MEP Expenses: Ignorance is no Defence

I despair. When will people learn that ignorance is never a defence in a court of law? Nor can it be in the issue of parliamentary expenses. If you are an MP or an MEP surely to God it is up to you to establish what the rules are and that you are complying with them. Simply bleating that you never received a response to an inquiry is a ridiculous defence. Yet this is exactly what Tory MEP John Purvis is saying. Guido has the story HERE.

May Political Performance Index: Pickles Stars!

In only his second month in the PPI, Eric Pickles climbs to the top of the chart, up six months from April. And who could quibble? Boris is king of all he surveys, now top of the PPI. In December he was in 12th place. Liam Fox's impressive TV performances see him climb into the top six for the first time. John Denham and James Purnell are two high climbers, while David Miliband plummets 16 places. Ate his dreadful performance on Question Time last night he'll do well to recover in this month's figures.

1. +6 Eric Pickles 7.44 (5.16)
2. -1 Boris Johnson 7.41 (6.97)
3. -1 David Cameron 7.32 (6.86)
4. -1 William Hague 5.96 (5.90)
5. - Alex Salmond 5.78 (5.48)
6. +9 Liam Fox 5.78 (3.80)

7. -1 George Osborne 5.75 (5.46)
8. -4 Vince Cable 5.52 (5.70)

9. +1 Alan Duncan 5.44 (4.68)
10. -1 David Davis 5.39 (4.88)
11. -2 Michael Gove 5.38 (4.86)
12. -1 Chris Grayling 5.18 (4.33)
13. +16 Alan Johnson 4.40 (3.26)
14. -2 Ian Paisley 4.30 (4.27)
15. +5 Andrew Lansley 4.09 (3.59)
16. - Philip Hammond 3.90 (3.79)
17. +1 Theresa May 3.83 (3.70)
18. -4 Caroline Spelman 3.81 (3.86)
19. +9 John Denham 3.76 (3.29)
20. +7 John Hutton 3.66 (3.37)
21. +4 David Willetts 3.66 (3.43)
22. - Jack Straw 3.64 (3.57)
23. +10 James Purnell 3.63 (3.10)
24. -3 Nick Herbert 3.61 (3.59)
25. +5 Jeremy Hunt 3.59 (3.21)
26. -2 Rhodri Morgan 3.53 (3.49)
27. -4 Chris Huhne 3.45 (3.40)
28. -2 Nick Clegg 3.40 (3.40)
29. -16 David Miliband 3.38 (3.98)
30. +1 Hilary Benn 3.36 (3.18)

31. +1 Nigel Farage 3.26 (3.16)
32. +4 Ed Davey 3.25 (2.76)
33. +1 Andy Burnham 3.12 (2.87)
34. +1 Andrew Mitchell 3.10 (2.80)
35. +2 Caroline Flint 2.59 (2.70)

36. +2 Jacqui Smith 2.55 (2.57)

37. +2 Douglas Alexander 2.54 (2.48)
38. +2 Hazel Blears 2.48 (2.47)
39. +4 Ed Miliband 2.45 (2.37)
40. +1 Ruth Kelly 2.42 (2.43)
41. +1 Harriet Harman 2.40 (2.39)

42. +3 Des Browne 2.32 (2.04)

43. +1 Alistair Darling 2.03 (2.17)
44. +4 Ed Balls 1.93 (1.84)
45. +2 NEW Yvette Cooper 1.86 (1.94)
46. +3 Gordon Brown 1.75 (1.77)
47. - Wendy Alexander 1.71 (1.71)

Telegraph Column: The Influence of Steve Hilton

My Telegraph column today looks at the influence of Steve Hilton and whether it will wane when he leaves for California. Read it HERE.

UPDATE: David Singleton has an article in PR Week on Andy Coulson's planned summer offensive.

The Two Faces of Norman Baker MP

In last week's PR Week, there was an article headlined 'MPs call for 'enforceable' lobbying code of ethics'. Five MPs have signed a parliamentary motion calling for tougher regulation of the lobbying industry, including the LibDem Transport Spokesman Norman Baker. The EDM states:

'That this House notes the strong public cynicism about the influence of corporate lobbyists on British politics; that individuals and organisations which engage in lobbying activities are able to do so effectively hidden from public scrutiny.'

Surprising then for a friend of mine to receive the attached letter from Norman Baker himself, offering a "small private dinner" with the frontbench Lib Dem transport team. He was told that "tickets for the dinner are extremely limited", and that the party's new transport policy paper would be discussed. This does not appear to be advertised widely, just hand-picked lobbyists from the transport sector. So much for transparency!

But worst of all is the price....a staggering £881.25, (£750 excl VAT). Now, to be fair, it does include a conference pass (which is available elsewhere for just £77), and accommodation (at those prices, lets hope its the main conference hotel but unlikely). But even with that taken into account, the dinner and discussion must be fairly expensive!

Now, no rule has been broken here, but the hypocrisy from Norman Baker is staggering. Here's the full text of the letter he has sent out, only a few weeks after signing an EDM slagging off the very people he's trying to get £750 out of.

Dear XXXXXX

“Fast Track Britain”: Building a transport system for the 21st century
Liberal Democrat policy paper, autumn conference 2008

One of the key policy debates at the Liberal Democrat conference this September will be on transport policy. I am writing to offer you a special opportunity to meet the Liberal Democrat transport policy team, and other industry colleagues, to discuss how these proposals could affect business, at a small private dinner on Tuesday 16th September in Bournemouth.

The transport policy paper has just been approved by the party’s Federal Policy Committee, and will be published in June. It will include key proposals on national and local passenger transport, as well as freight issues. The party’s transport team – including myself, parliamentary colleagues and key policy advisers – are keen to discuss these proposals with leading companies in the sector. Tickets for the dinner are extremely limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. The ticket price is £750 +VAT and will include a two-day full registration to the conference – including the debate on the transport paper – accommodation and dinner.

I do hope you will be able to join us at what promises to be a very interesting evening of discussion. The Liberal Democrat conference office will contact you in the next week, but if you would like to register your early interest please email carol.xxxxx@libdems.org.uk. I look forward to seeing you in Bournemouth.

Yours sincerely

Norman Baker MP
Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Transport

Don't all rush at once. Having heard Nick Clegg and Norman Baker tie themselves up in knots over their unfunded rail policy on the radio a couple of days ago I can't think either of them will have anything worth listening to. Especially for £750.

Irish Voters May Reject the Lisbon Treaty

A new poll has just been published by the Irish Times, which shows that the Irish people might well vote No to the Lisbon Treaty. For the first time, the NOs have overtaken the supporters of the Treaty. Admittedly, it's only a small margin, but the last few days until the vote on the 12th should now be interesting.

The poll shows the number of people intending to vote No has almost doubled to 35 per cent (up 17 points) since the last poll three weeks ago, while the number of the Yes side has declined to 30 per cent (down 5 points).

The number of undecided voters is still a significant 28 per (down 12 points) cent, while 7 per cent won’t vote.

The massive increase by the No vote since the last poll has mainly come through gains among undecided voters but, even more ominously for the Yes side, it has lost some support to the No camp.

All power to the No Campaign!

Tory MEPs Must Obey the Same Expenses Rules as MPs

The thorny issue of expenses has again reared its ugly head today, as Giles Chichester has resigned as leader of Tory MEPs, following allegations that he has channelled £400,000 of public money into a limited company which his family owns. He maintains he has done nothing wrong and hasn't contravened any rules. Guido has been making the running on this one and has the story HERE. ConservativeHome outlines what ought to happen now to Mr Chichester. I agree with the three points they make.

1. Giles Chichester is innocent until proven otherwise and deserves the time to prove that his expenses have been used properly. Mr Chichester has properly stood down as Leader so that the party is not compromised during this investigative period. If he is not cleared of wrongdoing in the coming weeks then he should lose the Conservative whip in the same way that Derek Conway lost the Tory whip but that is an issue for another day.
2. It is not sufficient for Mr Chichester to pass the standards of the European Parliament. The Parliament has been very slow to pass ethics rules and many of its members will fear that any harsh judgment of one of their members may compromise their own position. Mr Cameron must make it clear that the Conservative Party will be making its own judgment on Mr Chichester's account of his use of expenses.
3. The Conservative Party must proactively order all MEPs to be transparent. The party cannot wait for newspapers and blogs to uncover other examples of alleged wrongdoing. It should start (but only start) by requiring all Conservative MEPs to answer Open Europe's questions on transparency:

• All Conservative MEPs must answer basic questions as to how they handle their expenses and name their service providers.
• They need to state the nature of these “service providers” and who they employ.
• There is a particular need to establish whether MEPs and their relatives been paid directly or indirectly by the service providers.

David Cameron has rightly imposed these rules on MPs. He must now extend them to cover MEPs too. Any MEP not willing to accept them should not be a candidate at the 2009 Euro elections.

LibDem Donor to Appear in Court

Remember Michael Brown, the convicted fraudster who donated £2.4 million to the LibDems. According to the Evening Times he is due in court in September, just before the LibDem conference. It is now a matter for debate, now that his court date has been set and the police inquiry is presumably at an end, as to whether the Electoral Commission can now rule on whether this was an impermissible donation or not. Or they may still decide to wait until the case is over.

How to Save £50 Billion Without Even Tryng

The First Post has a piece by David Craig showing how a Cameron government could save £50 billion. While I am not going to comment on each of his suggestions (some of which have more merit than others) the general point is that George Osborne's team have nearly two years to work out how to cut public expenditure without slashing public services. I've said it once, and I will say it again. There needs to be a revival of the James Commission, and then some.

The Consequences of Another Tragic Killing

Just been watching the statement on Sky by the family of Arsema Dawit, the young girl who was stabbed to death in South London earlier this week. "We came to London to live in safety," said her mother. "We went to the Police to ask for protection, but it never came". It seems clear that this was not a standard knife based killing and that her daughter's killer had previously appeared threatening to her.

The Police have some questions to answer in this case, but it is not one sided. When the girl's mother went to the Police, it took them twelve days to follow it up. But when they did, Arsema Dawit denyed the alleged attack in a McDonald's had taken place. To their credit, the Police did not take that at face value and continued to pursue enquiries. But whatever they pursued, it was not enough to prevent a tragic killing.

The mother's grief is terrible and understandable. She clearly blames the Police for not protecting her daughter from further attacks. From all that we read, I think it is fair to say that it is not quite the full story.

What Can the Knife Summit Actually Achieve?

One wonders how much effect these 'spontaneous' Downing Street summits have. The latest is today on how to solve knife crime. No one would criticise the government for taking this very seriously and wanting to talk to experts about how to address it. But is it really necessary to promote it as if it were part of the second coming? If I were a cynic I'd think the timing was deliberate, to divert the TV cameras away from Tony Blair's select committee appearance today. Just as well I am not so cynical, isn't it?

The proof of the pudding for this knife crime summit will be to see what emerges from it. The sad truth is that there is no instant, quick fix solution. Ingrained attitudes take time to change. The only measure which might have a short term effect is to introduce a zero tolerance policy - and mean it. It's not just about increased punishment, though, it's instilling the fear of the consequences of getting caught with a knife. We can't insert ourselves into the mindset of someone who thinks it's both normal and acceptable to carry a knife, but we make sure they know the consequences of their actions.

The Advent of the 'Freemales'

Great article in the features pages of the Telegraph by 5 Live Breakfast presenter Shelagh Fogarty. She bemoans the fact that having reached "a certain age" she is constantly asked...

Why aren't you married?

Why don't you have children?

Was it a choice you made?

For someone whose only "must have" is a life that I like and am interested in, the unsolicited but persistent suggestion that by not having children I'd missed some mythical boat came as quite a shock - especially when the questioner wrinkled up their nose in some badly misguided effort to empathise with the barren creature they saw before them.

She also asks why female celebrities feel the need to share so much information about their bodily functions with us.

I've read pieces by actresses, presenters, singers, and MP's - all keen to share the details of their "Battle with IVF", "Endometriosis Hell" and "Too late for a Baby!" sagas. One even regaled us with the gory details of her exploding ovary.

So when Cherie Blair's book came out recently, I wasn't surprised in the slightest that it included details of her "contraceptive equipment" and menstrual cycle. A woman is now required to talk about her fertility, at work or socially - and if she's a public figure, then in interviews and books, too. It's effectively become part of her CV. A sick child is always a winner if you're looking for some profile-enhancing coverage, or some kind of emergency procedure during or just after labour.

To illustrate, here's a game you can play: Google the first well-known woman who pops into your head, the nearer to 35 the better. Then see how many times she's been in print talking about her reproductive organs. You'll be amazed. Then, Google well-known men. Nada. Not a flicker. They're not in print declaring: "I've Got No Lead in My Pencil."

I should think not. Perish the thought. Shelagh has also coined a new word - the "freemale".

She's quite a girl, is Freemale. She wants to spend her time and money as she wishes, isn't looking for love, and is "child-free not childless. She thinks relationships are increasingly irrelevant, emotionally high risk, and a lot of hard work".

If you click on the full ARTICLE and scroll to the bottom there's a very entertaining sub-feature entitled 'You know you're a freemale when...'

… the idea of getting married brings you out in a cold sweat.

… you go to bed in a facemask and socks.

… your impressive collection of newly bought shoes is not hidden away at the back of the wardrobe.

… the lid of your lavatory is always down.

… the only man who tells you what to do in your bathroom is your plumber.

… the only thing that needs looking after in your life is your cat - and yourself.

… the only time you read the lonely hearts column is for a laugh.

… you're not waiting for Mr Right - or even Mr Right Now.

… all of your best male friends are gay.

Did I mention Shelagh's a mate?! :)

A Week of Thatcher Mania Beckons

It seems to be Margaret Thatcher season at the BBC. On June 12th we have MARGARET THATCHER: THE LONG MARCH TO FINCHLEY and a Thatcher special DINNER WITH PORTILLO, but before that, this Sunday we can look forward to another Michael Cockerell special on THE MAKING OF THE IRON LADY. Here's the BBC press release which has just been issued.

"Mum was the best man for the job" – says Mark Thatcher

Lady Thatcher's son Mark claims his mother was 'the best man for the job' of prime minister in an exclusive interview for a new BBC TV documentary which goes out this Sunday. Sir Mark Thatcher agreed to talk for the first time on television to political documentary maker Michael Cockerell. Called the making of the Iron Lady, the programme shows how Mrs Thatcher fought her way to the top in a man's world to become the West's first female prime minister. Sir Mark recalls how mother's motto was 'never a wasted moment'. ' I remember how she used to come home from Westminster and immediately start cooking the dinner. And I would go up to her and say "you know mum it's okay – you can take your coat off now'.

The documentary includes film of Mrs Thatcher giving her own first television interview in 1960, with her then six-year old twins, Mark and Carol perched on the sofa watching. 'I remember when the TV crew came down for that interview', says Sir Mark. ' It was the first time I realised that my mum was not the like my schoolfriends' mothers: she was clearly something out of the ordinary'.
Sir Mark reveals that his father, Denis was very worried when Mrs Thatcher announced that she was going to run for the Tory leadership against Ted Heath in 1975. 'My father's concern was that if she stood she would poll very badly amongst the Conservative members. And that would damage her political reputation for ever.'

In fact Mrs Thatcher who'd started the contest as a rank outsider romped to victory in the leadership contest. The programme shows the key role played by her leadership campaign manager and oldest political friend Airey Neave. But four years later Neave was assassinated by Irish terrorists in the Commons. 'My mother was deeply, deeply distressed', says Mark Thatcher. 'Of all the things which happened to her, Airey Neave's s death was the most tragic event that she had to face in her entire career in politics.'

Asked by Cockerell how he thought his mother had managed, against all the odds, to become the first woman prime minister in Western world, Sir Mark replies: 'My perspective as her son is very straightforward - she was the best man for the job.' Michael Cockerell says: 'For the documentary I wanted to speak to those who had been closest to her – as sadly Lady Thatcher no longer gives TV interviews, on doctors' orders. And I knew her son was less than keen on the media. But I worked hard to assure Mark Thatcher that I wanted his first-hand account of how his mother became Prime Minister. To my agreeable surprise to he agreed to the interview'.

'The Making of the Iron Lady' goes out on BBC 4 at 9pm this Sunday.

I've already set my video (haven't got Sky Plus yet, despite Michael Parkinson's blandishments).

Pull the Other One, Mr Blunkett

The Sun's Whip column has a story about David Blunkett dreaming he was back in the Cabinet and being overcome with relief to wake up to discover he was still a mere backbencher.

I think most readers will think this is double-speak by Blunkett. Does anyone seriously believe that if he was offered another Cabinet job he wouldn't get Sadie* to bite Gordon Brown's hand off? He'd be back in his grace and favour apartment before you could utter the words "A bet on a third resignation, anyone?"

* Sadie is Blunkett's dog

Labour to Privatise Failing Hospitals

Ben Bradshaw will be remembered for many things, but today the Tory Party should be very grateful to him. Never again will Labour be able to accuse the Tories of wanting to privatise the NHS. Instead, the Tories can now throw the accusation back at Labour. Why? Because Labour has announced that it is going to let the private sector run failing hospitals in order to turn them around. Well done to Health Minister Ben Bradshaw. Just the sort of sensible policy the Tories should be promoting. Good on you.

Gazza: How to Make a Bad Situation Worse

If you know someone who's at the end of their tether and on the brink of suicide what would you do? In the case of Terry Venables and Paul Gascoigne, Venables has told his story to The Sun. He says...

"I have thought long and hard about doing this piece about a person I regard as my friend. I don't want to be a grass and I don't want to look like a hanger on, leeching off Gazza's notoriety... Whether this is the right way forward, I don't know. But I believe shocking Paul into the truth and into the gravity of his situation might help."

So a man who threatened to kill himself a few days ago is going to be helped by appearing on the front page of The Sun. What a shameless betrayal by a so-called friend. I have always thought Terry Venables was a thoroughly decent bloke. No longer.

I wonder how many pieces of silver he received for this article. Normally, if there is no payment, this is made clear at the end, or there's a sentence saying the fee had been donated to charity. Not in this case.

UPDATE: Several people in the comments have mentioned that Terry Venables has paid for Gazza's treatment at the Priory. Obviously that's a wonderful thing for him to have done and he deserves full praise for it. I still don't think this Sun piece helps.

My Views on Sado Masochistic Orgies

There, got your attention. I've done some odd things in my time but sitting in my car in a hotel car park in Tunbridge Wells talking about sado-masochistic sex to the BBC World Service has to rate high among them. The WORLD HAVE YOUR SAY programme was debating the Max Mosley case and whether your private life should affect your job. One of the other guests was a conservative blogger from the US, whose moralising provoked me into adopting a rather more controversial (and liberal) position than I had intended.

I took the line that what you get up to you in your own bedroom (or a hotel room come to that matter) is no one's business but your own unless

a) it's illegal
b) it's not consensual
c) you have previously moralised about such activities

It was a fairly sparky and heated discussion and provoked 213 comments on their BLOG. If you want to listen to it click HERE and scroll forward to about 6.33pm i.e. 30 minutes into the programme.

A United Ticket Is the Only Way of Uniting the Democrats

Tonight the Democratic nomination will be decided. Whether Hillary Clinton admits it or not, Barack Obama has won.

The best result for the Democrats - and some say their only chance of winning in November - is for Obama to offer Hillary the Vice Presidential nomination. This seems to be the only thing which could unite the Democratic Party and guarantee they are all pulling in the same direction. They would make a formidable campaigning duo. Without the Hillary campaign machine and campaign workers Obama would face an uphill task.

However, and it's a big however, Hillary will do very little to build the broader coalition which Obama needs to be sure of victory. There will be some Republicans who would consider voting for Obama, but would withdraw their support if Hillary is on the ticket.

Labour About to Start Another 'Envy' Campaign in Henley?

I thought I would do the Labour Party a favour and publish their first Henley by-election campaign press release...

Jim Hood, Labour MP for Lanark & Hamilton East has criticised the Conservatives' choice of accountant John Howell, a former partner at City accountant Ernst and Young, to fight the Henley by-election.

Mr Hood said, " Is the Tory Party not running out of super rich male lawyers and accountants yet. What happened to David Cameron's, 'I want the Tory Party to be more representative of the whole country and select more women in winnable seats' pledge?

"Tut, tut, this will not do Mr Cameron."

So the grammar school boy who has lived in Henley for twenty years and sent his three kids to local state schools isn't good enough for Mr Hood. It seems that even after the Crewe disaster Labour is persevering with class war attacks. Look at the sneering reference to "former partner at City Accountant Ernst & Young. You can almost hear him spitting the words out. Apart from that, it's just bizarre to put the phrase 'tut, tut' in a press release.

Ann Widdecombe Votes on the Dark Side

I wouldn't want to be Ann Widdecombe if the government squeaks home by one vote on 42 days next week. Her announcement yesterday that she would support the measure came as little surprise, but for David Davis and the Tory whips it is galling to say the least. She parrots the line that if the Police want it, the Police must have it, which is always the last refuge of a desperate authoritarian. It is also completely untrue. One senior officer, former Asst Commissioner Peter Clark wrote in the Telegraph this morning to support the case, but if you talk to most officers privately they are either sceptical or downright hostile.

Ann Widdecombe has a track record of going against the grain, speaking her mind and having little regard for the personal or political consequences. She's often been courageous and proved to be right. On this, however, she intends to vote with the dark side. It might be said that her stance has something of the night about it.

Being Cheeky with Lembit at 11.30pm

I'll be doing the Sky News paper review at 10.30 on my own and then at 11.30pm alongside Lembit Opik. I will try to get a word in edgeways.

I had a moral dilemma earlier. Newsnight asked me to take part in a discussion about 42 days and Gordon Brown's position, which on any normal evening I would have jumped at doing. But I committed to Sky some time ago so decided I couldn't let them down. Just too honourable for my own good sometimes, aren't I? Don't answer that...