John Woodcock | The Labour View

John Woodcock is Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, and a former spokesman for ex-prime minister Gordon Brown

John Woodcock: Coalition needs to address basics

When uncertainty over the economy overwhelmingly dominates the political debate, the steady slide in the Government's reputation for economic competence will cause David Cameron and George Osborne profound alarm.

John Woodcock: Coalition woes inspire Miliband

After the local election results underlined just how far the Government has fallen in recent months, this feels like a crossroads for politics in Britain.

John Woodcock: Tories need to be the people's party

After the shambles, the relaunch. But that fell to pieces too.

John Woodcock: Tory pillars come tumbling down

By any measure, the fortnight since the Budget has been terrible for David Cameron and his Government.

John Woodcock: The balancing act of Budget leaks

Team Treasury has clocked up a mixed scorecard for its Budget media operation.

John Woodcock: Budget disputes should be private

Westminster is always dominated by the Budget at this time of year, but it has never been quite like this before.

John Woodcock: Two-tone coalition confuses the public

Welfare reform is the latest area in which ministers are attempting to demonstrate action this week - and the contrast in tone between tough-talking Conservatives and emollient Liberal Democrats is marked and deliberate.

John Woodcock: The Tories' health is failing quickly

To prosper at the top, you need to both remain in touch with public opinion and be strong enough to lead it.

John Woodcock: Labour's economic stance is credible

Changing the emphasis of your political message - as Labour has done on the economy - requires a steady hand at the wheel, and a determination to go the distance.

John Woodcock: Labour can regain trust by changing

Every new year marks a fresh opportunity to make your mark and show the country what you are about.

John Woodock: Time to admit Plan A is broken

A prudent maxim for life - and certainly for politics - is never to declare victory before you have won.

John Woodcock: PM's actions must match his words

A fine bit of rhetoric can get you a long way, but governments risk coming unstuck if people catch on that the reality does not match up.

John Woodcock: Outdated Tories still fighting on EU

As the dust settles on the Conservative showdown, comparisons with the years of division over the Maastricht Treaty in the 1990s seem increasingly unfair - unfair on Sir John Major.

John Woodcock: Cameron keeps Fox floundering

What to do when a man you dislike intensely is floundering in choppy waters? The Prime Minister seems to favour throwing in a life belt while keeping a foot firmly on his beleaguered colleague's head.

John Woodcock: Miliband fleshes out central themes

Being in opposition can be a tough gig. When you don't have your hands on the levers of power, there is always a question of how to break through to the public.

John Woodcock: Labour looks for middle ground

The Government's in-tray feels very retro this week: it is back to the 1980s, with slightly fewer dodgy perms.

John Woodcock: Riots reveal need for top leadership

The coming days and weeks will test all of us: whether ?our police forces can regain control of London and other metropolitan areas; whether communities can come together; and whether political leaders can get a grip on the immediate crisis and set o...