• More on those donor diners

    Updated: 2012-03-31 09:27:00
    Labour have been quick to condemn David Cameron for entertaining party donors to dinner but it seems that they are all up to the same tricks. Indeed in the absence of a properly regulated, transparent and restricted party funding system it is hardly surprising that party leaders spend so much time wooing potential donors. After all, money is needed to make the system work. The problem comes when those giving to political parties expect or are led to expect something in return not available to others. The Independent reports that Ed Miliband has met Labour's major union donors more than ...

  • Identifying the author: Winston Spencer Churchill

    Updated: 2012-03-30 18:41:18
    I am on the road this week, and am therefore overdue bookblogging entries for (as of right now) abour half a dozen books. One of those is Savrola, the only novel of future British Prime Minister Winston Specncer Churchill (as opposed to the much better-known-in-his-day American novelist Winston Churchill). Savrola is the story of a liberal revolutionary leader overthrowing a dictatorial ruler; the latter at one point experiments with whipping up popular support by picking a fight with the British, and reflects as follows: "I think," said the President, "that the English Government also have to keep the electorate amused. ...

  • What voters think of the Liberal Democrats, post-Budget

    Updated: 2012-03-30 15:48:00
    Let's forget Bradford West, just for a moment, and assume that it's an out-of-the ordinary and unique constituency, a one-off result for a one off politician, as the BBC's Nick Robinson says. Shouldn't the Liberal Democrats be enjoying a new wave of popularity? After all, our ministers didn't look silly this week over Cornish pasties or the fuel tanker dispute. More seriously, lifting the personal allowance and the higher level of stamp duty for people buying properties over £2m were significant Budget victories for the party. In the first line of the 2010 manifesto the party pledged to raise the ...

  • We Should Not Be 'The 40%'!

    Updated: 2012-03-30 15:10:00
    Thursday's by-elections gave us very little to work with, given that we only stood candidates in two of the five principal by-elections that took place. Whilst we understand that local circumstances can often throw up obstacles to a nomination, it is little short of unforgiveable to see candidates in only 40% of possible contests. ALDC's advice remains the same: always, always, always stand a candidate! In the two elections that we actually fought, the results were mixed. Whilst the 13% drop in vote in Wandsworth's Southfields ward looks dramatic, it isn't outside the percentage change we've seen in similar contests, ...

  • Nick Clegg and Ming Campbell add their tributes to David Walter

    Updated: 2012-03-30 14:55:59
    From Nick Clegg: This is such sad news. I knew David for years and he was widely loved and admired in the party. He was a gentle and patient man with great integrity and an impressive career in journalism. I will always remember him for his great sense of humour at the most difficult or challenging times. He will be hugely missed by all of us in the party and our thoughts are with his family. From Ming Campbell: David Walter was a professional to his fingertips. He was universally respected and admired by his fellow journalists and held in ...

  • Queensland Election Updates

    Updated: 2012-03-25 07:18:35
    Updates of ABC's Queensland election results site will resume on Monday 26 March. In the mean time check the ECQ's website for official results.

  • Final Newspoll of Queensland Campaign

    Updated: 2012-03-24 02:43:27
    See the prediction from The Australian's final Newspoll using the ABC Election Calculator. Predicts LNP 72, Labor 11, others 6.

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