Comments
On The Sun, Obama in Copenhagen and Alistair McGowan on the loo
2009-10-01 10:59:49
Just did the start of Nicky Campbell's phone-in on Five Live, and it was interesting that Nicky had to scour around for a few pro-Sun messages amid all the negative texts and calls coming in.
I said doing interviews yesterday that there was something very old-fashioned about the way The Sun handled its latest switch. It was a good marketing coup, and got lots of attention for the paper and its perceived significance, but as Sun journalists wandered around Brighton from microphone to microphone, the comparison was being made with the behaviour of trade union barons back in the old days.
The difference is that a newspaper cannot deliver the support of its readers in the way the barons could cast their block votes. A reminder of my favourite stat from yesterday's blog - support for Labour among Mail readers rose from 1997 to 2001.
I understand the paper focusses today on lots of people who backed Labour in 1997 and now are backing the Tories. But pretending the world has gone from black to white overnight hits the credibility of the paper.
We also need to challenge the constant assertion that Murdoch only backs winners. Er ... Obama?
... Talking of which, why the opposition to President Obama going to Copenhagen to make a plea for support for Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympics? Talk to anyone involved in the decision to give the 2012 Games to London and you will soon learn that Tony Blair's presence and persuasive skills amid the final deliberations helped swing the last few votes our way.
Republican opponents of Obama - who seem opposed to anything he does - say he is President of the US not Mayor of Chicago and he should not be leaving other pressing issues for this. But a decision like this would have short, medium and long-term consequences for the whole of the US.
Some Democrats are saying he should not be going to Copenhagen in case Chicago doesn't win, in which case he will lose political capital. But so what? It will be quickly forgotten. Leadership is sometimes about risking your capital to make something happen that might not happen without you using that capital.
So good luck, Obama. Hope you win again.
Finally, a word on last night's Chain Reaction on Radio 4, in which I interviewed actor, writer and impersonator Alistair McGowan. Fair play to the Beeb for keeping in my crack about David Cameron. Alistair said he found it impossible to do Cameron, because 'all that comes out is an upper-class whisper.' I suggested that the problem was he didn't stand for anything. Cue applause. Good point well made say I.
Sadly, the editor had to make a few cuts and one of the bits that went was Alistair moving effortlessly from Sven to Fabio Capello in the same sentence, by putting a bit of Italian into the Swedish lilt and then straining as though he were sitting on the loo. Perhaps it was the wrong side of the watershed, but it was funny.
And as the earthquakes and the tsunami hit the Samoan Islands, I was taken by Alistair's observation that the most important thing we can all do, as well as cut our own carbon footpri nt, is nag away at others. I think my family think I nag enough, but I was in full-on lights off mode after my hour or two with Mr McGowan.
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Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Charlie Reynolds
2009-10-02 11:39:57I think I have died and gone to hell! Apparently Tony Blair will become president of the EU if Ireland votes yes. What have we all done to deserve this?! It will be a disaster for europe. The people of europe being ignored yet again by their leaders. Iraq war anyone?
Alan Quinn
2009-10-01 23:11:23"Labour's failed on education". The Sun.
I'm just in from a governors meeting at my local primary school where the fantastic work the SureStart centres were doing around here plus the great work the local youth centre does.
All under threat by the tories. The old ones are still the best. They know the cost of everything but the value of nothing.
David Kingston
2009-10-01 22:03:49Nick
People gushing about their heart operations is what demonstrates Labour's successes. Others can keep banging on about the NHS failing but the reality is that people can gush about their heart operations because they are not dying on year long waitng lists. Remember, waiting lists were the big NHS issue in the 90s. These have been effectively tackled by Labour, so critics move the goalposts and claim that waiting lists are not as important as clinical need. Critics of Labour's successes will always play up problems to portray a system in crisis.
Max
2009-10-01 19:04:07Your comment about the Conservatives on Radio 4 was a cheap shot. Bit disappointed really, thought you were above that.
Alina Palimaru
2009-10-01 16:51:23For all those who keep saying that the Sun's announcement distracted attention from PM Brown's speech... well, that's all that really was... a minor distraction. The Sun's move was met with derision (at best!) in US papers... in most reports it seems that it didn't even matter. As such, I expect its impact to be marginal. Personally, I dislike the practice of papers becoming such obvious political players...it is redolent of city political machines in the late 19th century NY, Philadelphia, Chicago... Whatever happened to their role as watchdogs?!
I agree with Alastair that Obama has a legitimate reason for lobbying aggressively for the Olympics. Personally, I am not a big fan of Chicago, but may the best win. As you say, the economic and political implications of the Olympic bid are enormous, and a President must be crazy not to try to capitalize on this... As for the Republicans constantly saying "No" to anything Obama is doing... "No" is not a policy or a valid position... it is instead a sign of a party in crisis that is running out of fuel everyday, and I seriously doubt that the DeMints of the Party will be able to save it.
Charlie
2009-10-01 16:27:32It was not always thus:
@AC Diaries-The Blair Years.
… As soon as TB finished the Q & A session I took him to one side and said I had some good news. I said you remember in 1994 when I said we should try to get the Sun on board and you said you weren’t sure it was possible, well, they are. He thought it was good news in its own right, but was good in the effect it would have on the other side’s morale. I tipped off Mike Brunson at ITN. On one level, it was ridiculous that it should be seen as a big event, but the reality is that is exactly how it is seen. I felt it was a fruit of three years’ hard work, and there will be many more.
Nick
2009-10-01 14:00:49@ Alfie
But I don't understand what that caller's succesful operation has to do with a.such bogus, gushing gratitude and b. a link to the Labour Government ?
When Labour supporters [those that are left] go into a shop and buy a bar of chocolate, do they then send an e mail to Cadburys to thank them for it, and then kneel in front of the shopkeeper and pay homage to him for serving it ?
I genuinely don't understand this gushing gratitude for services that we are paying for.
Sorry..most of us are paying for.
Alfie
2009-10-01 13:51:25There was a bloke on after you in the phone in who talked very nicely of how well he had done by the NHS for a recent heart operation. It is the kind of story we hear all the time in our real lives yet which barely ever gets reflected in the media. I just hope the public are sensible enough to ignore all the shouting from the press and make their own minds up. I try to. I used to vote Tory. Stopped in 1997. Don't intend to start again on anyone's say so, especialy not Murdoch
Nick
2009-10-01 13:08:30@ A.C
If Gordon Brown is such a decent bloke and all round asset to the British people, why did you have to edit out just about every reference to him from your diaries "The Blair Years" ?
Are you saying one thing in public, and another in private? I think we should be told.
olli issakainen
2009-10-01 12:15:54Yesterday´s debate was almost as exciting as when Claretgunnergirl presents her Friday News on BBC´s 606. Hopefully it will continue in this way also today.
I got latest interesting books of Karen Armstrong and Richard Dawkins from England, but have not had time to read them because of Labour conference. (And Melvyn Bragg´s In Our Time book is just about to arrive, too.)
This morning I watched first AC on The Daily Politics and then listened to his Chain Reaction chat show. Alistair McGowan´s detective series "Mayo" was shown here few years ago, and I enjoyed it as well as the chat show very much. Then I noticed that some one had commented on my yesterday´s post on this site. So these texts are really being read - hopefully it is not the government that´s doing it!
About the Sun, again. Some Finnish newspapers have gone neutral in their support, but I can´t remember any switching their party alliance altogether.
As for the coming election, I think the key issues will be FISCAL POSITION, CONFIDENCE IN POLITICAL SYSTEMS and AFGHANISTAN. The key question for Labour will be whether it still has APPETITE FOR POWER.
Must end now, a repeat of Spurs v. Burnley is on our tv soon.
Charlie Reynolds
2009-10-01 11:47:19It is fascinating that both the Sun and the Telegraph have not gone out of their way to support Cameron as yet. He has avoided the easy temptation for an easy lurch to the right. Good on him. Respect as they say. The Sun is right that Labour has lost it, but they are slow on the uptake as usual and just following public opinion. It is to Cameron's credit that no dodgy dealing has been done to secure him a 'we back tony' message. I hope he sticks to this for the sake of the country.
It is bizarre watching the labour party get angry and resentful towards the Sun when they have been supported by the paper for over 10 years! Do you think any rational person is not going to notice the hypocrisy?
As for not getting a fair deal from the media - remember John Major in the mid 90s? I don't recall you complaining then. I recall all the stories about a broken britain and the gap between rich and poor getting wider and boom and bust and the shame of children leaving school unable to read or write.......... Isn't it incredible how much success the labour government has had in all these areas over the last 12 years! The fact is that the media spin on Major was not accurate, the spin on Tony Blair was not accurate and the spin on Brown is sadly deadly accurate because it is based on a man who goes around saying he has 'saved the world' and that he backs alistair darling (ahem).
The only 2 people who are hated more than Brown are yourself and Tony Blair. I think it is only right you get involved in this election so we can vote the whole lot of you into history. You have failed Britain, let's see if someone else can do better.
Cassie Pearson
2009-10-01 11:39:18Loved the Chain Reaction show. What a talent to have to be able to go from one voice to another, almost mid-word at times. You should do more interviewing like that. You seemed to get a lot from him.Agree about Obama ... nothing ventured ...
Paul MArsh
2009-10-01 11:37:50Very good point you made at the end of your Five Live talk, which had not occurred to me but ought to be occurring to the BBC - namely that Murdoch allied to the Tories is a dangerous alliance facing the BBC. I know you had your troubles with the BBC but the Labour government at least understands its significance goes beyond commerce. I agree it is odd they follow the Sun ploy so happily
Jane A
2009-10-01 11:34:55Two thoughts on the whole Sun hysteria.
In all the carry on of the last 24 hours the best comment I heard was on R5 this morning, saying that surely the Sun might have waited to see what exactly he had to say on those things before coming out for Cameron. There's a wide divide between "Labour's lost it" and "Cameron's got it."
Floating voters, the non-tribals, will vote on personality not policy, and whim rather than record. They "fancy a change" in the way some people opt for a different holiday destination one year. If The Sun influence somne of them, so be it. Just as many will be turned off by a paper attempting to sell in a party as will be swayed by it, or equally put off by Cameron's swagger and arrogance.
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