August 10, 2006
by Nosemonkey
52 Comments
Yesterday: Major terrorism policy announcement by Home Secretary John Reid Today: A ‘plot to blow up planes’ is apparently foiled, and Heathrow airport shut down. And my first reaction? Utter disbelief and a sigh of resignation. They’ve simply cried wolf … Continue reading
July 21, 2006
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
Yesterday Home Secretary John Reid announced an end to lenient punishments for people who are caught red-handed and own up to being guilty of breaking the law. Today, John Prescott excapes punishment for being caught red-handed in breaching the ministerial … Continue reading
July 17, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
One of the perennial problems for an aspiring UK Prime Minister is the need to juggle domestic popularity with workable international relationships – especially with our EU partners. Because if you’re seen to suck up too much to the French … Continue reading
July 13, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
Hurrah for John McDonnell, who seems to be about to set himself up as a stalking horse candidate for the inevitable post-Blair leadership election. Precisely what he’s intending will remain unclear until the official announcement tomorrow, and it sadly looks … Continue reading
July 13, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Boring hidden news
As chaos continues all around, spare a thought for less glamourous scandals than ID cards, police mergers and the arrest of the government’s Middle East Envoy (at a time when a fresh war is breaking out between Israel and Lebanon). … Continue reading
July 12, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Is the Labour project in total freefall? As it emerges that Lord Levy, the party’s chief fundraiser and chap in the ermine robe at the heart of the loans scandal, has been arrested, could we also have a new Hutton … Continue reading
July 11, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Home Office policymaking 101
1) Find out problem via leak to national newspaper 2) Issue denial 3) Have former Home Secretary who everyone hates slag the decision off 4) Face media storm 5) Wait a few months, then capitualte once everyone’s started looking the … Continue reading
July 7, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Good news for the end of the week: Berlusconi to be tried for fraud. And, please note, “Lawyer David Mills, the estranged husband of British Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, has also been ordered to stand trial.”
July 6, 2006
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
Had I gone to some press junket as I was supposed to, rather than head home to watch the France/Portugal game (fairly tedious), I would have been within easy assassination distance of Margaret Thatcher last night. I have failed in … Continue reading
July 3, 2006
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
As if by magic, as England get booted out of the World Cup and the country basks in a heatwave, all sorts of New Labour unpleasantness has bubbled to the surface once more, the stench cunningly hidden by the reek … Continue reading
June 27, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Mocking Charles Clarke
That chap McKeating mocks former Home Secretary Charles Clarke so I don’t have to. The final paragraph is absolutely spot on…
June 23, 2006
by Nosemonkey
10 Comments
You have to get 43 paragraphs into his speech on anti-social behaviour (“ASB”, apparently) before you get to what he’s really getting at. Unfortunately, most journalists seem only to have made it to paragraph 38, where he mentions (among many … Continue reading
June 21, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on DANGER: tediously overwrought political footballing metaphor approaching*
As if the team’s performances on the pitch weren’t boringly average enough, we now get our two options for next Prime Minister acting like primary school kids fighting over who had the “best” seat at the football. “Best” here meaning … Continue reading
June 20, 2006
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
Hi, my name’s Tony, and I love the environment – Labour have just thrown away their “Cameron’s an environmental hypocrite” card…