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Sir John Chilcot says he will be asking: was this a wise decision, was it well-taken, was it founded on good advice?There probably aren't many people who expect the Iraq inquiry to conclude that the invasion was clearly illegal but, just in case anyone is...
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The televising of the Commons, begun 20 years ago, was inevitable – but it has diminished the chamberIs it really 20 years since they fitted new, brighter lights above the chamber of the Commons, drove out those atmospheric, blokeish shadows and finally...
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Bloggers annual bid to stir up feelings of envy and insecurity in Westminster press corps works its magic againIain Dale has done it again. In his annual bid to stir up feelings of envy and insecurity in the Westminster press corps, his Total Politics...
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After a turbulent 500 years it is understandable – I sometimes feel like putting my feet up too – but it is a mistakeIt's not true that last night's appointments at the EU's Brussels conclave are without historic precedence.When the Italian politician...
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Blair's embarrassment at being so publicly rebuffed by the EU 27 will not last long"We can all picture the scene at a European Council sometime next year. Picture the face of our poor prime minister as the name 'Blair' is nominated by one president and...
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Labour's newest MP is greeted by prime minister and wife at No 10During the Glasgow North East byelection, opponents of Labour candidate Willie Bain produced a poster asking: "Do you really believe Willie Bain lives in his ma's hoose?"(He works in London...
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Follow the action as the Tory leader answers questions in a live webchat at 1.45pmw1.13pm: I'm on biscuitwatch. David Cameron is about to do a live webchat on Mumsnet and, as Gordon Brown discovered recently, these encounters can be dangerous. He got...
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All this muddled thinking will catch up with the Tories in timeDavid Cameron was rightly put on the spot by John Humphrys this morning over Europe. There is no subject on which the Conservative leader sounds less convincing, so it is worth listening...
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I sense growing detachment, alienation and indifference where the monarchy is concernedThe Westminster neighbourhood should be back to normal this morning after the Queen's golden coach and all those metal railings have been put back into storage. "The...
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I am struggling to persuade myself that today's Queen's speech was anything other than a trivial occasionWas the turnout of Labour MPs ready to troop over to the Lords for the Queen's speech even thinner than usual? About 50% of them, some of us thought...
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The business secretary's deferential expression when he met the Queen today was a picture to beholdAs the Queen made her way through the Palace of Westminster after her speech it was fascinating to see her exchange with one of the peers lining the...
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Is the commercialisation of sport soon to be followed by the commodification of politics?Queen's speech focuses on pensioners, parents and economic recoveryWhile we're waiting for the Queen's speech (or do I mean the H J Heinz Queen's speech?), did I hear...
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Minute-by-minute coverage of the state opening of parliament, the Queen's speech and the rest of today's pomp and ceremony8.23am: The state opening of parliament is a curious occasion. It's a big political event – the government will list everything it...
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The treatment of children sent to Australia is just the latest exampleOh dear, oh dear, I hear you say. Gordon Brown is poised to apologise again. For listening to those dodgy bankers who walked off with so much of our money and are back for more? Nah....
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Philip Cowley has just published his annual guide to rebellions in parliament, and its findings may come as a surprise to lazy commentatorsHooray: Philip Cowley's revolts.co.uk is back in action. Cowley studies parliamentary voting and in the past his...