The Janus faces of the commentariat

You wonder what planet these people are from sometimes. Iain Macwhirter writes: The whole point of proportional representation is that it is supposed to prevent one-party rule. No, the whole ‘point’ of proportional representation is that seats in the chamber should reflect votes. As it turns out, in Scotland, it has prevented one-party rule. A… Continue reading The Janus faces of the commentariat

Remembering ’97

Today was a family day, but I still managed to catch most of the key moments of the 1997 General Election results on BBC Parliament. I was having problem with our set top box but I just managed to tune in in time for David Mellor. It was weird watching it – on the night… Continue reading Remembering ’97

Chicken Entrail Psephology

One of the things about elections is that after them there is no shortage of people talking absolute nonsense about what the results ‘mean’. Take Alex Salmond, who has been quick to claim that Labour has lost the “moral authority to govern”. Leaving a philosophical argument about what morality actually means in this context to… Continue reading Chicken Entrail Psephology