Comments
The spin is all in the prism
2009-04-14 09:22:41
'Gordon Brown's attempts to soften his image with a family pet for his young sons backfired yesterday as a canine spin operation went horribly wrong.
Downing Street had been planning to give the story of the Browns' new dog to The Guardian, who were angry that The Times had recently been favoured with an exclusive about the Number 10 vegetable patch.
But the story of the latest Downing Street arrival leaked out via the website firstdogcharlie.com.
Last night Tory MPs were calling for an inquiry into Downing Street denials that that the dog photographed on the doggy website was the Browns' chosen pet.
"There is no doubt this is the same dog as the one we now see Mr Brown parading around Downing Street," said shadow attack dog Chris Grayling. "The denial to firstdogcharlie.com calls into question the veracity of the whole Downing Street operation. We need to know who knew what when and who said what to whom why."
Mr Brown said all his energies were focussed on the economy, Iraq and Afghanistan and saving the planet.'
Far-fetched? Maybe. But not entirely.
Political reporters see everything through a prism. It changes according to mood and moment.
For the moment, the mood around Barack Obama remains 'can do no wrong.' Gordon knew that feeling for a while, when he took over from Tony Blair. Then it went around the time of the on-off election. It came back at the start of the economic crisis. It went again as the scale of the crisis became clear. He got a bit of it back at the G20. Now, for the next period at least, the prism will be defined by the departure of Damian McBride.
So, had the dog been British-Portugese not American-Portugese, and the timing now, the above news spoof may not be too far-fetched after all. As for the facts, for Brown read Obama, for Downing Street read White House, for sons read daughters, for Guardian read Washington Post, for Times read New York Times. For Firstdogcharlie.com, apparently, read Firstdogcharlie.com. .
And the White House did claim that the dog pictured on it was not Bo, the Portugese water dog currently getting more media attention than any celeb, crisis or war, when clearly it was.
Trivial? Yes. But when the prism changes, the trivial can sometimes damage almost as much as the serious.
'Speaking on The Antiques Roadshow last night David Cameron said "We were told the era of spin was over. Yet now we know that when Downing Street should be worrying about jobs, they care more about which paper gets the dog story and who gets the vegetable patch. I'm not just calling for an inquiry ... Surely it is time for an election."'
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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
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
Mike Barlow
2009-04-15 23:46:41Em,
I think it neither intelligent nor eloquent for an individual to commence [and commence they did] personal attacks on 2 individuals who were making general comments within the forum.
Rather than eloquent, I'd suggest egocentric. As opposed to intelligent, I would suggest ignorant and deluded, quite obsessed with self-importance and a HIGHLY misplaced sense of superiority.
Now, am I allowed to say that Mein Fuehrer?
Mike
Em
2009-04-15 15:35:21Mike, CPW, all you are doing is advertising your discomfort at Alina's intelligence and eloquence. Your words about Alina say every little about her and speak volumes about you. Stop embarrassing yourselves.
Matt
2009-04-15 11:40:37My dog, who is incidentally called Bobby for reasons of great political history, is very important to me.
Robin
2009-04-15 06:00:46The McBride scandal reminds me of all the lies and deceit of the Blair and Campbell days. They talked of changing Britain for the better, saving the NHS, improving the schools, a fairer society etc.
What have we got from this promise...Despite raping the country with hidden taxes and a spending spree of epic proportions the NHS is still floundering and roundly criticised, (you can actually now go to hospital and get iller !). School standards have been destroyed by dumbed down exams leaving vast swathes of our young barely able to read. The Police, once a highly respected part of our society, are busy criminalising the silent law abiding majority whilst ignoring real crime, which largely goes unrecorded because people have no faith in the system of justice anymore. This has been driven by a Labour Govt obsessed with setting targets and creating redtape and bureaucracy for the police. The Armed Forces, a true jewel in the crown of this country, has been tasked to undertake two major deployments whilst being scandalously under resourced. This is largely due to Brown and people like Campbell and Blair realising there are limited votes for Labour in the Armed Forces so why fund them when able to create thousands of unproductive jobs in the Civil Service and guarantee more tied in Labour votes at subsequent elections.
The only real success of the "Blair / Brown project" has been the ability to spin utterly deceitful news and results to the electorate. The desire for power has so controlled their actions that they now actually believe what they say, fuelled by odious deceivers in chief like Campbell and McBride.
I was once, a long time ago, a believer that "New Labour" might actually do something worthwhile. I now realise that spin is all it has ever really consisted of....treat the public like the fools we all are. The Conservatives and Lib Dems are far from perfect but I'd rather their imperfection to the lies and deceit of this self-seeking bunch. To me, it is people like Campbell and McBride that are as guilty of Britain's demise over the last 10 years as Blair and Brown.
BarBar of Oz
2009-04-15 01:10:58My goodness. All of this sure reminds one what a class act was Tony Blair. If he becomes permanent president of the EU, Alistair, can the Brits secede to Brussels before facing the choice between GB Labour and the Tories?
Em
2009-04-15 00:19:51I've never been vile to you or insulted you, CPW. If you were a gentleman, you would treat me like the lady that I am.
I, for one, refuse to be disrespectful.
Mike Barlow
2009-04-14 23:58:02Alina,
Mommy, diapers....you're not an over-zealous American intent on telling us Brits how to live life, eh, by any chance ;OP
Perchance, Sir/Madame/Both/Neither/Either/Hybrid, you should not poke yonder nose into other nations internal discussions; but that would perhaps be asking too much to fight against your own genetics, it seems.
Did you have a complete humour bypass performed whilst still in the womb. Not so much of a question, more of a cry to the ether. Or perhaps you got upset at my references to Burnley FC?
In polite company, one must never mention the Brian Clough/Burnley/Jimmy Aristotle, Pease Pudding and Haggis conventions of 1978, espcially now that it has been made illegal to tamper with a Burnley monger document.
So, on that faux pas of mentioning said unlawful acts twixt ferrets and Tommy Docherty, I apologise for having upset your rather staid sensibilities.
By 'ech lad/lass/whippet thas reet touchy the neet tha knows.
Mike
CPW
2009-04-14 21:44:12Listen Palimaru, I don't need to use the 'recherché' plural of forum to establish my intellectual credentials. While we're at it, the embarrassing sycophancy and the palpable sense of "give me a job, be my friend, ally' is not only distasteful but fucking laughable. The man's publishing his bland cogitations here because nobody will employ him, you half wit.
Get you lickspittle sycophantic tongue out of his arse before you dare demur at my offerings again.
Jane A
2009-04-14 21:04:22I probably shouldn't but I loved the DC on Antiques Roadshow vision.
Imagine, DC strolls up to Fiona Bruce with a dusty tome under his arm.
"Ooooh," says Fiona. "I haven't seen one of those in a while. Any idea what it is, Dave?"
Dave wipes his hands on a well situated servant.
"Not a clue," he says. "We haven't been up in the ancestral attic since the War of the Roses."
Fiona peers at the book. "Mmmm. Cons...ser...M...N...F...ES...some of the letters are a bit worn away....is that an O?"
Dave shakes his head. "Not a word I'm familar with, Fi, sorry."
"Hang on a sec, under that it says "Policies.""
Dave looks blank. "Nope, doesn't ring any bells."
"It's obviously an antique, then."
Dave looks around for some help. A minion whispers in his ear. "Oh, yeah, yeah, got it now - no, no policies in this generation. This must be grandpapa's."
*
Alina Palimaru
2009-04-14 20:22:47To Mike Barlow:
Your comments are so puerile! I think they should raise the legal internet access age to 12, at least! Three-year olds don't have much to contribute. Now Mikey, call your mommy and daddy, tell them to change your diaper and tuck you in... and then off to Crackpotland with you!
Alina Palimaru
2009-04-14 20:13:26Hey CPW, I think Internet Providers should implement a registration system that would prevent single-digit IQ amoebas like you from spilling their filth on fora such as this one.
Mike Barlow
2009-04-14 19:29:56That wasn't David Cameron 'we all saw' on 'Antiques Roadshow' that was Burnley FC *FA Cup Winners medals...both are about as connected to reality, as The Taliban are to The Samaritans.
I am totally talking out my arse, of course, being a Liverpool supporter ;oP
Mike
PS: Depressed? Anxious? Lonely? Want a lover? Call 'The Talibans' for immediate execution.
*substitute ANY trophy, no matter how vague or unknown...even a Sunday League one, here
CPW
2009-04-14 18:52:50Emmy dear, alas, your sensibilities and intellect really are uncongenial with this planet. you're made of finer stuff - now, why not fuck off back to Mars.
Alan Quinn
2009-04-14 18:09:03Just goes to show that the tories are so desperate that they demand government statements on a shite machine.
Memo to GB: those dog hairs get everywhere and make the young Browns live up to their promises to take the dog out instead of leaving it to GB and Sarah whilst they're playing on their PSP's.
Yours,
Mr Miserable of Manchester (conned into owning two shite machines).
Em
2009-04-14 16:38:59For the record: this comment is being submitted before any reply (if any) to my comment was published.
I misspoke. "British in the U.K. but not Scottish in Scotland" really, Em?
And why to I feel like giving a speech from a Scottish city hall balcony and scream out:
"Vive l'Écosse! Vive l'Écosse libre!"
(bisous à tous qui comprennent la référence)
Em
2009-04-14 15:55:08I understand why you clarified despite the several tip-offs in your entry.
Today's comments are hilarious. Now, I feel left out.
The "you must feel British" line: I haven't formulated it to myself yet, but there's something in this that's akin to heterosexism. Why can't I feel Jamaican if I want to? What if there's another culture out there that resonates with me more deeply than the one I happen to have been born to? If every child was afforded the luxury of self-definition, this would be a better world.
I feel very much a citizen of the world. American when I'm in the U.S., British in the U.K., French in France -- but not, I must admit, Scottish in Scotland. Some cultures are simply too homogenous for one to adhere to it on contact and, let's be honest, who you are culturally is partly contingent on the gaze of others.
And here lies the rub: some don't feel a particular attachment to their parents or grand-parents' adopted land because they live their days surrounded by gazes that pigeonholes them as "other".
AC
2009-04-14 15:16:00I should make clear, for the avoidance of doubt, that the parts of today's blog in single quotes are a spoof. I have seen some comments which seem to think David Cameron really was on Antiques Roadshow calling for an election over doggy-gate. He wasn't.
re earlier comments on Englishness/Scottishness/Britishness ... happy to make clear I am British first. I strongly believe in the UK, and my own sense of national identity stems from that. My upbringing, in England, was a very Scotttish one because of the values and background of my parents. They are other relatives were a big influence on me. Culturally, because of my interest in the bagpipes I guess, I feel Scottish. In sport, I put Scotland ahead of England. None of that means, as one comment suggested, that I hate the English. Far from it. But I feel British then Scottish then English. I would be happy for my own children to describe themselves as any or all of those three, in any order. Do I support devolution? Yes. Do I think the BArnett formula should be reviewed? Not right now.
CPW
2009-04-14 14:35:34Hopefully this McBride business tolls the death knell for his and your political class - the unelected but paid guttersnipe type who has spent ten years in preparation for his New Labour role kow-towing to an Eddy Shah (you shitting me, AC) or Maxwell type before he's perfected his lickspittle personality to such a height that he's only for the Iago role in an AM-Dram Othello.
You're all poor players - invidious, obnoxious and hungry for power without the humility nor application to run for public office.
Mark Clitheroe
2009-04-14 13:56:49"Mr Cameron says "Downing Street should be worrying about jobs, they care more about which paper gets the dog story." That's rich coming from the man that abandoned his constituency a few years ago when they were sufferring from severe flooding to seek headlines from an overseas publicity trip. If he spent more time defining Conservative policies instead of appearing on The Antiques Roadshow I might respect his opinions.
As far as Gordon Brown's dog is concerned I couldn't give a monkeys. I would be disappointed if Gordon Brown was involved in promoting a story about a dog, alhough important to his boys, in the scale of world events it doesn't even register.
Em
2009-04-14 13:42:51I find myself agreeing with Wardog on this point: parties like the BNP flourish in this kind of economic climate and Labour must do more to address the widening gap between the rich and the poor.
GB is a thinker and a believer, his lifelong interests in socialism, left-wing economic theory and historical examples of socialist labour movements, tell me he could be the man who helps New Labour transcend its centre-right policies and help Britain become the world's best example of a democracy that maintains a balance between individual will, creativity, and/or entrepreneurship, whilst providing a good standard of living, comprehensive care, rehabilitation and (re) education for those in need. It's a Utopic idea, but GB has the intellect to conceive and implement this social balancing act. I won't echo Caroline's GB is "too good for the Labour party" but GB is very good indeed and someone at No. 10 needs to get serious about communicating this "factoid" to the British people.
Of course, strategically, that would give the Tories room to breathe. It's no wonder Cameron as all artifice. He and the Tory leader body count behind him have been cornered by Labour policies which leave the Tories in a policy no man's land.
Finally, you know, you almost got me with your waterdog gate satire. Politics are so surreal these days, how was I supposed to know Tory MPs werent really calling for an inquiry into the dog picture?
Patricia Norrington
2009-04-14 12:45:08surely the public can see why the Tories are in uproar over the emails,they are trying to overshadow the work the Labour Government is doing.Mr. Cameron should try overshadowing the LABOUR Party by working out good Policies...NOT, but he is failing in that sense, so has to resort to methods of distraction by blowing the email saga out of proportion.
jayprich
2009-04-14 11:37:03Though superficially funny, this case actually highlights the complicity of the media establishment: a status quo as true in the UK as the US.
The guy behind FDC appears to solicit an appearance on TV Jon Stewart's satirical "Daily Show", shown by Ch4 over here, made by Comedy Central part of the MTV network. I gather it is rather good and these talk shows (and The Onion) are the equivalent of Private Eye here. UK can't be complacent that it is somehow in a healthier situation than our cousins.
Vincenzo Rampulla
2009-04-14 11:35:24At the risk of going all 'scientific', I think that it's too easy to imagine that prism you're talk about as somethign solid, unchangeable. It's more fluid than that, and politicians (or anyone else in front of the microphone) can influence it.
Why couldn't Hazel on the BBC this morning decry political journalism and it's focus on sensationalism? That's the story: Labour and Tories are working to feed the beast and dancing to its tune, and we're all too scared to challenge it.
By just holding the line at "Gord's taken action" we're just running to stand still, hoping the journos will lose interest.
Charlie
2009-04-14 11:28:28Following yesterdays Parrot metaphor, the other film that springs to mind when considering Gordon Brown is Titanic.
Brown becomes Captain just as the ship strikes the iceberg......etc etc.
Ian Eastwood
2009-04-14 11:06:09You couldn’t make this stuff up! Could you? No wonder there are so many reality TV shows the truth is stranger than fiction.
kevin
2009-04-14 10:48:44Very true. Prisms often have three sides. Camerongate should be reserved for the run-up to a GE. I don't think any would would be so dumb as to guess what Camerongate might be but it sounds like the title of book. Why does it need to be fiction when facts abound? A man in a hurry is a man whose worried; that's Cameron.
Peter Farley
2009-04-14 10:09:54Nothing like teaching old attack dogs not to suck on grandmas chocolate creme eggs then? But then what would an absuer of innocent sheep entrails in the name of music know about "Me and You and a dog named Boo" anyway? Happy mixed metaphors.....
Caroline Hett
2009-04-14 10:02:20I feel desperately sorry for Gordon Brown this morning. I heard (on R4 Today prog at around 7.50am) this morning that the McBride debacle puts paid to Labour's (albeit very slim) hopes of being returned to power. Not only has McBride completely ruined the Labour party's election hopes, he has been bad for democracy.
Apparently McBride introduced himself as "Gordon Brown's Spin Doctor" at a House of Commons' Burns Night Party. Were you not there, Alastair? Celebrating your Scottishness?
Gordon Brown could have been basking in post-G20 euphoria. Instead he is having to hand-write letters of apology for some puerile emails which had nothing to do with him. Poor chap - he is too good for the Labour party.
Wardog
2009-04-14 10:00:31Where are the policies Alistair?
Not only is Damien McBride who has become the story it's the whole frenzied spin system, over the last few months we've story upon story of empty rhetoric, faux action and a general waiting to see if it gets better because 'that'll prove our actions were right'
Labour are floundering, you and others like you have very well out of the New Labour Project. Despite calls aplenty to tax high earners to pay for better social services, New labour resisted. After twelve years the poverty gap is bigger, the odious BNP are knocking on the door o of England and Scots are wanting to break loose (atleast in a monetary and economic sense) from Westminister control.
We've been to war twice and are still involved some six years later, we're committed to renewing our nuclear armaments just when Obama calls fro drastic reductions. We have the spectacle of the Tory's supporting Labour on new civil nuclear power, pfi, privatised schools, privatised hospitals, privatised royal mail and publicly owned banks where the Government seem terrified to actually act.
The pound has dipped, the housing market is bust and we're in the deepest recession with the biggest debt ever recorded in recent history.
Surely IT IS TIME for an election?
At the very least, to confirm the pulic are behind Brown's economic policies.
IT'S TIME Brown put Britain First and not New Labour.
TIME to back up the rhetoric.
What a mess.
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