Since Andrew Rawnsley's abrupt departure from The Westminster Hour there has been much speculation as to who the new presenter should be. Kevin Maguire speculates in his New Statesman gossip column this week that the BBC is seeking a 'Cameroon sounding' voice. Whatever that may be. I suppose that rules me out then... (that was a joke). My shortlist would consist of one name... James Landale. James has made the transition from print journalist to broadcast much more smoothly than most. He has good camera presence, speaks with authority and avoids the kind of hectoring interviewing style you often get with modern day TV journalists. And he's one of the nicest guys in political journalism. [That should ruin his chances - ed].
Friday, October 13, 2006
Who Should Present The Westminster Hour?
Since Andrew Rawnsley's abrupt departure from The Westminster Hour there has been much speculation as to who the new presenter should be. Kevin Maguire speculates in his New Statesman gossip column this week that the BBC is seeking a 'Cameroon sounding' voice. Whatever that may be. I suppose that rules me out then... (that was a joke). My shortlist would consist of one name... James Landale. James has made the transition from print journalist to broadcast much more smoothly than most. He has good camera presence, speaks with authority and avoids the kind of hectoring interviewing style you often get with modern day TV journalists. And he's one of the nicest guys in political journalism. [That should ruin his chances - ed].
Examples of Blair's Lies: No 94
Do you remember Gordon Brown saying to Tony Blair "I can never believe another word you will ever say to me"?
When Blair went into hospital with his heart murmor a couple of years ago Downing Street said: "He does not have, has never had, a heart condition".
Blair himself said at the time: "This has never happened before... I have never had this condition before"
David Blunkett says in his diaries: "Tony told me that he had had the heart problem, on and off, for fifteen years..."
Bill Clinton and The Queen have both said that Blair had told them about his heart condition some years before.
No wonder Gordon Brown has come to believe Blair to be a congenital liar.
Should He Stay or Should He Go
What a clash. The Chief of the Army staff has, depending on your point of view, courageously spoken out on behalf of his troops, demanding their early withdrawal or he has committed a gross act of insubordination to his Commander in Chief.
His words mean that there will be an inevitable clash between politicians and the military. I have no doubt that the instinct of Tony Blair and Des Browne is to call Sir Richard Dannant in for an interview without coffee and sack him on the spot. But just imagine the reaction among the army staff and troops if that happened. Mutiny is not a word I use lightly, but Blair knows that it is not inconceivable.
The reason they can't sack Sir Richard Dannant is that if they did, they would have to get rid of his boss too - the Chief of Defence Staff. I am assuming he will have at least tacitly approved the nature of Sir Richard's remarks in the interview.
The most likely scenario is for the politicians to persuade the CDS to take action himself. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that Sir Richard may fall on his sword, albeit involuntarily.
It could, of course, all blow over but in the absence of any other big story to help bury this one, I think that's unlikely.
This is a major political crisis in the making. But it does have one silver lining for Labour. At least it has knocked the ridiculous Sion Simon off the headlines.
From Iain Dale's Blackberry
This Week, Iraq & Peter Kilfoyle
I got home half an hour ago and watched the last fifteen minutes of the 18DoughtyStreet End of the Day Show on my laptop (I have to keep an eye on Mr Montgomerie, you know) while putting This Week on the TV. This Week's studio guests are Miss UK, James Brown and Martin Amis. If that line-up doesn't make you switch over to Internet TV in the future, nothing will.Anyway, I digress. Earlier this evening I got a text from Sky News telling me that the Chief of the Defence Staff had called for British troops to be withdrawn from Iraq as soon as possible. At first I thought it was a wind-up. But it wasn't. I cannot recall a precedent for this kind of public disavowal of Government policy by such a senior military officer and I'm not sure what the consequences will be. While it puts the Defence Secretary and PM in a difficult position, it also puts the Conservatives in a quandry.
Liam Fox's response tonight was odd in that its primary purpose seemed to be to point out that Tony Blair's authority is ebbing away. It also hinted that the Conservative position is to align itself to the Chief of Defence Staff. This is dangerous territory. Our troops are on a mission in Iraq and my head tells me they have to complete it. If they don't, and they are withdrawn, we are into comparisons with Suez, where our troops were sent home with their tails between their legs. They deserve better than that. Fifty years on, is history about to repeat itself?
I have just come off the phone to Peter Kilfoyle, Labour MP for Walton. I published Peter's book LEFT BEHIND some years ago and we got on like a house on fire. He's recovering from a quadruple heart bypass at the moment and hasn't touched a cigarette for four months. Anyone who knows him will tell you how remarkable that is. He hopes to be back in the Commons by the end of November and I can assure you he will be gracing the Doughty Street sofas too. But he's lost so much weight, he might not need a sofa now. Get well soon, Peter.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Oops, Sion Simon Does It Again...
I suspect Sion Simon is feeling a bit of a prat tonight. We've all done it - written things on our blogs which we've regretted later, although I have to say I don't think I have ever made quite such a fool of myself as Sion. Did Tom Watson goad him into it? The trouble is, it's not actually very good or very funny. It just repeats a mantra and makes some slightly insulting suggestions but hey, we've all done that in our time. It's fascinating that Sion Simon is attacking David Cameron rather than Tony Blair. I am sure this will come as a shock to many of his colleagues. Cameron himself ought to be remarkably relaxed by this row. After all, it will result in several thousand more hits to WebCameron. And it's given me a couple of opportunities to plug 18DoughtyStreet on Sky News and News at Ten (watch this evening).
LibDems Stare Bankruptcy in the Face
Page 2 of The Times makes interesting reading today. A High Court Judge ruled yesterday that 5th Avenue Partners, the company owned by jailed fraudster Michael Brown and which gave the LibDems £2.4 million, had never actually traded. Surely this totally blows apart the contention put about by the LibDems that they had done their due diligance properly and had obeyed Electoral Commission rules. It really does seem to me that they are up a creek without a paddle on this and would at least do themselves some good if they admitted they had made the most horrendous mistake.
It's quite clear they haven't got the money to pay it back, so the interesting question now is this: will former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards and his three colleagues now take this action further, and if so how? Is it possible they could issue a winding up order against the LibDems effectively rendering them bankrupt? My knowledge of law in this area is not even sketchy so perhaps any lawyers readig this might offer us - and indeed the LibDems - some free advice...
It's quite clear they haven't got the money to pay it back, so the interesting question now is this: will former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards and his three colleagues now take this action further, and if so how? Is it possible they could issue a winding up order against the LibDems effectively rendering them bankrupt? My knowledge of law in this area is not even sketchy so perhaps any lawyers readig this might offer us - and indeed the LibDems - some free advice...
Thatcherism New Zealand Style
Proportional representation is not something I approve of. I could just about stomach it for local council elections but I could never support it for Westminster elections. Whatever system emerged would be bound to ruin the link between MPs and their constituencies. Just look at the system for electing MEPs. I suspect only a small proportion of the people reading this could name their own MEPs. I have absolutely no idea who the MEPs for my area of Kent are, with the exception of Dan Hannan.
If we had PR I think you'd find a plethora of new political parties being formed. Last week I recorded an interview for my One 2 One programme with the leader and deputy leader of ACT, a Thatcherite liberal party in New Zealand. Rodney Hide and Heather Roy are ACT's only two MPs in the New Zealand Parliament. The party was formed in the early 1990s by the former Labour finance minister Roger Douglas, who had grown disillusioned with the Labour Party. it was he who reformed the New Zealand economy and experimented with so-called 'Rogernomics'.
The interview will be shown at 10.30pm on 18DoughtyStreet.
If we had PR I think you'd find a plethora of new political parties being formed. Last week I recorded an interview for my One 2 One programme with the leader and deputy leader of ACT, a Thatcherite liberal party in New Zealand. Rodney Hide and Heather Roy are ACT's only two MPs in the New Zealand Parliament. The party was formed in the early 1990s by the former Labour finance minister Roger Douglas, who had grown disillusioned with the Labour Party. it was he who reformed the New Zealand economy and experimented with so-called 'Rogernomics'.
The interview will be shown at 10.30pm on 18DoughtyStreet.
Ann Widdecombe - Live & Uncensored Tonight
Ann Widdecombe is the guest on Vox Politics tonight. Click HERE to find out more and suggest some questions for me. You know how lazy I am...
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
What do you Want to Say to Yasmin Alibhai Brown?
Lynne Featherstone has a great account of the first transmission of Vox Politix last night HERE. Tonight's programme on 18DoughtyStreet at 9pm features Yasmin Alibhai Brown and Brian Micklethwait, former director of the Libertarian Alliance. Click HERE for the Vox Politix Blog with more details of the programme.The reaction to 18DoughtyStreet's first night has been rather encouraging I think. Even the criticism has been of a constructive rather than a destructive nature. If I get time I will link to some of the best posts from the blogs. Personally, I was hugely relieved to get to the end of the day without anything major going wrong. Yes of course there was the odd glitsch (what on earth was the claxon?!) but we expected that. The main thing was that the streaming worked for virtually everybody. We had a few sound issues at the beginning but I think they were sorted out fairly swiftly.
I really enjoyed the 11pm-midnight programme, THE END OF THE DAY. It's meant to be a bit of a free for all where we preview tomorrow's newspapers and discuss anything that takes our fancy. Absolutely no planning goes into it - we only decided I should host it shortly before it went on air. The great thing was the number of people who texted and emailed. We even had Dizzy on MSN. Indeed I have now added an MSN feature so anyone can get in touch through MSN live during the programme - just add studio@18doughtystreet.com to your MSN contacts.
Really grateful to everyone who wished us well yesterday either here or at the 18DoughtyStreet site. It means a lot. Just keep watching!
Ladyman Dazzled by EU Headlights
Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman needs to get some cojones. EU Transport Ministers are trying to force us to use dipped headlights on our cars 24 hours a day. Yesterday, he told the House of Commons: "A number of powerful states think it's a good idea."
So what? The arguments against the measure are very strong so we should fight it. Having headlights on all day boosts fuel consumption and therefor CO2 emissions. Motor bike safety groups also point out that they use their headlights during the day to stand out fromm cars, so this measure would affect them adversely.
Presumably we gave away our veto in the area of transport (was it under Major or Blair?) some time ago. A good reason not to surrender it in other areas.
PS The Sun's Whip column has a snippet on Stephen Ladyman.. He has bought a Road Angel speed camera detector for his car as he has nine points on his licence. However, as Roads Minister it would surely have been far easier just to introduce the Speed Cameras (Abolition) Bill... For a road safety Minister to have nine points on his licence really tells you all you need to know about this government.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Orange Reinstate Inigo Wilson
Remember the case of Inigo Wilson who was suspended by Orange for writing an article on ConservativeHome? (see HERE) Guido reports that he has been reinstated with 'no case to answer'. Guido, Tim and I should be careful not to make a big thing of this. It's quite clear that the pressure from the blogosphere put huge pressure on Orange - but it's not in Inigo Wilson's interests for anyone to gloat.
18DoughtyStreet Website Goes Live
The 18DoughtyStreet Website is now live HERE. Please do visit my programme's blog HERE and suggest what I should ask Fraser Nelson and Lynne Featherstone. The schedule starts at 8pm, just log onto the website and click on the live stream. Tim Montgomerie's show is first on and my Vox Politix programme goes on air at 9pm. Less than six hours...gulp.
If, when we are on air you cannot access the stream or have comments on any technical aspect of the streaming please direct them to my colleague Mike Rouse by emailing support AT 18doughtystreet DOT com. And if you have nice things to say, say them here!
18DoughtyStreet - First Night Nerves...
Tonight we go on air for the first time and I'll be presenting with my Leftie friend Rena Valeh. I don't know about Rena, but I'm feeling uncharateristically nervous.Our guests will be The Spectator's political editor Fraser Nelson and LibDem MP Lynne Featherstone.
At midday I'll be attending Eric Forth's memorial service so we hope to have a brief film report from St Margaret's. Do leave your own recollections of Eric in the Comments. Eric would be most amused that his memorial service is on a famous anniversary. Any idea which one?
Lynne Featherstone is possibly the best known LibDem blogger. We have a brief film report of Francis Maude opening the bloggers stand at Bourenmouth. We'll be asking Lynne about the dangers of blogging for elected politicians and asking Fraser Nelson why he' so far avoided having a blog? Shame on him!
I haven't finally decided what the subject of our half hour debate at 9.30pm will be. Following North Korea's nuclear test yesterday, I'm tempted by the question WHAT SHOULD THE WEST DO ABOUT ROGUE STATES? Unless of course you know better...
Remember you can text us live in the studio on 83222 - type the word COMMENT before your message. Texts cost 50p. Or email the show at voxpolitix@18doughtystreet.com.
On Thursday we'll be joined by Ann Widdecombe and Yasmin Alibhai Brown. Put your tin helmets on....
Among our guests in the next fortnight are Newsnight editor Peter Barron, Shami Chakrabarti, Mark Oaten, David Davis, David Trimble and a whole lot of new faces you may have never seen before!
The 18DoughtyStreet Website launches later today and my programme Vox Politix will have its very own blog. Early each morning I'll be posting something similar to this post to tell you what's on the programme that day and to ask for your input and ideas.
So don't forget to tune in at 8pm for Tim Montgomerie's Doughty News programme and then Vox Politix at 9pm. And keep your fingers crossed for us...
UPDATE: To watch 18DoughtyStreet from 8pm click on www.18doughtystreet.com and then click on the live stream. The stream is in Windows Media Player. Some Mac users may need a Plug in, which is downloadable from the Stream window. All programmes are archived and can be watched from the archive page on the website (which will be live a little later).
NHS Dentistry - A Decaying Service
A friend of mine went to the Dentist yesterday. Having had his checkup the dentist said: "See you in 9 months". "I thought iit was 6 months," said my friend. He was then told by the dentist that the Government had changed the rules recently and that appointments could now only be every 9 months in order to achieve waiting list targets. I am sure the nation's teeth will be grateful.
I don't remember seeing any coverage of this in the press, or have I been asleep?
Monday, October 09, 2006
Leadership Candidate Resigns from UKIP
Richard Suchorzewski, the man who came second in the UKIP leadership contest has resigned from the Party citing character assassination as his main reason. I reprint his letter below. Further comment from me is unncessary I think...
Dear Chairman, Please be so good as to accept, and post on UKIP.org, this my letter of resignation from The UK Independence Party. It was a privilege to be elected Chairman of UKIP Wales and work to represent the members in restructuring and introducing an organisational structure for growth. I would like to thank, for their invaluable assistance, John Bufton as Regional Organiser and my hard working and supportive committee and members in Wales. I am pleased to have been able to help turn UKIP Wales around and put in place foundations for growth and success in the National Assembly Elections next May.
I was honoured to be elected by the membership to represent them on the NEC, where they believed I had specialist skills and experience to best represent their interests, to the benefit of UKIP and its primary cause. When I stood for the leadership election I did so, on a ticket of Transparency, Integrity and Equality. These standards reflect my inner beliefs, as well as the moral, ethical and Christian principles upon which I have based my whole life. I knew there were significant problems with the Party, and also believed that the moral integrity of a number of people at the top left much to be desired. It was my belief that should I be elected leader these problems could be resolved and the Party then could move forward together, on a firmer footing in probity and strength.
Nothing however prepared me for the scurrilous behaviour, defamatory comments and downright dishonesty of some of Nigel Farage's & David Bannerman's staff, supporters and members of the Press Office staff, in which they clearly colluded. I was accused of having associations with the BNP – even when these scoundrels knew that my grandfather was murdered by the Nazis in a concentration camp and my Great Grandfather was discovered hanged by them from a lamp post near his home by my 14 year old Father. Further I am angry that UKIP's leadership were happy to collude in this base and obscene slur, particularly in the light of the fact that I have been 'courting' a young woman from St Lucia for the last 2 years, she herself has been victimised by racial abuse.
I was accused of being a homosexual, despite no evidence of this, and my having been happily married for 14 years, a marriage which sadly ended in an amicable divorce and now subsequently I am courting the above mentioned lady. I was accused of having 'run up' a company debt of £4millions in one of my businesses when these accusers knew that I had purchased the company with secured debts, that it had already accrued, amounting to £4millions of losses. My business is in the field of mergers and acquisitions, specialising in the purchase, development and sale of problematic companies.
My critics in this area are either commercial illiterates or unarguably dishonest either of which reflects ill on the competence of the new leadership. My local newspaper was contacted by an UKIP official and advised to look into some of these accusations – in order to attempt to taint my unblemished reputation. Even friends within my own local Conservative Party have informed me that they were asked for 'any dirt' they had on me including my political, personal and business affairs. This list shamefully goes on.
Despite all of this I was willing to forgive and forget. I called for Party unity behind the new leader Nigel Farage, regardless of how he had gained his new position. I hoped this would in some way result in a change of attitude. Clearly it did NOT. Farage colluded with, and thus endorsed the scurrilous behaviour. He was not prepared for his staff to apologise for the BNP allegations as he felt that the issue 'would go away' – and he tried to justify the concern on the basis that a fellow NEC member David Abbott volunteered his support of my leadership candidacy. (David Abbott is the very man whom Farage and his secretary Douglas Denny introduced and actively supported to the NEC and only turned against when he supported my candidacy.) Farage also claimed concern in that a Mr Andrew Edwards supported my leadership bid on an internet blog that he runs.
I am to be tainted by this, even though I have never posted on his site, spoken to, nor communicated with the said person, who I am advised is NOT a member of UKIP. Farage has also claimed that a long term associate of his, Greg Lance-Watkins is a supporter and associate of the BNP, of which I have seen no evidence – yet this seems to besmirch my reputation, as G.L-W . openly supported my candidacy, having stated, based on extensive personal dealings with Nigel Farage that "he was a good performer for UKIP but lacked either the probity or competence to lead UKIP." This logic that UKIP's new leader has adopted if seriously applied, must call into question his own credentials, bearing in mind both his long term association with G.L-W. and that the BNP actually refused to stand against Farage, and supported, his candidacy at the Bromley by-election. Does this make Nigel a BNP supporter?
Rather than be magnanimous in victory and help the Party unite, Nigel and his clique overturned a perfectly legitimate democratic vote at the NEC which had elected Geoffrey Kingscott (a most honourable man) as Party Secretary, denying the Party of another person with integrity at the top, and placing his supporter the discredited Douglas Denny in the post. A witch hunt has now commenced, seemingly with the aim to disingenuously massage MEP lists, with the disciplinary hearing of Peter Baker for daring to make public his committee's majority voted opposition to Roger Knapman's morally questionable exploitation and involvement in a Polish Workers import business run by his son. Similarly Dennis Brookes a loyal and devoted supporter and Regional Organiser of UKIP would seem to have been victimised, for having the temerity not to object to his committee's support of my candidacy, and this apparently has contributed to losing him his job.
I have no doubt from Nigel's discussion with me, subsequent to the election, that others too will suffer similar fates. On policy issues, Nigel has made statements already, that make it clear to me, we are to become a shadow alternative Tory Party. A pressure group created to persuade the Tories to dump Cameron and change its policy on the EU. I am sorry; I did not leave the real Tory party to join a poor imitation. I believed UKIP was sincere in its endeavour to extricate Britain from the European Union, returning sovereignty to a British Parliament and playing a full independent part in that new Parliament. On financial and transparency issues, I believe a cloud still overhangs the Ashford call centre and various aspects of UKIP accounts. Also the financial dealings and involvement in fraud, (as exposed by the media), of Tom Wise, one of UKIP's MEP's, have not adequately been resolved. Likewise there has been a lack of transparency of others. I have contended that funding mechanisms are too heavily reliant on the EU, as this makes us subservient to the very body from which we wish to disassociate and which we openly accuse of corruption particularly in the area of accounting!.
I stood for leader knowing full well that it was a challenge I was unlikely to win. Farage had control of a number of advantages that if abused would guarantee him success. Knowing this, I was more than surprised that he allowed his cronies, supporters and certain staff to openly and reprehensibly lie and rubbish a loyal UKIP member, with elected duties, who devoted the last 2 years of his life, full time, unpaid, to help UKIP progress. Even now in 'victory', Farage appears determined not to change his ways, and because of this I cannot support this Party under his leadership any longer. Reluctantly I am left with no honourable action open to me other than leave, as I am not prepared to give my good name, reputation and integrity in support of Farage and many in his clique. I therefore stand alongside other Party devotees and former NEC members, Anthony Butcher, Gill Chant and others (not to mention the many activists who have already resigned). My heart and my grateful thanks go out to all of those who supported me and the values in which we believed, and those who have committed so much of their lives in their patriotic pursuit of regaining democracy, British Independence and Sovereignty.
It does not give me any satisfaction to realise that the old saying "Fish Rots from the Head Down" may have more than a cursory resemblance to UKIP. Please be so good as to convey to the membership my very best wishes and thanks for allowing me to serve them! At the moment I feel honour bound to continue the struggle for liberation from the EU and better Governance outside of UKIP, but would be happy to reconsider my position should there be notable changes within UKIP in the future under very different leadership.
Yours Sincerely, Richard Suchorzewski
UKIP Wales Chairman (resigned 5th Oct 2006) NEC Member (resigned 5th Oct 2006).
UPDATE: Devil's Kitchen has fisked the letter.
Dear Chairman, Please be so good as to accept, and post on UKIP.org, this my letter of resignation from The UK Independence Party. It was a privilege to be elected Chairman of UKIP Wales and work to represent the members in restructuring and introducing an organisational structure for growth. I would like to thank, for their invaluable assistance, John Bufton as Regional Organiser and my hard working and supportive committee and members in Wales. I am pleased to have been able to help turn UKIP Wales around and put in place foundations for growth and success in the National Assembly Elections next May.
I was honoured to be elected by the membership to represent them on the NEC, where they believed I had specialist skills and experience to best represent their interests, to the benefit of UKIP and its primary cause. When I stood for the leadership election I did so, on a ticket of Transparency, Integrity and Equality. These standards reflect my inner beliefs, as well as the moral, ethical and Christian principles upon which I have based my whole life. I knew there were significant problems with the Party, and also believed that the moral integrity of a number of people at the top left much to be desired. It was my belief that should I be elected leader these problems could be resolved and the Party then could move forward together, on a firmer footing in probity and strength.
Nothing however prepared me for the scurrilous behaviour, defamatory comments and downright dishonesty of some of Nigel Farage's & David Bannerman's staff, supporters and members of the Press Office staff, in which they clearly colluded. I was accused of having associations with the BNP – even when these scoundrels knew that my grandfather was murdered by the Nazis in a concentration camp and my Great Grandfather was discovered hanged by them from a lamp post near his home by my 14 year old Father. Further I am angry that UKIP's leadership were happy to collude in this base and obscene slur, particularly in the light of the fact that I have been 'courting' a young woman from St Lucia for the last 2 years, she herself has been victimised by racial abuse.
I was accused of being a homosexual, despite no evidence of this, and my having been happily married for 14 years, a marriage which sadly ended in an amicable divorce and now subsequently I am courting the above mentioned lady. I was accused of having 'run up' a company debt of £4millions in one of my businesses when these accusers knew that I had purchased the company with secured debts, that it had already accrued, amounting to £4millions of losses. My business is in the field of mergers and acquisitions, specialising in the purchase, development and sale of problematic companies.
My critics in this area are either commercial illiterates or unarguably dishonest either of which reflects ill on the competence of the new leadership. My local newspaper was contacted by an UKIP official and advised to look into some of these accusations – in order to attempt to taint my unblemished reputation. Even friends within my own local Conservative Party have informed me that they were asked for 'any dirt' they had on me including my political, personal and business affairs. This list shamefully goes on.
Despite all of this I was willing to forgive and forget. I called for Party unity behind the new leader Nigel Farage, regardless of how he had gained his new position. I hoped this would in some way result in a change of attitude. Clearly it did NOT. Farage colluded with, and thus endorsed the scurrilous behaviour. He was not prepared for his staff to apologise for the BNP allegations as he felt that the issue 'would go away' – and he tried to justify the concern on the basis that a fellow NEC member David Abbott volunteered his support of my leadership candidacy. (David Abbott is the very man whom Farage and his secretary Douglas Denny introduced and actively supported to the NEC and only turned against when he supported my candidacy.) Farage also claimed concern in that a Mr Andrew Edwards supported my leadership bid on an internet blog that he runs.
I am to be tainted by this, even though I have never posted on his site, spoken to, nor communicated with the said person, who I am advised is NOT a member of UKIP. Farage has also claimed that a long term associate of his, Greg Lance-Watkins is a supporter and associate of the BNP, of which I have seen no evidence – yet this seems to besmirch my reputation, as G.L-W . openly supported my candidacy, having stated, based on extensive personal dealings with Nigel Farage that "he was a good performer for UKIP but lacked either the probity or competence to lead UKIP." This logic that UKIP's new leader has adopted if seriously applied, must call into question his own credentials, bearing in mind both his long term association with G.L-W. and that the BNP actually refused to stand against Farage, and supported, his candidacy at the Bromley by-election. Does this make Nigel a BNP supporter?
Rather than be magnanimous in victory and help the Party unite, Nigel and his clique overturned a perfectly legitimate democratic vote at the NEC which had elected Geoffrey Kingscott (a most honourable man) as Party Secretary, denying the Party of another person with integrity at the top, and placing his supporter the discredited Douglas Denny in the post. A witch hunt has now commenced, seemingly with the aim to disingenuously massage MEP lists, with the disciplinary hearing of Peter Baker for daring to make public his committee's majority voted opposition to Roger Knapman's morally questionable exploitation and involvement in a Polish Workers import business run by his son. Similarly Dennis Brookes a loyal and devoted supporter and Regional Organiser of UKIP would seem to have been victimised, for having the temerity not to object to his committee's support of my candidacy, and this apparently has contributed to losing him his job.
I have no doubt from Nigel's discussion with me, subsequent to the election, that others too will suffer similar fates. On policy issues, Nigel has made statements already, that make it clear to me, we are to become a shadow alternative Tory Party. A pressure group created to persuade the Tories to dump Cameron and change its policy on the EU. I am sorry; I did not leave the real Tory party to join a poor imitation. I believed UKIP was sincere in its endeavour to extricate Britain from the European Union, returning sovereignty to a British Parliament and playing a full independent part in that new Parliament. On financial and transparency issues, I believe a cloud still overhangs the Ashford call centre and various aspects of UKIP accounts. Also the financial dealings and involvement in fraud, (as exposed by the media), of Tom Wise, one of UKIP's MEP's, have not adequately been resolved. Likewise there has been a lack of transparency of others. I have contended that funding mechanisms are too heavily reliant on the EU, as this makes us subservient to the very body from which we wish to disassociate and which we openly accuse of corruption particularly in the area of accounting!.
I stood for leader knowing full well that it was a challenge I was unlikely to win. Farage had control of a number of advantages that if abused would guarantee him success. Knowing this, I was more than surprised that he allowed his cronies, supporters and certain staff to openly and reprehensibly lie and rubbish a loyal UKIP member, with elected duties, who devoted the last 2 years of his life, full time, unpaid, to help UKIP progress. Even now in 'victory', Farage appears determined not to change his ways, and because of this I cannot support this Party under his leadership any longer. Reluctantly I am left with no honourable action open to me other than leave, as I am not prepared to give my good name, reputation and integrity in support of Farage and many in his clique. I therefore stand alongside other Party devotees and former NEC members, Anthony Butcher, Gill Chant and others (not to mention the many activists who have already resigned). My heart and my grateful thanks go out to all of those who supported me and the values in which we believed, and those who have committed so much of their lives in their patriotic pursuit of regaining democracy, British Independence and Sovereignty.
It does not give me any satisfaction to realise that the old saying "Fish Rots from the Head Down" may have more than a cursory resemblance to UKIP. Please be so good as to convey to the membership my very best wishes and thanks for allowing me to serve them! At the moment I feel honour bound to continue the struggle for liberation from the EU and better Governance outside of UKIP, but would be happy to reconsider my position should there be notable changes within UKIP in the future under very different leadership.
Yours Sincerely, Richard Suchorzewski
UKIP Wales Chairman (resigned 5th Oct 2006) NEC Member (resigned 5th Oct 2006).
UPDATE: Devil's Kitchen has fisked the letter.
The Amazing Mr Richards
The day before launching a new TV Channel may not be the best time to question the appointment of Ed Richards as the new chief executive of OfCom, but there you go. I am sure Mr Richards is a supremely talented individual, but shouldn't this particular job be filled by someone without party political bias? Richards was a key adviser to Tony Blair and as a special adviser at the DCMS drafted the legislation which set OfCom up in the first place. In other spheres he'd stand accused God knows what.
Still, as long as keeps OfCom away from blogs and internet TV I suppose I shouldn't complain too much.
Prison Shouldn't Be the Default Penalty
For years now we have been on the brink of a prisons crisis. This week it has finally hit us. Yesterday's Sunday Times had a leaked memo showing John Reid is prepared to risk prison breaks as the prison population reaches crisis point. But it needn't be like this. Prison does indeed work in the sense that it keeps people off the street and in an environment where prisoners are no longer able to harm society. But we all know that there are many people in prison who would have been punished more easily and effectively by a non custodial sentence.
The Daily Telegraph has an excellent editorial this morning suggesting we should look more seriously at other forms of punishment. Read it in full HERE. Here is the concluding paragraph...
Alternatives to prison need not be soft. In America, where the judicial system is tied by guy-ropes to public opinion, sentencing is imaginative and apt. Some offenders are shamed by having details of their misdeeds published in the local newspaper, or by being made to stand in public places with placards denoting their crimes. Others are invited to make direct restitution to the victim, or to forfeit their immoral earnings. Judges, with an eye on their local communities, do their best to find suitable, inexpensive and visible sentences. Prison can work well; but there are other, sometimes more severe, ways to punish criminals than by locking them up. We should not be shy of exploring them.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
The Latest from 18DoughtyStreet
Did any of you catch the Politics Show feature on blogging and 18DoughtyStreet? Not a bad report, I thought! I've also got an article on the new TV channel in the Sunday Times News review today. You can read the 'uncut' version HERE.
I have a great show lined up for Vox Politix on Thursday evening... two female guests who can be assured to agree on absolutely nothing at all...
Right, off to the studio for yet another rehearsal.
I have a great show lined up for Vox Politix on Thursday evening... two female guests who can be assured to agree on absolutely nothing at all...
Right, off to the studio for yet another rehearsal.
The Grey List is as Important as the 'A' List
In January I wrote an ARTICLE for ConservativeHome on the desirability of the Party selecting more older candidates. Today, the Sunday Telegraph carries an article speculating that most of the older MPs on the Conservative benches are not going to stand down at the next election. This does not surprise me. If there is a likelihood of a Conservative government I do not expect there to many safe seats becoming free at at all. Indeed, just as it is desireable for a Party to have a scattering of MPs in their twenties, it is equally as important for the upper age groups to be represented too. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that there are two few septagenarians or even octaganerians in Parliament. if the Conservative Party's aim is to make its Parliamentary party 'reflect modern Britain as it is today', we should be recruiting many more candidates in their fifties and sixties. Hattip to ConservativeHome for the graphic
Bring Me Sunshine
EXCLUSIVE: Sir Ian Blair Says New Terror Attack Could Lead to Internment
Last week, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner addressed the Reform Club Media Group. Nothing like the 'establishment' sticking together is there? The meeting was conducted under Chatham House rules, which mean that no one attending is supposed to divulge what is said. But one person present was so appalled at Sir Ian's attitude and authoritarian stance that he has revealed to me an alarming - and seemingly off the cuff - remark made by Sir Ian at the event.Sir Ian said the British people should 'brace themselves for a truly appalling act of terror'. He said that following this act of barbarism 'people would be talking quite openly about internment', giving the impression that he would be leading the pro-internment lobby. No doubt he will find a willing supplicant in the tougher than tough Home Secretary John Reid.
My informant thought at first that it really was a throwaway remark but on reflection felt that it couldn't have been made by accident. Well, either that or the Reform Club claret had loosened his tongue.
I haven't even bothered to ring the Met Press Office because I know what they will say. But if this really is the stance Sir Ian is taking then we should be even more worried about our civil liberties than we already are. I'm now even more convinced that the Conservative stance against 90 days detention was right.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
September Figures for Iain Dale's Diary
September was a record month on the blog with 325,010 page downloads and just over 171,000 unique visitors (July was the best month with 176,000).
Here are my top 50 link sites (ie incoming hits) for September. All thes sites referred at least 100 people here. The arrows denote whether a site has moved up or down or stayed static since July.
1. Guido Fawkes 18.32% ↔
2. ConservativeHome 8.85% ↔
3. PoliticalBetting 7.02% ↔
4. Daniel Finkelstein 1.97% New entry
5. National Review Corner 1.72% ↑
6. Recess Monkey 1.09% ↑
7. Blairwatch ↑
9. An Englishman's Castle ↑
10. Paul Linford ↑
11. EU Referendum ↓
12. David Cameron in India New Entry
13. Prague Tory ↑
14. Croydonian ↑
15. NHS Blog Doctor New Entry
16. Injured Cyclist ↓
17. Liberal England ↔
18. Clive Davis ↑
19. Mikey's Tent of Reality ↓
20. Rightlinks ↑
21. Bob Piper ↑
22. Bloggerheads New Entry
23. Cynical Chatter New Entry
24. Dizzy Thinks New Entry
25. Witanagemot ↑
26. Web Cameron New Entry
27. Public Interest ↓
28. Mr Eugenides ↓
29. Drinking from Home ↓
30. Archbishop Cranmer ↓
31. W4MP ↓
32. Rachel North London ↓
33. Ellee Seymour New Entry
34. Mars Hill ↓
35. Daily Pundit ↔
36. Campaign for an English Parliament New Entry
37. Harry’s Place New Entry
38. Tim Worstall New Entry
39. The Spine ↓
40. Fair Deal Phil New Entry
41. Chicken Yoghurt ↓
42. Looking for a Voice New Entry
43. Bel is Thinking New Entry
44. Slugger O’Toole New Entry
45. Kiwiblog New Entry
46. Cally’s Kitchen ↓
47. Stumbling & Mumbling ↓
48. Suz Blog New Entry
49. Labour Watch New Entry
50. Iain Lindley New Entry
Dropping out of the chart this month are Arseblog, Little Green Footballs, Luke Young, Stephen Pollard, Tory Radio and Nick Robinson.
UPDATE: If I've got any of these links wrong, let me know in Comments.
Good Week Bad Week? A Tory Conference Retrospective
There are three people who came out well from last week's conference in Bournemouth and none of them are politicians. I would single out Nick Pisani, Steve Hilton and Sam Roake for special commendation. Nick Pisani is the former editor of Question Time, who has recently taken over as the Party's Director of Presentation. He was responsible in large part, with Steve Hilton, for the staging of the conference and its tone.
It was the most professional looking conference the Party has staged for many years. It looked great on TV and the format was excellent. Francis Maude and the Conference Committee had fashioned an excellent conference agenda which had just the right mix of propoer debate and speech making. The Dragons' Den idea worked well and the hot topic debates provided a welcome contrast to the usual format. I also thought the mix of outside speakers was excellent.
Sam Roake is the Party's new Internet Director. He was behind the WebCameron idea. Whatever you think of it, it got a huge amount of publicity this week and if you believe, as I do, that this sort of thing is vital if we are to win the political campaign on the internet, Sam Roake deserves a lot of credit. He and Francis Maude were instrumental in getting the blogging stand an exhbition space despite being thwarted at every stage by the conference organisers. Sam's next task will be to give the Party's website a much needed overhaul. It's really creaking with age now and needs to be replaced completely within the next twelve months.
Tim Montgomerie on ConservativeHome has today published what activists think of the Shadow Cabinet at the moment and has evaluated their performances at Bournemouth. Click HERE.
All in all I don't think anyone, apart from Francis Maude (and possibly Boris Johnson!), had a bad week. Francis took the fallout from the passes fiasco but as Tim Montgomerie points out, it wasn't really his fault.
Many blame Francis Maude for the accreditation chaos. I'm not sure that that's fair. The Dorset police and CCO Conferences (a separate company whose contract is about to expire) probably share the real blame and I hope Francis will put some independent grassroots activists in charge of an enquiry into the accreditation problems.
The conference organisation is carried out by a separate company, CCO Conferences, and their utter failure to handle the registration process properly, despite years of experience, is inexcusable. But even then it certainly wasn't all their fault. Dorset Police deserve a lot of the blame and I hope they will be big enough to accept it and apologise.
It must never happen again. And next year, we all have to endure Blackpool again. I've written on that subject before so I'll restrict myself to saying that I hope it's for the last time. There are now doubts about whether we will return to Bournemouth in 2008. I reckon we should look at going back to Brighton again.
It was the most professional looking conference the Party has staged for many years. It looked great on TV and the format was excellent. Francis Maude and the Conference Committee had fashioned an excellent conference agenda which had just the right mix of propoer debate and speech making. The Dragons' Den idea worked well and the hot topic debates provided a welcome contrast to the usual format. I also thought the mix of outside speakers was excellent.
Sam Roake is the Party's new Internet Director. He was behind the WebCameron idea. Whatever you think of it, it got a huge amount of publicity this week and if you believe, as I do, that this sort of thing is vital if we are to win the political campaign on the internet, Sam Roake deserves a lot of credit. He and Francis Maude were instrumental in getting the blogging stand an exhbition space despite being thwarted at every stage by the conference organisers. Sam's next task will be to give the Party's website a much needed overhaul. It's really creaking with age now and needs to be replaced completely within the next twelve months.
Tim Montgomerie on ConservativeHome has today published what activists think of the Shadow Cabinet at the moment and has evaluated their performances at Bournemouth. Click HERE.
All in all I don't think anyone, apart from Francis Maude (and possibly Boris Johnson!), had a bad week. Francis took the fallout from the passes fiasco but as Tim Montgomerie points out, it wasn't really his fault.
Many blame Francis Maude for the accreditation chaos. I'm not sure that that's fair. The Dorset police and CCO Conferences (a separate company whose contract is about to expire) probably share the real blame and I hope Francis will put some independent grassroots activists in charge of an enquiry into the accreditation problems.
The conference organisation is carried out by a separate company, CCO Conferences, and their utter failure to handle the registration process properly, despite years of experience, is inexcusable. But even then it certainly wasn't all their fault. Dorset Police deserve a lot of the blame and I hope they will be big enough to accept it and apologise.
It must never happen again. And next year, we all have to endure Blackpool again. I've written on that subject before so I'll restrict myself to saying that I hope it's for the last time. There are now doubts about whether we will return to Bournemouth in 2008. I reckon we should look at going back to Brighton again.
If You are a Councillor Lose Your Sense of Humour or Else!
What do the Amish and Bournemouth Liberal Democrats have in common? Laughter is considered a sin among the Amish community, so I learn from the newspaper this morning. Well Bournemouth LibDems - and, sadly Bournemouth Conservatives - would feel quite at home in Pennsylvania. A Bournemouth Conservative Councillor, David Clutterbuck, has resigned from the Council, and the Conservative Party over a jokey email he sent. The Times reports...
The joke was made in response to a tongue-in-cheek e-mail about all the bureaucratic problems that Noah would encounter if he were building the Ark in 2006. The e-mail said that he would have to obtain planning permission, abide by building regulations, carry out an environmental impact study, install a fire sprinkler system and seek advice from the RSPCA. In his reply Mr Clutterbuck said: “I imagine now it would be illegal to only have animals of the opposite sex!” His comment was then sent to all the members of the Liberal Democrat-run Bournemouth Borough Council, which had been on the e-mail’s original mailing list. They demanded that Mr Clutterbuck apologise and that he undertake compulsory equality training. However, it was Mr Clutterbuck’s own Conservative group that took action against him yesterday. Stephen MacLoughlin, the leader of the council’s Tory group, said: “In the light of derogatory comments made by Councillor Clutterbuck regarding gay people, we have taken immediate action. His statements have caused offence, particularly in Bournemouth’s gay community. They are contrary to the council’s equality and diversity policies. “His comments are unacceptable, especially from someone who deals with personnel and community issues. I hope he thinks seriously about the offence he has caused, and that he will act appropriately.”
The full story is HERE. I see nothing at all homophobic in that remark, and you all know where I'm coming from on this. By those politically correct standards my blog ought to be shut down immediately. Now you know why I would never want to be a councillor.
UPDATE 5pm: Cllr Clutterbuck has made other comments HERE and HERE. Cllr Nick King is the Press spokesman for Bournemouth Conservative councillors and has emailed me this statement...
Councillor Clutterbuck’s original comment was tasteless in our opinion, but not a disciplinary matter. However, as a result of a local paper article the national press picked up on the story and it was in these subsequent interviews that comments, deemed by the Conservative Group’s officers to be offensive, were made. As a result of these comments Councillor Clutterbuck was suspended from the council scrutiny and review panels upon which he sat (which deal amongst other things with council and community equality programmes), but not the Conservative Group, until the next Group meeting. At that point he was to be given an opportunity to address the Group, explain himself, apologise if he saw fit and then the Group would decide upon what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken. We are saddened that he has decided to take this course of action before discussing the matter further with his colleagues.
The joke was made in response to a tongue-in-cheek e-mail about all the bureaucratic problems that Noah would encounter if he were building the Ark in 2006. The e-mail said that he would have to obtain planning permission, abide by building regulations, carry out an environmental impact study, install a fire sprinkler system and seek advice from the RSPCA. In his reply Mr Clutterbuck said: “I imagine now it would be illegal to only have animals of the opposite sex!” His comment was then sent to all the members of the Liberal Democrat-run Bournemouth Borough Council, which had been on the e-mail’s original mailing list. They demanded that Mr Clutterbuck apologise and that he undertake compulsory equality training. However, it was Mr Clutterbuck’s own Conservative group that took action against him yesterday. Stephen MacLoughlin, the leader of the council’s Tory group, said: “In the light of derogatory comments made by Councillor Clutterbuck regarding gay people, we have taken immediate action. His statements have caused offence, particularly in Bournemouth’s gay community. They are contrary to the council’s equality and diversity policies. “His comments are unacceptable, especially from someone who deals with personnel and community issues. I hope he thinks seriously about the offence he has caused, and that he will act appropriately.”
The full story is HERE. I see nothing at all homophobic in that remark, and you all know where I'm coming from on this. By those politically correct standards my blog ought to be shut down immediately. Now you know why I would never want to be a councillor.
UPDATE 5pm: Cllr Clutterbuck has made other comments HERE and HERE. Cllr Nick King is the Press spokesman for Bournemouth Conservative councillors and has emailed me this statement...
Councillor Clutterbuck’s original comment was tasteless in our opinion, but not a disciplinary matter. However, as a result of a local paper article the national press picked up on the story and it was in these subsequent interviews that comments, deemed by the Conservative Group’s officers to be offensive, were made. As a result of these comments Councillor Clutterbuck was suspended from the council scrutiny and review panels upon which he sat (which deal amongst other things with council and community equality programmes), but not the Conservative Group, until the next Group meeting. At that point he was to be given an opportunity to address the Group, explain himself, apologise if he saw fit and then the Group would decide upon what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken. We are saddened that he has decided to take this course of action before discussing the matter further with his colleagues.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Agreeing with Mary Ann Sieghart
I have finally found a column by Mary Ann Sieghart that I can't disagree with. It was she who interviewed George Osborne at the Tory conference when he made his quip about Gordon Brown and autism. Read her column HERE. Paul Linford, however, seems to have had a sense of humour failure HERE.
Anyone who knows George Osborne knows he has a wicked sense of humour and is also a great mimic. Let's hope this experience won't have put him off being spontaneous. This whole episode was manufactured by bored journalists wh had nothing better to write and love a bit of faux outrage. Again, the lesson for the Conservatives is to keep the media beast fed and watered. If you don't, don't be surprised if it turns round and bites you.
Anyone who knows George Osborne knows he has a wicked sense of humour and is also a great mimic. Let's hope this experience won't have put him off being spontaneous. This whole episode was manufactured by bored journalists wh had nothing better to write and love a bit of faux outrage. Again, the lesson for the Conservatives is to keep the media beast fed and watered. If you don't, don't be surprised if it turns round and bites you.
How the Mighty Fall No 94: Adrian McMenamin
Adrian McMenamin used to be some high wanking policy ronk [are you sure you've got that right? -ed] at Number Ten advising the Dear Leader. Now he's developing a career as a pathetic highly intellectual political commentator. Not. So intellectual is he that he's built THIS highly amusing site, called HateMyTory.com. Delighted to see that I rate 4.2 on the hate scale. What a sad little life Adrian must lead if this is the best he can come up with.
What PCs Should We Buy? Your Advice Welcome...
We've been mulling over what new computers to get at 18DoughtyStreet when our new office is ready (the builders have been in for a month now getting it ready). None of us agree on the best make to get. I love Sony Vaios, Tim M is addicted to his Mac and the others all have different views too. So, dear reader, I thought I would consult you. We're going to get around a dozen computers which will be primarily used for routine things and Internet. So what do you think we should get? And don't bother suggesting Dells, as we haven't got three weeks to wait!
Bishop of Durham in Cover Up Shocker
I really do despair of the Church of England. The old Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, was fairly unique in that he didn't actually seem to believe in God. His successor, Bishop Tom Wright has done an interview for GMTV where he likens asking a Muslim woman to remove her Hijab as... well, read for yourself.
Joan Bakewell
What do you make of the dilemma that’s been posed just recently that Allah wishes women to wear the veil. How do you assess that as someone who is a profoundly steeped in your own religion, how should we respond to that?
Bishop Tom Wright
Well there are several different layers there which have to do with what it means to live as a Muslim in a culture that is predominantly non Muslim and of course there are many many Muslim women in many Muslim countries who don’t believe that it is the will of Allah that they should wear the veil, that is a disputed point within Islam itself. However we are then facing other waves of culture for instance in France where they have tried to ban Muslim veils and wearing of crosses in classrooms and that sort of thing. There you see a militant secularism which is just as much a religion in its own way which says we want to win this one and we don’t want any other ‘isms’ on the block at all. It could be only secularism, so until we can name some of those swirling forces within our culture we’re going to be very very confused, the problem has been that for the last 200 years in western culture we have fooled ourselves that religion was about what I do with my solitude and that will do, the public live as thought there was no religion and actually I think we’re now realising in the 21st century that you can’t live like that for very long it’s a kind of luxury, and we can’t afford it.
Joan Bakewell
It is difficult to negotiate the differences that exist that people assert and take the host society by surprise, do you have sympathy for Jack Straw?
Bishop Tom Wright
I haven’t studied what Jack Straw said and knowing what newspapers do it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s been quoted out of context…
Joan Bakewell
[Interrupts] Yes, but he himself had said because we have seen his lips move on the screen, that when Muslim women come wearing the veil which only allows them to only see his eyes, he does ask them to remove it, so he can have communication with them, and that has caused something of a stir?
Bishop Tom Wright
Yes, as the Americans say, I don’t have a dog in that fight, I don’t know quite what he was trying to get at by saying that, I mean, obviously for us we are used to facial communication where we pick up signals from each others faces and we can actually understand what we mean by the facial language and the body language so if all you have is the eyes, I can see it’s a little confusing. But if for some Muslim women that’s like saying ‘I want you to take your blouse off’ or something, then if they feel deeply embarrassed at the thought of revealing this private thing called their face to a stranger, then the last thing I want to do is embarrass them in that way.
Now, do we really think this 'blouse' comment is valid? It might be if all Muslim women wore Hijabs, but they don't. How on earth can a face be a private thing? A friend of mine has just come back from Egypt and saw very few women wearing Hijabs. Personally, I take a fairly liberal line on this issue. I believe self expression is a fundamental human right and if people want to cover themselves up that's up to them. Obviously, I would prefer people who live in this country to abide by our customs. Wearing a Hijab is something which tends to exacerbate community divides, but do we really think we should emulate France and ban them in certain circumstances. I do not.
Having said that, there are quite a few people who would be better looking if they took up wearing a Hijab... Your nominations please...
Joan Bakewell
What do you make of the dilemma that’s been posed just recently that Allah wishes women to wear the veil. How do you assess that as someone who is a profoundly steeped in your own religion, how should we respond to that?
Bishop Tom Wright
Well there are several different layers there which have to do with what it means to live as a Muslim in a culture that is predominantly non Muslim and of course there are many many Muslim women in many Muslim countries who don’t believe that it is the will of Allah that they should wear the veil, that is a disputed point within Islam itself. However we are then facing other waves of culture for instance in France where they have tried to ban Muslim veils and wearing of crosses in classrooms and that sort of thing. There you see a militant secularism which is just as much a religion in its own way which says we want to win this one and we don’t want any other ‘isms’ on the block at all. It could be only secularism, so until we can name some of those swirling forces within our culture we’re going to be very very confused, the problem has been that for the last 200 years in western culture we have fooled ourselves that religion was about what I do with my solitude and that will do, the public live as thought there was no religion and actually I think we’re now realising in the 21st century that you can’t live like that for very long it’s a kind of luxury, and we can’t afford it.
Joan Bakewell
It is difficult to negotiate the differences that exist that people assert and take the host society by surprise, do you have sympathy for Jack Straw?
Bishop Tom Wright
I haven’t studied what Jack Straw said and knowing what newspapers do it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s been quoted out of context…
Joan Bakewell
[Interrupts] Yes, but he himself had said because we have seen his lips move on the screen, that when Muslim women come wearing the veil which only allows them to only see his eyes, he does ask them to remove it, so he can have communication with them, and that has caused something of a stir?
Bishop Tom Wright
Yes, as the Americans say, I don’t have a dog in that fight, I don’t know quite what he was trying to get at by saying that, I mean, obviously for us we are used to facial communication where we pick up signals from each others faces and we can actually understand what we mean by the facial language and the body language so if all you have is the eyes, I can see it’s a little confusing. But if for some Muslim women that’s like saying ‘I want you to take your blouse off’ or something, then if they feel deeply embarrassed at the thought of revealing this private thing called their face to a stranger, then the last thing I want to do is embarrass them in that way.
Now, do we really think this 'blouse' comment is valid? It might be if all Muslim women wore Hijabs, but they don't. How on earth can a face be a private thing? A friend of mine has just come back from Egypt and saw very few women wearing Hijabs. Personally, I take a fairly liberal line on this issue. I believe self expression is a fundamental human right and if people want to cover themselves up that's up to them. Obviously, I would prefer people who live in this country to abide by our customs. Wearing a Hijab is something which tends to exacerbate community divides, but do we really think we should emulate France and ban them in certain circumstances. I do not.
Having said that, there are quite a few people who would be better looking if they took up wearing a Hijab... Your nominations please...
Being the Agent of Change
Change is the main Cameron message at the moment. He wants to demonstrate that the Conservative Pary has changed, and all his efforts are geared towards that end. It seems David Cameron is not the only politician to highlight the change message. Click HERE for the Clinton take on it.
Shape Up or Ship Out
My old boss David Davis has a rather good article in the Telegraph HERE on the Muslim policeman who asked to be removed from guarding the Israeli Embassy. As I was driving to the station yesterday morning I listened to an interview on 5 Live with a senior Met Officer who was trying to defend the indefensible. You could tell he really didn't believe a word he was saying but political correctness meant he had to follow a particular line.
As David Davis points out,
I do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve the Queen in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people; and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against people and property; and discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to law.
He goes on to ask: "...where do we draw the line? The most famous act of diplomatic protection in modern times was the resolution of the Iranian Embassy siege in the 1980s. Should we not have acted because many people disapproved of the Iranian regime at the time? Hardly. Should we accept that Sikh and Hindu officers can choose not to police the Pakistani High Commission? Or should we accept that police officers with strong religious beliefs against homosexuality should be able to exempt themselves from policing a Gay Pride march? Of course not.
Let me put it bluntly. If this officer thinks he can pick and choose his work within the Police Force he must be told bluntly that he cannot. He should have been given a choice. Continue at the Israeli Embassy or resign from the Police Force. It really is as simple as that.
As David Davis points out,
I do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve the Queen in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people; and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against people and property; and discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to law.
He goes on to ask: "...where do we draw the line? The most famous act of diplomatic protection in modern times was the resolution of the Iranian Embassy siege in the 1980s. Should we not have acted because many people disapproved of the Iranian regime at the time? Hardly. Should we accept that Sikh and Hindu officers can choose not to police the Pakistani High Commission? Or should we accept that police officers with strong religious beliefs against homosexuality should be able to exempt themselves from policing a Gay Pride march? Of course not.
Let me put it bluntly. If this officer thinks he can pick and choose his work within the Police Force he must be told bluntly that he cannot. He should have been given a choice. Continue at the Israeli Embassy or resign from the Police Force. It really is as simple as that.
18DoughtyStreet Talk TV - D Day Minus 4
Last night we have a full scale dress rehearsal for 18DoughtyStreet. The good news is that the live streaming worked, which was a relief to us all. The technological side of the operation of the venture is something I have little comprehension of, but it's a relief that we now know we can stream the pictures out. The website is also nearing completion and is looking good. We've set up a text number and today a rather complicated telephone system is being fitted. Included within it is a "Rantline" where viewers can ring up and get things off their chest - a bit like the one on 5Live's 606. We'll use the best calls on my programme and stream them on the website hopefully. We can all speculate which of the regular commenters on this blog will be the most entertaining ranters!
I must admit I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of media coverage the channel has attracted. The BBC Politics Show is coming to film here this afternoon and I'll be writing a feature for the Sunday Times News Review this week later this morning, But first, the small matter of a thirty minute pre record with Andrew Roberts to prepare for...
I must admit I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of media coverage the channel has attracted. The BBC Politics Show is coming to film here this afternoon and I'll be writing a feature for the Sunday Times News Review this week later this morning, But first, the small matter of a thirty minute pre record with Andrew Roberts to prepare for...
Thursday, October 05, 2006
The Best is Yet to Come?
David Cameron's 'the best is yet to come' peroration in his conference speech yesterday had a familiar ring to Mail on Sunday political editor Simon Walters. It was the election slogan he came up with for his political thriller, SECOND TERM, which I had the pleasure of publishing six years ago. How time flies.Simon's novel featured a tall, dark and handsome Blairite Prime Minister called Steven Cane married to a posh wife (sound familiar?) who won an election using the slogan 'the best is yet to come,' set to disco music. As Cane celebrates his triumph at an open air victory bash, Simon writes:
"The deafening echo of the party's election song, "The Best Is Yet To Come"bounced off the buildings... Cane raised his hand to silence them."Please, I've heard that song so often in the last three weeks, my wife says I've been singing it in my sleep!"'
Former pub band crooner Simon even made up a song to go with it. "If Cameron rings me up I'll sing it down the phone to him," he told me. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Steve Hilton, an old mucker of Walters, nicked it from the novel and recycled the idea - most of the best marketing ideas are regurgitated in some form or other anyway. Incidentally, the book is a fantastic read and the still available. And I don't even make money from selling it any longer...
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Sam Coates Thinks He Heard it But Sam Coates Didn't
On Sunday I posted THIS story which contained a transcript of an interview between Sunday Times journalist Isabel Oakeshott and Oliver Letwin. Isabel's STORY was based on Oliver Letwin supposedly saying that there would be "no limits" to private sector input into the NHS. After CCHQ became aware of the story they issued a complete transcript of the interview which I reprinted. Nowhere was the phrase "no limits" to be found. This had the dual effect of suppressing an embarrassing story and making Isabel Oakeshott's story look dodgy to say the least.
On Tuesday, Isabel phoned me to ask if I would mind listening to her tape of the interview as she felt that my calling her story "preposterous" was highly damaging to her reputation and that CCHQ's transcript was not accurate. I met her in Bournemouth and listened to the relevant part ofthe interview. In fact I listened to it five or six times. Isabel was adamant and convinced that she could hear Oliver uttering words. I wasn't. I could hear that he said something, but it sounded more like a series on 'Nos'. I could not hear the word 'limits'.
But I was troubled. Isabel seemed a genuinely decent person and was obviously quite upset by the whole fuss it had caused. I then got Sam Coates (Tim Montgomerie's deputy on ConHome) to listen to it several times. He thought Letwin had said the words, but again, wasn't sure. I promised Isabel to ponder further.
I then made further enquiries about this and have learned that Isabel's colleague David Cracknell (Sunday Times Political Editor) phoned CCHQ Press Office on Friday and told them that the interview with Letwin was useless because they couldn't get a story from it. Stranger and stranger then that they put this so-called "non story" on the front page.
My conclusion from this is that it's a situation where both sides genuinely believe they have right on their side. Isabel clearly believes that Letwin said it, while CCHQ are vehement he did not. The BBC has listened to the tape and believe that Letwin said it, while The Times's Sam Coates (not the same one as mentioned above!) wrote a STORY saying he had listened to it but couldn't tell what was said.
Isabel Oakeshott is clearly aggrieved and I understand why, but the evidence on both sides is inconclusive. So my only advice to her is to buy a better quality tape recorder and don't speak over her interviewee's answers!
On Tuesday, Isabel phoned me to ask if I would mind listening to her tape of the interview as she felt that my calling her story "preposterous" was highly damaging to her reputation and that CCHQ's transcript was not accurate. I met her in Bournemouth and listened to the relevant part ofthe interview. In fact I listened to it five or six times. Isabel was adamant and convinced that she could hear Oliver uttering words. I wasn't. I could hear that he said something, but it sounded more like a series on 'Nos'. I could not hear the word 'limits'.
But I was troubled. Isabel seemed a genuinely decent person and was obviously quite upset by the whole fuss it had caused. I then got Sam Coates (Tim Montgomerie's deputy on ConHome) to listen to it several times. He thought Letwin had said the words, but again, wasn't sure. I promised Isabel to ponder further.
I then made further enquiries about this and have learned that Isabel's colleague David Cracknell (Sunday Times Political Editor) phoned CCHQ Press Office on Friday and told them that the interview with Letwin was useless because they couldn't get a story from it. Stranger and stranger then that they put this so-called "non story" on the front page.
My conclusion from this is that it's a situation where both sides genuinely believe they have right on their side. Isabel clearly believes that Letwin said it, while CCHQ are vehement he did not. The BBC has listened to the tape and believe that Letwin said it, while The Times's Sam Coates (not the same one as mentioned above!) wrote a STORY saying he had listened to it but couldn't tell what was said.
Isabel Oakeshott is clearly aggrieved and I understand why, but the evidence on both sides is inconclusive. So my only advice to her is to buy a better quality tape recorder and don't speak over her interviewee's answers!
18DoughtyStreet Talk TV on the Today Programme
Click HERE (7.26am) to hear the Today Programme feature on 18DoughtyStreet Talk TV. We'll also be featured on BBC Online and the BBC Daily Podcast tomorrow, as well as the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday. The BBC seem rather taken with us...I was amazed to see how many people at the Tory conference had heard of the venture. With only 6 days to go until we go on air, it's all getting a bit real now...
Tony Blair Seeks to Curb Cameron's Standing Ovation
How very strange that Tony Blair should conduct a live press conference on developments in Northern Ireland as soon as David Cameron's speech was finished. Wonder why that would be then? Could the old ham-actor be just that little bit 'frit'?
Something I Never Thought I'd Hear A Tory Leader Say in a Conference Speech
Pledging yourself to another means doing something brave and important. You are making a commitment. You are publicly saying: it's not just about me, me me anymore. It is about we - together, the two of us, through thick and thin. That really matters. And by the way, it means something whether you're a man and a woman, a woman and a woman or a man and another man. That's why we were right to support civil partnerships, and I'm proud of that.Somehow I just feel I have been legitimised. It may mean little to most people who read this blog, but to gay and lesbian people all this country it will mean a lot. Assuming they get to hear about it.
David Cameron Hits the Mark
I'm typing this as I listen to David Cameron's speech. I'm impressed. OK most of you might expect me to be. Some of you might even expect me to say I was even if I wasn't. I particularly liked the opening few lines about Boris. Especially the bit where he said "We're not New Labour. We don't mind if people go off message." I'm sure I caught Tim Montgomerie of ConservativeHome smiling at that stage... I of course wouldn't do such a thing. Oh no.
This is a speech which I hope will resonate with people who haven't decided to come back to the Conservatives yet, but are thinking of doing so.
The NHS passage was particularly strong and I liked what he had to say about the armed forces. My only slight quibble was when he said "We are the servants of the NHS". I would beg to differ. The NHS is the servant of the people, not the other way around. It has to respond to patient needs, not the other way around. It is not a static public service. It has to evolve and respond to new discoveries, new medical procedures and new patient requirements.
His commitment to abolishing the Human Rights Act is welcome, but before all the lefties start ranting, it will be replaced by a British Bill of Rights, which is long overdue.
The best section was on foreign policy and relations with the US. "I became involved in politics in the 1980s when Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were defeating the Societ Union. Unlike some people, I never had any doubts whose side I was on." I will leave you to speculate on his intended victim.
He continued: "But now Mr Blair objects when I say our foreign policy should not simply be unquestioning in our relationship with America. William Hague and I have said we must be steadfast not slavish in how we approach the special relationship. Apparently Tony Blair disagrees. Well if he's accusing me of wanting to be a British Prime Minister pursuing a British foreign policy... ...then I plead guilty. Questioning the approach of the US dministration......trying to learn the lessons of the past five years... ...does not make you "anti-American."Ask John McCain. I'm not a neo-conservative. I'm a liberal Conservative. Liberal - because I believe in spreading freedom and democracy, and supporting humanitarian intervention. That is why we cannot stand by and watch further genocide in Darfur. But Conservative - because I also recognise the complexities of human nature, and will always be sceptical of grand schemes to remake the world. We need more patience, more humility in the way we engage with the world."
This was a grown up speech, almost free of the traditional party political jousting. It was an overt attempt to appeal to liberally minded people who want their politicians to ooze decency. David Cameron looked like a man you'd to have leading your country. Anyone who says there was no substance to this speech must have made up their minds before he opened his mouth. He has refashioned the Leader's speech to his own character. This was not a rabblerouser. Not a tubthumper. It was reflective, statesmanlike and substantial.
In short, it hit the mark, even with a wizened old cynic like me.
This is a speech which I hope will resonate with people who haven't decided to come back to the Conservatives yet, but are thinking of doing so.
The NHS passage was particularly strong and I liked what he had to say about the armed forces. My only slight quibble was when he said "We are the servants of the NHS". I would beg to differ. The NHS is the servant of the people, not the other way around. It has to respond to patient needs, not the other way around. It is not a static public service. It has to evolve and respond to new discoveries, new medical procedures and new patient requirements.
His commitment to abolishing the Human Rights Act is welcome, but before all the lefties start ranting, it will be replaced by a British Bill of Rights, which is long overdue.
The best section was on foreign policy and relations with the US. "I became involved in politics in the 1980s when Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were defeating the Societ Union. Unlike some people, I never had any doubts whose side I was on." I will leave you to speculate on his intended victim.
He continued: "But now Mr Blair objects when I say our foreign policy should not simply be unquestioning in our relationship with America. William Hague and I have said we must be steadfast not slavish in how we approach the special relationship. Apparently Tony Blair disagrees. Well if he's accusing me of wanting to be a British Prime Minister pursuing a British foreign policy... ...then I plead guilty. Questioning the approach of the US dministration......trying to learn the lessons of the past five years... ...does not make you "anti-American."Ask John McCain. I'm not a neo-conservative. I'm a liberal Conservative. Liberal - because I believe in spreading freedom and democracy, and supporting humanitarian intervention. That is why we cannot stand by and watch further genocide in Darfur. But Conservative - because I also recognise the complexities of human nature, and will always be sceptical of grand schemes to remake the world. We need more patience, more humility in the way we engage with the world."
This was a grown up speech, almost free of the traditional party political jousting. It was an overt attempt to appeal to liberally minded people who want their politicians to ooze decency. David Cameron looked like a man you'd to have leading your country. Anyone who says there was no substance to this speech must have made up their minds before he opened his mouth. He has refashioned the Leader's speech to his own character. This was not a rabblerouser. Not a tubthumper. It was reflective, statesmanlike and substantial.
In short, it hit the mark, even with a wizened old cynic like me.
Boris Will Be Boris Will Be Boris Will Be Boris...
The Boris saga is a prime example of what happens if you don't feed the media beast with news. They latch onto any minor indiscretion and blow it up out of all proportion. I wasn't aware that we had thought crimes in today's authoritarian Britain yer, but apparently I was wrong. I shall jump to Boris's defences to this extent. I too cannnot stand Jamie Oliver. There, I've said it. He and I were brought up a few miles apart. I used to drink in his parents' pub (overrated, overpriced and the ceilings are too low). But that doesn't mean I have to like him. I don't. I don't want to cook his recipes and I don't want to watch his programmes.However, I do agree with his message on school dinners. He single-handedly raised the profile of the scandal of the food our kids are being fed at school. It's generally high fat, high salt - basically unnutricious crap. If his campaign has helped change that, then good on him. Still can't stand him though. Does that make me a bad person?
Boris Johnson is one of the few Tory politicians who has star quality. He's mobbed wherever he goes. He's a free spirit, and a good thing too. We should just accept that Boris will be Boris and let him get on with adding to the gaiety of the nation. Graphic hattip to Adrian Yalland
Tories Produce Less Carbon than the LibDems
Yesterday afternoon I visited the Climate Change Clinic which is being run by a collection of environmental groups opposite the conference centre. I'd been invited by Greenpeace's press officer Ben Stewart. While I was there he got me to do a computer test to check how much carbon I was producing annually. The results are above. I produce 19.73 tonnes per annum. Apparently my house is very environmentally friendly, as are my eating habits, but you can see from the pie graph above, that if I didn't drive a car my carbon emission would be about 50 per cent lower. While I was there I asked what the average had been for people who had taken the test during the Tory conference. 15-20 tonnes was the average. I was told that at the LibDem conference the average had been slightly higher. However, I've just been sent an email which says this...
"Very roughly, we would say that the Conservative results so far range from 5 to 45 but on average is 15-20 tonnes CO2 per year, Labour average was much the same at 15-20 and, since talking to my colleagues who were also at Brighton, we would say that the Lib Dems average was also 15-20 tonnes. These are merely estimates as we never intended to publicise the comparisons."
Hmmm. Bit of spin there methinks. I know what I was told! The email goes on...
In all results the biggest problem is air travel because CO2 emissions emitted at high altitude are 2-5 times more damaging than at ground level. All results are well over the UK average of 11.3 and a far cry from the global fair share of 2.5 tonnes ie the amount we all need to reduce to if we are going to tackle the climate change crisis.
The trouble is that to get down to 2.5 tonnes you'd presumably have to abolish all air travel and do God knows that to car users.
It seems that I have developed a reputation as a 'Climate Change Denier' on some of the environmental blogs, but nothing could be further from the truth. it's happened purely because I linked to an Australian article which questioned some of the assertions in the Al Gore film and questioned David Miliband's statistics. The trouble with this entire debate is that it is too polarised and it's impossible to engage in a rational discussion.
Guido Needs One of These...
Click HERE to see why. And Guido, can I have my phone charge back please? UPDATE: Just had a plaitiff phone call from one of Guido's Tory Totty to explain that she (upper left) is definitley not a Tory., although she quite happily admitted to be ing totty. She also explained that the bottom middle is also not a Tory. Can I just make clear he the one on the bottom right is most definitely a Tory. As to totty, well...
English Parliament Remains a Fringe Issue for the Tories... But Not For Much Longer
Lasty night I addressed a fringe meeting titled ANSWERING THE ENGLISH QUESTION along with Sir George Young and Peter Riddell of The Times. George was the original architect of the English Votes for English Measures policy and continues to advocate it as the best way of solving the West Lothian Question. If that was the only objective, I would support it too. But it is a band aid, short term solution, which does nothing to address the wider constitutional imbalance which is emerging.
In my speech I advocated the creation of an English Constitutional Convention to examine the alternatives and the best way forward. My own view is that an English Parliament is the inevitable long term outcome. There are different ways this might work, but my preferred option would be to abolish MSPs and AMs and have Westminster MPs sitting for a week a month in their own Parliaments. This solution has the advantage of preserving the Union and reducing the number of paid politicians. It is also fair to each constituent part of the United Kingdom.
Peter Riddell wants to preserve the status quo because he thinks all the alternatives are divisive and would lead to the breakup of the Union. I was disappointed that he didn't articulate any change whatsoever, as the it is clear to most people that the status quo is just not sustainable.
I really don't believe the Conservative Party has yet woken up to this issue and is giving the attention it deserves. Perhaps it's time to crank it up a gear. Watch this space.
In my speech I advocated the creation of an English Constitutional Convention to examine the alternatives and the best way forward. My own view is that an English Parliament is the inevitable long term outcome. There are different ways this might work, but my preferred option would be to abolish MSPs and AMs and have Westminster MPs sitting for a week a month in their own Parliaments. This solution has the advantage of preserving the Union and reducing the number of paid politicians. It is also fair to each constituent part of the United Kingdom.
Peter Riddell wants to preserve the status quo because he thinks all the alternatives are divisive and would lead to the breakup of the Union. I was disappointed that he didn't articulate any change whatsoever, as the it is clear to most people that the status quo is just not sustainable.
I really don't believe the Conservative Party has yet woken up to this issue and is giving the attention it deserves. Perhaps it's time to crank it up a gear. Watch this space.
Conservatives Launch EPP Replacement
Last night the Conservatives launched the Movement for European Reform, which will hopefully form the basis of the new European Parliament Grouping for the Centre Right. Shadow Europe Minister Graham Brady was joined by the Leader of the Czech ODS Delegation in the European Parliament Jan Zahradil. The website is HERE. Brady said...
“This is an exciting new project which aims to build a body of opinion in the European Union in support of a flexible, open EU. We are bringing together politicians, opinion-formers, businesspeople and interested citizens from across Europe who share our belief that the European Union needs profound change if it is to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
Their task is now to attract other centre-right European parties into the Movement. It's not going to be an easy task, as the establishment in the EPP will move heaven and earth to keep them on board.
“This is an exciting new project which aims to build a body of opinion in the European Union in support of a flexible, open EU. We are bringing together politicians, opinion-formers, businesspeople and interested citizens from across Europe who share our belief that the European Union needs profound change if it is to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
Their task is now to attract other centre-right European parties into the Movement. It's not going to be an easy task, as the establishment in the EPP will move heaven and earth to keep them on board.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
A Message from the Queue
Just received this from a friend who is now starting his third day in the queue...The security vetting has stretched to day three. Over 2,000 people have had the conference ruined by a security procedure that amounts to little more than window dressing - no terrorist applies for a pass... and if they wanted to carry out an attrocity they'd be far more resourceful. Instead, 7,500 people have had their driving licences, social security records etc checked and the net effect is wasting a lot of Police time and seriously upsetting the party's supporters for no logical reason. Furthermore, the ticket office is chaos. Nobody knows what is going on. Nobody has any information and people are waiting 3 hours to be told "sorry you application is still being cleared." CCHQ are blaming the Police. The Police have more tactfully said the applications were late. Total incompetence all round.
Names who were not cleared in time included: The Deputy American Ambassador (probably one of the most security cleared men on the planet), Bangladeshi High Commissioner, Michael Dobbs, Lord King, Andrew Lansley, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Andrew Gilligan, Huw Edwards BBC News, Martha Kearney, Clare Kerr (Ancram's daughter), Robin Lustig.
Widdeo Killed the Radio Star
Last night's Hansard Society fringe meeting was titled Can Politicians Ignore the New Media? Er, no came the unsurprising response of yours truly, the man from BT and Miss Ann Widdecombe, spinster of this parish.
Ann no doubt generated huge publicity for the inimitable Widdy Web (do look at the front page) when she announced the imminent appearance of the Widdeo-Video. An expectant Nation can hardly contain itself...
There were about 130-150 people packed into a room that was far too small but it was a good discussion with lots of interest in blogging. Ann maintained that she hadn't got the time but said if she were a new candidate starting out today she would probably be a blogger herself.
I had a very enjoyable dinner with Miss W afterwards. She was telling me about the Dragon's Den part of the proceedings, where 6 'A' List candidates put forward policy proposals to a panel consisting of Ann, Oliver Letwin, Rachel Elnar and Michael Brown. After the first five people were women Ann said to the conference hall, "are there any men left in this party?" and received a huge round of applause. She asked why I hadn't put in to take part in the session. I said when I got the email send to all 'A' Listers I considered it for a nano-second before deciding not to do it. All risk and no reward, if you see what I mean!
You can see the Guardian's Videocast of the event HERE.
Ann no doubt generated huge publicity for the inimitable Widdy Web (do look at the front page) when she announced the imminent appearance of the Widdeo-Video. An expectant Nation can hardly contain itself...
There were about 130-150 people packed into a room that was far too small but it was a good discussion with lots of interest in blogging. Ann maintained that she hadn't got the time but said if she were a new candidate starting out today she would probably be a blogger herself.
I had a very enjoyable dinner with Miss W afterwards. She was telling me about the Dragon's Den part of the proceedings, where 6 'A' List candidates put forward policy proposals to a panel consisting of Ann, Oliver Letwin, Rachel Elnar and Michael Brown. After the first five people were women Ann said to the conference hall, "are there any men left in this party?" and received a huge round of applause. She asked why I hadn't put in to take part in the session. I said when I got the email send to all 'A' Listers I considered it for a nano-second before deciding not to do it. All risk and no reward, if you see what I mean!
You can see the Guardian's Videocast of the event HERE.
Great Accreditation Fiascos of our Time No 94
Yesterday morning I posted a story about the American Ambassador not having a conference pass. I was given it by two sources, one a BBC journalist and the other a Tory politician. However, within 20 minutes of posting it I found out that it wasn't true. The American Ambassador is at the conference today. There wasn't anything else of interest in the piece so I deleted it as it had only been on the blog for such a short time. This has provoked all sorts of conspiracy theories from me gagged by Central Office and the American Embassy to God knows what. Utter balls.
Anyone who has read previous posts will know that I have hardly been backward in coming forward about the accreditation process. Indeed, three friends of mine have still to get into the conference, and we're now starting the third day. Yesterday Trevor Phillips didn't get in. Lord Ramsbotham (former Chief Inspector of Prisons) was due to address Conservative Lawyers but went home instead. I'm sure there are many more examples.
Many people who wanted to attend Iain Duncan Smith's fringe on Social Justice couldn't get in, so IDS took the whole meeting to the Accreditation Centre instead.
Francis Maude is having a torrid time. He couldn't attend the New Media fringe meeting I was speaking at last night as he was "helping the Police with their enquiries" - translation: trying to get them to sort out this bloody mess.
I saw Francis later in the Highcliffe and felt like giving him a hug - so I did! I understand that every deadline the Police have agreed to has been missed. Their only explanation is that the security level has been raised and instead of doing random checks they are doing everyone. Well if so, they've known that for some time and failed to plan accordingly.
Francis Maude and Hazel Blears should now ask for a meeting with Sir Ian Blair to ensure that this fiasco never happens again. It's an embarrassment.
UPDATE: Several people have asked what it's got to do with Ian Blair. As I understand it he coordinates the security policies for conferences and he is Britain's most senior policeman.
UPDATE2: Apparently it was the Deputy American Ambassador, not the Ambassador. So the story was right - just not wholly right!
Anyone who has read previous posts will know that I have hardly been backward in coming forward about the accreditation process. Indeed, three friends of mine have still to get into the conference, and we're now starting the third day. Yesterday Trevor Phillips didn't get in. Lord Ramsbotham (former Chief Inspector of Prisons) was due to address Conservative Lawyers but went home instead. I'm sure there are many more examples.
Many people who wanted to attend Iain Duncan Smith's fringe on Social Justice couldn't get in, so IDS took the whole meeting to the Accreditation Centre instead.
Francis Maude is having a torrid time. He couldn't attend the New Media fringe meeting I was speaking at last night as he was "helping the Police with their enquiries" - translation: trying to get them to sort out this bloody mess.
I saw Francis later in the Highcliffe and felt like giving him a hug - so I did! I understand that every deadline the Police have agreed to has been missed. Their only explanation is that the security level has been raised and instead of doing random checks they are doing everyone. Well if so, they've known that for some time and failed to plan accordingly.
Francis Maude and Hazel Blears should now ask for a meeting with Sir Ian Blair to ensure that this fiasco never happens again. It's an embarrassment.
UPDATE: Several people have asked what it's got to do with Ian Blair. As I understand it he coordinates the security policies for conferences and he is Britain's most senior policeman.
UPDATE2: Apparently it was the Deputy American Ambassador, not the Ambassador. So the story was right - just not wholly right!
Monday, October 02, 2006
David Trimble Regrets not Merging with Tories
At the Conservative History Group fringe meeting David Trimble said he had been in discussions with the Tories in 2001-2 on a parliamentary alliance between the UUP and the Conservatives. He described it as "one of the biggest regrets of my life" that these discussions did not lead anywhere.
Before the meeting I interviewed David Trimble for 18DoughtyStreet for twenty minutes. What a fascinating politician - a transparently nice man who I always thought would have made a very good Tory Cabinet Minister.
Corpsing on WebCameron
Prepare yourselves. Jonathan Sheppard of Tory Radio and I did a piece for Webcameron last night and here's the result (Tim Montgomerie was supposed to join us but was no doubt getting hammered in some sleazy Bournemouth bar....JOKE). It's a 10 minute chat about blogs, podcasts and, er mobile phones. Why mobile phones? Well, you'll have to watch the video. I think in the trade it's called 'corpsing'... They seem to have edited out the expletives though...
Last night I went to the Candidates reception and the Chairman's bash. Ran into Huw Edwards who had been queuing for 4 hours for a pass. He was not a happy bunny. It's a really good idea to piss off the BBC's main news presenter, isn't it? There was also a story doing the rounds that Andrew Lansley had been forced to spend the night sleeping in his car as his hotel was in the secure zone - unfortunately he is denying it.
Francis Maude has been visiting the queuing hordes to sympathise and ply them with chocolate. It really is not his fault but of course he is taking the flak.
In 45 minutes Francis is coming to officially launch the bloggers stand. The media seem very interested in it so I think we're going to be deluged.
Tune in to the Daily Politics at noon News 24 at 7.30 and Anita Anand at 11.30pm on 5Live as they will all be covering it.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Cameron Builds to Last
David Cameron's speech this afternoon didn't quite reach the giddy heights of last year but that wasn't the purpose. He wanted to set out where he saw the Party going over the next twelve months. And he wanted to address the issue of policy formation and the 'substance' question head on.
This week, in our debates, we will lay the foundations of the house we are building together. The foundations must come first. How superficial, how insubstantial it would be, for us to make up policies to meet the pressures of the moment. Policy without principle is like a house without foundations. It will not stand the test of time. That is what our Policy Review is all about: getting it right for the long term. If we do this, we can help achieve so much for this country. In a few years' time, Britain could wake up to a bright new morning. We have everything to be optimistic about.
You could not design a country with better natural advantages than we have. We speak the language of the world. We have links of history and culture with every continent on earth. We have institutions - our legal system, our armed forces, the BBC, our great universities - which set the standard that all other countries measure themselves by. Our artists, writers and musicians inspire people the world over. We are inventive, creative, irreverent and daring. In this young century, these old advantages give us the edge we need.
What a prospect for a great Party - to guide our nation at this time of opportunity. So let us stick to the plan.
Let us build - carefully, thoughtfully and patiently, a new house together. Preparing the ground as we move to the centre, meeting the priorities of the modern world. Laying the foundations with our idea - social responsibility.And building on those foundations with the right policies for our long-term future.
The nation's hopes are in our hands. People's hopes. Your hopes. My hopes.
The peroration was a mixture of Kennedy-esque language with a pseudo-religious overtone about light triumphing over dark.
In eight days' time I will be forty years old. I have so much to look forward to. My young family. They have so much to look forward to. The world I want for them is the world I want for every family and every community. If you want to know what I'm all about, I can explain it one word. That word is optimism. I am optimistic about human nature. That's why I will trust people to do the right thing. Labour are pessimists. They think that without their guidance, people will do the wrong thing. That's why they want to regulate and control. So let us show clearly which side we are on. Let optimism beat pessimism. Let sunshine win the day. And let everyone know that the Conservative Party is ready. Ready to serve. Ready to fight. Ready to win.
Today has been a good day. The conference has got off to a good start, although if you were standing in the accreditation queue for six hours you might not agree. It's a bloody disgrace that this has happened. CCO Conferences blame the Police, but I suspect the real cause is closer to home. I know of three people now who were told by CCO Conferences that the Police hadn't security cleared them, yet when they rang Dorset Police they were told that they had been processed weeks ago. Someone is telling Porkies. I think a few heads will roll over this, and deservedly so.
This week, in our debates, we will lay the foundations of the house we are building together. The foundations must come first. How superficial, how insubstantial it would be, for us to make up policies to meet the pressures of the moment. Policy without principle is like a house without foundations. It will not stand the test of time. That is what our Policy Review is all about: getting it right for the long term. If we do this, we can help achieve so much for this country. In a few years' time, Britain could wake up to a bright new morning. We have everything to be optimistic about.
You could not design a country with better natural advantages than we have. We speak the language of the world. We have links of history and culture with every continent on earth. We have institutions - our legal system, our armed forces, the BBC, our great universities - which set the standard that all other countries measure themselves by. Our artists, writers and musicians inspire people the world over. We are inventive, creative, irreverent and daring. In this young century, these old advantages give us the edge we need.
What a prospect for a great Party - to guide our nation at this time of opportunity. So let us stick to the plan.
Let us build - carefully, thoughtfully and patiently, a new house together. Preparing the ground as we move to the centre, meeting the priorities of the modern world. Laying the foundations with our idea - social responsibility.And building on those foundations with the right policies for our long-term future.
The nation's hopes are in our hands. People's hopes. Your hopes. My hopes.
The peroration was a mixture of Kennedy-esque language with a pseudo-religious overtone about light triumphing over dark.
In eight days' time I will be forty years old. I have so much to look forward to. My young family. They have so much to look forward to. The world I want for them is the world I want for every family and every community. If you want to know what I'm all about, I can explain it one word. That word is optimism. I am optimistic about human nature. That's why I will trust people to do the right thing. Labour are pessimists. They think that without their guidance, people will do the wrong thing. That's why they want to regulate and control. So let us show clearly which side we are on. Let optimism beat pessimism. Let sunshine win the day. And let everyone know that the Conservative Party is ready. Ready to serve. Ready to fight. Ready to win.
Today has been a good day. The conference has got off to a good start, although if you were standing in the accreditation queue for six hours you might not agree. It's a bloody disgrace that this has happened. CCO Conferences blame the Police, but I suspect the real cause is closer to home. I know of three people now who were told by CCO Conferences that the Police hadn't security cleared them, yet when they rang Dorset Police they were told that they had been processed weeks ago. Someone is telling Porkies. I think a few heads will roll over this, and deservedly so.
John McCain Gives up the Freedom Fries
John McCain has just delivered a lecture. It failed as a speech on a number of counts. It was backward looking, the rhetoric - such as it was - fell flat and was not helped by a delivery which didn't match the audience's expectation. It was a meaty speech and one which was full of content, but somehow I just expected a bit more.The John McCain campaign commercial which preceded his speech was excellent. I tried to find it on YouTube so I could link to it but I couldn't find it. It caused Tim Montgomerie and I much amusement when it talked about tax cuts and abolishing Inheritance Tax. Well, we need some entertaining...
One thing struck me about McCain's appearance. If you saw the speech on TV, just look at his picture here and compare how he looks now. Either he's lost a hell of a lot of weight, or he's been to the same clinic as Joan Rivers.
Now, I suppose I'd better go and annoy Guardian readers a bit more and do my daily blog for CommentIs Free. Check out THIS link for the piece I wrote yesterday. It's had them foaming at the mouth.
William Hague Hits the Spot
Well what can you say? William Hague is just THE most entertaining speaker. He has just wowed the conference with a speech which had the hall spellbound. Even at our blogging location, where we have a big screen, everyone was paying attention despite the distractions of food, drink and conference gossip. You always know when a speech is going well when people watching a big screen join in with the clapping without feeling stupid self-conscious. No question about it, Hague knows how to tickle the conference's G spot.
I feel rather sorry for John McCain, who is speaking now. Who would want to follow Hague? McCain is making a thoughtful rather than an inspiring speech. Too much about the past.
I feel rather sorry for John McCain, who is speaking now. Who would want to follow Hague? McCain is making a thoughtful rather than an inspiring speech. Too much about the past.
David Davis Tells the Conference: Learn from History
I have just watched David Davis give his conference speech. I didn't go into the hall as I wanted to watch it on the big screen and in the same way as others outside would see it.For those who don't know, I was David's chief of staff during the leadership contest and therefore experienced the shock and awe attack on David after his conference speech last year by the media. As you can imagine, it was a tough time for everyone involved.
My advice to David this year was to walk onto the stage with a written text of his speech, get to the podium and then throw the papers up in the air like confetti and say: "Well it didn't work last year, did it?". In the event he didn't quite go that far, but did start his speech with these words: "Ah, the party conference speech, my favourite time of the year".
The speech itself was well delivered and at times inspirational. He took an historical look at how the Conservative Party has had to change in the past and how it can learn the lessons today.
The Conservative Party is the oldest and most successful political party in the history of democracy. We should all recognise that every single significant Conservative Prime Minister was remarkable because they changed the party and transformed the country. For me the first great Conservative was Pitt the Younger.
The label certainly fitted - he was even younger than the leader we've got now. Pitt took the tired old Tory Party, the party of the shires, of privilege, of turning back the clock, and he made it into a party which was popular, modern, and successful.
So how did he do it? Well he certainly didn't do it by throwing the old Tory Party away and starting all over again. Pitt was a conservative. He took the essential principle of the Party - loyalty to the Crown and to the nation - and he made it serve the age. Pitt was a great patriot and a great war leader. He saved the nation from Napoleon. He was a brilliant administrator. He cut taxes and opened Britain to free trade. And above all, he was compassionate. He and his friend William Wilberforce brought about the end of slavery in Britain. Pitt exemplified the principle that to be Conservative is to be modern, freedom-loving, and decent.
Other great Conservatives followed. I can only do justice to three this afternoon. It's fair to say that Disraeli shook the Tory Party up a bit. Disraeli's genius was that he saw what democracy could do for the Conservatives. And, he saw how the Conservatives could use democracy to transform our country for the better. He gave the vote to working men in the urban areas, and passed the largest body of social legislation in the entire Victorian period. So Disraeli took the Conservative party from the country to the cities. He made 'One Nation' the slogan of our party - the idea that we govern not for any class, or any interest, but for the whole country.
And what about that towering Conservative, Winston Churchill? After six years of World War Two, the voters chose a Labour government to look after the peace. So Churchill took a hard look at his own party and realised it had to change. We had been so busy winning the war that the party organisation was still stuck in the 1930s. And, people wanted better living conditions than they'd put up with in the 1930s. Churchill understood that. And, he changed the party. He launched the Industrial Charter - that great document which made peace between the Conservative Party and the welfare state. After six years of Labour, the Conservatives were back in power for 13 years.
In those years, earnings rose twice as fast as prices. Home ownership nearly doubled. Savings multiplied by ten. What was that dangerous phrase coined by Harold MacMillan? 'We'd never had it so good'. Of course, it didn't last. Labour got back in.
Devaluation. Inflation. Stagflation. Strikes. Bankruptcies. Rubbish lining the streets. All the horrors of government by trade union. But then came - that's right - Margaret Thatcher. Let us never forget what we owe to that lady! We owe her our freedom from the threat of the Soviet Union. We owe her our freedom from socialism at home. We owe her our prosperity, and our pride in our country.
She made Britain great again, and the whole nation knows it. But as a party we also owe her this: Margaret Thatcher gave us the perfect example of how a Conservative leader should lead. She didn't have an easy time of it at first.A lot of you will remember: She had to fight against the old guard that wanted her to stick with ideas from the past.
But she persevered and she took the government of Britain and made it work for the British people. Like Disraeli, Margaret Thatcher made a whole generation of hard-pressed men and women into Conservative voters.
So what do all these leaders have in common? It's simple. They were visionaries. Radicals, if you like. They took the party they loved, and turned it in a new direction: to face the challenges of the day. Pitt, Disraeli, Churchill and Thatcher were all agents of change, who transformed our Party, and more importantly transformed our country. During the dark days over the last nine years, I've never doubted for one minute that the Conservative Party would have the resilience and resourcefulness to recover. And, that is why we are the oldest and greatest party in the world.
Because, with every generation we have been able to renew ourselves. To find in our philosophy the ideas that address the challenges of our time. And, that is what we are doing again today.
You wouldn't have thought me human if I hadn't allowed thoughts like "if only he had given this speech last year" to float through my mind. However, I don't actually believe THAT speech was the real reason why David lost the leadership contest. Some things are just meant to be, and as I have said elsewhere, David Cameron just caught the mood of the Party. He was the right man, in the right place at the right time.
David Davis's speech concluded with these words...
This time last year we engaged in an honest, open and democratic debate about the future direction and leadership of this Party. I hope you agree that we set an example the other parties would have done well to follow. It was a privilege to be part of that debate. Some of you will remember that I said at the time that the process was designed to ensure that the next PM elected by the British people was called David. And you can be quite sure I wasn't thinking of David Milliband.
To that end, the time for debate is over. Now is the time for action; action to deliver a Conservative government. Ten months ago you elected the next Conservative Prime Minister. It is my job, and the job of all my colleagues, to get David into Downing Street. And it is your job too. Because the Conservative Party does not exist for itself. It certainly doesn't exist for us, the politicians. It doesn't even exist for you, the members - though it certainly wouldn't exist without you. It exists for the British people. We are gathered here this week to re-dedicate ourselves to the job we have to do. Let us go out from here renewed... ...restored in confidence... ...committed to the fight... ...determined to take our message into every home in Britain. So that once again we can see: A Conservative majority in Parliament... A Conservative government in Whitehall.... ...and a Conservative Prime Minister in Downing Street."
Amen to that!
Welcome to Bournemouth...And Here's Your Speeding Ticket, Sir
Dorset Police really are trying to make themselves popular with Conservative representatives arriving at the conference today. Not only have they caused inordinate delays in processing the security checks for conference passes (I was told this morning that they still have 500 to do), they are now adding insult to injury by having a massive traffic police presence on the road into Bournemouth - not to catch any potential terrorists, but to stop anyone exceeding the speed limit. Yes, I know that's what they are there to do, but as a PR exercise it's not very good. Fortunately for me I was just under the limit!I don't know what security check process they have to go through but it seems ridiculous that they even have to do one for anyone who works in Parliament, because by definition they have already been security checked. Several members of the Shadow Cabinet still don't have their passes and the conference starts this afternoon. The same thing happened to Labour last week, where there were queues of up to six hours. It ought not to be beyond the wit of the conference organisers or the Police to organise it properly next year.
I'm surprised by the number of people already here. The exhibition is much bigger than last year. There are apparently 40% more representatives attending than normal, so it will be interesting to see what kind of demographic spread there is.
We have now set up the Blogging stand in the Bourne Lounge (at the top of the escalator for those who want to find us). I've already mae my first appointment in the Blog Surgery when I will be setting up a blog for a councillor in West Sussex. An MEP has also expressed an interest, so it's started very well. Later.
My Conference Fringe Diary
I’m speaking at or chairing five fringe meetings during the Conservative Conference, so if you are going to the conference do pop along to any of them. I’ll also be on the Bloggers Stand in the Bourne Corridor from time to time so I hope to meet as many of you as possible!MONDAY
10.30am Official opening of the Bloggers Stand with Francis Maude
5pm Conservative History Group with David Trimble, Granville Suite, Trouville Hotel, Priory Road
6pm Panellist with Francis Maude and Ann Widdecombe at the Hansard Society Fringe on How the Conservatives Should Make the Most of New Media, Branksombe Suite, BIC
TUESDAY
12.30pm Panellist with Nicholas Boles & Sayeeda Warsi at Demos Fringe on Reconnecting Voters with Politicians, Royal Bath Hotel
6pm Panellist with Sir George Young and Peter Riddell at New Politics Network Fringe on Answering the English Questions, Hardy Suite, Hermitage Hotel
WEDNESDAY
12.30pm Chairing the Our Say Fringe with Saira Khan, Purbeck Suite, BIC
Also, I’ll be doing News 24 from 7.30 on Monday taking part in a discussion on new media. Tuesday’s Today programme will carry a feature on 18DoughtyStreet. Also on Monday night I’ll be on Anita Anand’s Five Live Show from 11.30pm.
Just in case you’re remotely interested.
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