The Great Distraction

In grave times, this soap-opera should fall from the front pages

This morning, the excellent Philip Collins in The Times (£), which (as they keep reminding us) is owned by News International, stands up for “the people” by making the two points that no-one in the disgraced media classes or the sanctimonious political classes has cared to make: the people are not stupid, and this story is of little importance to them.

PMQs: What's this? Elements of an actual debate...

Following PMQs on twitter is always interesting. You get a myriad of coverage at a relentless pace with a broad range of opinions. But today, there was something like a consensus. No-one seemed willing to make a point for Cameron. It was Ed’s day. At long, long last, that is. However, having watched the exchanges, a few things can be said.

Let he who is without Murdoch cast the first stone

This lunchtime, David Cameron will go to the Commons to face PMQs not just with the Phone Hacking storm raging outside, but with questions about Andy Coulson landing right at his feet. With Coulson now directly implicated in a “cash-for-stories” deal with the police, questions will again be asked about Cameron’s judgement (and, surely, one must also ask vital questions of the police).