The LIBORs we tell ourselves
The LIBOR scandal is being commented on as the scandal that will break the camel’s back. The one…
Comment
Why Labour should back a democratic second chamber
My constituents are struggling badly as the deflationary effects of George Osborne’s austerity Budgets and 2010 Comprehensive Spending…
Lords reform? Get serious
A myth is being formed that the three main political parties in the UK were in agreement over…
Sometimes the home fixtures are the hardest
As I may have mentioned (once or twice), I’m a Sunderland fan. During my nearly twenty years of…
A new welfare bargain
Welfare is Labour’s toxic issue. Recent evidence comes from a YouGov poll for Prospect: 74 per cent agree…
The Second Chamber should represent vocation not place
Parliament represents the people. But the House of Commons represents us in only one dimension of our lives.…
Helping Outsiders Become the Insiders
When I returned to Parliament after the 2010 General Election I resolved to try and tackle the culture…
PMQs verdict: George Osborne defeats David Cameron
Today George Osborne helped Ed Miliband achieve something he’s often struggled to do on his own in the…
Do the government have any idea what they’re doing?
Sometimes you just have to ask yourself – do the government have any idea what they’re doing? Yesterday’s…
We became spectators while New Labour dominated our party. Now we are back.
Unite’s Conference confirmed our new Political strategy today. An open and honest debate by delegates passed an open…
