Comments
More Mr Benn and Co please
2009-05-03 10:03:00
Some very good responses on Facebook to my obseration that Hilary Benn is a good speaker - pointing out he did a decent defence of the government on Question Time, others that he handled tricky questions on student finance well when he did one of the Eddie Izzard q and a sessions, plus people just saying he was a good bloke.
Last night's rally in Leeds was in his constituency and his job was basically to introduce MEP Richard Corbett, then me and finally John Prescott. So he only spoke for a few minutes, but he packed a lot in.
As he spoke, it dawned on me that it was the first time I had seen him speaking outside of a Commons/TV studio/press conference environment.
He has many of his father's mannerisms, in particular quite grand and swishing right-hand movements, and a voice that rises in volume as he gets to the crux of a point. He has the same very human warmth that comes through too.
As for content, in a short off the cuff speech he managed to remind people forcefully of some of the crucial choices a Labour-Tory vote involves. He communicated the morality at the heart of some of those choices, like David Cameron's continued commitment to cutting inheritance tax for 3,000 of the wealthiest families, rather than putting that money into public services, or - something he is particularly passionate about - development.
Also, without ignoring the political difficulties, he set out how important it was to remain confident, making the point that the public were not warming to the Tories as they had posiively shifted to us in the mid -90s.
And he delivered a herogram to JP for the confidence he showed in his 'rout' of John Humphrys on the Today programme yesterday morning. I didn't hear the interview but several people had mentioned it as we travelled around - that JP had taken him and his arguments on with confdence and verve, and refused to absorb all the negativity thrown his way, instead preferring to argue back.
I make a similar point in today's News of the World, who asked me to comment on the current situation. I say too many of our people absorb the negativity, instead of doing what we should be doing all the time - defending the record, attacking our opponents and forcing the Tories to flesh out policy positions, and above all setting out the forward policy agenda confident in the arguments we are making.
I draw some of the parallels between sport and politics - the need to understand the diffference between strategy and tactics, knowing how to use pressure, manage change. And of course understanding that both are team games.
Obviously a lot of focus falls on Gordon Brown. But we need to see more of the ministers more of the time, not least to draw attention to another Tory weakness - their lack of strength in depth. Seeing Hilary in action underlined that for me. More Mr Benn on the box please. More ministers out campaigning like JP is campaigning this weekend, with a bit of gusto and energy.
Talk about embracing new-tech. Before the rally, he showed film of his trip so far, rough and ready but full of strong political message, and the occasional jibe thrown my way, particularly at what he called my 'fitted shirt.'
If Prescott Jnr, who masterminds the 24-hour JP The Movie operation, could arrange to get his Go Fourth film up on the vlog spot here, people could see that it is just a shirt that fits. A smart one admittedly, but that's all it is.
Now to the real reason for my visit North ... Burnley v Bristol City. Three points and we're in the play-offs. I may be gone some time.
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Pressure on Ed Miliband can help get a climate change dealPublish date: 2009-08-28 13:39:08
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
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
Em
2009-05-04 15:10:22On a gagné!
Cardiff has Doctor Who and Torchwood, isn't that enough?
Jane A
2009-05-04 12:16:57"Fitted shirt" looks fine to me. Beats the Tory "Bordeaux and pheasant gut" look hands down.
Em
2009-05-04 04:51:54...funny how I posted on FB about your shirt and negativity before reading this blog entry...I had no idea, I swear.
I don't understand what people have against John Humphrys. Then again, British people have no idea how lucky they are to have journalists with better than double-digit IQs. If you knew how bad journalists are across the pond, you'd all build shrines in honour of the BBC news department. I don't think Humphrys is unfair and at least he knows his stuff. Didn't hear the JP interview but Humphrys had eleven minutes with Blunkett earlier this week. I enjoyed it quite a bit. DB mentioned something about GB being too busy running the country to concern himself with minor stuff and of course Humphrys pounced, as he should. DB soon got his own back and he made good points.
As far as JP goes, I just wish more politicians could exudes his verve, energy and the sheer love of the game. As we say here, he's "keeping it real".
Alas, I missed Hillary Benn on Question Time. Thanks to the jingoistic BBC iplayer, I can no longer watch it online. But no need to sell me on the Benn men. They positively make me swoon.
Now, what's the whole Hazel thing about? And am I right in thinking Burnley achieved their goal? Sorry, I'm just a girl.
Phil McNally
2009-05-04 01:32:33I too was impressed by Hillary Benn on Question Time, as I was hoping I would be, being a huge fan of his father. And to Bernard Cowley, "obnoxious" is the most inappropriate word possible to describe Tony Benn. Maybe you don't recognise honesty when you see it.
gary Enefer
2009-05-03 21:31:24Dear AC
I don't wish to hijack your blog but I found you on Twitter and wondered if Marion - in the Sudan - and Jane A would allow me to follow them and vice versa? My Twitter username is MYYOGA if anyone is interested.
As far as Marion's point-about Clarke and Blears - she raised something interesting about calling it a day if you stop believing(like the Church Minister) I have found that,since starting Yogic things,after my nervous breakdown in 2005 aged 42, there is always a need to keep working at things as they will break down and renew all the time. There is no solid matter - we are all energy particles and water. Clark and Blears are the yang to JP and hilary Benn's ying? They are all working at 'it' in different ways. Hope your husband to be is back with you soon Marion
Thank you AC
gary enefer
Marion
2009-05-03 20:19:30Hazel Blears and Charles Clarke have been on SkyNews all day. I think it is a real shame (and a bit of an own goal for Labour) drawing media attention when JP, yourself and others are out campaigning hard. My ignorance about politics will show now: I imagine being an Cabinet Minister is a bit like being a Church Minister; if you stop believing in what you are doing, you probably should step aside and let someone else have a go.
I will be looking at the pics of AC's "fitted shirt" later. I need something to cheer me up... The UN has sent my husband-to-be to Darfur. We were supposed to be getting married today - tricky without a groom! Incidentally, I am not feeling sympathetic towards any form of development or conflict prevention!
Alan Quinn
2009-05-03 13:21:42Hilary Benn does a good job at DEFRA not least putting up with the moans of right wing farmers who are all free marketeers but want whatever subsidy is going from the EU.
They are the only section of sociery to plead poverty from behind the wheel of a Range Rover. As I'm an early riser I listen to Farming Today and Hilary always comes across as a fair minded bloke.
Anyway Ally good luck to Burnley FC and here's to you bending SAF's ear next season to get some players over from United to Turf Moor on loan!
Chris
2009-05-03 12:31:55As a Labour party member I am disgusted at Kate Hoey's comments in today's papers. This awful woman is obviously not against a Tory win as she chairs and organisation, the Countryside Alliance bloodsports organisation, that was set up with the one aim of bringing about a return to Tory government. This is so these barbaric people can go back to lawfully chasing and tearing apart wild animals for fun. It is time we kicked out this traitorous woman who takes Labour resources whilst stabbing the party in the back.
Bernard Cowley
2009-05-03 11:13:58Hilary Benn a good speaker? Come off it. He doesn't understand that in the English language there is such a thing as the letter "t" which he never uses whilst spouting his revolting estuary English. He's just as obnoxious as his father.
Andy G
2009-05-03 11:06:00I heard John Prescott on BBC Radio 5live last night criticise the appalling Stephen Nolan for following a Daily Mail agenda. I wish more Labour MP's were as robust as JP when confronted with interviewers who don't seem to be as impartial as they should be.
These 'controversial' presenters don't speak on behalf of their listeners/viewers. I'm sure most of the audience like hearing these giant egos taken down a peg or two.
Giving the government a hard time is fine, but when will they start asking the Conservatives some tough questions. With the election just a year away it's about time they started.
George Woodhouse
2009-05-03 11:00:35The obvious problem in the words used by professional spin docs, is that we now see through them Alastair. When you we should not "absorb the negativity" we really see that as ignoring the genuinely expressed criticisms of what is wrong with our politics today.
There are many people around, who are not members of any party, who just want a fair and a free society to live in. There have to be some constraints of course, but the balance is so lopsided in favour of the political class that we are now protesting and will do so at the next election.
Frank
2009-05-03 10:39:05Met you in Keighley yesterday - I was the one who said I admired what you did for mental health and leukaemia, but I felt your party had lost the plot. Maybe time just runs out for everyone eventually, but I can't stand the Tories, so don't quite know what to do
Alex Grahame
2009-05-03 10:36:44I agree Prezza mauled Humphrys but when you read the transcript - some of the Tory websites ran it to try and say he was murdering the language - it read like he was all over the place. That's why people see John as something more than your average politician. He sort of makes sense. Humphrys gets worse and worse by the way
Julian Bray
2009-05-03 10:26:30All very well to promote Benn Jr. (just wish he'd change the silly specs.!) but would he be a suitable new leader for the Labour Party. The fact remains that Gordon has not only lost it and is now clinging onto the wreckage for dear life but he had also taken an axe to all the remaining lifeboats. Tories in as a Government at the next election (better if Gordon called a snap election now rather than a last minute, last gasp defiant stand) and will face five years of sheer hell as they grapple with the carnage of the recession. Many long serving hard working labour backbenchers will lose their seats (and possibly their deposits as well) simply because gordon won't listen to advice and too many of his 'friends' are spinning against him. All very sad but its the public who suffer in the end, a weak government, a weak leader, weakens our standing in the world. Third world status here we come..
Emma Hoddinott
2009-05-03 10:22:59Thank you for coming to Keighley and Leeds, it was a good response from Keighley and the speeches last night from you, Hilary and John were spot on.
If people want see the fitted shirt(!)some of the photos of the day are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26722284@N07/sets/72157617525795315/
Daniel Bentley
2009-05-03 10:22:57Come on Burnley!
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