But who cares? Did anyone ask this bunch if ignorant people, who could not teach their way out of a paper bag what they thought?
No.
So who cares?
I don't.
The NUT are an anachronism in much the same way as Arthur Scargill's NUM was. Useless and pointless, devoid of thought. Where they differ if course is that at one time the NUM had relevance, the NUT never have.
Iain Dale has this, the BBC going overboard on positive coverage of the NUM has this, this, and this.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
More dire news for Labour! 13% behind in a new ICM poll
According to a new poll in todays Guardian by ICM the Conservatives are 13 points ahead of Labour.
The Conservatives are on 42% (+2), Labour on 29% (-2) and the Liberal Democrats are on 21% (+1).
So it looks like firm swings to the Conservatives and Boris Johnson is ahead in the London Mayoral elections.
The only thing we Conservatives have to fear is complacency. That said we need to be fiscal Conservatives before tax cutting ones. The state of the public finances is horrific.
Politicalbetting has this whilst Iain Dale has this.
The Conservatives are on 42% (+2), Labour on 29% (-2) and the Liberal Democrats are on 21% (+1).
So it looks like firm swings to the Conservatives and Boris Johnson is ahead in the London Mayoral elections.
The only thing we Conservatives have to fear is complacency. That said we need to be fiscal Conservatives before tax cutting ones. The state of the public finances is horrific.
Politicalbetting has this whilst Iain Dale has this.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Conservatives 16% ahead in latest poll as Labour drop to an all time low!
There is a YouGov poll in tomorrows Sunday Times which has the Conservative party on 43% (+3), Labour on 27% (-6) and the Liberal Democrats on 16% (No change). This is a good pol for us and terrible for Labour. It would give David Cameron a majority of 122 which is staggering.
There is also a poll by ICM in the News of the World which gives the Conservatives 40% (+3), Labour 31% (-3) and the Liberal Democrats 20% (-1). That would lead to hung parliament with the Conservatives as the largest party on 313 seats compared to 259 Labour.
There is also a poll by ICM in the News of the World which gives the Conservatives 40% (+3), Labour 31% (-3) and the Liberal Democrats 20% (-1). That would lead to hung parliament with the Conservatives as the largest party on 313 seats compared to 259 Labour.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Geraldine Ferraro stands down!
Well, I just heard it on ABC news.
So much for the cover the Clinton campaign has given. She should have been fired ages ago.
So much for the cover the Clinton campaign has given. She should have been fired ages ago.
Barack Obama is only where he is because he is a black man!
According to Geraldine Ferraro, a senior member of Hilary Clinton's campaign team.
Geraldine stood as the VP candidate with Walter Mondale in 1984.
Upon getting some flack for these ridiculous remarks, she said that people were being racist because she was white.
Hilary Clinton has "regretted" the comments, but not fired her, and has sent people out to defend her. See this thread on politicalbetting.com and look at the MSN video for how well this is going down.
The bizarre thing is that it may be true that candidates who are not white males may well get where they are when they would not if they are white males. (Geraldine maintains he would not have got there if he was a black woman). However Barack Obama is one of the greatest orators I have heard speak, on a par with people like Michael Heseltine, maybe even above. In short he could turn up at Klu Kux Klan meeting and stand a good chance of getting a standing ovation.
There is no one in American politics, and possibly world wide politics today who is as good at inspiring people.
Barack Obama is where he is today despite being black. If he was white this contest would have been done and dusted months ago. He is simply the best public speaker of his age.
JFK was no Barack Obama. He is simply that good.
Geraldine stood as the VP candidate with Walter Mondale in 1984.
Upon getting some flack for these ridiculous remarks, she said that people were being racist because she was white.
Hilary Clinton has "regretted" the comments, but not fired her, and has sent people out to defend her. See this thread on politicalbetting.com and look at the MSN video for how well this is going down.
The bizarre thing is that it may be true that candidates who are not white males may well get where they are when they would not if they are white males. (Geraldine maintains he would not have got there if he was a black woman). However Barack Obama is one of the greatest orators I have heard speak, on a par with people like Michael Heseltine, maybe even above. In short he could turn up at Klu Kux Klan meeting and stand a good chance of getting a standing ovation.
There is no one in American politics, and possibly world wide politics today who is as good at inspiring people.
Barack Obama is where he is today despite being black. If he was white this contest would have been done and dusted months ago. He is simply the best public speaker of his age.
JFK was no Barack Obama. He is simply that good.
Bio Fuel duty set to rise by 20 per litre?
Alistair Darling gave the budget today, as expected.
His forecasts were somewhat more rosy than most independent commentators, and he did not do that much.
He did put up cigarettes, beer wine and spirits though, so the ferries are going to be busy.
The one thing he did not mention but is hidden away in the red book is the removal of the tax differential on bio fuels, worth something like 20p per litre, effective from 2010 where it will according to chapter 1, page 9, raise £550 million.
According to various other bits of the red book (See pages 7, 89, 95, and 107) this is all to encourage sustainable bio fuels, via the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation or RTFO. Hooray I hear you say! (Or not as the case may be). However the problem is there is no corresponding account of how much the RTFO will cost the treasury.
In short the government is either taking £550 million by ditching the tax differential on bio fuels, a very un green measure, or it is not accounting for the RTFO in which case the budget has got yet more dodgy figures in it.
Good eh?
His forecasts were somewhat more rosy than most independent commentators, and he did not do that much.
He did put up cigarettes, beer wine and spirits though, so the ferries are going to be busy.
The one thing he did not mention but is hidden away in the red book is the removal of the tax differential on bio fuels, worth something like 20p per litre, effective from 2010 where it will according to chapter 1, page 9, raise £550 million.
According to various other bits of the red book (See pages 7, 89, 95, and 107) this is all to encourage sustainable bio fuels, via the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation or RTFO. Hooray I hear you say! (Or not as the case may be). However the problem is there is no corresponding account of how much the RTFO will cost the treasury.
In short the government is either taking £550 million by ditching the tax differential on bio fuels, a very un green measure, or it is not accounting for the RTFO in which case the budget has got yet more dodgy figures in it.
Good eh?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
A difficult budget
Alistair Darling will present his first budget today. We already know it is going to be a bit of a dogs breakfast, because of the hurriedly announced measures in the pre budget report to "shoot the Tory fox" have been found out. They neither shoot the Conservative foxes, nor do they answer the questions the Conservative policies proffered.
However, it goes deeper.
This budget will be the most difficult since 1997, when Labour came to power. It will in fact be worse than that and probably be the worst since 1991.
Labour inherited an economy in good shape, with good prospects, but has squandered that.
I have no doubt there will be rabbits from the hat, but once on the plate and examined there will not be much meat there. Instead expect the chancellor to dodge the golden rules by moving the goal posts.
However, it goes deeper.
This budget will be the most difficult since 1997, when Labour came to power. It will in fact be worse than that and probably be the worst since 1991.
Labour inherited an economy in good shape, with good prospects, but has squandered that.
I have no doubt there will be rabbits from the hat, but once on the plate and examined there will not be much meat there. Instead expect the chancellor to dodge the golden rules by moving the goal posts.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
What is the punishment for unauthorised reincarnation?
Some time ago, China passed a law which made it illegal for Tibetans to reincarnate without permission from the state.
This is of course bizarre on a number of different levels.
Firstly, a supposedly atheist country China, is in its laws, accepting religion. Secondly by laws, it seems it intends on controlling the supernatural.
However, you do have to wonder what the Chinese government proposes to do with offenders.
Imprisonment?
The death penalty?
And if the death penalty, what do you do with repeat offenders?
Re offending not normally a problem you have when the penalty is death, but in the case of reincarnation, it clearly could be.
The Chinese are of course nuts. They can't control the people of Tibet because the do not want to be controlled. China is in fact an imperialist power just like Russia occupying lands that are not theirs gained by conquest and held by force, unlike the British Empire which has relinquished all land gained by force where it is not held by consent*.
*Diego Garcia excepted as a Labour government sold its people down the river handing the land over to the USA for a military base and therefore not holding that land by consent. In all other territories, the land is held by the consent of those who live there.
This is of course bizarre on a number of different levels.
Firstly, a supposedly atheist country China, is in its laws, accepting religion. Secondly by laws, it seems it intends on controlling the supernatural.
However, you do have to wonder what the Chinese government proposes to do with offenders.
Imprisonment?
The death penalty?
And if the death penalty, what do you do with repeat offenders?
Re offending not normally a problem you have when the penalty is death, but in the case of reincarnation, it clearly could be.
The Chinese are of course nuts. They can't control the people of Tibet because the do not want to be controlled. China is in fact an imperialist power just like Russia occupying lands that are not theirs gained by conquest and held by force, unlike the British Empire which has relinquished all land gained by force where it is not held by consent*.
*Diego Garcia excepted as a Labour government sold its people down the river handing the land over to the USA for a military base and therefore not holding that land by consent. In all other territories, the land is held by the consent of those who live there.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Northern Rock to be nationalised!
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.
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.
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.
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