Published in The Times (January 19th, 2011) For decades the British Left was held captive by Stockholm syndrome. It looked at Sweden and saw paradise on Earth — […]
Politics
Brand detox remains the Tories’ prime task
Published in the Financial Times (January 4th, 2011) After weeks of muttering and coded articles, the new year has arrived with hostile outbursts against the coalition from within its […]
Policy / Politics
Britain’s big gamble puts the citizens at the wheel
Published in the Financial Times (December 28th, 2010) Lady Perry, a former chief inspector of schools in England, uses an anecdote from her time as a young teacher […]
Politics
Blair’s brave new world is falling to pieces
Published in The Times (December 24th, 2010) The adrenalin, the adulation, the buzz are still there for Tony Blair as he flits around the globe in his mission […]
Arts / Books / Politics
The making of the coalition
Published in The Spectator (December 4th, 2010) 22 Days in May by David Laws/5 Days to Power by Rob Wilson (both Biteback) David Cameron was despondent on the […]
Crime / Policy / Politics
There’s a better way to break the cycle of crime
Published in the London Evening Standard (November 23rd, 2010) It was early morning when I heard muffled whispers and scuffling shoes. Looking out the window, I saw my […]
Politics
Bring me sunshine
Published in The Economist (November 11th, 2o1o) David Cameron’s Conservatives have always been more interested in ideas than their reputation for pragmatism suggests. In opposition, his inner team […]
Politics
‘Big society’? Let me explain
Published in The Guardian (October 9th, 2010) My first task after joining David Cameron’s team earlier this year was to help with a major speech to go with […]
Immigration / Policy / Politics
How our politicians failed to stop the rise of the far right
Published in The Independent (June 9th, 2009) A few weeks ago I attended a think-tank lunch held to discuss whether the rise of the left was inevitable in […]
Disability / Politics
Iona and Ivan – a tale of two children and two families
Published in The Independent (February 26th, 2009) I awoke to the sound of my daughter, Iona, screaming yesterday morning, shortly after six. First the agonised screams, then coughing […]
Disability / Health / Politics
The hell I share with David Cameron
Published in The Spectator (October 22nd, 2005) My daughter suffered two seizures the other night. One was shortly after midnight, the other a couple of hours later. Having […]