Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Oct 15, 2008
So Gordon Brown is being cast as a superhero and saviour of our financial system. Good grief, what short memories we must all have. Granted, Brown may have put together a package that should enable trust to be restored to the banking system. But he has also put our economic freedom into jeopardy and threatens us with a resurgence of socialism.
None of us should ever forget that this is the man
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Sep 30, 2008
Today a statesman addressed his Party's Conference. With the global economy in turmoil and savers and homeowners across the world frightened for their family's security, David Cameron spoke to us and to the whole country to reassure us all and enourage calmness.
If Gordon Brown takes up David's offer for support in legislation, savers frightened for their life savings need not rush to take their
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Sep 29, 2008
Running a conference session on the economy on a day when a Bank has been nationalised made this morning perhaps the most important session of our week in Birmingham.
Running a conference session on the economy on day when a Bank has been nationalised made this morning perhaps the most important session of our week.
Delegates at this conference are enterprising businesspeople. So when George
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Sep 28, 2008
Waiting to come on stage to speak to the Party conference does make your heart beat. Especially when you're following Boris Johnson.
The hall had been packed with everyone wanting to hear their new hero. When I was shoved from almost total darkness out of the strange little white door at the back of the stage into the glaring white lights of the conference, the Hall had been full. I seemed to
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Sep 28, 2008
Something happened this morning that I don't think has ever happened before. Party conferences are usually about talk. But today something special happened: the Bishop of Birmingham held the conference in total silence.
Something happened this morning that I don't think has ever happened before. Party conferences are usually about talk. But today something special happened: the Bishop of
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Sep 05, 2008
Imagine a rock concert at the NEC, the massing loyal hoards, intense anticipation, and the promise of your favourite act topping the bill at the end of the night. Combine that with all the colour of tribal rivalry of the Villa Blues derby, add a little politics, and you have a US National Convention.
Here in St Paul Minnesota I'm attending the Republican National Convention as an official
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Jun 03, 2008
The problem with football in England is that the game has been ruined by too much money and too little responsibility.
So I'm really proud that my team, Aston Villa, has announced today that it will not promote a commercial sponsor on its shirts next season. Rather, in what I hope will be a trendsetting move, Villa will promote local children's hospice Acorns on its shirts.
How wonderfully typical
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
May 02, 2008
Fifteen years ago an election night at Conservative Central Office was marked by donors and politicians watching the results come in to the sound of champagne corks popping and a general party atmosphere.
Last night Conservative Campaign Headquarters was the heartbeat of an efficient business machine auditing the results coming in from its branches across the country. Undoubtedly there was a
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Apr 19, 2008
I'm in occasional contact with my friend Rob who lives in Harare. Along with the whole world I was hoping this month to celebrate the freedom of Zimbabwe from tyrrany. Rob had promised that when its safe to visit we'll fly up to Mana and drink a cold beer as the sun sets on the Zambezi, and talk about the time they almost lost the country, but found the courage and determination to win it back.
Posted by: Charles Barwell on
Mar 22, 2008
America is getting a wake up call.
The ranting of Barack Obama's former pastor may have been objectionable, but America needed to hear what he said.
Few of us will like Jeremiah Wright's tone, but surely we know from the reaction of so many around the world that much of what he said echoes loudly. For strong supporters of America, like me, it is painful and unpleasant. But from Vietnam to
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