Good, Bad And Mad

The Good, The Bad and The Mad: July 10

Three opposing sides of a news-flavoured triangle. GOOD Hazel Blears is on a crusade to rejuvenate local politics and strengthen communities. BAD According to Iain Dale, ITV has axed their last political show and have no plans to replace it. Still - there's always room for another series of… read more…

Written by C J Davies on 10 Jul 2008 2:00 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Taste and Decency

People getting uglier...

As if people weren't already ugly enough these days, it appears that, with a little inspiration from Margaret Thatcher, they could be about to get a whole lot worse. Iain Dale managed to point out on his blog yesterday that the plethora of Thatcher related documentaries and TV shows about… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 5 Jun 2008 2:32 PM. Permalink

Good Vibrations Dept.

You say visit, I say visitor

Stats! Stats! No, bear with us, this might be important.... There's been a right old bunfight over the claimed stats of Iain Dale and Guido Fawkes this morning. Leading the charge: well-informed obsessive Tim Ireland. He's jumped on a screengrab Iain Dale's put up of his Google Analytics stats (available… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 3 Apr 2008 9:39 AM. There are 4 comments so far. Permalink

News from the Carlton Club

Cuddly or conservative?

Iain Dale neatly skewers the Cameron rebranding of the Conservatives by pointing out that you can't be friendly to new parents and to small businesses at the same time: Imagine you are a small business, employing a dozen people. Imagine that you employ a husband and wife, who suddenly inform… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 14 Mar 2008 4:59 PM. Permalink

Cesspool on the Potomac

The Banana Republic of America

After another weekend of primary votes in the US, there's only one thing of which Westmonster can be certain — Iain Dale can set foot in the Oval Office, but he's constitutionally barred from being President. Phew! The weekend's brewing drama takes place in the Republican nomination contest, where Mike… read more…

Written by Andrew Levy on 11 Feb 2008 9:01 AM. Permalink

Department for Ctrl-Alt-Delete

Gordon Brown, Iain Dale reject

We love this: Iain Dale claims Gordon Brown has sent him four separate friend requests on Facebook. So, assuming El Gordo doesn't use Facebook himself, someone must be doing it for him. So why would that someone assume Iain Dale would ever accept a request from El Gordo? And why… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 23 Jan 2008 11:13 AM. There are 1 comments so far. Permalink

Ministry for Throwing People Under The Bus

Top 5 clues Peter Hain should go

Westmonster has thus far stayed largely above the fray in the Peter Hain saga. But when Iain Dale starts quoting Alastair Campbell, we get the hint. At this point, Hain is shooting himself and the government in the foot by hanging around, but doesn't seem to be getting the hint… read more…

Written by Andrew Levy on 15 Jan 2008 1:09 PM. There are 1 comments so far. Permalink

While You Were Sleeping

Those wacky Americans…

All the dailies lead with Clinton's stunning win in New Hampshire, which Westmonster called before the AP and the networks. Read about it here, here, here, here, and here. And for those of you keeping score, Westmonster stayed up late last night to cover the election whilst Iain Dale… read more…

Written by Andrew Levy on 9 Jan 2008 9:05 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Blithering Idiots

The Dale Primary

Westmonster is almost flush with regret over this post, in which we spoke out on behalf of the British blogosphere bloviating on the U.S. presidential election in the face of Guido's criticism. Case in point: Iain Dale has opened a comment thread asking readers to predict the outcome of tonight's… read more…

Written by Andrew Levy on 9 Jan 2008 12:23 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Local Policies for Local People

Guido: "British Posts for British Pundits"

With an air of righteous indignation, Guido informs us he's sticking to coverage of Westminster, and would be rather satisfied if the rest of the UK blogosphere did too: Does the British Commentariat really know what it is talking about? They seem awfully ready to provide analysis of the local… read more…

Written by Andrew Levy on 7 Jan 2008 1:26 PM. There are 1 comments so far. Permalink

While You Were Sleeping

'O' has the mo'

Westmonster turns its head toward America today, as the big political story has Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee taking the Iowa Presidential Selection Caucuses on the Democratic and Republican sides, respectively. Democratic Senators Joe Biden (Delaware) and Christopher Dodd (Connecticut) dropped out of the… read more…

Written by Andrew Levy on 4 Jan 2008 7:54 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Not Holding One's Breath

Dale: Let's all hold hands

Iain Dale latches on to a commenter Paddy Briggs' plea for civility today and asks his commenters to "be much politer (sic) to each other" in the new year. "Surely a golden rule is that we wouldn't put in a Comment what we wouldn't say to someone's face or in… read more…

Written by Andrew Levy on 2 Jan 2008 2:53 PM. Permalink

Pulp Friction Dept.

Handbags drawn

Westmonster's trying to ween itself off coverage of the UK's notoriously thin-skinned political bloggers, but when two of the biggest start laying into each other it's always too good to ignore. RecessMonkey's Alex Hilton started things off with this screed on Comment Is Free, arguing that no-one will ever convince… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 17 Dec 2007 11:32 AM. Permalink

News from the Carlton Club

What's happening in Maidstone?

LibDem activist Paul Walter's been digging around inside ConservativeHome's comment threads and found something interesting: some comments that pose some questions over Iain Dale's presumed smooth accession to Ann Widdecombe's seat, Maidstone and the Weald. The relevant thread is here. Extract: Ann Widdecombe's favourite did not get through the sift… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 11 Dec 2007 8:55 PM. Permalink

News from the Lunatic Asylum

Elf you!

'Tis the season to be jolly, perhaps. But Westmonster thinks someone over at Tory Radio may have spiked Editor Jonathan Sheppard's fa-la-la-la-la with a bit too much la-la-la-la. Well I've finally got my Christmas cards posted, and to those of you who like virtual cards, I thought I'd give you… read more…

Written by Andrew Levy on 7 Dec 2007 1:03 PM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Wee Dougie says "NO!" to Question Time. Apparently.

The talk on the blogs is all about Douglas Alexander apparently "bottling" Question Time tonight for "family reasons," to the amusement of Iain Dale and Guido Fawkes. Personally, Westmonster thinks they're too harsh on Mr Alexander; if she had to stay sober on a Thursday night in order to address… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 6 Dec 2007 9:31 AM. Permalink

Department for Tax and Spend

Yes Please, Minister

Iain Dale is outraged at the news that Paul Gray (brief backstory: in charge of HMRC when Datagate hit the headlines the other week, promptly resigned. With us? Good) is to be given a cushy job in the Cabinet Office which pays two hundred thousand beans a year. For ourselves,… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 4 Dec 2007 10:27 AM. Permalink

Department for Kite Flying

Failure to deliver

Okay, so what have we missed with this Mail on Sunday article entitled "Exclusive: Labour to launch inquiry into SECOND donor scandal"? We've read it through twice and as far as we can see it should actually be headed with "Nothing to see here, folks. Man who's entitled to legally… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 2 Dec 2007 12:53 PM. There are 1 comments so far. Permalink

Ministry for Madness

When Bloggers Go Mad IV

Blogger smackdown alert! In the blue corner: scourge of the "abortion industry" Nadine Dorries. In the red corner: Alex Hilton of Recess Monkey fame. Refereeing: Iain Dale. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen.… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 19 Nov 2007 3:50 PM. There are 3 comments so far. Permalink

Points, In Order

House Up (but not in the commuter belt)

BONG! In the debate on the Queen's Speech today, attention was turned to (amongst other things) new-build housing. The Tories were all: what do we want? Lots of new housing! Where do we want it? Nowhere near my million pound pad thank you very much! BONG! The inter-party slapping over… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 8 Nov 2007 6:25 PM. Permalink

While You Were Sleeping

Unleash the dogs of war

The de Menezes verdict is the big story this morning. The Times examines the nineteen police failures that led to the shooting, the Telegraph looks at the "sickening" rumours the Met circulated, and Pickled Politics questions the logic of a fine as a punishment - a tab which will… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 2 Nov 2007 5:55 AM. Permalink

Ministry For Finger Pointing

Let's Talk About Party Funding, Baby

Christ on a bike, Westmonster thought she was the only one embracing the hot flushes associated with onset of the menopause, but it seems as Francis Maude can't keep his mind off The Sex for a single second, even when discussing the breakdown of the party funding talks: We are disappointed… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 31 Oct 2007 12:55 PM. Permalink

While You Were Sleeping

Happy Halloween!

If this doesn't scare you nothing will: final proof that Rudy Giuliani does actually eat babies. Fact. The LibDems' poll ratings are improving - they are up four on 18% according to an ICM poll for the Guardian. Bad news for the comrades, though: down one on 35, whilst the… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 31 Oct 2007 7:58 AM. Permalink

Behind the Terrace curtain

Con Air

While Iain Dale is otherwise engaged in polishing the halo of St Michael of Ashcroft, may I direct readers to this interesting story... Earlier in the week Tom Watson asked what was known about a company called Flying Lion, which appears to be registered in Bermuda, and which seems to have a… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 27 Oct 2007 6:27 PM. There are 4 comments so far. Permalink

While You Were Sleeping

The stench of hyperbole

The debate's underway in the blogosphere over the Gould report into Scottish elections released yesterday. Iain Dale: "Douglas Alexander has Blood On His Hands and should resign!" Kezia Dugdale, however, has not only read the report but appears to be a bit of an expert in these matters agrees that… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 24 Oct 2007 7:43 AM. There are 1 comments so far. Permalink

Points, In Order

Signing sanity away

BONG! In the wake of the Gord signing up to the EU Treaty, opinion on the blogosphere is divided. Grimmer up North is irritated that the promise of a referendum was a manifesto promise as opposed to an actual commitment, whilst Mike Ion reckons not. BONG! The Norfolk Blogger on the ITV phone-in scandal. We… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 19 Oct 2007 6:20 PM. Permalink

While You Were Sleeping

Wee Nicky to take The Plunge

Clegg is set to announce his candidacy at 11.30am, as the Guardian reports that the non-appearance of Steve Webb at the starting blocks has boosted little Nicky's campaign. Quite how the Liberal Democrats will be able to keep up this level of excitement for the next two months, Westmonster really has no… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 19 Oct 2007 9:10 AM. Permalink

Points, In Order

Play nicely, boys

BONG! Dizzy reports that Lord Malloch-Brown has been given first dibs on the accommodation train set. BONG! And the prize for the most evocative phrase of the day goes to Mr Eugenides for this post on the recent "obesity is society's fault" stylings of Alan Johnson. Mr Eugenides: "Well, wake up… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 18 Oct 2007 5:21 PM. Permalink

News from the United Federation of Muesli Knitters

There ain't room in this House for both of us

Iain Dale has a story on why the Liberals shouldn't choose Nicky Clegg as leader because he's young, floppy haired, and might eat into the Tories poll lead he'd be crap. On a discussion on Vox Politix last night (which, curiously, Westmonster managed to miss), Spectator columnist John Torode said… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 17 Oct 2007 8:21 AM. Permalink

News from the United Federation of Muesli Knitters

Night of the Long Knives (part the second)

Well folks, it only seems a moment ago that Chucky K. was lying bleeding on the floor of the Senate (or "Cowley Street" as it is sometimes known) muttering the words et tu Ming? as his political lifeblood drained away. The tables having turned less than two years later, it… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 16 Oct 2007 11:13 AM. Permalink

Points, In Order

And now for something (nearly) completely different

BONG! Iain Dale calls the position of Chief Knife Wielder for Vince Cable, says Simon Hughes picked the knife up, and nominates Chucky to replace him. Westmonster assumes Mr. Dale's motives for putting Kennedy forward are 99 44/100 per cent pure. BONG! Are you an ambitious young berk? Do you… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 15 Oct 2007 8:40 PM. Permalink

News from the United Federation of Muesli Knitters

The Quiet Man (II) in deadly peril

The Get Ming campaign gathers pace with the blogosphere and the mainstream media feeding off each other's words like Pavarotti in a pasta factory. Guido and Iain Dale both carry stories about Simon Hughes putting the knife in, but Westmonster cannot help but think that his words fail to provide… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 12 Oct 2007 3:18 PM. Permalink

Points, In Order

Peers, pariahs, and plonkers

BONG! Iain Dale has upset Lord Tebbit. Run, Iain! Run like the wind! BONG! Fruity A-Lister Louise Bagshawe asks: "Courage by Gordon Brown?! What's next? Feminism by John Prescott?!" Ho ho. How about "Political consistency by Louise Bagshawe"? BONG! Daniel Finkelstein on the beginning of the end (apparently) for the Labour… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 11 Oct 2007 5:10 PM. Permalink

While You Were Sleeping

Half-time in the House: everything to play for

Don't listen to the Government's advice; it'll give you cancer, warns the Independent. In spite of the angry, nasal squealing inflicted on the Chamber by the Boy George yesterday, Peter Riddell reckons that the Eyebrow has played a blinder in knackering the Tories' advantage. Tory blogosphere: hang your head… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 10 Oct 2007 7:29 AM. Permalink

Points, In Order

When Pundits Get The Arse IX

BONG! Anyone else enjoying the sight of Adam Boulton stamping his feet, sulking, and refusing to come down for his tea over the fact that the Beeb got the exclusive interview with Brown? He's flounced around all day without losing steam. Aw bless, he'll sleep well tonight! BONG! Much harrumphing… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 7 Oct 2007 4:13 PM. Permalink

Department for Kite Flying

The Sunday after the night before

Unsurprisingly the Sundays have had a bit of a last minute re-draft and are full of the PM's decision to call off a snap election. This has coincided with the YouGov poll that puts the Tories three points ahead, with the comrades dropping five points to 38. The Observer… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 7 Oct 2007 10:34 AM. 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

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

While You Were Sleeping

Unscripted Dave: the morning after

Are we bovvered that Cameron managed to avoid political suicide in Blackpool yesterday? Oh no, not us, not at all. Couldn't care less actually. Ahem. Right, so Peter Riddell reckons that he did well, but stopped just short of a slam-dunk, the Independent thinks the boy did good, Ros Taylor… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 4 Oct 2007 7:47 AM. Permalink

Points, In Order

Shape making and flagellation

BONG! Shadow Treasury spokesperson Philip Hammond has queried whether the public are ready to trust the Tories on the economy and public services. We at Westmonster, however, trust that he'll probably be drinking alone tonight. BONG! The Gord is more popular than Cameron amongst women, according to the Fawcett Society.… read more…

Written by Lloyd Shepherd on 2 Oct 2007 5:19 PM. There are 1 comments so far.

Westmonster: “Iain Dale”