Archive of August 2010

Is Lord Mandelson's influence on the wane?

The end of the Prince of Darkness?

Peter Mandelson has faced criticism from across Labour after backing David Miliband in the leadership contest, suggesting his influence is on the wane after nearly a generation as one of the party's most important figures.

Outdated laws join the scrap heap

A host of outdated local laws are set the join the scrapheap of legislation the coalition government is prepared to eliminate.
Lib Dems reject Tory pact at next election

The overwhelming majority of Liberal Democrat members would reject any suggestion of cooperating with the Conservatives at the next election.

Blair 'restarts attack on Brown in memoirs'

Tony Blair launches a tough attack on Gordon Brown in his memoirs, according to media reports.
Balls attacks 'Miliband soap opera'

Ed Balls has lashed out at the Miliband brothers "soap opera" dominating the Labour leadership race.

Britain and France 'to share naval power'

French and Royal Navy aircraft carriers could share responsibility for patrolling the world's oceans, according to media reports.
Osborne to cut Treasury staff 'by a quarter'

The Chancellor is to set an example for all government departments by axeing staff in his own, according to media reports.

Bookies back David Miliband for leader

David Miliband received a boost to his campaign for the Labour leadership, with the odds on his victory down to 1/3, according to Paddy Power.
Burnham: 'I can still win'

Andy Burnham has made a last-ditch attempt to regain some momentum in the Labour leadership contest, insisting that he is still capable of winning as the voice of so-called 'true' Labour.

Clegg in Afghanistan

The tide of the conflict in Afghanistan has turned in favour of coalition forces, Nick Clegg has said on a surprise visit to Helmand province.
Ian Tomlinson pathologist 'unfit to practice'

The pathologist who examined the body of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protests in 2009 has been found guilty of misconduct.

Commons official pleads guilty to forging MPs' signatures

A former House of Commons employee has pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud.
Knives out as Labour leadership race enters final stages

The knives came out in the Labour leadership contest today, as contenders hit out at each other ahead of the contest's final stage.

Tory minister comes out as gay

Tory prisons minister Crispin Blunt has left his wife and come out as a homosexual.
Cameron 'nearly assassinated in Afghanistan'

The prime minister narrowly avoided being assassinated during a recent trip to Afghanistan, it has emerged.

Iraq Body Count takes on Chilcot

One of the most respected organisations to emerge from the Iraq war has launched a bitter attack on the "flawed" Chilcot Inquiry.
Ed Miliband hits back at his brother - again

Ed Miliband has hit back at his brother following a week which has seen David Miliband issues a thinly-veiled attack on the "naivety" of his younger sibling.

Balls comes out fighting against 'deficit denier' tag

Ed Balls has come out fighting in a last-minute bid to salvage his Labour leadership bid, warning that the coalition was at risk of triggering a 'double dip' recession.
Burnham: Ed vs David clash harms us all

Ed and David Miliband are turning the leadership contest into a stereotypical race between old and New Labour, Andy Burnham has argued.

Labour leadership: A pox on all their houses

Accusations of Labour comfort zones were flying thick and fast today after Ed Balls intervened in the increasingly acrimonious war of words between the Miliband brothers by branding both men "caricatures".
Tories in 'cash-for-access' row

The Tory party was on the back foot today after media accusations of 'cash-for-access' followed a dinner event tabled for its party conference.

Pickles' new enemy: Street signs

Eric Pickles has found a new enemy in his bid to bring common-sense to Britain: street signs.
No win, no fee - no legal aid?

Legal aid for all compensation cases should be eliminated as part of a cost-cutting exercise, according to a prominent think tank.

Net migration up

Figures released by the Home Office have indicated that net migration into the UK has increased over the last year.
Obama congratulates Cameron on his baby

Barack Obama has called David Cameron to congratulate him on the birth of the newest addition to his family.