General Election Predictions 10: East Sussex
- 28 Dec 2014
This is the tenth in a series of blogposts (scroll to the bottom of the article for the others) which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has...
The Greatest Experiences of My Life
- 27 Dec 2014
Some time ago a friend of mine listed the 100 greatest moments of his life in a Facebook post. What a great thing to do, I thought. He listed 100 events with no commentary. I’ve decided to emulate him, but not do 100 (not sure I could think of that many!) but try to offer some...
General Election Predictions 9: Kent (Part 2)
- 27 Dec 2014
This is the nineth in a series of blogposts (scroll down for the others) which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has to be treated on its m...
General Election Predictions 8: Kent (Part 1)
- 26 Dec 2014
This is the eighth in a series of blogposts (scroll down for the others) which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has to be treated on its m...
General Election Predictions 7: Berkshire
- 26 Dec 2014
This is the seventh in a series of blogposts (scroll down for the others) which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has to be treated on its ...
Memories of Christmases Past & a Happy Christmas To All My Readers & Listeners
- 24 Dec 2014
As a child I used to love Christmas. Like all families we had our Christmas rituals. We woke up to find stockings at the end of our beds, filled with things that nowadays children would no doubt turn their noses up at. A Mars Bar, an orange, a pencil sharpener and the like. We...
General Election Predictions 6: Bedfordshire
- 24 Dec 2014
This is the sixth in a series of blogposts (scroll down for the others) which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has to be treated on its me...
Roger Bird Could Be UKIP's Olly Grender
- 23 Dec 2014
I feel very sorry for Roger Bird. Despite being found innocent of any wrongdoing in the UKIP inquiry, he’s had his character traduced in the media by someone who has clearly displayed fantasist tendencies. And even though he has been found innocent he and UKIP have mutually a...
General Election Predictions 5: Hertfordshire
- 23 Dec 2014
This is the fifth in a series of blogposts (scroll down for the others) which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has to be treated on its me...
I Really Wanted to Like the US 'House of Cards' But I Don't
- 22 Dec 2014
Ok, I’m late to the party. I meant to watch House of Cards when it was shown on Sky Atlantic, but somehow didn’t. I’ve had the DVD on my shelf for two years but somehow it’s always been overtaken by something else – Covert Affairs, 24 and others. Anyway, a couple of nights ag...
General Election Predictions 4: Cambridgeshire
- 22 Dec 2014
This is the fourth in a series of blogposts (scroll down for the others) which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has to be treated on its m...
General Election Predictions 3: Suffolk
- 21 Dec 2014
This is the third in a series of blogposts which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has to be treated on its merits. I’m starting off by try...
My 100 Favourite Tweeters of 2014
- 21 Dec 2014
Each new year I do a list of people whose tweets I have most enjoyed during the previous 12 months. I follow about 1600 people on Twitter but these are the ones who have entertained, informed, educated, annoyed and, most of all, made me laugh most this year. So here are my Top...
Kerry Smith Speaks Out - UKIP Candidate Unrepentant About 'Chinky' Comments
- 20 Dec 2014
Yesterday evening I was conducting a phonein on whether women should be able to serve on the frontline in the infantry when I was told that after the 5.15 news and travel I’d be interviewing Kerry Smith, the former UKIP candidate for South Basildon & East Thurrock. Earlier...
Knackered, Unfit & Overweight - Something Needs to Change in 2015
- 19 Dec 2014
Another year’s work complete. Now for two weeks off, and I can’t pretend I don’t need them. Basically, I’m knackered. I remember last Christmas, it wasn’t until I went back on the radio in the new year that I realised how tired I had got in the runup to Christmas. I have tried...
Why I am Jealous of Mehdi Hasan
- 19 Dec 2014
Mehdi Hasan is someone who most people on the right love to hate. Opinionated, clever, robust and on the left, he has moved from being a talented writer to a brilliant broadcaster on Al Jazeera. It has just been announced that he is leaving the Huffington Post to take up a ful...
Rory Bremner is the New Host of the Political Book Awards
- 19 Dec 2014
Choosing a host for the next year’s Political Book Awards has been a very tortuous process. For the first two years of this event, which takes place at the IMAX on the South Bank each year, we have used the wonderful Gyles Brandreth, and he has been superb. He’s funny, risqué ...
What Do You Give Jacqui Smith For Christmas?
- 18 Dec 2014
On Wednesday I did my fortnightly Sky News paper review with Jacqui Smith. A couple of Christmases ago, live on TV, I pulled out a sprig of mistletoe and gave her a smacker. (The evidence is here. Well it’s best not to revisit the scene of a crime so this year I thought I’d g...
General Election Predictions 2: Norfolk
- 15 Dec 2014
This is the second in a series of blogposts which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has to be treated on its merits. I’m starting off by tr...
General Election Predictions 1: Essex
- 14 Dec 2014
This is the first in a series of blogposts which will seek to predict the outcome of every seat in the run-up to the next general election. The notion of a universal swing in May 2015 can be totally discounted. Each seat has to be treated on its merits. I’m starting off by try...