Blog
Overtaking Labour’s vote share lead
Conservatives face a massive challenge at the next general election because the present boundaries give Labour the advantage of an inbuilt majority. They need to win fewer votes in constituencies where they are strongest to secure a victory, while many Conservative...
Thetford vicar squares up to Cameron
A Thetford vicar has used strong words to voice concerns about outsiders being selected as parliamentary candidates in his constituency. He also accuses David Cameron of “arrogant interferenceâ€. Canon Bob Baker makes no direct reference to Liz Truss, the...
The Sunday Times and Belle de Jour
As intrigued as I was to learn the true identify of blogger Belle de Jour and her Diary of a London Call Girl – she is revealed as a research scientist by the name of Dr Brooke Magnanti – I am struggling to understand why the story had four pages of coverage in...
Viewing the “Brum Eye”
I was fortunate enough to stay in the very comfortable Hyatt Hotel during my stay in Birmingham last week. It has a tunnel linking directly to the ICC where the prestigious Infection 2009 conference was held which I was promoting. After arriving on Tuesday evening, I...
BBC Newsround film at Infection 2009
A school party who visited Infection 2009 today found themselves thrust in the media spotlight when BBC Newsround heart throb Ricky dropped in to interview them about bugs and sneezes. The pupils from the Arthur Terry School used a "snotgun" and a mask of Homer's face...
Government has no idea how many people are dying from hospital infections
I find it quite shocking that the government has no idea how many people are dying from hospital infections. The publication today of a report on hospital infections highlights how the NHS’s £12 billion IT system cannot even make a vital linkage between various...
Can Conservatives win back Cambridge?
A generation ago, Conservatives ruled the roost in Cambridge, both in Westminster and on the city council. But support gradually declined until it lost its domination. Local Tories are now hoping that success is within reach again following the surprise decision by...
Time to review interns’ pay in Westminster
Now Sir Christopher Kelly has made his far reaching recommendations on MPs’ expenses, I hope he will turn his attention to the pay of interns who help grease the machinery of Westminster village. This is also a flawed system which continues to operate with...
Climate change and swine flu
It’s more like September than November today. There is no thick morning mist across the flat Fenland landscape, and no need to wrap up in scarves and gloves. People are still going out in tee-shirts, and even shorts. Normally around Bonfire Night, you can see your...