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| It was a tough week for Ed Miliband. He was facing questions about his relationship with former Labour councillor and Co-Op boss Paul Flowers throughout. He received an absolute hammering at PMQs. And he was trying to play down reports that his relationship with Ed Balls is nearly as bad as that between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. And indeed that was how much of the press reported it. But while the bluster over the Co-Op rumbled on, the Tories were displaying all the usual problems which are putting the party in such a precarious position. The week started with Boris Johnson blithely writing in the Telegraph that the rich were an oppressed minority, like homeless people, and deserved a little care and affection. Johnson's columns for the newspaper reveal the tension between his journalist side – always wanting to ruffle feathers – and his politician side – trying to hide under cover. But this remarkable comment revealed a huge amount about the London mayor's thinking, his potential weaknesses as a Tory leader and the thought processes which go through the mind of free market fanatics. More of the same was on offer when a new backbench Tory group demanded for VAT to be whacked on food and children's clothes, in a sort of anti-Robin Hood electoral suicide note which Downing Street was quick to distance itself from. David Cameron himself was at it when he reportedly told his people to "get rid of the green crap", in a bid to get consumer bills down in the wake of Miliband's price freeze pledge. Downing Street insists he didn't say it. Perhaps he didn't. But it was too good to ignore – too colourful, too emblematic. It was like Peter Mandelson confusing mushy peas for guacamole: a story so fundamentally true it didn't matter if it was literally true. It stuck because people suspect the prime minister has no principles. Cameron has gone into full election mode already, snarling at the bit for the chance to attack Miliband over anything. His decision to launch an inquiry into Flowers was rank opportunism at best and, at worst, a use of the state instruments for party political purposes. It's entire function is to embarrass the opposition leader. By the time Cameron came out for PMQs, snarling and ready for a fight, it was quite clear it might succeed. The Labour tried to match the PM for macho posturing, shouting that Cameron was "a loser", but it didn't suit him. There are voices of sanity out there. Planning minister Nick Boles warned that young people now see the Tories as aliens obsessed with only the rich. His reward was to be ignored by Downing Street and used as a weapon by Labour. Miliband gleefully jumped on the comments – a shame, given that will discourage politicians from any level of honesty or intelligence in future. Michael Ashcroft, who has seamlessly completed a journey from embarrassing chairman to respected pollster, warned that the Tories high spirits rested primarily on disbelieving the evidence in front of their face. And Liberal Democrat MP Nick Harvey played the role of the fool in a Shakespearian tragedy, saying the truths no-one else dared to think. He said:
That remains the plain probability looking at 2015. There is little reason to think the Conservative party has noticed. Best of newsHome Office says man who hasn't eaten for 90 days 'is fit to fly' An asylum seeker who has been on hunger strike for 90 days was today told he was 'fit to fly', suggesting plans are now under way to deport him. Gay conversion ban 'not appropriate' say ministers The government today rejected calls for a ban on gay conversion therapy, claiming that any regulation of psychotherapists would be too expensive. Gibraltar and Spain 'just one shot' from armed conflict Gibraltan chief minister Fabian Picardo said Spanish vessels might "find themselves shot at because they are not identified as the vessel of a friendly nation", if they strayed into the British territory's waters. Coalition plots court case to escape EU 'fundamental rights' charter Chris Grayling has pledged to go court to make sure the EU's charter of fundamental rights does not apply to the UK, following reports that Britain has been 'duped' into coming under new human rights law. Independent Scotland would have debt above 100% of national income An independent Scotland would have to massively raise taxes or cut spending to put its long-term debt on a sustainable footing, new research has revealed. Best of Comment and AnalysisComment: Refusing to vote is a protest against the democratic deficit Why should young people vote? The system doesn't work for us. Comment: Forget JFK - this is Aldous Huxley day John F Kennedy was a sex pest drug addict. Today we should remember a true titan of political thought. Boris Johnson's ticket office closures are his tuition fees moment This is as clear a broken promise by Boris as Nick Clegg's tuition fees pledge, and equally as brazen. Comment: As I write this, Isa Muazu fades away There's still time for the Home Office to save this man's life. Comment: How long can the laity hold the Church of England ransom on women Bishops? This week the Church of England is discussing 'Women Bishops'… or as I call them 'Bishops'. PMQs verdict: Miliband drags himself into the mud It's hard to work out who Ed Miliband was trying to impress today. The real reasons why the Tories are doing so badly The realisation that the Conservative party are on course to lose the next election is slowly but surely dawning on the Tory benches. Carey's right: These are the final days of the Church of England Even the former Archbishop of Canterbury realises that the days of religion in Britain are numbered. Comment: Cameron's porn policy might make a good headline but it won't actually work This foolhardy policy puts the reputation of child protection at risk. The word 'gay' is sometimes used disparagingly. Get over it. Stonewall and Mumsnet's new campaign is neither desirable or achievable. Comment: The Roma are hardworking people who don't deserve to be slandered by David Blunkett Look beyond the fear-mongering headlines and you'll discover an enterprising, stateless people trying to make ends meet. Political week onlineThe Political Week Online: Flowery excuses Labour's relationship with the Co-op came under scrutiny this week when Paul Flowers was arrested. Plus tube trains, toilets, men, and Hull. | CIOT: Low income campaigners call for wider universal credit pilotLITRG is calling for the Government to introduce a revised pilot of the new universal credit system. Cogent: New Online Skillsstore for the Science IndustriesCogent and the National Skills Academy Process Industries, has today launched Skillsstore.com. NASUWT "disappointed" that Education Secretary "resorted to provocation"NASUWT comments on the ongoing dispute with the Secretary of State for Education. CPA: Construction survey indicates broader growth aheadThe Construction Trade Survey shows construction activity rose for the second consecutive quarter in Q3. 3M: Fantastic makeovers film showcased on Peter Andre's 60 Minute MakeoverOriginal covers for radiators by Couture Cases will be showcased on Peter Andre's 60 Minute Makeover. The world looks up to English education as an international benchmark - Cambridge AssessmentBritain is at the heart of overseas educational investment - and Cambridge Assessment is a key player. BSIA South East event challenges perception of ‘victimless’ business crimeBusiness crime should never be dismissed as low level, or victimless. CIOT: Have you paid too much tax on your redundancy payment?When an employer becomes insolvent, payments made by RPO to employees often wrongly have tax deducted. RSPCA: Gordon Ramsay should drop "barbaric" foie gras altogetherThe RSPCA is glad Gordon Ramsay dropped his supplier but sale of foie gras should be banned. |
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