tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post7242378610770553954..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Wednesday Open ThreadIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-41868027903287160372007-10-11T11:50:00.000+01:002007-10-11T11:50:00.000+01:00I had a laugh at Chris Paul's post. The non-doms d...I had a laugh at Chris Paul's post. The non-doms do not include low wage seasonal workers - where on earth did he think that up? And hop-pickers went out with The Goon Show and Meet the Huggets. Machines have been picking hops for the last 50 years.<BR/><BR/>Next he'll suggest that Cordwainers, Fan-makers, Wheel-tappers and Fletchers will be affected by the new CGT rate on small businesses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-11544533071256672392007-10-11T09:04:00.000+01:002007-10-11T09:04:00.000+01:00The BBC Headline regarding PMQs is that Brown 'sai...<I>The BBC Headline regarding PMQs is that Brown 'said he would not take any lectures from the Conservative leader'. </I><BR/><BR/>What - he just confines himself to taking the policies does he?Oscar Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09423019456579337438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-49027632397789562812007-10-11T07:15:00.000+01:002007-10-11T07:15:00.000+01:00Yes, Verity - you're right. Brown is weak and fri...Yes, Verity - you're right. Brown is weak and frightened. <BR/><BR/>Brown simply doesn't cut the mustard. He has no sense of humour - and there is no such thing as a great leader who lacks a sense of humour. It doesn't happen.<BR/><BR/>Brown is a 'borrower' and a 'follower'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77711635017949550482007-10-11T04:30:00.000+01:002007-10-11T04:30:00.000+01:00Brown out within six months.I don't guess who his ...Brown out within six months.<BR/><BR/>I don't guess who his successor will be, but ten years as a failed Chancellor whose works are unravelling at a rate of media knotts, 10 angry years waiting for his right as the Thane of Fife to rule the United Kingdom ... and I predict it will explode in a tiny adieu rat fart. <BR/><BR/>The man is weak and frightened and I personally have always intuited that he wasn't quite right in the heed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-13027345896598528262007-10-11T02:02:00.000+01:002007-10-11T02:02:00.000+01:00Grauniad headlines:'Brown faces first cabinet crit...Grauniad headlines:<BR/><BR/>'Brown faces first cabinet criticism as Johnson attacks election dithering· <BR/>.PM has not had best of weeks, minister tells BBC<BR/>·Admission shows how rattled ministers are'<BR/><BR/><BR/>http://politics.guardian.co.uk/gordonbrown/story/0,,2188259,00.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-32812427865665095032007-10-11T00:55:00.000+01:002007-10-11T00:55:00.000+01:00Judith (12.20am) - Hattersley was risible. I could...Judith (12.20am) - Hattersley was risible. I could hear Howard, Charlie and Jeremy sniggering off camera when he came out with his geriatric disembling nonsense.<BR/><BR/>It was almost like he was saying that "you must treat Gordon with respect because he's the PM".<BR/><BR/>Remember Blair saying to Major: "Weak, weak, weak!"? That wasn't Punch and Judy politics was it?<BR/><BR/>Brown is definitely rattled - the worst I've seen him - so much so he had to resort to spouting meaningless and non-sequitur numbers about future spending. Can't stop being the Chancellor of the Exchequer, can he?<BR/><BR/>But he's still a clever practioner of the low arts of politics. At one point in PMQs he said something to the effect to Cameron that "you've revealed your plans and we will spend the next few weeks and months picking them apart". You could hear the whirr of the spin machines in the background as he was speaking.<BR/><BR/>I am sure the Conservatives will have a plan to counter this - I am a dyed-in-the-wool Conservative too so I have complete faith!Ted Foanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497077127882545545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-71261465194198352922007-10-11T00:53:00.000+01:002007-10-11T00:53:00.000+01:00Cheekie Chappie - possibly a wee cabal has formed....Cheekie Chappie - possibly a wee cabal has formed. If <I>we</I> see the way the wind is blowing, the people whose careers depend upon which way the wind is blowing will have felt the breeze on their cheeks.<BR/><BR/>I think the Feartie's friends and allies, assuming he ever had any, will be dropping off like dandruff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-25128012661233332212007-10-11T00:20:00.000+01:002007-10-11T00:20:00.000+01:00In the BBC 10pm TV news, a (new to me) reporter in...In the BBC 10pm TV news, a (new to me) reporter in the Lobby called Cameron 'brutal' during PMQ's.<BR/><BR/>I thought what came over during the exchanges was that both men seriously dislike each other, and for once Cameron let his anger show.<BR/><BR/>PMQ's don't win elections, but the media perception of Leaders' performances filter through to the public.<BR/><BR/>Despite being a dyed-in-the-wool Conservative, I thought Ming made a very good point today about lower-income families, and Cable was good yesterday.<BR/><BR/>But did anyone see Paxman on Newsnight tonight treating Hattersley like something from Care in the Community?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-62669111173451398022007-10-11T00:13:00.000+01:002007-10-11T00:13:00.000+01:00It's just taken over 8 hours for my confirmatory e...It's just taken over 8 hours for my confirmatory email to say I have signed the petition asking for a General Election in 2007.<BR/><BR/>It appears that over 6,000 have signed so far.<BR/><BR/>(NB: Why will it remain open until the end of January 2008? Another NuLab NUPOLTIX wheeze?)Ted Foanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497077127882545545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57914329765935512302007-10-10T23:53:00.000+01:002007-10-10T23:53:00.000+01:00Where is the VISION ???Gordon is a one trip Phoney...Where is the VISION ???<BR/><BR/>Gordon is a one trip Phoney. <BR/><BR/>TAX AND SPEND.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-53690263277706043712007-10-10T23:47:00.000+01:002007-10-10T23:47:00.000+01:00Can't quite fathom out Alan Johnson's motives for ...Can't quite fathom out Alan Johnson's motives for rebuking Brown so publicly today, how is it expedient for him? One thing we know about Brown ; he's can't brook the accent of reproof and holds grudges. Is something afoot? Is it an expression of resentment resulting from Brown's over dependence on a young clique of chippy acolytes , a warning redress? Curious! How bad are things within the Labour Party ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-64800650264976967442007-10-10T22:51:00.000+01:002007-10-10T22:51:00.000+01:00BBC radio just reported Charles Falconer is compla...BBC radio just reported Charles Falconer is complaining about Brown in print tomorrow. Oh dear, who's next to abandon the sinking ship?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56389645298763243062007-10-10T22:47:00.000+01:002007-10-10T22:47:00.000+01:00The BBC Headline regarding PMQs is that Brown 'sai...The BBC Headline regarding PMQs is that Brown 'said he would not take any lectures from the Conservative leader'. Well that's true but hardly the most striking thing about the encounter I would have thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-36352079313438656362007-10-10T22:46:00.000+01:002007-10-10T22:46:00.000+01:00Blackburn - Yes. I saw that. Another 10th rate o...Blackburn - Yes. I saw that. Another 10th rate old leftie being promoted out and about. I love it!<BR/><BR/>Her father was a draft dodger, so we know she was brought up with a fine sense of duty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-43870868360622336342007-10-10T22:42:00.000+01:002007-10-10T22:42:00.000+01:00verity said... We want to encourage Jack Straw to ...verity said... <BR/>We want to encourage Jack Straw to stand....<BR/><BR/>I hear he's busy breaking in Oona King into the Government at present.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-62937856930018860592007-10-10T22:38:00.000+01:002007-10-10T22:38:00.000+01:00anonymous at 7.40pm, I was asking for ideas for po...anonymous at 7.40pm, I was asking for ideas for potential new petitions, not existing ones. Newmania and I have hugged in agreemenr over the need for an EU Reform Treaty referendum, though I suspect the result would be unsatisfactory to both sides of the argument<BR/>I guess you're all too busy celebrating to bother with me, but if somebody can address my earlier question regarding whether any more traditional conservative polivcies of tax-cutting, de-regulation, etc. are expected, given the success of the £2m (minus lawyers' fees!) IHT threshold idea?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-40149122700324017412007-10-10T22:04:00.000+01:002007-10-10T22:04:00.000+01:00I detect a slight softening Verity....well its a s...I detect a slight softening Verity....well its a start<BR/><BR/>xxNewmaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11922161971821380803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6936118440482460832007-10-10T21:33:00.000+01:002007-10-10T21:33:00.000+01:00Stand Firm - No one wants to encourage Johnson to ...Stand Firm - No one wants to encourage Johnson to stand because, whether he has a king size chip on his shoulder or not, he doesn't put women off.<BR/><BR/>We want to encourage Jack Straw to stand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-18377625251137869482007-10-10T21:29:00.000+01:002007-10-10T21:29:00.000+01:00Newmania - One rose does not a summer make. We wi...Newmania - One rose does not a summer make. We will see. <BR/><BR/>Brown's an easy target because he is so insecure and chippy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-25334644552080266982007-10-10T21:22:00.000+01:002007-10-10T21:22:00.000+01:00Don't be fooled by Alan Johnson's "cheeky chappie"...Don't be fooled by Alan Johnson's "cheeky chappie" act. He's really an embittered screwball with a king size chip on his shoulder.<BR/><BR/>Anyone who encouraged him into Number 10 would soon live to regret it, believe me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-12886265252717964572007-10-10T21:18:00.000+01:002007-10-10T21:18:00.000+01:00Brown's petition stands at over 2,500.Brown's petition stands at over 2,500.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51737541735717028422007-10-10T21:13:00.000+01:002007-10-10T21:13:00.000+01:00Johnson recently said that he was , in all hones...Johnson recently said that he was , in all honesty , not clever enough for the top job. he will find that awfully hard to live down and it appears to be his genuine opinion<BR/><BR/><BR/>Chris Paul is hilarious isn`t he . The non doms is somewhat unknown compared to the solid tax relief. However put this into context <BR/><BR/>The country is £38 billion in debt , plus the off balance sheet £30 billion and at the same time Labour are accusing the Conservatives of a funding black hole Darling has just borrowed another £4 billion . This , you will appreciate , they call prudence. This figure will not scratch the surface of Browns give away Conference speech.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Its time for Osbourne to move a strategic pawn forward on spending or tax. Lower taxes will be needed to get the economy back in gear and does anyone believe throwing more money at the NHS will do any good. Sticking to labour`s spending commitments is madness without reform .<BR/><BR/><BR/>Come on Conservtaives you know the door is open ...now push it a little further...<BR/><BR/><BR/>Oh Verity , oddly I was unable to detect your admission that I was right about Cameron all along ..perhaps I missed it ?Newmaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11922161971821380803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42642124561328161942007-10-10T21:02:00.000+01:002007-10-10T21:02:00.000+01:00Sky News seems inherently, and rabidly, anti Brown...Sky News seems inherently, and rabidly, anti Brown these days. IS this merely the case post the Andrew Marr interview or has it always been so?set england free!!https://www.blogger.com/profile/13967381908146728211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42594885617624098442007-10-10T20:53:00.000+01:002007-10-10T20:53:00.000+01:00ps: I've somehow managed to forget a password, or ...ps: I've somehow managed to forget a password, or suchlike, and so have had to reincarnate myself with an extra exclamation mark!!!set england free!!https://www.blogger.com/profile/13967381908146728211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6032103403467747932007-10-10T20:51:00.001+01:002007-10-10T20:51:00.001+01:00"I don't like lefties of any description, but John..."I don't like lefties of any description, but Johnson could appeal to female voters"<BR/><BR/>would agree with you there verity.<BR/>plus he's ENGLISH - we cant factor out resurgent English nationalism. I think that'll be a factor as well.<BR/><BR/>and the female vote is utterly crucial in the marginals. (which is the whole point of Cameron and his softening of the Tory image)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com