John Rentoul is The Independent’s chief political commentator, having worked for the title since 1995. He is also visiting professor at King’s College, London, and a prominent tweeter. He is the author of a biography of Tony Blair and, with Jon Davis, of Heroes or Villains? The Blair Government Reconsidered. As well as writing about politics, he contributes a weekly column, Mea Culpa, on style and usage. He writes the free daily View from Westminster newsletter when the House of Commons is sitting, and the weekly Commons Confidential email for subscribers only