There are serious tensions building up within the Conservative Party ahead of tomorrow, as MPs prepare on whether Britain should have an in/out referendum on the EU. Cameron has whipped has MPs to vote against it, and the possibility of a minor rebellion has generated numerous column inches. However most commentators have failed to grasp [...]
When it comes to the discussion about immigration, both its advocates and its opponents tend to display a certain contempt for the working class. Last week Cameron lamented the consequences of high immigration, and blamed the phenomenon on the British welfare system. British workers, he argued had become addicted to welfare, in turn forcing British [...]
Cameron said: “I simply don’t understand how you can’t understand how democracies have a right to defend themselves. I would have thought this argument is particularly powerful right here in Kuwait which, 20 years ago, was invaded by a thuggish bullying neighbour who disrespected your sovereignty, invaded your country and destroyed parts of your capital [...]
When explaining the Conservative vision of the ‘Big Society’ to the public, Cameron and co. have always emphasised the role to be played by the voluntary sector (after all, most people would agree that charities are generally a good thing). The state, they claim, often ‘crowds out’ other non-government organisations that are better suited to the task of [...]
Like Cameron, the Tories came in in 1979 on a wave of rhetoric about cuts, deficit and spending. The top rate of tax was moved down (!) to 60%, and the bottom rate similarly adjusted down from 33 to 30% – which meant the decrease in government spending still ‘had to’ come from cuts to [...]
I have to confess that I can’t get that worked up about the scrapping of universal child benefit. I get the absurdity of a two-parent family where only one person works losing out while a similar family with nearly double the income where both parents work doesn’t. I also get the value of universal benefits [...]
In a recent email to the rest of this blog’s editors, Jacob requested, in his usual forthright fashion, that we refrain from writing ‘pseudo-insightful piece[s] based around new years’ resolutions’, so I’m not going to do that. However, because it’s Boxing Day (at the time of writing), because I’m full of too much wine and [...]
Working class universalism is not enough. Labour does not deserve our unwavering loyalty It’s Friday evening. I should be out partying or down the pub. Instead I’m sitting in front of my computer, wondering what wondrous topic to opine upon for my column. I’ve scoured the news. David Cameron’s doing God and Boris, hopes for [...]
In an exclusive interview with The Third Estate, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg sets out his vision for change It can’t be easy, being the leader of Britain’s third major political party. Caught between a disintegrating New Labour and a resurgent Conservative Party waiting for its coronation, convincing the British public that what you have [...]
