Jude Smith

Apart from not winning. I’m intrigued that the debate has swung to Trident today. Its no mistake: there are a raft of events about scrapping Trident coming up next week and they might get some national press. Its the moment where the SNP get to dealign again from the whole UK parties who are all committed to renewing Trident (quite why is a mystery). It seems to me that that the Tories are trying to position Labour as only being able to win by pairing up with the SNP. Which must mean they are hearing things that suggest Labour might edge it. Its a tad desperate to be going after Labour on defence- maybe they are hearing that the economic safety isn’t winning. This is getting more interesting by the minute (or it would be if we didn’t have to live with the consequences).

(* a little riff on "its the economy, stupid" for those who are.. ) Its Maundy Thursday. Ready for the Easter weekend, the Conservative's message calendar has clocked that now is the time to talk about religion. DC is in Premier Christian Magazine. Michael Gove is in the Spectator. Now I am tired, so I can't claim to have read their thoughts in great detail. But I was struck by one thing. They have managed to bluster away about faith being important (to make you do your duty apparently) without mentioning JESUS. Mr Gove suggests that reading Augustine and people might be a helpful thing, but what about reading about Jesus. And as for Mr Cameron: well I'm not even sure of what he was saying, apart from its about lifting people up. (the wife carrying festival is later in the year if thats what you are referring to). The heart of the Christian faith is not about lifting people up. Its Jesus. Its the Jesus who, although he could behave like a King, cho...