On the National Express, there’s a jolly hostess, selling crisps and tea. She’ll provide you with drinks and theatrical winks for a sky-high fee. We’re going where the air is free. Tomorrow belongs to me. Lyrics from ‘National Express,’ by The Divine Comedy. Surely some mistake? Privatised train operators are supposed to make a profit [...]
Category Archives: Political spin
Epitaph for a rump parliament
June 21, 2009 – 10:41 pm
Thus reader John Poole unearthed Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell’s speech upon dissolving the UK Parliament in 1653, which could be recycled as and when the current smelly rump parliament is dissolved – in a vat of Draino, perhaps? “…It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which [...]
We have ways of making you talk, Mr Blair
June 21, 2009 – 2:35 pm
It used to be difficult to shut Tony Blair up, especially on the subject of Iraq. Remember his epic war speech to Parliament, when the phrase ‘weapons of mass destruction’ was repeated more than 15 times? Now he only speaks for $400,000 a pop to neocons or lectures the Pope on theology. He might yet [...]
Don't Panic! Lord Sugar of Tut will save the economy
June 7, 2009 – 9:31 am
After 13 months of manufacturing decline and with unemployment heading towards 3 million, the unelected British PM has promoted the equally unelected Business Secretary, ‘Lord’ Peter Mandelson, to First Secretary of State in a clear signal that his ‘democratic renewal’ measures mean exactly the opposite. Mandelson, who is really calling the shots at the [...]
Who will be brave enough to wear the Brown trousers?
June 3, 2009 – 11:55 pm
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is the most unpopular leader of the Labour Party ever, a singular achievement given the horrorbags who preceded him. His 21% approval rating beats the previous liability incarnate, Michael Foot, who scored 24% in 1982. Foot was a principled Fabian, idealist socialist toff in the Orwell mould but his donkey jacket, [...]
No, Cameron, you can't have an election in our democracy – because you would win!
May 21, 2009 – 9:26 am
While the stench of corruption dissipates, like the fear of swine flu, because we’re all bored now and the Tories are just as culpable, there is a serious danger that Brown and his larcenous mates will get away with it. This vile jelly must be nailed to the wall. Let’s have an election – or [...]
Thus interprets the UK MP's expenses guidelines, for the (sole) benefit of honourable members
May 18, 2009 – 4:10 pm
All this “I stuck to the Rules” stuff delivered to camera by our alternately defiant or ashen faced betters in the Mother of Parliaments prompted me to take a look at the rules (the “Green Book”) of which we’ve heard so much. It’s less than gripping stuff but, as rule books go, it’s fairly clear [...]
Britain's corrupt politicians deserve a break – send them to prison
May 15, 2009 – 6:52 pm
Thus has steered clear of the Tsunami of revelations about abuse of UK MPs’ expenses and allowances, mainly because we predicted it several weeks ago: “It beggars belief that the Secretary for Employment and Welfare Reform should be found to be either incompetent in his interpretation of Parliamentary allowances rules, or disingenous in their interpretation. [...]
Credit crunch contrition from the commentariat
This morning an Editorial Intelligence (EI) briefing on ‘The Credit Crunch Commentariat‘ debated whether the media had talked us into recession or had downplayed the crisis and thus exacerbated its impact. “What, pray, is all the fuss about?” wrote Ex Economist editor, Bill Emmott, in the Guardian in August 2008. “Unemployment is down, the economy is [...]