http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/ The Northern Echo /features/columnists/robmerrick/ en-gb Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:03:25 +0000 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:03:25 +0000 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/rssterms/ M6 nvincent@newsquest.co.uk (Nigel Vincent) webmaster@digitalmedia.newsquest.co.uk (Tim Joy) http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/images/1096816/?type=rsslogo http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/ http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/5068222.Cross_dress_fad_wearing_a_bit_thin___/?ref=rss I’M tired of all this cross-dressing. I don’t mean blokes wearing dresses – live and let live, I say – but cross-dressing in the political sense. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:48:28 +0000 e56e9f5104bf6b3dae9be6d1a07e48d0 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/5055177.Labour_can_cash_in_on_Tory_vision/?ref=rss EIGHTEEN years after Black Wednesday, it appears the Conservatives have still not learned the lessons of sterling’s humiliating crash that momentous day. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:12:17 +0000 608b7ff3bfcc1792df5d0bb5d7c751d8 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/5040861.New_Tories_show_some_saving_grace/?ref=rss I MAY have been too nasty to the next crop of Conservative MPs heading to Westminster and would like to set the record straight. Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:02:20 +0000 00ca27fe12a2d191419bc96d3cac3d52 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/5027673.Oh_so_slow_progress_on_transport/?ref=rss WHEN I go shopping, I head to Croydon, just south of London, because it’s close, has some decent CD shops and boasts a sleek tram to glide me there in comfort. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:08:47 +0000 c034326cb9a6d07ec4f7ca6ca186f868 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/5015037.Down_in_the_dumps_over_football___/?ref=rss IT was no surprise to find MPs debating an issue over which they have absolutely no power, but have they ever been more depressed about their impotence? Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:50:58 +0000 b47156e36611456fbf90e6f608c82770 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/5001380.Tory_wheels_coming_off_and_off___/?ref=rss MUDDLE, confusion or disarray – take your pick for the word that best describes the current condition of the Conservative Party. Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:56:00 +0000 5628e23c542a56a2a87ac60957137137 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/4890549.Disgraceful_cop_out_at_Iraq_grilling/?ref=rss I SPENT six long hours listening to Tony Blair insisting he acted honestly in invading Iraq – but emerged still believing it all falls apart in just 45 minutes. Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:28:15 +0000 92da987aec8901ca0e84b1d84d0aaa83 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/4877117.Motorway_Man_to_ease_Tory_drive_/?ref=rss CAN it be true the Tories are pinning their hopes on Motorway Man – a mysterious, car-happy voter living near Britain’s fastest roads – for General Election success? Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:50:56 +0000 08c0705d8b896502a94b98899708cddb http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/4863430.Vital_factor_missing_in_this_crusade/?ref=rss GORDON Brown’s passion for weakening the iron grip of the rich and powerful on the country’s top jobs rings true, but he is ducking the key issue. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:33:37 +0000 9528bb84335d58a2f6a5c8feea75d312 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/robmerrick/4850719.Coup_leaves_Miliband_wounded/?ref=rss FEW tears will be shed by the region’s MPs if last week’s botched coup ends up knocking David Miliband out of Labour’s leadership race, I suspect. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:32:09 +0000 14b13a2f2730561b11079d94377e2848