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Why I'm not voting Green

Why I’m not voting Green

Several people have said to me: “I’m voting Green. I can’t trust any of the main three parties’’ If you’re thinking of voting Green because it’s a fluffy, happy party, I suggest you look a little closer at their policies. It’s not just recycling and renewable energy. It’s an ... Read more »
Caroline Lucas MEP: Green Party Fat Cat

Caroline Lucas MEP: Green Party Fat Cat

The Green Party are campaigning hard as the transparent, sleaze-free, squeaky-clean, anti-expenses party. Their anti-fat cat leaflet caught my eye (see below), so I went off to check out the expenses of my Green MEP (and the Green’s leader), Caroline Lucas. To quote a Green Party leaflet I ... Read more »
MP's Expenses, the Speaker and The Sound of Music

MP’s Expenses, the Speaker and The Sound of Music

News from the House of Commons. The cross-party performance of “Songs from The Sound of Music” has not been cancelled despite the national outcry regarding MP's expenses. As Hazel Blears chirped, as she waved a cheque and donned her wimpole at rehearsals: “the show must go on!” This ... Read more »
Twitter Politics: Broadcast or Conversation?

Twitter Politics: Broadcast or Conversation?

Jason Kitcat is a Green councillor on Brighton and Hove city council. It’s probably worth noting that I didn’t vote for him: I’m a member of the Labour party. That said, he has responded to my communications regarding recycling when I’ve sent them. For the record, I found his replies to my ... Read more »
MPs Expenses: Some ideas and thoughts.

MPs Expenses: Some ideas and thoughts.

The whole issue of MPs expenses really angers me because ‘I’m following the rules’ is a contemptuous answer that insults our intelligence. The situation is just a bit frothy at the moment with lots of heat and not much light. No media outlets are being particularly clever with their coverage. ... Read more »
'Smash EDO''s Brighton Smash: Rights without responsibilities

‘Smash EDO”s Brighton Smash: Rights without responsibilities

Peaceful protest is a British right we cherish. That’s why protesters were allowed the freedom of the city I live in yesterday. Marching, demonstration, even disruption to traffic is justifiable. We saw bottles and cans thrown at police, paint splashed on public and private property, protesters ... Read more »
In Praise of British Citizenship Ceremonies

In Praise of British Citizenship Ceremonies

Patriotism, let alone nationalism, is not that British. We seem coy about celebrating our nationality and it's rather a shame. Until recently the Union Flag was seldom flown on public buildings and, unlike in other parts of the Commonwealth where the Queen's portrait is often seen or the States ... Read more »
50% Income Tax: Who cares?

50% Income Tax: Who cares?

The one aspect of the 2009 Budget that made the headlines was the 50% Income Tax that will be levelled on incomes over £150k. And let's recall what that means: if you earn more than £150k, you'll pay 50% on that portion of your wage over £150k. I'm personally in favour. The Tories haven't said ... Read more »
UKYP: must it be 'adversarial'?

UKYP: must it be ‘adversarial’?

I'm loving Twitter at the moment. I got an @wilsondan from the great Sir Stephen Fry over the weekend and today, the Member for Twitter, responded too. Huzzah. Tom Harris is the Labour MP for Glasgow South and he was responding to my tweet re the UK Youth Parliament's (UKYP) hopes to hold ... Read more »
My Suggested New Tory Logo Straplines

My Suggested New Tory Logo Straplines

Seeing as some Conservative goon rather foolishly gave the whole interwebs the opportunity to customise the Tory logo with new straplines, I rather thought it would be rude not to take up that opportunity. Yes. All a bit childish and partisan. But really. It amused me. For way too ... Read more »
If Meg Whitman runs California like eBay...

If Meg Whitman runs California like eBay…

Meg Whitman announced today that she's seeking the Republican nomination in the 2010 California Gubernatorial election. A political ingénue, it's the first time she has sought public office but she has a distinguished business career behind her. Most notably as eBay CEO for the decade that saw it ... Read more »
To Derek Draper re: LabourList.org

To Derek Draper re: LabourList.org

LabourList is warming up in advance of a full launch. Some Tory voices have been pretty disparaging (maybe they're a bit scared?) but I can see it gathering momentum. One thing that needs a bit of work is the 'community management'. So here's my advice to Derek Draper, who's leading the ... Read more »
Bush's Letter to Obama

Bush’s Letter to Obama

It is traditional for the outgoing President of the United States to leave a letter on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office for his successor. As the great and the good gather at the Capitol in Washington D.C., this picture has been smuggled out of the White House showing George Bush's letter to ... Read more »
Tom Watson: MP 2.0

Tom Watson: MP 2.0

Tom Watson, the member for West Bromwich East and Civil Service Minister, is a rare politician: he gets the web. And I don't mean just as a campaign broadcast tool (viz Obama). He gets it as a utility and a potential agent of change and engagement. In recent weeks, this has become more important. ... Read more »