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 & ...
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Crick to Leave Newsnight
- 19 Jul 2011
Word reaches me (not via hacked voicemails) that Newsnight political editor Michael Crick is on his way to Channel 4 News. Since Cathy Newman became a news anchor, there has been a vacancy in the political department there, although it is hard to see why a Newsnight political ...
How Very Dare I Talk About Cameron's Future!
- 18 Jul 2011
Oh dear. Apparently I should join the Liberal Democrats. That was one of the responses to my piece last night on David Cameron’s future, or possible lack of it. Alternatively, others decided I was in the vanguard of a David Davis led leadership coup and speaking for the hard r...
Sir Paul Stephenson: A Bizarre Resignation
- 17 Jul 2011
Well that was one of the more bizarre resignations I have ever seen. Sir Paul Stephenson basically said that he had done nothing wrong, his integrity was intact and well, that’s about it. So why on earth would he resign? Just because of some rather weak allegations about his u...
Could Cameron Be Next?
- 17 Jul 2011
About ten days ago a caller on my LBC radio show reckoned that the hacking scandal was turning into a British Watergate. I dismissed this thought as the ravings of a lunatic. I’m not so sure I was right to do that now. I can’t believe I am even writing this, but it is no long...
Art: I Know What I Like...
- 16 Jul 2011
I know as much about art as the average philistine. But I know what I like. Two Mondays ago, the Eastern Daily Press carried a wonderful picture of a painting by a landscape artist called Cornelia Fitzroy called The Red House. If you still have that edition, have a look. It w...
Gio Comes Home
- 16 Jul 2011
Just over a fortnight ago, the last blogpost I wrote on my old blog was devoted to a tribute to my Jack Russell, Gio. He had died, less than twenty four hours earlier. I make no apology for returning to the subject today. I have been incredibly touched by the letters and email...
Rebekah Brooks' Resignation Is a Week Too Late
- 15 Jul 2011
Strange timing, but Rebekah Brooks has finally bowed to the inevitable and fallen on her sword. Her position had been untenable since the decision to close News of the World and I was astonished she and the Murdochs couldn’t see that. Even now, judging by the tone of her resig...
I Admit It: I was Wrong
- 11 Jul 2011
OK, I’m going to hold up my hands and do a bit of a mea culpa here. Last December I wrote an article in the Mail on Sunday, ostensibly on Julian Assange, but I also used it to have a go at The Guardian for their pursual of Andy Coulson over his alleged involvement in phone hac...
The Making of Ed Miliband
- 11 Jul 2011
One thing Ed Miliband has proved over the last week is that he can learn from David Cameron’s experience as opposition leader. Back in 2009 during the MPs’ expenses scandal it was Cameron who grabbed the initiative and led from the front. In a difficult situation, it was he wh...
I'm Glad 'Blagging' Has Resurfaced
- 11 Jul 2011
It’s good that Gordon Brown has spoken out and revealed that at least one newspaper, the Sunday Times, had tried to hack his bank account details and the medical records of his son, Fraser. It’s outrageous that anyone, let alone a much respected Sunday newspaper should sanctio...
Welcome to Dale & Co
- 8 Jul 2011
Welcome to Dale & Co. When I stopped my old blog, Iain Dale’s Diary, I did it for several reasons, not least that I didn’t have time to update the site four or five times a day. But I already had it in mind to transform my blog into more of a group effort. Initially, I tho...
Andy Coulson: OK, I Admit I Was Wrong
- 8 Jul 2011
OK, I’m going to hold up my hands and do a bit of a mea culpa here. Last December I wrote an article in the Mail on Sunday, ostensibly on Julian Assange, but I also used it to have a go at The Guardian for their pursual of Andy Coulson over his alleged involvement in phone hac...
Gio: A Tribute
- 1 Jul 2011
Maybe it’s somehow fitting that this will be the last ever blogpost on this blog. It marks the end of two eras – the end of this blog, as in a few days time my new site, Dale & Co launches, and also the end of a life. Five hours ago my beloved little Jack Russell, Gio, di...