tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post6803988673698576207..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: The Men in Sharp SuitsIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-89819070707299868832008-07-01T13:39:00.000+01:002008-07-01T13:39:00.000+01:00Anybody with political ambitions would be foolish ...Anybody with political ambitions would be foolish to seek the leadership now. Better to wait till the election is over & then step in to "save" the party while playing thiogs can only get better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-8301648626827594832008-07-01T09:18:00.000+01:002008-07-01T09:18:00.000+01:00John Fuller said... "All this talk of succession p...John Fuller said... <BR/>"All this talk of succession presupposes that HM Queen will permit another transfer of power without the inconvenience of calling a General Election.<BR/>My suspicion is that She will require a fresh mandate should the Labour party choose to dispense with G Brown's services."<BR/><BR/>That won't happen. She knows that if she interferes in government in that way we will soon see the end of the monarchy as we know it. After all, who elected her?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-70007025914775205592008-06-30T21:06:00.000+01:002008-06-30T21:06:00.000+01:00All this talk of succession presupposes that HM Qu...All this talk of succession presupposes that HM Queen will permit another transfer of power without the inconvenience of calling a General Election.<BR/>My suspicion is that She will require a fresh mandate should the Labour party choose to dispense with G Brown's services.<BR/>So there's a dilemma for Labour. <I>Do we soldier-on with Brown and have an electoral disaster in 2010 or have an electoral disaster in 2008</I><BR/><B>Hmmmmmmm</B><BR/>Over to you, Your Majesty.bunncohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06768612455017655264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-16251367057801409512008-06-30T20:29:00.000+01:002008-06-30T20:29:00.000+01:00Well there's a dour, not very popular Scotsman out...Well there's a dour, not very popular Scotsman out on centre court right now making a comeback from two sets down. It can happen.Oscar Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09423019456579337438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-65852211138776466052008-06-30T17:16:00.000+01:002008-06-30T17:16:00.000+01:00And if he loses he presents an even bigger conumdr...And if he loses he presents an even bigger conumdrum for the incoming leader - Gordon Brown was an unelected leader and much comment was passed at the time - but two unelected leaders inside two years. I can't see the great British public standing for that and the clamour for an instant election would be huge. I think therefore he will stay because and excuse me for the cliche Turkeys don't vote for Christmas.<BR/><BR/>there must be a large numbe rof labour MP's who are dammed if tehy do and dammed if they don't in this respect. Take Cardiff North of which I have a voting interest - Julie Morgan is highly unlikely to retain the seat whoever the leader is - what interest does she have in seeing Gordon Brown go. Mind you 11 years ago she told me in the street that Tony Blair was only window dressing and Labour would go back to good old Labour within a few years - it's taken 10 and surprise surprise we all remember the good old labour of Grodon Brown's forebears and we don't much like it now anymore than we did in the 70's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-14194372623779150682008-06-30T15:49:00.000+01:002008-06-30T15:49:00.000+01:00they should show some solidarity with the minimum ...they should show some solidarity with the minimum wagers, the pensioners, and so on.<BR/><BR/>I do not see why they should have to opt out.That would be an entirely illegal way to sell anything in the real world for good reason.You cannot associate work benefits and employment with contributions to the Labour party in this era. Not in any way.<BR/><BR/>If union members want to give to the Labour Party they can in their private capacity same as anyone else.Newmaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11922161971821380803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-72197523164679053642008-06-30T14:52:00.000+01:002008-06-30T14:52:00.000+01:00Zanu Labour will be bailed out by the unions.In re...Zanu Labour will be bailed out by the unions.<BR/>In return for a serious wedge, in due course there will be a number of grants etc given to the unions to assist with training / modernisation/ blah/ blah.<BR/><BR/>Also, one wonders how much the Co-Op Group will donate to the cause WHEN they get the go ahead to build one of the new eco towns in Leicestershire on a site they own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-85888509184533438172008-06-30T14:51:00.000+01:002008-06-30T14:51:00.000+01:00"But TU members should not opt out. Even if they a..."But TU members should not opt out. Even if they are voting Tory themselves over something or other they should show some solidarity with the minimum wagers, the pensioners, and so on."<BR/><BR/>Why? Who are you to dictate who these people show their solidarity with?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-28408004704178359022008-06-30T13:44:00.000+01:002008-06-30T13:44:00.000+01:00On the opt out there will be a form of word in the...On the opt out there will be a form of word in the Union's set of rules that should be sent to the union at a specified address. <BR/><BR/>But TU members should not opt out. Even if they are voting Tory themselves over something or other they should show some solidarity with the minimum wagers, the pensioners, and so on.Chris Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679067503215414300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-36513932695663306882008-06-30T13:08:00.000+01:002008-06-30T13:08:00.000+01:00That's the one - thanks very.That's the one - thanks very.Wyrdtimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16640021224868439090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-74515086027076191952008-06-30T12:49:00.000+01:002008-06-30T12:49:00.000+01:00Two things - why anyone is surprised that Gordon i...Two things - why anyone is surprised that Gordon is useless completely escapes me. He was a fiscally useless chancellor with one idea - that he could spend money better than anyone else - so why would he be any good as PM?<BR/><BR/>And if he goes now Labour will have to have an elction. Just shooing in another 'leader' would leave them without any electoral legitimacy at all, especially as the bloke they've just booted out was seminal to the whole New Labour project which got them to power in the first place. In other words if he was wrong the whole project was wrong.Lolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04586735342675041312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-33106151857707644672008-06-30T12:18:00.000+01:002008-06-30T12:18:00.000+01:00I think people are getting a wee bit carried away ...I think people are getting a wee bit carried away with the SNP's chances in Glasgow East.<BR/><BR/>The SNP had a very good election a year ago and Labour barely put up a fight. Even still, Labour won awesome majorities in deepest, darkest Glasgow. Unbeatable majorities perhaps.<BR/><BR/>People keep referring to the two by-elections the SNP won in "working class Glasgow". Let's remember that both of these victories were in Glasgow Govan, a seat the SNP presently hold in Holyrood thanks to Nicola Sturgeon's high profile.<BR/><BR/>Even with this SNP victory in Labour's heartlands in 2007, the surrounding constituencies were still Labour landslides. I don't know if people appreciate just how many Glaswegians turn up to vote for Labour without even thinking about it.<BR/><BR/>So let's not cling to Govan too tightly and believe too quickly that lightning can strike twice.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-49315433888576023702008-06-30T12:11:00.000+01:002008-06-30T12:11:00.000+01:00A very bad thing for democracy when the big donors...A very bad thing for democracy when the big donors are able, as you point out, to remove & appoint leaders.<BR/><BR/>I don't know what the solution is.<BR/><BR/>I agree with Iain that they would be mad to get rid of Gordon. There is nobody in the party who has demonstrated any better ideas. Johnstone would be best because he has charm & has not suggested any dafter policies (or better ones). Miliband would be a disaster because he hasn'r & has (eco-fascist ones).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-36802934425619110182008-06-30T12:04:00.000+01:002008-06-30T12:04:00.000+01:00Wyrdtimes said... "Iain, a while back you made a p...Wyrdtimes said... <BR/>"Iain, a while back you made a post about how trade union members could opt out of Labour donations... I can't find it."<BR/><BR/>Have you tried the Search facility on this site?<BR/><BR/>I think you are referring to Iain's most recent post about opting out of donations to Labour was on Feb 15th 2008.<BR/><BR/>He gives a link to a Plaid Cymru website which in turn gives this link <A HREF="http://www.stopsubsidisinglabour.plaidcymru.org/content.php?nID=583;lID=1" REL="nofollow">OPT OUT</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-81722843498047665852008-06-30T11:53:00.000+01:002008-06-30T11:53:00.000+01:00Brown has been at the core of govt. business for o...Brown has been at the core of govt. business for over 10 years.<BR/><BR/>He has many skeletons in the closet at his disposal and they are the very reason he is where he is and why he will stay to the bitter end, whatever that'll be when it finally comes upon him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-64774449811733436962008-06-30T11:42:00.000+01:002008-06-30T11:42:00.000+01:00In view of our Party's interest in keeping Brown, ...In view of our Party's interest in keeping Brown, would some undercover assistance from Eric Pickles in the Glasgow by-election (purely in the interests of the Union, natch) be in order? With Eric of course it would have to be a big cover...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83442712848685347522008-06-30T11:35:00.000+01:002008-06-30T11:35:00.000+01:00He's got it all coming to him.Iain, a while back y...He's got it all coming to him.<BR/><BR/>Iain, a while back you made a post about how trade union members could opt out of Labour donations... I can't find it.<BR/><BR/>My brother is in a union and hates funding Labour - could you post a link to the article so I could forward the article.<BR/><BR/>cheersWyrdtimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16640021224868439090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-20560289449582108442008-06-30T11:25:00.000+01:002008-06-30T11:25:00.000+01:00Iain if there was a leadership election in the Lab...Iain if there was a leadership election in the Labour Party , this time the left would have their say openly and what is already a serious situation for them could become annihilation. There is no evidence ?( quite the reverse) , that another leader would be any improvement and surely there would have to be an immediate election...can you imagine the cat calls if Millipede wanted ...." Time to set out his vision"<BR/><BR/>Johnson has admitted he is not clever enough and likeable though he may be it would be a night watchman leadership which again spells "period of opposition".<BR/>With anti white male legislation and hated eco slums coming into the field of view Labour are still energetically building up their funeral pyre .The internal discussion they need to have goes way beyond presentation. They need to accept that theirs is not a popular government de-railed by the economy but a loathed one whose long tenure was supported only by extraordinarily easy conditions. It will be a painful period of re-evaluation .<BR/><BR/>I do not believe they will invite the end of the Party , they would be “mad “ to do so as you say. I also read the Gurdian today and if the sort of things the Unions are saying they want for public consumption are any guide to the deals that have been done then the insanity required to ditch brown is exceeded greatly by the insanity required not to do so when we eventually get a chance.<BR/><BR/><BR/>PS-Looking sat how close the Conservative NHS plans are to New Labour by the way it is growing problem that policy is merging that was conceived in a period when the politically possible bore no relation to what is now not only possible but urgently necessary. Letvus hope Cameron does not over , do caution. We cannot afford it .<BR/><BR/>PPS have you forgiven me for that Boris crack yet I have been guilty ever since ?Newmaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11922161971821380803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6891368651584174172008-06-30T11:18:00.000+01:002008-06-30T11:18:00.000+01:00From Wikipedia direct "copy re: sweet-mouthed Wen...From Wikipedia direct "copy re: sweet-mouthed Wendy...<BR/><BR/>"Resignation<BR/><BR/>On June 28, 2008, Wendy Alexander announced her resignation as Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, due to pressure on her following the donation scandal. She said it was with "deep regret" that she was resigning following the decision of the Scottish Parliament's standards committee. She had come under pressure after breaking donation rules and faces a one-day ban from parliament. In her resignation statement, she claimed the breach of the rules was made in "good faith" and the decision of the committee was "partisan" but she respected parliamentary process.[16]<BR/><BR/>There were widespread celebrations amongst Labour MSPs.<BR/><BR/>Ding Dong The Witch is Dead."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-47233784209247831582008-06-30T11:04:00.000+01:002008-06-30T11:04:00.000+01:00People who are used to making money tend to be qui...People who are used to making money tend to be quite frank about an investment. Gerry Robinson said, "Brown is showing all the signs of not being a capable leader". Hardly an endorsement, and that from a heavy weight Labour donor.<BR/><BR/>Brown will not go of his own accord. He is too indecisive and deluded to make the decision. His "get out of jail free" card is that His replacement would be a fraudulent stooge without calling an immediate general election, and that would certainly result in defeat.<BR/><BR/>A lot can happen in two years, but it may well be that the only thing that will trigger an early general election will not be the obvious bankruptcy of New Labour, but a period of civil unrest.<BR/><BR/>A revolution. Nothing less.<BR/><BR/>We are on the brink of economic collapse. How many angry, frustrated, indebted, jobless people will it take to create the right conditions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-46987830088591356192008-06-30T11:01:00.000+01:002008-06-30T11:01:00.000+01:00Anon @ 10:34I don't think you quite understand Ian...Anon @ 10:34<BR/><I>I don't think you quite understand Ian. The unions influencing Labour Party policy is not corrupt, it is how the party works. There is nothing unusual about it. You just don't like it because you, as a Tory, are biased against unions.</I><BR/><BR/>I am a Tory and I am not biased against Unions because employees should have representation.<BR/><BR/>But I am biased against millions of pounds of taxpayers' money being donated to the Unions for 'modernisation', just so the Unions can donate millions to the Labour Party and demand influence in return. That is corrupt.<BR/><BR/>If the Unions stopped giving money to Labour just watch how quickly the modernisation fund would be scrapped. It is a massive abuse yet barely a word is said against it.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936858144046032905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-32285032585436706092008-06-30T10:58:00.000+01:002008-06-30T10:58:00.000+01:00Gordy can't be all bad if Lord Levy and the assemb...Gordy can't be all bad if Lord Levy and the assembled NuLabour sleazebags want him to go. The last sort of PM they want is someone with a moral compass.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-8271830697900314422008-06-30T10:39:00.000+01:002008-06-30T10:39:00.000+01:00Twig said..."Has Dave sold out to the BBC?"I bet 5...<B>Twig said...</B><BR/><BR/>"Has Dave sold out to the BBC?"<BR/><BR/>I bet 50p that if he hasn't yet he soon will.<BR/><BR/>It's the usual scam - start supporting us and we'll renew your Charter when we get elected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-3321405696005497002008-06-30T10:34:00.000+01:002008-06-30T10:34:00.000+01:00I don't think you quite understand Ian. The unions...I don't think you quite understand Ian. The unions influencing Labour Party policy is not corrupt, it is how the party works. There is nothing unusual about it. You just don't like it because you, as a Tory, are biased against unions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80858972452310351742008-06-30T10:21:00.000+01:002008-06-30T10:21:00.000+01:00I'm interested in why you think Labour would be ma...I'm interested in why you think Labour would be mad to get rid of GB.<BR/><BR/>Is this a double bluff Iain?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com