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Saturday, May 15, 2010
Discussing the Change Coalition
This is a 25 minute discussion on the coalition for INSIDE STORY on Al Jazeera English. Participants are myself, Mehdi Hasan from the New Statesman and Robin Shepherd from the Henry Jackson Society. Enjoy.
Mehdi Hasan was on Question Time this week. Came across as a loud-mouthed, gabbling smart-alec that should leave home now while he still knows everything - I'm sure his parents would appreciate a rest too.
I started to watch the video, but having like the first two commenters seen him on Newsnight on Thursday could not stomach any more. So sorry Iain I didn't bother going to your comments either. In my opinion Mehdi Hasan is a very dangerous rabble rouser.
Off topic for this subject, but have just seen in the Sunday Telegraph that Frank Field may be invited to look at poverty and "think the unthinkable". I really hope that this is true. The fact that his orginal report was quickly quashed by Brown at the start of the first Labour term just goes to show that he must have had something that was really worth looking at. Heers hoping!!!
I find fringe Lib Dem objections to the new dispensation (you know who you are Charlie K- well perhaps not after lunchtime) somewhat confusing. How can supporters of PR possibly object to a coalition of this shape? Is it that they think the purpose of PR is to deliver the smallest party INTO government whilst at the same time excluding the largest party FROM government? That surely is the logic of those of them who were urging a Lib-Lab arrangement.
Mehdi Hasan"s appearance on Question Time must be vying with Paul Heaton's appearance for "most embarrassing display of playground political ignorance by a lightweight leftie."
I have to agree about the poisonous toad Mehdi Hasan, a midget version of George Galloway. It was funny though when he talked himself into a corner with Heseltine and Hughes regarding providing a direct answer to a stable alternative government combination with the current election result. Worm, hook, squirm.
Heard this bloke Mehdi Hasan for the first time recently. Sounded more like midget Galloway, I agree. The BBC I am afraid will be left as it is thanks to the Con-Libdem coalition.
Agree: too difficult to watch if Mehdi Hasan is on the show. His performance on QT last Thursday was a perfect demonstration why The New Statesman has declined catastrophically in recent years.
It was amusing watching him rip into Simon Hughes. Hughes was dignified enough not to point out that the 21,000 votes that went his way in the General Election was probably about twice as high as the global readership of The New Statesman.
Not seen your video but did see that New Statesman guy on Question Time on Thursday. Nutter.
ReplyDeleteMehdi Hasan was on Question Time this week. Came across as a loud-mouthed, gabbling smart-alec that should leave home now while he still knows everything - I'm sure his parents would appreciate a rest too.
ReplyDeleteI started to watch the video, but having like the first two commenters seen him on Newsnight on Thursday could not stomach any more. So sorry Iain I didn't bother going to your comments either.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Mehdi Hasan is a very dangerous rabble rouser.
Daedalus
Off topic for this subject, but have just seen in the Sunday Telegraph that Frank Field may be invited to look at poverty and "think the unthinkable". I really hope that this is true. The fact that his orginal report was quickly quashed by Brown at the start of the first Labour term just goes to show that he must have had something that was really worth looking at. Heers hoping!!!
ReplyDeleteDaedlaus
I find fringe Lib Dem objections to the new dispensation (you know who you are Charlie K- well perhaps not after lunchtime) somewhat confusing. How can supporters of PR possibly object to a coalition of this shape? Is it that they think the purpose of PR is to deliver the smallest party INTO government whilst at the same time excluding the largest party FROM government? That surely is the logic of those of them who were urging a Lib-Lab arrangement.
ReplyDeleteThe position is laughably misconceieved.
Mehdi Hasan"s appearance on Question Time must be vying with Paul Heaton's appearance for "most embarrassing display of playground political ignorance by a lightweight leftie."
ReplyDeleteI expect we'll be seeing a whole lot more of Hasan if the BBC have their way.
ReplyDeleteThe really big question is, will the BBC have their way, or does Cameron recognise what a malevolent influence the BBC really is?
...
I have to agree about the poisonous toad Mehdi Hasan, a midget version of George Galloway. It was funny though when he talked himself into a corner with Heseltine and Hughes regarding providing a direct answer to a stable alternative government combination with the current election result. Worm, hook, squirm.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to find myself agreeing with Medi Hasan on Question Time at times.
ReplyDeleteI'm not very keen on the new politics.
http://cyberboris.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/the-value-of-the-new-politics/
Heard this bloke Mehdi Hasan for the first time recently. Sounded more like midget Galloway, I agree. The BBC I am afraid will be left as it is thanks to the Con-Libdem coalition.
ReplyDeleteAgree: too difficult to watch if Mehdi Hasan is on the show. His performance on QT last Thursday was a perfect demonstration why The New Statesman has declined catastrophically in recent years.
ReplyDeleteIt was amusing watching him rip into Simon Hughes. Hughes was dignified enough not to point out that the 21,000 votes that went his way in the General Election was probably about twice as high as the global readership of The New Statesman.