Tory Bear reckons Gordon Brown lied about Spain's membership of the G20 at PMQs today. He used Spain as an example of another G20 member which was still in recession. For all I know he genuinelty believes Spain is in the G20. It has had special invitations to attend, but is not actually a full member.
I only raise this as I think it will be an interesting test for the Prime Minister. On Monday David Cameron apologised to the House of Commons for getting a fact wrong at last week's PMQs.
I wonder whether Gordon Brown will now have the courage to do the same.
He didn't say "Full member" did he?
ReplyDeleteNor, as when Chameleon got the dates for the painter Titian wrong, has one of his assistants altered the WIKI entries - eh?
Brown... courage?? hahahahahahahaha
ReplyDeleteSpain is technically "represented at the G20" by the EU. But trotting out this line will sound more weasely than just taking the hit and apologising...so you can guess what will happen.
ReplyDeleteBrown was doing down Spain as well, not very nice, and surely to be remembered...
In any case, I believe the Eurozone is now out of recession, so Brown's point is invalid.
ReplyDeleteSo you actually commented on PM question time this week iain.
ReplyDeleteI think as Downing street are saying Spain is an Honorary member of the G20 who decides if they are or not is another question.
Its not comparable to DC accusing Brown of funding extremists through government grants.
Brown had some brilliant one liners "the more Cameron speaks the less he says" is a Gem and should be used from now on.
Gosh this is earthshattering.
ReplyDeleteWill you start calling it Spaingate?
Perhaps he believes that the EU is in the G20 and that Spain is in the EU.
Don't split hairs, it's beneath you. It's invited as part of the EU delegation but is, for all intents and purposes, a member, which is what Brown was alluding to. Jesus, cut the guy some slack.
ReplyDeleteSpain is a de facto member, it is only by historic accident it's not a full member. It's the eighth largest economy in the world and has been invited along to the last few meetings.
ReplyDeleteRather a pedantic point, Iain, in a PMQs where for once Brown wiped the foor with an ineffective Cameron. A victory as rare as hens teeth perhaps but Dave was really not very good today. Given the state of the nation and the dozens of government failings to examine and expose let's hope it was just an off day for DC. By the way, what utter balls from Brian Cox!
ReplyDeleteps Cameron had to apologise when it turned out that the story on which he based his latest bout of race-baiting turned out to be a fabrication. There is a difference.
ReplyDeleteThe more Cameron speaks the more Tory voters he loses.
ReplyDeleteHe was truly rogered at question time today.
"Will Brown Apologise for Spanish G20 Error?"
ReplyDeleteNo, the question is 'Will Brown apologise'. Full Stop. The answer. Nope. Never.
The more Cameron speaks the more Tory voters he loses.
ReplyDeleteHe was truly rogered at question time today.
Glad to see the Labour luvvies have come out in their dribble droves. Spain is not in the G20, just check Robert Peston's blog!
ReplyDeleteSurely the main point is we are still in recession, while the main majority are not... and at some point when is this Labour Government going to accept some responsibility for this.
The silence is deafening...
Not quite as simple as you make out! See here for more. ps. Gr8 PMQs, gr8 fun, good to see a lively, old-skool exchange for a change!!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny that this is the only site that I have read that is attacking Camerom?
ReplyDeleteI think Brown today has reunited the Tory Party, thanks Mr Brown
Spain is a member of the EU, the EU is a member of the G20, thus making Spain a member of the G20. This will be the official Downing Street line any way.
ReplyDeleteAlso, does this really warrant an apology from Prime Minster?
Cameron apologised because his factual error was extremely damaging to those he accused and the knock affects could have been potentially disastrous- given the current popularity of far right extremists in the UK.
The Prime Minster's comments about Spain are not as damaging and the fact Cameron did not pick him up on it means he would also have to apologise, again!, for not noticing it.
Get my drift, it’s a ridiculous cycle.
Spain is a member of the EU, the EU is a member of the G20, thus making Spain a member of the G20. This will be the official Downing Street line any way.
ReplyDeleteAlso, does this really warrant an apology from Prime Minster?
Cameron apologised because his factual error was extremely damaging to those he accused and the knock affects could have been potentially disastrous given the current popularity of far right extremists in the UK.
The Prime Minster's comments about Spain are not as damaging and the fact Cameron did not pick him up on it means he would also have to apologise, again, for not noticing it.
It’s a ridiculous cycle.
"Its not comparable to DC accusing Brown of funding extremists through government grants."
ReplyDeleteBut they are lol all Cameron got wrong was which "Pathfinder" project of the Government was providing the money
Iain,
ReplyDeleteyou know Brown doesn't do sorry - I was wrong - I apologise.
It is the way he was brought up and he keeps attacking Cameron for Eton - do me a favour!
Gordon seems to think that Spain is a member of the G20. It isn’t, but Brown will not admit that. So I thought we ought to try to bring reality into line with Gordon, since Gordon will not come into line with reality.
ReplyDeleteSee the following petition on the No 10 Website:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Spain-G20/
Although most people will be uninterested in the technicalities, this is worth pursuing as it will raise general awareness of how the UK’s performance is behind all the competitor nations and NOT “best placed” to deal with the recession.
ReplyDeleteNo one will be surprised to find the PM twisting the facts. But the economic message may resonate.
Mr Brown you are long past your 'use by' date.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye, and thanks for ruining the economy.
Having spent your life plotting to get to No. 10, I hope you spend the remainder ruminating on what a terrible mess you have made.
You and Mr Blair have created an economic disaster for this country.
Thank you for selling our gold for a handful of washers.
Thank you for destroying the value of my pension.
Thank you for running up the highest level of indebtedness since World War 2.
Thank you for your off balance sheet wizardry.
Thank you for never having the cojones to admit you have effed up big time.
Thank you for your boom and bust politics.
Thank you for your tax credit scheme which doesn't work.
Thank you for flooding the NHS with billions of our hard earned cash without us getting a decent service in return.
Thank you for handcuffing the police with your love of targets.
Thank you for not standing up to Mr Blair over the Irak invasion.
That's enough thanks.I could add many more!
Now get the hell out of Downing Street and allow a new team to sort out the dreadful mess you and your Nu Labour cohorts have created.
Mr Cameron is not perfect. But he is a lot less imperfect than you.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Spain-G20/
ReplyDelete@John:
ReplyDeleteYou should try googling "blogs" and get out more.
When taxi drivers are saying Brown clobbered the Eton boy . . .
Yeah, but the fact that my first namesake didn't get straight up and point out Brown's error means that nobody on the opposition benches knew any better either.
ReplyDeleteEven with such an abysmally incompetent government and the evidence of their mismanagement and duplicity piling up around our ears David Cameron still struggles to land a decent blow.
ReplyDeleteIs Britain on the brink of financial armageddon?
Cameron should be wiping the floor with Brown by now, and if he can't he should stand aside and make way for Dan Hannan.