The centre isn’t where he or ConservativeHome or anyone else wants it to be. It’s where it is – “Far From Notting Hill”.
A recent conversation with a delivery driver got me thinking about the way our media debates work.
Despite the recent bad press, the overall numbers suggest the institution is probably here to stay.
The first piece in a mini-series on climate change, COP26 and the environment on ConservativeHome this week.
Our five year electoral cycle is driving MPs to compete for short-term green subsidies without questioning the medium-term consequences.
The OBR’s horrid forecasts of an output implosion and soaring unemployment will do nothing to quell Tory resistance to tougher Covid tiers.
The second of a ConHome series this week on the Prime Minister’s Reset Moment – and what should follow from it.
The Treasury should hold one as the year rolls on, along the lines of that undertaken by Canada’s government during the 1990s.
People strongly back it banning separate households meeting indoors where infection rates have risen, among other moves.
In that sense, his speech could easily have been given by a much more fitting figure for the Ditchley Foundation: Tony Blair.
The ’22 Executive has been pushing for a faster end to lockdown, and many Tory MPs agree. But they’re more likely to follow public opinion than lead it.
The political logic of the Prime Minister’s choice is solid enough. But we’re past the stage where his Sunday statement can simply be taken on trust.
How prepared are we for strict social distancing for the forseeable future, compulsory masks, closed leisure facilities – and a semi-functioning economy?
It now needs to get real. This is clearly the plan in the next few months, starting with the Queen’s Speech tomorrow, leading to the Levelling Up paper.