ConHome Diary: Will Cameron Have to Quit Over Scotland?
- 5 Sep 2014
So, only 13 days until Scotland decides its future. This referendum may have a far wider impact than just north of Hadrian’s Wall. Goldman Sachs are warning that the Pound may go into freefall, but the other impact could be on David Cameron and as a consequence the date of the...
Interviewing Joan Rivers
- 4 Sep 2014
I’m so sad to hear of the death of Joan Rivers. I saw her do a stand-up show in the 1990s but in October 2012 I had the honour of interviewing her on LBC. We decided it might be safest to pre-record (!) but she was absolutely charming. I don’t mind admitting I was petrified. ...
Two Days in Belgium
- 3 Sep 2014
Twenty years ago I took my father on a trip to the Normandy beaches, along with several other family and friends. It was a couple of weeks before the 50th anniversary of D-Day was commemorated. I am not exaggerating when I say it was one of the most memorable and enjoyable we...
ConHome Diary: The Day I Said No to Douglas Carswell
- 29 Aug 2014
Having been on holiday all week in Norfolk I am finding it slightly difficult to think of what to write about this week, so bear with me. * I am given to understand that while on his summer holidays in France, labour leader Ed Miliband has sprouted facial hair. How I would lo...
The Ice Box Challenge Has Run Its Course
- 26 Aug 2014
This more or less sums up my response to the Ice Box challenge. When it started I thought it was fun, and it was. It raised awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and that is a good thing. But it’s gone on too long now. So enough already. And yes I have donated.
ConHome Diary: Mayoroplane
- 22 Aug 2014
If each part of this diary column had its own headline, this one would be titled ‘Mayoroplane’. Back in 2008 in those halcyon days when Boris was a virgin mayor of London, he attracted his very own stalker. At every public event, or mayor’s questiontime, the same man would app...
Roger Lewis: "Lezzos all have big chins ... And Iain Dale is a C**t"
- 21 Aug 2014
Remember THIS blogpost from a week ago when I revealed I had decided to withdraw a book publishing contract from a man called Roger Lewis because of a homophobic review he had written for The Spectator? Just to remind you what he wrote in a review of a biography of Dusty Spri...
Attitude Column: Vanity, Vanity, All Is Vanity
- 20 Aug 2014
OK, I admit it. I am as vain as the next man. And let’s face it, nowadays men are probably just as vain as women, and in many cases even more so. Whether it’s about our hair, skin, beard trim, or the way our pubes look, we care. Not just care, but care obsessively in many case...
The BBC's 'Ting Tong' Hypocrisy - I Won't Defend Janice Atkinson But the BBC Need to Answer Questions
- 19 Aug 2014
Well I never thought I’d see the day when I’d feel sorry for Janice Atkinson. And it still hasn’t happened. However, the hypocrisy of the BBC never ceases to amaze. Yesterday BBC South East were outraged, outraged I tell you, by UKIP MEP Janice Atkinson calling the Thai wif...
This Is What I Wrote About Julian Assange 4 Years Ago ... Every Word Of it Remains True Today
- 18 Aug 2014
Four and a half years ago, in December 2010, I was asked by the Mail on Sunday to write a column on Julian Assange. When it appeared I was traduced and slagged off by his many supporters. How could I not understand what a hero he is, I was asked? Very easily, as it happens. An...
ConHome Diary: Shazbot & Why Mark Simmonds is a Moron
- 15 Aug 2014
Every summer it’s the same. David Cameron disappears on holiday and Nick Clegg then does the same. Do their diary secretaries not talk to each other? The clue is in Clegg’s job title of Deputy Prime Minister. When the PM is away he should deputise. But he never does, because h...
Biteback withdraws book offer to author following 'homophobic' review
- 14 Aug 2014
From Bookbrunch by Liz Thomson Biteback has withdrawn the offer of a book contract to Roger Lewis following a homophobic review of a Robson Press [Biteback’s sister imprint] title on the late Dusty Springfield. Writing in the Spectator, Lewis began: “Call me a crazy old ph...
A Tribute to Katy Scholes
- 9 Aug 2014
No, she hasn’t died, but she has left Biteback after five years, and we are all very sad. However, she has got a brilliant new job on Adam Boulton’s programme at Sky News and we all wish her well. I am convinced that within five years I will hear the phrase “This is Katy Schol...
ConHome Diary: I am Proud to Be a Zionist (If It Means What I Think It Means)
- 8 Aug 2014
I’ve spent much of the last month being accused on my radio show of being pro-Zionist. It seems there are as many definitions of that word as there are types of baked bean. If it means supporting the right of Israel to exist and defend itself, then I happily plead guilty. The ...
ConHome Diary: Call Ed Miliband!
- 1 Aug 2014
On Monday night Newsnight had an interesting report from their Policy Editor Christopher Cook about an idea from David Willetts to allow universities to take over the student loan book of their students. David Willetts then appeared in the studio and was grilled by Kirsty Wark...
ConHome Diary: Clegg Has the Leadership Style of a Jellyfish
- 25 Jul 2014
The appointment of Chris Wilkins as special advisor to Nicky Morgan is a very welcome one. I worked with Chris for six months when David Davis was running for Tory leader in 2005 and have huge respect for him. He’s quiet, measured, thoughtful and full of wise advice. It’s almo...
ConHome Diary: There is another story I could have written, isn’t there Prime Minister?!
- 20 Jul 2014
Yesterday’s Times Diary carried a bit of a bombshell. According to them Lord Ashcroft is keen for me to stand for London Mayor in 2016. So keen in fact that he has never mentioned it to me. Boris says being London mayor is the best job in British politics, so good in fact that...
Iain Dale For, Er, Mayor of London! You've Got to Laugh...
- 17 Jul 2014
One mention in the Times Diary might normally be enough, but two in one day? That normally spells trouble… And so this is what they printed this morning under the headline TIPSTERS HAVE RESHUFFLE BLUES… Political prediction is a dangerous business (Lord knows I’ve made lot...
My Reshuffle Analysis Part 1 - Night of the Wrong Knives?
- 15 Jul 2014
“Well if it doesn’t happen, no one will ever remember we predicted it would.” Those were the words with which I signed off an interview on LBC on Friday after I had put to Sam my prediction that William Hague would leave the Cabinet in the reshuffle. And so it came to pass. I ...