Great article from yesterday's Guardian...

...by Seumas Milne, one of the few journalists currently working that I have any time for.

His point regarding Milburn's links to Bridgepoint Capital are interesting, if only because they mirror similar points I made here almost exactly a year ago.

It comes as precisely no surprise that New Labour continues to be wedded to PFI, despite its record of failure at huge taxpayer expense.

It is this inflexibility of mindset which will ensure that the effects of the credit crunch and the wider economic downturn will continue to be felt in the UK far longer than those nations who are willing to embrace more state-led means out of the crisis.

Shutting the stable door...

Reports in yesterday's Grauniad regarding the independent appointments commission's warning to dear Gordon in the negative impact of Michael Martin's elevation to the HoL demonstrates, if any more evidence were needed, just how out of touch most arms of government (and their various quangos) actually are.

While it's true to say that Martin's elevation does 'diminish' the HoL, I'm querulous as to what there actually is left to diminish, bearing in mind that besides the remaining non-elected peers, the Upper House is full to the gunwales of cronies, sycophants and, in the ultimate disgrace, Jeffrey Archer... sorry, I mean The Honourable (sic) Baron Archer of Belmarsh... sorry... Weston-super-Mare.

Let's not kid ourselves that the HoL is not already 'diminished', regardless of Michael Martin's elevation.

Congratulations are in order...

... to Al Franken, who has successfully won a court battle with Republican incumbent Norm Coleman for the US Senate seat for Minnesota.

Don't be surprised, however, if the GOP decide to contest things further. While the outgoing Coleman has stated he would not pursue the case, if Franken is confirmed soon, it will provide the Democrats with a filibuster-proof majority, which notionally would allow Obama to break the policy inertia he currently finds himself in.