Simon Heffer's Blog, page 43

The week that proved Red Ed is totally out of touch with the British people

During various crises over the past two years, Ed Miliband has been able to rely on the complete loyalty of his party.

How the Prime Minister outfoxed his foes: SIMON HEFFER analyses Cameron's key phrases, their meaning, and how they outwitted his opponents

What were David Cameron’s key phrases, what did they mean and how did they outfox his opponents? Here SIMON HEFFER delivers his verdict...

Cowardice, deceit and why Dave's not the only one in a fix over Europe

David Cameron’s big speech on Europe may have been postponed, but the dilemma facing all the main political parties — not just the Tories — will continue to intensify.

My futile hunt for a lamp in John Lewis reveals why the High Street is doomed

The list resembles a memorial service after a horrible tragedy: Comet, Clinton Cards, Borders, Woolworths, Jessops and now, it seems, HMV.

We need a bloodbath to tame these arrogant officials

The constitutional rule used to be clear: civil servants advise, but ministers decide. However, according to astonishing remarks made by former prime ministerial aide Steve Hilton, the reverse now appears to be true.

A meddlesome Obama should keep his nose out of our affairs

No one who has studied the history of Britain’s so-called special relationship with America will be surprised that the Obama administration is nervous about the idea that we might leave the European Union.

Losing one Lord a-leaping is unfortunate. Losing three at once should make Dave very worried indeed

When Lord Strathclyde resigned as leader of the House of Lords on Monday, he made it clear that one reason he was giving up his place in the Cabinet was the difficulty of working with the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords. The Coalition there, he said, was ‘broken’.

Why didn’t they talk to Charles before this mad scramble?

The announcement of the Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy – and the imminent arrival of a child who will be third in line to the throne – has caused a flurry of activity in Whitehall.

Britain’s families are at breaking point. They deserve better than these trite gimmicks

Too many politicians offer glib ‘solutions’ to society’s problems. For example, yesterday a Labour shadow minister promised a ‘compulsory jobs guarantee’ to help address the issue of welfare-dependency.

America could still go over the cliff — and take the rest of us with it

After America postponed its jump off the fiscal cliff in the small hours of Tuesday night, world stock markets soared. Anyone listening to the BBC yesterday with its headlines praising Barack Obama would think something quite profound had changed in the world’s greatest — if battered — economy. However, it...