Hi and firstly sorry it has been so damn long. When Parliament returns on 8th October, after the party conferences, www.politicsjunkie.co.uk will be coming out of hibernation.
Well that new Conservative logo, eh? What is that all about? It looks like it was designed by a child. It also puts me in mind of a public sector organisation, like a housing association! Which is a smart move. The Labour party will of course mock it, but it sets the right tone. It is non-threatening and that dreaded word, inclusive. It wont scare the horses.
As you know, politics is all about setting the mood, and Cameron is proving to be a master at sending subtle signals to the voters, without having to talk about anything serious like actual policies. This is definitely a factor in the Conservative party's spike in support.
Of course, the government are doing their bit to help him to. Geoff Hoon's outburst on Friday that Blair needs to go before the local elections next year is yet another example of how "calling a truce" between the Blairites and Brownites just will not work. Both sides are spoiling for a fight.
The Blairites do seem determined to deny Brown the leadership, saying he is not a team player and will turn off voters. The sudden appearance of Alan Johnson as the best candidate to defeat Brown is reminiscent of the sly rise of John Major in 1990.
Brown has fought back by going on TV and crying, talking about his dead child and showing he isnt cold at all and anyone who says he is is a bastard. Nice tactic - he elicits maximum sympathy from the public and the grassroots of his own party, and shows he can be just as touchy feely as Cameron or Blair.
But the real worry for the Chancellor is not whether or not he will succeed - there is no doubt that he will, despite all the talk about other candidates. The news that over 750,000 people missed a mortgage payment last year is the real worry. Coupled with steadily rising interest rates, it looks like the Brown economic miracle is truly at an end.
Brown might well succeed Blair, only to find himself blamed for a faltering economy, people having their houses repossessed and rising debt problems. A poisoned chalice? This commentator thinks so.
As for the deputy leadership - is there a member of the Cabinet who hasnt expressed an interest? I think Harriet Harman would be the best choice. She is quite dignified and people like her. Not that I care, along with everyone else in the country.
Well that new Conservative logo, eh? What is that all about? It looks like it was designed by a child. It also puts me in mind of a public sector organisation, like a housing association! Which is a smart move. The Labour party will of course mock it, but it sets the right tone. It is non-threatening and that dreaded word, inclusive. It wont scare the horses.
As you know, politics is all about setting the mood, and Cameron is proving to be a master at sending subtle signals to the voters, without having to talk about anything serious like actual policies. This is definitely a factor in the Conservative party's spike in support.
Of course, the government are doing their bit to help him to. Geoff Hoon's outburst on Friday that Blair needs to go before the local elections next year is yet another example of how "calling a truce" between the Blairites and Brownites just will not work. Both sides are spoiling for a fight.
The Blairites do seem determined to deny Brown the leadership, saying he is not a team player and will turn off voters. The sudden appearance of Alan Johnson as the best candidate to defeat Brown is reminiscent of the sly rise of John Major in 1990.
Brown has fought back by going on TV and crying, talking about his dead child and showing he isnt cold at all and anyone who says he is is a bastard. Nice tactic - he elicits maximum sympathy from the public and the grassroots of his own party, and shows he can be just as touchy feely as Cameron or Blair.
But the real worry for the Chancellor is not whether or not he will succeed - there is no doubt that he will, despite all the talk about other candidates. The news that over 750,000 people missed a mortgage payment last year is the real worry. Coupled with steadily rising interest rates, it looks like the Brown economic miracle is truly at an end.
Brown might well succeed Blair, only to find himself blamed for a faltering economy, people having their houses repossessed and rising debt problems. A poisoned chalice? This commentator thinks so.
As for the deputy leadership - is there a member of the Cabinet who hasnt expressed an interest? I think Harriet Harman would be the best choice. She is quite dignified and people like her. Not that I care, along with everyone else in the country.
