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

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.

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?