Last week, the London Evening Standard ran a single article in its editorial column, rather than its usual two, something it only does in matters of grave importance. It was about the end of plans to build a garden bridge over the Thames and blamed the mayor, Sadiq Khan, for killing off “a brilliant and imaginative plan” and for wasting public money. The nerve was breathtaking. If anyone wasted public money, it was the former chancellor George Osborne and the former mayor Boris Johnson, who promised £60m to a project whose viability was always in doubt. Osborne, of course, is now editor of the Evening Standard. What finally killed the bridge was cost, which went from a promised £60m in 2013, to £100m, to £185m, to £200m and possibly more, plus at least £3m per year in running costs. Had it been even close to the original estimates, there would have been enough public and private money to fund it. It might be thought that the bridge’s … [Read more...] about Thomas Heatherwick: Pied Piper who has the very rich under his spell
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Labour grandees including Alastair Campbell plan to flood the party with 100,000 moderate members to wrestle back control from Corbyistas
Labour moderates are plotting to swamp the party with 100,000 like-minded members to seize control back from the Corbynistas. Big beasts such as Alastair Campbell and Jess Phillips are spearheading a Blairite membership drive to overwhelm the hard-left activists whose stranglehold on the party is blamed for the spectacular election defeat. Even though Jeremy Corbyn's radical policies crashed and burned at the ballot box, his loyal grassroots base is gearing up to replace him with an equally leftist ally. The Labour leader's resignation in the wake of the party's worst defeat since 1935 has left moderates scrambling to prevent a similar figure such as Rebecca Long Bailey or Angela Rayner taking the reins. Mr Campbell, Tony Blair's former communications chief who was turfed out of the party after voting Lib Dem, said the members who deserted Labour during Mr Corbyn's leadership desperately needed to return. Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's former communications chief who was … [Read more...] about Labour grandees including Alastair Campbell plan to flood the party with 100,000 moderate members to wrestle back control from Corbyistas
Ronan Keating’s pregnant wife Storm shows off her blossoming baby bump in a pink gown as the happy couple step out for glitzy charity bash
They recently announced they are expecting their second child. And Ronan Keating, 42, looked dapper in a black suit as he stepped out with his glamorous wife Storm at the 13th annual Emeralds & Ivy Ball in partnership with Cancer Research UK and The Marie Keating Foundation at Old Billingsgate in London on Saturday. The fashion designer, 38, showed off her blossoming baby bump in a gorgeous blush pink strapless dress as she posed alongside her husband on the red carpet. Dream team: Ronan Keating's pregnant wife Storm showed off her baby bump in a pink gown as they stepped out for the 13th annual Emeralds & Ivy Ball in London on Saturday Storm, whose real name is Sharyn, accessorised with stunning long drop earrings, and capped off the look by wearing a silver watch. Her golden tresses were styled into delicate waves that fell around her bare shoulders, and she wore a natural palette of make-up for the occasion. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next … [Read more...] about Ronan Keating’s pregnant wife Storm shows off her blossoming baby bump in a pink gown as the happy couple step out for glitzy charity bash
ALEXANDRA SHULMAN’S NOTEBOOK: I’m on a one-woman mission to save the cold, hard cash in your pocket
I’m on a one-woman mission to Save Our Cash. Yes, that’s those crumpled bank notes and jangling coins that we once used to buy us everyday things – food, drink, cinema tickets, car parking – but which are becoming as unwelcome as a plate of cold Brussels sprouts. A new butcher opened on my local shopping street the other day, with a card-only policy. When I asked why they wouldn’t accept my cash, a stance which penalises the many who prefer not to use cards, the reply was that it was for hygiene reasons. Huh? We all know about filthy lucre but that’s ridiculous. For centuries it’s been perfectly possible to buy a dozen chipolatas and a lamb chop without the idea that handing over cash will cause an outbreak of E.coli. While an obsession with cleanliness is driving businesses to reject cash and use smart cards instead,these new devices are also proving popular as they show shoppers immediately where their money is going (file imae) An … [Read more...] about ALEXANDRA SHULMAN’S NOTEBOOK: I’m on a one-woman mission to save the cold, hard cash in your pocket
