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This is where you can find my thoughts on politics in the south of England - from parish councils in Sussex to European politics in Oxford
18:19 UK time, Wednesday, 6 February 2013
So now we know. Eastleigh voters will go to the polls on Thursday, 28 February.
A short sharp three-week campaign, even before the resigning MP Chris Huhne has been sentenced for perverting the course of justice.
17:46 UK time, Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Peter added analysis to:
In the days of steam Eastleigh was known as a railway town.
Now the airport is the biggest local employer and the by-election bandwagon will drive down the M3 past new suburban estates.
09:29 UK time, Monday, 28 January 2013
Tony Blair had his Chicago speech, Maggie's was in Bruges. We had been waiting six months for what David Cameron's advisers called "The Speech".
When it was finally judged the right time to promise an In/Out referendum arrangements were first made to deliver it in Germany.
12:07 UK time, Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Peter added analysis to:
What do you understand by dignity? The word itself sounds old-fashioned.
For vulnerable adults, though, it's a quality in short-supply.
12:04 UK time, Wednesday, 23 January 2013
What do you understand by dignity? The word itself sounds old-fashioned. For vulnerable adults, though, it's a quality in short-supply.
The Dignity Charter drawn up this week by Reading Borough Council aims to restore a sense of worth, a sense of mutual respect.
15:54 UK time, Monday, 14 January 2013
The patient craft of knitting conjures images of a warm fireside, the steady click, clack of needles creating a comforting jumper or sock.
Who knew that knitting could also line up alongside the megaphones and placards of a protest rally?
19:42 UK time, Friday, 16 November 2012
Peter added analysis to:
No-one saw it coming - they said the voting system was against them, they did not have the resources to beat the party candidates.
But the victory of independents sent a clear message from the voters.
17:10 UK time, Thursday, 8 November 2012
Peter added analysis to:
A month ago no-one had heard of police and crime commissioners. Now they seem to be everywhere, but are we any closer to finding out what the candidates would actually do in office?
They all agree the priority is to cut crime. Well, forgive me, but what have the police been trying to do all these years?
06:10 UK time, Friday, 2 November 2012
Peter added analysis to:
With the largest helmet badge of any police force in England and Wales, Hampshire and Isle of Wight's police constables certainly stand out.
And they've got a big job to do - 220 miles of motorway and trunk roads, 253 miles of coastline, and whilst there are no major metropolitan areas, the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth in the south and towns Aldershot and Farnborough in the north see their fair share of serious crime.
16:41 UK time, Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Peter added analysis to:
The Transit used to be everywhere. White van man's transport of choice.
Southampton took a real pride in the fact that for 45 years they were produced here, six million made in Britain and transported through the docks to destinations around the world.
15:49 UK time, Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Southampton's troubled Ford Transit van factory faces closure, according to local Conservative MP Caroline Nokes.
The MP for Romsey and Southampton North said: "I've always had concerns for the future of the factory and it now looks like there will be an announcement tomorrow indicating that it's going to close.
12:39 UK time, Friday, 19 October 2012
Peter added analysis to:
With the largest helmet badge of any police force in England and Wales, Hampshire and Isle of Wight's police constables certainly stand out.
And they've got a big job to do - 220 miles of motorway and trunk roads, 253 miles of coastline, and whilst there are no major metropolitan areas, the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth in the south and towns Aldershot and Farnborough in the north see their fair share of serious crime.
13:22 UK time, Wednesday, 8 August 2012
The government has had one for a long time. But no council has ever appointed a chief scientific adviser before.
Professor AbuBakr Bahaj of Southampton University is intending to blaze a trail for science and engineering in his link up with the local authority.
13:40 UK time, Tuesday, 3 July 2012
The European Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia has stepped in to the row between Liverpool and Southampton ports over cruise ships and state subsidy.
Liverpool City Council started running turnaround cruises from a temporary terminal at the end of May.
15:09 UK time, Saturday, 30 June 2012
Peter added analysis to:
Driven by a week of public anger at the banking system, the announcement of an independent review is acknowledgement of the need to call those responsible to account.
It's not yet clear who will lead the review of how banks were able to fiddle their own lending rates but it will be independent, and will report before the end of summer, with the possibility of new criminal sanctions either for individuals or institutions.
08:39 UK time, Monday, 25 June 2012
It's the last-minute call every discussion programme producer dreads: "I'm sorry, your guest isn't available after all."
After days of negotiations to obtain the perfect panel, plans are thrown into confusion. Every alternative guest realises they're being called at the last minute.
11:54 UK time, Saturday, 16 June 2012
Peter added analysis to:
Combine three words - Blair, Murdoch, Iraq - and the result has to be a front page newspaper headline.
So the Guardian's serialisation of Alastair Campbell's diaries produces a storm, but has it really told us any more about the influence of the press on public policy? Or where the line should be drawn in deciding what is undue influence?
04:25 UK time, Friday, 4 May 2012
Peter added analysis to:
After the bitter strikes in Southampton the Conservatives knew they faced an uphill struggle to hold on, but this felt like a rout.
Labour supporters chanted "thirty, thirty" - the number of seats they won - up from 19 last time.
17:29 UK time, Wednesday, 11 April 2012
The Easter holidays give MPs a break from Westminster, but also a chance to re-engage with their constituency.
And more than a few in the South are getting their ears bent over the Budget, in particular 'the granny tax'.
10:04 UK time, Monday, 12 March 2012
Cabinet Minister David Willetts has joined the debate about whether the Royal Navy should place orders with Scottish shipyards whilst their future in the UK is under discussion.
The Liberal Democrat leader of Portsmouth Council has called for a ban on new orders being given to Glasgow shipyards until after a referendum on independence.
Peter Henley has been a reporter in the South of England for more than 20 years, covering five elections and interviewing all the party leaders since Edward Heath.
Favourite assignments include flying to Antigua at three hours' notice to report on a volcano erupting and mysteriously being unable to come straight home.
Peter enjoys old cars, new gadgets and playing cricket. He lives in the New Forest with his three sons and wife Sam, who's a counsellor.
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