Ministry for Moules Frites

Another day in Europeland

The Tories' crowing over the Morning of the Election that Wasn't was marred slightly by a poster seemingly committing the Tories to a retrospective referendum on the EU Treaty The story so far: Davy gave a "cast iron" guarantee to The People that he would offer them this and then swiftly… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 2 Nov 2007 9:45 AM. Permalink

News from the Carlton Club

The election that wasn't (part the XIV)

According to the Tories, today could have been the day that they went back to their constituencies and prepared for Government. Heh. Regardless of the fact that bad as the polling was for Labour, Satan would have been making snowballs in hell before the Conservatives could have returned an overall majority,… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 1 Nov 2007 11:30 AM. Permalink

Ministry For Finger Pointing

The meedja sense blood

The fingering of the "Young Turks" over Chickengate continues apace, with this piece in the Coffeehouse and this rather apocalyptic offering from Rachel Sylvester in the Telegraph. Philip Webster had a good story in the Times yesterday about how Brown had never really been sold on the idea of an… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 9 Oct 2007 10:00 AM. Permalink

Ministry For Feral Media

Gord digs in his heels

Westmonster is kicking herself at not keeping a running tally of how many times Brown used the word "vision." The Gord entered from behind the curtain, glowered around the room, and took the first question on - predictably - the General Election (Lack Therof) Bill 2007. Brown stared down Boulton (for it… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 8 Oct 2007 12:57 PM. There are 1 comments so far. Permalink

While You Were Sleeping

Brown's day from hell

If you think your Monday's bad, check out Brown's diary: he'll get a hard time at the Downing Street press conference this morning, suffer heckles as he makes his Iraq statement (again, but in the Chamber this time), and finish off with addressing several hundred belligerent Labour MPs in the… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 8 Oct 2007 7:12 AM. Permalink

Points, In Order

No vote, Tories gloat

BONG! And so, the backlash cometh. So far Brown has been called yellow, a feartie, frit, and been accused of bottling it. As Westmonster is out and about today, she doesn't know for sure at what point Brown uttered his traditional "we are more concerned with getting on with the business of running… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 6 Oct 2007 6:21 PM. Permalink

Ministry for the Margin of Error

Brown blinks first

Well, that's that then. Westmonster has duly cancelled her return ticket to Worksop. Gordon forgot the first rule of bandwagons: if you're going to start one rolling you better be damn sure that you can control the bugger if it looks like it's going to run away with itself.… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 6 Oct 2007 5:15 PM. Permalink

News from the Carlton Club

Mercer moves outside the big tent and takes aim

Well done to Iain Dale (whose eyes, unlike Westmonster's, are presumably not impeded by a roaring hangover) who notices that quasi-defector Patrick Mercer has left the Big Tent. Mercer, who Brown had appointed his Advisor on the Third Pillar Box From the Left on Kings' Street or somesuch bollocks, had previously… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 6 Oct 2007 1:37 PM. There are 1 comments so far. Permalink

That Was The Week That Was

Exclusive: Cameron is Rasputin's love child

This time last week a YouGov poll for the Telegraph had the comrades maintaining their 11 point lead over the shiny faced boy wonder (pictured here with a cute puppy. Awwww!), whilst the Times Populus poll had him slipping five percentage points in the aftermath of the Gord's address to Conference. He… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 6 Oct 2007 11:30 AM. Permalink

Out on the Stump

Why he should go for it

It knackers Lord Ashcroft's key seats strategy: The Tories have spent the last couple of years stuffing crisp tenners into the G-strings of their candidates in the chosen marginals, but as soon as the election is called legislation governing spending kicks in, ending these shenanigans. The longer Gord leaves it,… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 5 Oct 2007 6:10 PM. Permalink

Points, In Order

Chickens, post boxes, and the UKIP conference

BONG! Ben Brogan has nailed his trousers to the mast and come out against there being an election called this autumn, and Dizzy concurs. BONG! Some hi-LAR-ious graphics over at ConservativeHome which involve chickens (present) and guts (lack thereof).… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 5 Oct 2007 5:51 PM. Permalink

Ministry for the Margin of Error

He will, or won't, by Sunday

Allow Westmonster to set the scene. Polls are showing a big bounce. Newly smoke-free and sterile bunkers are crowding with "key decision makers." Commentators are out of breath. The Papers are out of breath. And this morning Today is leading on Dave mocking Gord over the suggestion that he'll wimp… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 5 Oct 2007 8:42 AM. Permalink

Points, In Order

It polls for thee, Gordon

BONG! Much drama over at Iain Dale's where unconfirmed rumours are flying that tomorrow's poll for the Guardian puts the Tories ahead by three points. UK Polling Report... erm... reports that Dale's numbers were based on interim results and the final numbers will reflect a small Labour lead. More polls filtering in… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 4 Oct 2007 5:20 PM. Permalink

Out on the Stump

Cameron wants to kick the tyres

Whilst Dave Cameron is trying on the chains of office to see whether they're his size, will Samantha be measuring up for new curtains in Number 10?… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 4 Oct 2007 3:40 PM. Permalink

Out on the Stump

How socialism works

So, Tony Benn wants to be selected for the unwinnable Conservative seat of Kensington. What that man will never cease to do to bolster his own self-importance, er, represent the cause of the common people, eh? Last week came the news that some seventeen year old - who just happened to… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 4 Oct 2007 2:44 PM. Permalink

Points, In Order

Dave's speech: the fallout

BONG! Cameron's choice of campaign song is questioned by Tom Watson: apparently it's about gangstas, taking drugs, smacking hos, shooting up the pigs, and all of the jolly unpleasant things that the Tories are dreadfully unhappy about. Poor show, chaps! BONG! Five minutes before Dave is due to address Conference, Nadine… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 3 Oct 2007 6:48 PM. Permalink

Out on the Stump

Don't Stop Me Now

Well boys and girls, it looks like we're on, don't it? Not that Westmonster knows anything more than anybody else, but it seems that Gord and Cameron have ratcheted up the ante to such an extent that if Brown backs out now, he'll give the impression of being scared of… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 2 Oct 2007 2:29 PM. Permalink

While You Were Sleeping

Dave to Gord: "Go ahead, make my day."

Cameron is all "bring it on Gordon!" this morning, claiming he would welcome an early election. If yesterday's polling is to be believed, this would indicate he's either mad, delusional, a combination of both or in a position where he can't squeal: "for the love of God, no!" which… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 30 Sep 2007 10:07 AM. Permalink

Out on the Stump

Salmond vs Brown: the smackdown

There's a story over at Iain Dale's about how Alex Salmond is considering standing against the Gord, should he call a snap election. Iain's unsure as to whether this is an advisable course of action, as it might undermine the standing of a "serious statesman" and is a tactic more suited… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 28 Sep 2007 2:09 PM. Permalink

A Wee Problem

Poll dancing in Scotland

The single most compelling argument against a snap election.… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 27 Sep 2007 11:01 PM. Permalink

Behind the Terrace curtain

Lies, damned lies, and opinion polls?

As Ladbrokes stop taking bets on an autumn election and Hazel Blears is already tiring her Cabinet colleagues out with her relentless enthusiasm for the the idea, it looks like Brown's popularity with the public has never been more orgasmic. Following the recent YouGov poll that put Labour 11 points ahead, party… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 27 Sep 2007 3:29 PM. Permalink

Don't Look Ethel!

Vox popped at the Beeb

With speculation about the election reaching fever pitch, blogs predicting astonishing outcomes, and opinion divided as to whether a snap poll would be a good thing, Westmonster decided to Listen To The People and What They Think of Gordon Brown.And given that we're not going to do any actual,… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 26 Sep 2007 3:17 PM. Permalink

Points, In Order

A Safe Pair of Eyebrows

BONG! Alistair Darling says that everything is nice. BONG! The excellent Spectator blog nails the internal dichotomy of the Broon. BONG! The Gord doesn't rule out a snap poll. And this is news...how? BONG! Labour at highest ratings EVAH this parliament (or, at least since the Boy Cameron was put in charge… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 23 Sep 2007 11:21 PM. Permalink

News From The Big Tent

Manifesto While U Wait?

Rumours continue apace about the possibility (probability?) of a snap general election to be called for 25th October. P'raps Gord's just trying to give Cameron the willies in advance of his Conference next week; as soon as the words "snap poll" are uttered there is a Serengeti-style stampede of… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 21 Sep 2007 11:44 AM. Permalink

Westmonster: “General Election 07”