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Breaking News - GB wins award, Lib Dems face all ways
2009-09-23 09:43:49
If you get out a microscope, and scour the British papers today, paying very close attention to a small number of very small articles, you might be able to discover that Gordon Brown won an award as World Statesman of the Year in advance of the United Nations General Assembly.
Take the miscroscope down to the body of the copy and you might be able to enjoy the words of former American Secretary of State Henry Kissinger about the 'vision and dedication' GB showed in handling the global financial crisis a year ago. 'His leadership has been essential to our ability to overcome the moment of danger,' he said.
Even the presence of an A list celeb like Bono at the awards could not elevate the presentation to anywhere near the coverage and praise for Victoria Beckham's offerings at London Fashion Week.
Now let's just ask a couple of questions. If David Cameron had won such an award, let's say for his work in raising awareness on important global issues like ... oh, I don't know, let's just pretend he has ... do you think we might have heard a little more about it?
Or more likely, let's imagine the award had gone to Barack Obama, Nicolas Sarkozy or Angela Merkel, how might the newsreader tag this news on to an item about the Attorney General's home help.... 'As if to make matters worse for the beleaguered Prime Minister, despite his much-vaunted claims to have led the world out of the economic crisis, a major award for statesmanship went not to Brown but to President Sarkozy ... Nick, how disappointed will Downing Street be that this award went to the French President?'
When the only news the media will report is what they deem to be bad news for GB and the government, they cannot begin to claim they are fulfilling their responsibilities in a democracy. It would also be quite nice to read a piece by one of these political and economic experts explaining how the world economy might have panned out had people followed Cameron's suggestions this time last year.
Another example ... the Tories' recent scam pretending that documents published at the time of the Budget contained information which the government had tried to conceal. Journalists fell over themselves in falling for the spin, but once it was clear that spin was all that it was, the story went away. Had that been about Labour under Neil Kinnock, John Smith, TB or GB, it would still be leading the news.
The Liberal Democrats are likely to get their day leading one or two bulletins today, as leader Nick Clegg makes his main speech to the conference. It is hard to decide whether he will consider the week to have gone well. He has done quite well on the profile front, made one or two interesting policy noises, but the general impression of the past few days has been one of lack of clarity about political strategy and policy direction, and lack of basic political groundwork. Also, this might be seen as the week when the Party itself started to chip away at the reputation enjoyed by Treasury spokesman Vince Cable.
You hear talk fairly often among Libs about Cable's high-handedness and his belief that he is always right. In truth he talks some sense, and quite a lot of nonsense, and what has emerged this week is that is not just my view, but a view shared by his colleagues.
So all a bit of a mess really. Or is it? I do not imagine this was deliberate but in a way what Clegg's mismanagement of the week has allowed is for Lib Dems to carry on pretending to be one thing in one place, another thing in another. It has defined their approach to campaigning for years and I have seen little this week to suggest it might change in favour of a clear and principled strategy.
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Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success storyPublish date: 2009-08-27 16:03:34
Exposing the absurdity of Chris GraylingPublish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19
Joy and beauty and a night of magicPublish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11
Twitter NHS backlash good for ObamaPublish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49
A lifetime's ambition fulfilledPublish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02
Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
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
barbar of Oz
2009-09-23 18:13:15I was reading this week that Obama had declined to have a bi-lateral meeting with Gordon Brown this week (while scheduling meetings with Russian, Japanese and Chinese leaders) and it occurred to me that, if true, the idea of a US president (or any leader) not want to meet with Tony Blair was quite unthinkable. And at a time Brit troops seem to be dying every day in Afghanistan. Unbelievable.
As for the media, well the journos had 10 years of non stop anti Blair briefings and underminings from Gordon's acolytes on behalf of Gordon. So when Gordon managed to comprehensively blow it a mere two months after getting power, the media turned. No surprise there. Journos are a cynical lot, who never miss a bandwagon, and I suspect some time next year we're going to get a lot of revelations about the extent and nature of the anti-Blair briefings and a new edition of Alistair's Diaries?
EdballsakaGoebels
2009-09-23 16:44:00olli issakainen - are you barking mad or do you work in the Prime Mentalists bunker? I think you would have done very well as a Soviet apparatchik circa 1980s.
Cherie's back passage
2009-09-23 16:33:01It is simply high level cronyism - an award like this is money for old rope and just goes to show how removed self congratulatory politicians are from the rest of us. The same sort of nonsense goes on in the corporate workplace, where invariably you find the same sort of hollow platitudes delivered by senior management. The press have reported Gordon's aware - are we meant to be impressed - no, because we see through Brown's hypocrisy and double dealing - so its quite right that the press did not go overboard here.
On that note, when it comes to cronyism, I have no doubt TB will be made President of Europe - despite the fact that if a referendum were taken in this country or indeed the whole of Europe, he wouldn't stand a chance - anyone who knows what he does or doesn't do as middle east peace envoy knows that he is a showboater of the highest order.
All the best,
Cherie's back passage
Michael
2009-09-23 16:18:56Brown's problems is his administration’s inability to judge public opinion, its own self-righteous sense of self (witness Baroness Scotland),and New Labour's suspicion of sincere dissent (which you reflect). This administraion is old, it's tired, it's failings are fresh in the public mind. John Major was not nearly so bad as NuLab and the wider media portrayed him in the mid 90s either. It's deja vu all over again.
John Fowler
2009-09-23 16:01:46By whom was he designated? Whom did they ask in the UK? who were the other contestants? So he was given the award in March before the £ fell by 18.5% against the Euro. and before the flak started flying - which is more than the helicopters - about Afghanistan.
Mark 'Elvis' Wright
2009-09-23 15:28:40The media have their narrative and regardless of Brown's achievements feel that it's time for him to go. As a PM Brown does not give 'good copy'.
It'll be interesting to watch the final installment of BBC2's excellent series 'The Love of Money' and how it presents the story of 'just how close we came to economic collapse' and Brown's role in saving the worldwide banking system.
I suspect it'll be favourable. Unfortunately for GB, however, the British public are more interested in how he comes across on GMTV and Loose Women than a programme of real substance.
Mark 'Elvis' Wright
dick Starr
2009-09-23 14:54:56I don't doubt that the press can be selective in its reporting, but there seems to be an element of selective memory here too. Hark back to 1996 (or earlier) and the same comments were being made, except in those days it was the Tories complaining and Labour - under a clearly gifted communicator - who were getting the benefit. Is it simply that the press follow their readers as much as lead them?
Em
2009-09-23 14:24:46Not that Americans care much about the UN but they never miss a chance to make a song and dance about their achievements. They're actually proud of their country, you see.
Bernie
2009-09-23 14:12:41You're right of course. Totally unbalanced coverage. Redeemed only marginally this morning when fivelive covered GB's self-deprecation - probably hoping it would play negatively but it was actually quite good. (Note to GB - be more self-deprecating)
Ever since the Tories did a comprehensive 'ring around' , of the media hoi polloi (circa 2004 according to my sources) and got a good chunk of A-to-Z listers 'on board', it's been coming. Depressing isn't it?
I mean, you're journo turned politico spinner AC, whereas DC has always been a er...spinner.
This IS what Out-Blairing Blair meant right?
vulpus_rex
2009-09-23 13:36:36Is this is a sick Joke? Gordon Brown is a dithering, financial incompetent who ruined our economy why would you get and award for that? Just how bad were the other candidates FFS?
Anyway he'll get the country's opinion of him next year at the election, when he'll be slung out in disgrace, if that coward hasn't resigned by then.
@jlocke13
2009-09-23 13:27:41Ac complaining about the media....you never complained when you had them in your pocket... now the boot is on the other foot it is somehow unfair...try blogging on something of value like why the top law officer can break the law and remain in office...
olli issakainen
2009-09-23 12:54:42I agree. GB has done a magnificent job, but can´t communicate it to voters because of his personality.
Justin
2009-09-23 11:23:49Since when was accepting lumps of glass from war criminals like Kissinger something to crow about?
londonstatto
2009-09-23 10:08:45Since when was an award given in March "breaking news"?
Harry H
2009-09-23 10:05:56Why can Gordon impress the Kissingers and the Bonos of this world, but not seem able to communicate to ordinary members of the public. I don't doubt he did some difficult things last year, and did them well, but everywhere I go, people say they don't like or rate him and it is hard to get beyond that when you are trying to persuade people to vote for him
Sarah Freestone
2009-09-23 10:04:05The Liberal Democrats are right to be keeping open a lot of policy options because they could end up holding the balance of power. My view is that the country does not want Brown or Cameron, but they know they can't get Clegg, so a coalition of some sort is likely. In those circumstances Clegg needs to 'face both ways' a little
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