Bright's Blog

The horror comes home

Martin Bright — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:58:05 GMT

In Britain, the assault on Gaza has provided a dangerous rallying point for both the hard left and the Islamist radical right

Ken Clarke's return

Martin Bright — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:10:19 GMT

New Statesman political editor Martin Bright gives his reaction to the return of former Tory chancellor Ken Clarke to frontline politics and asks is Cameron playing catch up?

A New Deal of the mind

Martin Bright — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:31:46 GMT

The government's job creation plans are inspired by FDR's New Deal. But ministers have ignored its most lasting legacy: the boost it gave to writers, artists and intellectuals

It's a New New Deal

Martin Bright — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:51:12 GMT

Gordon Brown invokes the spirit of FDR to promote his job creation programme. But is this the real thing, or classic political opportunism?

A year of ups and downs

Martin Bright — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:44:59 GMT

What a difference a year made - and for no one more so than Gordon Brown, who earns five of my coveted parliamentary awards

Mystic Mart

Martin Bright — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:06:45 GMT

I've just been re-reading my predications for 2008. How do you think I did?

The two-man show

Martin Bright — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:44:31 GMT

It can be hard to believe James Purnell and Ed Balls are in the same party. But they are hyperactive, talented and have their eye on a larger prize

An abuse of power

Martin Bright — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:39:35 GMT

It is not the most important secrets that are leaked. But this government has a nasty habit of seeking the easy target - the whistleblower

The end of principle

Martin Bright — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:03:10 GMT

I was asked to speak at the conference of the New Labour evangelists Progress and found myself getting furious about the arrest of Damian Green

Darling holds his nerve

Martin Bright — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:45:00 GMT

The Chancellor's refusal to panic has won him respect, but his biggest test still lies ahead