Political cartoonists and free speech

Political cartoonists and free speech

I must admit when I read a paper, I skim over the headlines and don’t always pay  attention to its feature cartoon. I shall try and pay more attention to them in future. Political cartoonists do add an extra dimension to our media and we should celebrate them....
The BBC and BNP

The BBC and BNP

After spending a couple of hours in Cambridge this evening with the Guardian’s political cartoonist Steve Bell, I shall head home and be glued to the BBC watching BNP’s Nick Griffin on Question Time. We might find him and his party’s views vile and grossly...
David Cameron and all-women shortlists

David Cameron and all-women shortlists

At first I was aghast at David Cameron’s stand for all-women shortlists – my knee jerk reaction was that they should be selected on merit alone – but now I think it makes good sense. The fact is that the present system has let down women candidates as...
Phillip Lee and the X factor

Phillip Lee and the X factor

The moment I met Dr Phillip Lee at Manchester rail station and realised he was shortlisted for the Bracknell primary, I instantly knew Iain Dale had his work cut out. It was impossible not to instantly warm to his genuine and open nature, his easy smile and the...
Who holds the aces in the new ECR group?

Who holds the aces in the new ECR group?

I wonder how many of you stopped off at the European stand promoting our Conservative MEPs at the Conservative Party Conference and picked up a new set of playing cards featuring members of the recently formed ECR group? It’s a great way for everyone to get to know...
Alan Clark, the cad

Alan Clark, the cad

I’m spending this evening at a book reading with Ion Trewin, author of Alan Clark, The Biography, and wondered if you had read it and recommended it. I did enjoy Edwina Currie’s review in The Times: Alan Clark never stopped himself doing something stupid if he...