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

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. 

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.

Moment Of Truth Near For David Cameron?

The opinion polls have David Cameron dead and buried if Gordon Brown were to call the general election. Seems a lightyear away from the situation a couple of weeks ago when the Brown bounce lost considerable ounces and Cameron went on the rise. The Conservative leader sounded hollow yesterday delivering his speech at the party conference. Looking a bit worse for wear he revealed a raft of new policies. Now we know the conservatives would abolish stamp duty for first time buyers and raise the threshold for inheritance tax. Good. But would these new sweeteners be enough to stem the slide of support for Cameron and the conservatives?

Like someone remarked Cameron calling on the prime minister to bring the electoral fight on now is akin to a deathrow detainee clamouring for the executioner. That is a strong way of puttting it. Thought the Blair knockout prediction was scary enough. Only a divine intervention can save the Tory leader from this fate. Going by recent polls that is.

BAE And Corruption

When is BAE going to shed this cloak of corruption it's adorned as a result of the Al-Yamamah deal with Saudi-Arabia? It will be a long time indeed before that C-word does not come to mind anytime BAE is mentioned. Some might even argue the company is tainted forever by the affair.

Not that the allegation has stopped BAE holding it's sway on and making tremendous inroads into the markets that matter, uniquely the American and Saudi markets . The manufacturing giant has a new deal known as Al Salaam to supply the Saudis with new 72 Eurofighter jets and just last week received approval from the Committee on foreign Investment in the United States for it's multi billion pound takeover of military ware manufaturer Amor Holdings.

The company has the government to thank for the pragmatic way it handled the investigation into the alleged payments to Prince Bandar bin Sultan to facilitate the Al Yamamah deal. One does not need a crystal ball to know that the investigation left to run its full course would have been gravely damaging to BAE in particular , British businesses and the British government in general.

It is however pertinent to ask at this juncture are there still such payments being made? Are there new safegurads to prevent a re-occurence ? Is the system more transparent now that any such `irregular`movement of funds would be too glaring and exposed for what it is?

Gordon Brown`s Cabinet

Nice guy Gordon eh? We now know our Prime Minister-in-waiting has been busy putting a team together for his government.What with the Northern Ireland job being offered to old Paddy. Shame though that he had to turn it down. I do comprehend why such a cross-party alliance(for that is what essentialy it is) would at best be cumbersome and at worst unworkable. Given for example the fundamental differences between Labour and the Liberals on matters such as the iraqi conflict. Not to mention the potential intra party rancour such appointments might bring about.

Cynics already point to Brown's broad based inclusive approach as just a masterstroke to weaken or break opposition when he eventually takes over in No10.I do not subscribe to that view at all. This is just the Chancellor trying to put together a team he believes he can work with and more relevantly up to the task.Not even the most cynical of cynics would question Ashdowns`s pedigree for such a position as he was offered.

The Blair Exit

The worst kept secret was officially out in the public realm yesterday. Of course it's the resignation of Tony Blair. Foes and friends alike have since been passing comments and holding up score cards. Its hard to score the Prime Minister less than 5 in all fairness.Which invariably means that even though he has not performed with distinction(vaguely admitted to and subtly blamed on `too high expectation` in his valedictory speech),Tony Blair passed.Without an iota of a doubt the Iraqi invasion and most poignantly his earthshaking performance in the House of Commons re the `45 minutes` claim proved to be damaging to his legacy.


The world is a stage and we are all actors. Anthony Blair has played his part as the
British Prime Minister for the past ten years and its fitting he bows out. I personally think it's no where near the end of the road for him.If anything it is the beginning. He has a lot on his side. How much would these multinationals pay to watch his accomplished theatrics and listen to his soundbites? Ok let the bidding start now. 250k.Anyone?

Sarkozy vs Royal As Expected

The French elections result threw up no main surprises. In that Nicolas Sarkozy polled the highest number of votes 31.2% and coming in second place,Ms Royal with 25.9% of the total vote.What is quite remarkable is the high turn out of voters.This indicates that despite widespread disillusionment with politics and politicians people still made the effort to partake in the political process.84% of the voting populace took part in the election. This is quite an enviable figure.

So the dye is cast for a showdown between Sarkozy and Royal on May 6. I think Sarkozy is going to be the man in the Ellysee come May.

Have been following the French Presidential race with muted but ever growing interest.Its twist and turns will make a brilliant backdrop for a political drama. The main dramatis personae being the controversial UMP candidate Nicolas Sarzoky and the gaffe prone but sexy (yes,it has to be said) Segolene Royal representing the PS.Of course there is Francois Bayrou of the Centrist Party. Jean Le penn is still there kicking too. Only recently shot a salvo at Mr Sarkozy labelling him as not being French enough to be the French President.A reference to the fact that Sarkozy is the son of a Hungarian immigrant and a French mother of Jewish and Greek extraction.

Also recently,Nicolas is alleged to have made a pact with Chirac to let the him off the hook with regards to allegations of financial irregularities(fraud in short) if he wins the elections.In return he gets Chirac`s support for the fight for the presidential seat. A suppport that Sarkozy could undoubtedly do with.Even though all indications are that Mr Sarkozy is in the pole position at the moment Ms Royal can not be written off just yet.Come April 22 and finally May 6 all will be revealed.

Hygiene At The House Of Commons

We now know the reason why some MPs seem comatose during debates and why some seem to suffer from verbal diarrhoea:Possible food poisoning.
Recent inspection of the restaurants in the building revealed serious lapses in food safety standards.

Of all the listed sins,the one that really caught my eyes is sandwiches being sold four days after preparation.Four days? What would you expect from a man who just had a four day old prawn sandwich? Rubbish of course.

Muslim Swimming Session.

The Panjadrums ( stupendous ignoramuses more like it) in Croydon Council have harped on a brilliant idea that will go a long way in helping community integration and religious harmony. They have come up with a Muslim Only Swimming Session in a public pool. No woman is allowed and non muslim men may be allowed if they wear long trunks. A proud Council official was quoted`We are keen to ensure sports facilities are for everyone`.

Papal`s Visit to Turkey

Having been born into and raised as a Catholic, the Pope has always been and perhaps in a way will always be a revered figure to me. However,the office of the Papal has over the years started to hold less and less importance and it must be said reverence in my personal view.

I haven`t been to confession for almost 20 years,same for taking the holy communion and i havent been to mass for 15 years save for the odd New Year`s eve service but i still regard myself as a catholic. So it is with much regret that i have to say i have no time for the new Pope, Benedict Ratzinger. He was quoted,not too long ago as referencing a 14th century byzantine emperor who said islam never brought anything but evil to humanity. By that he meant war and destruction. Well i think christianity too has its fair share of blood to account for. Over the centuries atrocities have been commited in the name of both religions. Even as we speak the Catholic Church stand accused of shielding it`s priests accused of sexual assault. Millions are being paid out in compensation. When the shit hit the fan Ratzinger explained he was only quoting what was said. You only use qoutes that way to butress a point. Dont get me wrong i am no apologist for islam or moslems but that statement was most impertinent.

His submission before becoming the pope, that EU memmbership should be denied to Turkey because according to him islam is a different culture from that of mainly christian Europe,is so flawed and simplistic i find it hard to believe someone occupying that august seat would come out with such arrant nonsense. Check this from Rantzinger-

"The roots that have formed Europe, that have permitted the formation of this continent, are those of Christianity. Turkey has always represented another continent, in permanent contrast with Europe.

"There were the old Ottoman Empire wars against the Byzantine Empire, the fall of Constantinople, the Balkan wars, and the threat against Vienna and Austria. It would be an error to equate the two continents...Turkey is founded upon Islam ... Thus the entry of Turkey into the EU would be anti-historical."

Would someone please remind his holiness that this is the 21st century and not the 1300s.His papacy seems to be residing in some kind of time-warp and needs to be woken up. What happened or did not happen in those medieval times are nothing much than history. A collection of events and actions,which by and large are open to interpretations depending on which version or point of view you subscribe to. Moreso the values celebrated those days are not necessarily in tandem with today`s. What a nation`s membership of an entity as the European Union has to do with what happened there aeons ago really i do not know.There are set conditions for membership of the European Union and it is against these conditions that Turkey`s desire for European integration should be judged. Is the country geographically located in Europe? Is it a democracy? Sound economic policies ? Open to and able to withstand outside market forces? These are the factors that serve as the framework and the basis for inclusion in the Union and not some fisherman`s wife tales.

What does the Pope mean by `equating the two continents`? What does he mean by anti-historical? One can only deduce that his social,political and historical philosophy is disturbingly jaundiced. Disturbing because as the Pope he has a platform and a voice. The world listens when he opens his mouth. If what comes out is informed by retrogressive,seemingly reckless or myopic thinking then he runs the risk of losing the respect and ears of all right thinking, objective observers thus bringing further discredit to the Church.

The Turkish authorities did well inviting him to Turkey.Good on him for accepting the invitation.Only has to keep in mind this is 2006.

Blairface

Was watching The Prime Minister address journalists earlier this week and he was in such a fiery mood i thought wow .There was a point he shot a journalist [who kept prodding him] a stern , piercing and menacing look that said `Thats it. Lets take this outside you so and so`. He could as well have because what he said and the tone he said it was filled with venom. He said something like `Do you mind? Thats all i am saying on the matter`.
Then came midweek and the Queen`s speech.Responding to the speech,Tony Bair let rip on David Cameron saying`The next election , it will be a flyweight versus a heavyweight, and however much he may dance around the ring before times, at some point he will come within the reach of a big clunking fist.He will be carried out........` What a fighting talk.
It begs the question what is happening to the Prime Minister? Ok this is just an allegory but the choice of such violence to depict what in his view will be the result of the next general elections and the ealier incident in the week is quite remarkable.Could it be he just stumbled on a copy of Scarface in which Al Pacino played a shoot-them -down -no- nonsense character called er er Tony.

Since our Tony is the most talented actor moonlighting as Prime Minister i see a successful career in hollywood beckoning.Afterall Arnold Swazernegger offered him a part in Terminator 4. How else can he show his hard-man credentials?