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Steve Richards

Steve Richards: Suddenly, the campaign to make poverty history in Britain has become fashionable Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 13 June 2006

The Tories are perceived as nasty. Yet here they are toiling away on behalf of the poor

Steve Richards: Why does Sir Menzies look morose? He is lucky to be leader at a time of such volatility Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 08 June 2006

There is a growing expectation that there will be a hung parliament after the next election

Steve Richards: Gordon Brown cannot afford to wait much longer. He must make his move this autumn Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 06 June 2006

Soon it will be too late. Voters will decide it is time for a change and opt for that nice chap on the bike

Steve Richards: I have changed my mind: Blair must go this autumn to avoid further humiliation Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 01 June 2006

The alternative is a painful, lonely, drawn-out exit, more excruciating than John Major's final days

Steve Richards: Mr Prescott has one final role to perform... resign his office as Deputy Prime Minister Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 30 May 2006

Harriet Harman is putting herself forward while being adamant that she is doing nothing of the sort

Steve Richards: John Reid may be politically agile, but his one-man show is doomed Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 25 May 2006

Something will go wrong under his watch, after which he will be fighting for his political life

Steve Richards: Cameron has learnt Blair's lessons, but is also in danger of repeating his mistakes Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 23 May 2006

In his speech the Tory leader was far better speaking of his aspirations than explaining the means

Steve Richards: The grotesque distortion of regarding politics as a boring version of 'Big Brother' Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 18 May 2006

Forget about the rain. A summer of hyperactive fun is about to begin.

Steve Richards: Suddenly, everything has changed for both Labour and the Conservatives Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 11 May 2006

While they are performing well in the polls, the Tory party will allow its leader to do what he wants

Steve Richards: Blair has promised a smooth transition - now he must show that he means it Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 09 May 2006

It would be disastrous for Labour if he is perceived to be a victim of a left-wing coup

Steve Richards: Brown must be patient Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 06 May 2006

The conflicting ministerial reactions to the local election results are incomparably more significant than the cabinet reshuffle. Blairite ministers declared that the results could have been worse and that the bad headlines of recent days were to blame.

Steve Richards: Are the voters still listening to Blair? We will learn the answer in today's elections Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 04 May 2006

The Government has always been capable of monumental cock-ups while staying on course

Steve Richards: Removing Clarke would solve nothing Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 02 May 2006

It would be another symbolic act as an alternative to some sensitive policy-making

Steve Richards: The saga of Charles Clarke and the foreign criminals is a salutary tale of our times Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 27 April 2006

He opts for humble candour and a sense of urgency now. But why did he not act earlier?

Steve Richards: So near, yet so far... how the Government has undermined its own NHS reforms Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 25 April 2006

At times of intense pressure, Mr Blair has an Old Labour faith in generous financial provision

Steve Richards: After more than a decade, New Labour still has an unquenchable thirst for power Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 06 April 2006

Brown followed without a hint of animosity. The psychiatrist would have been superfluous

Steve Richards: This is the reason why we should all be interested in the saga of Blair and Brown Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 04 April 2006

Blair's implicit message is: 'That guy next door cannot be trusted with the top job'

Steve Richards: Get rid of these big donors - they are stifling political parties and damaging democracy Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 30 March 2006

It is not enough for leaders to switch from big donors to the taxpayer with no conditions attached

Steve Richards: Tony Blair has entered John Major territory - and there is no easy way out Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 28 March 2006

It became impossible in the end for Major to even contemplate a relaunch, let along stage one

Steve Richards: The Chancellor reveals his blueprint Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 23 March 2006

If the Tories elected Basil Fawlty as leader, Mr Brown would devise a policy for hotels in Torquay

Steve Richards: Clear sign that Blair's time is running out Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 21 March 2006

There comes a time when an unflattering perception overwhelms everything else

Steve Richards: Blair can survive a Labour revolt, but he is diminished by the support of the Tories Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 16 March 2006

Last night's vote on the schools Bill is the latest manifestation of an already dramatically altered political situation. Some Labour dissenters voted against the Bill. Some gave it their provisional support. Their discontent sets the scene, but they are for once the peripheral players in a bigger drama. What has made Tony Blair incomparably more exposed since the autumn is the Conservatives' support for his schools reforms.

Steve Richards: Is it just a coincidence that there is all this sudden interest in Harold Wilson? Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 14 March 2006

While Wilson toiled for unity, Blair has often appeared happiest when taking on parts of his party

Steve Richards: Soon spending on the NHS will cease to grow. That's when we'll see the real crisis Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 09 March 2006

The bad news is that parts of the NHS are in financial crisis. The good news is that we know about the bad news. As a supporter of the NHS, I am delighted the localised fragilities are being exposed. Under such intense scrutiny, the poorly performing trusts will have no choice but to improve.

Steve Richards: Why do we hate and destroy those we have elected to represent us? Independent Porfolio Content

Published: 07 March 2006

Why is it that we take pleasure in destroying those we elect? The Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, is being kicked about at the moment. Before her, the Education Secretary, Ruth Kelly, was fighting for her political life as cameras and journalists followed her around the clock. Her career was "hanging by a thread" because of what was happening at a single school in Norfolk. Over the years other ministers, or more likely former ministers, have had the political blood beaten out of them.

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