James Purnell is often seen as the 'coming man' of British politics - in some ways an unenviable position, as John Moore would no doubt testify. I rather like him as an individual (not that I have ever met him). He seems, well, rather normal for a politician. So it was with some degree of interest that I opened my copy of the New Statesman this evening to find a two page article by him which purported to show how Labour can get off the floor "because our ideas are right". Except it did nothing of the sort.Far from being a clarion call to the left to revitalise themselves and freshen their policy platform, all it was was tired rehash of some good old Tory bashing. Indeed, sad git that I am, I counted no less than fourteen mentions of the word Conservative or Tories (used pejoratively, natch). It just shows how it is the Conservatives who are now setting the political agenda and making the political weather, leaving a very tired Labour Party trailing in its wake.
24 comments:
Saw him on Question Time. The words feeble and lightweight spring to mind.
Typical ex-BBC man. His performance on QT was dreadful and confirms without any doubt Adam Boulton's assertion that the Cabinet is full of "children and pygmies".
I've had dealings with this man, and he's slippery and not to be trusted. Not to be trusted.
the Tories have policies? Iain will they bring back the starting rate of income tax?
The best bit was
"...New Labour was born with a simple phrase: let's mean what we say and say what we mean. "
Indeed
In a vacuum nobody can hear you scream.
Photoshop and the rest of the Government are a vacuum. The voters are screaming, '**** Off!'
It neatly sums up what the Labour party is about, and where it feels most comfortable - that is in opposing the Conservative Party. It is why New Labour has utterly failed to achieve anything in government. It simply doesn't know how to govern. It is the natural party of opposition. There will be some Labour MPs (in safe seats) looking forward to opposition so that they can resume their favorite passtime of sneering and jeering.
From David Cameron's interview in the Independent:-
He concedes that traditional centre-left ideas, such as income redistribution or state-run programmes, did relieve poverty but insists they have run their course.
The Tory leader argues that the progressive end – making British poverty history – is now best achieved by conservative means, and this means addressing the causes of poverty rather than just the symptoms. He claims: "It is the Conservative Party that is the champion of progressive ideals in Britain today
Progressive, how a Tory spells socialist!
http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/05/09/boris-johnson-mayor-of-london-wrote-idiotic-game-article/
I voted for Boris, please tell me he's not really this ignorant!
All presentation and no original thought, ideally suited to vacuous New Labour.
Yes, but he is cute (needs more hair though).
6:15 said
Saw him on Question Time. The words feeble and lightweight spring to mind
Snap. I might have added apologist and sycophant with zero resonance among Labour core voters.
He's another reason why the idea of Ken isn't at all stupid from Labour's point of view.
Vessel has but one L
Not two as are in Purnell.
If you're to keep your headlines tight,
It helps to get the spelllllling right.
Speaking of Labour apologists and Question Time, I think there must be a competition to mention the most stock excuses at any given media opportunity.
Both Polly T and James competed to blame the global economy/warming/whatever for everything.
But best of all was Polly T when challenged on the phoney inflation rate.
'This is nothing to do with the Government, it is the Office of National Statistics.'
Absolute rubbish... do we actually leave these people in charge of stuff?
You know, when I read something (anything) I always try to frame its context by imagining who the intended audience is (or might be)... in the case of Purnell's piece I'm at a loss. The closest I get is that he's having a day dream and just happened to write it down.
Hey suddenly realised he is a Will Young look alike
Is he a child or a pygmy? he seems to fit either or both.
"New Labour was born with a simple phrase: let's mean what we say and say what we mean"
What New Labour was he referring to? The New Labour in Great Britain was the exact opposite of this. I can't think of a single instance in which they were honest about their intentions and followed through on what they said.
I fail to understand why people can't look into faces of politicians and see them for what they are. Remember this was the man who with Bryant auctioned the report int to Dr. Kelly's death. I would have nothing to do with him. Shallowness is written all over his face.
Purnell's relish in attacking those who are ill in his recent DWP bill should earn him no favours with folk who believe in justice. His style in this matter is that of a playground bully or even a sadist.
At long last, someone has had the balls to point out that this 'New Emperor' has not a jot of political apparel whatsoever...
The very idea that people could be hyping him up as a potential leader would be laughable if it were not so serious. Maybe it is just to make a young whippersnapper like Miliband look like a wise elder statesmen by comparison...
Please read the comments section after the article its hillarious!
That big mouth of his just makes me think he's an asylum seeker from Fraggle Rock.
He's an arrogant git.
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