It appears to be the governments plan to raise spending on education to the same level as the independent sector.
I scratch my head when people talk like this. For a start, which part of the independent sector? Eaton? The average? Who knows what the target actually means.
The next problem is this, is this not the most facile target you have ever seen?
If I go out to buy a weeks shopping and spend £100, would my children be better fed if I spend £200?
The answer is, it depends. You can buy a given product at all sorts of prices. If I buy a box of corn flakes for £2 are they better than the one I brought for £1 last week.
This issue is really important because throwing money at a problem, and then being proud of it, is not the answer. Holland and Sweeden (along with most of the rest of the developed world) spend less than us on secondary education, but neither country has sink schools. Why? Because schools are easy to set up, and sink schools don't get parents sending their children there so improve or close.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Now will Tony Blair be questioned under caution?
Regular readers will remember that the word on the street was that Yates of the Yard did want Tony Blair questioned under caution, but decided mot to after they were sent strong signals that it would not be a good idea to do so to a sitting Prime Minister.
Well, he isn't anymore, and he is about to disappear to Jerusalem so I hope they question both him and Lord Levy before they are off!
Also Guido seems to think that Ms Courtney Coventry has been questioned again about what she or her husband may have been offered in the way of inducements to donate. (Please note she is not a suspect). I wrote this at the time the story broke as it was very funny!
Well, he isn't anymore, and he is about to disappear to Jerusalem so I hope they question both him and Lord Levy before they are off!
Also Guido seems to think that Ms Courtney Coventry has been questioned again about what she or her husband may have been offered in the way of inducements to donate. (Please note she is not a suspect). I wrote this at the time the story broke as it was very funny!
Lord Davies of Grantham?
I heard Ed Balls on BBC Radio 4's Today program referring to Quentin Davies as Lord Davies of Grantham. This, after Quentin Davies has said he does not want a place in the House of Lords.
Was Ed mischief making or has Quentin got all the moral courage of Harriet Harman?
Was Ed mischief making or has Quentin got all the moral courage of Harriet Harman?
Will Lord Cohen be the new Lord Levy?
There is an interesting report in this mornings Financial Times about fund raising for the Labour party.
Apparently since Gordon has got the job (well, at least since he was nominated unopposed) money has been rolling in. Apparently big business figures have contributed more than £500,000.
Ronnie Cohen (not yet a Lord, but I emphasise the yet) has been sort of at the center of this, but people close to the situation (is this like sources "close" to Lord Levy? Like remarkably close?) have insisted that what Lord Levy has done will not be repeated and what is happening is merely networking of like minded people.
Hmm...
I suspect Guido will have a field day.
One of the main reasons why political commentators don't think there will be a snap election is money. Labour just do not have any. Well, this could remove that.
It has to be noted though that £500,000 is a drop in the ocean and does not even begin to cover Labour's running costs let alone paying off its debts, but it is interesting to note how Gordon Brown's dark money men are replacing Tony's.
Apparently since Gordon has got the job (well, at least since he was nominated unopposed) money has been rolling in. Apparently big business figures have contributed more than £500,000.
Ronnie Cohen (not yet a Lord, but I emphasise the yet) has been sort of at the center of this, but people close to the situation (is this like sources "close" to Lord Levy? Like remarkably close?) have insisted that what Lord Levy has done will not be repeated and what is happening is merely networking of like minded people.
Hmm...
I suspect Guido will have a field day.
One of the main reasons why political commentators don't think there will be a snap election is money. Labour just do not have any. Well, this could remove that.
It has to be noted though that £500,000 is a drop in the ocean and does not even begin to cover Labour's running costs let alone paying off its debts, but it is interesting to note how Gordon Brown's dark money men are replacing Tony's.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Quentin Davies Defection just does not make sense
Thinking it through, the reasons for his defection are idiotic.
He wants to belong to a party that is affiliated to the EPP (so he joins one that’s affiliated to the European Socialists);
He doesn’t like Cameron’s line on grammar schools (so joins a party that wants to abolish them);
He didn’t like Greg Clark’s praise for Polly Toynbee (so joins a party that admires Polly Toynbee);
He is strongly in favour of the Iraq War (so joins a party whose Deputy Leader said they should apologise over Iraq - though she denies it now);
He doesn’t like Cameron’s policies on pensions or the family (so joins a party whose policies on pensions and the family are far removed from his own);
plus he favours fox-hunting (which Labour voted to ban) and is opposed to homosexual equality (so joins a party that favours it).
It’s a bit like falling out with someone, chopping off your right arm, waving it at them and yelling “there, you bastard, that’ll show you.”
By Sean Fear, originally here, reproduced with his kind permission.
He wants to belong to a party that is affiliated to the EPP (so he joins one that’s affiliated to the European Socialists);
He doesn’t like Cameron’s line on grammar schools (so joins a party that wants to abolish them);
He didn’t like Greg Clark’s praise for Polly Toynbee (so joins a party that admires Polly Toynbee);
He is strongly in favour of the Iraq War (so joins a party whose Deputy Leader said they should apologise over Iraq - though she denies it now);
He doesn’t like Cameron’s policies on pensions or the family (so joins a party whose policies on pensions and the family are far removed from his own);
plus he favours fox-hunting (which Labour voted to ban) and is opposed to homosexual equality (so joins a party that favours it).
It’s a bit like falling out with someone, chopping off your right arm, waving it at them and yelling “there, you bastard, that’ll show you.”
By Sean Fear, originally here, reproduced with his kind permission.
Quentin Davies defection update
Well, there has needless to say been some reaction to this defection.
Conservative Home has the full text of his letter here. It seems one of his prime motivations was David Cameron's fairly Euro sceptic stance.
David Cameron's reply is:
Other reactions from this BBC article:
Nick Robinson has an interesting piece on his blog here. Iain Dale also has this interesting article here, and what Quentin thought of Gordon Brown today and last year!
Update:
I forgot to hat tip Rik W on politicalbetting.com for the text of Cameron's letter.
Conservative Home has the full text of his letter here. It seems one of his prime motivations was David Cameron's fairly Euro sceptic stance.
David Cameron's reply is:
Dear Quentin,
Thank you for your letter. Your decision does not come as a surprise to me.
The Conservative Party has changed, as you say. We need to do more to protect the environment and tackle climate change. That will mean taking tough measures on carbon emissions. And it does mean looking at ways to encourage greater use of alternative sources of energy. Of course, I will also continue to stand up for Britain’s interests in Europe, and work to give the British people the referendum they were promised.
People see that we are now focusing on what matters to them. That is why so many people are supporting us once again – as shown in May, when we won over 900 Council seats.
I am sorry that you feel unable to be part of today’s Conservative Party, and join us in campaigning on what matters to people – for example, against the NHS cuts or for a better deal for pensioners. The big dividing line in British politics is between Labour’s approach of top down State control and the Conservative vision of pushing power outwards and downwards from central government, trusting people and sharing responsibility with them. You have made your choice and the British people will make theirs.
Thank you for your support in the past. We will watch your future career with interest.
Other reactions from this BBC article:
But Mr Hill said: "I think it's a slap in the face for all of those people who supported and went round for him.There are also rumours that he faced deselection in his constituency.
"I feel very strongly, I don't approve of politicians who stand under one flag and then change to another flag for their own convenience. It is an act of treachery and betrayal, frankly."
David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said he was "extremely surprised" at the news.
Sir Nicholas Winterton, Conservative MP for Macclesfield, called for Mr Davies to resign his seat, adding: "All I say is 'good riddance'."
Tory peer Lord Tebbit said: "This defection will raise the average standard of members on the Conservative side and lower it on the Labour side."
Shadow industry secretary Alan Duncan said Mr Davies was "not socially liberal" and against "a changed Conservative Party".
He added: "And basically he's quite grand and old fashioned, and I'm surprised that he finds that the Labour Party will offer him a happy home for those attitudes."
Nick Robinson has an interesting piece on his blog here. Iain Dale also has this interesting article here, and what Quentin thought of Gordon Brown today and last year!
Update:
I forgot to hat tip Rik W on politicalbetting.com for the text of Cameron's letter.
Quentin Davies: Rat Joins Sinking Ship
It seems Quentin Davies, MP for Grantham and Stamford has defected from the Conservative party to the Labour party.
In an open letter to David Cameron he says he is leaving because:
Well, if he can't read or listen, then he does not seem to be much of a loss to me.
The BBC has this.
In an open letter to David Cameron he says he is leaving because:
"Under your leadership the Conservative Party appears to me to have ceased collectively to believe in anything, or to stand for anything.Has he not read Built to Last? Or heard Cameron's speech last week which built on good old solid Conservative principles?
"It has no bedrock. It exists on shifting sands. A sense of mission has been replaced by a PR agenda."
Well, if he can't read or listen, then he does not seem to be much of a loss to me.
The BBC has this.
Fraser Nelson on what David Cameron should have said
I have to agree with Iain Dale that this is a must read. David Cameron was being interviewed by John Humphrey's on Monday's BBC Today Program.
Fraser thinks he should have said this, I agree.
You can listen to the original interview here.
I will write more on the subject later.
Fraser thinks he should have said this, I agree.
You can listen to the original interview here.
I will write more on the subject later.
The Sedgefield by election
It looks like there will be a by election in Sedgefield. Dizzy has noted rumours of Labour troop movements here and Guido notes it here to.
The reason of course is the possibility of Tony Blair becoming a peace envoy to the Middle East (no, stop laughing) for the Quartet of the USA, UN, Russia and the EU.
Guido dryly observes that some Labour activists will be putting down a Labour win as a Labour gain.
The Guardian has this on Tony Blair becoming the Quartets man on the ground.
The reason of course is the possibility of Tony Blair becoming a peace envoy to the Middle East (no, stop laughing) for the Quartet of the USA, UN, Russia and the EU.
Guido dryly observes that some Labour activists will be putting down a Labour win as a Labour gain.
The Guardian has this on Tony Blair becoming the Quartets man on the ground.
Gordon Brown the real master of spin
It was quote interesting watching Mondays Panorama on Gordon Brown.
Just a few points.
Charlie Whelan was quite clear that journalists were briefed on budgets before hand, on the authority of Gordon Brown, whilst before hand any budget leak would have cost a chancellor his job.
Robert Chote, director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies has described Gordon Brown's spin machine as the hardest there is.
He lied about not knowing about the Bernie Ecclestone donation. (You remember, we will ban tobacco advertising in sport, thanks for the million Bernie, except of course in Formula one)
The BBC has this.
Just a few points.
Charlie Whelan was quite clear that journalists were briefed on budgets before hand, on the authority of Gordon Brown, whilst before hand any budget leak would have cost a chancellor his job.
Robert Chote, director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies has described Gordon Brown's spin machine as the hardest there is.
He lied about not knowing about the Bernie Ecclestone donation. (You remember, we will ban tobacco advertising in sport, thanks for the million Bernie, except of course in Formula one)
The BBC has this.
The funniest response to my "Two things Brown meme"
I have to say that the funniest response to my "Two things Brown meme" I posted here was from Harry Haddock's Nation of Shop keepers here.
My guess is that Harry is not Gordon Brown's biggest fan, but I may be wrong.
If you are of a sensitive disposition don't follow the link.
My guess is that Harry is not Gordon Brown's biggest fan, but I may be wrong.
If you are of a sensitive disposition don't follow the link.
Monday, June 25, 2007
To all the Labour activists who voted for Harman, can I just say how sorry I feel for you?
No, really I do, I feel very very sorry that you have been conned*.
After all she made it clear that there ought to be an apology over Iraq and she was** a woman and now she has gone back on the Iraq apology thing within 24 hours of being elected (my that is fast!).
OK, so the words Jon Cruddas used applied to the Labour party, (the ones that she agreed with) and so she did not say government, but that is some spinning is it not? The day after Harriet said there should be less of it too!
Fantastic!
If you want to read the relevant transcripts the Guardian has them here, with Polly Toynbee hoping she will be allowed to speak here, meanwhile the BBC has it carefully tucked away here.
* OK, I'll come clean, I am not sorry at all, if you voted for a vacuous spinner like Harman you deserve all you get! You have left us an open goal!
** After Harriet Harman's change of position on apologising for Iraq I would not put it past her to have a sex change scheduled!
After all she made it clear that there ought to be an apology over Iraq and she was** a woman and now she has gone back on the Iraq apology thing within 24 hours of being elected (my that is fast!).
OK, so the words Jon Cruddas used applied to the Labour party, (the ones that she agreed with) and so she did not say government, but that is some spinning is it not? The day after Harriet said there should be less of it too!
Fantastic!
If you want to read the relevant transcripts the Guardian has them here, with Polly Toynbee hoping she will be allowed to speak here, meanwhile the BBC has it carefully tucked away here.
* OK, I'll come clean, I am not sorry at all, if you voted for a vacuous spinner like Harman you deserve all you get! You have left us an open goal!
** After Harriet Harman's change of position on apologising for Iraq I would not put it past her to have a sex change scheduled!
"You're an intelligent chap Ben, why do you vote Conservative?"
I posted this article a year and a day ago. Some people who read it emailed me to say it changed the way they thought about the Conservative party and indeed may join as a result, so I thought I would give it a run out again.
Here it is:
I used to get this all the time from a friend of mine, who supported Labour.
Well one night before the May 2005 general election I sat down and explained lots of areas of conservative party policy to him and another "New Labour" friend, and they all agreed the policies were good.
So I think the question says more about the person asking it than me.
I have always voted Conservative in national and local elections. During the 2005 general election I was hoping (against all the evidence) for a conservative win. I had read all the policy documents I could find, and had no problem getting people behind the policy. I then saw Tim Yeo on Newsnight talking about the environment and nuclear power. It seemed he had not read the policy document at all. This made me angry. I emailed the party to say that if they did not pull their finger out and win the election, then I would join and give them all a good kick up the A....
Well I have. I joined around the 15th of May 2005 and have since been to a few meetings.
So why a Conservative?
Well, it's all down to what you believe, and to some extent in what order of priority. I believe:
1. In the rights (and responsibilities) of the individual.
2. In The rule of law.
3. That the individual is best placed to make their own decisions.
4. That the individual has the right to make their own mistakes.
5. The right to create wealth.
I suppose the obvious question is "Why believe that?"
Well, any unit larger than the individual is made up of individuals. In law all sorts of non persons are treated as individual persons, for example a company is an individual person at law.
Given that, individuals need rights and protection from each other. A person doing work needs the right to get paid for it and the person who is paying for the work needs the right to expect it to be carried out to a good standard.
Individuals are better placed to know what they want to achieve, what makes them happy and what is for them a fulfilling life. This means giving people choices.
When making choices we make mistakes. "The man who has never made a mistake has never done anything." Furthermore what may be a mistake to you may be my deliberate choice as an adult.
I think the last point is obvious. Everyone should have the right to generate their own wealth and provide for themselves.
So what are conservative party values?
Well, on the conservative party web site there is an article titled built to last
which starts with these two paragraphs:
"Our enduring values mean we believe in trusting people, sharing responsibility, championing freedom and supporting the institutions and culture we share as one nation.
Conservatives are not ideologues. That is why in each generation we change, applying our values to new challenges."
Well it seems to me to close enough.
The next question will be why not any of the other parties, and perhaps I will post another article on that another day!
You can read the originals comments here.
Here it is:
I used to get this all the time from a friend of mine, who supported Labour.
Well one night before the May 2005 general election I sat down and explained lots of areas of conservative party policy to him and another "New Labour" friend, and they all agreed the policies were good.
So I think the question says more about the person asking it than me.
I have always voted Conservative in national and local elections. During the 2005 general election I was hoping (against all the evidence) for a conservative win. I had read all the policy documents I could find, and had no problem getting people behind the policy. I then saw Tim Yeo on Newsnight talking about the environment and nuclear power. It seemed he had not read the policy document at all. This made me angry. I emailed the party to say that if they did not pull their finger out and win the election, then I would join and give them all a good kick up the A....
Well I have. I joined around the 15th of May 2005 and have since been to a few meetings.
So why a Conservative?
Well, it's all down to what you believe, and to some extent in what order of priority. I believe:
1. In the rights (and responsibilities) of the individual.
2. In The rule of law.
3. That the individual is best placed to make their own decisions.
4. That the individual has the right to make their own mistakes.
5. The right to create wealth.
I suppose the obvious question is "Why believe that?"
Well, any unit larger than the individual is made up of individuals. In law all sorts of non persons are treated as individual persons, for example a company is an individual person at law.
Given that, individuals need rights and protection from each other. A person doing work needs the right to get paid for it and the person who is paying for the work needs the right to expect it to be carried out to a good standard.
Individuals are better placed to know what they want to achieve, what makes them happy and what is for them a fulfilling life. This means giving people choices.
When making choices we make mistakes. "The man who has never made a mistake has never done anything." Furthermore what may be a mistake to you may be my deliberate choice as an adult.
I think the last point is obvious. Everyone should have the right to generate their own wealth and provide for themselves.
So what are conservative party values?
Well, on the conservative party web site there is an article titled built to last
which starts with these two paragraphs:
"Our enduring values mean we believe in trusting people, sharing responsibility, championing freedom and supporting the institutions and culture we share as one nation.
Conservatives are not ideologues. That is why in each generation we change, applying our values to new challenges."
Well it seems to me to close enough.
The next question will be why not any of the other parties, and perhaps I will post another article on that another day!
You can read the originals comments here.
This blog is a year and a day old today!
This blog is a year and a day old today, has had 37,512 visitors and 54,865 page views and 2,175 comments!
I will be reproducing one or two early posts as some people seemed to have liked them, and there are a lot ore readers now than there were when I started.
I will be reproducing one or two early posts as some people seemed to have liked them, and there are a lot ore readers now than there were when I started.
Every Silver lining has a dark cloud, Hapless Harriet!
The Sun in its Sun Says editorial does not seem pleased that Harriet Harman has won the Labour deputy leadership contest, it goes on to say:
Many papers point to Gordon Brown's decisive ruthlessness naming her as party chairman, excluding her from either being deputy prime minister or ruining any ministries. There is no chance she will deputise for Gordon.
The great thing about Harriet is that she is the niece of a Countess, privately educated and rather more amusingly sent her children to either independent or selective schools whilst having the gaul to criticise some for buying expensive handbags.
We in the Conservative party are so pleased that the Labour party have elected her deputy leader, it makes life so much sweeter!
The trouble is that she is so politically correct some of her MP colleagues call her Harriet Harperson.And then labels her as hapless Harriet!
Many papers point to Gordon Brown's decisive ruthlessness naming her as party chairman, excluding her from either being deputy prime minister or ruining any ministries. There is no chance she will deputise for Gordon.
The great thing about Harriet is that she is the niece of a Countess, privately educated and rather more amusingly sent her children to either independent or selective schools whilst having the gaul to criticise some for buying expensive handbags.
We in the Conservative party are so pleased that the Labour party have elected her deputy leader, it makes life so much sweeter!
Snap election exclusive to all papers!
It seems that some of the press (rather than all as the headline implies) have taken the view that Gordon Brown will call an election by May 2008.
The Sun thinks it will be in the autumn* though the Times in this article thinks it has assurances that it will not be in the autumn but in spring 2008. The Daily Mail also thinks an election will be called in 2008. The FT also has a little speculation on the idea here based on the same information.
The prime reason the papers seem to be taking this line is that Gordon Brown has appointed Douglass Alexander as General Election coordinator. I may be wrong but I thought he was involved in the Scottish elections with special responsibility for making sire there were as many spoilt ballots as possible.
It has to be said that the Dead Tree press are looking desperately speculative here, though the ones who run it are close to either New Labour or Gordon Brown, except the FT.
Personally I think there is no chance of an early election because although Gordon Brown is an arch political player I don't think he has the courage to do it.
* For those who do not speak English, you may call it "the fall".
The Sun thinks it will be in the autumn* though the Times in this article thinks it has assurances that it will not be in the autumn but in spring 2008. The Daily Mail also thinks an election will be called in 2008. The FT also has a little speculation on the idea here based on the same information.
The prime reason the papers seem to be taking this line is that Gordon Brown has appointed Douglass Alexander as General Election coordinator. I may be wrong but I thought he was involved in the Scottish elections with special responsibility for making sire there were as many spoilt ballots as possible.
It has to be said that the Dead Tree press are looking desperately speculative here, though the ones who run it are close to either New Labour or Gordon Brown, except the FT.
Personally I think there is no chance of an early election because although Gordon Brown is an arch political player I don't think he has the courage to do it.
* For those who do not speak English, you may call it "the fall".
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Gordon Brown to call early election!
It seems the Dead Tree press, specifically all those who are close to either New Labour or Gordon Brown are running with the story that Gordon Brown will call an early election either this autumn*, (The Sun) or the spring.
Specifically we have a similar line in the Sun, the Times, and the Daily Mail and all on the front page.
More later.
Specifically we have a similar line in the Sun, the Times, and the Daily Mail and all on the front page.
More later.
Telegraph report Dewey in shock win of Labour Deputy Leadership!
In a mirror of the Dewey beats Truman headline of the Chicago Daily Tribune which went to press saying Thomas Dewey beat harry Truman in 1948 The Telegraph website had Alan Johnson winning the deputy leadership campaign. As it happens he lost to Harman by 0.9%.
Well the Telegraph did have this, which looked like this:
Regretably showing no humour or indeed a correction they just have this:
Of course Harriet Harman did in fact win, but the Telegraph's story won't be in print so how will she do this?
Update 20:26,
I forgot to add the Telegraph article's text said this:
I'd like to thank Richard Holt for making me laugh!
Also hat tips to Dave Wild for the link to the Telegraph article, and Jack W for the link to the Dewey picture, both on politicalbetting.com.
Well the Telegraph did have this, which looked like this:
Regretably showing no humour or indeed a correction they just have this:
Of course Harriet Harman did in fact win, but the Telegraph's story won't be in print so how will she do this?Update 20:26,
I forgot to add the Telegraph article's text said this:
Alan Johnson chosen as Brown's deputy
By Richard Holt
Last Updated: 2:21pm BST 24/06/2007
Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, has been elected deputy leader of the Labour Party.
Mr Johnson beat fellow Cabinet members Hilary Benn, Alan Johnson, Hazel Blears and Peter Hain as well as justice minister Harriet Harman and left-wing backbencher Jon Cruddas.
Although he will be Gordon Brown's deputy when the Chancellor is announced as party leader, Mr Johnson is not guaranteed to become Deputy Prime Minister.
He will have to wait until Mr Brown announces his new Cabinet on Thursday before finding out whether he will hold both posts vacated by John Prescott.
It is thought that the role of Deputy Prime Minister may go to Jack Straw, the Commons Leader, who has run Mr Brown's "unopposed" campaign for the party leadership.
Mr Johnson, a former postman, was elected at a special party conference in Manchester following a complex series of voting among Labour Party members.
Ballots for the deputy leadership closed on Friday with Mr Johnson frontrunner followed by Mr Benn.
Gordon Brown is confirmed as party leader today and will take over as Prime Minister when Tony Blair steps down on Wednesday.
I'd like to thank Richard Holt for making me laugh!
Also hat tips to Dave Wild for the link to the Telegraph article, and Jack W for the link to the Dewey picture, both on politicalbetting.com.
Harriet Harman the vacuous wins it!
Yes, Harriet Harman who seemed to be standing on the somewhat vacuous platform that she is a woman! (Well so is hazel Blears who at least had the honesty to stand on her own merits)
The amusing thing is that during the hustings she has come across as anti Iraq war and anti many of Labour's current public service reforms.
Life with Gordon will be fun!
Not only that I suspect she is an open goal for the Conservative party as well as being not very voter friendly.
The BBC has this.
The amusing thing is that during the hustings she has come across as anti Iraq war and anti many of Labour's current public service reforms.
Life with Gordon will be fun!
Not only that I suspect she is an open goal for the Conservative party as well as being not very voter friendly.
The BBC has this.
Gordon Brown wins Labour leadership shock!
After a 7 week campaign against er.. himself, Gordon Brown has indeed won the Labour leadership.
What a shocker!
The BBC has this.
PS
It seems Harriet Harman may have won the deputy leadership, if so I will be laughing my head off!
Currently the BBC has this.
What a shocker!
The BBC has this.
PS
It seems Harriet Harman may have won the deputy leadership, if so I will be laughing my head off!
Currently the BBC has this.
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