tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post8294461179280470997..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: My Friend Derek ConwayIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-63010870175573703762008-03-03T18:28:00.000+00:002008-03-03T18:28:00.000+00:00You are SO right Alasdair.Conway is a despicable f...You are SO right Alasdair.<BR/>Conway is a despicable fellow for giving his lazy sons money for nothing. What kind of example is this -----a parent teaching his kids that dishonesty pays.zendohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14079056257345000937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-60691273071965041512008-03-03T15:25:00.000+00:002008-03-03T15:25:00.000+00:00Er, did I say it did?Er, did I say it did?Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-61117128716486691112008-03-03T15:17:00.000+00:002008-03-03T15:17:00.000+00:00"true friends do not abandon each other in difficu..."true friends do not abandon each other in difficult times". These are difficult times? For who? We usually speak of 'difficult times' as occasions when something unfortunate and unexpected happens to us. If these are difficult times for the somewhat less than Honourable Mr Conway this is a definition of the phrase I am not familiar with.<BR/><BR/>Shouldn't we speaking of DC's secretary, who had her salary halved [she had to claim benefits to supplement her wage]. Difficult times for her - I have problems seeing the connection there.<BR/><BR/>If loyalty, friendship is something extended and then maintained blindly no matter what happens, keep it. Because someone is a friend doesn't make what he/she does automatically right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-52677609768856369752008-01-30T22:48:00.000+00:002008-01-30T22:48:00.000+00:00I too had a great friend who committed a few indes...I too had a great friend who committed a few indescrepancies but I chose to stand by him regardless of what he had done. It was a pity that Adolph suddenly dissapeared, perhaps it was the poor comment from the media which made him choose to do himself in.<BR/><BR/>Such a sad lot, these media types.<BR/><BR/>innit?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-21379548542115899162008-01-30T16:31:00.000+00:002008-01-30T16:31:00.000+00:00I've not read the comments Iain, and I'm late in c...I've not read the comments Iain, and I'm late in coming to this post but I have this to say:<BR/><BR/>1. For an MP, for a party, I believe this has been handled well. It is a sad circumstance, but in other paid employment the P45 would be imminent if the evidence matched the allegations.<BR/><BR/>2. For the circumstance of personal friendship: well, you find out who your true friends are when you're down for whatever reason. And those friends, who make the grade and who matter most in your life are true friends. People can err and make mistakes in all walks of life, but their friends will want to forgive and see a return to the balance and standards they previously saw in their friend, as well as correction for their actions. The friend that remains a friend throughout all this, is indeed a good friend - of the best sort.<BR/>Being so, at such a high public level, can be at least risky, at most suicide. But where is humanity in all this? Humanity can be found in friends.<BR/><BR/>Good on you, Iain, for your continued support of your friend. The fact that Conway lost the whip and has now effectively resigned is also a matter of honour. If this happened in any other circle, a sacking would have been immediate.<BR/><BR/>But, I feel, Conway is not a lone source of this type of greed and advantage, if that's what it is, and I suspect so, given what I have read in the media. This highlights a need to get expenses verified before payment, and we, the members of the electorate have to ask "Why not, before now?"<BR/><BR/>Get elected and get an open cheque book? Not in this world and time thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51863915254920024262008-01-30T14:25:00.000+00:002008-01-30T14:25:00.000+00:00Tom p, I became friends with the Hamiltons in late...Tom p, I became friends with the Hamiltons in late 1997, after he ceased to be an MP. <BR/><BR/>I really don't care what you think of my friends, just as I am sure you don't care what I think of yours.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-24074947371305310782008-01-30T14:21:00.000+00:002008-01-30T14:21:00.000+00:00I think it was William Law who first said (in the ...I think it was William Law who first said (in the 1720s) that 'a man is known by the friends he keeps'.<BR/>Hamiltons, Conway; and judging by your mention of the Hamiltons, it seems that you stayed friends with them <I>after</I> he had been outed as a corrupt sleazebag.<BR/>As your cyberfriendships show, you're clearly a man of very poor taste when it comes to friendship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-55835063250133188222008-01-30T12:47:00.000+00:002008-01-30T12:47:00.000+00:00Can we have some context on this?I mean, trouserin...Can we have some context on this?<BR/><BR/>I mean, trousering 40k of public funds is not enough to forfeit the respect of Iain Dale. So what is?<BR/><BR/>Ending up in the hands of the constabulary after a brawl with your kids, like Waterson?<BR/><BR/>Beating your wife like Andrew Pelling? Paying alimony out of your parliamentary allowances like James Gray?Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17153530634675543954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-54808325662369310812008-01-30T12:24:00.000+00:002008-01-30T12:24:00.000+00:00Ian,This guy may be your friend but do you approve...Ian,<BR/>This guy may be your friend but do you approve of what he and his family have done and more importantly what other MPs might be doing as well?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-18184740571722641042008-01-30T12:18:00.000+00:002008-01-30T12:18:00.000+00:00Well said Jasedase. I also would like to congratu...Well said Jasedase. I also would like to congratulate Iain as it must have been very difficult for him to publicly support his friend and that is to be commended.<BR/>I am also delighted that David Cameron took the action that he did as I'm sure that labour were ready to pounce at PMQs and their balloon was burst.<BR/>BROWN is still not answering questions except for the ones he has planted himself. He is a disgrace.zendohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14079056257345000937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-20805537466126278632008-01-30T11:57:00.000+00:002008-01-30T11:57:00.000+00:00Well, the stand on anonymity is poorly chosen on s...Well, the stand on anonymity is poorly chosen on several grounds - partly the hypocrisy of not demanding the same standards for comments against labour MPs caught in the cookie jar, but mostly because you have no mechanism for checking that any claimed name is real. Appearance over substance may be political stock in trade, but doesnt work in identity audit applications.<BR/><BR/>However, I'd also question silence as the appropriate response of a friend to these sort of attacks. Aren't you just leaving the field open to the more rabid commentators? Wouldnt a friend serve better by covering the facts from a more sympathetic stance? I find myselt tempted to infer from your silence that the actions are utterly indefensible, perhaps not the impression you want to give?Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00060932750731516470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77318473036281627982008-01-30T10:40:00.000+00:002008-01-30T10:40:00.000+00:00Womble On Tour said..."Why are you so would up abo...<B>Womble On Tour said...</B><BR/><BR/>"Why are you so would up about people who write under "anomynous" ?"<BR/><BR/>If it were me, I'd just be using it as a convenient smokescreen to hide behind whenever I didn't want to talk about something.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-31540496542236867122008-01-30T10:27:00.000+00:002008-01-30T10:27:00.000+00:00Hi Iain. I respect your loyalty to a friend, and t...Hi Iain. I respect your loyalty to a friend, and the world (and political world) would be a much better place if there was more of it. I'm sure you'll tell Mr Conway privately what a twit he's been (to put it politely), and while that's finished his political career, i hope he learns from this and moves on. One good thing about this was Cameron showing good leadership - not being bullied by the media into acting hastily, but sleeping on it before doing the right thing. Good for him, and good for the Conservatives. Personally i could throttle Mr Conway: just as we're exposing the Labour Government for the sleazebags they are, his antics do nothing than give our opponents a very welcome distraction! As i say, i hope he learns from it, and i hope other Conservatives realise there are people out there paid to trash them in any way they can, so for goodness sake act in a right and proper way - as i'm sure the vast majority do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6095287512958325442008-01-30T08:33:00.000+00:002008-01-30T08:33:00.000+00:00"unlike Brown who has dithered and avoided makin a..."unlike Brown who has dithered and avoided makin any decision."<BR/><BR/>The word "dither" might just be working for Brown not against him. Pause for reflection, consider the views of others, then decide. Much better suurely? I "dither" all the time at work - if I didn't I'd probably be out of work sharpish, and deserve to be. I think most voters are the same, and will appreciate a fellow "ditherer" in Number 10.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-5713521588291029902008-01-30T08:11:00.000+00:002008-01-30T08:11:00.000+00:00Oh well at least some good has come of all this in...Oh well at least some good has come of all this in that Paddy Briggs has posted his first comment I agree with, but then it was quoting someone elseJohnny Norfolkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900659617233793880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-81845884069835067032008-01-30T08:04:00.000+00:002008-01-30T08:04:00.000+00:00Loyalty works both ways. What he should have done ...Loyalty works both ways. What he should have done is resigned the party whip to be loyl to his party friends, but no, he had it done for him.<BR/> To us in the real world it just looks like one rule for us and a different rule for them.<BR/><BR/>Cameron was right to take 24 hours to consider the matter, and has now done the right thing unlike Brown who has dithered and avoided makin any decision.Johnny Norfolkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900659617233793880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-48962834427869108352008-01-29T23:51:00.000+00:002008-01-29T23:51:00.000+00:00Looks like Independents to save Queen Mary's Hospi...Looks like Independents to save Queen Mary's Hospital are going to take on Derek Conway at the next general election a la Martin Bell. www.faect.blogspot.comAnswer:https://www.blogger.com/profile/11761884109732388451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-43102382890308079412008-01-29T22:19:00.000+00:002008-01-29T22:19:00.000+00:00Is it true Conway is also claiming an allowance fo...Is it true Conway is also claiming an allowance for a second home when his constituency is only 12 miles from Westminster?<BR/><BR/>STUART LAWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-7733199410838581942008-01-29T21:55:00.000+00:002008-01-29T21:55:00.000+00:00I have to say that I don't get this anonymity bit....I have to say that I don't get this anonymity bit. Pretty much everyone writes under a pseudonym and even those that write under a name could be giving false ones. Why are you so would up about people who write under "anomynous" ?AloneManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17435048420998106381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-62717354946752618692008-01-29T21:46:00.001+00:002008-01-29T21:46:00.001+00:00I read blogs for a personal touch on current affai...I read blogs for a personal touch on current affairs. If he is your friend, then you have every right to decline to comment.<BR/><BR/>What will be said will be said ... in private. I admire that. Regardless of whatever the friend may have done.David Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08240242801763405583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-5231346581481142682008-01-29T21:46:00.000+00:002008-01-29T21:46:00.000+00:00He stole my tax money. There is no difference betw...He stole my tax money. There is no difference between him and a common or garden fraudster.<BR/><BR/>Dave did the right thing to get rid. <BR/><BR/>Don't go to the dark side please!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80546576862974108712008-01-29T21:24:00.000+00:002008-01-29T21:24:00.000+00:00Iain Dale - the enemy of sleaze! NOT ANY MORE. Lo...Iain Dale - the enemy of sleaze! NOT ANY MORE. <BR/>Look in the mirror and the only reflection you will see is "total lack of moral fibre". <BR/>If it's only sleaze when it isn't your "mates" involved, then you have lost your credibility.<BR/>Watching Conway smirk after "apologising" to the House was a slap in the face to every taxpayer in this country. <BR/>After tearing into Labour for their financial shenanigans, I am appalled at your "sitting on the fence" stance. <BR/><BR/>STUART LAWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-85424196588024542582008-01-29T21:04:00.000+00:002008-01-29T21:04:00.000+00:00Paul, don't be such a prat. I have no control over...Paul, don't be such a prat. I have no control over this. The comments appear in time order, as they always have done. If you want to have a go at me, fine, but at least get your facts straight.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-82840557791569227352008-01-29T21:01:00.000+00:002008-01-29T21:01:00.000+00:00I love the hypocrisy on this blog.All the counter ...I love the hypocrisy on this blog.All the counter for the comments goes up the negative comments are tucked away (conveniently) where most casual readers would miss them.For example,my last comment was 10.45 today,hidden way down the list,I thought newer comments appeared first.<BR/><BR/>For shame Iain.I took you to task at the last election for being more of a spin doctor than the Labour lot & here you are at it again.<BR/><BR/>Cameron had some balls & withdrew the whip.Shame you cant be the sameAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-43399700007206807032008-01-29T19:39:00.000+00:002008-01-29T19:39:00.000+00:00He can be your friend - but he is wrong.Can you as...He can be your friend - but he is wrong.<BR/><BR/>Can you ask your mate for my money back please? I saw his son in the paper wearing a very nasty fur coat. I hope my tax money didn't pay for that god awful thing on his back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com