I have to confess to a fundamental political mistake. It is one that I know many others, of all parties and none, will have made and will now be wrestling over with their conscience. But that does not make the … Continued
Author Archives: maestro
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
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
The news from Ireland
Symbols matter in politics as much as they do in all walks of life, so the racing certainty, as I write, that Michael D. Higgins, the Labour Party candidate for the president of Ireland, will have won the post when … Continued
If it isn’t hurting, it isn’t working
Darren Murphy, Chief Executive, Centreground Political Communications Bigger even than the humiliations of Prime Minister John Major, who so suffered at their hands he started to question their parentage, David Cameron’s authority weakened last night as the Eurosceptic wing of … Continued