Thursday 21 June 2007

One week left....then its Gordon a go-go!

Watched PMQs yesterday...Bit of a mixed bag for the venerable Ming....one quick question about the inequality of private equity fat cats and the issue's all over the morning papers (yes, I know it was raised last week)...is the city quacking in its boots?

However the revelation that Papa Gordon attempted to woo ex Liberal leader Paddy Ashdown into his new cabinet has made the current incumbent look like a bit of a twit...

Back to the Commons, I was very taken with Mr Blair's red and gold striped tie...which some quick tv viewer thought might refer to the possible Lib/Lab coalition on the cards....or not. The honorable Tony did his usual pantomine of praising Gordon and understanding everyone's views....he failed, however, to answer the primary question put to him by the leader of the opposition. Not once, not twice but three times Mr Blair shrugged off Lord Falconer's ill-fated quote that the early release of thousands of British prisoners would be "seriously wrong". Can't take that one back now buddy.....All Mr Blair could do was apologise for the miscalculation over places...What's new...?

Got home in the evening to sit down with a beer and watch Newsnight (if you're having a bad day just think, "at least I'm not on Newsnight")...Which included a Labour MP and a Tory MP talking about private equity. The transatlantic Tory was prickly, methinks he has his fingers in a couple of ventures. The Labour MP, Angela Eagle, put on a brave face but looked close to tears. I'd probably be the same if I was in her position, charged with trying to crack open a bunch of uncooperative, self assured city bankers, she looked at a complete loss...("What did I do to be treated so by my masters...?"). Especially when asked about a possible coalition government under Brown, though whether she was tight lipped out of ignorance, fear or indignation we'll never know...

I don't know what to make of this bid for liberal involvement...What is Gordon playing at? In doing so he manages to annoy his commrades and offend the liberals...Oh, right. It looks good with the masses and stops the Tories muscling in on middle England...No, really, I love the theory of a coalition government, it might even work. But not in today's political climate, everybody's in the middle of a re-brand, we can't go about mixing mesages now can we....

Speaking of which, the Tories really need to pull their socks up and start solidifying policy. I quite like Dave's shadow cabinet (Willett's, Osborne and Hague seem to know their stuff) but what's the overall message? Political devolution, welfare reform and social improvement, all lovely sentiments but how I say, how?! Oh, they've suggested implementing "health miles" - yes, the Conservatives, not Labour. If you're overweight, smoke, drink too much etc...and cut down on your chosen vice you could then be rewarded with discount veg, gym membership etc...Labour ban, the Tories incentivise...I'm getting my carrots and sticks in a real muddle...

So after that blurb of hot air I leave you with a nice anonymous quote I just remembered...

"Define politics? Sure - 'poli' - many, 'tics' - blood sucking parasites".

4 comments:

S said...

I think part of the reason the whole private equity thing was in the papers was because 5 of the top bosses where grilled by MPs in the treasury something-or-other committee yesterday. I only know this because as I was flicking through the news channels I noticed my local MP on the telly, in this committee. Being a low level Lib Dem he doesn’t make it past the local news very often so I was intrigued to know what he was up to.

Not sure what to make about the Brown – Ashdown story either. My initial thoughts for what there worth was that it was an attempt at a double win. Firstly convince the public it is some kind of new style cooperative politics. Secondly cosy up to the Lib Dems prior to the next general election in case Labour don’t get an overall majority and need the Liberals to team up against Camerons lot.

Couldn’t agree more with the Tories – I thought Cameron was a breath of fresh air when he became leader but he’s yet to provide any concrete policies. He could of course be piling them all up waiting for Mr Brown or even until nearer to the general election. Alternatively he could turn out to just be full of hot air.

Jenny! said...

I love the politics description!

Em said...

James: the private equity business is very confusing. I went for an interview at a finance mag on Wed (hence no blog post), got home and heard all this stuff about it, don't understand a word (do not have high hopes of getting the job :) ). I know what private equity is but I have no idea how it's manipulated by investors and owners. Way above my head...

Jenny: Good innit? Of course its merely a jokey word play...politcians aren't all that bad...um....

Unknown said...

an interesting idea - that the public would be quacking in its boots (get you ducky!)