Politics
How Labour lost Scotland (and could lose the Union)
Just four months ago Scotland was the scene of great cross-party co-operation — unprecedented in peace-time politics. Gordon Brown was…
How Labour lost Scotland (and could lose the Union)
Listen http://traffic.libsyn.com/spectator/TheViewFrom22_5_Feb_2015_v4.mp3 Just four months ago Scotland was the scene of great cross-party co-operation — unprecedented in peace-time politics. Gordon…
George Osborne’s 13 tests for an election victory (and how many he’s passed)
These days George Osborne is rarely seen in public without a hard hat and a hi-vis jacket. But he used…
Can the Tories pass George’s 13 tests?
These days George Osborne is rarely seen in public without a hard hat and a hi-vis jacket. But he used…
Why the Greek election could decide Britain's next government
Before the eurozone crisis, Greek elections didn’t receive much attention in Westminster. At the moment, however, the polls from Athens…
How Greek voters will decide Britain’s general election
Before the eurozone crisis, Greek elections didn’t receive much attention in Westminster. At the moment, however, the polls from Athens…
Even Ukip don't dare break the unhealthy consensus on the NHS
There’s an irony about Ukip’s rise. Nigel Farage party’s popularity is driven by a widespread sense that the main parties…
An unhealthy consensus
There’s an irony about Ukip’s rise. Nigel Farage party’s popularity is driven by a widespread sense that the main parties…
From coalition to chaos – get ready for the age of indecision
A recent email from Samantha Cameron started an intriguing debate in the Prime Minister’s social circle. It was an invitation…
The age of indecision
A recent email from Samantha Cameron started an intriguing debate in the Prime Minister’s social circle. It was an invitation…
The very model of a political Chancellor
Autumn Statements lack the drama and traditions of the Budget. Gladstone never delivered one, there is no Autumn Statement box…
This Chancellor is a most political animal
Autumn Statements lack the drama and traditions of the Budget. Gladstone never delivered one, there is no Autumn Statement box…
Never mind the general election: Tories are already fighting the Europe referendum
It is quite normal in British politics for a political party to turn on itself after an election defeat —…
The Tories are preparing for civil war in the unlikely event of victory
It is quite normal in British politics for a political party to turn on itself after an election defeat —…
Meet the new Queen of Scots: Nicola Sturgeon’s unstoppable rise
‘She sold out the Hydro arena faster than Kylie Minogue,’ said one awestruck unionist of Nicola Sturgeon this week. Scotland’s…
Sturgeon the unstoppable
Listen http://traffic.libsyn.com/spectator/TheViewFrom22_20_Nov_2014_v4.mp3 ‘She sold out the Hydro arena faster than Kylie Minogue,’ said one awestruck unionist of Nicola Sturgeon this…
How Ed Miliband lost his winning hand
Ed Miliband’s internal critics used to complain that he had a 35 per cent strategy. They claimed that his unambitious…
Miliband needs a plan – and soon
Ed Miliband’s internal critics used to complain that he had a 35 per cent strategy. They claimed that his unambitious…
Scotland needs Jim Murphy (even if he doesn’t want to go back there)
There should, by rights, have been a stampede of candidates to replace Johann Lamont as the leader of the Scottish…
Why are Labour’s Scots so reluctant to take the high road?
Listen http://traffic.libsyn.com/spectator/TheViewFrom22_30_Oct_2014_v4.mp3 There should, by rights, have been a stampede of candidates to replace Johann Lamont as the leader of…
It’s not just Ukip that’s changing Cameron’s mind about immigration
It is easy to mock David Cameron on immigration. Under pressure from the public and from Ukip, he’s having to…
Ukip is here to stay – especially if Labour wins
British politics is rather like one of those playground games of football where one match is being played lengthways and…
Why are the Lib Dems duffing up the Tories? To ensure another coalition
The last Liberal Democrat conference before the general election has been dominated by denunciations of the ‘nasty’ Tories. Lib Dems…
Get ready for an election where everyone loses (except maybe the Lib Dems)
Two things have been puzzling Tory high-ups in Birmingham this week: does Nigel Farage have another defector in his back…
Cameron must reunite the Tories or lose the next election
No one goes to Birmingham to revive a marriage. But that is what David Cameron and the Conservative party must…
