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
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Labour MPs Descend on the House of Commons
My House of Commons informant tells me that there are an unusually large number of Labour MPs in the Commons today. Wonder what on earth they could be up to? Attending Alan Johnson tea parties perhaps?
They're probably all lurking around College Green so they can try to get their boat race on TV.
After all, you don't expect them to be actually using parliament do you? They're lobby fooder for Blair's combo of nannying and warfare and Dr Gordon Brown's PFI solutions.
I have just been in the palace and it is hard to believe that Tony will last much longer.
It reminded me of the later days of Iain Duncan Smith. This time the MPs are from the other side of the house, but nonetheless they are determined to see the blood of their leader. Wish I could be at their conference.
But then again, doesn't this happen every year before Labour have their annual outing? Then we find that the media will report "..it was better than the Party managers had been expecting.."
I fear that it is not over until the fat lady sings...
I've been at Westminster since the election and this is the third set of MP huddles that i have witnessed. Definitely less excited than the Tory leadership build-up, not quite as forlorn as the Mingers in the LibDem contest.
Keith Hill, Blair's PPS was amongst them. Trying to find signatories?
Iain, it certainly does bring back memories of Mrs T and IDS. The only people who can't see the civil war coming is LABOUR. Now I should feel sorry for Tony and his party because this conference is going to be a tad uncomfortable if not down right bloody unpleasant for the deluded darlings but I don't. I just remember the patronising Labour MP's who offered their sympathies and the moral high ground of "united we stand behind our great leader", now where is the popcorn?
Waiting to be persuaded by one side or the other, I should think.
Principles are at stake. The principle being that their contributions have not been sufficiently recognised and that for some inexplicable reason they're way down the greasy pole.
So ..... "What am I offered for a signature on a round-robin? Or a grim-faced silence at Conference during Gordon's/Toni's speeches? BBC sound-bites extra, though Channel 4's are for free." And all the while hoping like hell that it all doesn't get resolved overnight.
I think TB missed a trick yesterday when he didn't come out into Downing St. with bottom lip trembling to mourn the passing of the people's crocodile hunter.
"There is general agreement that the government is in a mess:sleazy, corrupt, humiliated and probably more than the Conservative government in its last days, despised by many of its natural supporters. It is difficult to remember a cabinet held in such contempt by so many."
Guess whose view this is. Its not from the DT or D Mail. Go figure.
Clever attempt by those in Blair's bunker to try and cool the situation down. Deploy the boy Milibland to put out an expectation that Blair will go within 12 months, then get a random generic MP to organise a counter-letter "welcoming" what Milibland said. It means that Blair does not have to utter the words "I'll go within 12 months" himself, and is not bound by them, but they can try and put some chaff out to calm things down.
I gather they were seen rolling barrels into the basement.
ReplyDeleteIt's called "Plan B" in Old Labour circles...
They're probably all lurking around College Green so they can try to get their boat race on TV.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, you don't expect them to be actually using parliament do you? They're lobby fooder for Blair's combo of nannying and warfare and Dr Gordon Brown's PFI solutions.
I'm sure Charles Clarke, a man on a mission now, will say his bit too.
ReplyDeleteYes, the place is swarming with them.
ReplyDeleteI suspect half of them are there to act as human shields for the Dear Leader, and the other half are there with the daggers.
ReplyDeleteSmithy says...
ReplyDeleteI have just been in the palace and it is hard to believe that Tony will last much longer.
It reminded me of the later days of Iain Duncan Smith. This time the MPs are from the other side of the house, but nonetheless they are determined to see the blood of their leader. Wish I could be at their conference.
But then again, doesn't this happen every year before Labour have their annual outing? Then we find that the media will report "..it was better than the Party managers had been expecting.."
I fear that it is not over until the fat lady sings...
Except he's lagging behind the field a tad; the BBC has news of a second letter.....
ReplyDeleteI've been at Westminster since the election and this is the third set of MP huddles that i have witnessed. Definitely less excited than the Tory leadership build-up, not quite as forlorn as the Mingers in the LibDem contest.
ReplyDeleteKeith Hill, Blair's PPS was amongst them. Trying to find signatories?
...and there isn't any breaking news, just wishfull thinking.
ReplyDeleteIain, it certainly does bring back memories of Mrs T and IDS. The only people who can't see the civil war coming is LABOUR.
ReplyDeleteNow I should feel sorry for Tony and his party because this conference is going to be a tad uncomfortable if not down right bloody unpleasant for the deluded darlings but I don't. I just remember the patronising Labour MP's who offered their sympathies and the moral high ground of "united we stand behind our great leader", now where is the popcorn?
chatterbox, don't feel sorry for us, I can hardly wait.
ReplyDeleteIain, the kids went back to school today, so the MPs are stuck for something to do.
Waiting to be persuaded by one side or the other, I should think.
ReplyDeletePrinciples are at stake. The principle being that their contributions have not been sufficiently recognised and that for some inexplicable reason they're way down the greasy pole.
So ..... "What am I offered for a signature on a round-robin? Or a grim-faced silence at Conference during Gordon's/Toni's speeches? BBC sound-bites extra, though Channel 4's are for free." And all the while hoping like hell that it all doesn't get resolved overnight.
I think TB missed a trick yesterday when he didn't come out into Downing St. with bottom lip trembling to mourn the passing of the people's crocodile hunter.
ReplyDeleteMessage for the ever cheerful Bob Piper.
ReplyDelete"There is general agreement that the government is in a mess:sleazy, corrupt, humiliated and probably more than the Conservative government in its last days, despised by many of its natural supporters. It is difficult to remember a cabinet held in such contempt by so many."
Guess whose view this is. Its not from the DT or D Mail. Go figure.
I'm surprised theu didn't invite Heseltine and Howe along to ask for some tips.
ReplyDeleteAlso Nick Raynsford has put his head over the parapet calling for a date from Blair.
I'm hearing that Downing Street has rounded up 50 or so MPs to sign a "We Love Tony" petition. Wonder if that's what this is...
ReplyDeleteEarly intervention is required in some dysfunctional homes, where there are multiple problems.
ReplyDeleteThis is preferable than waiting until everybody goes completly off the rails.
Clever attempt by those in Blair's bunker to try and cool the situation down. Deploy the boy Milibland to put out an expectation that Blair will go within 12 months, then get a random generic MP to organise a counter-letter "welcoming" what Milibland said. It means that Blair does not have to utter the words "I'll go within 12 months" himself, and is not bound by them, but they can try and put some chaff out to calm things down.
ReplyDeleteWith a bit of luck, they'll find the backbone to dump the twerp and his dreadful deputy... Pete Doherty for PM.
ReplyDelete