Andrew Mitchell: Posh and Plebs

Funny how an encounter so seemingly innocuous or minuscule  can morph into a monster. On that fateful day when Andrew Mitchell tried to ride his bicycle through the gates of Downing street but was asked by the Police to use the side gates much to his displeasure, so much that he let them know what he thought of them in time honoured fashion, he would never have imagined those words expressed in a fit of fury would seal his political career.

What grates with people mainly is the expression `Plebs` allegedly hurled at the hapless police officers just doing their job. This appears to be the main plank of the argument for him to be relieved of his post. Personally, I have issues with his use of the proverbial against the officers more than anything else and his subsequent denial that he did actually called them plebs. Most people wouldn't even know what the word `Pleb` denotes these days. What does it mean to be a pleb? What ratio of the UK census would be in the pleb bracket? You do the maths then tell me if you aren't in good company. Only a twat would go around calling people plebs in 2012. There you go. On all probabilities I believe Mr Mitchell did call them that. Offering a partial apology for his conduct while denying ever calling the officers plebs means the Police officers are liars. We all know that wilfully giving a false statement to the Police is a criminal offence. So for Mr Mitchell to contradict the official version of events is putting the Police in an unsuitable position indeed. A fact not lost on the Police Federation who vehemently called for him to be sacked.

Given the nature of his brief as a Chief Whip of course having the utmost respect of fellow MPs is crucial. Having being found to be so petulant and lets face it idiotic does not help at all. I for one thought he was going to ride this one out. But he didn't. Was he pushed? Did he jump? We don't know. All we know is that a stop( or coma) has been put to an otherwise illustrious political career. Like I always say, let this be a warning to other politicians

Memorable Olympics Games

                                                                                      
The date was set, the plans were made, there were doubts, a few alarm bells but once the London Olympics got underway everything went according to plans. The Games were as exciting as they were compelling to watch. Perhaps what marks out  this Olympics, in equal measure is that the organisation was top notch and the athletes were in top form and graced the occasion with sterling displays.Some of the actions were epic beyond belief. Records were broken, records were made. Legends were confirmed and legends crowned. Usain Bolt cemented his place in the annals of athletics folklore, Michael Phelps confirmed his claim to the throne as the most decorated Olympian of all time. New gems were discovered too. Few people outside athletics probably ever heard of  Greg Ruthersford. The 25 year old topped the table in the long jump winning the gold medal for Team GB, what about the 15 old American Katie Ledecky who beat our own favourite and brilliant Rebecca Adlington to win the gold medal in the 800m free-style swimming race. These are athletes to watch out for from now on. Rebecca, like most of Team GB performed well and did herself and the nation proud. Well done to all of them.

The standard of organisation was raised by the Greeks when they hosted the world in Athens, the Sydney Games went well too but London has raised the standard a notch. Its now up to Brazil to deliver such spectacle in Rio come 2016. We know the Brazilians can organise a party but can they combine that with effective logistics and management capable of living up to London2012? We shall see.

The London Olympics

I must confess I havent been caught in the Olympics fever gripping London at the moment. To be honest I have done my utmost best to avoid anything Olympic-related. Save the traffic lane restrictions, I havent been impacted by the Games at all. Well, if you discount last Thursday while out shopping on the Kings Road. The road was lined with  shoppers and shop keepers alike. The Olympic torch was coming to west London and passing through. The announcement on  the PA system said |Joana Lumley was going to carry the Olympic torch. What? Joana Lumley in a jogging suit hopping down the Kings Road ? Now that is a sight worth beholding. In all truth, the sight of Joana Lumley doing is anything is worth beholding. I couldnt wait for her though.

Now the Games have started I have watched a few events on television. I wish Team GB the best.

Eric Boyce

It really is Politicians Behaving Badly season. Last week was the turn of MP for Falkirk, Erik Boyce to enter the MP bad boys hall of fame. Mr Boyce had a glass of Rioja too many, didnt like the fact that there were too many F********(his words not mine) Tories in the House of Commons Bar, and being the action man he is, decided to do something about it. What the retired Major did was do what soldiers do. Combat. Not much to say other than two Conservative members got what I was reliably informed by my Glasgow sources was a Glasgow kiss. Delivered with all the ingedients such kisses are made of. Next stop for the victims, Stuart Andrews and  Ben Manney was A&E

Now a bar brawl is as old as the idea of a bar itself.  Nothing new. But its headline news when such brawls involve lawmakers and extraordinary when the fight takes place within the confines of Parliament. If it was the kind of melee that breaks out during crucial debates or votes due to strong differences in ideology, then we might undesrtand the heat of the moment argument. It shows that the politicinas are passionate about their core beliefs and looking after the interests of those who voted them in. Such fisticuffs miight it even increase the politicians`popularity. That is a noble fight. If it can be called that. But a drink fuelled encounter isnt what we want from our lawmakers. No. The impression we get from such conducts is that of a  a group of care- free chancers, getting wasted on highly subsidized booze and behaving like parts of the anatomy I cant mention on this blog. Being  a family oriented blog.

Eric Boyce has resigned his membership of the Labour Party but will stay on as an independent MP following his conviction. I dont see why he has to resign  from the party but stay on as an MP. If he sees his action as unbefitting of a Labour Member of Parliament, thus making his position untenable, then how can it be OK to be an Independent member of the House. Personally I think he should never have left the party. He let himself down, did a mea culpa, apologised, got his court judgements and that shoud have been that. If he really felt what he did was so gross so as to make him an unsuitable memberof the Labour Party then whay would it make him still worthy of a seat in the House of Parliament?  Or does the Labour Party has higher standards than the House? That is the inference that can be drawn from him staying on as an indepenent MP.


Like I always say, politicians are just like the rest of us They will behave like any  of us would given the same circumstances. But we dont want them to. We want them tobe like us but behave better than us.Every politician must realaize this fact. Im sure they do. Being a politician is a conscious choice they have made. We, the voters expect them to live up to this lofty ideal.  Which means politicians must be morally adroit and beyond reproach. MPs with ASBOS isnt something we want. Not much to ask for in exchange for what being in the corridors of power affords those who canvass for and get our votes.

Drought Fears And Food Prices

Its 2012, Britain has had dip in rainfall for two years and its starvation time. Disaster! How can our harvest be lean and our grain silos empty in a year  we are inviting the world to our country for grand occasions. The Queens`s Diamond Jubillee and the Olympics are just months away and the country is being told life as we know it is about to cease. Why?  There has been a relatively dip in rainfall for the last two years.  A situation said to be affecting farming and food production and invariably would lead to poor harvest, non production of certain farm produce and a hike in food prices. 

The South East has seen the least rain over a couple of years, while the rest of the country has enjoyed a relatively normal rainfall. How many farms are in London? Or  in the whole of the South East for that matter. If the majority of the farms that produce our food are not based in the South East how is it then that the drought in the South East will have such a dramatic impact on food supply and prices.

It boggles the mind that with all the technological advancement and scientific inventions, our  ability to farm and produce food is still largely dependent on and susceptible to the vagaries of nature.  I dont think that befits a nation in the fore front of technology. Even if it doesnt rain at the expected level for three years I think we should stiil be able to carry on at the same level of production. Maybe this is a wake-up call to our policy makers. More attention has to be paid to how we can leverage technology not only for a more effective food production but aslo to save us being at the mercy of nature the way we are now.

Chelsea Sacks Andre Villas Boas

To be a successful manager in any field or industry takes a lot. Everything has to be right to get the best results. Whatever it is to be a successful manager in the Premiership, Andres Villas Boas hasnt got it. Affable, urbane, young, good understanding of the language but a good manager? No. Not on his performance. Awful. Im a devoted Chelsea fan, have been for 20 years but almost lost interest in the club thanks to Andres Villas Boas.

 The club was being mismanaged. In fact there didnt seem to be any management. A rudderless ship without a captain. Bereft of  ideas or game plan, with the players just making  it up as they went. So it seemed to me anyway. I knew something was going to give sooner or later. And yesterday was the final straw that did it. That 1-0 defeat to West Brom was one slap too much for Abramovich to take. 

Its a decision that will cost the Chelsea owner a few millions.Taking into cognisance the fact that he paid £13 million compensation  to Porto to secure AVB`s services. He would now have to pay the Portuguese compensation for terminating his contract. £5 million is my ballpark figure how much getting rid of Andres Villas Boas will cost the club. How much has Villas Boas already collected in wages? Add all up and the whole saga has set back Mr Abramovich close to £20 million. 


The moral of which is clubs should be weary of sacking managers and even more careful in appointing managers. Ancelotti should never have been sacked. Villas Boas should never have been appointed. Even the assistant coach, Ray Wilkins should never have been sacked. Chelsea never found its footing since Wilkins was shown the door. So the club needs to take its time in appointing a new manager and not be forced into a hasty knee jerk appointment. Good that Roberto Di Matteo, a veteran ex Chelsea player will hold the fort until the end of the season. Enough time to find the right man for the job. 


As for me Im already resigned to Chelsea winning no trophies this season and worse missing out on a place for Champions League football next season.

Parliamment In Disarray

Three members of parliament in a state in India are said to have stepped down after being filmed on TV cameras watching a pornographic clip on a mobile phone in parliament. The incident according to Reuters  involved members of the conservative Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, which is in power in the state and the main opposition on a national level.

Now, what three adults decide to amuse themselves with is their prerogative, politician or no politician. Politicians are just like the rest of us. What is questionable is the venue and timing of the incident. There is a place and a time for everything. Showing your fellow honourables your favourite clips on dirtyparliament.com while in parliament and surrounded by the press is hardly a wise thing to do.

To  make matters worse one of the three film buffs was the minister for women affairs or something akin to that. Given the controversy surrounding the treatment of women in India and the general perception that pornography in any form is an exploitation of women, then I can understand why his position became untenable.

Let all video aficionados members of parliament beware. 

THE QUEEN`S DIAMOND JUBILEE

This year of course marks the 60th year of the Queen`s ascension to the throne after the death of her father  George VI. A cause for celebration. Until lately, the two other  major events happening in  London this year have over shadowed this remarkable milestone in Queen Elisabeth reign.. Im talking about the Mayoral elections and the Olympics.

But now Buckingham Palace have finally got round to  letting the world know about the big occasion. That said, I think they still  need to give a little more publicity to the festivities. We know there are various events lined up in connection with the celebration. The grand party however  is the Queen`s cruise on the Thames accompanied by a flotilla of  vessels. I hope to be on one of those. Why not? You get to revel on the Thames and be part of history at the same time. The Buckingham Palace website has loads of information about the various events planned for the celebration.

Chris Huhne Saga

I was getting really tired of the Chris Huhne speed driving affair. Bt relieved now its been confirmed the Energy Secretary would be prosecuted for asking his wife to take the rap for being behind the wheels while doing 80 in a 60 lane. Well I would imagine thats a fair margin. Anything less wouldnt make a difference to arrival time, anything higher suicidal and er er criminal. Not encouraging anyone to test the theory out I must add.

The thorny  issue though is not that Mr Huhne broke the law (allegedly) by going over the speed limit, it is the allegation that he tried to cover it up by involving his ex wife. Oh no Chris! Perverting the course of justice is a much much graver and serious offence than speeding. As far as I'm concerned at present the man is innocent until proven otherwise. The truth will out after the law has taken its due process. I

However the gravity of the allegation is not lost on both himself and his bosses at Westminster and kudos to him for stepping down promptly after learning of the decision to prosecute the case. Now did he jump? Was he pushed? We will never know. I don't personally care. I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he went voluntarily. It can never come at a worst time for Chris Hune. What with the groundswell of public anger occasioned by the MPs claim scandal and the spending cuts. People would love to think that politician are beyond reproach, both in their public and private conduct. We like to see those who govern us as being morally adroit. Breaking the speed limit, then asking someone else to take the penalty for you is definitely not the ideal conduct expected of an MP.

New Year Resolution

Before anything, I`d like to wish readers of this blog a happy new year. A purposeful and remarkable year may it be for all and sundry. Its of course the time of the year we tend to do an inventory of our lives. Asking ourselves what works what us and what doesnt. What to do more or less of. Im talking about new year resolutions. Some of us persevere for a couple of months and revert to our old ways, some stick at it a bit longer and some do actually keep to their vows. This year I promise myself to be more health conscious. I will be updating my LA  Fitness membership for the year and make it a duty to be there at least twice a week. So whatever you vow to change or do this year, do give a good go.

We look forward to two major events in London this year. The first is the mayoral election and the other is the  Olympic Games.But not impressed by the fact that the race is between the usual suspects.  Boring if you ask me. Boris Johnson will be staking his claim for a second term and Ken  Livingstone trying to claim back what he assumes to be his rightful throne. I personally think Boris is justified in going for a second stint at City Hall. Why Ken Livingstone is in the race I dont understand. How many tmes has he been at the helm of affairs at City Hall? Doesnt the man get tired of running the city? I predicted Boris Johnson`s victory last time around. I think he will be returned to City Hall. Put some money on that f you are a betting person.

Come summer and the spotlight is on London as host of the 2012 Olympic Games. The planning got off to a shaky start but found its feet as time went on and everything seems to be in place for a memorable showpiece. The Games have already brought some remarkable benefits to the city. A large swathe of East London has seen tremendous re-generation. as part of the preparation for the Games. London surely will prove its claim as a world class city.

Why do people entrusted with our money like to make silly decisions, then make it seem like they are doing us a favour? A couple of years ago the famous Routemaster buses could be seen gliding through the streets of London. An icon of the city. Globally recognised just like the celebrated red phone box. Then some smart alec decided the buses were to be pulled off the streets. Citing health and safety among other spurious reasons why we were better off without the eponymous buses. Now the buses have been  reinvented and reintroduced on our roads. At a whopping bill of £7.8 million for 5 units. Mathematics has never been my forte but I reckon that comes in at about £1.3m per bus. What a wind up.

Boris Johnson was in his most ebullient element yesterday while introducing us to our new expensive run around toy. Informing us how our lives will suddenly turn brighter, glamorous and our bank balances as lush as the rainforest  by catching a glimpse of the new Routemaster on our streets. Well not exactly in those words but something pretty akin to that.  I think all they needed to do was refit the old stock. Add new features like eco- friendly engines for example.

Kew Gardens

I have never been the greatest fan of end of year awards.  Im all for celebrating excellence and all that but the nomination and voting process in most of these awards are highly questionable. Take this year`s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The panjadrums at BBC Sports wanted to know the best sportsperson of the year so they asked  Nuts magazine. Among other exclusively male readership publications. So it isnt surprising that this year`s award list is made up entirely of men. Of course whoever wins the award will be a worthy winner. But the process is flawed. This casts a shadow over the whole affair. You have to be in it to win. Who is to say,  if the nomination process was more representative and a sportswoman was in the mix, she wouldnt come up trumps.

So I really dont know what to make of this news that Kew Botanic Gardens has just been voted the best visitor attraction in the country at the British Airways travel awards. Kew Gardens best visitor attraction in Britain?  I lived in Ealing which is just round the corner from Kew Gardens for a long time. Even though I passed the Gardens on my way to Richmond on a regular basis, I was never interested in it.

Why tourists head west in droves to sample the horticultural delights within Kew Gardens beats my imagination. Typically, one would have thought the major attractions in and around W1 would top the list of tourist attractions in the country. But then we dont know how British Airways got the nominees. All we have to do for now is celebrate Kew Gardens as the place to be for any savvy, in-the-know tourist.

EURO Bill Veto

It was Harold Wilson who said a week is a long time in politics. What a truism its proved to be over the years. Barely two months ago David Cameron and Nicholas Sarkozy were on first name terms now the bonhomie has turned sour. I actually heard  Cameron refer to Sarkozy as Nicolas in a speech he gave sometime in October. Odd I thought. Normally we hear leaders addressing fellow leaders by their appellation. But it was hard not to notice Sarkozy blanking out Cameron last week in Brussels. We saw this video of Cameron walking towards the French President, who promptly cold shouldered him. Fair game to Cameron who behaved more dignified and lightly tapped Nicolas Sarkozy on the shoulder and went on his way. We all have friends like that. You know the kind of friend that thinks you are the best thing since slice bread as long as you agree with his opinions or wishes and help in fulfilling his needs. Once your wishes and opinions are at variance with his,  you are undesirable. He blanks you out.

However that there are no permanent friends or enemies in international politics or any level at any level of politics for that matter. The existence of our present government is a testimony to that There are only national interests. So Mr Sarkozy can sulk all he likes for now. Personally I'm not for or against Cameron vetoing the EU proposal. There are pros and cons to the argument. What the country needs is a simplified details of what the issue is, what impact such proposals might have on Britain and why we cannot accede to it. The Prime Minister has to get the message across to the British people himself. Not in a condescending or patronising manner but like I said in a simplified but detailed manner. Then and only then can we be in the best position to decipher whether he made the right call or not.

Silvio Berlusconi Turns Popstar

It didn't take Silvio Berlusconi long to find an outlet for his boundless energy and occupy himself. Barely a fortnight after stepping down from his position I hear he has released an album of love songs. Well, according to reports the ex Italian Prime Minister penned the lyrics to the songs sang by Mariano Apicella , a popular Italian singer and a friend of his. I haven't heard the songs yet, but anyone who has heard the songs should please let me know if I they are worth adding to my iPod playlist.

What next to expect from Silvio then? Judge on Italian  ex-factor?  A contestant on Italy`s Got Talent? Big Brother? The world is his oyster in this regard actually. Given that he owns a large swathe of the Italian media that should not be hard to arrange. Im not a great fan on reality television shows but one along the lines of Im An ex Prime Minister Get me Out of Here would be great to watch. There is no shortage of  possible contetants for such a show these days due to the wind of change blowing all over Europe and beyond. The spectre of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown jostling for our votes to win the contset is quite an appealing if not interesting one.

Westminster Council Parking Charge

Its been a while seeing an unpopular decision as Westminster council`s  plan to introduce new parking charges from next January. Not since the Poll Tax imbroglio. You know its serious when Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone publicly and unequivocally agree on an issue. They, like a multitude of people are against the new charges. Much vociferous opposition has been raised by a broad spectrum of the population. The business owners in the West End dont like it. The churches dont like it. In fact so strong is their feelings about the the issue that they plan to put up  thier own candidates come 1014 says Churches Together in Westminster. Didnt even know churches had a trade union. Theatreland is outraged. Club and restaurant owners are at arms. Even the government is not impressed. A view expressed by the delectable  Transport Secretary Justine Greening this week. But neither her, nor Mayor Boris Johnson can intervene. So all the perfectly coiffured one could do was urge the boffins at Westminster council to have a rethink about the issue.

The question is, given this seemingly unanimous objection to the parking charges, why is Westminster council going ahead with the plan? According to Collin Barrow, leader of the council no one likes government decisions that involve charges. Am with him on that. But the council surely should not be seen as engaging in extortion and putting businesses at risk. Which to all intent and purposes is the case here.

My own view is that the scheme has less to do with traffic calming and more a means to raise revenue for the council. Its not about traffic calming at all. If you want to know what night time traffic tailback is go to Madrid. A city I frequent and know fairly well. The amount of traffic in the centre of the city at these hours being targeted by  Westminster council is most definitely higher, if not double what we have here. Ideally I think the council should scrap the idea.

UK BORDER AGENCY ROW

The mudslinging goes on unabated in the UK Border Agency row.  The Home secretary, |Theresa May says she wasn`t aware what the Border Agency were up to talk less of giving the order. Brodie Clark says no. As I understand it she claims she only ordered a partial relaxation of entry checks. Like for travellers holding EU bio metric passports and school kids on trip. All to cut ques at points of entry. Sounds reasonable. But  we now know these measures were applied to non EU passport holders as well. Mr Clark maintains Theresa May gave the go ahead and was duly aware of what was going on. Someone is lying. It`s either one or the other.

Silvio Berlusconi Agrees To Go

 As expected, Berlusconi has agreed to go. The old fox failed to gain a majority backing in the lower house and was left with no choice but to throw in the towel. One battle too many for a man who has survived 50 votes of no confidence.

Mr Berlusconi agreed to go as soon as a new goverment is in place to carry out the reforms needed to see Italy through the economic malaise it faces at the moment. As things are it seems the country is going to be be governed by a coalition of  parties and technocrats. At least till elections are held and proper goverment established.

There are reports that one of Mr Berlusconi`s favourite amores, Franscesca Pascale was spotted driving into his Rome residential palace the night before the fatal vote and was seen leaving in the early hours of the morning. I say good on you Silvio. A man needs all the support he can get at such troubled times as these. Besides what are friends for?  Once all this tak of new goverment is done with, the old man can have his time and privacy to himself. Bunga Bunga party and all that without fear or favour.

EURO CRISIS

The Euro crisis claimed it`s first scalp yesterday. The Greek Prime Minister finally stepped down. How this helps the Greek situation only time will reveal. For now it`s just another chapter in the Greek economic odyssey to which we have been spectators for a year or so now. Mr George Panpandreou`s exit will at least bring new fervour to finding some kind of solution to the problems the country faces. Hopefully. Some might even argue that it will restore some confidence in the country`s ability not only to implement the needed reforms but to convince the people of Greece of their merits.

In Italy, folks are putting money on Mr Berlusconi suffering the fate as his Greek counterpart. We will know by tonight if that is the case. Mr Berlusconi has unequivocally made it clear he is not ready to go. The backbenchers are of course rattling up the hatchet. For Berlusconi the financial mess in Italy is an irritant he could well do without. He has enough people calling for him to go based on his personal conducts and allegations against him. What with all the lawsuits and whatnot. The questions is do the Italian people trust and believe him to be the man to see them through these rough times? He sure believes he is. Is he alone in this view?

The Obama Nobel Prize

I do not think Obama has done anything to warrant winning this award. Not yet anyway. Ok he is theoretically, an advocate of the ideals that the award celebrates. His vision, as expressed in his speeches is underpinned by a laudable and lofty ideology. But that is all there is to it at the moment. The man is a brilliant orator, writer and intellectual ideologue. I am not saying that he is not a man of substance but we have yet to see him transform his ideas into concrete actions. It is then and only then we know his real worth. If he is worthy of the award or not.

East vs West:You Cant Have Billic

A new battle is brewing between the East and the West. Forget the South Ossetia -Russia imbroglio . This one here has wider dimensions.I kid you not. It all has to do with West Ham United`s quest for a replacement for dismissed coach Alan Curbishley. Such a genial character,why he left Charlton a couple of seasons ago is still a mystery. Anyhow, there has been talk that Slaven Billic,a former West Ham player and present national coach of Croatia is one of the names being considered for the post. A brilliant and charismatic coach i must add. So no surprises why fans want him for the job.

This has drawn a serious response from high up in the echelon of power in Zagreb. No other than the President himself has taken up arms against such a move. President Vlatko Markovic said `Billic can`t go because there will be a big political problem with Croatia.`

Big political problem with Croatia ? Like diplomats being summoned to explain London`s position on the issue? Embassies shut down? Un Security Council motions tabled ?

He went on to say `It will be mission impossible. They might have money,but so do we and the Croatian FA has enough money to buy West Ham.`

Such an angry President indeed. Wonder if our Prime Minister would ever get involved in such matters. Most probably not and definitely not in those terms. I see,however ,President Markovic`s popularity rating going into stratosphere among footbal crazy Croats and nationalists alike. Not to talk of putting paid to any underhand moves by West Ham to tempt Billic to Upton Park.