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 [...]
Category Archives: UK politics
It's not over until the fat man sings – and he's just cleared his throat
June 7, 2009 – 6:05 pm
Last Sunday BBC political commentator Andrew Marr asked Gordon Brown whether he would consider stepping down as PM if it were the majority view of the Labour Party that it would be in its interests for him to do so. Characteristically, Brown replied “No.” He had a job to do, cleaning up Parliament and saving [...]
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, [...]
Update: Two Treasury Select Committee Members fiddled their expenses
May 21, 2009 – 3:01 pm
This morning The Telegraph reported that Conservative MP Sir Peter Viggers would stand down at the next election, at the request of David Cameron, having claimed over £30,000 in gardening-related expenses, including £1600.00 for a floating duck house. Some wags wondered whether it fell under the MPs’ second home category. Another Tory grandee, Michael Fallon, MP, overclaimed £8300.00 in mortgage [...]
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. [...]
It's official! Phil Woolas is a Ghurka jerka
May 7, 2009 – 5:31 pm
We have steered clear of the Ghurka Veterans campaign thus far, on the grounds that there is little to add to the clear injustice of refusing to grant permanent resident status, and indeed, full army pensions, to serving and ex-members of the Nepalese Brigade of Ghurkas. Last week, the UK government, probably the only people in [...]
Manchester's crime industry boosted by ID card decision
May 6, 2009 – 1:44 pm
I won’t rub it in (again) but we predicted (Thus passim) the release of all 12 ‘terror suspects’ arrested and detained without charge for up to two weeks for the alleged ‘Good Friday Plot‘ to blow up Manchester’s Arndale Centre. Liberal politician and human rights lawyer Alex Carlile is conducting an investigation and review into [...]