DEBATE: Has the People’s Vote campaign blown its chance of a second referendum? Has the People’s Vote campaign blown its chance of a second referendum? Olivia Utley, deputy editor at TheArticle, says YES. So, the People’s Vote campaign has imploded. Why? Infighting has a lot to do with it. Political activism only works when the public can’t see what’s going on behind the scenes – and yesterday, the [...]
Jeremy Corbyn is deluded if he thinks Labour is remotely ready for an election When Jeremy Corbyn told Labour members last week that “we’re ready and chomping at the bit for an election”, one can only assume that he was using the royal we. With the exception of the leader, it’s hard to find anyone in Labour who believes that the party is anywhere near ready for an election [...]
What do people want? Policies conceived by Dominic Cummings What do people want? Policies conceived by Dominic Cummings One of the criticisms frequently levelled at Number 10’s de facto chief of staff Dominic Cummings is that he has no ideology or long-term vision. Once Brexit is done, it is argued, he will disappear in a puff of smoke and leave Britain to stew in whatever mess he leaves behind. Beyond leaving the EU, [...]
Sick of the Brexit saga? You’ll miss it when it’s finally over September 18, 2019 Not for the first time, it struck me last week in the midst of parliamentary shenanigans and court challenges how much my friends and acquaintances like to talk about the B word. The conversation arose over pudding at a dinner party, and though all the guests rolled their eyes and groaned sophisticatedly at the interminability [...]
Boris Johnson’s first PMQs: The verdict September 5, 2019 If Boris Johnson thought that things could get no worse after losing his first Commons vote, his majority, and his control over the parliamentary agenda in one fell swoop, he was sorely mistaken. In a near record-length PMQs yesterday, the new Prime Minister was well and truly ripped apart. First Jeremy Corbyn – displaying an [...]
DEBATE: In light of the row over alleged bias in the Telegraph’s survey, is there any point to polls? August 14, 2019 In light of the row over alleged bias in the Telegraph’s survey, is there any point to polls? Olivia Utley, deputy editor at TheArticle, says YES. Since the dawn of polling, people have found imaginative ways of getting the result they want. And the ComRes team who found that a majority of people would back [...]
Boris won the keys to Number 10 – now can he win an election? July 24, 2019 If it wasn’t clear before yesterday’s conclusion of the Tory leadership race, it sure is now: Britain is facing a General Election, and sooner rather than later. Every incoming Prime Minister is greeted with trepidation, sometimes edging into scepticism. That is normal in a country which has traditionally frowned on cults of personality. But the [...]
DEBATE: Should ambassadors be political appointments? July 11, 2019 Following Sir Kim Darroch’s resignation, should ambassadors be political appointments? Olivia Utley, deputy editor at TheArticle, says YES. To repair a special relationship which has gone – to put it mildly – a little sour, the new Prime Minister needs to appoint a special kind of ambassador. Sir Kim, who spent most of his career [...]
Debate: Is the Brexit Party losing momentum? July 1, 2019 Debate: Is the Brexit Party losing momentum? Yes – Olivia Utley is deputy editor at TheArticle. After a terrific performance in the European Elections at the end of May, the Brexit Party looked to be unstoppable. Week after week it topped the Westminster voting intention polls, and talk of the Conservatives being wiped out at the [...]
DEBATE: Would Rory Stewart be a good Prime Minister to lead the UK through Brexit? June 18, 2019 Would Rory Stewart be a good Prime Minister to lead the UK through Brexit? Olivia Utley, deputy editor at TheArticle, says YES. To make a success of Brexit at this late stage in the game, our new Prime Minister will have to do more than negotiate a good deal with the EU. He must – [...]