We hurl abuse at here-today-gone-tomorrow politicians and their advisers, while the permanent state flourishes like a green bay tree.
ConservativeHome’s snapshot retrospective on the shortest premiership in British political history – one year on and day by day.
There is nothing to stop the Scottish Nationalists, or their sympathisers, producing policy privately, or supporting think-tanks to do so on their behalf. But they should pay for such work out of their own funds. (If they can find them.)
At Westminster, meanwhile, we’ve got the latest development in what seems to be the new, less shouty iteration of so-called muscular unionism.
Depending on ACOBA’s recommendations, there is the possibility of Gray being unable to work with Labour in the run-up to, or even after, their transition to government.
The upside of a new cross-party appointments process would be distance from the government of the day. The downside is the danger of boiling it down to a lowest common denominator.
The Scottish Conservatives claim that £1.5 million of public money has been spent trying to build the SNP’s case for independence.
With Sue Gray’s report due and a Privileges Committee report coming, the Prime Minister may not be able to break free until the autumn.
Though Sue Gray waits in the wings, carrying her scythe and lantern. Will we see her report next week?
A Platonic Guardian must reach a view on the conduct of a Homeric warrior – one whose passions are, in the view of her fellow guardians, trashing the state.
Plus: Why on earth has my bank shortened its name to Abrdn? And: The DUP should think carefully about toppling Arlene Foster.
“Leaks of government information are a longstanding frustration”, he tells the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.
He denies being the source of leaks about it and Dyson; is silent on the Saudi-related leak about Newcastle United.
Johnson needs a Simon Milton figure in government. The move would be controversial, to put it mildly. But who else is there?
Leaders must be expected to lead by example. That includes ministers. Lasting change cannot be achieved without a clear example from the top.