By Paul Goodman Alan Johnson in the Daily Telegraph today on the 50p tax rate (Unready Eddie thinks it should be permanent, Johnson doesn't) – “We all come into this position having said what we said in a debate that has been going on since May. There will be differences of opinion that you can […]
by Paul Goodman Whatever one thinks of the Wikileaks saga, the American Embassy's view of Gordon Brown, his potential successors (the Embassy doesn't seem to have spotted Ed Miliband) and his aides is irresistable. Gordon Brown "The US embassy in London wrote off Gordon Brown within a year of his arrival in No 10 after […]
Tim Montgomerie Ed Miliband returns to work today after his paternity break. His party is level-pegging in the polls but he hasn't enjoyed any honeymoon since becoming leader. If anything his party is doing slightly worse than before he became leader… despite George Osborne's announcement of spending cuts… despite an average disapproval rating for the […]
by Paul Goodman Alan Johnson is at it again. In Labour's leadership election, he voted for David Miliband, not Ed. The new Labour leader, worried about a Balls-Cooper power grab if either were made Shadow Chancellor, appointed Johnson instead. Recently, he said that the 50p rate should be temporary, not permanent: the Labour leader thinks […]
By Jonathan Isaby At PMQs, David Cameron gave it both barrels at Ed Miliband for his failure to come up with ways of reducing government spending – whilst attacking the Government's proposals. Meanwhile, shadow chancellor Alan Johnson – who admitted on his appointment that he needed an economics primer – has admitted that he appears […]
By Tim Montgomerie Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson made at least three mistakes today. First he accused the business leaders who wrote to today's Telegraph of being "politically-motivated". These businessleaders include the leaders of M&S, ASDA, Microsoft UK and other hugely successful enterprises. Their support for George Osborne's deficit reduction strategy follows other endorsements from the […]
By Paul Goodman A leader's first requirement is authority. He or she must be able to lead and, almost as importantly, be seen to do so – to project confidence and command. I thought that Ed Miliband's first Shadow Cabinet was a fair play of a hand of cards that he hadn't chosen. But as […]
By Paul Goodman Seven quick points on the Shadow Cabinet reshuffle – David Cameron's first Shadow Cabinet appointments showed confidence. Ed Miliband's show fear. Cameron had won two-thirds of the vote in his election as Conservative leader. Miliband won barely 50 per cent – and, as CCHQ has been reminding anyone who'll listen, failed to […]