rory Bremner says. His routine ("routine" being the ...
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