It’s Wizard
September 20, 2008 at 8:01 am | Posted in Current Affairs, UK Politics | Leave a commentTags: Child Poverty, Conservative, David Cameron, Donation Money, Gordon Brown, JK Rowling, Labour Conference, Labour Party, Political Campaign, Politics, Sarah Brown
First day of the Labour conference today, and what better to start it off? News that world-famous Harry Potter author, JK Rowling has donated £1million to the party. It is known that Ms Rowling is a close friend of Gordon and Sarah Brown and has said
I believe that poor and vulnerable families will fare much better under the Labour Party than they would under a Cameron-led Conservative Party. Gordon Brown has consistently prioritised and introduced measures that will save as many children as possible from a life lacking in opportunity or choice.
It is true that since their election in 1997, the Labour party has lifted 600, 000 children out of poverty. Could be more, but still…The party, which has £18million debts from the 2005 election campaign, has said the money will not be used to absolve them. Instead it will be for PR purposes and to allow Labour to carry on its work. Actually, I think the PR route would benefit them much more than using it for debts. The Labour party really need to boost their sagging image and make themselves a favourite with the public again.
Other donations received during the months of April and June are:
- Labour Party – £3.8million
- Conservative – £5.6million
- Liberal Democrats – £945,192
Maybe the LibDems should just give up and go home now.
I quite like how Rowling claims to be good friends with the Browns’ and a supporter of the Labour party, yet she couldn’t quite give them £18million to really get the party back on track and rid their debts. A £560million estimated fortune is never enough, you know.
It’s A Love/Hate Thing…
September 18, 2008 at 4:35 pm | Posted in Debate, UK Politics | Leave a commentTags: Alistair Darling, Ed Balls, Gordon Brown, Labour, Politics, UK Politics
This thought struck me today, as I was asked “Who will you vote for in the next general election then, if you claim to abhor them all?” And I thought on it. And I decided. Yes, I’m fully aware of the mess they made. Yes, I know they’re not the best government around. And yes, I admit they are in trouble. A lot of trouble. But please, before leaving angry comments on this post and claiming I know nothing, hear me out.
We’ve all heard Labour being slammed in the news of late, yet I can’t help but feel slightly sad about it. When I see the old photos of Tony Blair, first going into Downing Street in 1997…It brings out a little nostalgia in me. Just a twinge of regret, dashed hopes, and a curious feeling of love. Those were the days when the dream was sparkling, wonderful, a new era of hope. It didn’t end like a fairytale, but part of me wishes it did. And still hopes it could.
For this next paragraph, I was intending to write about how we are lucky. We don’t have a dictator. And Robert Mugabe is not in charge of this country (yet). But instead, I wrote how I really do feel.
They are useless, they are ineffectual and they never do anything. Isn’t that ever so quaint and British? The umm-ing and ahh-ingover every new legislation, indecisively hesitating. Politics wouldn’t be the same without them.
Alistair Darling with two walruses on his forehead, looking faintly smug. Ed Balls, schools minister. He’s not yet out of school himself, for goodness sake! Jack Straw, nobody likes him. Reminds me of myself, in some ways. And that foreign secretary bloke, David Miliband. Quite like the cool kid at school, always trying to be top.
This has turned out to be a ridiculously soppy post in the harsh world of politics. But for once, shall we just enjoy what we have? Laugh at the ridiculousness of it all? Because when Labour lose the next election, I almost guarantee that the comedy, nostalgic, sweet, forgotten factor just won’t be there anymore. Just for once, I thought I’d say this. Then tommorow we can get back to the ‘Gordon’s like a dying fish’ and ‘Darling’s looking worse for wear’ comments.
NEXT POST: LABOUR’S LOST THE PLOT!
Lib Dems Storm Government
September 17, 2008 at 4:48 pm | Posted in Current Affairs, UK Politics | 1 CommentTags: Labour, Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, Scottish National Party
Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, has stated his plans to storm government. He may be young, but he has big ideas for the party, after he succeeded Sir Charles. Just earlier this week, Clegg chose to make tax cuts on families on low and middling salaries. He is certainly the people’s PM. In his 38-minute speech, Clegg outlined how
Quite simply we need a government that listens, understands, and acts. And you know what? The Liberal Democrats can be – will be – that government
Just what we need at this time of economic crisis. In my eyes, Clegg is really making a strong campaign here, while Brown flounders like a dying fish deprived of oxygen. Of course, other parties are strongly opposing Clegg, saying his policies won’t make sense in office. Angela Eagle, Labour, has said this.
The truth is Lib Dem sums don’t add up. They offer a menu without prices
But we all know why she is saying that…cough, Labour. Remember all the fuss about the 10p tax rate. That’s right, take from the poor, give to the rich! The logic was never clear in my mind.
Tonight, 250,000 phones will be ringing all over the country. It will be an automated voice message from the Liberal Democrats, asking the speaker on the other end of the line, what their opinion is on these new policies.
What a great idea! Actually ask the people what they want! Genius! Why did no one ever do this before? Lord Rennard, chief of the Liberal Democrats, said this of the plan
We want to hear from people and our prognosis of the government is it’s out of touch and not listening and Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats are a party who do want to listen to what people think
But the new, radical idea has been met with sharp criticism. No surprise that this came from the jealous Tricia Marwick, SNP. She talked in disdain about how
This is the usual utter hypocrisy all other parties have come to expect from the Lib Dems
But is is we, the people, who hold the power here. And what do you think? Terrible idea? Awful party? Or brilliant scheme, fantastic new leader? Leave a comment, or email to have your views expressed in the ‘Your Say’ post, coming this Sunday.
MP Down In Leadership Crisis
September 16, 2008 at 6:59 pm | Posted in Current Affairs, Debate, UK Politics | 1 CommentTags: David Cairns, Gordon Brown, UK Politics
There has been mutters, there has been murmurs. But the real shock came today. David Cairns, Scotland Office minister and MP for Inverclyde, has resigned. The fourth MP in a row, of recent times. And why? Not ‘a family crisis’ or a ‘change of lifestyle’. The bold MP said of his decision:
To that end I believe that the time has come to take the bull by the horns and allow a leadership debate to run its course.
Short, but extremely powerful. And this won’t be the first time Gordon Brown feels hot under the collar. ‘Rebel’ MPs, of which there are 12 in total, have been calling out for a leadership election. Add to that, 3 othr MPs leaving their jobs because of him and you have a volcano set to erupt.
I’ll admit, David Cairns isnt’t a household name. When you read this, you probably said exclaimed: ‘Who?’ However, he was a devoted MP for 7 years and his departure will unsettle Brown in an already rough sea. Surprisingly, the man I would least expect to offer his assistance actually has. I am talking about ED Miliband, who told reporters for the BBC’s Politics Show:
I’ve said I expect Gordon to lead us into the next general election. I will support him in doing so.
New Labour is beginning to look like a broken dream that was never truly realised. If it was the power-hungry and malicious Tony Blair, it was the ineffectual and useless Gordon Brown. What does the party need now? To stop the boat getting overturned, I’d recommend a new face – and an new start.
Just A Pretty Face?
September 15, 2008 at 7:33 pm | Posted in Debate, US Politics | Leave a commentTags: Add new tag, Barack Obama, John McCain, Republican, Sarah Palin
These are the £45 Double Dare shoes worn by Sarah Palin at the Republican national convention. So why are these shoes more important than the speech she was making? That is what I would like to know.
Sales of these shoes have soared since they were spotted on Palin’s holier-than-thou feet. An unusual choice for the 44-year-old vice presidential candidate, as Double Dare is aimed primarily at young women. However, the same women who copied her slicked up-hair and sexy rimless specs have rushed out to buy an iconic pair of the shoes.
But this leads on to the main issue at hand: how many of us actually care about what Sarah Palin is saying? Or are we being starstruck by the self-titled ‘pitbull in lipstick’? It seems to me that Sarah Palin has caused more media attention by being a forty-something, attractive woman holding a lot of power than a vice presidential candidate. If she was a 70-odd, male politician looking the worse for wear -McCain- how would we feel about all the anti-abortion, homophobic, Creationist views being imposed upon America?
What is it that America really needs right now? Someone responsible, with big ideas for a bright future to lead them out of the dark tunnel of the Bush years. Think about it. Do we want to carry on the way we are, talking about how the country is going down the drain? Or do we want a better tomorrow?
I’m not being sucked into the media hype and press attention here, but Obama looks to be offering more than McCain is. McCain appears to be playing his trump card in a very clever game. After Obama chose Biden over Clinton as his running mate and was met with criticism for it, what did McCain do? The exact opposite, getting a woman for the job, despite only meeting his future running mate once before hiring her for the job. A hasty decision, you might think, as this has the potential to make or break his campaign. More likely, this was a technique to get the female voters on side and boost his own sagging image.
Yes, I would love to see a woman make it to the top in politics. I really would. But do I want Palin? Not as a representation of my sex, thanks very much.
Welcome
September 15, 2008 at 4:53 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentWelcome,
You are reading my very first post. Greetings, friend. May I give you a small guided tour of this corner of cyberspace?
On the right, there is the sidebar. This is where you can find out more about this mysterious author, writing deadly comical satire. You can browse through recent posts, or check the archives to find what you are looking for. You might find the ‘Search’ function useful. I included it for that purpose, did you know? I’ve also included a list of blogs like this one, so you can browse at your leisure. There is also a list of websites that you might find interesting as well, on the topic of politics. If you want to contact me, there are details on the sidebar.
Here is where all the action happens – or as close to action as you can get on a computer screen. Here you can get your daily dose of all things controversial, scandalous, unexpected and totally useless. In short, politics. And of course, plenty of my notorious cynical humour and sarcasm along the way.
Yours,
The Aristocratic Rebel.
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