Author Archives: Fiona Melville

Knowledge is porridge

Posted on 24 January 2012 by Fiona Melville

Ben Gummer‘s Ten Minute Rule Bill (to be introduced tomorrow) builds on something we suggested years ago. Well, two things, in fact. Firstly, that a sensible discussion about the size and scope of the state must start from a clear … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How Ed Miliband could build on his Conservative idea

Posted on 23 January 2012 by Fiona Melville

The more I read about this welfare cap, the crosser I get. Not because it will take money away from anyone – far from it, frankly; more because it will still give people who don’t work over three times the … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Justice | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Aren’t these modernising groups just today’s Conservative Party?

Posted on 17 January 2012 by Fiona Melville

For some time, it has irked me that the government says it will remove funding from a particular programme, there’s a storm of protest, and then it says it won’t. I’d like you to set aside the merits of  any … Continue reading →

Posted in Party Politics | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Reviewing our budget properly every ten years

Posted on 16 January 2012 by Fiona Melville

I read somewhere – and have entirely forgotten where – recently a new idea for government spending. That every ten years (say), the government should have a requirement to cut (say) ten per cent from its spending. I have no … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Iron Lady isn’t about politics

Posted on 15 January 2012 by Fiona Melville

I’m not one of the most ardent Thatcherites that ever walked the earth; nor am I one of those who despises everything she did. I am a Conservative and I am female and she achieved many great things but also … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , | 10 Comments