Last night on VoxPolitix we had a half hour discussion with Ann Widdecombe, Bernard Jenkin and Laura Sandys about women candidates and the A List. You could say it was a bit fiery at times. Miss W was at her most confrontational, even accusing Mr J of being a patronising so and so. A viewer emailed in to ask if he could have that clip as a ringtone. As you can imagine, I hardly got a word in edgeways. This part of the programme lasts half an hour and you can see it HERE. Promise you it's worth it.
UPDATE: Tonight at 9pm on the programme Shami Chakrabarti from Liberty is our guest. And on Monday, we've got Mark Oaten.
26 comments:
Is this part of Oaten's rehabilitation as an Abbott/Portillo tv pundit?
For Abbott/Portillo should we read Oaten/Dale?
Apologies if I've got them the wrong way round, I'm old, these things confuse me.
what is the point of having ann widdecombe in the a list ? she is already an mp !
or do you mean about the a list?
I really think its time for Saint Ann to retire to a monastery - she has become too precious by half and she now displays a touch of C Short's sanctimonious gene. I feel sorry for Mr Jenkin having to keep her on side.
trying hard no. 18
BUT - is your sofa too small for you to ? or are you too big for it?
Talking of abbott - where was she when it came to voting on Iraq this tuesday? For all her freedom quotes and democracy. Probably a key vote in terms of freedom of information about the Iraq War.
As for Oaten - well he's got a set on him hasn't he? Mind you they're probably not is.
I know - harsh.
Just one question about Oaten - Why? Surely a period of silence from him would be most welcome!
why have you got oaten. he's never actually done anything of note (beyond the obvious). is that they best you can get
I have been on the same platform as Shami and Mark speaking in the Jubilee Room at the House of Commons on the Barred from Voting campaign. I do think that Shami and Liberty has lost the plot at times, and that I criticise Newsnight for letting Mark dictate the "news". It was sad that he fell from grace, but it was even more tragic watching him try to explain what made him fall. It did not need a complex explanation, sex is a strong drive and how many others have got it caught in their zip? I hope he remains sincere in his support for prisoners and the vote, in spite of Menzies Campbell deciding to do a u turn and sit upon the fence on the issue, as though trying to distance himself from Mark and Charles Kennedy.
Oaten? I thought you got politicians on 18DS, not national jokes. Whatever next? Prescott perhaps?
When he used to be active in politics, Oaten was big on giveing prisoners the vote. I believe that Oaten is also a prison abolitionist. Can you turn the screw on his law and order credentials, please?
Why should it be a battle between local constituency and CCO? Jenkin was very poor at defending the indefensible. Well done Widdecombe. I liked Jenkin failing miserably to able to argue that A-listers weren't all Southerners. Sandys was most irritating - I don't think I could campaign for her. Where did she earn the right to ridicule Widdecombe and could she be any further up Jenkins' ahem?
Widdecombe did brilliantly - Jenkins came across like a total prat. Laura was a typical Tory woman - how is this lady meant to be changing the face of the Tories?
I cannot believe that Jenkins has been put in charge of this.
What gets me about the whole debate is that no-one ever discusses the fact the A List is sexual discrimination. 500 men are being disenfranchised solely becuase of their gender.
By G..
Ms widdecombe is magnificent isn't she?
I will never forgive her for voting to ban hunting, but parliament could do with about 500 more of her.
How about Oaten answers questions live?
Does the absence of Mark Oaten jokes on this thread indicate that a degree of editorial discretion has occurred? Something smells funny about this.
"And on Monday, we've got Mark Oaten."
How much have you been offered to keep him? Perhaps there could be a silent auction for children in need?
Aside from the obvious topic of conversation, which is probably best left untouched anyway, Praguetory's suggestion to discuss Mark Oaten's views vis a vis prison, votes for prisoners etc. might be a good line to take.
If he is for giving votes to prisoners and a possible abolitionist I must say that I would be vehemently opposed to his ideas, but it would certainly be good to see an intelligent debate on the subject.
What positions does Mr O take on other possibly controversial issues (no pun intended and no jokes please)?
In the pre-launch hype No18 pitched itself as the grown up political discussion channel. Please don't let Mr Oaten's appearance lower the tone to a cross between Benny Hill and Trisha.
DS team - re Oaten and prisons, if you're looking for material check this from the 2004 Lib Dem conference. Interesting that he quotes a figure of £352 per prison night. Very precise, but also a complete over-exaggeration.
And yes, of course Iain is censoring, but what I initially posted was fairly obscene.
widdecombe was brilliant and showed the a-list up for what it is ---a joke and an insult to women and ethnic minorities.
jenkin was crap.why doesn't he resign his seat for rehman chisti
I don't agree with every political view of Ms Widdecombe but when it comes to the A-List and to women in this party she is absolutely spot on.
Is 18DS station so strapped for decent steak that is has to make do with freebie hamburgers? Oaten? I have seen the same faces (not counting Iain & Co) each of the 4 times I have watched it.
Good idea but already teetering on the brink of in-crowd, navel-gazing irrelevance.
Really enjoyed this show. Have to agree with other commentators that Anne won the debate by a country mile. It was a shame that Bernards' wife couldn't make it, she's a far better advocate than her husband.
I think you should head a campaign Iain to get Shammi on the AA+ list ASAP. Begg and begg hard if thats what it takes.
She even looks like Ann Widdercombe sometimes and talks like her far more then even she could possibly understand. She is a greater potential asset to the Tory party and the country then even Ann Widdercome.
A British Condi Rice.
Question for Oaten "You were previously Home Affairs Spokesman for the Lib-Dems. Should the Dems be in coalition with the Conservatives in the future, what common ground do you think there is in this area?"
Post a Comment