by Paul Goodman Journalists must sometimes admit defeat. The sun was rising when I got up this morning to edit ConservativeHome's newslinks. But even had I started earlier during the darkness, I'd be unable to offer a proper account of this morning's Daily Telegraph splash. I add in my defence that no-one else will either. […]
Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter The merits of current French finance minister Christine Lagarde for the position of head of the International Monetary Fund have been discussed elsewhere by others more au fait with macroeconomic matters than I. But what is politically significant is Alistair Darling's support for Lagarde over a candidate from this country. […]
Tim Montgomerie Many Conservatives will no doubt be amused by The Sunday Telegraph's exclusive this morning. Although both Margaret Thatcher and John Major have been invited to next week's Royal Wedding no invitation has been issued to their Labour successors as Prime Minister, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. A St James’s Palace spokesman issued an […]
By Jonathan Isaby It has just been announced that Gordon Brown is to take on a new role as an adviser to the World Economic Forum, for whom he will chair a new policy and initiatives coordination board. According to the WEF, this will be "an informal group bringing together heads of international organizations and […]
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 […]
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 […]
By Paul Goodman Brown looks set to stay in the Commons. He'll apparently contribute to the debate on the AV referendum bill when the Commons resumes business on Monday. Rather than holding back to await an uncontentious slot – an adjournment debate, say, on international development, during which he'd be heard with respect – he's […]
By Jonathan Isaby Today's Scotsman reports that Gordon Brown will make a "full parliamentary comeback" when the Commons returns from it summer recess next Monday. The paper explains: "The return comes after the Labour whips office made it clear that there "should be no exceptions" on Monday and all Labour MPs should be present for […]
By Jonathan Isaby The Guardian website carries news this afternoon of Gordon Brown's intentions for the immediate future. He has set up an "Office of Gordon and Sarah Brown" to co-ordinate his work, signed up with Washington Speeches Bureau "in order to fund the salaries of his staff" and acquired three new roles: Convenor of […]
By Tim Montgomerie Today may not have been a great day for the Conservative fundraising operation but the resignation of David Rowland before he even became Tory Treasurer is a small problem compared to Labour's financial problems. John Prescott – who is running for the position of Labour Treasurer – has written in tomorrow's Guardian […]
By Paul Goodman Over at the Spectator's Coffee House, Fraser Nelson has the story that Gordon Brown's asked a London speaking agency to tout for speaking engagements for him in the Middle East and Asia. He writes – "And the price? [Brown's] been offered at $100,000 a pop and is promising to speak on areas […]
By Tim Montgomerie According to a survey of more than one hundred leading academics, reported in the Financial Times (£), only Sir Anthony Eden and Sir Alec Douglas-Home were less impressive. The academics, all experts in politics and history, put Atlee at the top of their list. The creator of the centralised British state which […]
By Jonathan Isaby Today is the final day of the serialisation of Peter Mandelson's memoirs behind the Times's paywall. Much of what has appeared in the serialisation merely confirms what was widely known already about the tensions at the top of New Labour for over a decade – but it's great to hear it all […]
Writing for today's Times Lord Mandelson previews his forthcoming autobiography, humbly called The Third Man. In the article he regrets that Brown and Blair did not fight each other for the Labour leadership in 1994: "After John Smith died I was mistaken in arguing so hard that the two modernising candidates should not oppose each […]
Brown has just made a statement on the steps of Downing Street indicating his intention to resign. He said he would instruct his party to begin proceedings for a leadership contest for the Labour Party, aiming to have the position filled by their conference in October. He said: "I will play no part in that […]