Scott Walker vs Ed Miliband – lessons from Wisconsin
The analogy is obvious. I suppose it isn't surprising: when an official opposition is visionless, it is the grassroots who lead. But when it comes to elections, it is still…
In Wisconsin we stand
Right now, the people of Wisconsin are voting on whether or not to sack their governor. Scott Walker is one of only three people in US history to face the…
Cheap bonds are a harbinger of doom – or the solution to it
This week the yield on German two year bonds hit 0%. In other words, people are lending the German government money up to 2014 and asking for no interest. US…
Caroline Lucas stands down: space for someone to lead
So, it's now public – the rumours that Caroline Lucas is standing down as Green Party leader have been confirmed. It's a good move. Perversely, because we didn't used to…
On environmental colonialism, the Amazon, and Scottish beavers
When people ask me about my political background, I often talk about my parents. I explain that, though they aren't nearly as far left as me, they brought me up…
Miliband kicks nurses and unemployed young people
Friday was Ed Miliband's day. Labour's rise in the local elections revived his leadership and gave him a chance once more to articulate his message without the media sniping at…
LOLBoris and LOLObama
OK, I'm going to make a clear prediction: Barack Obama is gonna win. I should add that, when Gordon Brown was 10 points down in 2010, I predicted he'd be…
A report from the doorstep
I love election campaigns, for a simple reason. It is one of the few times that I get around to knocking on doors and talking to people. And people are…
Fortnum and Mason trial C – Not Guilty
What a wonderful final scene of the first act of this farce. When the CPS chose to prosecute only 30 of the 145 people arrested in Fortnum and Mason's on…
Shop a Scrounger – the £1500 F&M poem
We always knew things in Fortnum and Mason were expensive. But this poem cost Danny Chivers £1500. He was among those found guilty yesterday of 'aggrevated trespass with intent to…