We're moving to WordPress

Ahead of Election Night, and our extensive* coverage, we're moving to a new platform. WordPress. 


So, from tonight you can now access our new blog: 

www.politicsmash.wordpress.com

Cider tax dropped

After much furore in Dorset and Somerset - and many other quarters - the cider tax increase rate plan has been quietly dropped. 


Ministers were forced to rescind the increase, announced in the Budget, as part of efforts to get laws passed after the general election was called.


The Digital Economy Bill's Broadband Tax and Voting Reform Legislation has also been shelved. 


You'd never guess there was an election... 

We're off. At last.

So, Gord drove to see an old lady - who can't vote - she said alright and Gord drove back. Welcome to the 2010 campaign. 


In the meantime, and rather cynically to steal media attention, don't call me Dave jumped up and set out his campaign. Yes, just him. In contrast, Gord wheeled out the cabinet. (Mandy and Jowell seemed particularly bored). Nick seemed slightly confused and only later grabbed his wife - Vince - and managed a rather lacklustre speech. 


So, what is the state of play after the first day? 

• Dave drove home the National Insurance row, after Gordon dropped the NI bomb during a GMTV interview (hard-hitting it was too). Speaking at a Warburton's factory in Bolton, Cameron repeated the need not to risk economic recovery. 
• Gordon spent most this afternoon rowing back in media interviews on his NI position. Constitutional reform also suddenly popped up again.  
• Nick visited my neck of the woods - Liverpool Wavertree. After a quick 10 minutes tour of a community centre, he attacked the Tories and Labour. Interestingly, he didn't shy away from a full on attack on Labour during the last PMQs - accusing them of blocking reform etc.  

+++Brown admits mistakes to Iraq War inquiry+++

Did someone say Militant Tendency?

Michael Gove's attack today on Labour comes at an interesting time both electorally and for the Labour Party. 

Labelled as the 'new Militant tendency', Unite have come into CCHQ's firing line for their links to Labour MPs and, specifically, Gordon - following the announcement of BA strikes. 


Having just written a chapter on Militant for my impending dissertation, I find  the Gove announcement interesting. 


Firstly, it seems to affirm that Gove is indeed in the 'A List' - a group of Tories who will be wheeled out across the country to demonstrate that the Tories have changed. Eric Pickles, the party's chairman, has been left out. 

Secondly, in invoking the idea of Militant tendency, with their entryist strategy and Trotskyite ideology, the Tories are attempting to highlight Labour own funding 'issues' - much the same as Labour has down with Lord Cashcroft. 


It does say a lot though that the most effective tactic the 'new' Tories seem to have is to attack Union funding... 


Nevertheless, it does raise interesting prospects for the post-election environment and it seems to suggest that the Unions have once again become a rattling stick for the Tories. 

+++Fifth Labour MP being investigated over expenses+++

More soon.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Civil servants told to imitate answer phones

Without doubt, this is my favourite story from yesterday's national Civil Service strikes.