Book Review: A Question of Honour by Lord Levy
- 6 Jun 2008
Reading Lord Levy’s book, I felt a slight sense of shame. Having written some fairly terrible things about him on my blog over the last two years, I expected my opinion of him to be confirmed a thousand times over by his memoirs. Yet I have to admit, I finished the book won...
In Conversation with Lynton Crosby
- 6 Jun 2008
This interview was conducted in June 2008 and appeared in Issue 2 of Total Politics magazine. What attracted you to the mayoral election, and specifically Boris My firm, Crosby|Textor which I run with strategic polling expert Mark Textor, runs campaigns. Most times...
How to Feel Safe With Jacqui Smith
- 29 May 2008
The Today Programme's paper review this morning started off with a reference to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's interview with the Mirror which contains the following nugget... "Asked if she finds any fellow MPs dishy, she replies with a hearty laugh, "Yes! Most of my cabine...
The Decline and Fall of the Political Memoir
- 13 May 2008
Yesterday I had several invitations from various broadcasters to talk about the three sets of political memoirs set to grace the nation's bookshelves. The only one I took up was Good Morning Wales as I was at a funeral the rest of the day. Quite why the media had got themselve...
Being Photographed by David Bailey
- 1 May 2008
Late last year I took part in a photo shoot for GQ along with a host of other people from the Westminster Village. After my last experience with Esquire Magazine (see the awful result HERE) I vowed never to do this again, but when you are told David Bailey will be behind t...
Calm Down, It's an April Fool!
- 1 Apr 2008
I've just been told that the Government Media Monitoring Unit just sent out the text of my April Fool blogpost below to their full list, including Gus O Donnell etc... And the Ministry of Justice press office are getting calls from national newspapers... And the Electo...
The 'People Like Us' Phenomenon
- 16 Mar 2008
Last night on Sky News we briefly discussed why the media gave a much higher profile to the Madeleine McCann case than the Shannon Matthews disappearance. There are, I'm sure lots of factors, but one was the fact that for the media, the McCanns were very much "people like us",...
Top Ten Lines Not in Alistair Darling's Budget
- 11 Mar 2008
10. Tax Cuts, you want tax cuts? I'll show you tax cuts. 9. Let them eat cake. 8. You know last year's budget? We made it up. 7. And for my fifth reannouncement... 6. Iain Dale's new Audi will be exempt from the new £1,000 band of road tax. 5. And this year the real rate ...
EDP Diary: A Minor Operation
- 8 Mar 2008
In forty five years I have never had to go into hospital or have an operation – until this week, when I had to have a very minor operation. It was entirely successful and has the added bonus that I now have to spent two weeks resting. The one thing that sticks with me is the f...
I Wonder What Dr Ruth Would Say?
- 3 Mar 2008
I've been reflecting further on the post BELOW on my blood-sugar machine. Oscar Wilde once said that a cynic is someone "who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing". We in Britain take for granted that our healthcare is provided free at the point of delivery. W...
The Guardian: The Politics of Publishing a Must-read Magazine
- 3 Mar 2008
Free distribution has made men's weekly magazine Shortlist a success - even as the glossies falter. Can it do the same for blogger Iain Dales's new political title? James Silver investigates... In the cut-throat political magazine sector, new readers are hard to come by and...
We've Just Been Burgled, But Where are the Police?
- 1 Mar 2008
Today has got worse. It started off well as I enjoyed my time with Suffolk Coastal Tories. We had a lively debate on the English Question, but I had to leave at 12.15 to get to Upton Park in time to watch West Ham play Chelsea. After 25 minutes I really wished I hadn't bothere...
Fayed: The Most Odious Man in Britain
- 18 Feb 2008
I'm sitting on the train back to RTW (that's Royal Tunbridge Wells for the uninitiated!), feeling disgusted. If you have read the Evening Standard's report of the Phoney Pharoah's so-called 'evidence' to the Diana coroner's hearing, you will understand why. If there is a more ...
Sir Ralph Howell: A One Off
- 18 Feb 2008
The death of Sir Ralph Howell has robbed Norfolk of one of its more colourful political characters. During my time as Conservative candidate in North Norfolk in the runup to the 2005 election Ralph was unfailingly courteous and helpful to me. He was anxious not to interfere bu...
Should Assisted Suicide be Shown on TV?
- 16 Feb 2008
The Daily Mail is in full hypocrisy mode this morning, berating Sky for broadcasting a documentary on assistaed suicide and showing the moment of death - and then apologising to its readers for showing photos from the programme. It devotes its entire front page to the story. ...
How do I Explain Fisking in Russian?
- 16 Feb 2008
This morning I delivered a 45 minute talk to 100 or so Russian journalists and politicians about the role of blogging in politics and the media. It all seemed to go off OK, although I don't mind admitting that it was a bit odd having simultaneous translation. Anyone who has se...
My Evening in the West Wing
- 9 Feb 2008
I'm at Dulles airport waiting for my flight back to the UK - thank God, I hear you chorus, no more American politics! Well, indulge me one final time as I tell you about yesterday evening and my rather disastrous day today. At 8.30pm yesterday evening a group of five of us ...
Midnight at the Lincoln Memorial
- 8 Feb 2008
It's nearly midnight on my last night in Washington. Whenever I come here I always make a noctural visit to the Lincoln Memorial. It's a great place to sit and think - to contemplate the meaning of life, if you like. That' where I am now - sitting on the steps leading up to on...
Derek Conway To Stand Down
- 30 Jan 2008
Derek Conway has just announced he will not be standing at the next election. Here's his statement... I have had tremendous support from my local party, my family and friends but have concluded that it is time to step down. I stand by what I have said in relation to the r...
My Most Embarrassing Moment
- 29 Jan 2008
In January 1983 (I cannot BELIEVE it is 25 years ago!) I was invited to a reception at 10 Downing Street by Margaret Thatcher, along with other chairman of univesity Conservative Associations. In those days I didn't even own a suit. That soon had to be rectified. I can remembe...