Gary Gibbon
Friends of Jacqui Smith are insisting her departure is not part of a coordinated Blair Babe walk-out from government to precipitate the downfall of Gordon Brown (Patricia Hewitt and Beverley Hughes announced today that they were standing down as MPs at the next election ). This is much more about the first, longest suffering victim…
Jon Snow
Ever since she was discovered to be claiming a room in her sister’s house in Nunhead, south London as her primary residence, home secretary Jacqui Smith has been in trouble. Her husband renting a couple of porn movies on the taxpayer didn’t help. But in truth the first woman home secretary, the second youngest holder…
Gary Gibbon
Sources closes to the PM are now confirming that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to go in the next reshuffle.
Jon Snow
I am very struck by the huge response to both Snowblog and Channel 4 News this week – high-quality contributions and a number of very personal comparisons with what is happening in regard to disclosure of MPs‘ arrangements. Stan, as you return to work today after nine months without a job, I wish you well.
Jon Snow
Last night France’s finance minister talked to us on Channel 4 News. So did China’s ambassador to London. They were both in their individual ways impressive. They were both women too. In 2009, well into the 21st century, it is still rare to interview women, even on a programme as enlightened as ours!
Jon Snow
MPs have only themselves to blame. They have had decades to sort themselves out and bring themselves, first, into the 20th century, and latterly, into the 21st century. Their expenses regime, which they alone vote on, brings politics into considerable disrepute. Unfortunately for her, Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, has been the fall guy.