The Prime Minister faced an angry backlash after he used a keynote speech on Thursday night to make clear that there would be no "short-term gimmicks or giveaways" when the Government unveils its much-vaunted energy plan next week Trade unions and Labour MPs responded by launching fresh demands for a windfall tax on the profits of the energy companies.

Where’s Lemby? In the Independent diary column, that’s where. Confirming his intention to stand, he says: “I’m back in business. I’m definitely going to stand for president of the Liberal Democrats. It’s the one job I’ve always wanted.” A paragon of modesty, of his chances he says: “I’ve got to be regarded as the odds-on favourite.

A series Gordon Brown supporters took to the airwaves today to criticise Charles Clarke for his comments about the prime minister. Ed Balls, the children's secretary, said Clarke's comments were unoriginal and irrelevant to the debate about the party's future. "It's not the first time Charles has made those kind of comments. I think it's Charles being Charles," said Balls,...

The news agency Reuters is recording a "top EU bureaucrat" telling a meeting at the Royal United Services Institute that climate change represents such a threat to global security it must be at the heart of European Union foreign policy, much as energy security is now. This is Helga Schmid, director of the policy unit of the European Council, expressing her views, which included a statement that, ...

... the issue must be global wormening. Hat tip to the Waendel Journal

NICK Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, yesterday gave his blessing to a deal with the SNP that could mean local income tax being introduced in Scotland.

In May last, we ran a report on how global cooling had possibly caused the crash of a Boeing 777 at Heathrow in January of this year. Now, the interim report of the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been published, reported widely in the media, including The Guardian, which has produced as good a summary as any. To no one's great surprise, the official report rules out any idea o...

An email commenter challenged me to do better than this but, let's face it, It's entertaining enough! And I'm busy...

I don't want to be uncomradely or personal, but for Charles Clarke I will make an exception. As Home Secretary, you self-serving tub of lard, you were a bloody embarrasment. Many of us up for election at the time you were making an arse of yourself will not forget that easily. So why don't you and your little chums Byers and Milburn stop behaving as if you were the conscience of the Labour Party a...

There was consternation today after a gang brawl involving spades, screwdrivers, bars and sticks was captured by a innocent paparazzo on his way to attempt to get a up-skirt shot of Julie Christie. The terrifying scene, with kitchen utensils and DIY logistical tools being used for purposes far beyond their intended design has been seen as yet another vignette showcasing Britain's inexorable g...