Blairwatch - uk politics

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Blairwatch - uk politics http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/taxonomy/term/8/0 Posts relating to UK politics en Nice N Sleazy Does It http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2159 The <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5293679/MPs-expenses-Gordon-Brown-and-Cabinet-face-questions-over-claims.html">revelations in the Telegraph</a> may be the Jack Straw that breaks the camels back. As Gordon 'son of a preacher man' Brown is included in the list of expenses claims - New Labour's true dodgy dossier - how much longer can he survive? <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/may/08/poverty-equality-britain-incomes-poor">What is the point of this administration?</a> However, the Tories have the strangest claim: Two packs of Tampax at £1.11 each, claimed by a Conservative MP who lost his seat in 2005. His seat? His? What on earth was he using them for? Once again Martin Bell nails it: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/08/mps-expenses-labour">Where's the remorse?</a> <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/08/mandelson-expenses">Mandy isn't showing any remorse</a> http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2159#comments gordon brown jack straw nu labour uk politics Fri, 08 May 2009 04:51:26 +0000 quarsan 2159 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk Another Damning Indictment of New Labour http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2151 It's getting hard to keep up with the torrent of sleaze, corruption, authoritarianism, abuse of power and mismanagement coming from a governing party in its death throes. The <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/apr/18/alice-mahon-quits-labour-party">resignation of former Halifax Labour MP Alice Mahon</a> from the party sums up the disillusionment and sense of betrayal felt by those who didn't sign up for the 'New Labour' agenda.  <div class="quote">“This has been a difficult decision to take as I feel I was almost born into the Labour party. However, I can no longer be a member of a party that, at the leadership level, has betrayed many of the values and principles that inspired me, as a teenager, to join. . . My final reason for leaving the party is because it is no longer democratic ... Quite simply, I have had it with New Labour”</div> Check out her <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8005654.stm">interview with the BBC</a>. http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2151#comments nu labour Resignation uk politics Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:06:13 +0000 Davide Simonetti 2151 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk Media Standards http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2143 Two linked stories, yesterday and today. The Sunday Express issued a grudging and weasel worded <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/90417/Dunblane-We-re-sorry">apology</a> for their shameful treatment of the Dunblane survivors. Not adequate at all and no real responsibility taken either by the reporter nor editor. Today, the Sun also have a "It's not our fault" type of <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/article2334792.ece">apology</a>  over Hillsborough. Click on 'more' on the right hand column. Notice that they blame everything on a Yorkshire news agency People thinking the Sun's apology is sincere, should <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/jan/12/broadcasting.pressandpublishing">read this</a> from then editor, now columnist, Kelvin McKenzie. Note that they are blaming everything on a Liverpool news agency. When you were editor of the Sun you've said you apologised to Liverpool because you were told to by Murdoch and you didn't mean it." "That's true", replied MacKenzie.   http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2143#comments uk politics Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:41:54 +0000 quarsan 2143 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk Why Custard Has No Place in Politics http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2139 It's probably obvious that Blairwatch has no great love for Mandelson, but throwing green custard in his face is just plane stupid. Describing Mandelson as 'slimy' is an opinion, one that is shared by many, but does it advance a debate? Of course not. One of the main aims of Blairwatch is to try to lessen the distance between the citizen and its political class. To physically attack politicians will have the obvious effect of them being forced behind a security screen and more distant, more unapproachable from the people. In the film of the event, Mandelson is seen approaching the lady, clearly intending to listen. Instead of talking to him, or even telling him what her concerns are, she threw custard. Earlier this week, she sounded a klaxon horn whilst Geoff Hoon was speaking. We're no friend of him either, but surely he should be allowed to speak? If you don't like it, rebut it. I'll bet the farm that she, who tried to silence an elected politician, is in favour of free speech. But, of course, only free to people she approves of. In her defence, she says Mandy is unelected. Well, Mandy has previously been elected by the people of Hartlepool and is in his current position at the request of an elected government. Precisely who elected Leila Deen? Who elected Plane Stupid to represent them? God save us from spoilt middle-class angst. Lord preserve us from privileged  kids feeling guilty and angry at Mummy and Daddy. They've been a blight on the Left for decades. Sadly, many seem to approve of the action, purely on the grounds that they don't like Mandelson. It's either OK to assault politicians or it isn't. Brussels has civilised Mandy. He arrived with his usual panache, his joyful spinning and smearing. Within a week he was in deep, deep trouble as EU politics are much more sophisticated than the rough and tumble of the UK. Over here, it's about concensus, about coalition building, not the "Yah! Boo!" of the Common's animal house Question Time. He learned his lesson well. Whenever I meet a politician, no matter what I feel about their party or policy, I deal with them politely and talk to them. Usually, they respond well and we can have a useful and interesting discussion and they do tell me what they really think and can be very open indeed. Most of these conversations are 'off the record' but they do inform my views and what I write. It also means that I can talk to them in future. I can't see Plane Stupid having many high level meetings in future, can you? They can gleefully boast about this juvenile act as much as they want, but they have done a disservice to their cause and to those of us who want a more open, a more democratic politics. http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2139#comments uk politics Sat, 07 Mar 2009 06:41:26 +0000 quarsan 2139 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk Jacqui Smith And 'Stalinism' http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2110 The row over the arrest of shadow immigration minister Damian Green is not going away. Nor should it, all it takes is some evidence to emerge that either the Home Secretary or the Prime Minister did have prior knowledge of the arrest and they're toast. What is interesting is Ms Smith's <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7757170.stm">latest outburst</a> on the Andrew Marr programme where she said it would be wrong for ministers to intervene in a police investigation. <div class="quote">"There have been a lot of charges thrown around here - the idea that, you know, this is Stalinism, this is a police state. "In my book, Stalinism and a police state happens when ministers direct and interfere with specific investigations that the police are carrying out."</div> I'm wondering now if we could have a statement from Ms Smith condemning the ministerial interference in the Police investigation into the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/feb/01/bae.saudiarabia">corruption at BAE</a> as 'Stalinism'. After all it's something Ms Smith is <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/21/bae.foreignpolicy">also involved with</a>. http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2110#comments bliar Corruption Home Office nu labour uk politics Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:56:34 +0000 Davide Simonetti 2110 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk Meanwhile in Lilliput http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2108 Hazel Blears has been applying her first rate mind to the question of why electoral turnout in Britain is falling. Have a guess who's responsible. No, not the corrupt, spin obsessed New Labour. Not a party full of its own hubris. Not a cloying dash to the undefined centre. No. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/nov/05/hazel-blears-politics-media-labour">Its us. Political bloggers.</a> <div class="quote">"Perhaps because of the nature of the technology, there is a tendency for political blogs to have a 'Samizdat' style. The most popular blogs are rightwing, ranging from the considered Tory views of Iain Dale, to the vicious nihilism of Guido Fawkes. Perhaps this is simply anti-establishment. Blogs have only existed under a Labour government. Perhaps if there was a Tory government, all the leading blogs would be left-of-centre? " But mostly, political blogs are written by people with disdain for the political system and politicians, who see their function as unearthing scandals, conspiracies and perceived hypocrisy. "Until political blogging 'adds value' to our political culture, by allowing new voices, ideas and legitimate protest and challenge, and until the mainstream media reports politics in a calmer, more responsible manner, it will continue to fuel a culture of cynicism and despair."</div> Bless. http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2108#comments nu labour uk politics Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:39:41 +0000 quarsan 2108 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk Attila The Stockbroker Cleans Up The City http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2097 <h2>ATTILA THE STOCKBROKER CLEANS UP THE CITY</h2> I was a clerk there: I’ve seen the greed How wealth and power eat hope and need Now they’re eating each other but they’re still screaming ‘No interference’ – I start dreaming… ‘Self regulation?’ OK, I say ‘I’m a stockbroker – let’s do it my way’ And that’s the beginning of this little ditty: Attila the Stockbroker cleans up the City!   Each gets a red nose so everybody knows Just who they are and where all our money goes No more speculate, no more accumulate - This is a lifestyle we’re going to eradicate Dealers on the floor meet squads of the poor saying ‘Here’s the twist, Oliver – we want more Work for us or we take the whole kitty’ Attila the Stockbroker cleans up the City!   ‘Hello Mr. Hedge Fund, have a cup of tea. Financial Services Authority? Me. You’re a parasite on the population Convicted of criminal speculation Time to atone for a life so greedy - Twenty years working for the poor and needy. Want to appeal? Try the Central Committee…’ Attila the Stockbroker cleans up the City!   Morning Mr Banker, you’re in for a shock. We’re taking much more than just Northern Rock! All the banks nationalised – Stock Exchange too. Utilities, railways, grabbed from the few. Mr Billionaire? You just lost your money. (Hey there, Chelsea fan, isn’t that funny!) The future’s brown. The future’s shitty. So Attila the Stockbroker cleans up the City!   Capitalism is a John Cleese parrot. Let’s give it stick and not a single carrot! Bollocks to the dealer, the broker, the lender - Social justice back on the agenda Radical stylin’ going on here Smoked Mammon sarnies and really good beer For the poor no fear, for the rich no pity When Attila the Stockbroker cleans up the City! http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2097#comments gordon brown nu labour uk politics Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:13:26 +0000 quarsan 2097 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk Rat Leaves Sinking Ship http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2090 Ruth Kelly is <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/sep/24/ruthkelly.geoffhoon">to step down</a> in order to spend more time with her <strike>cult</strike> family. Funny how she chose to announce it just after Gordon's speech. http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2090#comments nu labour Resignation uk politics Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:40:35 +0000 quarsan 2090 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk Brown Scrapes The Bottom Of The Barrel http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2085  Oh dear God, just how low can New Labour go? Here's the latest example of the policy vacuum and lack of strategic thinking. They're planning to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/sep/07/labour.itv">pay for a TV series</a> that will encourage people to get off the dole and go into work. The show will be fronted by Jeremy Kyle. It's is provisionally titled Jeremy Kyle Gets Britain Working I cannot imagine anything more inappropriate. Kyle has made his name by exploiting and bullying people who are frequently uneducated or inarticulate. Jeremy Kyle's screen behaviour is that of a clinical psychopath. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/sep/07/itv.television">Here's an article about the filming of his Christmas DVD</a>. To see the government team up with Kyle is genuinely disturbing. http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2085#comments gordon brown nu labour uk politics Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:17:08 +0000 quarsan 2085 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk More Data Loss From Government and ID Card Firm http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2075 The Home Office continue to show themselves as 'not fit for purpose' by <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article4583747.ece">losing</a> yet more highly confidential information: <div class="quote">personal details and intelligence on 33,000 serious offenders, dossiers on 10,000 “priority criminals” and the names and dates of birth of all 84,000 prisoners in England and Wales. There is also information on an unspecified number of people enlisted on drug intervention programmes.</div> Who is responsible for this? Who would be so daft as to decrypt this information and put it on a memory stick, then lose it? PA Consulting. Who were appointed by Blunkett to <a href="http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1096">prepare the ID Card</a> scheme. PA Consulting. Who <a href="http://www.paconsulting.com/publications/cs_open/cs_mca2008_office_for_criminal_justice_reform.htm">boast on their website</a> about being a finalist in the Change Management Awards for their work on the project where this data was lost.   http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/2075#comments civil liberties uk politics Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:59:58 +0000 quarsan 2075 at http://www.blairwatch.co.uk
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