THE POLITICAL SCENE HAS CHANGED The Political Earthquake on December 12th has reshaped the Westminster landscape for at least a decade. Yet so many political commentators are struggling to understand the new rules of the game. Why did Labour suffer a historic defeat? Why did the smaller parties fail to capitalise on the Remain vote to […]
NO SEAT TO FIGHT – NOW WHAT? Nominations have now closed. Many of my clients got selected and I’m looking forward to seeing them elected to Westminster at the end of the campaign. But what if you didn’t get a seat? I’m hearing from candidates who missed out in selection finals by as little as […]
As the election approaches a lot of relatively safe Conservative seats are coming free as the incumbents decide to call it a day. There hasn’t been such a bonanza since the timely clear out in 2010 which followed the expenses scandal. Despite the challenges of the role, a lot of able people still want to […]
Since 2006 I have been advising clients facing the ordeal of a political selection interview. I like to keep my advice positive and upbeat but I’ve seen a lot of howlers committed, some more often than others. One error might not lose it for you but several together will guarantee you another rejection letter. The […]
Barndoor Strategy’s Roger Evans analyses Boris’ first speech as PM Intro There were some concerns that Boris had drifted a bit since his time at City Hall, that he had lost his edge and his mojo. As he strode into Downing Street last week, he will have known that these fears needed to be put […]
(Barndoor Strategy CEO Havard Hughes with Boris Johnson) The polls have now closed in the Conservative leadership contest and it is all but inevitable that next Tuesday, Boris Johnson will be named as the new party leader and therefore the new Prime Minister. There has been much mainstream media criticism of the fact that […]
Nobody quite knows how the Brexit impasse will end. But whether we leave on the 12th April, stay for a short while or have a further long extension, one thing is clear. The UK will be heading for a General Election a lot sooner than 2022. Parliamentary parties and structures have broken down in an […]
The recent formation of an Independent Group in Parliament drew considerable publicity but can it last? The breakaway group of 8 Labour and 3 Conservative MPs has many policy differences but is united by opposition to Brexit and a desire for a ‘new type of politics’ although this is more of a vision than a […]
Barndoor Strategy, the public affairs and strategy consultancy fronted by former MRM Director and Financial Conduct Authority Senior Associate Havard Hughes and ex-Deputy Mayor of London Roger Evans have announced that David Spencer, a former aide to David Davis and experienced public affairs consultant, is joining the business as their new Managing Director. Spencer, who […]
The devil in the detail of the Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement is undoubtedly the backstop. The EU’s unpopular insurance policy could have the UK over a barrel. It has also driven a wedge through the confidence and support agreement with the DUP. Much has been written and said about what this means and what might […]