James Purnell: Renaissance Man

James Purnell is quoted in the Guardian today as saying: “When Brian [McMaster, a former director of the Edinburgh International Festival who wrote a policy review to be published on Thursday commissioned by Purnell] talks about the potential for a new Renaissance, I don’t think that’s an overstatement. It’s exactly true.” There can be only… Continue reading James Purnell: Renaissance Man

Party Funding: easy on the hubris folks!

For the past four years, I’ve spent much of my job working on party funding related issues. This has given me a rather apolitical outlook when it comes to funding scandals. “Abrahamsgate” and “Wendygate” are no exceptions. Don’t get me wrong; the decision of Peter Watt, apparently his predeccessors and almost certainly a lot of… Continue reading Party Funding: easy on the hubris folks!

Miranda Grell: stop fighting, start saving your soul

Shortly after I posted my own comment on Miranda Grell’s failed appeal, she posted her own: Following yesterday’s decision at Snaresbrook Crown Court to uphold my conviction for two offences against the Representation of the People Act 1983, I have, this morning, resigned from both the Labour party and my job working for the Deputy… Continue reading Miranda Grell: stop fighting, start saving your soul