Tag Archives: james delingpole

Stephen Tall

The welfare debate and the age of the trollemic

By Stephen Tall | Thu 4th April 2013 - 9:25 am

I decided to invent a new word yesterday:

It’s the welfare debate that’s prompted it, but it could be any other topic on a given week.

daily mail philpott front pageYesterday saw the Daily Mail publish a typically sensationalist front page blaming the welfare state for the tragedy of six children being killed by their parents. On Monday the Mirror shouted ‘Shameful’, with a cartoon showing Thatcher, Cameron, Osorne and Clegg banging in the final nail of a coffin marked ‘RIP Welfare’.

Each is exaggerating to make their own point. Both are gross over-statements: trollemics.

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , , , , , , , , and | 26 Comments
Mark Pack

Ah, now I see why I’m paid by neither the Daily Telegraph nor the Spectator

By Mark Pack | Fri 28th January 2011 - 8:55 am

You see, when I write about topics such as election law and psephology, I frequently check to see what is said in peer-reviewed academic papers. Particularly when I’m disagreeing with what people have claimed in such academic papers because, after all, saying something is wrong without actually taking a look at it is a bit of a risky leap of faith isn’t it?

But seeing what James Delingpole says, I can see where I’ve been going wrong. Clearly if I want to be a serious proper writer who gets published regularly by the Daily Telegraph or the Spectator the thing to remember is that criticising peer-reviewed papers (and indeed accusing authors of being in a conspiracy) is most properly done by never actually looking at them yourself:

Continue reading »
Posted in News | 14 Comments
Alex Foster

Three “disgusting, eco-fascist, bullying” questions for Conservatives

By Alex Foster | Thu 28th January 2010 - 11:18 am

Cast your world-weary, battle-hardened, politico and political eyes over this disgusting filth spewing from the keyboard of swivel-eyed maniacs working through the night on behalf of some disreputable campaign to send vile messes to hard working Tory PPCs:

Can you clarify that:

You accept that climate change is caused by human activity?

Do you support the target to achieve 15% renewable energy by 2020?

Do you support the EU imposing tougher regulation to combat climate change?

Hardly the worst questions a campaigner will receive.

In my brief time working in politics both as an elected representative myself and for MEPs and MPs, I have seen some …

Continue reading »
Posted in News and Online politics | Also tagged , , , and | 3 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Graham Evans
    Adam is right. These international comparisons need treating with great care. This is exemplified by the debate regarding the standards of living in North Irela...
  • Graham Evans
    Essentially the tax system needs fundamental reform, but the party is instead producing short term political expedients. That's why raising the tax threshold wi...
  • Chloe
    There was one controversial debate , with a certain speakers speech being viewed over 650k times & retweeted by that leader of the opposition itself. That'...
  • Katharine Pindar
    It's not too late for FPC to set up a working group on tax policy, so that we can have democratic decision-offering on a vital issue. Michael GB is right to wa...
  • Neil Fawcett
    I don't have a problem with giving basic rate taxpayers a £680 tax cut. But I don't understand why would give the top 20% of earners a £1600 tax cut. Wh...