The Politics Thread

[Lord Kangana]

In a bit of a Pickles then?

Seriously though, if I headed up conservative central office, I'd make it my lifes work to seek out and fire the moron who thought it'd be a good idea to let Eric Pickles anywhere near a nomination. Theres dickheads, and then theres Pickles. He's like a one-man PR wrecking ball.

[thebish]

In a bit of a Pickles then?

Seriously though, if I headed up conservative central office, I'd make it my lifes work to seek out and fire the moron who thought it'd be a good idea to let Eric Pickles anywhere near a nomination. Theres dickheads, and then theres Pickles. He's like a one-man PR wrecking ball.

I suspect he is the Tory version of of his mirror-image - John Prescott... installed to keep a particular bovine constituency off cameron's back...

[Lord Kangana]

Not that I'm any particular fan of Prezzer, but I'm not sure I agree with the simile. I think Two Jabs is closer to Clarke, though Clarke is a bit smarter and more of a political heavyweight, they both tend to just speak their mind and sod the consequences. Pickles just strikes me as a nob who's completely out of touch with reality who speaks his mind and sod the consequences. I think theres a subtle difference.

[thebish]

hmm - but prezzer was a pompous cock who let the power go to his head - I think that part of the simile stands up!

of course they are not identical - my key point is that they are both buffoons who would not merit high-office except as a measure to keep a part of the party happy by their appointment...

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

I'm with the Bish on this one.

Pickles' asset is that he's northern, apparently.

Complete liability, if you ask me.

[Harry Genshaw]

Eric Pickles and the finest ever put down on Question Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MrFV4c_sVY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bruce Rioja]

hmm - but prezzer was a pompous cock who let the power go to his head - I think that part of the simile stands up!

Indeed, and no. I always thought that the appointment to the position of Deputy Prime Minister of Prescott was a really smart move on the part of New Labour, in that - yes, they're appointing a union man into such a senoir position and appeasing the party roots accordingly, whilst at the same time highlighting that if this prick's the best that the unions have then the country will see that they were better off without them.
However, Pickles is just an absolute prick without a single redeeming feature.

[William the White]

Sorry if this has already been posted elsewhere, but it made me laugh...

The Ancient of days, Lady Trumpington (great title), who looks vaguely like Grandma in a Giles cartoon gives an elegant and eloquent response to her fellow Tory's attempt to patronise her...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZv6WlH5 ... ture=email" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

I suspect an interesting few days in store for the Home Sec. Should be interesting when Brodie Clark meets the Home Affairs Committee, without the benefit of Ministerial instruction..

Yes, it was quite interesting...

[Beefheart]

Eric Pickles and the finest ever put down on Question Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MrFV4c_sVY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I remember watching this and cringing at how far removed from reality he made himself seem. Oh sorry Eric, I didn't realise politicians had it so tough, having to commute AND make sure they get to work on time.

[Lord Kangana]

I think the point he was trying to make was that he needs a second home because the commute is just too stressful and unreliable.

Fancy that eh Eric, perhaps you should give the nod to your local MP, maybe he could ask questions in the house about such a terrible state of affairs in our capital's transport system.

[thebish]

I think the point he was making was that as an opposition MP - his job was actually important and so he HAD to get there on time - unlike other Londoners....

[Lord Kangana]

I thought the day would never arrive, but it has.

Michael Portillo, on This Week, has just made the same point I've been making for years. That is, that politicians are failing us because they keep devolving responsibility from themselves by appointing quangoes.

I think I'm going to have another drink in celebration.

[thebish]

I thought the day would never arrive, but it has.

Michael Portillo, on This Week, has just made the same point I've been making for years. That is, that politicians are failing us because they keep devolving responsibility from themselves by appointing quangoes.

I think I'm going to have another drink in celebration.

Similarly... the number of times I get incensed by politicians on radio/tv interviews when asked their opinion on something who say "I think we need to have a public debate on this"... yes - but what is your opinion - do you have one - do you have a mind of your own.. "I think it is important to have a national debate on this and I am starting it." - so - kick us off - what do you fecking think!!!! - "the government is going out to consultation as part of a national debate on this important issue..." repeat to fade....

[Lord Kangana]

"We have done so much, but we need to do more" (or variations on that theme).

No shit sherlock, in the real world thats called having a job.

[Clean Shirt]

Is it time for a poll change?

[Lord Kangana]

I'm stifling a sigh of relief, but it appears Cameron has much more of a grasp on the actual situation than his petty-minded Little Englander backbenchers. That is at least mildly enouraging.

Of course, any idea of a credible opposition dissolved with the poor grasp of opportunism that Ed Miliband displayed. by joining in the hounding session. Sometimes the House of Commons comes across as an incredibly childish and boorish place. Today was one of them.

I fear we have too few representatives in our corridors of power who feel the hand of history on their shoulder. Because it is, and its holding on by its fingernails.

We absolutely cannot go it alone. A significant proportion of our country (and by association its leadership) needs to understand this simple truth. Very quickly.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

We absolutely cannot go it alone.

What exactly do you mean by this though?

I actually think I agree with you (and, far less controversially, agree with everything the esteemed members of this board have said in describing what is good about continental Europe), but I'd be interested in knowing exactly what you mean.

[Hoboh]

I'm stifling a sigh of relief, but it appears Cameron has much more of a grasp on the actual situation than his petty-minded Little Englander backbenchers. That is at least mildly enouraging.

Of course, any idea of a credible opposition dissolved with the poor grasp of opportunism that Ed Miliband displayed. by joining in the hounding session. Sometimes the House of Commons comes across as an incredibly childish and boorish place. Today was one of them.

I fear we have too few representatives in our corridors of power who feel the hand of history on their shoulder. Because it is, and its holding on by its fingernails.

We absolutely cannot go it alone. A significant proportion of our country (and by association its leadership) needs to understand this simple truth. Very quickly.

Last gasp defence of a Europhille eh? don't do it we need Nanny Europe, bloody heathens!!!

[Lord Kangana]

We absolutely cannot go it alone.

What exactly do you mean by this though?

I actually think I agree with you (and, far less controversially, agree with everything the esteemed members of this board have said in describing what is good about continental Europe), but I'd be interested in knowing exactly what you mean.

We are now so reliant on Europe, for trade etc, that effectively it has created an artificial bubble of demand in this country. Now, that bubble doesn't necessairly have to pop, but it most definitely would without the cosy protectionism of Europe. Essentially, what worries me the most (and I believe its a fear shared by the more economically minded members of the Government) is that if we go to a referendum (which of course would be the democratic thing to do) on a new treaty, the likely outcome is a no. I don't know for certain where that would leave us, but I can't help but think we'd be shunted even more to the sidelines. I just don't think our economy is either big, enough, robust enough or diverse enough to face the world alone. Theres nothing splendid about isolationism. Its a tough world out there.

If you read between the lines of what Cameron has been saying about this, it seems pretty clear to me that we cannot skirt around the periphery of Europe forever. I do have sympathy with the difficult possition he's been put in ( I actually sympathised with Major on similar issues), because not only has he got to try to appease the right wing of his party (he is, after all, effectively in minority governemt), but also he risks the whole economy, because of the sheer power and strength of the financial services sector in this country, who are vehemently opposed to Europe, and have been since the eighties.

Its clear that the rhetoric coming out of Tory HQ recently (for me, anyway) is that they know what needs to be done on many issues (rebalancing our economy, investing in infrastructure, tackiling the power of the financial services , decentralising form London), but that they have a hell of a task in convincing people after 30-something years of consensus politics. Now whether they have the balls or sufficient mandate to achieve these things, I don't know, but now they've got their feet under the table and have stopped blaming the other lot, I'm starting to warm to a certain amount of their goals. I just wish they'd get rid of bellends like Eric Pickles, then it wouldn't be such a tough choice.

And I thought Miliband (E) gave a pathetic piece of political opportunism by simply joining in with the rabble. I'm not sure he grasps the gravity of the current situation either. At least he doesn't show it.