I am not sure what to make of this. According to Stephen Pollard, Peter Mandelson devised Bernie Ecclestone's crisis management strategy yesterday, following the Forumla One chief's disgraceful remarks about Hitler. Pollard even alleges that one of Mandelson's little helpers penned his mea culpa in The Times this morning.
Is it wise for the BIS Secretary to be so close to someone who has, shall we say, a chequered record in his dealings with the Labour Party and the government? And hasn't he got something better to do with his time?
29 comments:
I wouldn't say he'd done such a great job at crisis management either, if he had any influence over Bernie's hole-digging interview yesterday ...
http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5418046,00.html
'better to say nothing and be thought a fool ----'
advice to live by bernie
If he has professional help in writing that article he should get a refund. It was the most ineloquent drivel I have read for some time.
Maybe Mandy wants media attention off Ecclestone because too much attention in case the media delve too deeply into Ecclestone's past - e.g., his shady dealings with Blair.
No doubt Mandy was involved in the Ecclestone / £1 million / tobacco advertising affair.
Fitting really. Mandy clearly also believes democracy is over-rated being a non-elected deputy to an unelected PM.
Does anyone believe that they wouldn't abolish voting if they thought they could get away with it?
£1m should buy one a lot of access and attention, but surely not if the £1m was refunded?
At any rate the idea that the government should "get things done" rather than go through the proper process is exactly the kind of post-democratic thinking that Mandy approves of.
What exactly do you expect if you ask a question like "do you have a favourite historical dictator?"
Were people expecting that Ecclestone would have chosen one of the nice cuddly dictators instead of Hitler?
Ask an effing stupid question get an effing stupid answer.
"Is it wise for the BIS Secretary to be so close to someone who has, shall we say, a chequered record in his dealings with the Labour Party and the government? And hasn't he got something better to do with his time?"
No and No.
According to widespread rumours at the time, Hitler died in 1945.
Even if he did not, his birthyear of 1889 indicates he might well be deceased by now.
It takes a certain genius to create a "Hitler Crisis" 120 years after the man's birth.
Only New Liebour !
Alan Douglas
I'm not so sure I understand what all the fuss is about. We all know that dictators 'can make the trains run on time' - that is not necessarily an endorsement of them, nor does it balance any of the evil things they may do.
[from The Times] "“Politicians are too worried about elections,” he said. “We did a terrible thing when we supported the idea of getting rid of Saddam Hussein. He was the only one who could control that country. It was the same [with the Taleban]. We move into countries and we have no idea of the culture. The Americans probably thought Bosnia was a town in Miami. There are people starving in Africa and we sit back and do nothing but we get involved in things we should leave alone.” "
I'm not endorsing his views but he does make some points above which could usefully be discussed.
As for what Stephen Pollard thinks, I couldn't give a monkey's - if his sort had his way we would lose the freedom of speech to discuss any problems or issues relating to Jews or Israelis and be forced to adopt the facile 'my country right or wrong' lack of discrimination in any argument relating to the middle east.
Is it right for Mandy to be in government at all?
Best not pull on that thread!
Mandy is a dab hand in bunker management. Besides another wealthy backer in the back pocket. Very handy for Mandy.
They owe him a favour.
When asked, "Who is your favourire dictator," I'm sirprised the answer wasn't Gordon Brown. Or have we elected him and I missed it?
Good job it wasn't Gordon offering the advice, with his curse. Ecclestone would be tarred and feathered.
What Bernie needs is a good fix of espresso a day! Do him the world of good.
Yawn.... high-profile Labour supporter makes a booboo. Labour spin machine ramps up its revs. Mandelson suspected of oiling the cogs, issuing insults to mentally competent voters. Same old, same old. Yawn....
"What exactly do you expect if you ask a question like "do you have a favourite historical dictator?"
Were people expecting that Ecclestone would have chosen one of the nice cuddly dictators instead of Hitler?"
I thought Hitler was his joint favourite along with Thatcher?
"Is it wise for the BIS Secretary to be so close to someone who has, shall we say, a chequered record in his dealings with the Labour Party and the government?"
What's it matter? What we going to do about it - unelect him?
Maybe Mandy feels sorry for the man with the same 'height complex' that Hitler had.
Then again, maybe Bernie might be offering to 'sponsor' the Labour party and its a 'back-scrathing' exercise
After an expensive divorce, Bernie couldn't afford Max Clifford.
Bearing in mind his comments & Mosely's family connections I hear they are going to drop the tile Formula One & call it the Maste r Race from next year.
"According to Stephen Pollard".
Oh please what next according to Melanie Phillips.
From each great person we can learn.
Hitler was successful in crisis management - it's a fact!
We don't need to deny facts.
But don't need to copy everything as well!
As a doctor I can say that 'small man complex' manifests itself in four particular ways: 1) A dislike of elections
2) Fear of non-Arians races
3) A desire to invade Poland
4) An ability to 'get things done.'
It appears that Herr Ecclestone has only the fourth of these symptoms and therefore is not a serious case.
"Does anyone believe that they wouldn't abolish voting if they thought they could get away with it?"
I can remember an interview with a Labour activist on the Today programme many years ago around the time of an election or by-election. He said that it was unfair that someone who took no part in politics should have the same vote as someone like himself who took a very active part in politics with campaigning etc.
I think what mattered most was likely his cheque writing record... A million pounds to New Labour, wasn't it? That's the last one I heard about, at least...
You could hardly make it up, Mandy and Ecclestone, having tea, paying deep respect to each other and with a million things in common. Perhaps a portfolio of another kind has been added to the dark Lord's extensive interests?
Elliot Kane said...
"I think what mattered most was likely his cheque writing record... A million pounds to New Labour, wasn't it? That's the last one I heard about, at least..."
He made a similar donation to the Conservative party when John Major was PM.
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