Peter Riddell is a leading political commentator. He writes mainly about British politics and has published several books on the subject en-uk Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:37:29 GMT Copyright 2007 Times Newspapers Ltd. custserv@timesonline.co.uk http://www.timesonline.co.uk Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:16:42 GMT Newspapers 144 21 http://www.timesonline.co.uk http://images.thetimes.co.uk/TGD/picture/0,,116979,00.gif Peter Riddell Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:01:00 GMT 2010-02-07T08:55:17Z Britain is catching up with most other Western democracies in having televised leaders’ debates during the general election. Overseas evidence suggests that such debates are more often talking points than turning points, attracting a lot of media interest but seldom changing the outcome, except when the election is already very close. Peter Riddell: Political Briefing Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:01:00 GMT 2010-02-05T11:37:41Z Every MP reading yesterday’s Legg report knows that it is not the final verdict. That will come on election day. MPs’ main thought throughout has been what their constituents and, in particular, potential electoral rivals will make of it. Peter Riddell Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:01:00 GMT 2010-02-02T10:20:56Z Gordon Brown has always been better at talking about constitutional reform than achieving it. It was typical that he announced a referendum on the alternative vote (AV) only three months before the likely election date, when the proposals have no chance of becoming law. Peter Riddell Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:01:32 GMT 2010-02-01T08:52:33Z No incoming government can make “swingeing” or “particularly extensive” cuts in public spending during its first year. On that David Cameron is correct, however much he has muddled the presentation by appearing to tone down his party’s earlier tough rhetoric in response to a sluggish economy. Peter Riddell: Political Briefing Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:01:00 GMT 2010-01-28T09:01:03Z Weaknesses in the way government works are the common thread of the Chilcot inquiry and three heavyweight reports in the past ten days: