The Northern Wreck is to be nationalised. Apparently the two bids left on the table, by Richard Branson's Virgin group and the management did not guarantee enough of our tax payers money.
This does rather beg the question though, why did we pour such a large amount of money into a bottomless pit in the first place and why did Gordon Brown remove the power the Bank of England hand to restructure a failing bank quickly as it did do to Johnson Matthey Bank. Labour complained at the time, but the action was swift and effective. (See here).
So now we are into the Northern Rock for at least £60 billion.
Labour isn't working.
The BBC has this.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Mitt Romney endorses John McCain!
Mitt Romney has not only backed Senator John McCain, but he has asked his delegates to vote for him. If they do, the race is over. John McCain has won.
This will also help John McCain get more votes.
Meanwhile Hilary Clinton is still trying to stab Barrack Obama in the back, the front, in fact anywhere she can get him but it isn't working. All it is doing is helping John McCain.
This will also help John McCain get more votes.
Meanwhile Hilary Clinton is still trying to stab Barrack Obama in the back, the front, in fact anywhere she can get him but it isn't working. All it is doing is helping John McCain.
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Strong arm of the Lawyer!
I like amusing headlines. This one appears half way down this BBC article about a lawyer who's husband had just been convicted and jailed on drug offences.
The lawyer went up to the female prosecutor and "shook her hand" so hard that she is being prosecuted for assault.
The lawyer went up to the female prosecutor and "shook her hand" so hard that she is being prosecuted for assault.
Rowan Williams: You know when you have said the wrong thing!
Rowan Williams is still being attacked on the front pages today, for example there is this in the Times.
I have not commented on this for two reasons. Firstly I have been busy, and secondly I am not sure what he actually said. What is more I doubt the people who are shouting the loudest know what he said either. Politics doesn't work like that. You say something then people comment on either what they would have liked you to have said or what they think you have said, whilst putting the worst interpretation on it.
Reminds me of the the story of the man who did many great things but is only remembered for what he did with a goat.
I have not commented on this for two reasons. Firstly I have been busy, and secondly I am not sure what he actually said. What is more I doubt the people who are shouting the loudest know what he said either. Politics doesn't work like that. You say something then people comment on either what they would have liked you to have said or what they think you have said, whilst putting the worst interpretation on it.
Reminds me of the the story of the man who did many great things but is only remembered for what he did with a goat.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Sorry about the lack of posts, I am back to dealing with things.
Sorry about the lack of posts, I am back to dealing with things. In particular things of a legal and litigious nature.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Rudy Giuliani endorses John McCain
I forgot to mention it. I suspected he would and he has! So there!
Good.
John McCain is the only sensible candidate for President of the United States of America.
I also note that Rudy Giuliani's endorsement had warm words, was delivered with John McCain, and was in the Reagan Library.
The BBC has this.
Good.
John McCain is the only sensible candidate for President of the United States of America.
I also note that Rudy Giuliani's endorsement had warm words, was delivered with John McCain, and was in the Reagan Library.
The BBC has this.
Arnold Swarchenegger backs John McCain!
Republican Governor of California, Arnold Swarchenegger has endorsed John McCain!
It has to be said this looks like a band wagon rolling!
Meanwhile, Mitt Romney appears, apparently from the CNN debate to believe that Hezbollah are somewhere in Iraq. What a jerk!
Google has this.
It has to be said this looks like a band wagon rolling!
Meanwhile, Mitt Romney appears, apparently from the CNN debate to believe that Hezbollah are somewhere in Iraq. What a jerk!
Google has this.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Derek Conway to stand down as a Conservative MP
Iain Dale has his full statement here.
Derek Conway is the MP for Bexley and Old Sidcup. David Cameron withdrew the whip from him yesterday.
What this shows is that David Cameron can act decisively when there is sleaze about. Gordon Brown on the other hand can't.
This is a sad end to a political career, but then politicians have to learn that our money has to be accounted for.
The BBC has this.
Derek Conway is the MP for Bexley and Old Sidcup. David Cameron withdrew the whip from him yesterday.
What this shows is that David Cameron can act decisively when there is sleaze about. Gordon Brown on the other hand can't.
This is a sad end to a political career, but then politicians have to learn that our money has to be accounted for.
The BBC has this.
Senator John McCain wins Florida
Considering he was written off 3 or so months ago Senator John McCain has had a stunning comeback. He has won Florida where Rudy Giuliani had been campaigning and spending lots of money. Guiliani came in behind both John McCain and Mitt Romney. It looks highly likely that Rudy Guiliani will bow out of the race later today and some think he will endorse John McCain.
With most votes counted the results are as follows:
John McCain: 36%
Mitt Romney: 31%
Rudy Giuliani: 15%
Mike Huckabee: 13%
Ron Paul: 3%
The BBC has this.
With most votes counted the results are as follows:
John McCain: 36%
Mitt Romney: 31%
Rudy Giuliani: 15%
Mike Huckabee: 13%
Ron Paul: 3%
The BBC has this.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Cameron withdraws whip from Derek Conway
It seems that David Cameron has withdrawn the whip from Derek Conway. This is after it was revealed that not only had Freddie worked for him during his time at university, but that also his other son Henry had as well.
There appears to have been no evidence of any work at all being done by Freddie. What is more Freddie did not even know who his fathers office secretary was. Surely there would have to have been some contact between Freddie Conway and his fathers office?
Anyway, David Cameron has now acted decisively. It is a shame that Gordon Brown does not.
The BBC has this on the fact that Derek Conway has been reported to the police.
There appears to have been no evidence of any work at all being done by Freddie. What is more Freddie did not even know who his fathers office secretary was. Surely there would have to have been some contact between Freddie Conway and his fathers office?
Anyway, David Cameron has now acted decisively. It is a shame that Gordon Brown does not.
The BBC has this on the fact that Derek Conway has been reported to the police.
So what of Derek Conway?
Derek Conway has been hauled up before the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee, not because he hired his son, Freddie as a researcher, or that he was a full time student at Newcastle University, but because there is no record of him doing anything like enough work to justify the amount of time he was paid for.
To be fair, it could be just a case of appalling record keeping on Derek's part,
but as a taxpayer, I expect my taxes to be accounted for, and in this case this has not happened.
David Cameron has not withdrawn the whip from Derek Conway as he has been punished, and apologised to the House of Commons.
Fair enough, just about, had it ended there, but alas it has not. It turns out that Derek's older son, Henry had a similar arrangement, but only whilst he was at university. At this point one has to move on from thinking things are a little unfortunate to politically untenable.
According to this article from the Daily Mail, (which broke the Henry story)
David Cameron would not withdraw the whip for the Freddie offence but would have sacked him from the front bench. Things would be different if it was more serious. It is now.
Oh, and that is 1,000 posts on my blog!
To be fair, it could be just a case of appalling record keeping on Derek's part,
but as a taxpayer, I expect my taxes to be accounted for, and in this case this has not happened.
David Cameron has not withdrawn the whip from Derek Conway as he has been punished, and apologised to the House of Commons.
Fair enough, just about, had it ended there, but alas it has not. It turns out that Derek's older son, Henry had a similar arrangement, but only whilst he was at university. At this point one has to move on from thinking things are a little unfortunate to politically untenable.
According to this article from the Daily Mail, (which broke the Henry story)
David Cameron would not withdraw the whip for the Freddie offence but would have sacked him from the front bench. Things would be different if it was more serious. It is now.
Oh, and that is 1,000 posts on my blog!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Alan Johnson denies wrong doing
Alan Johnson has got himself into a spot of bother over "illegal" donations.
Apparently he received a donation of £3,334 form a Labour party member, registered to vote in this country. He accepted same. It now turns out that the donation did not come from one Waseem Siddiqui, but his brother Ahmed Yar Mohammed who is treasurer of the Croydon Labour party.
Clearly this is wrong. Donations should not be made in this way. We all know this is exactly the same thing that happened over the David Abrahams affair.
But.. What is a campaign team supposed to do? They checked that Waseem was entitled to donate, even that he was a member of the Labour party. What more are they supposed to do? This does not appear to be like the Abrahams situation in that no one is claiming (yet) that someone in Alan Johnson's campaign knew the actual source of the money. So I can't see anything wrong with what Alan Johnson has done.
On the other hand Ahmed Yar Mohammed has clearly set out to avoid and breach the law, so should be expelled from the Labour party, and investigated.
The BBC has this.
Apparently he received a donation of £3,334 form a Labour party member, registered to vote in this country. He accepted same. It now turns out that the donation did not come from one Waseem Siddiqui, but his brother Ahmed Yar Mohammed who is treasurer of the Croydon Labour party.
Clearly this is wrong. Donations should not be made in this way. We all know this is exactly the same thing that happened over the David Abrahams affair.
But.. What is a campaign team supposed to do? They checked that Waseem was entitled to donate, even that he was a member of the Labour party. What more are they supposed to do? This does not appear to be like the Abrahams situation in that no one is claiming (yet) that someone in Alan Johnson's campaign knew the actual source of the money. So I can't see anything wrong with what Alan Johnson has done.
On the other hand Ahmed Yar Mohammed has clearly set out to avoid and breach the law, so should be expelled from the Labour party, and investigated.
The BBC has this.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
So is Peter Hain just another brick in the wall?
Because now he has resigned that will inevitably up the pressure on Harriet Harman and Wendy Alexander. Possibly even more people.
The mood in Labour must be quite bleak at the moment as the drip drip of bad news stories continues day after day.
The mood in Labour must be quite bleak at the moment as the drip drip of bad news stories continues day after day.
Peter Hain resigns as his donations are referred to the police!
Peter Hain has resigned as Work and Pensions Secretary after the Electoral Commission referred his donations to the Metropolitan Police.
About time too. Had someone who had failed to notify the DWP of a change in their circumstances over a benefits payment said "Sorry I was too busy" they would have asked them to tell someone who gives a damn.
Peter Hain will apparently now work to clear his name. Well I am not sure what he means by that. He seems not to have been accused of corruption but breaking the law through incompetence.
The BBC has this.
About time too. Had someone who had failed to notify the DWP of a change in their circumstances over a benefits payment said "Sorry I was too busy" they would have asked them to tell someone who gives a damn.
Peter Hain will apparently now work to clear his name. Well I am not sure what he means by that. He seems not to have been accused of corruption but breaking the law through incompetence.
The BBC has this.
It is necessary to stage public sector pay awards!
yes, according to our dear leader, Gordon, for it is he, it is necessary to stage public sector pay awards so as not to fuel inflation*!
*Of course this does not apply to those public sector workers who can strike who's unions donate money to the Labour party who get their settlement in full, like the teachers and firemen. I mean, who needs nurses and the police? Sheesh!
The BBC has this.
*Of course this does not apply to those public sector workers who can strike who's unions donate money to the Labour party who get their settlement in full, like the teachers and firemen. I mean, who needs nurses and the police? Sheesh!
The BBC has this.
Inflation beating Council Tax Rise!
Yes citizens of this great socialist republic, rejoice, for whilst it is not possible to have inflation busting pay rises, the Government of Gordon Brown is pleased, nay honoured to announce that it can produce an inflation busting council tax rise!
Meanwhile all us poor downtrodden tax, fuel, food and general bill payers have to work out how to pay for this largess.
Thanks Gordon.
The BBC has this.
Meanwhile all us poor downtrodden tax, fuel, food and general bill payers have to work out how to pay for this largess.
Thanks Gordon.
The BBC has this.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Fed slashes interest rates by 3/4% to 3.5%
The United States Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates not by 1/4 or 1/5 a percent by by 3/4. This is to send a clear signal to everyone.
We will have to see what effect it will have on the Dow as the markets open at 2PM. (those lazy Americans, not getting up until the afternoon!).
With a bit of luck this will stave off disaster and lead to a bit of a rally on other markets.
The BBC has this.
We will have to see what effect it will have on the Dow as the markets open at 2PM. (those lazy Americans, not getting up until the afternoon!).
With a bit of luck this will stave off disaster and lead to a bit of a rally on other markets.
The BBC has this.
FTSE 100 Bounces off the floor!
After yesterdays drubbing on the stock market the FTSE 100 dropped 400 points on opening this morning only to bounce right back off the floor.
Lets all hope people are calm in the markets and not just running around like headless chickens.
The BBC has this.
Lets all hope people are calm in the markets and not just running around like headless chickens.
The BBC has this.
Financial Meltdown Continues!
Stock market financial meltdown continues on the worlds financial markets.
Yesterday was, bad, today does not look much better. We are all apparently worried by a recession in the United States of America, where markets are closed. George Bush has announced a series of measures to boost markets, which other market watchers have not been impressed by.
What we are seeing is headless chicken syndrome. The same people who bought into low yielding stocks are running away from them in the same manner.
That said there are underlying problems in both the US and UK economies, mostly due to house price inflation not being controlled. Where there is a silly boom there will always be a bust.
The BBC has this.
Yesterday was, bad, today does not look much better. We are all apparently worried by a recession in the United States of America, where markets are closed. George Bush has announced a series of measures to boost markets, which other market watchers have not been impressed by.
What we are seeing is headless chicken syndrome. The same people who bought into low yielding stocks are running away from them in the same manner.
That said there are underlying problems in both the US and UK economies, mostly due to house price inflation not being controlled. Where there is a silly boom there will always be a bust.
The BBC has this.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Has Obama beaten Clinton in Nevada?
The reason why I ask this daft question is that the process in Nevada is a Caucus not a vote, and it is the state delegates that count. Currently Obama is ahead!
You could not make this up!
You could not make this up!
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