John Rentoul is chief political commentator for The Independent on Sunday, and visiting fellow at Queen Mary, University of London, where he teaches contemporary history. Previously he was chief leader writer for The Independent. He has written a biography of Tony Blair, whom he admired more at the end of his time in office than he did at the beginning. Click here and 'like' to receive updates on Facebook
What do we want? “A fairer sharing of rewards not growing inequality.” Well said, Ed Miliband (in Sheffield last week). Growing inequality very bad. Widening gap between rich and poor one of Labour government’s greatest failings. “For the five years before the last recession, the economy grew by 11%, but the wages of everyone earning less [...]
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Monday, 13 February 2012 at 11:30 pm
Just when you thought he was six feet under and all forgotten, Andrew Lansley comes bouncing back up to the surface in rude health. He has finally written an article that (a) I can understand, and (b) says some brave and right things about reforming the NHS.
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Monday, 13 February 2012 at 1:40 pm
There was a flurry of interest last Monday when David Cameron went to Morrison’s to be photographed doing something the common people do, that is, shopping.
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Sunday, 12 February 2012 at 7:58 pm
I said Andrew Lansley may not be long for this Cabinet in The Independent on Sunday a fortnight ago, so in today’s newspaper I repeat myself at greater length.
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Sunday, 12 February 2012 at 10:27 am
I am deeply grateful to Alex Massie, a fellow admirer of American footballers’ names, who sent me this list of wonders culled from the Rivals.com list of this coming year’s top 250 high school players in America…
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Saturday, 11 February 2012 at 6:14 pm
I was impressed the interview in Total Politics with Neil O’Brien, director of Policy Exchange, the other day. He identified the most important item on my long and eagerly awaited list of things that Tony Blair did wrong:
When Britain was in this incredibly hubristic phase, going around lecturing the rest of Europe on being more like us, [...]
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Friday, 10 February 2012 at 9:54 am
Just been in the electronic version of the Public Record Office at Kew. So here is Tony Blair’s answer to Jeremy Paxman, BBC2 Newsnight, 4 June 2001. Just because I can:
Do you believe that an individual can earn too much money?
‘I don’t really. It is not – no, it’s not a view I have. Do you [...]
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 at 4:14 pm
Stephen Hester on the Today programme this morning (transcript courtesy of Coffee House) started a hare running, which ought to be shot, if that is still legal. The RBS boss said:
Not only are we trying to generate wealth in terms of profit and something that ultimately will give the taxpayer £45 billion back – by [...]
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 at 3:09 pm
I heard Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary, on Newsnight last night and for no reason at all, apart from “across the piece” and “going forward”, decided it was time to list the next 10 in my supplementary Banned List, which I have been compiling since the publication of the book — now available for a bargain £5.01 as a Kindle [...]
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Tuesday, 7 February 2012 at 4:13 pm
Tony Blair has given a notable interview to Al Arabiya News. It is notable partly for the editing out of the questions he is asked, which gives his monologue a frenetic tone. Nothing is lost by leaving out the questions, though, because they can be easily guessed from his answers, which rebut their deathly assumptions.
Blair [...]
By John Rentoul | Eagle Eye - Breaking views from Independent commentators - | Monday, 6 February 2012 at 9:58 pm
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