tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post478708161296322532..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Andrew MacKay To Step DownIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-73798117810791742052009-05-24T09:22:15.371+01:002009-05-24T09:22:15.371+01:00I note on the Bromsgrove Conservative party websit...I note on the Bromsgrove Conservative party website they are still supporting Macbride and the rumours are that the conservative leadership may have cut a deal with Mackay to lay off MacBride.<br /><br />Macbride may be inclined to "tough if out" but she has zero chance of holding her seat at the next election. She either steps down, gets deselected or she will undoubtedly get voted out. The petition in Bromsgrove is a sure sign that she will not survive.<br /><br />In whose interests is it that she stays? The Party? No. The Constituency? No. The only people whose interest it is in is herself and her husband and her family. Life is tough as she is sure to find out. Welcome to the real world. <br /><br />When the inevitable happens I hope that an incoming Cameron government does not somehow contrive to provide indirect employment for Mackay/Macbride.Premier League Wolfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-75965665833217756322009-05-24T00:53:06.107+01:002009-05-24T00:53:06.107+01:00As one of Julie Kirkbride's constituents I am very...As one of Julie Kirkbride's constituents I am very disappointed that so far she seems to pretend that this issue is nothing to do with her and I am frankly offended that she doesn't think she owes an explanation to her constituents. Our ubiquitous MP seems to be almost in hiding apart from a very small interview with one of our local newspapers.<br />Since the local conservative chairman also thinks that there is no issue to clarify I must conclude that there is a deep problem with the local conservative party and I will no longer be voting for them at the next local elections, though I'll probably vote Tory at the European elections. If she continues with this attitude and she is still the conservative candidate at the next general election I will have to vote for someone else also (or at least for RON). I think I will not be the only one.MrInsultednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-91023008052209513602009-05-23T23:54:49.802+01:002009-05-23T23:54:49.802+01:00Slightly off topic, but relevant...
I voted for D...Slightly off topic, but relevant...<br /><br />I voted for Diana Johnson at the last General Election. I understand that it is claimed that she has claimed £436,632. That's hell of a lot for a first time MP. What makes her worth that amount? If it is too inflated, we need a repayment and she has to go.jailhouselawyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03795278184797990706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35316030412896375272009-05-23T23:07:35.303+01:002009-05-23T23:07:35.303+01:00"What a terrible way to end a political career."
..."What a terrible way to end a political career."<br /><br />Remember November 1990?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1485216603477567252009-05-23T22:03:41.871+01:002009-05-23T22:03:41.871+01:00Standing down at the next election?
Why is the cr...Standing down at the next election?<br /><br />Why is the crook and his crooked wife allowed to draw MPs salaries and third homes for another 12 months?<br /><br />No doubt they will also get resettlement grants and final salary pensions too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-73427761755741033912009-05-23T20:49:22.025+01:002009-05-23T20:49:22.025+01:00Thank God for that - and what a shame David had to...Thank God for that - and what a shame David had to have a...gentle chat with him before he was able to come to this decision.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13896235681242722952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-66053789702541239602009-05-23T20:40:09.312+01:002009-05-23T20:40:09.312+01:00This is excellent news for the Tory party. We need...This is excellent news for the Tory party. We need a good clear-out if the electorate is to trust us. Well done DC. Makes Brown look even more of a dinosaur.Richard's mumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-23411696176795202202009-05-23T20:28:26.377+01:002009-05-23T20:28:26.377+01:00All well and good but Mackay and Kirkbride chose t...All well and good but Mackay and Kirkbride chose to make claims which were damn stupid - as well as gut-wrenchingly greedy. So their stupidity and greed has caught them out. <br /><br />Frankly he was on a hiding to nothing. He would have avoided heartache for the both of them if he'd simply stepped down long before being told to do so. He would have limited further damage to his espoused party by doing so, too. Now there's a strong possibility that she'll have to go as well. Not the most astute of politicians, then.Unsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307116169498533047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-19993703045023225752009-05-23T20:15:17.164+01:002009-05-23T20:15:17.164+01:00Chris Paul, how typical of you to get the wrong en...Chris Paul, how typical of you to get the wrong end of the stick. It was Cameron who rang MacKay this morning and told him he had to go.<br /><br />Tell me, when can we expect Brown to do the same with Hoon, Purnell and Blears?Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-87801293352046427982009-05-23T20:12:29.208+01:002009-05-23T20:12:29.208+01:00This case btw is one of the worst, if not the very...This case btw is one of the worst, if not the very worst of the lot. By not dealing Cameron showed himself very weak indeed, and prone to favours.Chris Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679067503215414300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-20766217593022276512009-05-23T20:11:27.118+01:002009-05-23T20:11:27.118+01:00Ho ho, Cameron "has lost his Willie" - very droll....Ho ho, Cameron "has lost his Willie" - very droll.Chris Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679067503215414300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42608511080079419892009-05-23T19:31:18.792+01:002009-05-23T19:31:18.792+01:00That wierd rug on top of his head did for him.
Po...That wierd rug on top of his head did for him.<br /><br />Politics aside, how could Kirkbride stare at that night after night without pissing herself laughing?<br /><br />Perhaps, this was the ultimate perfect marriage; both delusional and no doubt both blissfully happy in their delusions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-28742830985149561152009-05-23T19:23:58.124+01:002009-05-23T19:23:58.124+01:00Sea Shanty Irish here:
Iain, do you think that yo...Sea Shanty Irish here:<br /><br />Iain, do you think that your radio show last night was the straw that broke the camel's back on this one? <br /><br />Certainly seems like Nadine Dorries took the advice of your musical guest, Lord Elvis of Presley (to temporarily stiffle herself) to heart!<br /><br />Anyway, when it comes to MacKay and his ilk, I'm with the position staked out by the Archbishop several days ago.<br /><br />MPs like MacKay who (finally) do the right thing by stepping down in response to unsustainable expanse claims, they deserve some credit for making the ultimate political sacrifice.<br /><br />(Do think in Mackay's case he was ill-advised to use the words "huge fun" in describing his tenure, for obvious reasons.)<br /><br />Even Steen deserves a modicum (but only that) of credit for stepping down.<br /><br />May more follow there example. And certainly NOT just Tories!<br /><br />Indeed, by their actions - in stark contrast to their words - the likes of Mackay and Steen are now helping their party and it's Fearless Leader. <br /><br />Whereas Labour, Lib Dem, etc leaches who continue holding fast to the Great Westminster Sugar Teat are doing nothing for their party & leadership.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-47290938200621279362009-05-23T18:58:25.957+01:002009-05-23T18:58:25.957+01:00Poor old Mac-Bride.. Oooh weird coincidence.Poor old Mac-Bride.. Oooh weird coincidence.Crossfirenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-21427284324770888112009-05-23T18:54:34.356+01:002009-05-23T18:54:34.356+01:00As one or two others have said - where are the cab...As one or two others have said - where are the cabinet resignations? Labour associations clearly do not care. Where is Smith for instance saying she will not stand? <br />I am pleased the Tories are taking a tough stance and MPs realise the game is up. McCartny is not standing again (safe labour seat, who will be for it?).<br /><br />Labour know the lefty media will ignore their transgressions. Tories should not let them forget it. Labour are playing politics with this and the electorate should be reminded of it.<br /><br />Once the Tories have gone through their own members they should turn the spotlight on Labour.<br /><br />It stinks that the Telegraph have gone soft on Balls and Cooper. The Telegraph was far too cosy with Labour before all this and as far as I am concerned it is just as big a casualty. <br /><br />BTW - given that all MPs were a party to the system and the fees office encouraged it - effectively as an allowance (see Stephen Pounds comments) I think it fair to differentiate the 'expenses' actions with the other useful and official acts of an MP. It can still be sad tbhat 'flaews have brought down someone, anyone, who otherwise was estimable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-31155472813980583742009-05-23T18:40:54.902+01:002009-05-23T18:40:54.902+01:00Hilarious. MacKay has looked like the proverbial '...Hilarious. MacKay has looked like the proverbial 'deer caught in the headlights' since 'claimgate' came to light. The 'meet the public' shoddy ploy -used to great effect by Cambo and Gove- was the cliff that forced MacKay to resign. The televised results were not pretty, and he should have stayed well clear of such a farce, since he did not have the personality to deal with the baying crowd. I suspect trying to deflect some of the attention from his wife may have played a part too.<br /><br />The whole affair has been devastating to 'conventional politics'. Not only do MP's enact policies which are not supported by the populace, they 'take the mince' out of us again and feather their own nests with our money. There is no difference between an aloof elected dictatorship (of ANY political party) and a unelected dictatorship. The elected dictatorship is the worst of the lot: giving the impression of 'democracy' whilst the establishment does exactly what they please.simonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56666158586496278812009-05-23T18:37:16.846+01:002009-05-23T18:37:16.846+01:00The tea party types in the US are eyeing this &quo...The tea party types in the US are eyeing this "cull" of leeching MPs with wonderment and interest. A few less porkers in the House & Senate would do a nice job.Andrew Ian Dodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16293965494182995460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-78446271488992539102009-05-23T18:30:26.955+01:002009-05-23T18:30:26.955+01:00Dear Iain,
You seem to ignore the fact that if, a...Dear Iain,<br /><br />You seem to ignore the fact that if, as the result of their dishonesty, a hundred Conservative MPs are forced to stand down at the next election, the "clean sweep" benefit for Cameron will be enormous. Compare this scenario with the fact that our Prime Mentalist cannot (dare not) even get rid of those openly calling for him to go, whether they have also been caught with their hands in the till or not. <br />Re-shuffle? How? Who is he going to replace any of them with? The tea lady? The window cleaner? <br />The Telegraph has now exposed about 200 liars, small-town shysters, out-and-out thieves, fraudsters and despicable con artists. As far as I am concerned there are still about 400 to go which will leave about 50 reasonably honest ones to form the skeleton of the next administration. I hope The Telegraph keeps right on to the end of the road.<br />Nadine Dorries believes some are close to suicide. Suicide? Come off it, woman. <br />As the indomitable Anne Widdecombe said yesterday : "They can give me a ring. I'm with the Samaritans".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-59051455413191757182009-05-23T18:26:42.796+01:002009-05-23T18:26:42.796+01:00"It was the best of times, it was the worst of tim...<I>"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of</I> <B>public service</B>,<I> it was the epoch of</I> <B>greed</B>..."<br /><br />With apologies to Charles Dickens.<br /><br />Iain, defending your friends is admirable, but if you hang around with an (allegedly) bad crowd there is a risk that you will come to accept their expectations of entitlement as your own - if only in other people's eyes.DiscoveredJoyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05300239909689336895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-64879059979495960102009-05-23T18:24:34.992+01:002009-05-23T18:24:34.992+01:00He has made the right decision. Notwithstanding hi...He has made the right decision. Notwithstanding his record as an excellent MP, he should have ended this some time ago. This time, his judgement is right.<br /><br />He is also right that he had become a distraction, not just from the elections but in drawing fire from far worse cases from far more senior politicians.<br /><br />While Cameron want's to 'do the right thing,' bring some transparency and achieve closure, it is clear that the NuLab machine is playing a different and partisan game. They have adopted a different tactic altogether. Whilst Tories up and down the country are presenting and prostrating themselves to their constituents, the media and local parties, Brown's cronies have dived for cover and are keeping their heads down, waiting for the storm to abate.<br /><br />Hoon, Purnell, Darling, Smith, McNulty, Uddin and friends are nowhere to be seen and despite all the questions that they must answer, they seem to be untouchable. This is an outrage and worse still the media can't be arsed to seek them out...and why should they? It's far easier to nail someone who is walking around with a 'kick me' sign on their backs.Realfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05186479566194167911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-85851435366569915462009-05-23T18:19:45.032+01:002009-05-23T18:19:45.032+01:00julie kirkbride next...as she was complicite in th...julie kirkbride next...as she was complicite in this fraud, she should join her husband as soon as possible .your loyalty is misplacedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77912524540628355202009-05-23T18:12:14.540+01:002009-05-23T18:12:14.540+01:00It's probable that everyone has made the same stat...It's probable that everyone has made the same statement, but...<br /><br />The two of 'em should have sacked immediately...SuperiorLibrary Assistantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-36472693897244209892009-05-23T18:09:00.410+01:002009-05-23T18:09:00.410+01:00Either it is an allowance and should be taxed.(Plu...Either it is an allowance and should be taxed.(Plus no need for receipts)<br /><br />Or it is expenses and the rules <I>must</I> be followed.(In Mackay and Kirkbride's case, they haven't. In many other cases, they haven't.<br /><br />A typical politicial mire. Trying to be all things to all men but sufficiently neither one or the other so that waters are muddied. An allowance run as an expenses system - for what reason? The most obvious reason is to hide the fact it is a supplement to their income.<br /><br />The answer to the Freedom of Information should not have been to cover up, nor should it have been to further perpetuate the charade of it being an expenses system by then insisting on receipts. They could have just come clean 5 years ago and either turned it into a block grant or gone the whole hog for it being a properly run expenses system.<br /><br />The rank arrogance of politicians. The contempt they are showing for taxpayers and voters. It disgusts me. Moreso because they are doing so little work! Keen to rely on quangos and other unelected or unaccountable bodies to do the donkeywork which they then rubber stamp.Garethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11182144080955551878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-12642665332233427322009-05-23T18:03:00.463+01:002009-05-23T18:03:00.463+01:00If you lie sbout your living arrangements in order...If you lie sbout your living arrangements in order to wrongly take money from the taxpayer you have no business being an MP. End of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6970702039075319742009-05-23T18:01:55.476+01:002009-05-23T18:01:55.476+01:00McKay should've gone when his story broke. That he...McKay should've gone when his story broke. That he hasn't, shows that he's acting in his own interests, rather than the party's (or his constituents'). <br /><br />He has prolonged anti-Tory media coverage.Faustyhttp://faustiesblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com