Comments
At least there's a campaign on in Italy
2009-05-28 09:04:32
Greetings from a Rome strangely subdued despite pockets of happy Spaniards and deeply disappointed Manchester United supporters.
Enough of football. The better team on the night won, United did not play as they can. Darren Fletcher was badly missed. Basta.
I have two political observations to make before heading home.
First, may I join in the rebuttal of Iain Dale's suggestion that Nancy Dell'Olio might be voting Tory. This apparently emerged from a conversation they had while reviewing the papers on Sky TV. I bumped into Nancy at a smart Roman restaurant after the match and she was at great pains to tell me there was no truth in it whatsoever. She demanded that I say something on my blog to assure any Labour supporters who visit that she is sticking with us.
Iain, a West Ham fan, will be very pleased that he was being discused in the early hours, and Nancy will be pleased I did as I was told.
My second observation concerns the European elections.
I have no idea how Italian campaigns are funded, but you certainly know there is one going on. There are posters all over the place. Big ones plastered on buildings and hoardings. Small ones in cars and homes and shop windows.
In London yesterday, between my home and the airport, I saw one solitary piece of evidence that a campaign is happening. It was a Labour poster. In our front window.
Not a thing between there (Gospel Oak) and Heathrow.
I know politics is not flavour of the month, and the expenses coverage has meant nothing else can get a look in.
But politics is not exactly top of the pops in Italy at the moment, what with Silvio Berlusconi and mysteries over 18 year old girls.
But at least there seems to be a whole lot of activity on the ground that tells you something is going on, and it kind of matters.
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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
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
Benedict Pringle
2009-05-29 18:22:52The state of political advertising in this country is a joke. We want a civically engaged, educated and active electorate - but we thwart ourselves through underfunding of political parties and outdated legislation. I've just blogged about your article http://politicaladvertising.co.uk/2009/05/29/election-what-election/
gary Enefer
2009-05-29 05:28:19Despite the expenses armageddon it is getting rather worrying I feel,if one has been involved or taken an interest in Politics over the years.
If we exit our MPs and are left with celebrities who, let's face it, just like the camera,then who is going to work 24/7 for their constituents - like Sadiq Khan does?
Will Esther Rantzen want to spend 7 days a week in Luton,away from the cameras in two years time sorting out racial tension issues.Will she,and other celebrities, religiously perform her constituency duties such as
sorting out toilets,constant evening meetings and dinners with civic leaders over next year's christmas lights budgets and her weekly surgery's at the office which need to be held every week.
Anyone who isn't truly dedicated is in for a shock.
Jane A
2009-05-28 23:08:00Sorry - *most* enormous, not more enormous.
gary Enefer
2009-05-28 22:13:47Thank you Alan Quinn.
Jane A
2009-05-28 19:22:57Election poster update: saw the more enormous billboard poster in Cowley, Oxford tonight, opposite the MINI factory. It was for UKIP.
Em
2009-05-28 15:36:36From across the pond: the Briddish (as we term you here) are pretending there is no such thing as a European election, in fact, they still aren't sure the Pope isn't trying to get France and Spain to invade them again. Tee hee.
The reticence is surely atavistic.
(and, yes, I meant that double negative)
Kevin Johnson
2009-05-28 15:35:03To be fair, AC, the Italians are used to having elections quite often. They also have a habit of putting up some colourful characters for euro elections.
Thomas Rossetti
2009-05-28 15:04:15Colin Morley, you seem to be of the opinion that the UKIP don't have any seats. They do! The BNP, however, do not.
Although I'm largely Eurosceptic, I would like to see the European Parliament function properly if it's going to be there at all. Could any Europhiles out there please answer me two questions:
1. Why does the European Parliament have to sit in two places? It's utterly ridiculous and no other political body in the world (that I know of) does this.
2. Why can't debates be conducted in English? (I know everyone's going to accuse me of being a bigot, but it seems so wasteful to employ all these translators when everyone could just speak one language. English is the language of business in Europe; why not make it the language of politics as well?)
Iain Dale
2009-05-28 14:38:52How strange that she told me the exact opposite. Hey ho! She said she was a great admirer of David Cameron because she said he reminded her of Tony Blair. I asked if she would vote for him and she said yes. Perhaps she misunderstood the question. We got on like a house on fire. Lovely lady!
Alina Palimaru
2009-05-28 14:23:43This is a very disturbing observation regarding the campaign...
Colin Morley
2009-05-28 13:58:37Here in France there is some animation around the European election, though it would seem not as much as you have perceived in Italy.
Sadly the difference is that the Italians and the French know that they can actually vote for CHANGE. There still exist clear cross-party differences and politics has not become as sterile as in the UK. I would hate to see either UKIP or the BNP gain a seat - but at least their presence MAY be a motivation to some to get out there and actually cast a vote.
Alan Quinn
2009-05-28 12:48:48Come voting day my Labour flag will be in the garden again. Gary,the BNP leaflet features a Spitfire flown by a Polish squadron (look very closely near the propeller). Without the Polish and Czech pilots we would have lost the Battle of Britain. 120,000 Africans fought in WW2 as well as 2.5 million Indians, mostly in the Far East but 50,0000 fought at Monte Casino.
Re United, the best team won, United did miss Fletcher, a remarkable thing since for a long while he was the boo boy of some of the fans at Old Trafford.
He does have something in common with AC too...my charity begging letters never seem to reach him.......
gary Enefer
2009-05-28 11:01:11Dear AC
V.sorry about my drivel on yesterday's blog!
I watched the BNP Broadcast - by accident I must say - and wondered how this deeply flawed party will do?It was all about getting rid of immigrants and keeping Britain for the British. What about the foreigners who fougth in two world wars,the sons and daughters of those immigrants who were born here,the people that escaped certain death in their own countries and the doctors and surgeons who have come from foreign part and saved so many lives?
I once had my life saved in Africa by a surgeon who trained and lived in Scotland.
What would the BNP do to these people - incite racial hatred and set this country back years?
Ian Eastwood
2009-05-28 10:26:29British politics is run buy the media and there is no getting away from that.
The public feel disconnected with the whole system and that there votes and views count for nothing.
Failure to get the message across of what politician can and must do to meet individual needs of the Local population has left the whole system discredited.
People need to see a root and branch modernisation of the whole political landscape.
This is needed to get some of that credibility back into our system.
G.Brown must not let Cameron take a lead on this as he is threatening to do.
Brian Hughes
2009-05-28 10:08:29Just back from Paris (we saw little sign of McDo taking over as you alleged!).
The European elections seemed more in evidence there than in England - plenty of earnest discussions on the telly, leaflets being handed out in the streets and some posters on billboards. Outside the polling stations the big metal signs on which pictures of the candidates are displayed were being put up.
Depressingly the only evidence of the elections we saw on the way back from the airport over here was a huge UKIP poster on a trailer parked alongside the M5.
Aside from vitriolic personality-based knock-about and bleak unfounded pessimism, we don't really seem to do la politique this side of la Manche...
Peter Farley
2009-05-28 10:03:44Yep, posters up all over Europe for the elections (Spain and Portugal in last two weeks) as they naively still think the EU Parliament actually achieves anything. What they feel to realise is that the subsidies (handouts) they receive in the South come from the unelected in Brussels not the elected in Strasbourg. But if you talk to the locals none of the elections are being fought on European issues (Lisbon treaty/global trade/US relations etc..) as all are fought on local party lines. Which is pretty much the same here apart from the Conservatives who are using it as a referendum in calling for and committing to a referendum on the new Constitution. But all that is unfortunately overshadowed by the rows around MP expenses. Turnout will be even lower than usual.
Stu
2009-05-28 09:53:10Noticed that the upcoming elections only seem to be missing from mainstream media with the exception of the odd mention of how the BNP may do.
However like the previous blogger i too have had a full set of leaflets through the letterbox, including Labour. The M25 is strewn with UKIP and Conservative bill boards and my registration card came through nice and early.
So perhaps its not all as bad as it seems! Apart from of course Man utd losing last night...a win would of really stuck it to Platini!
Alex Matthews
2009-05-28 09:39:20I assume bsrlusconi pays for all the posters out of the money from the tv which got him power in the first place. Our media may be a nightmare but rather that than what they have there
Scouse
2009-05-28 09:37:14Hahahahahahaha ... at least you got one victory parade this week. Open topped bus back in Old Trafford garage
Jane A
2009-05-28 09:31:21I haven't seen any posters about the election per se, although I have seen stuff about registering to ensure you can vote, which I guess is heartening, but maybe it would be better if people knew why this was currently important. Still no Labour leaflets through my door, though I have a full set of all the others.
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