By Steve Parkhurst, Senior Editor, USDR.
Looking at the news and opinion out of London each day.
8-3-15
Letters: It will take radical action across Europe to stem the tide of migration
Europe’s response to the migrant crisis; SNP’s way with words; costly cancer drugs; the man who rescued the Proms; and why British lamb is a winner
Inside George Osborne’s empire: how the Chancellor rules Westminster
His friends prosper; his enemies wither. But how long can it last?
Party members’ poll: Goldsmith holds on to majority in the mayoral race, while Kamall’s support climbs to a third
This is the first survey since the candidates for the mayoralty were whittled down to four.
Win or lose, Corbyn will set the agenda unless Labour speaks up
Labourites have waffled on about their colleague’s fine principles without saying they would damage the country
The unfinished business of Lords reform
In July 2012 Mr Clegg tried to go ahead with a wide ranging proposed reform of the Lords without sufficient support in either the Commons or the Lords. His proposal for a mixed House of elected and unelected peers did not proceed.
8-2-15
The real ‘deniers’ in the climate change debate are the warmists
Those who believe that the world faces a catastrophe from global warming dismiss anyone who dares question their beliefs
8-1-15
Britain needs immigrants, but not a ‘swarm’ of them
A modern country must both welcome and impede immigration – so how will Mr Cameron deal with our current migrant paradox?
Jeremy Corbyn: the first 100 days
What would happen if the irascible Left-wing Labour leadership candidate actually became Prime Minister? Here’s one vision…
Was the Coalition a good or a bad thing?
I was once told by someone in politics – I forget who – that governments pass through three basic phases. The first is when they are new, and they can blame everything that goes wrong on the last lot in power. The second is after a couple of years, when they have to take the blame themselves. The third is when the next general election approaches, and they have to tell voters why they’re the best pick for the future.
Why George Galloway won’t be rejoining Labour anytime soon
George Galloway has announced that he would like to return to the Labour party if Jeremy Corbyn is elected leader. The former Respect MP for Bradford West sees Corbyn as a comrade in arms and would feel at home alongside him.
Cecil the lion’s killing tells us a lot about the wrongs of animal rights activists
We claim to love animals like Cecil the lion, while ignoring the plights of thousands of other species – not least our own
7-31-15
George Osborne must take on Tim Nice-But-Dim
The Conservatives must become the champions of social mobility
So what happens if Jeremy Corbyn actually wins?
Thought Ed Miliband’s victory over his brother in the last Labour leadership contest was a surprise? You haven’t seen anything yet
Iain Dale: Sir Alistair Graham, purveyor of holier-than-thou puritanism, is just a gob on a stick
Plus: Farewell, Ivan Massow. How Eric Pickles cost me £50,000. David Laws’ new book. And: the rise of Jeremy Corbyn is my fault.
7-30-15
John McTernan: if Corbyn wins the Labour leadership, he should be deposed immediately
John McTernan is a Blairite who is not afraid to speak his mind. On this week’s View from 22 podcast, the former Labour special advisor discusses the state of Labour’s leadership contest with Isabel and me. He believes the right of the party is struggling as it failed to put forward a suitably experienced candidate ‘because David Miliband left the Commons in the last Parliament’
Why are the Labour leadership contenders so weak?
In 2015 the Labour Party has been defeated in a second successive election, once more by a significant margin – and the contenders for leader don’t offer much hope.
7-29-15
Cameron’s revolutionary secret: the most professional Cabinet in British history
The Prime Minister’s success springs from a preference, new to Westminster, for Cabinet ministers who actually know about their departments.
Jeremy Corbyn won’t destroy Labour. But he might yet destroy the country
Imagine, for a moment, the following scenario. In 2017 Britain votes narrowly to remain within the European Union, despite the Prime Minister having achieved little in attempting to renegotiate the terms of our membership. The ‘out’ campaign — which after 2016 was no longer led by a marginal party, Ukip, but by the majority of the parliamentary Labour party, under its new leader Jeremy Corbyn — came mightily close to securing our withdrawal, and thus, as it is put by proponents, our independence.
Cameron rules out Scottish referendum rematch
Also: Scottish Labour fear far-left infiltration; Plaid debate fate of former leader; Welsh Labour criticise ‘toxic’ leadership race; and nationalists bid to rechristen Londonderry.
Regional identity
In much of the EU the regions that wish to be independent are the richer parts of their present countries. In Spain Catalonia is the most enterprising and highest income part of Spain along with the Basque country which is also keen on having more self government and control of its own tax revenues.
7-28-15
How bad must it get before Labour elects a woman?
What’s the point in the party if it doesn’t even have the nerve to oppose the massive injustice of the welfare bill?
Rebecca Coulson: The top five reasons we love ranking things…
Why is it that we love making lists? And what does it tell us about democracy?
British economics graduates have left a trail of misery around the world
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Across The Pond is edited daily by Steve Parkhurst. Steve is a political consultant, a writer at his blog as well as a Senior Editor here at US Daily Review. Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveParkhurst
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