Yesterday, the House of Commons hosted an emergency debate on Syria. I wasn’t sure whether to feel good about this or bitter about it. I could feel good in the sense that at least parliament could see that what is happening in Aleppo at present is horrific enough to warrant such a thing; bitter in […]
The showdown over single market membership could be immense – or not…
As I’ve said before, trying to make sense of Labour’s position on Brexit has been all but impossible. Now there’s a new twist. Both the Tories and Labour are claiming victory in regards to last week’s vote in the Commons regarding leaving the EU: the Tories say that the prime minister managed to extract a […]
Labour’s reaction to the two by-elections tells its own tale
Following on from the Sleaford by-election, in which Labour came fourth, Labour MP for Croydon North Steve Reed said: “Labour risks becoming the party of the 0% if we manage to upset both Remainers and Leavers by equivocating our position.” It was a pithy statement I think will be remembered for years to come. For […]
What does the Sleaford North Hykeham by-election result actually mean?
Another week, another by-election – this time in Lincolnshire, where a former sitting Tory MP, Stephen Phillips, had resigned over the government’s handling of Brexit. As soon as it was called, UKIP bigged it up as a potential by-election victory; that it would demonstrate that they have what it takes to upset the apple cart, much like what happened […]
This is what Labour’s Brexit strategy should be, plain and simple
Over the last few months, I’ve had many conversations in Westminster around how appalling Labour’s handling of the Brexit debate has been. Many respond to my exhortations about Corbyn’s incompetence in this area by saying “what else could he have done?”, as if everything that has taken place since June 24th has been part of an unstoppable force […]
Why it’s inevitable that Momentum will eventually split – and what may happen afterwards
It was the big story for anyone who attended this year’s Labour conference in Liverpool: the energy at the Momentum World Transformed thing versus the feeling of death warmed over at Labour conference itself. Another narrative around this emerged, post-conference: how long until Momentum itself splits, taking down the Labour Party with it? After all, […]
What next for the EU now that Renzi’s referendum has failed?
It wasn’t even remotely close. In yesterday’s nationwide Italian referendum, voters there rejected prime minister Renzi’s sweeping reforms to the constitution, 59-41. Or I should say, ex-Italian prime minister: Renzi, as expected, has resigned this morning. Also as expected, every public Eurosceptic in Britain is in full victory mode. Roger Helmer’s tweet summarises the message […]
How Theresa May could be walking into a trap partly of her own making
There has been a lot of speculation as to why Theresa May, upon becoming the prime minister, appointed the “Three Brexiteers” to their respective cabinet positions: Boris in the FCO, David Davis as head of the newly found Department for Leaving the European Union, and Liam Fox as Secretary of State for International Trade. Was […]
Why UKIP’s Article 50 position is genius – and what it means to Brexit
Many, myself and Frank Field included, have said that Paul Nuttall could be a game changer for UKIP. The new leader has certainly wasted no time in getting stuck in, appointing Gerald Batten as UKIP’s Brexit spokesman. And between Nuttall and Batten, a policy of genius has already emerged. It’s so perfect, I want to […]
Holy crap – the Lib Dems did it. Lessons from Richmond Park
At last, a 2016 election result that does not make me despair. I am unequivocally overjoyed that the Lib Dems won Richmond Park. Top of the reasons why this makes me happy comes down to being glad that Zac Goldsmith lost. Not really because of his dreadful mayoral campaign so much as the fact that the whole […]