Friday, March 06, 2009
The Consequences of 'Guacamoling' Mandelson
Many of you you have cheered when seeing Peter Mandelson 'guacamoled' by a Heathrow protester. But what if it had been acid? No one would be laughing then. Politicians have been 'custard pied' through the ages. But I have always thought it was the refuge of someone who has lost the argument. Beyond provoking acres of media coverage, in which the ostensible aim is often hidden by the lurid pictures, such acts achieve nothing except make politicians withdraw into their shell. No doubt Mandelson's security detail, which seemed very absent here, will also be beefed up and it is we, the taxpayers, who will inevitably foot the bill.
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78 comments:
"what if it had been acid"
That's the point! We don't do that.
In this country, we true British don't become suicide bombers, we don't shoot people and we don't pursue political agendas by violence.
We throw rotten eggs and custard pies and purple flour.
That is a measure of maturity, and and indication of the respect we have for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Guacamole throwing is a civilised society in action.
And the smarmy git deserved it.
Totally agree Iain, plus there are other ways of making a point
Nah, I think there's a long-standing tradition of the custard pie in this country. We can't stop everything because of potential terrorism, ffs!!
It would have been more appropriate had the silly tart poured the custard over herself.
I never thought there would ever be an occasion when I would be on Mandelson's side but this idiot has proved otherwise.
I don't really like Peter Mandelson, but, on TV at least, he came out of this quite graciously.
What I don't understand is why the woman was not arrested for assault and damage to property (that was no cheap coat Mandy had on).
I thought it was a classic test for good democracy that you can chuck something non-lethal at a politican and not much happens to you.
Iain, in the space of a few days, you've grumbled that we aren't automatically told where our politicans live and the increased cost of security after a member of the public has got hold of one of them (not that Mandelson's voted into his current office).
BTW I wonder how John 'egg' Prescott would have handled this "bloody 'eck, mushy peas!"
Why wasn't she arrested and charged with assault?
I'd like to have seen the reaction if she'd done that to Prezza! Still no arrest, but she'd have got a bloody nose.
So when Prescott biffs a bystander, it's "That's just John", but when an outraged member of the public feels their voice is being denied through more normal channels, some get all hoity-toity.
No one suggested Prescott did not have a channel of communication, but he was allowed to throw his punch.
Just for the record, I am totally against Plane Stupid, but note that getting one's voice heard has become more and more difficult, to impossible, under this lot of morons we call a government.
Of the PEOPLE ? Once upon a time.
BY the people ? Only those who matter.
FOR the people ? Well yes, the people in power only though.
The present government were actually voted FOR by about 20 % of the potential electorate, and of course the glorious leader never.
Alan Douglas
wv : guasms. So that's what was in the jug!
"But what if it had been acid? No one would be laughing then."
Wanna bet?
Isn't there a bit of contradiction with the MP's addresses thing?
It was just some green sludge, excellent shot, good wrist movement and easy escape.
l hate this 'What if' ... it was custard!
Would have preferred it to be Jackboot Smith but Mandy will do.
I'm with ex-apprentice on this one
These snakes have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people, they deserve a lot more than custard thrown at them.
This was all a bit of a damp squib.
The reaction after Mandy went inside was not what she was expecting.
No security men hauling her to the ground whilst she shrieked her message to the watching millions.
No priceless publicity whilst the instruments of the fascist state bundle her into the back of a police vehicle.
She just walked off, looking a bit non-plussed really.
Queer.
This is just a self indulgent stunt which does nobody any good. I speak as a Mandy hater and am opposed to the 3rd runway.
And Prescott biffed someone because they threw something at him. This episode only makes even more draconian security and other laws more likely.
The other point is she is arguing about climate change and it is a threat - well that is in fact plain stupid. It might help if people protest about something that is sane not loopy.
Mr Dale,
Lighten up. It's a serious world in miserable times.
If you can't enjoy Mandelson getting covered in custard then you don't get politics, you don't understand the way people think, you don't understand the nations deeply ingrained hatred of Mandelson... in short you are as isolated and removed as he is from the general population.
If you can't enjoy the world's smarmiest man being made to look stupid and have a little chuckle then what is left in life?
And kudos to Mandy for handling it so well.
"what if it had been acid"
That's the point! We don't do that.
Pretty much what I was going to say.
I thought Lord Mandy's response was an excellent put down though:
“She was so busy throwing what seemed like green soup or something in my face that she failed to tell me what the protest was about,”
Can you imagine if this had happened in the USA? That young woman would have crushed under the weight of 30 or so 180 lbs cops! Here, she just calmly walks away apparently unchallenged.
So much for the police state that many have been banging on about!
BTW - totally agree with your comments on this Iain.
Sorry Iain, this time you're wrong.
No-one elected him, he is a proven liar and unproven crook. He has no moral legitimacy. Some might say he deserves a lot more than green wash.
dNo said...
An excellent post. As for the deed itself, Iain, a brave and courageous act of defiance in the light of this crowd of cretinous morons in Government (sic).
Emily Pankhurst mould if you ask me. A catalyst for the fear inspired anger out in the real world.
@ Loki Police concentrate on Joe Public only. Too busy doing this to do anything else. ;-)
It could have been acid!!!
That is the thinking that has led us to where we are. CCTV, no demo's, not allowed to congregate in groups of more than two, 42 days, ID cards, DNA etc., etc.,
If anything, it shows that the public CAN be trusted.
Agreed Iain. Don't like the bloke either, but this is pathetic. If you can't argue in a reasonable manner, don't argue at all.
How do you argue with an unelected Politician?
Why wasn't she taken into custardy?
.....I'll get my coat.
I do broadly agree Iain. It's disappointing that the BBC has used this as an opportunity to "highlight the issue", even interviewing the protestor on it. It's completely inappropriate. There are far better reasons than the third runway to throw custard in Mandy's face...
"If you can't enjoy the world's smarmiest man being made to look stupid"
But he wasn't made to look stupid -in fact he came out of it rather well.
He didn't overreact, he didn't get all outraged (remember Prezza getting drenched at the Brits and ranting on about his "womenfolk" being put at risk), she didn't get bundled to the ground by burly coppers...
And of course he was actually being polite and stopping to listen to what she had to say when he got gunked, so she comes off looking like some crazy person rather than an intelligent individual with a coherent argument.
I love the way she looks a bit confused about what to do next after throwing it at him, before just sort of wandering off.
SHE should have the same treatment by the LAW as the MAN who throw purple powder into the commons.
It is people like him and her that give protest groups a bad name, and only further their own personal profile.
Don't give the dozzy mare any more publicity
There was no security, but how should people react when nether Mandy or his Boss have had the courage to ask the people about their fitness for office? Was there a debate in Parliment over the 3rd runway?
There's nothing to get excited about.
These things happen from time to time. Prescott had water poured over his head, Blair was flour-bombed.
Mandelson is unelected, appointed, unaccountable and aloof. He will attract this sort of thing more than the average minister. If he engaged more and was more accountable, he would not.
It's a litmus test for democracy. At a time of increased concern about restrictions on liberties and rights, our democracy will benefit if this is shrugged off by all concerned.
Today has turned into a great day. Pol Roger anyone?
Am with Wrinkled Weasel on this.
It wasn't acid FFS.
Every so often those in power need reminding who put them there. Ballot boxes can be used only every five years. What the hell else to do in between with the shower of shit we have?
Unusually - I sit on both sides of the debate on this one.
The security was lapse and it is irritating that it will now cost a fortune to further improve it.
Having said that - the government have set new lows for avoidance and suppression of democracy. For instance they banned debate in parliament on their plan to print £75 billion.
The people need an outlet. I was hoping by now that someone would have organised a peaceful protest similar to the countryside alliance march - so that we can vote with our feet and demonstrate what we think of our government.
I think everyone involved comes away from this with great credit EXCEPT those hand-wringers worrying about acid or whatever.
The Penguin.
I wonder what would have happened if...
Mandelson stops to talk to the woman - she starts banging on about Heathrow and his part in it, and Mandy in a fit of pique splattered HER with a green liquid (guacamole/mushy peas).
What would the response be then?
As much as I hate the smarmy bugger he did carry himself well and the protester looked very foolish.
Ballot Boxes will not get rid of Mandelson he is there for life now, lurking in the House of Lords.
Good for her,good for democracy- though try that at the end of the summer, and she will will a head full of dum dum bullets
I've just been listening to a police officer talking on Radio 5 Live. He said the UK is the most liberal country for allowing protests and although this was a crime of assault, it was at the very small end of the scale. She can only be prosecuted if the person assaulted makes a complaint and Mandelson says he won't be doing that.
One point he made was particularly interesting. Ministers are responsible for their own security and there are more ministers in this present government than there have ever been. They cost the taxpayers vast sums of money in security.
Her frustration is obvious but by physically assaulting anyone you demean your argument.
I have a dear friend who is part of the Kapthing, Singer and Friedlander Isle of Man disgrace. A UK taxpayer all her life, she has lost her home, her life savings and is mentally destroyed. Along with around 10,000 others she has emailed and written to Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling numerous times. Not one person has had a reply. People are driven to desperate measures through total frustration with government.
http://www.ksfiomdepositors.org/
I don't like the way Mandy and Brown laughed off 'Real Custard Now'. I don't agree with violence but it did show how concerned people are about the turd runway.
Labour are very good at lecturing the British and American people about climate change, but very bad at implementing any policies that could possibly lessen it.
Indeed, they are very good at lecturing other governments about protectionism while pursuing protectionist policies themselves.
In every area of policy Labour talks an almost passable game but does nothing or actually does harm.
Glancing at the calendar I see that we're in what should be a General Election year. I vote for 'Real Election Now'.
What if it had been acid, my phenomenally muscled arse!
What if, instead of writing this piece for your blog, Iain, you'd chosen to pop into Mandy's favourite coffee shop and lace his latte with plutonium? What if, instead of going into a polling booth last May, I'd chosen to cut the brake lines on Ken's taxi?
I imagine that the point you're making is that people should be discouraged by social pressure or legal sanctions from throwing pies in politicians' faces. But it's JUST possible that the sort of person who'd throw acid in someone's face isn't worried by social mores or the law.
You're far far too matey with your MP mates, Iain.
I don't really know how I feel about this. I can see both sides, frankly (his security was pretty lax, given he's a former NI minister, surely?).
So I'll wait and see what Canvas or Simon Gardner say. Then the opposite must be the right way to go!
FANTASTIC!! THAT'S MADE MY DAY!
To be honest I think this disgraceful Government ought to be grateful that it is only custard, coming from a person who is potentially also left wing anyway - they are the ones who push the foolish climate change myth at the young. They are reaping the result of their 'education' programmes.
Normal decent citizens meanwhile, get bashed on the head by police when they try and protest their freedoms. A trungeon is a lot more painful than custard.
To be frank I'd like to see more protests, more marches and more resistance: or are we all supposed to sit at home quietly whilst this mob drag us all down? The opposition do nothing but go along with them, and a cowed media can only write articles on "How Brown Can Bounce Back.
Why didn't she ask herself the crucial question "Does my bum look big in this?"
It's pretty odd to see apparent Tories here complain that Mandelson was "not elected". When did the Tories in 18 years ever try to reform the House of Lords?
It is dreadful now, but worse then.
Mandelson will now use this to tar all anti-Heathrow protesters as potential terrorists.
She has done her cause no could and is in fact, Plain Stupid.
If you can't throw custard at him, you can vote for him !
Vote for the No 1 Hypocrite here
@ John Moss - throwing guacamole/custard is hardly a terrorist act.
It's not just Tories who think it's wrong that an unelected Mandelson has so much power. If no one listens to the people, this is what happens.
People are extremely angry about a lot of things.
You tube clip cheered me up though. Thanks!
@Oliver Drew
'Don't like Mandelson, but at least he more or less laughed it off. Makes a change'
I agree. Brian Mawhinney once had paint thrown over him. His spokesman said 'He was overcome with emulsion'.
Iain unintentionally showed the least desirable consequence of this kind of stupid behaviour: More often than not, it wins the target sympathy -- and cover -- they don't deserve, and distracts from the kind of pasting they should get.
What if Iain Dale might inadvertently inspire a suicide bomber eventually - we should stop him from blogging now, just in case!
What if.. terrorists could obtain the addresses of MPs from the electoral register?
You can justify any position by proposing "what if.." followed by a contrived horror scenario, and I think if you're honest about it you'll realise that you've overreacted.
Dick the Prick said...
"Isn't there a bit of contradiction with the MP's addresses thing?"
Strange thing is, when I first saw this on the news the thought occurred to me that 'what if this had been set up'? Yeah, I know it probably wasn't but what a good excuse it would have provided the wimps for extra protection against those nasty members of the bullying public! Gosh just imagine, this could have been an MP's wife that got custarded, shock horror!!!
Dear Mr Halsall, 12:58
"When did the Tories in 18 years ever try to reform the House of Lords?"
They didn't, they had the good sense to leave it alone. An anachronism it may have been, but it worked and had stood the test of time.
Labour, for purely ideological reasons, wrecked the joint, and replaced it with something that is less effective, less respected, more expensive and uniquely corrupt.
Has there ever been a government with such a reverse Midas effect: everything they lay their grubby mitts on turns immediately to dross.
You must be very proud.
Good on her. Its no more than he desrerves. He should not be in government after what he has done.
Just how much can England take from this nasty government.
This post s not up to your standard Ian.
Politicians have always had water/;pies/eggs/paint thrown at them. "What if...." is a silly question.
I agree with your concern about this sort of thing, Iain. Of course she's not a terrorist, and I don't want this woman prosecuted, either. I think it's admirable that Mandelson won't make a complaint, though this will have done him good, actually, and he can afford a new coat. But I don't want more oppressive laws or more protection distancing politicians from us, either, which I think this sort of thing make more likely.
How to discourage it? Well, for one thing I do think it's self-defeating: I'm certainly not going to support Plane Stupid, even if I do have doubts about Heathrow to say the least.
But the most direct way is for anti-custardeers to protestprotest. If you're a member of Plane Stupid, I reckon it's now open season for anyone who objects to your organisation's custarding tactics to protestprotest about it by custarding you.
As a protest against this behaviour I have just decided to fly to London 3 more times this year for no other reason than to annoy her and all the rest in Plane Stupid which is a wonderfully descriptive name for a pressure group. Enjoy the fumes.
Given the enormous lack of security I've just started to wonder if, maybe, this had been 'allowed to happen'
If Mandelson has come out of this unscathed (looking magnanimous even)and the anti-Heathrow protestors look bad then wouldn't that suit this tawdry government?
Conspiracy anyone?
Acid wouldn't do it. It needs a silver cross and a wooden stake to the heart.
Alan Douglas said... “The present government were actually voted FOR by about 20 % of the potential electorate, and of course the glorious leader never.”
And the next one will be in a similar position. It’s probably high time we had compulsory voting. But above all, there must be electoral reform to rid us of this corrupt, highly undemocratic, thoroughly bent voting system.
Incidentally, didn’t Mandelson behave well as compared with that Tory minister who had red paint chucked all over him outside the House years ago (whatever his name was)?
Brilliant, how his presentational instincts kicked in immediately, and he made sure there could be no easy custard facial photo.
Richard Abbot said... “No-one elected him, he is a proven liar and unproven crook. He has no moral legitimacy.”
So when exactly is an unelected House of Lords to be abolished? Not by any putative Tory government, that’s for sure.
It’s just too inconvenient for the Lab/Cons to have a democratically elected second chamber and just too convenient to have appointees.
I believe Cameron has all but promised peers there will be no reform if he becomes PM...
dNo said... “If you can't enjoy the world's smarmiest man being made to look stupid and have a little chuckle then what is left in life?”
Someone attacked Piers Morgan? When? Is there video?
an ex-apprentice said... “An anachronism it [the HoL] may have been, but it worked...”
Oh bollocks it “worked”.
Mmmmm LX 06 EGY Jag ... consequences of showing plate? ;-)
It has been described elsewhere as slime that was thrown......entirely appropriate in Mandelsons case!!!!!!
She's a leftie.
Mandy will not press charges, it's a vote loser.
I bet its not the first time Mandelson has had a facial
Absolutely zero sympathy here. You can bet your bottom dollar that these guys were having a good laugh when Thatcher was egged. And I'll bet a few of them though that the Brighton bombing was missed opportunity. The same for Major when the IRA tried to fire a mortar into Downing Street. Labour think of nothing except making political divisions. Now they are in government we are supposed to do what they could not which is realise the importance of ministerial security.
"It's not just Tories who think it's wrong that an unelected Mandelson has so much power."
Three words: Alec Douglas-Home
“And I'll bet a few of them though that the Brighton bombing was missed opportunity.”
Oh yes indeedy.
Would have saved my country a very great deal more grief.
Iain, allow me to spell it out to you.
IT. WAS. JUST. SOME. GREEN. CUSTARD.
Is that clear enough? From the way you're reporting this, you'd think that hundreds of MPs had been killed in some kind of terrorist attack. Everyone seems to have gone crazy over this story. Unbearably awful and smug woman throws green custard at man - that's all there is to it.
Our Immigration Minister, the very sinister Phil "Cream Pie" Woolas got hit recently - yet I don't recall the Beeb screaming from the rooftops about MPs needing tighter security. Quiet news day, is it?
Ah what if it had been acid!
I'll have to think about that non question.
Talking of acid. This mendacious poisonous viper along with the so called ex deputy PM, Campbell spread acid rain over the body politic for a decade, destroying reputations, careers and lives. These two have damaged democracy by their machinations, spin, hidden agendas and undermining to the point where the majority have no respect for Westminster and less for those who work there. Ask yourself this. How did it come to this?
Acid rain. Thanks Mandelson. Thanks Campbell.
Never thought anything could make me sympathise with Mandy.
Probably not worth prosecuting the sanctimonious green meanie. Just have to hope that one day someone who disagrees with her political views will pour custard over her - with TV cameras present and without her knowing in advance that it is only custard.
The Grim Reaper said... “Our Immigration Minister, the very sinister Phil "Cream Pie" Woolas got hit recently - yet I don't recall the Beeb screaming from the rooftops...”
And Sky News - lets be even handed about it. Non-stop Mandy-green-custard-horror on Sky News all day as far as I noticed. Their coverage far exceeded the BBC’s.
Like it or not I’m afraid the fact is that Mandy is a star. Well I can be pretty sure it won’t be liked hereabouts; that’s a given.
If it had been, say, James Purnell or Hilary Benn, then there would have been no story. I note there have been some 75 posts in this thread; it speaks to Mandy’s star quality.
Simon Gardner said "If it had been, say, James Purnell or Hilary Benn, then there would have been no story."
If it had been James Purnell, I would still be laughing now at his misfortune.
Presumably Ms. Dean will not object if anyone who disagrees with her expresses himself in the same way.
l’m currently of the opinion that if l saw Mary Honeyball MEP http://thehoneyballbuzz.com/ on the streets and l just happened to have a container of custard .. she would be the recipient!
Mary has recently had a lot of activity on her site but has just resorted to editing out peoples comments and questions that don’t agree with her views.
Whilst l can understand editing out abusive comments but these were not abusive. They were questions and comments that just disagreed with her.
Mary it seems wants to preach … and preach alone. Debate is a foreign word to Mary. Does she really think that by editing out comments it helps her cause? Stupid woman.
Whilst l don’t agree with lain on everything at least he has the bottle to stand his ground. For that he has my respect.
Mary however has lost any respect l had for her but l do have something else for her … currently!
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