By Steve Parkhurst, Senior Editor, USDR.
Looking at the news and opinion out of London each day.
3-2-15
Smug Germany
Its insistence on austerity measures in Southern Europe means that a Grexit and Greek debt repudiation remain likely.
Why did the IMF lend so much to Greece?
In 2010 the IMF lent Euro 30 billion to Greece as part of a much larger package to support the ailing economy. The IMF explained at the time that it had lent 3200% of quota, well over its normal limits for a country in difficulty. It gave Greece “exceptional access to IMF resources”. The IMF cited the need to prevent the crisis spreading to other parts of the EU and to defend the Euro.
We can download information. But we can’t download experience – and we need it.
Modernity, quickness, and digital ability are all vital, but so is the wisdom and understanding of the older worker.
Are the Conservatives losing their nerve?
With the polls refusing to budge and even David Cameron said to have doubts about the Conservative campaign, James Kirkup describes the Tories’ brittle confidence
3-1-15
Why austerity policies may not work in the Eurozone
The Eurozone’s disciplines have been nicknamed the politics of austerity for good reason. Each state is meant to keep its budget deficit down to 3% of GDP – way below the large cyclical deficits the UK, US and other single currency areas allowed themselves in the great recession. Each state is meant to keep its total amount of borrowing to below 60%, though most of them have given up on that idea.
Zac Goldsmith: How my dad saved Britain
2-28-15
Why an SNP surge at Westminster could mean the end of Britain
Scotland’s political earthquake isn’t over, and the rest of the UK doesn’t yet understand the consequences
Stephen Crabb’s big day
Raised by a single mother on a council estate, and a devotee of social justice, the Welsh Secretary has been making waves.
Make sure we stop the next Jihadi John
The unmasking of “Jihadi John”, the notorious fighter with the so-called Islamic State, raises troubling questions for Britain’s anti-terror effort.
No one wants to fight a national campaign. This will be the least general election in years
2-27-15
How Cameron’s jobs miracle ate his immigration target
The embarrassing truth is that David Cameron did not think carefully about this pledge to take net immigration into the ‘tens of thousands’. The pledge originated in a Thick-of-It style farce: it was an aspiration mentioned by Damian Green, then immigration spokesman, that caught media attention
You want pupils to learn about profits, Prime Minister? Here’s a way in which they can do so.
A proposal from the ConservativeHome manifesto.
2-26-15
I would vote for the Coalition – it ought to stand in May
The two parties within the government have missed a trick, to their mutual self-harm.
A Candidate’s Diary: Abuse. A child’s toys. Dog faeces. A broken door bell. I meet a voter whose support I don’t want.
“Why is your kid not at school? If you’re going to mess your life up, go ahead – but at least give your lad a chance, eh?”
2-25-15
Pregnant at 16? Who’d want that on their CV?
Tumbling teenage pregnancy rates offer yet more proof that this is a sensible generation, argues Rachael Dove
It’s hard to believe that the Bethnal Green trio don’t know what they’re doing
The Tories must not abandon independent schools
Gove’s drive to extend to the state sector the freedoms enjoyed by fee-paying schools should be extended to allow academic selection.
Should we believe the opinion polls or the betting markets?
Plus a cartoon, a quotation, a book review and a very long article about commas
How Sir Malcolm Rifkind’s 40 year political career ended in 48 hours
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former foreign secretary, has given in to pressure and announced that he is standing down as an MP at the next election after cash for access allegations
2-24-15
As the electorate ages, young people are becoming less and less of a political force but there are some seats where they remain key to the result
Sir Malcolm Rifkind’s downfall creates a Conservative vacancy in Kensington. Send for Andrew Strauss
Kensington and Chelsea, the greatest prize in Conservative politics, is now up for grabs. The Tories should pick a real star.
Why Natalie Bennett doesn’t need to do the sums on policy
To be fair to Natalie Bennett, she took the rather admirable step of apologising on the Daily Politics for being so woeful in her car crash interview with Nick Ferrari this morning. But the whole episode tells us a lot about how the Green party views its appeal to voters.
Fairness between the generations
Stephen Tall: Some farewell advice
My last ConHome column addresses the same topic as my first: If I were a Tory, here’s what I would do.
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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