Seems that Prescott and Tony Blair have a linked destiny. They arrrived together and they intend to leave together.
The Prescott affair is a truly damaging scandal and perhaps the first fatal one the government has faced.
Sure, we have had sex scandals in the Blair years, starting with the moment of madness on Clapham Common by Ron Davies all the way up to Blunkett and that little lad.
This one is starting to look very different. It reminds me of the last days of Major. His ministers were brought down by the press, but in the manner of a fox hunt.
The fox is chased and chased, cornered and cornered again, until exhuasted it gives up.
Prescott seems more damaged this week than he was last week. The mood of MPs has soured and the press show no signs of forgetting about the whole thing.
Blair's loyalty is widely perceived to be for real - he supports Prescott and respects the work he has done for the party. It is also true that a PM without his deputy is a dead man walking. If the press and party can manage to topple Prescott, it will give them a taste of blood and the courage to take on Blair.
This really is crunch time for the PM. He has proved on many occasions that he adheres to the Campbell maxim. If a minister makes the headlines for ten consecutive days he or she is effectively unable to continue to do their job - the scandal has overwhelmed their ability to do the job.
It has been over two weeks since the Prescott scandal broke. The press seem happy to let the story run and run, many MPs are genuinely angry with Prescott. Women MPs in particular feel uncomfortable defending sexual misconduct at work.
If Prescott survives it will be a victory for Blair. If he has to step down, however, it really will have a chilling effect on Downing St. He has chucked ministers overboard before, notably Charles Clarke, but no-one with a leadership election attached.
His last, humiliating option would be to move Prescott to another cabinet role and strip him of his DPM title. I cannot see Prezza taking that route, not even for the good of the party.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Sunday, May 28, 2006
DC in the KGB?
Funniest story of the day has to be David Cameron's revelation that he was approached by the KGB.
Apparently when the Tory pin-up was a fresh-faced 18 year-old he took a gap year between Eton and Oxbridge.
While in Russia he and a friend were approached by two middle-aged men with suspiciously good English:
"They took us out to dinner and interrogated us in a friendly way about life in England and what we thought and politics," he told Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs.
Hmm - KGB? Would a floppy-haired teenager just out of school be of any use to them?
It sounds like those two well-dressed well-educated men may have wanted something else from the pretty English public schoolboy...
If I get the chance I will ask Cameron a bit more about what they quizzed him on - such as what goes on after lights out in the dormitories of Eton!
Apparently when the Tory pin-up was a fresh-faced 18 year-old he took a gap year between Eton and Oxbridge.
While in Russia he and a friend were approached by two middle-aged men with suspiciously good English:
"They took us out to dinner and interrogated us in a friendly way about life in England and what we thought and politics," he told Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs.
Hmm - KGB? Would a floppy-haired teenager just out of school be of any use to them?
It sounds like those two well-dressed well-educated men may have wanted something else from the pretty English public schoolboy...
If I get the chance I will ask Cameron a bit more about what they quizzed him on - such as what goes on after lights out in the dormitories of Eton!
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Worth Half A Million Quid Each??
New figures released by the Commons leader have revealed that MPs cost the tax payer half a million quid a year. That's EACH! EACH!
That is an increase of 30k in the last two years - despite the number of MPs falling from 659 to 646 at the 2005 election.
57% went on administration costs, the rest on MP salaries, office and staff allowances.
While all sensible people understand that for govenment to function properly, MPs need staff and offices, many question the huge subsidies in the Houses of Parliament. It is nice for staff and members that all the food and drink on sale is at 1980s prices, but I think if more voters knew how cheap things like pints of beer are in the bars in the Palace of Westminster, there would be more outrage over this half-a-million a year each.
That is an increase of 30k in the last two years - despite the number of MPs falling from 659 to 646 at the 2005 election.
57% went on administration costs, the rest on MP salaries, office and staff allowances.
While all sensible people understand that for govenment to function properly, MPs need staff and offices, many question the huge subsidies in the Houses of Parliament. It is nice for staff and members that all the food and drink on sale is at 1980s prices, but I think if more voters knew how cheap things like pints of beer are in the bars in the Palace of Westminster, there would be more outrage over this half-a-million a year each.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Mr Blair Goes To Washington
It was a very curious visit to Washington by Tony Blair this week.
He gave a speech to Georgetown University calling for an expanded role for the UN, seats on the security council for India and Japan, and a new international co-operation between nations.
Aaaah, its the legacy again. In 2003 Tony Blair thought so little of the UN that he was willing to commit British troops to the invasion of Iraq without so much as a resolution. He bullied his senior law officers to change their verdict on acting without a UN mandate from illegal to legal.
Blair claims that the UN security council is not fit for purpose. It needs reforming. It needs a strong permanent leader.
Perhaps someone British? Know anyone who might be out of a job soon? Answers on a post card.
Then there was the admission by both Blair and Bush that some mistakes had been made. Two world leaders with approval ratings in the low 30s, sure in the knowledge they will not be in power in two years, picking over the shambolic Iraq adventure that will forever be their legacy. It was almost sad to watch.
Blair was visibly struggling for words at their White House press conference, having to be rescued by his friend George on several occasions. Tony admitted that removing the entire ruling class of Iraq immediately after invasion was a very stupid thing to do.
Bush said that the abuse at Abu Ghraib prison was something the US was still paying for. He also acknowledged that strutting around talking like John Wayne was perhaps not the most presidential behaviour.
This should infuriate all those who supported the war AND all those who opposed it.
They will apologise for the detail but not the invastion. They have both admitted they seriously messed up their precious war and that their bad decisions are a reason that US and UK troops are attacked.
As the dead old Queen Mum used to advise: never apologise, never explain.
He gave a speech to Georgetown University calling for an expanded role for the UN, seats on the security council for India and Japan, and a new international co-operation between nations.
Aaaah, its the legacy again. In 2003 Tony Blair thought so little of the UN that he was willing to commit British troops to the invasion of Iraq without so much as a resolution. He bullied his senior law officers to change their verdict on acting without a UN mandate from illegal to legal.
Blair claims that the UN security council is not fit for purpose. It needs reforming. It needs a strong permanent leader.
Perhaps someone British? Know anyone who might be out of a job soon? Answers on a post card.
Then there was the admission by both Blair and Bush that some mistakes had been made. Two world leaders with approval ratings in the low 30s, sure in the knowledge they will not be in power in two years, picking over the shambolic Iraq adventure that will forever be their legacy. It was almost sad to watch.
Blair was visibly struggling for words at their White House press conference, having to be rescued by his friend George on several occasions. Tony admitted that removing the entire ruling class of Iraq immediately after invasion was a very stupid thing to do.
Bush said that the abuse at Abu Ghraib prison was something the US was still paying for. He also acknowledged that strutting around talking like John Wayne was perhaps not the most presidential behaviour.
This should infuriate all those who supported the war AND all those who opposed it.
They will apologise for the detail but not the invastion. They have both admitted they seriously messed up their precious war and that their bad decisions are a reason that US and UK troops are attacked.
As the dead old Queen Mum used to advise: never apologise, never explain.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Cherie & The Curse of Bryant
Much has been made of the apparent apology from Tony Blair at PMQ.
For those of you not aware of the background, an item up for auction at a Labour fundraising event has caused controversy. It was a copy of the Hutton report - signed by Cherie Blair. Alastair Campbell also signed the report, which raised over 400 pounds.
The story had not really been given much coverage, until Tory MP Robert Goodwill raised the matter at prime minister's questions. Asked if it was right that a report on an inquiry into a public servant's death should be "signed by celebrities" and then sold to raise party funds.
Blair replied: "I do not believe that any offence to anyone was intended."
Now MP for Wantage, Ed Vaizey, has said offence was caused.
For politicsjunkie, the fact that the auction was conducted by Labour MP Chris Bryant is probably a factor in the ensuing scandal.
Bryant seems to attract trouble - remember, this is a man who is so witless, he thinks it is possible for an MP to post semi-naked pictures of himself on a gay dating website and not get found out.
For those of you not aware of the background, an item up for auction at a Labour fundraising event has caused controversy. It was a copy of the Hutton report - signed by Cherie Blair. Alastair Campbell also signed the report, which raised over 400 pounds.
The story had not really been given much coverage, until Tory MP Robert Goodwill raised the matter at prime minister's questions. Asked if it was right that a report on an inquiry into a public servant's death should be "signed by celebrities" and then sold to raise party funds.
Blair replied: "I do not believe that any offence to anyone was intended."
Now MP for Wantage, Ed Vaizey, has said offence was caused.
For politicsjunkie, the fact that the auction was conducted by Labour MP Chris Bryant is probably a factor in the ensuing scandal.
Bryant seems to attract trouble - remember, this is a man who is so witless, he thinks it is possible for an MP to post semi-naked pictures of himself on a gay dating website and not get found out.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Reid Shows His Mettle
The new home secretary showed exactly why Tony Blair picked him to run the most troubled department in the governement yesterday in a startling appearance before a committee of MPs.
The home affairs select committee questioned John Reid for over two hours, but the former communist and Labour insider emerged unscathed.
He is often characterised as a political bruiser, and so it was not suprising that he attacked his own department as unfit for purpose. There was no attempt to cover the backs of Jack Straw, David Blunkett and Charles Clarke.
There was severe criticism and threats of sacking for the civil servants who have overseen this shambles.
Reid announced a range of proposals, all of which seem to be a gate-closing exercise - somewhat late given the horse has bolted, along with hundreds of serious foreign prisoners.
So much for ministerial responsibility and not attacking civil servants who cannot defend themselves.
It was a typically wise tactical move from John Reid. He has lanced the boil, admitted the depth of the problem at the Home Office and demonstrated that a hardman is needed to go in there and bump heads together.
If Reid can get a grip on the Home Office, all that talk about him as an alternative to Gordon Brown may not seem so fanciful.
The home affairs select committee questioned John Reid for over two hours, but the former communist and Labour insider emerged unscathed.
He is often characterised as a political bruiser, and so it was not suprising that he attacked his own department as unfit for purpose. There was no attempt to cover the backs of Jack Straw, David Blunkett and Charles Clarke.
There was severe criticism and threats of sacking for the civil servants who have overseen this shambles.
Reid announced a range of proposals, all of which seem to be a gate-closing exercise - somewhat late given the horse has bolted, along with hundreds of serious foreign prisoners.
So much for ministerial responsibility and not attacking civil servants who cannot defend themselves.
It was a typically wise tactical move from John Reid. He has lanced the boil, admitted the depth of the problem at the Home Office and demonstrated that a hardman is needed to go in there and bump heads together.
If Reid can get a grip on the Home Office, all that talk about him as an alternative to Gordon Brown may not seem so fanciful.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
John Prescott in .... Carry On Up The Commons
John Prescott returned to the dispatch box yesterday to answer questions like: what is it you do all day? Why do you have three houses and two cars?
It was hilarious - and deeply uncomfortable. The Tories loved it, the big kids. There were waves of noise at every inconcievable double entrendre. They were in transports of delight at Prescott struggled through a response to:
"What steps will he take to ensure that staff working under him are not subject to sexual harassment or bullying?"
The Speaker was on his feet several times, as one Tory shouted "keep the door closed next time!", a reference to Prescott's prelediction for office sex.
Conservative Oliver Heald was like a fat kid in a sweetshop - where to start? He plumped for the power-broker role that Prescott now had. Surely being a marriage guidance councillor between No 10 and No 11 was a party matter - why were we paying for it?
To more abuse and shouting from the opposition, Prescott played his only two cards.
Class: "it sounds like a Tory 6th form rally" and his other favourite - 18 years of Tory government, this version in response to a question about pensions from Tory MP for Daventry, Tim Boswell:
"I think that the hon. Gentleman was a Pensions Minister in the last Conservative Government; certainly, at one stage he was their spokesman on pensions.
"I will not take any lectures about pensions after 18 years of a Tory Government, who put millions of our pensioners into poverty, took away their fuel payments and brought about the most disastrous conditions.
"It took this Government to introduce pension credit, with today's pensioners better off than any other generation of pensioners."
To be fair to the people at Hansard, it did not actually sound anything like that. They do good work, but at best they are putting words in where there were just sounds.
In any case, whatever he said, it got everyone going - nothing like a blast of old-school Tory bashing to get the House on its feet. Was the Speaker going to get ANY sleep?
"Order. I ask the House to quieten down again. With all the noise in the Chamber, hon. Members are making the situation difficult for me as Speaker. I ask for the House's help and co-operation. [Interruption.] Order. We can do without the Minister for the Cabinet Office, the right hon. Member for North-West Durham (Hilary Armstrong), throwing in her tuppence worth."
Not the first time Hilary has been told off for shouting. Meanwhile, further down the front bench, that nice Jack Straw was helping young Miliband with his prep.
Oliver Heald returned to the Two-Jags baiting, and desptie having a country mansion and a London flat to his name, Prescott stuck to his class baiting.
It just got worse - when Prescott mentioned that part of his responsibilities was to oversee the cabinet committe on Home Affairs, the whole House dissolved into a fit of giggles - Carry on Commons.
Dari Taylor struggled with her question about social housing :
"Will he still have a hands-on role?" she asked. Comedy gold.
Perhaps the most puzzling revelation was that John Prescott is now deeply involved in the British-Irish council and the China taskforce - to develop his role internationally. Is that wise?
Members settled down to watch the first appearance of the second Miliband at the dispatch box. Ed, recenly appointed as a parlaimentary under-secretary to the Cabinet Office, with responsibility for charities. He praised Lee Scott for his sterling fundraising efforts, agreed with Charles Walker about the menace of chuggers, listened respectfully to Jim Devine complain about bogus charity collections in pubs.
Miliband barely looked old enough to be in a pub, and with the frontbench filling up with cabinet members in readyness for PMQ, that was no bad thing. He looked new, interesting and intelligent, confident and fluid. It was an excellent start - just a shame Blair arrived about a minute too late to see any of it.
It was hilarious - and deeply uncomfortable. The Tories loved it, the big kids. There were waves of noise at every inconcievable double entrendre. They were in transports of delight at Prescott struggled through a response to:
"What steps will he take to ensure that staff working under him are not subject to sexual harassment or bullying?"
The Speaker was on his feet several times, as one Tory shouted "keep the door closed next time!", a reference to Prescott's prelediction for office sex.
Conservative Oliver Heald was like a fat kid in a sweetshop - where to start? He plumped for the power-broker role that Prescott now had. Surely being a marriage guidance councillor between No 10 and No 11 was a party matter - why were we paying for it?
To more abuse and shouting from the opposition, Prescott played his only two cards.
Class: "it sounds like a Tory 6th form rally" and his other favourite - 18 years of Tory government, this version in response to a question about pensions from Tory MP for Daventry, Tim Boswell:
"I think that the hon. Gentleman was a Pensions Minister in the last Conservative Government; certainly, at one stage he was their spokesman on pensions.
"I will not take any lectures about pensions after 18 years of a Tory Government, who put millions of our pensioners into poverty, took away their fuel payments and brought about the most disastrous conditions.
"It took this Government to introduce pension credit, with today's pensioners better off than any other generation of pensioners."
To be fair to the people at Hansard, it did not actually sound anything like that. They do good work, but at best they are putting words in where there were just sounds.
In any case, whatever he said, it got everyone going - nothing like a blast of old-school Tory bashing to get the House on its feet. Was the Speaker going to get ANY sleep?
"Order. I ask the House to quieten down again. With all the noise in the Chamber, hon. Members are making the situation difficult for me as Speaker. I ask for the House's help and co-operation. [Interruption.] Order. We can do without the Minister for the Cabinet Office, the right hon. Member for North-West Durham (Hilary Armstrong), throwing in her tuppence worth."
Not the first time Hilary has been told off for shouting. Meanwhile, further down the front bench, that nice Jack Straw was helping young Miliband with his prep.
Oliver Heald returned to the Two-Jags baiting, and desptie having a country mansion and a London flat to his name, Prescott stuck to his class baiting.
It just got worse - when Prescott mentioned that part of his responsibilities was to oversee the cabinet committe on Home Affairs, the whole House dissolved into a fit of giggles - Carry on Commons.
Dari Taylor struggled with her question about social housing :
"Will he still have a hands-on role?" she asked. Comedy gold.
Perhaps the most puzzling revelation was that John Prescott is now deeply involved in the British-Irish council and the China taskforce - to develop his role internationally. Is that wise?
Members settled down to watch the first appearance of the second Miliband at the dispatch box. Ed, recenly appointed as a parlaimentary under-secretary to the Cabinet Office, with responsibility for charities. He praised Lee Scott for his sterling fundraising efforts, agreed with Charles Walker about the menace of chuggers, listened respectfully to Jim Devine complain about bogus charity collections in pubs.
Miliband barely looked old enough to be in a pub, and with the frontbench filling up with cabinet members in readyness for PMQ, that was no bad thing. He looked new, interesting and intelligent, confident and fluid. It was an excellent start - just a shame Blair arrived about a minute too late to see any of it.
LibDems Propose 1000% Tax Rise!
It could be a sign that the LibDems are ready to offer radical solutions to the global warming crisis - always easy when there is no chance you will form the next government.
In an attempt to paint David Cameron as all sledges and soundbites, the LibDems have announced a proposed 2000 pound a year road tax for the most pollutioning vehicles. **
Airlines would be taxed per flight instead of per passenger, making half-full flights more expensive for consumers.
The Tories have hit back, pointing out that fuel duty has not proved an effective deterrent in the past. They are waiting for the outcome of a policy review led by environmentalist and posh totty Zac Goldsmith.
If Cameron can deliver policies that directly challenge business, then we really will have a green election in 2009.
** my pound signs dont work!!
In an attempt to paint David Cameron as all sledges and soundbites, the LibDems have announced a proposed 2000 pound a year road tax for the most pollutioning vehicles. **
Airlines would be taxed per flight instead of per passenger, making half-full flights more expensive for consumers.
The Tories have hit back, pointing out that fuel duty has not proved an effective deterrent in the past. They are waiting for the outcome of a policy review led by environmentalist and posh totty Zac Goldsmith.
If Cameron can deliver policies that directly challenge business, then we really will have a green election in 2009.
** my pound signs dont work!!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Bush - 8 more years?
Bush - 8 more years?
I was troubled to read that President Bush suggested his brother Jeb would make a good president.
Troubled because Jeb would make a good president - certainly better than his intellectually challenged little brother.
The only serious candidate for the Republicans at the moment is senator John McCain - you might remember him from last time.
If the Democrats do select senator Hilary Clinton to fight, then Jeb might be a serious option. He has an Hispanic wife, speaks Spanish and could challenge the Democrat dominance among minorities.
Not to mention that the last President elected from the Senate was John F Kennedy in 1960. Since then the electorate have always voted for candidates who had served as a state governor or as vice-president.
As you know, Jeb is a very popular governor of Florida.
The only question is - what skeletons are there in Jeb's closet that stopped him from running in 2000 instead of George?
I was troubled to read that President Bush suggested his brother Jeb would make a good president.
Troubled because Jeb would make a good president - certainly better than his intellectually challenged little brother.
The only serious candidate for the Republicans at the moment is senator John McCain - you might remember him from last time.
If the Democrats do select senator Hilary Clinton to fight, then Jeb might be a serious option. He has an Hispanic wife, speaks Spanish and could challenge the Democrat dominance among minorities.
Not to mention that the last President elected from the Senate was John F Kennedy in 1960. Since then the electorate have always voted for candidates who had served as a state governor or as vice-president.
As you know, Jeb is a very popular governor of Florida.
The only question is - what skeletons are there in Jeb's closet that stopped him from running in 2000 instead of George?
Run! Its the pigs!
The Metropolitan police have taken the unusual step of asking MPs to suspend their investigation into party funding as they are still keen to charge people.
There are strong rumours this might include Tony Blair being interviewed under caution by officers from the serious and economic crime directorate.
nick robinson, on his excellent BBC blog, reveals that eight police officers are currently investigating allegations of crimes under the 1925 Act.
There are strong rumours this might include Tony Blair being interviewed under caution by officers from the serious and economic crime directorate.
nick robinson, on his excellent BBC blog, reveals that eight police officers are currently investigating allegations of crimes under the 1925 Act.
Blair Goes Nuclear
In a speech to be made tomorrow, Tony Blair is set to take on the green lobby and throw his weight behind a new generation of nuclear power stations.
After months of equivocation, it seems he is ready to reveal yet another issue he must sort out before he leaves office. Or is arrested.
The one to watch here is David Cameron. He has not only co-opted respected environmentalist Zac Goldsmith onto his new environment task force, he has got him onto the top 100 candidates list for the next election.
The environment could prove to be the clear blue water the Conservatives seek to distance them from Labour. If Cameron starts to make seriously green noises over issues like nuclear power, that will mark a profound shift in Tory attitudes.
This might end up being the first real test of nerves for the new leader.
After months of equivocation, it seems he is ready to reveal yet another issue he must sort out before he leaves office. Or is arrested.
The one to watch here is David Cameron. He has not only co-opted respected environmentalist Zac Goldsmith onto his new environment task force, he has got him onto the top 100 candidates list for the next election.
The environment could prove to be the clear blue water the Conservatives seek to distance them from Labour. If Cameron starts to make seriously green noises over issues like nuclear power, that will mark a profound shift in Tory attitudes.
This might end up being the first real test of nerves for the new leader.
Monday, May 15, 2006
All Quiet
Finally! A quiet week in politics for once.
Interesting to see Ming Campbell starting to get noises-off. Those dire performances at PMQ and the failure to make any real gains in the local elections seem to have got some of the party rattled.
Chat-line enthusiast and failed leadership candidate Simon Hughes is damning Ming with faint praise, musing that we should wait until the party conference to judge if Campbell was the right choice.He also said that his leader would be practising his PMQ technique and "concentrating" on it, which implies he has not been doing up until now.
Ed Davey also defended Ming - as did Shirley Williams when I met her last week - look out for that interview on www.politicsjunkie.co.uk in the coming days.
I never thought that Ming was a good choice - when the Tories are painting Tony Blair as old and out of touch, the LibDem leader looks ancient.
But we are still four years away from an election - both Campbell and Cameron have only just begun, and they will be joined at the top table by a new Labour leader. At some point.
Interesting to see Ming Campbell starting to get noises-off. Those dire performances at PMQ and the failure to make any real gains in the local elections seem to have got some of the party rattled.
Chat-line enthusiast and failed leadership candidate Simon Hughes is damning Ming with faint praise, musing that we should wait until the party conference to judge if Campbell was the right choice.He also said that his leader would be practising his PMQ technique and "concentrating" on it, which implies he has not been doing up until now.
Ed Davey also defended Ming - as did Shirley Williams when I met her last week - look out for that interview on www.politicsjunkie.co.uk in the coming days.
I never thought that Ming was a good choice - when the Tories are painting Tony Blair as old and out of touch, the LibDem leader looks ancient.
But we are still four years away from an election - both Campbell and Cameron have only just begun, and they will be joined at the top table by a new Labour leader. At some point.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Shirley Williams
Just got back from interviewing Baroness Shirley Williams, or Shirl the Girl as she is also known.
For those of you that do not know, she was Education Secretary in the 60s, left the Labour party to found the SDP and is a leading member of the LibDems.
What a diamond! The interview will be up on the website www.politicsjunkie.co.uk over the weekend.
I could have talked to her all day - and what she said about Gordon Brown - off the record - but very interesting all the same!
For those of you that do not know, she was Education Secretary in the 60s, left the Labour party to found the SDP and is a leading member of the LibDems.
What a diamond! The interview will be up on the website www.politicsjunkie.co.uk over the weekend.
I could have talked to her all day - and what she said about Gordon Brown - off the record - but very interesting all the same!
Rickitt Makes Tory Top 100
Gay pin-up and former Coronation St actor Adam Rickitt has made it on to the Tories 100 list of preference candidates at the next election!
Check out his official website: http://www.adamrickitt.com/
Rickitt appeared on Question Time a few months ago and was suprisingly credible. politicsjunkie will be interested to see how he handles questions about his numerous erotic performances at gay clubs - not the sort of question Michael Gove has to deal with ...
Joining Adam is lesbian pin-up Margot Jones - the very charming and sexy lesian vice-chairman of the Conservative party.
Eco pin-up Zac Goldsmith also makes the top 100 - quite a lot of pin-ups there you notice.
Check out his official website: http://www.adamrickitt.com/
Rickitt appeared on Question Time a few months ago and was suprisingly credible. politicsjunkie will be interested to see how he handles questions about his numerous erotic performances at gay clubs - not the sort of question Michael Gove has to deal with ...
Joining Adam is lesbian pin-up Margot Jones - the very charming and sexy lesian vice-chairman of the Conservative party.
Eco pin-up Zac Goldsmith also makes the top 100 - quite a lot of pin-ups there you notice.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Blair: Iraq is sooooo last year
The focus of the PM's monthly press conference was the "stable and orderly" transition of power - or as Dead Ringers parodied Blair's present attitude last night "People of Britain - who hate me - am i bovvered?"
It was a classic Blair performance - confident, sligtly playful, slightly cheeky.
One thing he said that was not picked up on widely. Discussing whether Iraq would turn out to be his Poll Tax, Blair responded that he felt Iraq was the issue at the last election, and that we are all past that now.
Is this another sign that Blair and those around him are losing touch? Iraq continues to be a major source of anger for many people - it is clear that in Camden, many middle-class voters had the illegal war in mind when voting. Labour lost Camden and also took a beating from the Respect party in Tower Hamlets. Muslims and London middle-class voters are two groups for whom Iraq is not over.
Another classsic quote from the PM referred to his own MPs. He was sympathetic to their concerns that he might not actually keep his commitment to stand down - basically acknowledging that he cannot be trusted. He referred to two groups - the left wing who have always hated him and "the more reasonable end of the market"
It is telling that Blair still thinks he can appeal to the reasonable nature of backbench MPs - until the day they turn and bite him in the bum!
The PM should remember this - all political careers end in failure
It was a classic Blair performance - confident, sligtly playful, slightly cheeky.
One thing he said that was not picked up on widely. Discussing whether Iraq would turn out to be his Poll Tax, Blair responded that he felt Iraq was the issue at the last election, and that we are all past that now.
Is this another sign that Blair and those around him are losing touch? Iraq continues to be a major source of anger for many people - it is clear that in Camden, many middle-class voters had the illegal war in mind when voting. Labour lost Camden and also took a beating from the Respect party in Tower Hamlets. Muslims and London middle-class voters are two groups for whom Iraq is not over.
Another classsic quote from the PM referred to his own MPs. He was sympathetic to their concerns that he might not actually keep his commitment to stand down - basically acknowledging that he cannot be trusted. He referred to two groups - the left wing who have always hated him and "the more reasonable end of the market"
It is telling that Blair still thinks he can appeal to the reasonable nature of backbench MPs - until the day they turn and bite him in the bum!
The PM should remember this - all political careers end in failure
Monday, May 08, 2006
More on the Oaten Affair
Disgraced LibDem Mark Oaten broke his silence this week over the scandal that engulfed his career.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Oaten reveals he has been receiving psychiatric treatment for several years. He says he was constantly depressed in his job as LibDem home affairs spokesman and thought about quitting daily.
He says that losing his hair and a general feeling of losing his youth led him to repeatedly have sex with a male prostitute.
Oaten also says that he now does not think that sexuality is a 'black and white issue' and claims that he was trying to sabotage his career subconsciously by taking risks.
The interview is being praised for its candour - is that a JOKE?
He had a six month affair with a rent boy - because he felt a bit sad about losing his hair? See, cos I thought what men did when they had a mid-life crisis was buy a motorbike. Not indulge in acts of coprophilia with eastern european prostitutes.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Oaten reveals he has been receiving psychiatric treatment for several years. He says he was constantly depressed in his job as LibDem home affairs spokesman and thought about quitting daily.
He says that losing his hair and a general feeling of losing his youth led him to repeatedly have sex with a male prostitute.
Oaten also says that he now does not think that sexuality is a 'black and white issue' and claims that he was trying to sabotage his career subconsciously by taking risks.
The interview is being praised for its candour - is that a JOKE?
He had a six month affair with a rent boy - because he felt a bit sad about losing his hair? See, cos I thought what men did when they had a mid-life crisis was buy a motorbike. Not indulge in acts of coprophilia with eastern european prostitutes.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Guess The New Minister
Not that we like to boast, but if you check the article on the website written last week, about the imminent reshuffle, you will see that www.politicsjunkie.co.uk guessed three of the four new members of the cabinet!
Get in!
Didn't guess that Jacqui Smith would be moved up though - must try to watch Education questions more often!
It is weird that Alan Johnson is talked about as a possible leader - he has no charisma? Beware the IDS of March ..... charisma is key!
Get in!
Didn't guess that Jacqui Smith would be moved up though - must try to watch Education questions more often!
It is weird that Alan Johnson is talked about as a possible leader - he has no charisma? Beware the IDS of March ..... charisma is key!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
What A Week!!
It certainly has been exciting - check out www.politicsjunkie.co.uk comment pages for detailed analysis of the new political landscape.
An election and a reshuffle in the same week - its like birthday and christmas all rolled into one for politicsjunkie!
What is going to happen next? The Westminster air is full of claims and rumours about letters, plots, challenges to the prime minister.
Tony Blair is due to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday. We shall find out then if the growing number of disgruntled back benchers will force the PMs hand, and demand a date for his departure. Seems like the second week of May might be just as interesting as the first.
Blair was 53 yesterday - young for a PM, yet already seen as past his prime, leaking authority and influence.
An election and a reshuffle in the same week - its like birthday and christmas all rolled into one for politicsjunkie!
What is going to happen next? The Westminster air is full of claims and rumours about letters, plots, challenges to the prime minister.
Tony Blair is due to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday. We shall find out then if the growing number of disgruntled back benchers will force the PMs hand, and demand a date for his departure. Seems like the second week of May might be just as interesting as the first.
Blair was 53 yesterday - young for a PM, yet already seen as past his prime, leaking authority and influence.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Go Green, Vote Green
In the end I voted Green. I got angry with three Respect names on the ballot. I got annoyed by some dickhead from the LibDems tryin to accost me as I entered the polling station. He just looked like a LibDem - limp effette. His presence and annoying questions lost me to their cause immediately.
I got into the station, the usual strained banter with the local council workers overseeing voting. Let out of the office for the day, they are excitable and one explains he will be working at the count later - he might not get home until four or five in the morning! Cripes! Imainge being out that late!!! What an adventure.
In the end I use all my 3 votes on the Greens. I feel sorry for them. They have been cycling in all weathers and trying hard to help the environment in little ways for over 20 years.
Now some moon-faced public school boy rocks up on a bike and suddenly the Tories are the Green Party.
Poor real Greens. Bless them - they are true believers. So they got my vote.
At least it is better than the general election whereby politicsjunkie was distracted while in the booth and accidently voted for the Conservative candidate! The shame!
I was too embarrased to go back and ask for another ballot paper, (can you imagine, with those council workers looking at me, as I explain that despite my superior education, I appear to be unable to follow the simplest of instructions)
So I voted Tory for the first time in my life!
Simon Hughes won the seat though, so it was no biggie.
I got into the station, the usual strained banter with the local council workers overseeing voting. Let out of the office for the day, they are excitable and one explains he will be working at the count later - he might not get home until four or five in the morning! Cripes! Imainge being out that late!!! What an adventure.
In the end I use all my 3 votes on the Greens. I feel sorry for them. They have been cycling in all weathers and trying hard to help the environment in little ways for over 20 years.
Now some moon-faced public school boy rocks up on a bike and suddenly the Tories are the Green Party.
Poor real Greens. Bless them - they are true believers. So they got my vote.
At least it is better than the general election whereby politicsjunkie was distracted while in the booth and accidently voted for the Conservative candidate! The shame!
I was too embarrased to go back and ask for another ballot paper, (can you imagine, with those council workers looking at me, as I explain that despite my superior education, I appear to be unable to follow the simplest of instructions)
So I voted Tory for the first time in my life!
Simon Hughes won the seat though, so it was no biggie.
Voting Day
I woke up to find a Respect leaflet on my doormat. Too late, boys and girls! It is quite a hilarious piece of election literature.
Respect, standing for council seats, say NO to:
War (not a decision taken in the council chamer at Tower Hamlets, so totally irrelevant to this campaign)
Privatisation (again, missed the boat slightly with that one)
Sleaze (meaning financial corruption, not acting like a sleazy media whore and going on Big Brother)
But hold on a damn minute, I want to know what they are for, not what they are agin!
PEACE LOVE UNITY and having fun. Oh no wait sorry thats a song.
Here it is - PEACE HOMES SERVICES.
Great. No policy in this leaflet at all - just we are Respect - you are Muslim - vote for us. Its a bit sad but I do worry that it might well work. Again.
Galloway is a rubbish MP and the constituency suffers from his bombastic "representation". I do hope we do not end up with Tower Hamlets being run by his bunch of amateurs, a chilling mix of homophobic, radical Muslims and uber-Socialist wideboys.
They think they can dismantle the government policy on social housing by "taking on Tony Blair" in Tower Hamlets?
They can't. The only people that will suffer if the Mad Mullahs and even madder Communists take control are the locals - the people in council housing stock that need investment.
Respect are all fundamentalists. They are the worst sort of person to enter politics. Politcs is about compromise.
I am off to vote now - will update y'all later.
Respect, standing for council seats, say NO to:
War (not a decision taken in the council chamer at Tower Hamlets, so totally irrelevant to this campaign)
Privatisation (again, missed the boat slightly with that one)
Sleaze (meaning financial corruption, not acting like a sleazy media whore and going on Big Brother)
But hold on a damn minute, I want to know what they are for, not what they are agin!
PEACE LOVE UNITY and having fun. Oh no wait sorry thats a song.
Here it is - PEACE HOMES SERVICES.
Great. No policy in this leaflet at all - just we are Respect - you are Muslim - vote for us. Its a bit sad but I do worry that it might well work. Again.
Galloway is a rubbish MP and the constituency suffers from his bombastic "representation". I do hope we do not end up with Tower Hamlets being run by his bunch of amateurs, a chilling mix of homophobic, radical Muslims and uber-Socialist wideboys.
They think they can dismantle the government policy on social housing by "taking on Tony Blair" in Tower Hamlets?
They can't. The only people that will suffer if the Mad Mullahs and even madder Communists take control are the locals - the people in council housing stock that need investment.
Respect are all fundamentalists. They are the worst sort of person to enter politics. Politcs is about compromise.
I am off to vote now - will update y'all later.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Local Election Update
The palatial politicsjunkie operations centre is in the Bethnal Green North ward of Tower Hamlets.
The LibDems have delivered the most leaflets so perhaps we should vote for them? They seem to be the main opposition to Labour.
Three Labour councillors are being prosecuted for fraud, so they do not inspire confidence. The message of the Labour leaflet seems to be that if you vote LibDem, all the community support officers will be sacked and replaced with thugs in hoodies. Interesting.
The Labour candidates are dressed SO badly on their election leaflet that I do not think I can bring myself to vote for them anyway. I mean really - if you are fat, don't wear tight clothes. It is not rocket science.
Given the press coverage of these elections, it is worth noting who is NOT touting for the vote of politicsjunkie
Despite the cigar-bothering, Veritas-tanned carpetbagger Galloway's presence, there has been no campaiging from the lovely Respect coalition in this ward - not so much as a leaflet! They must be concentrating on the Muslim vote around Brick Lane.
Despite Margaret Hodge running round declaring they are about to take over the universe, the BNP are nowhere to be seen either. The fascists tend to concentrate on areas with a small but visible non-white population. I would love to see them campaign round here - they would last about 15 seconds. It seems the message of racial purity is one that the people of Bethnal Green North will be spared this election.
More on election day as we make the final decision!
The LibDems have delivered the most leaflets so perhaps we should vote for them? They seem to be the main opposition to Labour.
Three Labour councillors are being prosecuted for fraud, so they do not inspire confidence. The message of the Labour leaflet seems to be that if you vote LibDem, all the community support officers will be sacked and replaced with thugs in hoodies. Interesting.
The Labour candidates are dressed SO badly on their election leaflet that I do not think I can bring myself to vote for them anyway. I mean really - if you are fat, don't wear tight clothes. It is not rocket science.
Given the press coverage of these elections, it is worth noting who is NOT touting for the vote of politicsjunkie
Despite the cigar-bothering, Veritas-tanned carpetbagger Galloway's presence, there has been no campaiging from the lovely Respect coalition in this ward - not so much as a leaflet! They must be concentrating on the Muslim vote around Brick Lane.
Despite Margaret Hodge running round declaring they are about to take over the universe, the BNP are nowhere to be seen either. The fascists tend to concentrate on areas with a small but visible non-white population. I would love to see them campaign round here - they would last about 15 seconds. It seems the message of racial purity is one that the people of Bethnal Green North will be spared this election.
More on election day as we make the final decision!
Monday, May 01, 2006
9 Years of Blair
It is nine years ago today that Tony Blair and New Labour swept to power. How idealistic it all seems now. I remember running from the LWT building where I was working on election night programming to see the helicopter land at Festival Hall. It felt like the dawn of a new age.
Now here we are in 2006 - the sex sleaze of John Prescott's affair with a common civil servant has been all over the Sunday papers. Frankly I am not interested in people who get engaged to lorry drivers and then sleep with their pensioner boss. It all just so .... common.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, the local elections look set to be overshadowed by the continuing scandal engulfing the Home Office. The smart move might have been to accept Charles Clarke's resignation last week - now it looks as if little by little, new revelation after new revelation may force the lovable Shrek lookalike out of office.
The smart money is on when he will go - can he hold on until the reshuffle?
At least the rumblings over Patricia "best week EVER" Hewitt seem to have quietened somewhat. Perhaps someone at Health should make a note - next time send Caroline Flint.
The whole agenda of the local elections is being dominated by these scandals - Blair urges us to look at the bigger picture.
Which would be what? Sleazy peerages? The ongoing police investigation? The escalating civil unrest in Iraq AND Afghanistan? Record council tax bills?
It is just one of the tragedies of politics - nine years ago it felt like New Labour could do anything - now they appear to be able to do nothing right.
Now here we are in 2006 - the sex sleaze of John Prescott's affair with a common civil servant has been all over the Sunday papers. Frankly I am not interested in people who get engaged to lorry drivers and then sleep with their pensioner boss. It all just so .... common.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, the local elections look set to be overshadowed by the continuing scandal engulfing the Home Office. The smart move might have been to accept Charles Clarke's resignation last week - now it looks as if little by little, new revelation after new revelation may force the lovable Shrek lookalike out of office.
The smart money is on when he will go - can he hold on until the reshuffle?
At least the rumblings over Patricia "best week EVER" Hewitt seem to have quietened somewhat. Perhaps someone at Health should make a note - next time send Caroline Flint.
The whole agenda of the local elections is being dominated by these scandals - Blair urges us to look at the bigger picture.
Which would be what? Sleazy peerages? The ongoing police investigation? The escalating civil unrest in Iraq AND Afghanistan? Record council tax bills?
It is just one of the tragedies of politics - nine years ago it felt like New Labour could do anything - now they appear to be able to do nothing right.
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