Thought leadership

PMQs – a kitchen sink drama we love to hate

The final PMQs of the coalition government will take place later today in the Commons but…has it rescued or ruined either leaders’ common touch as they seek your vote in May? It is a divisive topic. Many people won’t watch it or listen due to the timings or their location. Many find it utterly repellent …

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As Leicester embraces its kingly gift, what of Nottingham and Derby?

With crowds thronging the streets, the cortege of one history’s (and tellingly, literature’s) greatest villains King Richard III, wound its way to his new resting place at Leicester Cathedral. I heard on the radio at midday today that queues had been as long as 4 hours and even now (3pm) are still 1-2 hours long. …

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Ennis-Hill makes a stand over Evans and Sheffield United contract

The uproar over Sheffield United FC allowing disgraced footballer Ched Evans to train with them refuses to die down. The club is yet to confirm whether they intend to re-sign their former player but it is clear to one of their biggest fans, Olympic champion and much-loved sports personality Jessica Ennis-Hill, what it will mean …

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Cadbury’s gives rivals a chance to coin it in at Christmas

Before someone says “I told you so” in a week or so’s time…this MAY be an elaborate PR stunt. However, if it is…it is very risky. To summarise…earlier this week, chocolate giant Cadbury’s (now owned by Kraft) shocked seasonal chocolate lovers across the nation when it announced it would no longer manufacture its gold chocolate …

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By George – time to slay this sleeping dragon?

Happy St George’s Day everyone! What? Does that make you feel awkward? It seems to. Certainly the media can’t seem to decide what to do about the old chap. Fawn? Ignore? Wring hands? Worry? Champion? He’s a divisive fellow you see. Not the saint himself but what he has come to stand for. I wrote …

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Co-op banking on feedback – risky business?

As far as publicly admitting there’s “trouble at t’mill” goes, this is pretty strong stuff. I should probably wedge “beleaguered” in here somewhere but it is fair to say that by opening his arms to feedback with the Have Your Say survey, beleaguered (ooh, there it is!) group chief executive Euan Sutherland of the Co-operative …

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Gatland, BOD and inter-house badminton as Welsh get Lion’s share

The furore over British Lions coach Warren Gatland’s controversial decision to drop Irish and British Lions legend Brian O’Driscroll has opened up questions of quotas, xenophobia and a win-at-all-costs mentality. It takes me back (believe it or not) to a day in the lower sixth at school when the head of our house (nothing fancy, …

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