political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Phil & Grant as You've Never Seen Them
Thanks to Guido for this link which will feed the fantasy of every Grant Mitchell fantasist (of which, I hasten to add, I am not one!) in the country. Stick with it as it's truly hilarious!
Fame at Last
No less a terrorist than Guido Fawkes has welcomed my return to blogging. Now, the question is, did he get the story from the Guardian's politics website or did they nick it from him? I think we should be told.
And just to clarify, I've decided to start blogging again now that the leadership election is all but over because....I miss it and I've decided that now it's nearly at an end I can't really do too much damage!
So whatever way the result goes on Tuesday, and whether I have a job afterwards or not, the blogging starts again. Hurrah!
And just to clarify, I've decided to start blogging again now that the leadership election is all but over because....I miss it and I've decided that now it's nearly at an end I can't really do too much damage!
So whatever way the result goes on Tuesday, and whether I have a job afterwards or not, the blogging starts again. Hurrah!
Monday, November 21, 2005
And I Say Unto You...
In the year 2005, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living on the outskirts of Sheffield, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans." He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights". Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard.....but no ark! "Noah," He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?" "Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah. "But things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.
My neighbours claim "ancient rights" because of me building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision. Then the Department of Transport demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I argued that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls. But no go! When I started gathering the animals, I got sued by an animal rights group. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. Well, they argued the accommodation was too restrictive and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Then the European Commission ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew. Also, the trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark building experience. To make matters worse, the Revenue has seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least ten years for me to finish this Ark..." Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean, You're not going to destroy the world? "No," said the Lord. "Tony Blair's beaten me to it!"
My neighbours claim "ancient rights" because of me building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision. Then the Department of Transport demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I argued that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls. But no go! When I started gathering the animals, I got sued by an animal rights group. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. Well, they argued the accommodation was too restrictive and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Then the European Commission ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew. Also, the trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark building experience. To make matters worse, the Revenue has seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least ten years for me to finish this Ark..." Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean, You're not going to destroy the world? "No," said the Lord. "Tony Blair's beaten me to it!"
Friday, November 18, 2005
Can it be True?
A wicked rumour reaches us that Iain Dale is considering restarting this much missed Blog. Can it really be true? Can the public demand really be that great? Watch this space...