Monday 12th May 2008
5pm PlayPolitical video: Is this the maddest political YouTube? Watch the English Democrats’ Crewe and Nantwich video.
3pm Ben Rogers on Platform: We have a “responsibility†to “protect†in Burma
2.15pm Seats and candidates: Another Labour MP quits
2pm Seats and candidates: Statement from Sir Robert Atkins MEP in response to News of the World story
10am ToryDiary: Labour should keep Brown in place
9.30am CentreRight: Graeme Archer notes research that shows that Tories spend less council taxpayers’ money on "free"newspapers but that they are effective in helping incumbents.
Seats and candidates: Even Labour activists are disowning their party’s campaign in Crewe
David Eyles on Platform: Is food security incompatible with a free a market?
PlayPolitical video: ITV’s Headcases’ treatment of the Tories is more savage than funny
Why do we have fewer by-elections these days? - Peter Riddell in The Times
Will Cameron offer the same strong sense of direction that characterised Margaret Thatcher’s 1979 manifesto?
"There is a myth around that her 1979 manifesto was not especially
robust. It is certainly an interesting document in retrospect. The
section on Europe which condemned the “obstructive and malevolent
attitude†of some in the Labour Cabinet towards Brussels and which
calls for a common EU foreign policy is ironic. The core of it,
however, is unambiguous. It stated “we shall cut income tax at all
levelsâ€. It noted that: “Any future government which sets out honestly
to reduce inflation and taxation will have to make substantial
economies, and there should be no doubt about our intention to do so.â€
It was scathing about the nationalised industries and there were more
words devoted to reducing the power of the trade unions than any other
subject. Although the Tory majority that year was not vast (43), it had
immense authority behind it to introduce necessary reforms." - Tim Hames in The Times
But Max Hastings, in The Guardian, thinks that the Tories are offering enough policy beef: "Since the local elections, there have been blasts of media hot air
about the Tories’ need to strengthen policy commitments, to underpin
their image-making with substance. This seems otiose. The opposition
has produced policies on the issues about which the public cares most -
rescuing education, capping immigration, curbing benefit fraud,
reforming sentencing. Rather than threaten radical change, for which
there is little public appetite, the Tories promise competent
administration, for which there is an intense hunger."
Two political lists: The Western Mail draws up a fantasy Cabinet listing the best Welsh politicians of all time and The Telegraph lists the top fifty influences on David Cameron
Johann Hari questions David Cameron’s claim to be a progressive - Independent
Brown set to outline the need to reform social care for ageing population - BBC
William Hague criticises Gordon Brown’s decision to meet the Dalai Lama away from Downing Street - Times

A review of ‘Squandered’ - Trevor Kavanagh in The Sun
End City tax loopholes, says Clegg - FT
Families need £1,000 more just to put food on the table - Daily Mail
George W Bush’s daughter gets married - Story and photographs at NYTimes.com
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From Seats and candidates: News of the World launches attack on "greedy" Tory MEPs
ToryDiary: A review of Boris Johnson’s impressive first week and Michael Forsyth calls for a referendum on the future of the Union next May
Louise Bagshawe on CentreRight: Frank Field MP threatens Gordon Brown with a no confidence motion
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