Dizzy has been reporting a rumour that tomorrow’s YouGov poll puts Labour behind the Conservatives by 18 points (44 to 26).  It has now been confirmed on the Telegraph website.  Gordon Brown has lead the Labour party to absolute disaster in the space of 10 months, Tony Blair kept them at the top for 10 years. 

There will be more than a couple back-bench MPs giving some serious though to life after parliament this evening, and no doubt having a chat to their colleagues about who should replace their increasingly pathetic ‘leader’. 

The question over Clegg being a member of the Cambridge University Conservative Association has been hanging around for a few weeks now, with speculation flowing back and forth.  But ultimately, whether he was or wasn’t a member, what does it matter?  The time spent at university is one of intellectual development, but perhaps more importantly it’s a time of personal development. 

When I started university I wasn’t politically active (or indeed even interested), and by the time I left university I still wasn’t politically active (or indeed even interested).  In fact it wasn’t until the last half of my master’s degree that I became interested.  Many of my friends however entered university with strong political opinions in one direction (usually Labour) and left with political opinions in a completely different direction. 

And that’s the thing, for a classic liberal like Clegg there isn’t a massive jump from the Conservative Party to the liberal wing of the LibDems (I’m a classic liberal and I quite happily consider myself a conservative). 

So, even if Clegg was a member of CUCA what’s the big deal?  Yup, there isn’t one. 

It’s fair to say Sky News have embraced the blogosphere and new media more generally in a way other channels have yet to manage. From Boulton & Co to Sky.com/News it’s quite clear that Sky see the potential for new media to compliment and develop traditional media.

Most impressive though is the interest Sky shows in building relationships with the wider blogosphere. And that doesn’t just mean trading links and sharing content; for example, I just received the following video in my inbox:

Contrary to what many on the blogosphere might think, new media and the mainstream media are far from being enemies.

One of the things we’re keen to do in the office is recycle; got to do your bit for the environment! Now, you’d think that might be simple to sort out - call the council, ask for some recycling bins, bins arrive, recycling begins. Simple.

You’d think that, but you’d be wrong.

A few minutes ago we called Westminster council and spoke to a lovely chap called James who advised us that they do not provide commercial recycling facilities because they are currently running at capacity. Oh dear we thought. But ah, can’t we just use the recycling points dotted around Westminster? I mean, we don’t mind travelling a little bit. Apparently not.

You see the recycling points dotted around the place are for public use, not for businesses, and according to James (who wouldn’t provide a list of where they’re located) we’ll be fined if we’re ever caught doing our bit for the environment using them.

Another all-day meeting today, so blogging is pretty non-existent.  Will be back later with some thoughts on St George’s day later, and… oddly enough… my take on Gordon’s pathetic u-turn. 

Blogging has been light today due to an all day meeting (there’s another one tomorrow), but I’ll try to post in the evening. 

Why do they taste so good… why!? 

670 calories of pure joy. 

The last couple of weeks have seen an explosion in Labour infighting - with attacks coming from the back benches and the cabinet.  Today though saw the biggest attack yet; a letter from Charles Clarke in the times.  The letter is significant on a number of levels, not least because it signals the beginning of a potential challenge to Brown’s leadership if May 1st turns out as badly for Labour as many expect. 

It’s important to bear in mind that Clarke’s criticism, like that of the others, is a direct result of Brown’s approach to personal relationships; namely that they exist in black or white, enemy or friend.  The simple truth of life under Brown is that if you aren’t a ‘friend’ you have absolutely nothing to lose by attacking him, and indeed in the current climate have everything to gain. 

The not so good ship Brown is sinking and the rats are looking for an escape route.  By positioning himself as he has Clarke may very well be the life-raft the marginal back-benchers are looking for, and the bridge from Brown to the next leader. 

Clarke has found himself in a very fortunate position, but only because Brown sees relationships like a computer sees data: as ones and zeros…

Shamefully there exists a massive amount of pressure on political leaders not to admit illness for fear the electorate will view them as weak.  John Prescott should therefore be praised for his decision to tell the world about his battle with bulimia:

By bringing his fight with the condition to public attention Prescott has reminded us all that politicians are ultimately only human, but more importantly he has also placed the spotlight on an illness normally only associated with teenage girls.  Prescott’s struggle with and ultimate victory over bulimia should serve as both a reminder that eating disorders can affect anyone but that with the right help and support they can be overcome. 

In the race to be the Democratic nominee for president fundraising has become more about status than need; the sums raised a sign of popularity, a sign of momentum, a sign the candidate with the biggest war chest is worthy of the highest office in the land.  But whilst that may be true, the techniques employed by both Hillary and Obama (in particular Obama) to raise vast sums of money should provide food for thought for any politician or party interested in upping their game. 

The latest, and in many ways greatest, fundraising drive comes from the Obama campaign which has turned the act of donating itself into an event (as opposed to the traditional use of events as arenas to garner funds).  At 1pm this Monday Obama hopes to raise $1m in 1 minute:

Raising £1m in 1 minute over here?  Maybe not yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t turn giving itself into an event… 

Food for thought.