By Steve Parkhurst, Senior Editor, USDR.
Looking at the news and opinion out of London each day.
9-28-15
Seven flaws in Labour’s machine
There’s a lot of focus on Corbyn’s personality and Labour’s policies. But it’s worth taking an exacting look at the condition of the party on the ground.
How to build 50,000 homes a year in London
There’s more than enough brownfield land in London to meet our housing needs – if we can only unlock it
9-27-15
If the era of democracy is over in Europe, it’s time for Britain to get out
The condemnation of a national leader for being in touch with his people suggests the EU is back in the business of oligarchy
Forget the stereotypes – Britain could learn a lot from Texas
The second biggest state in the union may be commonly associated with guns and religious fervour, but it’s a model of success and modernisation
Jeremy Corbyn’s conference speech must give Labour more than the usual claptrap
Usually, party leaders deal with the gap between activists and target voters by giving the activists in the hall clap lines which do not offend target voters
The Lib Dem hypocrisy that knows no end
Tim Farron shows his contempt for the voters by trying to impede legislation in the House of Lords. He is neither a liberal nor a democrat
9-26-15
The Right to Buy for Housing Association tenants will remain compulsory
Greg Clark is keen to agree a deal with the sector rather than have to legislate – but he still carries that big stick as a last resort.
In defence of “Call me Dave”
This book is a serious work. It is certainly far more than its serialisable parts, as those who read the entire 600 pages will no doubt confirm.
9-25-15
Forget Lord Ashcroft’s porkies – it’s David Cameron’s laziness that should worry us
It’s not the teenage parties that should concern us, but lost potential and a lack of attention to detail
Volkswagen warns us against the sanctimonious pretence that business people are saintly
Conservatives should not be surprised that manufacturers try to get round onerous regulations. It is human nature to be tempted to make life easier for oneself.
9-24-15
Daily catch-up: Corbyn is all broken promises, spin and unpopular anti-capitalism
Plus some more obscure sorrows and what Molesworth would call some peotry
Corbyn could be a more successful leader than Blair
Angela Eagle emerged from Labour’s chaotic reshuffle as the most powerful woman in Opposition. Now what will she do?
VW’s large-scale deception fits a pattern of carmakers cynically exploiting lax emissions tests
9-23-15
Will Jeremy Corbyn, the new messiah with a mandate, be as bold as Tony Blair?
The Labour leader’s party conference speech will define him as his predecessor’s did in 1995
Will David Cameron deliver ‘associate membership’ of the EU for Britain?
The timetable for the EU referendum has yet to be announced but campaigners are already preparing for a vote next year. In a piece for POLITICO Europe today, I look at the various folks who will be campaigning for a Brexit and how they intend to win. While Matthew Elliott and Dominic Cummings are laying the foundations for a professional campaign based on a moderate message about jobs and economic security, Ukip has other ideas about how to win.
You shouldn’t be outraged at universal free school meals being scrapped – it was a bad policy
The pledge for was a way for the coalition to ‘seem’ to be nice while being rather nasty
9-22-15
Trident will be Jeremy Corbyn’s moment of reckoning
The Labour leader won’t be able to claim ‘collective will’ when he’s asked if he would press the button
Labour should learn from Nick Clegg on how to deal with its history
Nick Clegg has stepped back into the limelight today and he’s been pretty chirpy about his party’s time in government – and its prospects for recovering from its election downfall. In his speech to the Liberal Democrats annual conference in Bournemouth, the former Deputy Prime Minister was full of happy thoughts about his party’s time in government — which resulted in 49 MPs losing their seats and its vote share to just eight per cent
A pig, some drugs and a disappointed billionaire: the life of David Cameron
Lord Ashcroft’s lurid revelations about the Prime Minister have their origins in a row about a job in the Government
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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