tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post1913804465077392960..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Why no Tory on THIS WEEK?Iain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-45845812836490140252008-05-09T20:14:00.000+01:002008-05-09T20:14:00.000+01:00"The only good thing about the programme is Andrew..."The only good thing about the programme is Andrew Neil.", someone says. And quite right too. Which makes claims of bias against the BBC a bit thin (excepot of course that This Week comes on at a patheric late hour.<BR/><BR/>And as for Neil, he being a Scot as well remember, I am afraid he had me rolling on the floor with his description of Wendy Alexander -- "Wee Wendy McNumpty".<BR/><BR/>Clearly people do not like Portillo, but he does his duly appointed job on this programme better than more honestly than Abbott.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-33305124576874581732008-05-09T15:44:00.000+01:002008-05-09T15:44:00.000+01:00Portillo is from the past and stuck in the past!Po...Portillo is from the past and stuck in the past!<BR/><BR/>Portillo was saying recently the tories could not win an election or do better than get even in seats with Labour - Portillo is a joke! Everything stopped for him in 1997. He should not have bottled standing for the leadership in 1995. Portillo is not much of an authority on leadership - think it is that line of yellow down his back that demonstrates this. Enjoy your sour grapes michael!<BR/><BR/>Contrast Portillo to Heseltine last night or Cameron. You may not agree with Heseltine or Cameron but they are real men - ready to stand up and be counted!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88493862100790117952008-05-09T15:24:00.000+01:002008-05-09T15:24:00.000+01:00Whining Oscar Millar and co. have really select me...Whining Oscar Millar and co. have really select memories. All the years that members of the current Government have been scrutinised, sneered at, and interrupted by Humphries have been applauded and approved by the opposition. But put Cameron under a bit of heavy questioning and he collapses like an unset jelly, the wuss. If Tories win the GE expect more of the same, the public have every right to know what they stand for, and threats to break up the Beeb will go down like a lead balloon. Get over it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-82210119878754181262008-05-09T15:11:00.001+01:002008-05-09T15:11:00.001+01:00Oh, do get over yourself, you've had plenty of att...Oh, do get over yourself, you've had plenty of attention, don't be so whingy and greedy. That Matthew Taylor now; he's the real business, so I hope No. 10 was watching and will invite him back for a chat. Portillo not voting for Boris....?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-24179564886937011922008-05-09T15:11:00.000+01:002008-05-09T15:11:00.000+01:00anon at 1:37.Fair enough -if he were just being po...anon at 1:37.<BR/>Fair enough -if he were just being polite, good luck to him. The point is when bloggers' replies are so much longer than the comments, something more than courtesy is operating. Also, with his own blog to ease his frustrations, why is he so obsessed with Iain's? <BR/><BR/>Won't add more: I have now replied to a reply on a replied attack on an eccentric commentor. This so wildly OT it must end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-62554017301210831012008-05-09T14:32:00.000+01:002008-05-09T14:32:00.000+01:00If you want to see some objective comments (not!) ...If you want to see some objective comments (not!) about ' This Week' go to this vomit-inducing page:<BR/><BR/>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/this_week/5117626.stm<BR/><BR/>('This Week' letters page.)<BR/><BR/>Needless to say, comments about Yellow Portello not being representative of the Conservative viewpoint, and therefore destroying the impartiality of the programme do NOT get published.robbinghoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16256496659250934981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-62197205434599226982008-05-09T14:15:00.000+01:002008-05-09T14:15:00.000+01:00Did anyone spot that Portillo was desperately tryi...Did anyone spot that Portillo was desperately trying to stop falling asleep the whole time.<BR/><BR/>Right near the start of the program, the camera cut back to show him lifting his head and shaking himself awake.<BR/><BR/>He also looked him and given his comments on the show, and his alleged behaviour at City Hall last week, has he been given his cards.<BR/><BR/>Dead man snoring...<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I agree - the worst THIS WEEK ever - by a long way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-55127245110105312372008-05-09T13:41:00.000+01:002008-05-09T13:41:00.000+01:00BTW - Feedback on R4 is interviewing Humphrys on h...BTW - Feedback on R4 is interviewing Humphrys on his bias and different treatment of Cameron and Brown on those infamous interviews that failed to influence voters last week. So far - he's blaming it on the fact that Cameron was combatative and Brown has been in power for a long time and therefore has real things to talk about. Actually - you really have to listen to this for sheer chutzpah - when in doubt blame the listeners.Oscar Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09423019456579337438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-3632953353819023032008-05-09T13:37:00.000+01:002008-05-09T13:37:00.000+01:00Dave H. said... "Chris Paul’s .. Blog. On the few ...Dave H. said... <BR/>"Chris Paul’s .. Blog. On the few occasions there are comments, half are from himself and his contributions are invariably the longest. "<BR/><BR/>Many bloggers make a point of replying to each comment. It's called 'common courtesy'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9733582651079378652008-05-09T13:36:00.000+01:002008-05-09T13:36:00.000+01:00"We have long memories (us proles) and we have a g..."We have long memories (us proles) and we have a great stamina in informing 30 years old children who may be wobbling towards Conservatism after never having been served under one."<BR/><BR/>More searing political insight from a Labour politician so popular that when he stood in the local elections the BNP won in his ward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-70622838638190577522008-05-09T13:09:00.000+01:002008-05-09T13:09:00.000+01:00Jim Middlepark - in what way is BBC bias not as ba...Jim Middlepark - in what way is BBC bias not as bad as we "seem to think"? Are you telling us not to trust our own judgement? This Week was self evidently biased - packed with Labour apologists. According to the latest YouGov poll nearly half the country say they intend to vote Conservative but the BBC can barely bring themselves to acknowledge their existence. And as for Robbie Gibb working for Portillo - that is no recommendation whatsoever. Don't palm us off with this kind of soft soap. The evidence is in the editorial policy of the programme - not in whoever the editor might (or might not) vote for.Oscar Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09423019456579337438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-39478996403690042652008-05-09T13:04:00.000+01:002008-05-09T13:04:00.000+01:00To Conservative Party Central Office 1/07/07Dear S...To Conservative Party Central Office 1/07/07<BR/><BR/>Dear Sir,<BR/>I would like to put my name forward for the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London. I have many years political experience and have almost run as a candidate before.<BR/>I have been in leadership races and am currently very engaged with the media,including the normally hostile BBC which would surely prove to be an advantage.<BR/>I look forward to your reply.<BR/>Yours M.Portillo.<BR/><BR/>Dear Sir further to your reply to my letter of 1/7/07 I believe that my own unique qualities have not been adequately demonstrated.<BR/>I was the MP for Southgate.I was Tory minister for transport.<BR/>I gave my [un?]hesitant support to John Major and I have been a Media and journalist figure since the 1990's.<BR/>Please reconsider this matter as I feel you are missing a unique personality to battle for London.<BR/><BR/>Dear Sir,<BR/>What utter bollocks you write.If you want a media celebrity then pick a serious one, like me.<BR/>Boris Johnson? Are you sure sir?<BR/>I have superior intellect, charm and tact and grace you moron, far in excess of Boris.<BR/>Well sir, you have lost London again and frankly it will come as no surprise to me if your polling ratings collapse nationwide too. This is a very poor joke indeed.<BR/>I agreed with minimum wage and making the BOE independent.<BR/>Who will you make Chancellor and minister of defence? Ant and Dec?<BR/>perhaps Johnathan Ross could be minister for culture!<BR/>I would like to take this opportunity to cancel my membership and return my 'Shadow Cabinet ministers do it in the dark' mug.<BR/>My vote will go to Ken.<BR/>Yours, with envy, sour grapes, disgust and a sense of betrayal and of being passed by again..<BR/>Michael Portillo. Ex MPBill Quango MPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14861116614665461655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-75120689377679877372008-05-09T12:50:00.000+01:002008-05-09T12:50:00.000+01:00'Someone' has just proposed a replacement for Port...'Someone' has just proposed a replacement for Portillo:<BR/><BR/>'Might it not be appropriate therefore for the BBC to find another balancing figure who is a broadcaster and a Tory? Like, errm, Iain Dale?'<BR/><BR/>(I thought the errm rather harsh). Why not? You seem to get on even with your opponents. Your predictions on 30 Apr were accurate, and although commentators shy away from them, predications verify whether an 'expert' has a well-tuned political antenna, and this pleb for one likes them. Come to think of it, John Hutton made an uncannily prescient observation of Gordon as PM.<BR/><BR/>Chris Paul’s analysis is, as usual, spot on. Few are blessed with the kind of perspicacity that makes them 100% wrong all the time. I have read his vacuous Blog once, like most of his readers. On the few occasions there are comments, half are from himself and his contributions are invariably the longest. It is a unique achievement to be the resident Troll on your own blog. Bitchmodeoff. He’s sad but harmless. I would still be tempted to personalise his word verification to a much harder level.<BR/><BR/>More pedantry, or more likely I’m being even thicker than usual, but a newer posting mentions ‘the ghost at Banqo’s feast’. Does such a feast exist? I feel this is like using Frankenstein when referring to his monster. (I know it’s OT but it’s at 0 comments and this isn’t suitable to be the first one).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-34118879920182612592008-05-09T12:16:00.000+01:002008-05-09T12:16:00.000+01:00IainThinking about this it is great if the BBC kee...Iain<BR/><BR/>Thinking about this it is great if the BBC keep wheeling out these fools in denial to make the Labour Party look more and more out of touch with their rehearsed and tired rhetoric. Also keeps any Tories out of risk of any foot in mouth moments that would be exploited to the full by the ever neutral Beeb (sic). <BR/><BR/>BTW Haven't seen much of your mate Draper since his shocking effort alongside your good self on that post Question Time program. I'm sure he could turn quite a few more floating voters away from Labour given a few guest spots on This Week and similar political programmes.Mulliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12445624135697167219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-90765532708212657572008-05-09T11:55:00.000+01:002008-05-09T11:55:00.000+01:00As a Conservative, I realise that there are times ...As a Conservative, I realise that there are times when the BBC is biased, but it really is not as bad as you (and others) seem to think. If you don't like This Week, why not complain to its new editor, Robbie Gibb? He worked on Portillo's leadership campaign in 2001, and his brother is Conservative MP Nick GibbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-54442478887701363522008-05-09T11:32:00.000+01:002008-05-09T11:32:00.000+01:00After her vile performance on Adam Boulton's joke ...After her vile performance on Adam Boulton's joke programme last Sunday in which Rachel Johnson could manage two words before this simply ghastly individual interrupted, I think both her and Portillo should be pensioned off. <BR/><BR/>Brillo is above all this BBC bias malarkey, & they've both had a five year stint on this programme. Time for a new take upon the Westminster village methinks.<BR/><BR/>Who can take a programme with Abbott, Portillo, and Maguire contributing, seriously now?<BR/>Abbott is a lazy fool, Portillo is a bitter diconnected loser, & Maguire helps to edit a comic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-15026159156636963342008-05-09T11:15:00.000+01:002008-05-09T11:15:00.000+01:00Not Londoner: "I didn't realise the handle was exc...Not Londoner: "I didn't realise the handle was exclusive and taken."<BR/><BR/><BR/>That sort of name cannot be exclusive, as the complainant should realise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-45578680202246972602008-05-09T11:10:00.001+01:002008-05-09T11:10:00.001+01:00To "Not Londoner" who said:"I didn't realise the h...To "Not Londoner" who said:<BR/><BR/>"I didn't realise the handle [Londoner] was exclusive and taken. Nevertheless, I shall refrain from using it."<BR/><BR/>It's very kind of you to say that; I did not mean to say that I have any right to say that you can't use Londoner if you want, I can't have a copywrite on it! It's free(ish) cyberspace after all, but just may be confusing in the context of Iain's blog and even more so ConservativeHome where I post more but much of the readership overlaps. One likes to kid oneself that one had built up a small online persona under that name. So if you can think up something different, I would appreciate it.<BR/><BR/>It's good that it's safe now in Tory circles for Londoners to come out of the closet. At 43% for Boris first preferences, only 1% behind the national local elections score, (with acknowlegements to the late Queen Mother) we Londoners can now look England in the face.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-5239082688964656892008-05-09T11:10:00.000+01:002008-05-09T11:10:00.000+01:00Gman said... "cameron didnt choose Boris, Open Pri...Gman said... <BR/>"cameron didnt choose Boris, Open Primaries across London chose the Conservative candidate"<BR/><BR/>From a short list much influenced by Cameron and where the others on the list were obvious no-hopers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-25424781418626638802008-05-09T11:03:00.000+01:002008-05-09T11:03:00.000+01:00You have to hand it to the BBC. With the Labour s...You have to hand it to the BBC. With the Labour share of opinion polls heading south, the bbeb is doing a great job of ferretting out what remains of NuLab support to appear on their shows.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13775753218753337766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-65036154476711645202008-05-09T10:56:00.000+01:002008-05-09T10:56:00.000+01:00Tapestry says: "Doesn't the Conservative Party rea...Tapestry says: "Doesn't the Conservative Party realise? The BBC has a close arrangement with the government of Europe, which can safely ignore mere goings-on at national level. Now Lisbon is signed, Westminster is a sideshow, and a Party which only aspires to winning a mere national election is pissing in the wind.<BR/><BR/>Portillo can perform his strange dance of revenge, and the EU will renew his BBC contract."<BR/><BR/>That is the nub of it. What passes for UK domestic politics now is a con.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30859428110447377472008-05-09T10:16:00.000+01:002008-05-09T10:16:00.000+01:00Toilets Maguire made another unpleasant appearance...Toilets Maguire made another unpleasant appearance on Today this morning, bigging up the 'Great Leader'. <BR/><BR/>The problem is, it doesn't work anymore, as the second anyone hears his name being mentioned as a contributor to a debate, it sets off a red alert warning of imminent spin and lies! In fact the more Today try and support Brown, the more listeners start to realise that the political balance of the show is somewhat 'skewed'.<BR/><BR/>Nice of Ming to slip in a mention of the YouGov poll - Humphries and Co were desperately avoiding the elephant in the room throughout the show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77408084206479144052008-05-09T10:09:00.000+01:002008-05-09T10:09:00.000+01:00alan dean tells us Portillo is'from the right'Gosh...alan dean tells us Portillo is'from the right'<BR/>Gosh I do not know what that makes me!<BR/><BR/>Portillo did not vote for BORIS. Rather a sad admission from a failed politcian who, as you Iain once pointed out, believes he should be in Cameron's position now. He, as our Maggie would say, was FRIT!<BR/><BR/>But didn't Portillo look quite ill, he is not suffereing from that Prescott ailment, is he?<BR/><BR/>Not only is THIS WEEK partial to the Labour Party so is Neil's other programme on 2, The Daily Politics Show. More Labour and Libs less Tories. Keep a count!<BR/><BR/>I only hope Call me Dave will elaborate on his policy towards the BBC. He will be shooting at an open goal!strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9647979243328266902008-05-09T09:38:00.000+01:002008-05-09T09:38:00.000+01:00Portillo is former tory MP. This is not fair to sa...Portillo is former tory MP. This is not fair to say the BBC is biased to the labour. One of their reports has just become part of the tory "s"p"in" machine. <BR/><BR/>Portillo is a tory. <BR/><BR/>Atleast the BBC do not to claim that the government has it's lowest rating for any government in history, when the evidence does not suggest this. The tories got 22% in december 1994. While labour was on 61%. So how can people claim the present you gov is the worst rating for a government party.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-53856473827067037712008-05-09T09:21:00.000+01:002008-05-09T09:21:00.000+01:00Lola: no! Now I have to go and clean my brain of ...Lola: no! Now I have to go and clean my brain of that image with bleach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com