Wednesday, January 30, 2008

PMQs: Why Can't Brown Answer a Simple Question?

I didn't catch the first question of Cameron's questions at PMQs, but I thought the PM looked all over the place. Cameron's question was very simple: did the government intend to axe a specific stiop and search form? Brown couldn't answer it. It can't be because he hadn't been briefed on it, as it seems to be the subject of the day. Tony McNulty was on the 5 Live Phone in talking about it all. It was simply because he just won't answer a straight and quite reasonable question.

I thought Clegg was again on solid form. What did you all make of it?

UPDATE: I've been alerted to a very funny comment HERE on CiF. Here's a slightly amended version...
David Cameron: Mr Speaker sir, can I ask the Prime Minister if his name is Gordon Brown?
Gordon Brown: I refer the Right Hon. Gentleman to a report in 1999 outlining the use of the phone book.
David Cameron: Can I ask the Prime minister, can he answer a simple question? What is his name?
Gordon Brown: Mr Speaker, I refer him to the use of the Telephone Book Act, which this government introduced despite opposition from his party.
David Cameron: Oh, I give up.

114 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with your assessment. Cameron was right in saying that people watching will perceive that Brown cannot answer a straight question or make a decision. It was interesting to see Vincent Cable asking a question.

Anonymous said...

Im watching Prime Ministers Question time (It sure isnt Prime Ministers ANSWER time!) and i need help in translating all the Jock accents!.

Anonymous said...

He couldn't even answer the question about Qaradawi - first 'Bottler Brown', then 'The Ditherer', now he is just equivocating again and again and again...

Have a look at the featured about the interview with Jon Sopel on the BBC Editors' Blog...

Illuminating..

Anonymous said...

Brown on brilliant form..wiped the floor with toffee-nosed Etonian Cameron...Brown back to his best standing up for the working people of this country....Cameron on the ropes...er...will this do?

Anonymous said...

Brown is totally hopeless - the sooner he is gone the better.

Clegg sounds like Pitt the Younger from Blackadder III (which, for the avoidance of doubt, is not meant as a compliment!).

Anonymous said...

Not a single question about sleaze, which is all over papers. Just illustrates that MP's are a self serving feraful bunch of fraudsters.

Anonymous said...

Brown is completely pointless. He's waiting for someone called Flannagan to tell him what to think about stop and search. He's waiting for lawyers give their malicious interpretations of the law before he can form an opinion on who can or can't come into the country. All he did was stand there reading a list of bogus statistics and accounts of money spent - which we all know was spent to no purpose, if indeed it was spent at all.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear.. This is clearly the Caulson strategy coming to the fore .

Cameron has nothing to say so attack on the premise of Why cant brown answer the question.

Clearly watching different PMQs to me.

Again Cambo wasted all 6 questions; 3 on police forms and 3 on some bloke who is apparently a "preacher of hate". Funny as this "preacher of hate" isn’t in the country, and on the Politics show this lunch time guest Michael Howard was forced to admit that the very same "preacher of hate" was let in to GB 5 times while he was Home Secretary.

Benny said...

Mr Maguire must have been watching PMQ's with the TV off.

Brown refused to answer because he's in the process of stealing the ideas from the Tories :P

Philipa said...

I agree with mike rouse (1st comment), I like Vince Cable and do not share your positive view of Clegg.

I was dismayed that Brown intends the State to intervene sooner in a childs life in some attempt, presumably, for the State to 'fix' our children by separating mother and child - when has the State EVER been a better parent?

Tim said...

"Why Can't Brown Answer a Simple Question?"

You're one to talk. You're the most infuriatingly evasive and mendacious person I've ever met, Iain. You've danced around or ranted past many straight and quite reasonable questions that I've put to you.

Anonymous said...

Iain -

Before you criticize Brown for not answering simple questions, perhaps you should get your own house in order and answer some of the simple questions people are asking you about Mr Conway (see below). If Mr Brown was able to get away with 'no comment' I think you would have something to say....

I just want to help you fend off any accusations that you may be a hypocrite.

John

Bob said...

I think Cameron won by a big KO.

Normally think you favour DC but today DC smashed him.

Anonymous said...

I would like to refer those in this house that would say and indeed do say, now and in the future, that the statement 'Gordon Brown is a complete arse' that a super duper official review chaired by Lord Wotsit and Lord Blokey (The former chief of nonsense planning) into the veracity of that statement. Further I would like to point out that in the coming weeks and months HM government is going to be increasing the rate at which the 'rolling out' of the various strategies for enhancing the verbosity of all statements by ministers and officials at every level everywhere in Scotland, in Wales, in Northern Ireland and indeed the conquered territory formerly known as England is taking place and is going to take place in the short to medium term and indeed if I may say so the medium term and further I can now reveal the medium to long term and it can today be confirmed the long term and in a statement on tuesday we will make a firm commitment to the long to very long term although I feel I must point out that it could all be a complete lie and we're actually totally complacent about everything and are just flanneling.

Anonymous said...

I thought that Flashman wasted 4 of his questioning opportunities. He could have dealt with Brown's tardiness in dealing with Labour sleaze. Instead he persisted with lines of questioning which were unproductive.

On the Stop and Search question it was obvious that Brown wasn't going to give a direct answer since the relevant report has not been published yet.

On the Qaradawi question Brown made it clear that the matter was still under consideration and that no decision had been made yet.

It was fascinating to see the look of panic on Flashman's face when at one stage he couldn't remember (or hadn't prepared) the response to one of Brown's answers.

BTW isn't Nicholas Soames ENORMOUS. He must be the biggest MP by far. He really ought to have two seats in Parliament.

Anonymous said...

Brown was unbelievably bad, punch -drunk almost. An abject performance, the faces of his fellow Labour MP's were priceless.

Anonymous said...

Brown is getting a little more combative on these occasions but once again I think Cameron managed to draw the light away from him. For those watching, it was an uneasy experience seeing a Prime Minister simply refuse to answer questions.

Anonymous said...

Brown is full of bluster, nobody can get a straight answer from him

Anonymous said...

Brown was hapless and incoherent; waffling for dear life!

Anonymous said...

Flanny have you got a flanny tee hee. I must use that joke sometime. You tories are getting witter and witter.

Anonymous said...

12:29 I thought the tories were rubbish today. If you cannot understand the accent of people of your own nation, then maybe you should get out and learn how to understand perfeclty clear accents. Snobby tories.

Anonymous said...

The tories did not ask about sleaze because they are far far far sleazier than labour. With labour it is just a few error and laziness, with the tories it is stuffing their own pocket or beating people up. Charming. Breath fresh air, they said the tories were more like a smelly fart. .

Daily Referendum said...

What Iain Dale does on his own blog is his own business. He owes no one answers to questions he would rather not reply to. On the other hand, Gormless Brown IS expected to answer questions put to him about his governance of this country.

If you don't like the way Iain runs his blog - don't read it.

Curbishly said...

You've danced around or ranted past many straight and quite reasonable questions that I've put to you.

Why should he answer any questions from someone who has clear mental problems.

Anonymous said...

Cameron was on top form again, Brown was shifty.
I think Chris Clegg did well; might make a half-decent Minister. Maybe we should offer him a job in the next Government?

Anonymous said...

1:24 If you do not like PMQs do not wahct it. It is the PMQ's he can asnwer questions if he decies too.

Anonymous said...

Benny 12.57 - Its called irony.

Anonymous said...

"Cameron's question was very simple: did the government intend to axe a specific stiop and search form? Brown couldn't answer it"

It wasn't that he couldn't answer it. It was simply that he was not prepared to pre-empt the report which was about to be published. Though why he couldn't say that, I don't know. Maybe he was stringing Cameron along so that he would use up more of his permitted number of questions.

Anonymous said...

err, I think we need a reality check...

Iain isn't the PM and doesn't have to answer any of your questions, whereas the PM does have to answer questions if we are to gauge what he/his govt. is about.

Thank you anon@12:31pm for the tip off to the Sopel interview analysis. An 'economics manual' is all this PM can quote with authority and even that has become a broken record now, he has no variety, and is an uniteresting man with nothing to say. And like his TV interview style, so his performance at PMQs.

SIde-stepping the question. BBCs The Editors blog

Anonymous said...

He also seemed to be giving the wrong answer to the first question about the Muslim cleric.To me, his answer seemed to relate to a person already in the country rather than someone seeking an entry visa. He had changed tack when answering the follow up. As usual his briefs were all in a muddle. I would hate to have to clear up after he has been anywhere!

Anonymous said...

1:27 That is logic of the soviet union.

Anonymous said...

First Lord of the Waffle

Very funny, I enjoyed that!

Newmania said...

LEAVE IAIN ALONE HE IS VERY DELICATE AND WILL CHAFE EMOTIONALLY, IF YOU KEEP RUBBING HIM UP THE WRONG WAY



Mr. Referendum is quite right , I love the way the scrounging fraternity are incapable of understanding that something is not a public resource. I used to have a client who, when I put my difficulties to him would appear to be searching the room vainly for someone who "Gave a f----! "
Same thing.

Yes this is on the front page of the Sun as Cameron and the middle of the Mirror and Brown. Pretty clear that Brown is stealing a Tory anti crime and red tape idea , and that ,I imagine , was what Cameron was getting at. Labour have stolen the headline but have not had time for the Policy.This sort of panic is likely to encourage the Hares(oh god must we its such a bad metaphor ...)
What about a new term for when the Labour Party frantically shifts to follow the Conservative Lead. A “Brownian motion" they after all have no idea where they are going.Or just a “Bowelian motion” for obvious reasons .

Anonymous said...

Brown gave perfectly clear answers to some of the weakest questions I've ever heard at PMQ's. The line seemed to be "Let's ask him questions he won't give a straight yes or no to, and then skewer him on the "not PHYSICALLY capable of answering questions killer blow". Didn't work. Cameron just sounds simplistic and naive.(as well as unpleasant re physical differences)

Anonymous said...

Tim, you have a blog which nobody reads, and your only significance in the blogging world is when you stalk successful blogs and try to blow up something with them.

Luckily Iain is not feeding this particular troll anymore.

Anonymous said...

Imagine that there's panic and plotting in the Labour ranks following that painful , embarrassing performance by Brown. It really marked a new nadir, he was out classed, unable to answer or offer even a semi-coherent response. Startlingly bad.

Anonymous said...

As we were warned by Ali Campbelllong ago: Brown is psychologically flawed.

Sadly, this extremely damaged, odd, and paranoid creature is now our Prime Minister.

Anonymous said...

Brown was sensationally bad! He can't and won't go on much longer.

Anonymous said...

ah, the illiterate lackwit that is D.E.S / Poisonous Kevin has returned.

One wonders that they have access to broadband at that sort of school...

Anonymous said...

Sorry but this is a very skewed interpretation of today's PMQs. Brown did answer the question, but didn't provide Cameron with the answer he wanted.

Consistently Cameron wastes PMQs as he comes to the dispatch box with variations on a theme and appears reluctant to leave his script.

Cameron the lightweight is going to be found out.

Joel

Yak40 said...

How much longer before this filth is sent packing ?

The damage already inflicted upon the UK by them is already close to irrepairable.

Analysing debating style is not useful !

Anonymous said...

Tim, you have a blog which nobody reads

Be fair. I tried to read it once. And some people do call him a 'guru.'

Anonymous said...

Kevin McGuire writes: "Brown back to his best standing up for the working people." Not so much "working" people as the parasite class - this includes the vast,roiling mass of the public sector.

BTW, is it some sort of New Labour requirement that people are legally obliged to answer questions about their friends on blogs? If Iain doesn't want to discuss Conway, that is his business. He's aware of what the rest of us think about Conway and he has declined a place on the bandwagon. This is his privilege and this blog is his property.

Tim said...

*sigh*

Iain, why is it that you insist on publishing anonymous comments that rubbish what I've done for the polticial blogosphere and/or call me a stalker or troll with mental problems?

Anonymous said...

Timmy said - 'Iain, why is it that you insist on publishing anonymous comments that rubbish what I've done for the polticial blogosphere'

I bow and scrape to Timmy for all he has done for the interweb...

Anonymous said...

PS - I do want to ask Iain, though, what happened to that God-awful banner he had up last night? It was there last night, before I turned off the computer, and this morning, et voila! Gone!

For anyone who didn't see it, it was the uninspired, feeble, bland,with the major colour being a washed out pale blue. It looked like a building society home page. Among buttons to click, I expected to see "Diversity" and "Responsible Citizen of The Blogosphere" and "Human Resources".

I see Iain is being very, very quiet about it.

Iain Dale said...

verity, the new site is being tested overnight so you did see the new version. I am sorry you don't like it. People never like change and in this game you can never please all of the people all of the times, especially with blog designs.

Anonymous said...

Tim

If you don't like it here, crawl back into your shell and stop irritating everyone

Anonymous said...

We all know that Brown is going to say that Labour is the party of low inflation. Why doesn't someone ask him what inflation would be if measured against the same criteria historically i.e. including all the elements that were removed from the measure by the previous Chancellor (one G. Brown), most noticably mortgage figures. I'm not an economist, but I can't believe the inclusion of those figures would bring the inflation rate down...

Old BE said...

I've done for the polticial blogosphere

*hug*

By the way, what have you "done" for the polticial (sic) blogosphere, exactly?

Tim said...

Iain, you're being much bolder about this sort of nonsense than you have been in a long time. Don't make the mistake of thinking I'm in any way cornered or compromised by Staines' nonsense.

Ralph said...

Iain,

The real question is why somebody hasn't suggested a way to get around what is clearly Cameron's PMQ strategy.

This should have been the week that Brown hammered Cameron at PMQs not looked like he was hiding things.

Well if you over promote a finance minister what do you expect?

Arden Forester said...

Brown cannot answer a straight question, you're right. A bit odd for a Presbyterian boy from the manse. I thought Harriet Harman and little Dougie Alexander, sitting beside him, looked very ill at ease. They should remember to bring their Rennies next time!

Iain Dale said...

Tim, What on earth are you banging on about now? And you wonder why people think you are... [stops himself just in time]

Me vs Maradona vs Elvis said...

Funny how most of the anti-Cameron comments on here are by anonymous posters or by people who can't spell, naming no names "anti-flash, anti-cameraon"!

Why are Labour backbenchers and their supporters almost always illiterate...?

Tim said...

Ed: Please excuse my typo. I campaigned 'obsessively' for the intelligent use of weblogs by MPs, and produced two of the first.

/so there

Things turned to shit in about 2005 when a series of people who wouldn't normally dare run a weblog discovered that they could manipulate or refuse certain types of comments (see: David Miliband, Jeffrey Archer, even Alsatair Campbell at one stage) but I'm still working on the problem.

Iain: Thank you for proving once again that you'll tolerate the hell out of abuse and anonymous abuse if it's not directed at you or your chums.

Anonymous said...

Timmy - Have you no sense of decency Sir? At long last?

Anonymous said...

Since when did a letter from Guido's lawyers become "nonsense", Tim?

I think it's time you changed your underwear...it's pretty obvious you're crapping yourself.

Anonymous said...

'Iain, why is it that you insist on publishing anonymous comments that rubbish what I've done for the polticial blogosphere'

Pompous and humourless delusions of grandeur or what? Get a grip Tim.

Iain Dale said...

Liar. Look at the Conway thread and just look at the abuse thrown at me which I have tolerated.

If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

You just HATE the fact that I have a blog whichg people read, and you don't. Get over it. It's called market competition. If you stopped writing obsessively about me and Guido Fawkes and concentrated on things which people are interested in maybe you'd actually get noticed. There. Some free advice from a 'blogging expert'. I normally charge for that sort of thing...

[battens down hatch]

Anonymous said...

Brown was abysmal and judging by the silence from behind him most of his backbenchers thought the same.

Anonymous said...

Do you think Derek Conway should be deselected by his constituency?

[Posted just now, but got error message]

Anonymous said...

Haven't seen any of it but I wonder if he made any eye contact with Cameron during PMQs?

I've heard he has so much contempt for the two Eton toffs opposite that he has pointed out to all around him that this is his personal protest.

Have a look yourself anytime on any PMQs.

Gary

Tim said...

Iain, you have a stated policy of not publishing anonymous abuse... a policy you have difficulty sticking to at times. You also have difficulty determining the difference between criticism and abuse, but only when that criticism is directed at you.

You've called me a liar. That's not true.

You've said that no-one reads my blog. Also not true.

You're getting bolder by the minute. What's going on in that head of yours?

sockpuppet said...

Thank you for proving once again that you'll tolerate the hell out of abuse and anonymous abuse

Timothy, old chap, I've been using this handle for a very long time, so it's hardly that anonymous. I mean it's more anonymous than using my real name, sure, but at least I'm paying lip service to consistency, if nowt else. Now get over yourself, there's a good guru.

Anonymous said...

Me vs Maradona vs Elvis -

Nothing wrong with my spelling. Dave loves the cameras, that's why the "a" is in there. "Flash" is consistent with cameras as well. Pity there weren't any there when he went through the red light and berated an offended pedestrian!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the excerpt from that comment. Hilarious!

At first, I had to wonder if Brown's strategy would work with the public. Fighting back, a strong Prime Minister.

Every time I watch it, it's the same thing and I think that people will soon come to realise that actually, he is no good at the job and he certainly has no new ideas either.

Anonymous said...

You are wrong to say you were abused in the Conway thread.

The worst word used was "hypocrite", something you have been accused of many times, usually with justification.

You will never shake the charge off as long as you tolerate Tory sleaze whilst condemning Labour sleaze.

You deserve to be attacked for this.

It is a pity that Tim Montgomery, your most virulent detractor, wrecks his case through an approach that can only be described as psychotic.

Tim said...

"I normally charge for that sort of thing..."

Actually, thanks for bringing this up. I've been meaning to ask about this for a while now. If someone calls you up, assuming you're an expert (remembering that you have often said that you never claimed to be and expert) and they invite you to speak or consult, do you charge them money for this service... even though you're not an expert, and they only think you are?

Wrinkled Weasel said...

Cameron asked two questions he knew Brown could not answer. A blatant set up to prove a point, done disingenously.

Everyone knows by now that Brown cannot do PMQs. Cameron is merely poking a stuck pig with a stick. Leave i' art Dave, 'e ain't worf it.

And nobody said a word about expenses because too many backbenchers are busy "amending" their accounts right now and faking birth certificates for their five-year old secretaries. Meanwhile this country is on its arse. MPs disgust me, but I shall have to visit The Devil in order to unpack that.

Anonymous said...

Iain, you realise you've just given Tim a thrill? He lives for when the Big Blog boys take notice of him.

Tim,

clue: blog about something other than blogging. You might as well wear a T-shirt emblazoned "I Heart Guido and Iain." It's called "mentionitis" (I am a girl reader)

Anonymous said...

Erm.... and Stalker Tim, as Iain has one of the most widely-read and influential blogs in the country (as does Guido) that does in fact make them experts, and you an amateur.

I have never seen you reviewing the papers for the BBC or interviewed on Newsnight, have I?

No? Because your blog is insignificant. The experts with the heavy traffic (Staines, Dale, Montgomerie) are regularly called on to the media.

Get off your obsessions, build a little readership, maybe you might join them.

Though for my money somebody like Dizzy is miles ahead of you in the queue.

Anonymous said...

I do not know the point in asking a quesrtion you know cannot be answered. What is he trying to apply to be the new host of University challenge.

Tim said...

Iain, I asked you a fair question on a subject that YOU brought up. Now, are you going to answer that question or are you going to continue with this latest example of you hiding behind sock-puppets?

Iain Dale said...

Tim, you obviously do not recognise humour when it pokes you in the face.

Let's be clear. Just because you pose a question, that does not actually mean I am automatically obliged to answer it.

And the day I answer to you for my financial income will be a cold day in hell. Funnily enough I am not an elected politician, and therefore my income is a matter between me and the Inland Revenue. Unless, of course, you know different. Which, being the supreme guru of blogging, you do.

Anonymous said...

Tim, I am a nickname using commenter, like 90% of commenters in the blogosphere on which you claim, dubiously, to be an expert not a sockpuppet. I'm not Iain; for a start, I'm female.

You say it's false that nobody reads your blog. Well, I just checked it. Total number of comments on your various entries, excluding comments made by yourself in a desperate attempt to keep the conversation going:

0,0,3,2,1,4,3....

see a pattern?

The thread is over, but I suggest you reflect on your total lack of traffic and try to say something interesting, unrelated to Guido Fawkes or Iain Dale.

Just try.

Tim said...

A joke, yes. But it prompted a serious question, which you are clearly attempting to avoid.

You've also resorted to false choices.

I did not ask for your complete financial background. I asked if, in circumstances like the one you describe here...

"I do not portray myself as an expert on blogging. If others think I know a lot about it and invite me to speak to them, it's hardly a crime is it."

... if you then charge money for your services as a speaker.

Now, you can either answer that question, or decline to answer that question. Don't invent a whole other f**king question and decline to answer that.

PS - This is me crapping myself over Guido. Enjoy.

Anonymous said...

I don't know why Tim has disabled comments on his latest post.

He hardly gets any at the best of times.

What a sad, pathetic attention seeker...he deserves our pity.

Newmania said...

I'm not Iain; for a start, I'm female.


Prove it by publishing naked photo , lets get this issue sorted for good and all ! Harrumph

Man in a Shed said...

If you lsitened to R4's The World at One there was a near punch up involving the McNulty who was very tetchy and the Conservative spokesperson. Martha sounded like she'd lost control.

Again two lefties of Shirly Williams and Yvette Morris (?) forming the usual Lib-Lab pack to attack Cameron.

The truth is dawning on the lefties and they don't like it. Brown is crap at PMQ and as prime minister. They now realise they will soon be losing their jobs because of this and tempers are starting to fray.

Anonymous said...

4:09 When is guido going to sue the telegraph for telling the teruth about him.

Anonymous said...

Tim you really need help seriously, this is public breakdown behaviour. You're embarrassing yourself.

Tim said...

Classy.

Iain?

Iain Dale said...

4.09. I refer you to the answer I gave a moment ago.

By the way, do you actually have a job? Can't think your poor employer is too happy about you using your time in this way.

And why open a second front when you must be so busy on, ahem, other more pressing issues.

Anonymous said...

"For more than three years the Conservative party has been arguing that we should scrap the form.. Will you confirm that the Government will now scrap the stop form?"

Mr Brown said: "It is true that for the last three years the Conservative party have been arguing - arguing among themselves on Europe and on many other issues."

That has to be the weakest reply to a question I have ever seen. Laughable and irrelevent, like Brown himself.

Iain Dale said...

Yup, fair comment. You have left about 50 comments on here in the last few days I'd say. Not the behaviour or an obessive, is it? No sirree. Never let it be said.

If you paid as much attention to writing and updating your own blog as you do commenting on here it might have a bigger readership. Then again...

Unsworth said...

@ Tim

"You've danced around or ranted past many straight and quite reasonable questions that I've put to you."

Tragic, absolutely effing tragic, old boy.

Let me give it to you straight, sunshine. You have a vastly overinflated sense of your own importance, intellect, and value to the 'blogosphere' and society in general.

Worse, much worse, your comments are almost never entertaining. Just the same old relentless "me me me" garbage. Can you not take some sort of remedial evening classes or medication to overcome these deficiencies? How about a holiday of some sort? Kenya's pretty fun, I hear.

Tim said...

- Iain, unlike yours, my concern is for the entire blogosphere, not just my own weblog.

- The answer you gave was to a question that you invented, as I have already made clear.

- I am self-employed, and resent your grubby implications (the purpose of which should be clear to anyone who reads this thread and understands what deliberate projection is).

- Time spent showing what an old fraud you are - and, crucially, documenting the techniques you use along the way - is time well-spent IMO.

(PS - You're wasting your time taunting me about readership numbers. Don't judge me by your own insecurities.)

Tim said...

Unsworth: Ed asked a fair question. I answered. Conversations are mean to work that way.

Iain Dale said...

"my concern is for the whole blogosphere". Bollocks. Your ownly interest in starting these flame wars with me and Guido was to get your numbers up after you hadn't posted on your blog for two months. You'll never admit it but that's the truth.

Believe me, I have no insecurities about my numbers. Why would I? At least I need more than fingers and toes to count them on.

Tim said...

"Your ownly interest in starting these flame wars with me and Guido was to get your numbers up after you hadn't posted on your blog for two months. You'll never admit it but that's the truth."

Oh, FFS. If you think I'm doing this for traffic or your website has the level of popularity* that would make this kind of exercise worthwhile from a traffic standpoint alone, you are deluding yourself.

Bloggerheads is largely about blogging. The clue is in the name.

Well, f**k me if you're not one of the focus points of political blogging (amazing, I know, but there it is), and the only reason I make 12 or 20 or 50 comments rather than just one of two is that you can never give a straight answer to a simple question - especially when we're discussing matters like your appalling conduct, the bad example you set, and how fast that behaviour spreads.

[*PS - Not every visit is a vote for you. You do know that, don't you?]

Iain Dale said...

Tim darling, calm down. You'll have a seizure. Sadly, I'd love to continue this heartening debate but I have to leave now and head eastwards to Upton Park.

See you. Wouldn't to be you.

Anonymous said...

"Bloggerheads is largely about blogging. The clue is in the name."

Thanks for the witty little tip there Timbo. I had always wondered what your woeful blog was about. It's as interesting as watching paint dry and as funny as a fire in an orphanage.

You are quite possibly the most boring blogger in existence.

If you are self-employed, make sure you don't stick all your commenting time down on a client's job card - we know you Aussies have criminal tendencies.

Tim said...

Well, thank you for at least not waving a medical report in my face this time.

The Military Wing Of The BBC said...

I've just watched PMQs.

It certainly has answered one burning question - where has Ming gone?

Judging by the size of Mr Speaker it looks increasingly likely that the poor man has been eaten by the gorbals monster in the not too distant past.

The Military Wing Of The BBC said...

........I wonder if Mr speaker is fond of turtle soup?

Anonymous said...

Interesting take on it. My personal one? I think it's unfortunate that Cameron has to resort to tactics that Brown already used weeks ago. I remember the PMQ's where Brown irritated everyone by asking Cameron questions, to which Cameron answered, over and over again claiming that the Tory leader was avoiding answering. The trouble was anyone with a brain could see DC was answering.

So why does Cameron have to do the same here? It is not hard to understand that the answer "we will follow the reports findings" is an answer of "no we won't be scrapping it", and for a guy that's been on the receiving end of such a poor tactic as shouting "you're not answering the question!" I'd have thought that he'd have a bit more personal regard than to need to resort to that route of "winning" the argument.

haddock said...

Before any eyes get scratched out let us get back to the question and allow me me to answer the 'why can't Brown answer a simple question' question. Speaker Martin gave an answer today; when he interupted to give his master breathing/thinking space(as is usual when Brown is on the ropes)he told the opposition that the Prime minister will answer in his own way, so there you have it..... he answers but in his own way.
ps who is tim?, should I know?

dizzy said...

Tim, are you on your period again?

Anonymous said...

Clegg asked Brown a specific question, with no clear replies offered on either the stored Apache helicopters, or military medical care. Instead we are treated to a recording of record increases in defence spending, with a background mantra of Tory Defence cuts in the 1990s. Does anyone know if Brown has actually approved orders for new helicopters? It was a cunning move by Clegg to highlight more of Brown's failings over the finance of defence - the sort of questions which could have easily come from the Tory benches.

On the other hand Cameron does seem to bring out the worst in Brown. The clawed hand pummels the dispatch box, the voice rises, and the face reddens, but no shakes today. But once again Gorbals Mick rides to the rescue to give Brown some breathing space, don't recall Tony Bliar having such a rapport with Speaker Martin. Brown only seems to be at ease when he knows questioners are limited to only one question, but when Clegg and Cameron can ask more, he seems to be troubled, and very very stressed.

Wasn't convinced by Cameron today at PMQs. Yet Brown seems to have a fleet of sychophants ready, what will he do without Keith Vaz, and the obscure MPs from Scotland or the North East?

I might have expected Cameron to ask about the progress on finding the lost MOD laptop or the lost computer disks from HMRC, to destroy any image that Brown's government is any way competent.

It was bore draw today.

Anonymous said...

Excuse me Tim, you useless little stalker, I don't see you answering MY questions - exactly what you've accused Iain of doing?

If you have a blog that means anything at all how come your comments (excluding your own) never break the 5 marker?

On your recent home page they haven't done.

Can you admit you are a traffic-free blog failure?

Tim said...

blog reader: Because - nickname or not - you're commenting anonymously. You could be anyone and are unlikely to be worth the courtesy of a reply*. You could be Dizzy sock-puppeting. Wouldn't be the first time he's done it. Caught him red-handed once and all he could say was "I meant to do that"

FFS, my children behave better than you lot, even after a big dose of sugar and E-numbers.

[*But I'll tell you that it has to do mostly with the requirement for comment registration. Iain can tell you more about that and how it impacts on the number of comments, because he tried it once and didn't like it for that very same reason. Iain stupidly uses the number of comments he receives as proof of his success, even though he knows that many contributors post under different names, each pretending to be 2-12 different people. At least one person is at it right now, but Iain doesn't have the wit or the will to catch such abusers. Instead, he's jsut going to sit there and let them slag me off.]


Iain: So now you're back, do you have an answer to my question (not the one you invented) or are you going to continue to hide behind the sock-puppets hurling personal abuse (the kind of thing you claim you don't allow on your website)?

If you look up, you'll see some charmer suggesting that I steal from my clients. They're even xenophobic enough to blame it on my place of birth. No wonder you keep reeling them in with quality conversation such as this.

Anonymous said...

Tim, so just to be clear: you style yourself as an "expert on the blogosphere" yet your position is that posters who don't supply a real name, address and serial number are illegitimate?

Never mind if they have a consistent nickname, they must use real names to count as worth noticing?

I find this very suspicious. Any genuine expert on blogs, or even A mildly curious amateur, would note that 9/10 comments on any blog in any subject are filed under pseudonymous nicknames.

So the self-appointed "expert" with the zero comments/readers proclaims the common practise of blogs is, in fact, illegitimate.

Not much of an expert, are you, Tim?

Anonymous said...

Tim

Has it ever once occurred to you that some people might post provocative comments (like Aussies having criminal tendencies)just for the fun of winding you up?

At some point in your life, you must have had a sense of humour by-pass, or else you would realise when people are having a bit of sport at your expense.

Lighten up a bit!

Tim said...

"a real name, address and serial number"

False choices, there. Sorry, not playing.

Iain, I sent you an email and you're clearly on deck. Please act on it. There are many comments here that are in direct violation of your clearly stated comment policy.

(Hint: none of them are mine)

Me vs Maradona vs Elvis said...

Anti-flash, anti-cameraon - I take it back - hadn't spotted the 'camera' in 'cameraon' - clever.

(I still maintain that half the Labour backbenchers are illiterate though).

Anonymous said...

me vs Maradona vs Elvis
Most courteous! I thank you.

I admit I nicked the interloping "a" idea from another "anonymous", and that I post on here under various nicknames, largely to avoid protracted arguments like those of "Tim" and "Iain"!

I often flinch at the appalling grammar, both in the H of P and here.

I'm just back from Upton Park, where I supported my team (LFC) from the West Ham end and had only charming banter to deal with, which just goes to show that civilisation does still exist out there!

dizzy said...

"You could be Dizzy sock-puppeting. Wouldn't be the first time he's done it. Caught him red-handed once and all he could say was "I meant to do that""

You paranoid conjecture speculating prat.

Iain Dale said...

Overnight Tim Ireland has sent two emails making non specific threats. Either I obey his rules and dikats or I should face the consequences. As a result he is now banned from making further comments on this blog if he persists in his campaign of vilification I shall be placing the matter of m'learned friend. Ask Anne Milton or Nadine Dorries what it is liked to be stalked by this idiot. I was so stupid to reverse the previous ban. It won't be happening again. This time it's permanent.

Unsworth said...

Iain,

"This time it's permanent"

Shame really, I was just beginning to get into my stride.

But on balance I'd agree with your choice, because the comment we have seen from the man has been well off topic and a very long way from sane.

As I keep repeating - Your Blog, Your Rules. Why should anyone host a party where one individual seems intent on antagonism and disruption for their own self-indulgent ends?

Anonymous said...

I see the NuLaboids are desperate to get the 'Flashman' mud to stick on David Cameron, hoping the 'Poor Gordon is being bullied' routine will gain the PM some sympathy.

It doesnt work, and the victim act just makes Brown look pathetic.

If the Prime Minister cant stand up for himself, get over it, and find yourselves a new 'leader'

Anonymous said...

Daily Referendum said...

"On the other hand, Gormless Brown IS expected to answer questions put to him about his governance of this country."

Not true. The only expectation is that other MPs will ask him questions.

I'd say that up to now Cameron has won, or just about won, all the PMQs with Brown but not yesterday. As has become the norm Brown didn't do well but he got by. Cameron would have been just as effective had he said nothing. Pointless low-key ranting that achieved nothing.

Anonymous said...

Iain Dale said...

"he is now banned from making further comments on this blog"

Thank god. What an absurd person he is - a fool, a buffoon, and, even worse, extraordinarily boring.

"if he persists in his campaign of vilification I shall be placing the matter of m'learned friend"

Great. Keep us updated

Anonymous said...

Last night, I observed this...erm...exchange of views between Iain, Tim Ireland and other contributors with interest.

I was going to suggest that a nice cup of tea and a group hug might be in order.

Then again...