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Hinterland

by Jackson Carlaw / 23 Jul 2010

The strictly non-sporty Conservative MSP became hooked on skiing at the age of 50 "What are you going to do with yourself now?" I was asked when I turned 50 last April.

If I were PM...Russell Kane

23 Jul 2010

Amanda Holden handling spin and a cockle shed in place of No 11What campaign stunt would you pull in an election?I'd explode onto the scene with a direct answers policy.

Book Review: Lloyd George coalesced with my father

by Keith Simpson MP / 18 Jun 2010

Keith Simpson offers a reading guide to coalition governmentPopular myth has Benjamin Disraeli articulate his opposition to coalitions.

How to be the best MP

by Sadie Smith / 18 Jun 2010

Former bag-carrier Sadie Smith gives guidance on how to win a researcher's respect and avoid appearing in one of our off-the-record stories

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Hinterland

by Robin Harper MSP / 18 Jun 2010

This MSP relaxes by coaxing tiny acorns to grow into mighty oaksWhen I was elected to the Scottish Parliament, I had quite a few hobbies - walking, music, the theatre.

If i were Prime Minister...Trisha Goddard

18 Jun 2010

The chat show host on putting her husband in the cabinet and using reggae as a campaigning toolWhat campaign stunt would you pull in an election?I would definitely engage in the televised debates because I know television so I'd be ahead of the game.

Book Reviews: Read all about it!

by Ben Duckworth and Phil Hendren / 21 May 2010

This month Ben Duckworth and Phil Hendren look at two right-wing polemics, both by writers for the same newspaperBog-Standard Britain: How Mediocrity Ruined This Great NationQuentin LettsConstable, £7.

When fact is stranger than (political) fiction

by Matthew Bailey and Philip Cowley / 21 May 2010

Wear fake beard, find toilets, avoid killer robots - the new hoard of politicians can learn a lot from political books, plays and films, say Matthew Bailey and Philip CowleyThe parliamentary constituencies of Feverford in Kent and Trough in Hertfordshire are not especially well known.

Off the record...

21 May 2010

A lost Tony Blair and tiptoeing around Jack Straw, we hear the best tales from parliamentary staffConfused TonyThe dizzy heights of New Labour obviously got to our former PM's head.

General election book guide

by Keith Simpson MP / 16 Apr 2010

Keith Simpson rounds up the titles that will inform, entertain or amuse in the build-up to polling day In theory and in practice parliamentary candidates and their helpers will have no time to read guides, polemics, biographies or memoirs before and during the general election, although a few may turn to them in desperation.

Brought to Book

by Diana Wallis MEP / 16 Apr 2010

What is your favourite book?I could never choose just one book.

DVD Review: Living in Downing Street

by Emily Sutton / 16 Apr 2010

Emily Sutton looks at a series from the 1980s that delved into the home life of some of the most famous inhabitants of Number 10 Number 10Written by: Terence FeelyStarring: Jeremy Brett, Ian Richardson, Denis Quilley and John StrideAs the home of the British prime minister, No 10 Downing Street is one of the most famous addresses in the world.

Top Ten...Political diets

23 Jul 2010

We count down the culinary curiosities and eating oddities among our top politiciansWinston ChurchillWinston Churchill's love of food and alcohol is well-known.

Finding the red edge

by Andy Wilson / 18 Jun 2010

Ahead of his role as the curator of the returning LeftField Tent at this year's Glastonbury which starts on Wednesday, the political songwriter Billy Bragg mixes pop and post-ideological politics with Andy Wilson AW: Lets kick off with the LeftField tent - why bring it back? BB: Because Old Man Eavis [Michael Eavis, Glastonbury founder] rang me up just before Christmas and said: "Hey, we might have a Tory government next time we do the Festival, better get LeftField sorted out.

Brought to Book

by Claude Moraes MEP / 18 Jun 2010

What is your favourite book?My favourite book is Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon.

Off the record...Researchers' stories

18 Jun 2010

From being a literal bag-carrier to pranking a select committee clerk, we reveal the best anonymous tales from deep inside Westminster Sorry.

Top Ten...Political siblings

18 Jun 2010

As Keith and Valerie Vaz become the newest brother and sister in the House of Commons, we look back at other siblingsSylvia, Christabel and Adela PankhurstThis trio of Suffragettes set up the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU).

If I were PM...Rufus Hound

21 May 2010

Avoiding Cliff Richard on holiday and banning scienceWhat would your winning political slogan be?‘Yours and Ours,' although this may terrify the French.

Brought to Book

by Fiona Hall MEP / 21 May 2010

What is your favourite book?EM Forster's Howards End.

Hinterland

by Nicholas Bourne / 21 May 2010

The leader of the opposition in the Welsh Assembly relaxes by walking the wonderful trails in Wales.

Top Ten...Sporting politicians

21 May 2010

We list the more politically ambitious sportsmen, some of whom had more luck on the fi eld than in the HouseSebastian CoeMiddle distance legend, life peer and now chief for the 2012 London Olympic Games, Lord Coe is a front-runner in any list of sporting politicians.

Book Reviews: Rebalancing Labour's Past

by Keith Simpson MP / 16 Apr 2010

Total Politics books editor Keith Simpson MP looks at a timely history of the Labour Party and the influence of war reportingSpeak for Britain: A New History of the Labour PartyMartin PughBodley Head, £20.

Theatre review: Treading the boards

by Ben Duckworth / 16 Apr 2010

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

Film Review: The Blair ghost project

by Emily Sutton / 16 Apr 2010

Emily Sutton on a thriller in which the spirit of the former prime minister, and the controversy over the Iraq war, drive the action The GhostDirected by Roman PolanskiStarring: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall and Olivia WilliamsThe Ghost is the new offering from director Roman Polanski, based on a novel by ex-political journalist Robert Harris.