Bruce Anderson: Cameron will suffer if the Coalition looks obsessed with gay marriage and Lords reform
Good news is not always as good as it seems. A couple of days ago, there was an opinion poll… Read more »
Andrew Lilico: The more politics is a job, the less politics will be a battle of ideas
In my last column I argued that, whereas in dictatorships or quasi-democracies with inadequate constitutional checks and balances the loss… Read more »
Jill Kirby: The Treasury’s child benefit game with couples: heads we win, tails you lose
According to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, paying child benefit payments to families with a higher rate taxpayer is “an anomaly”,… Read more »
Andrew Lilico: In a healthy democracy policy parties do not exist to hold power
In a dictatorship, or in a quasi-democratic system with one-party rule for extended periods, political groupings cannot afford to fall… Read more »
Stephan Shakespeare: If voters see America growing strongly again, it could undermine the Coalition’s austerity plan
Today is "Super Tuesday", when ten primaries occur at once. This is actually fewer than it used to be and… Read more »
Andrew Lilico: Half a dozen thoughts in advance of the Budget
1) Forget Plans B. The UK does not face a demand problem that fiscal policy can usefully respond to. Nominal… Read more »
Bruce Anderson: Steve Hilton will be back – with 43 ideas that he picked up in California – all for immediate implementation
Steve Hilton is a remarkable fellow. I vividly remember our first meeting, in late 1990. I had been told that… Read more »
Nadine Dorries MP: I’d rather have a Labour government than give a Lords, elected by PR, to the Liberal Democrats
Lord Michael Dobbs wrote on ConservativeHome that the Lords is like the composter of Westminster and Peers are the worms… Read more »
Bruce Anderson: There must be an easier way of appeasing Clegg’s vanity than destroying the Upper House
Constitutions are not to be trifled with. Anyone who wishes to discuss constitutional questions should start with the Latin root…. Read more »
Andrew Lilico: The last thing we want is an elected Second Chamber
The constitution of any politically mature country should include provision for some body or process that reflects/captures the public will. … Read more »
Jill Kirby: Retrospective legislation may produce applause today but it will damage Britain in the years to come
As the government see-saws between speaking up for business and appeasing the mob, I'm beginning to feel distinctly queasy. Giving… Read more »
Stephan Shakespeare: Who will frame the political debate in favour of the wealth creators?
In political communications, one often talks of ‘framing the debate’ – that is, defining the way an issue is discussed… Read more »
Bruce Anderson: We seem to be heading for Offbig and Offsoc: the Health and Safety version of the Big Society
The last few days have seen very low moments. A man is drowning. Policemen and firemen are watching him. But… Read more »
Nadine Dorries MP: We need tighter regulation of abortion
The undercover investigation by The Daily Telegraph which confirmed that abortions take place in the UK on the basis of… Read more »
Bruce Anderson: Which of these two budget speeches is Osborne more likely to deliver?
So what will the Chancellor do next month? What follows is an attempt to draft two alternative texts. It will… Read more »