tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post1786020104652508101..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Heffer's Election Campaign Stalls at First HurdleIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-82868197498620574092009-05-27T21:14:49.804+01:002009-05-27T21:14:49.804+01:00always thought Heffer looked like Edward Heath...s...always thought Heffer looked like Edward Heath...so no vote there then....Dame Sybil Crumbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-46249830628754963342009-05-27T14:37:51.998+01:002009-05-27T14:37:51.998+01:00I'm afraid this is poor old Hefferlump's last hurr...I'm afraid this is poor old Hefferlump's last hurrah. It's good that the corpse twitches from time to time. He's been sniping at the likes of Alan for years, mainly because he is One Nation Tory and not a Lederhosen nutter. As a Saffron Walden voter I hope he does stand and subject his antiquated views to full public scrutiny. But when he loses his deposit, will he claim it from the Telegraph or Spectator expense account?Jerry Hayesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-63871587999902695082009-05-27T13:53:21.456+01:002009-05-27T13:53:21.456+01:00The headline in "The Telegraph" today reads
"Tory...The headline in "The Telegraph" today reads<br /><br />"Tory MP repays £12,000 after Simon Heffer pressure"<br /><br />So what's the truth in all this? It seems odd that, if Haselhurst had decided to go of his own accord, The Telegraph would print this. If they thought Heffer had been embarrassed, surely they'd just let it die down.Thomas Rossettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16242906347478972349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42943186913242726012009-05-27T13:49:51.717+01:002009-05-27T13:49:51.717+01:00strapworld, thank you very much for your comments....strapworld, thank you very much for your comments. It's not that you were particularly complimentary about what I said (although I think we both agree about Cameron and his faults), it's that this is the first time someone has acknowledged me in a blog. I haven't been doing this blogging caper that long and this is the first confirmation I've had that someone has actually read what I've written. <br /><br />I feel like a child who has scored his first goal!Thomas Rossettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16242906347478972349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42670909662653720462009-05-27T13:39:57.780+01:002009-05-27T13:39:57.780+01:00I think Heffer ought to be Prime Minister, in defa...I think Heffer ought to be Prime Minister, in default of Boris Johnson or James May. I'd accept Ian Hislop as a stand-in.<br /><br />Heffer is not at all sound on drugs in a libertarian sense, and will have to go first therefore to a "Libertarian re-Education Facility" somewhere "in the country", for a little time. he may even be a bot rocky about other stuff we value. But his heart's in the right place, he's a Cambridge Man, and he can't be worse than the rest of all those shysters, some of whom Iain-D is trying to sort of defend.<br /><br />In default of a Libertarian Party (of the UK) candidate, the Libertarian Alliance would look kindly upon Simon Heffer.David Davishttp://libertarianalliance.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-25603151769692510312009-05-27T12:42:16.422+01:002009-05-27T12:42:16.422+01:00the reason Heffer has chosen to stand against Hasl...the reason Heffer has chosen to stand against Haslehurst is because Heffer lives in the Great Leighs area, which with boundary chenges is now in Sir Alans constituency.essex75noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-68070089676644304652009-05-27T12:24:42.369+01:002009-05-27T12:24:42.369+01:00Seems as if it was a success?
http://www.telegrap...Seems as if it was a success?<br /><br />http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5392556/MPs-expenses-Tory-MP-repays-12000-after-Telegraph-and-Simon-Heffer-pressure.htmlukipwebmasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12240335641832778726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-74266426202008948142009-05-27T11:23:54.131+01:002009-05-27T11:23:54.131+01:00No doubt Haselhurst saw Heffer coming.
Shortest c...No doubt Haselhurst saw Heffer coming.<br /><br />Shortest campaign ever. <br /><br />Heffer 1 (golden goal 0 min) Haselhurst 0.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13775753218753337766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-2972315479915017692009-05-27T11:11:13.464+01:002009-05-27T11:11:13.464+01:00Surely Heffer's biggest problem with standing woul...Surely Heffer's biggest problem with standing would be, that as he himself acknowledges in his latest Telegraph outpourings, he is himself far from squeaky clean, having previously been found guilty of gross electoral malpractice and expelled from the Cambridge University Conservative Association during his formative years ?<br /><br />"I thought I was unsuited to politics when, 30 years ago, I and some chums were booted out of the Cambridge University Conservative Association for electoral malpractice. (Sadly, no money was involved: we had canvassed in an election, which was forbidden. I asked for it. Undergraduate high jinks, etc etc.)"<br /><br />http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5389356/MPs-expenses-do-the-right-thing-Sir-Alan-Haselhurst-or-I-will-stand-against-you.html<br /><br />Can anyone now recall the full details of this scandal ? The public of Essex surely have a right to know the details of the past of one who now seeks to represent them as an untainted white knightAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-14034829606018694382009-05-27T10:09:02.151+01:002009-05-27T10:09:02.151+01:00Oh, Lord...........that pompous ass Terry Waite ha...Oh, Lord...........that pompous ass Terry Waite has now written in the Times that he may possibly stand for Parliament as one of these independents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57302756174107004842009-05-27T10:01:56.353+01:002009-05-27T10:01:56.353+01:00What a knob.What a knob.Matthew Dearnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9126653422351476932009-05-27T08:53:28.338+01:002009-05-27T08:53:28.338+01:00Could not believe it. George Walden, former Conser...Could not believe it. George Walden, former Conservative MP for Buckinghamshire. His daughter who sometimes does the morning newspaper routine on Sky News, writes in her column yesterday that her boyfriend is the odious creep Piers Morgan!! Can you credit that!<br /><br />Dinner conversations must be jolly interesting with Daddy and Boyfriend!strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-90809808415238872212009-05-27T08:40:58.587+01:002009-05-27T08:40:58.587+01:00Heffer is just a blubbery figurehead for the old r...Heffer is just a blubbery figurehead for the old right whose day has passed, he would be best advised to retire from public life himself along with his fellow plodders. Rage rage rage against the dying of the light. Actually, stop raging and fall asleep I'm a comfy chair.Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-22400271814357480682009-05-27T08:34:12.692+01:002009-05-27T08:34:12.692+01:00THE RAGE
The parliamentary ruling mob
Have all e...THE RAGE<br /><br /><br />The parliamentary ruling mob<br />Have all enjoyed a cushy job<br />The taxes paid by you and me <br />Helped these scoundrels live for free<br /><br />They tried to stop us finding out <br />What their expenses were about<br />Somehow they think that we are fools <br />By claiming, “It’s within the rules”<br /><br />Such claims alas just will not wash, <br />They’ve lived like royals on our dosh<br />It’s not the dosh that we want back, <br />We want them ALL to get the sack<br /><br />That’s not all, for we want more,<br /> We want them in a court of law<br />Some of them it seems are frauds, <br />Both in the Commons and the Lords<br /><br />Flipping homes to dodge the tax <br />Has got up the electorates backs<br />Porno films and cleaning moats <br />Is really sticking in our throats<br /><br />Don’t think because they haven’t claimed <br />They’re innocent and can’t be blamed<br />Not speaking out what some were getting<br />Is simply aiding and abetting<br /><br />Their secrets out they’ve lost control<br />We want them jailed or on the dole<br />Parliament’s no sacred cow.<br />BRING ON THE ELECTION NOW !!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-85781482297860308402009-05-27T07:19:40.995+01:002009-05-27T07:19:40.995+01:00Jeepers - what did we do to deserve the self-impor...Jeepers - what did we do to deserve the self-importance and odious sanctimosity of Esther Rantzen, Lynne Faulds Wood, David Van Day (!) and Simon Heffer? Thanks for the offer, chaps. Much appreciated. Suggest you just remember to take the pills and talk to the nice lady in the white coat.Georgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-11884745013620627342009-05-27T07:17:26.837+01:002009-05-27T07:17:26.837+01:00Thomas Rossetti, You must have written Stephen Gl...Thomas Rossetti, You must have written Stephen Glover's article in the Daily Mail today.<br /><br />He says that Cameron reminds him of that other 'straight kinda guy' Blair.<br /><br />That is something I have been saying for a long time.<br /><br />Mr Rossetti points out what Cameron is about, but not saying much. His refusal to say what he will do in the event of the Lisbon Treaty being ratified is typical.<br /><br />As Mr Glover asks, WHY has Cameron attempted to take the argument away from expenses to that of the Constitution?<br /><br />The constitution cannot, and should not, be cobbled together quickly and especially by this lot of discredited parliamentarians. That is why I prefer a Royal Commission, taking it out of the vested interests of politicians.<br /><br />That said, we all must be on our guard with Cameron. None of us know the beast. BUT I much prefer having him than the present moribund, Incapability Brown!strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56542707303594905362009-05-27T01:56:37.344+01:002009-05-27T01:56:37.344+01:00Just out of interest, Iain, and this is only loose...Just out of interest, Iain, and this is only loosely related to the theme of accuracy and the web, did you ever apologise to John Prescott for suggesting that he had told someone to "f*** off"?<br /><br />It's not that I like John Prescott. (In fact, it's <I>because</I> I dislike him that I object to him crowing about how the media has got it in for him on his blog.) I just feel he was a bit unfairly maligned by the story. Although neither remark is very becoming of a parliamentarian, there's a big difference between "sod off" and "f*** off".<br /><br />There's more than enough to go on if one wishes to humiliate the former Deputy Prime Minister without making things up.<br /><br />(I admit it. This post is off-topic. It was all Tom Bradbry's fault anyway. I understand if you don't approve it.)Thomas Rossettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16242906347478972349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-5598785172901726642009-05-27T00:58:29.958+01:002009-05-27T00:58:29.958+01:00Just what is going on at the Telegraph, it resembl...Just what is going on at the Telegraph, it resembles a sack full of cats. Cameroonians, the Neocon rump, deluded Brownites, disappointed Blairites ... all life is there. Everytime they out a Labour expense cheat, the following day has 5 Conservative cheats. Is this the proprietor's idea of "giving Brown a fair go" ?<br />The paper is a mess.<br />If clowns like Rantzen, Bell and Heffer stand, they will be crucified. They all have loads of baggage, how long will they put up with the ritual abuse of the current truth game ?Dimotonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42473750946574577492009-05-27T00:54:19.924+01:002009-05-27T00:54:19.924+01:00I dearly hope Heffer stands against Sir Alan....an...I dearly hope Heffer stands against Sir Alan....and loses.Appealing of Ealinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01969154489616249357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-64636429326137354492009-05-27T00:30:08.763+01:002009-05-27T00:30:08.763+01:00oh dear it seems Phase 2 is to try and re-run the ...oh dear it seems Phase 2 is to try and re-run the Sark election campaign approach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-18303383245383278612009-05-27T00:17:49.237+01:002009-05-27T00:17:49.237+01:00A close look over Sir Alan's statement confirms to...A close look over Sir Alan's statement confirms to the electorate once again that politicians simply cannot accept responsibility for the opinion of the taxpayer that their actions were wrong.<br /><br />The statement begins with several excuses that could be described as Nuremburg excuses - "nowt to do with me mate, I was just doing what everyone else was". It's a good job for Sir Alan that the British public are fed and watered with a defence as infuriating as that, otherwise they might want more than just their money back.<br /><br />“I deeply regret the public anger which the expenses revelations have understandably generated." So you don't even regret your actions, Sir Alan? You simply feel the need to state your support of the blinding obvious that the generation of public anger is regrettable.<br /><br />"The rules governing them are no longer acceptable." At precisely what point were the current rules acceptable? Given the implications of the last sentence, we might be forgiven for implying from this that they only became unacceptable once the public cottoned on, Ambivalence like this might be construed as Sir Alan the finger at us for taking an interest!Charlie Eastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08698403120952038560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-87297198185384600702009-05-27T00:10:27.652+01:002009-05-27T00:10:27.652+01:00Not sure how the posh ginger camp guy will go down...Not sure how the posh ginger camp guy will go down in deepest Essix...Disco Biscuitnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83340189514908540092009-05-26T23:48:54.852+01:002009-05-26T23:48:54.852+01:00Better that Heffer went on a hunger strike until t...Better that Heffer went on a hunger strike until the money is repaid.Doctor Micknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-14381415210540749522009-05-26T23:42:11.128+01:002009-05-26T23:42:11.128+01:00I'm rather inclined to agree with "strapworld" on ...I'm rather inclined to agree with "strapworld" on this one. Heffer is no doubt an odious man (and he has the <I>look</I> of someone who smells*) but his articles attacking Cameron are pretty good. <br /><br />Every time I get excited at the thought of the Tories ousting Brown, I read Heffer and remember that Cameron opposes grammar schools, supports the NHS in its current state and a has a whole load of "non-Conservative" views. Any who thinks he's the heir to Thatcher is in for a rude awakening.<br /><br />Yes, Heffer has been shown up on this issue, but it doesn't negate all his previous work.<br /><br />* For all I know, he is the most beautifully perfumed journalist on Fleet Street: he just seems sweaty, somehow.Thomas Rossettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16242906347478972349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57554140727787907732009-05-26T23:26:46.824+01:002009-05-26T23:26:46.824+01:00My turn not to be popular.
MPs are not expected to...My turn not to be popular.<br />MPs are not expected to maintain two homes out of their salary. Fact.<br /><br />They get expenses for one. If an MP is forced, as described, to treat his former second home as his first, ie pay for it himself, and so still be left with the costs of his original home - then it therefore follows that he should not be expected to lose out by allowing his former fist home to get dilapidated.<br /><br />Are you still with me you ... OK I will try to be polite ... you people.<br /><br />I do not know about individual claims but the principle is clear - maintenance on a second home should be allowable. It may indeed be daft to make someone turn his first home into a 'second' home. But the financial consequences of this are clear. <br /><br />If Sir Alan had a small house and garden (or no garden) the cost to us would be small, but if he has a large house and garden the cost is going to be greater. Maybe gardening is wrong somehow, but dilapidation is dilapidation.<br /><br />I repeat I know nothing of the exact claims (maybe its prettyfication not maintenance - where does one end and one begin) - but, again, in forcing a switch its clear the authorities and then us, the taxpayer, have to bear a cost.<br /><br />But in any event no matter which one is which we need to and will continue to need to fund the peripatetic existence of our MPs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com