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Month: July 2012

Is Vince planning to leave the cabinet to become LD leader?

Is Vince planning to leave the cabinet to become LD leader?

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Would this position the yellows better for the general election? There’s a fascinating piece of speculation by Sue Cameron in the Telegraph about the Lib Dem leadership and the cabinet re-shuffle. She writes:– “..Interesting speculation… about Vince Cable, 69, the Business Secretary, who may step down with a view to becoming leader of the Lib Dems in the Commons. (The Lib Dem leader doesn’t have to be in the Cabinet even in coalition, and Nick Clegg could continue to be…

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Dave’s “Best Prime Minister” lead narrows to just 5 points

Dave’s “Best Prime Minister” lead narrows to just 5 points

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He was beating Ed by 24% only six months ago When the Tories started to slip behind in the voting intention polling the party would take some comfort in the fact that their man invariably did far better than Ed Miliband in the leadership ratings. We heard it time and time again – there was no way, it was said that voters would ever elect the geeky Ed Miliband as PM. Then in the period following Osborne’s budget cock-ups the…

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The NHS and immigration are the top movers in the MORI Issues Index

The NHS and immigration are the top movers in the MORI Issues Index

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Ipsos-MORI Pensions & education move into the top 10 The July issues index from Ipsos-MORI for the Economist is just out and as can be seen from the chart there are big increases for immigration and the NHS. This polling has been carried out in the same way for 37 years and involves interviewees being asked face to face and completely unprompted to name the main issues they are are facing the country. It is always said that the lack…

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George needs to choose between politics and economics?

George needs to choose between politics and economics?

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Will the growth figures mean an end to his split jobs? The two positive things for ministers about today’s third quarter of negative figures are that everybody is focused on the Olympics and because the commons is in recess there are not the usual Wednesday PMQs. But they won’t go away totally unnoticed and provide further ammunition for those who are questioning the government’s strategy and Osborne’s varied roles. An added challenge is that the “blame the last lot” rhetoric…

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New US polling suggests that Condi could be the game-changer

New US polling suggests that Condi could be the game-changer

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Condi on the ticket chopped 6 pts off Obama’s lead on both our MI and PA polls over the weekend- real game changer potential there — PublicPolicyPolling (@ppppolls) July 24, 2012 Condi’s favorability rate in Pennsylvania is 60/27 and she nets Romney 6 points on Obama — PublicPolicyPolling (@ppppolls) July 24, 2012 @MSmithsonPB yes — PublicPolicyPolling (@ppppolls) July 24, 2012 Could Rice on the ticket give Romney the White House? Later today the US pollster, Public Policy Polling, is issuing…

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Could EdM be the only one left standing?

Could EdM be the only one left standing?

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Does today’s news put Dave’s future in doubt? Today’s dramatic announcement from the Crown Prosecution Service isn’t good news for David Cameron and must raise the prospect of him not making it through as leader to the general election set for May 2015. There is a growing anti-Cameron faction within the parliamentary party and there must be a possibility that this could add to it. This combined with the growing chorus for Vince Cable with the Lib Dems opens up…

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Is paying tradesmen in cash “morally wrong”?

Is paying tradesmen in cash “morally wrong”?

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Is this extending the tax avoidance effort too far? Several papers, including the Mail, are carrying reports of the comments by Tory treasury minister, David Gauke that paying cleaners and tradesmen cash-in-hand is “morally wrong” He said: ‘Getting a discount with your plumber by paying cash in hand is something that is a big cost to the Revenue and means others must pay more in tax.’ Asked explicitly if he disapproves of the practice, he said: ‘Yes, I think it’s…

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