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
Monday, February 05, 2007
David Blunkett & the BBC
I nearly choked on my cornflakes. Well, I would have done if I had been eating them, but when I read in the Daily Mail that David Blunkett had ruled himself out of the race to be Chairman of the BBC Trust I thought I must be reading things. It got even more bizarre when I read on and found that Peter McKay was suggesting Blunkett would make a rather good, independent minded, Chairman. Bit early to be on the sherbert, isn't it Peter? Anyone who has read a few chapters of Blunkett's Diaries wouldn't let him near a whelk stall, let alone an institution which gets £3 billion of our money each year. The man in completely unhinged. I have now struggled to page 813 of his diaries. Only 43 pages to go, thank God.
Congratulations Iain on buying Blunkett's book! You're in one of the most exclusive clubs in Britain now.
ReplyDeleteAs for the BBC, does it really need a demagogic reactionary in charge? Still, he should count himself lucky, as Chairman he'd no doubt be required to endure a selection of the BBC's output. At least he can't see the dross they pump out on TV.
When Dave gets in and it being one of the very few cherries left , his first job can be to privatise BBC ,now wouldn't that be a nice revenge.
ReplyDeleteUnhinged is putting it somewhat mildly...
ReplyDeleteBLUNKETT as governor of the Beeb? If you listed the people of Britain in order of their suitability, he'd come in at about number 59,999,999. And that's COUNTING the mentally disadvantaged and children ...
ReplyDeleteImagine the stir from the left if, say, Norman Tebbit had been offered that post in the 90's (and Norman would have made a far better governor of course).
I would have thought that there are many reasons why Mr Blunkett would not be suitable. Not having ever watched a BBC TV programme would be top of the list.
ReplyDeleteI would just like it known that I have ruled myself out as Governor of the Beeb.
ReplyDeleteIain,
ReplyDeleteI can confirm to you exclusively that have today also ruled myself out of the race to be Chairman of the BBC Trust.
Regards
Harold the Alcoholic CrackHead Tramp
W.H. Smiths Doorway
Victoria Station
London
Iain, have you committed some outrageous sin and are reading Blunketts diary as a form of cruel and unusual punishment?
ReplyDeleteBlunkett has less chance of becoming chair of my mothers branch of the WI just outside Harrogate that becoming chair of the BBC Trust.
At least he'll have Blair to keep him company in ignominity (hopefully) shortly.
No doubt we'll shortly hear that Blunkett has ruled himself out of the running to be the next Pope, as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd your judgement as to Blunkett's state of mind is a little premature, Iain. After all you have not finished examining all the evidence, what with another 43 pages to read.
Mind you, some of us with altogether less in the way of 'Literacy Skills' came to that conclusion way before publication of the book...
And it's heartening to see that Puttnam has also ruled himself out. What does this tell us about the job?
Peter McKay was writing tongue-in-cheek surely Iain ;-)
ReplyDeleteHe is having a laugh at the expense of the increasingly ludicrous Blunkett.
'Blunkett has less chance of becoming chair of my mothers branch of the WI just outside Harrogate that becoming chair of the BBC Trust.'
ReplyDeleteAnyone but Blair, I have not had the pleasure of meeting the Harrogate WI, but if they meet the standards of the Edgbaston Wives of course Blunkett stands less chance of office with them.
Any member of either Harrogate or Edgbaston could chair the BBC with charm, efficiency, elegance and aplomb. Would that any of them have the time to bother.
Given the state of the BBC, Wouldn't this be a case of the blind leading the blind.
ReplyDeleteGiven the state of the BBC, Wouldn't this be a case of the blind leading the blind.
ReplyDeleteyet another repeat
Chairman of the BBC - I'd vote for Andrew Gilligan. That would be a larf! Just imagine the blood-letting and score-settling....
ReplyDeleteDavid Blunkett? Wasn't he sacked from ghengis Khan's cabinet for being too right wing an authoritarian, as well as everything else?
ReplyDeleteBlunkett may not be up for chairman but I have it on good authority that he is lined up to present a new series of..
ReplyDelete"one man and his dog"
If he turns it down leo and margaret Beckett are in the frame.
PHitch - funny!
ReplyDeleteDoes David Blunkett still have his ministerial car? Does anyone know? How can we find out? If he does, how much does he owe the taxpayer for its use since he left office (again) in disgrace?
Does he still have his ministerial flat? If so, how much rent does he owe now and has he paid any of it?
If he is still enjoying ministerial privileges at expense of the taxpayer, what hold does he have over tony blair? Is it the same hold John Prescott has, or a different set of secrets entirely?
I saw the Blunkett book n Oxfam but thought it too expensive at £4.99
ReplyDeletedexey said...
ReplyDelete"I saw the Blunkett book n Oxfam but thought it too expensive at £4.99"
You made the right decision - there's a copy on eBay with no takers at £2.99!
April 1st already ?
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't known at the Downing Steet Think Tank as 'Bonkers Blunkett' for nothing. And no, it had nothing to do with his sex life.
ReplyDeleteThat's the Blunket Bonkbusting Corporation?
ReplyDeletePresumably he'd install Quimberly as Directorix General and Simon Boggart as Head of BBC2
When are we getting your glowing, adulatory review of this stunning work, Iain. Surely you have skated through the final 43 pages by now?
ReplyDelete