Steve Van Riel, Consultant, Centreground Political Communications In 2015, Chancellor Ed Balls could promise to spend £60 billion to double the scale of the tax credit system and provide a huge boost to working families. Chancellor Danny Alexander could abolish the … Continued
Monthly Archives: November 2011
The Autumn Statement and beyond
Razi Rahman, Director, Centreground Political Communications The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne MP, delivered yesterday’s much-leaked Autumn Statement against the backdrop of a eurozone crisis and deteriorating economic figures in the UK. Media commentators will often claim that … Continued
The political risks of the almost centre ground
No politician totally encapsulates the political centreground, so why are some punished by the electorate for it, while others aren’t asks Steve Van Riel, political consultant at Centreground Political Communications. Think even of the textbook examples, say, Tony Blair in … Continued
It’s the economy (but it’s not that simple)
As Westminster prepares for the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and the eurozone crisis continues, how are Britain’s parties navigating the politics of slow and no growth, writes Steve Van Riel, political consultant for Centreground Political Communications. When thinking about the 2015 … Continued
One day at Millbank
The attendance at Philip Gould‘s funeral was a mark of the respect and affection in which he was held, and my mind has returned to the events of 15 years ago this week because they have so much to do … Continued
Remembering Philip Gould
Adrian McMenamin, Director, Centreground Political Communications What can I usefully write about Philip Gould? I can begin by saying it was an honour and privilege to have worked with him, in one way or another, in three Labour election victories: … Continued
Philip Gould, RIP
Darren Murphy, Chief Executive, Centreground Political Communications The Labour Party is in mourning today for Philip Gould. He was, without doubt, one of the most important architects of New Labour and of the victories which led to the longest and … Continued
The SDLP’s challenge is faced by social democrats across the world
Image via Wikipedia Northern Ireland’s Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) meets this weekend to elect a new leader as the party tries to overcome a decade of decline, writes Adrian McMenamin. The SDLP should have been the big winners … Continued
A generational challenge to the centre-left
I am from the very last of the baby-boom generation, born in 1965, just before the birth rate took a definitive slide as the first baby boomers, born immediately after the end of the Second World War, chose to take … Continued