Ben Duckworth | Total Politics

A ‘Big Society’ take on the volcanic eruption

by Ben Duckworth / 21 Apr 2010

By Joe Dyke There has been a lot of criticism from both the left and the right that David Cameron’s 'Big Society' doesn’t actually mean anything.

Theatre review: Treading the boards

by Ben Duckworth / 16 Apr 2010

Lobby reporters John Higginson and Clodagh Hartley have written their first play.

Leader: A message to the apathetic

by Ben Duckworth / 16 Apr 2010

If we don't exercise our vote, we are left with nowhere to go.

TV leaders' debates - the dos and don'ts

by Ben Duckworth / 15 Apr 2010

By Mark Pack Dear Party Leader, The impact on campaigns of debates in other countries shows how your debate could be not only be historic but also campaign changing.

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Will the leaders get their manifesto themes across in the leaders' debates?

by Ben Duckworth / 14 Apr 2010

As those with long memories know, manifesto week is never that fun because it holds none of the unpredictability, gaffes and baby-holding malarkey that characterises the election as we fondly know it.

Brown speech on immigration doesn't change much

by Ben Duckworth / 31 Mar 2010

- Our apologies, hyperlinks don't appear to be working for us at the moment but we've left in the full urls for your reference.

Cross Party: the MP4 album review

by Ben Duckworth / 19 Mar 2010

A band formed by MPs is never going to lead to debauched antics.

From the editor: Why we spoke to the BNP

by Ben Duckworth / 19 Mar 2010

Ben Duckworth says blackballing Nick Griffin and his party no longer works.

David Cameron and the post-bureaucratic age: We're just at the start

by Ben Duckworth / 22 Feb 2010

The post-bureaucratic age is a dreary sounding phrase.

Review of Great Offices of the State

by Ben Duckworth / 15 Feb 2010

With an increasingly centralised way of running our country — with No 10 providing a presidential all-seeing eye over the rest of government — the days of The Great Offices of State might appear numbered.

Exclusive survey - All in a day's work

by Ben Duckworth / 16 Apr 2010

Ben Duckworth examines what qualities MPs believe are most important in order to do a good job as an elected representative

From the Editor: Guiding you through the election

by Ben Duckworth / 16 Apr 2010

Ben Duckworth says this will be the first really competitive election fight since 1992Welcome to the Total Politics 2010 general election issue.

Leaders' debate quick thoughts: who won on cleaning up expenses?

by Ben Duckworth / 15 Apr 2010

Clegg tried to hammer the other parties on expenses, saying none of his MPs flipped their second homes.

Election Battleground: Wales

by Ben Duckworth / 14 Apr 2010

Psephologist Robert Waller analysed the marginal seats and boundary changes in every UK region for Total Politics in a long-running series from December 2008 onwards.

Total Politics/Ipsos MORI poll shows voter expenses anger falling

by Ben Duckworth / 04 Apr 2010

The expenses scandal defined the current generation of MPs and it was believed that it would continue to have a long-term effect in the upcoming general election.

Talkshow radio: time to treat it with respect?

by Ben Duckworth / 19 Mar 2010

In this month’s cover feature, I interview four talk radio hosts about their work — Nick Ferrari, Ken Livingstone, Jon Gaunt and George Galloway.

Turn on, tune in, speak up!

by Ben Duckworth / 19 Mar 2010

Ben Duckworth meets four talkshow radio hosts who cover politics in a very different way to John Humphrys and his ilk. They're brash, bold and wear their hearts on their sleeve. It's an increasingly popular formula. Do politicians know what's hit them?