Comments
On Elvis, soft Lib Dems, Tory unfairness and silly Labour briefings
2010-04-25 09:06:16
First of all many thanks to Mark Wright aka Elvis for putting a bit of life into the campaign coverage yesterday. 'Best pictures of the campaign so far,' said ITV's reporter, so we will live with that, especially as they got GB to the top of the news talking about the future of the NHS.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the squillions of tweets and Facebook messages getting all-of-a-twitter about who our megaceleb backer might be, and then watching the divide between those with a sense of humour and those who live up their own backside.
Meanwhile onwards and hopefully upwards. Lots of polls in the Sundays as usual and for me the most interesting element is the one that says 42 per cent of people who say they are voting Lib Dem also say they might change their mind. That is far higher than for those who say they will vote Labour or Tory.
It means the Lib Dem vote is soft, and that the scrutiny on policy since the first TV debate is beginning to have a real impact. It is also interesting how Vince Cable, until the Clegg surge the most visible Lib Dem face with a sage-like reputation for credibility, has vanished, and how also his economic observations are less respected than they were.
So for both Tory and Labour, there is an interest in stepping up the policy-based attacks. Trident, illegal immigrant amnesty, cutting tax credits, sums not adding up, there is a lot to go for. I would be very surprised if the Lib Dem ratings stay where they are.
Of course for some the election has already happened and another interesting stat is that one in five of us are voting by postal vote. I have always done so since working for TB because I spent the last few election days in Sedgefield and the habit has stuck with me. I can hereby reveal that, having thought carefully about all the policies being put forward by all the parties, I shall be voting Labour. So will Fiona and, voting in a general election for the first time, our two sons. So it's a bit of a landslide round here.
What of course the rise in postal voting means is that for many the post postal vote campaign becomes somewhat irrelevant. But I don't think I have ever known an election where there are so many undecideds at this stage of the race.
So for all the parties there really is everything to play for, and I am convinced that the more it is focused on policy, and really hard argument, the better it is for Labour.
I thought David Cameron looked small and a bit silly yesterday with his plan for a law that says anyone who becomes PM without a general election has to face one within six months. It was so obviously no more than a dig at GB, which is fair enough I suppose, but it was somewhat blind both to history and to the significance of such a constitutional change.
Pressed on it in The Observer, and asked why it wasn't in the manifesto, Mr Cameron, as ever talking through the PR man's lens, says 'I don't think there's any law against announcing plans in an election. Normally you guys are saying "Come on where's the news, where's the beef?"'
Indeed there is no law against announcing plans in an election. But there ought to be one about concealing them. We saw during the second debate, in a carefully prepared outburst of anger over Labour leaflets, Cameron announcing a policy and spending commitment on pensioners' eye tests and prescriptions that was not in his manifesto.
And today, we see another policy not in his manifesto, but this time one he would prefer not to talk about. Again, with thanks to Labour's media monitoring report. ‘Conservatives will end guarantee of free nursery places' (Observer p5) - The Tories will allow nurseries to charge parents of 3 & 4 yr olds millions of pounds in "supplementary fees" if they form a govt. The party has kept the policy out of its manifesto, but in a letter seen by Asthana shadow ministers have assured nursery providers that under a Tory govt they will be allowed to charge top-up fees - at least temporarily. The move wld require the party to suspend a code of practice put in place in 2006 that ruled out any additional fees. Charities have warned that it could lead to a two-tier system in nursery care.'
Happily, GB is making a speech later today on how so many Tory policies are not just wrong, but unfair. This is but the latest example, and of rather more significance than that piece of nonsense DC came out with yesterday.
Meanwhile, despite the rival attractions of a day of meetings, I have decided to head to Burnley v Liverpool. If we lose, we are down. But we fight to the end and where there is hope, there is everything to play for.
A lesson that might be learned by whichever ministers appear to think their or Labour's interests are served by briefing against the campaign in the Sunday papers. Will they ever learn?
*** Buy The Blair Years online and raise cash for Labour http://www.alastaircampbell.org/bookshop.php.
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Cameron's Conservatism beyond parodyPublish date: 2009-09-09 10:38:00
On transforned cities, and tales of Princess Di and Laura BushPublish date: 2009-09-08 09:45:54
Labour should put minister up against Griffin on Question TimePublish date: 2009-09-06 12:39:56
School speech the latest source of right-wing frothing at ObamaPublish date: 2009-09-05 08:23:02
More horse's mouth, less Beeb blah pleasePublish date: 2009-09-04 22:49:20
Real respect for sport can be Olympic legacyPublish date: 2009-09-04 09:27:34
First ladies watch out for Japanese bombshellPublish date: 2009-09-03 10:47:19
TV debate - good idea in theory, but ...Publish date: 2009-09-02 15:37:43
'No worries' - the new response to thanksPublish date: 2009-09-01 12:25:19
Tremors of Japanese political earthquake will be felt far and widePublish date: 2009-08-30 15:50:54
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
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
Phil McNally
2010-04-25 19:22:35"I also thoroughly enjoyed the squillions of tweets and Facebook messages getting all-of-a-twitter about who our megaceleb backer might be, and then watching the divide between those with a sense of humour and those who live up their own backside."
We're not up our own backsides Alastair, we just think it was a stupid, desperate stunt that made us look like idiots. Which it did. And for no discernable reason at all. What would you have said if Cameron had done it?
Secondly, the Lib Dems. Why aren't we attacking them on the most basic of policy areas, tax and spend? They claim to be "hardwiring fairness into the tax system", yet want to extend their (worthy) tax cut for the poorest onto people who aren't poor at all-people earning up to £100,000 in fact. And they want to cut public spending even more than the TORIES do. By 20% more in fact. WHY are we not hammering this message home, again and again and again??? Because people don't know this, they haven't got a clue. The support for Clegg is not based on his policies, it's based on his perceived policies-people think the Lib Dems are nice, so don't believe that they would offer more vicious cuts than George Osborne. But they are. And that's what we should be saying to people, not getting into the situation where we're agreeing with the Tories (and so making it look like we're ganging up on Clegg, and supporting his argument that we're both the same) by attacking him from the right, criticising his (actually quite good) immigration policy. Criticise him from the LEFT for God's sake, otherwise we're totally playing into his hands by making him look to the left of us. He wants to slash public spending even more than the Tories do, and give tax cuts to people earning £90,000. Is that fair? That should be our message. Selling that message would be a better use of our time and energy than phoning up dodgy Elvis impersonators so we can look even more desperate and out of touch than we already do.
Thirdly, I was out campaigning with Julie Morgan alongside Chris Bryant yesterday, and an ex-Labour voter said he was voting for Plaid Cymru because Labour has lost its way and abandoned our values. We're now at the same level in the polls as Michael Foot was. I thought New Labour was about winning, and getting us away from those disasterous poll levels? Perhaps it's time to put old, outdated ideological dogmas about privatisation, pandering to the rich, public spending cuts, war and the destruction of civil liberties aside and put forward policies that might actually get people to vote for us?
Barbara Lavender
2010-04-25 17:33:42Re Elvis, sorry Alistair that you think I'm living up my own arse, (bit hasty, maybe, slagging off your own supporters?) but hiring an Elvis look-alike just appears to be scraping the barrel. He may be excellent at it, but Elvis impersonators open supermarkets, and deliver kiss-o-grams - you've got Eddie Izzard and J K Rowling in real life! So the ITV reporter liked it - how fair do you generally consider ITV's political reporting since GB became PM to have been? I'm just afraid it looked a bit desperate and shallow.
Boudicca
2010-04-25 16:01:26This wasn't a megaceleb Labour backer, though was it. It was an Elvis impersonator for God's sake - and not even a good one.
Having him sing to Brown "When no-one else can understand me, when everything I do is wrong" takes the biscuit. Are you deliberately setting out to humiliate Brown? Because if so, it was quite brilliant.
Nick Winstone-Cooper
2010-04-25 15:00:15It would appear that David Cameron thinks that between 1990 and 1992, John Major had no credibility and no place to be PM.
Wasn't this also a time when Dave was an adviser to Major's Chancellor?
martin lewis
2010-04-25 13:38:28I thought Brown and elvis were silly.bottom of the barrell,as for the distributing of leaflets worrying the elderly about their allowances ,a negative for our campaigning and crass.Typical of the nassty spin,remember Rose Addis, and other nasty slurs put about by our nasty spin drivers, stop the nastiness it will do us no good.
Andy Farrell
2010-04-25 12:51:05The other thing with Big Society volunteer scheme is funding.
Not by the Government but by those who sign up to help Green Dave and the £30 minimum for the CRB checks needed.
If call me Dave wants to scrap the funding / donation of the costs (not that its been mentioned) how are the checks which are needed going to be paid for?
Scrapping isn't an option and selective checking for vulnerable group areas isn't either.
Could CRB be the hidden stealth tax of 'the policy'
mike knoth
2010-04-25 12:24:00if ever there was proof britain is not broken and far from it, the London Marathon is being run by thousands
of britons being sponsored by millions more britons.
Ineed no proof that Cameron's Big society is so much pr drivel but for those who might need persuading they need look no further!
Steven
2010-04-25 12:08:23In my last post I meant to say how MANY (not how few) reporters were left guessing re the i.d. of the celeb backer yesterday.
I can`t believe that many of the undecideds will vote for the Tories. There must be a lot of them out there. I don`t know exactly how polling works (I`ve never been asked) but surely the undecideds are much lees likely to take part if they take the call from the polling company. I do believe that the closeness of it all will improve the turnout from last time. We have to carry on doing our best to get those few extra per cent to vote for Labour. Whatever happens, we don`t want the Libdems forcing PR on the country. Ok, so there was an inconclusive result in Feb `74 - now and again it happens but the usual decisive result makes for the possibility of clear policy. If policies turn out to be wrong then the following election is the way they are extinguished.
steve Brundish
2010-04-25 11:28:28Good luck with the Liverpool game. I suport Charlton enough said. I think it's time to sharpen the massege re tactical voting. people need to be reminded that a vote for the Lib Dems will not provide a Clegg led hung parliament but a Conservative one with DC ready to chop education and the NHS to pieces (A poster with Cameron waving a clever hacking away at the NHS would do nicely). Labour should also run with the media's fixation with change, warning that voters dream of change will turn into a nighmare if a Lib Dem vote lets in the Tories.
Steven
2010-04-25 11:04:47I`m surprised that there has not been much speculation as to when TB will make an appearance. Yes GB has to show he`s the no.1 player but surely some input from TB boosting the policies, referring to the successes and promoting the continuation of all that`s been good will, on balance, help. That said, many in the media will say `GB so desperate he has to call upon an old enemy` etc. More big people in the public eye need to give their support eg Sir Alex F. They`ve done it before and it looks like they don`t believe in a 4th term if they don`t show. There`s the old argument about window dressing but people like SAF, JK Rowling and so on are respected and their opinions carry weight across the voting spectrum. Also, have we missed something important in not giving senior female figures much airtime? Listened to Harriet Harman last night on Radio 5 Live and, overall she was quite good. Surely other women in the Party can do the same.
Alastair, you did of course give a clue that it was going to be the Elvis guy at yesterday`s event and I can`t believe how few of the reporters were still guessing up to his appearance.
Good luck for the game.
Colin Morley
2010-04-25 10:51:40A much more balanced and readable blog today, Alastair. When you're writing from conviction rather than anger or churlishness you could even convince an old leftie like me! Enjoy the match - and a day off from the hustings.
Charlie
2010-04-25 10:13:31@AC "I also thoroughly enjoyed the squillions of tweets and Facebook messages getting all-of-a-twitter about who our megaceleb backer might be, and then watching the divide between those with a sense of humour and those who live up their own backside."
My friend tells me that I am posessed of a sense of humour and not currently residing up my own backside, therefore the only conclusion I can reach is that you really do inhabit a Parallel Universe.
When you have made a blunder, admit it. Surely they teach this on day-one at even the most bog standard spinmeister academy ?
PS..... Lib Dems: Weak on Crime. Weak on returning the proceeds of Crime.
Graeme Milton
2010-04-25 09:53:35Lib Dems not fading where I live - Twickenham. Never seen so many posters out! Good luck
Harold Protter
2010-04-25 09:52:39Alastair, there were briefings going on during all the campaigns - that much clear from your book - but what matters is the big people stay big and let the small people get on with the rubbish. GB is doing fine, he just has to be himself, I have been impressed by Darling and Miliband when I have seen them, and Johnson who we need to see more of, and your blog is fabulous for party supporters like me because it shows there are people in there fighting to win and not interested in who says what to whom about who is up and who is down. Keep on keeping on and enjoy your day at the match
Carla Pearson
2010-04-25 09:50:08Just heard Elvis on Five Live. Sounded like fun event yesterday. I saw him on the news and the very clear impression was he was just hired in for a bit of fun. What I now realise is he was a big Labour supporter doing it for the party.Good on him and good on you for gettinhg him involved. AGree we need more fun in this campaign. You can be serious without losine a sense of humour
Shibley
2010-04-25 09:30:42I heard from Chris York, a Labour member like me, but who was there in person, that the atmosphere of the Elvis event was electric, and it more than adequately served its function in contrasting the inexperience of Clegg and Cameron with the proven ability of Gordon Brown. Also, the message of the NHS couldn’t be faulted. I am upset that the hugely-biased BBC tried to corrupt the coverage, presenting Labour in a bad light. If it’s any consolation, I believe strongly that the BBC lost credibility over its election and pre-election coverage months ago, with certain individuals being notoriously bad.
You mention, “So for both Tory and Labour, there is an interest in stepping up the policy-based attacks. Trident, illegal immigrant amnesty, cutting tax credits, sums not adding up, there is a lot to go for. I would be very surprised if the Lib Dem ratings stay where they are.” Not much to add really from me anyway, for what it’s worth. Policy-based attacks are where it’s at it, especially urgent as postal voters (including me) will be ‘doing their stuff’ shortly. I think that once a lot of voters discover that the Trident replacement has no detail, the Pound Sterling could be threatened (as opposed to the Euro), the Human Rights Act being scrapped with no detail about its replacement, inter alia, there is quite a lot to get angry about actually and vote about. I am concerned about how much of this plays in the mind of first-time voters who were 5 when Tony Blair first came to power as PM.
GB is right to ‘up the pace’, but, again, this I think is not as widely-reported because he or others feel that the campaign is ‘lack-lustre’. We need to up the pace because of the postal vote. I dread to think of people actively voting this week for George Osborne as Chancellor and Chris Grayling as Home Minister, let alone ‘Dave’ as PM. I am led to believe from a reputable source anyway that Kenneth Clarke will be the Tory spokesman for the economy after the election – so it beggars belief that we not only know what the actual policies will be, but also we don’t know who’ll be delivering them for Dave. Dave may have his highly personal nasty jibe at Gordon Brown being an unelected PM for the time-being, but hopefully Dave will not secure a large majority to govern anyway. Nobody serious at the time thinks he’s in with a chance of that anyway. This must be the fault of his hugely over-rated and over-paid spin doctors at CCHQ.
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