Cameron Intervenes on Gay Marriage
- 16 Sep 2011
I well remember David Cameron’s first speech as party leader back in 2006. I remember the frisson that went round the conference hall when he said these words… “There’s something special about marriage. It’s not about religion. It’s not about morality. It’s about commitmen...
Liberal Democrat Conference Diary 2011
- 11 Sep 2011
Listening to many of the speeches both on the platform and on the fringe at this conference, you could be forgiven for forgetting that the LibDems are in government. Their whole attitude indicates an oppositionalist attitude which may make them feel better, but won’t g...
'Oh My God, It's Going To Hit The Other Tower'
- 11 Sep 2011
I was sitting at my desk on the balcony at Politico’s talking to my bookkeeper when I suddenly noticed that Sky News had switched to Fox and were showing smoke coming from a tall tower. As the situation became clearer I remember seeing a spec on the skyline coming closer to th...
http://www.iaindale.com/posts/why-i-would-vote-for-murdo-fraser
- 6 Sep 2011
Regular readers of my old blog will know critical I have been of Scottish Conservatives and their poor leadership over the last few decades. Back in April 2007 I wrote… If reports are true the Scottish Conservative Party is to be given its freedom to go its own way. It is lik...
Abortion Counselling: Case Unproven
- 6 Sep 2011
It is indeed risible that Nadine Dorries comes under attack from the pro-Choice lobby (whose attack on her is largely based on ther contention that she is mad) and also the pro-Life lobby, who reckon she’s selling out by not wanting to ban abortion altogether. The Society for ...
My Any Questions Experience (3)
- 3 Sep 2011
Yesterday I made my third appearance on Any Questions. The old saying that once you have done something once it’s easer the second or third time doesn’t really apply to Any Questions, as there is so much scope to make a complete tit of yourself. One stupid answer to a question...
How I Made a Twat of Myself on Twitter
- 22 Aug 2011
It’s never nice to have to acknowledge you’ve made a bit of a dick of yourself. But I did just that last night. And all over a stupid tweet. Yes, my rather idiotic words became the centre of a rather unattractive twitter storm. I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. I eve...
Wednesday Diary: Bullshit From Paddick & Queer Blue Water
- 17 Aug 2011
I wish Sally Bercow well in her quest to win Celebrity Big Brother, but I fear it will all end in tears. As is well know, I like Sally and get on well with her, but she has that self destruct button which makes her very vulnerable. Her decision to hire Max Clifford as ...
Diary: Bullshit from Brian Paddick & Clear Blue Water
- 17 Aug 2011
I wish Sally Bercow well in her quest to win Celebrity Big Brother, but I fear it will all end in tears. As is well know, I like Sally and get on well with her, but she has that self destruct button which makes her very vulnerable. Her decision to hire Max Clifford as ...
Mr Dale's Diary: Houses in Norfolk, Touched by Nick Clegg & My Granny's 117th Birthday
- 14 Aug 2011
I’m back in Norfolk this weekend searching for a cottage to buy. It’s not easy, is it, even in this economic climate? We’d like to buy a cottage on the coast, but it’s not up for auction until mid September and we can’t afford to put all our eggs in that particular bas...
Let's Understand Less & Condemn More
- 13 Aug 2011
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the whole country is in a state of shock following the riots of the last seven days. The scenes we saw on our TV screens were ones I never thought I would see in this country. They threatened the very fabric of our society and sho...
Riot Response: Is This David Cameron's Katrina Moment?
- 10 Aug 2011
My honest view is that David Cameron’s initial response to the riots was rather pathetic. So far as I know no one, not even Denis MacShane, had called for the recall of Parliament. And yet that was the headline that came out of his Downing Street speech yesterday morning. I ca...
Tottenham Riots: The Shameful Comments of a Labour MP
- 7 Aug 2011
I’ve never heard of Derby North MP Chris Williamson. But tonight he’s made a dick of himself. Apparently the disturbances in Tottenham are the government’s fault. Yep, all David Cameron’s fault. Those wicked Tories are back, he says on Twitter. Yep, the Tories are back alrigh...
Why I Am Warming to Sam Allardyce
- 6 Aug 2011
If you haven’t seen the feature on West Ham and Sam Allardyce in the Evening Standard yesterday, please do click HERE and have a read. Initially, I was deeply sceptical of his appointment as West Ham manager – indeed, I was half of a mind not to renew my season ticket – but I ...
Thursday Diary: Notes From Norfolk
- 4 Aug 2011
SATURDAY I am so looking forward to this week. We’re staying with friends, Keith & Pepi Simpson, in Reepham. It’s meant to be a bit of a holiday but seeing as we’re househunting in Norfolk and I also have to spend a day in the EDP archives researching my new book on Norwi...
How Can You Be Pro Life & Be In Favour of the Death Penalty (Or Vice Versa)
- 4 Aug 2011
The death penalty is one of those rare issues I find it quite possibly to argue from either side. My conservative heart finds no problem in believing in ‘an eye for an eye’, but my more liberal head finds the barbarity of it repulsive. I do think it acts as a deterrent - just...
Knapton - 8 Miles From Cromer
- 31 Jul 2011
Last week my publishing company, Biteback, hosted a launch for Gillian Shephard’s new book KNAPTON, which is a social history of the village in North Norfolk in which she grew up. Our London offices have a fantastic view over the river to Parliament, which the coachload of Nor...
Mr Dale's Diary: Six Places Higher Than Lord Sugar
- 24 Jul 2011
On Tuesday we hosted a launch for Gillian Shephard’s new book KNAPTON, which is a social history of the village in North Norfolk in which she grew up. Our offices have a fantastic view over the river to Parliament, which the coachload of North Norfolkers very much enjo...
In Praise of Andrew Mitchell
- 22 Jul 2011
Last night I interviewed Andrew Mitchell on my LBC show about the growing crisis in Somalia. The response to the interview was immense. We got a shower of texts, emails and tweets saying what a good job he was doing. Even left of centre people reckon he’s performing well in a ...
A Political Counterfactual: Prime Minister Portillo...
- 22 Jul 2011
I wrote this political counterfactual back in 2004, as the lead chapter in the Prime Minister Portillo & Other Things That Never Happened book. I thought I’d resurrect it here for your delight and delectation, and as a taster for the forthcoming Prime Minister Boris & ...