James Macintyre's Blog, page 2

Harman blames economic crisis for failure to oust Brown

"Leadership crisis" in middle of "economic crisis" would have been wrong

Gordon Brown could not be forced out of office during the "coup" attempt in January because of the "grave economic situation" and his determination to stay in power, Harriet Harman has said.

In an interview to be published in tomorrow's New Statesman, Harman, the acting Labour leader, is asked why she did not tell Brown to go during a one to one meeting with him during the "coup that never was", which was led by Geoff ...

Harman: Blair "saw shadows" over alleged plots to oust him

Acting leader says former PM's stance on cash for peerages shows "how bad" relationship was with Brown

Harriet Harman, Labour's acting leader, has said Tony Blair "saw shadows" where they did not exist over allegations that she was involved with a plot, along with her husband Jack Dromey and Gordon Brown, to damage Blair in the "cash for peerages" affair. The Labour deputy leader has added that the suspicions were "a reflection of quite how bad the relationship had become between" Blair...

Harman: Tony Blair "saw shadows" over alleged plots to oust him

Acting leader says former PM's stance on cash for peerages shows "how bad" relationship was with Gordon Brown

Harriet Harman, Labour's acting leader, has said Tony Blair "saw shadows" where they did not exist over allegations that she was involved with a plot, along with her husband Jack Dromey and Gordon Brown, to damage Blair in the "cash for peerages" affair. The Labour deputy leader has added that the suspicions were "a reflection of quite how bad the relationship had become between...

Miliband brothers: soon it will be time for peace to break out

Coalition will try to exploit differences for a long time to come.

After a long campaign that has brought the extraordinary spectacle of the brothers David and Ed Miliband cast as ruthless rivals, today may be the last day in which they emphasise their (real) political differences.

The deadline for voting is at 17.00 hours, and both camps are claiming their man is set to win. With tensions running high; Ed Miliband has just sent a campaign email appealing for extra votes and saying, in a...

Vince Cable saves the day?

His attack on "unbridled capitalism" will infuriate some Tories. But it'll keep restless Lib Dems quiet for now.

Sir Menzies Campbell, speaking to the media at the Liberal Democrat conference in Liverpool, has just pointed out that "it was unbridled capitalism that caused...the economic mess this Government now finds itself in". He was backing the forthcoming and heavily trailed speech by Vince Cable, the business secretary, who will announce an inquiry into "the murky world of corporate b...

Exclusive: Cable was sidelined in Lib Dem campaign, book will reveal

Amusing extract from Dennis Kavanagh and Philip Cowley

Paul Waugh has written about how a forthcoming book about the 2010 election -- The British General Election of 2010, by Dennis Kavanagh and Philip Cowley and published by Palgrave later this month -- reveals that "Cleggmania" from the TV debates caused complacency in Lib Dem circles and may have cost the party seats.

And I have got hold of another amusing little extract from the book, too:

Whilst the extra media attention (and...

Fantasy Cabinets: who do we know will be shadow ministers?

Douglas Alexander for shadow foreign?

As part of this week's coverage of the Labour party conference, I'm tipping a few outsider-ish names to win election to the shadow cabinet next week. I'm not including the "usual suspects", but that ushers in the question who it is that will definitely be there.

It is widely believed that "all" of the five leadership contenders will be in, though I am told Diane Abbott will not stand and risk defeat. Given that there are no unelected appointments to...

On Labour Uncut, the Milibands and Diane Abbott

Yes DM may well win. But to say he "has won" may not help him

I have a strict policy of not responding to personalised blog stuff on the web. But given that I am such a fan of Labour Uncut, and given that it is so widely read in serious Labour circles, I have to respond to a passing reference in Dan Hodges's flowery piece today claiming I have argued that "Diane Abbott would prevail" in the Labour leadership contest. As it happens, I have long known that one of the Miliband brothers would ...

British Establishment gathers for Pope

Left and right unites for speech that will test the Roman Catholic leadership

Here inside the great Westminster Hall where the Catholic martyr Thomas More was tried and executed, to the sound of Ticheli's Amazing Grace, the great and the good is slowly gathering for the Papal address on this unprecedented State visit.

With a paradoxically heavy presence, armed police are circling Parliament as Westminster readies itself for the supposed vicar to the Prince of Peace. Inside, Roman Catholic a...

The moment we will know who won Labour's leadership contest

The faces of the candidates and their aides may reveal all

We know that the result of the Labour leadership contest will be announced between 4pm and 5pm on Saturday 25 September, at the start of the party's annual conference in Manchester. We do not, however, know much more than that. The Labour party is being understandably vague about the details of who will know what when, and how exactly the announcement will be made. The party's press office indicates it will be putting out a fuller ...