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Tuesday 29 September 2009

Sarah McDermott | 16:44 UK time, Tuesday, 29 September 2009

"In the uncharted waters we sail, the challenge of change demands nothing less than a new model for our economy, a new model for a more responsible society and a new model for a more accountable politics."

So said Gordon Brown today as he sought to rally the Labour troops and reignite support across the country in a conference address which had - yet again - been billed the speech of his life.

The Newsnight team were in the auditorium as Mr Brown made a series of new commitments. He promised ten hours of free childcare a week for a quarter of a million two year olds; he said the most disruptive fifty thousand families in Britain would be part of an intervention project, with clear rules and punishments; councils would have the power to ban 24-hour drinking in problem areas.

There were new statements on constitutional reform: Gordon Brown gave a commitment to a referendum on whether there should be changes to the system for electing members of Parliament, and signalled he would make the House of Lords a totally democratic and accountable second chamber for the first time.

Tonight, Jeremy Paxman will present the show from Brighton - interviewing, among others the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

Michael Crick and David Grossman will be analysing what the PM had to say, and Jackie Long has spent the day away from the conference, in Walsall, talking to people there about Gordon Brown's pledges to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Do join us at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    ADMIN USE ONLY - indeed

    a conference address which had - yet again - been billed the speech of his life.

    Well, there's who is doing the billing, and who pays the bills, I guess.

    The Newsnight team were in the auditorium as Mr Brown made a series of new commitments.

    There were new statements on constitutional reform


    And were you present at any point over the last 12 years when he and his merry band have made previous commitments or statements?

    I do recall a few that were not worth the speechwriter's carbon that should have been shredded then, as now.

    But I am sure I will soon discover that it was, amazingly, yet another triumph, and all that has passed to date was just a bad dream.

  • Comment number 2.

    A Labour government is increasingly beginning to look like the least worse option at the next general election. Both ID cards and Toll Roads now apparently off the immediate agenda and perhaps permanently. Lots of unaffordable ideological claptrap about free childcare for two year olds, a new NHS style care service for the elderly. A promise of 250k " green jobs " but perhaps the most worthwhile green jobs would be for road gangs to start ripping out all existing traffic calming starting with the most busy routes. Many of our roads ( especially in urban areas ) are in an atrocious state of repair, the maintenance budget having been used for traffic calming projects since around 1990. There is potential to reduce our road transport emissions by 10% simply by retro engineering back to 1960s road layouts and speed limits, using smart electronic technology for traffic lights to replace many current tight roundabouts on trunk routes.

    The green wheels would appear to be coming of wind farms, the blades of two of the four 42 metre high turbines at Chelker Reservoir near Skipton have had to be removed due to safety concerns. They were only installed in the 1990s and perhaps only 15 years old at most putting a huge question over the alleged total carbon emissions reduction equation. Wind farms are alleged to last 25 years, the Chelker turbines are only small by modern standards but probably represent the expected service life of their larger brethren.

    After Cameron's remarks on Andrew Marr the other week you can't trust the Tories on Toll Roads. Private toll roads at that, the Looney right are floating the idea of privatizing the Highways Agency for 85bn in order to cut the budget deficit. Labour have now shot their main cut ID card goose and Andy Burnham suggested that improved cancer care would be funded by scrapping PFI new hospital building programmes. Labour is now starting to sound more credible at improving our countries future as opposed to Tory " smarm and charm ".

  • Comment number 3.

    LABOUR'S TWO-FACEDNESS!!

    G Brown's statements today that 'Labour supports nuclear power' are disingenuous and quite contradictory to facts...

    In 2006- due to pressure from then then Chancellor- in an absurdly short-sighted attempt to balance the UK's then comparatively very healthy economic books, Labour forced British Nuclear Fuels to sell its nuclear power unit: nuclear power station designer/builder Westinghouse- to Japan's Toshiba- destroying the UK's best chance of at having an 'exportable nuclear power industry' and wrecking possibilities of the UK 'building its own' nuclear reactors to produce power for the country...

    Then, 2 years later, once the petroleum market and international energy-security situation changed, the Labour govt facilitated contracts with France's part-French-govt-owned AREVA and EDF companies to build new reactors for the UK...

    Is this 'looking out for the UK's national or economic interests'??

    Today, Toshiba is bidding for and winning huge contracts to build nuclear reactors across the world- using Westinghouse's designs and technology:







    'Labour supports UK business'- where is Rover/Land Rover and where will Vauxhaul be in the future under Labour??

    'Business needs morals'... 'Big business' practices were just fine with Labour for over 8-years: until the international banking industry self destructed!!

    'Labour supports the UK's military'

    - then why are brand-new Royal Navy warships, such as the Type-45 Destroyer, being built without 80 percent of their most basic, vital weapons and defensive systems, systems THAT DESIGNERS INTENDED THESE SHIPS TO HAVE??

    - why are the UK's present Type-42 Destroyers being sent on patrols without any anti airborne-threat defenses?

    - If the French can retrofit their aircraft carriers- such as the Charles Degaulle- with new, cutting edge anti airborne threat missile systems* that are required to meet today's threats, why- during the last 10-years- hasn't the Labour govt ensured that the same was done for the Royal Navy's carriers?

    (* the UK, France and Italy joint project developed PAAMS system with Aster 15 and 30 missiles)

    Last week HMS Ark Royal finished a 7-month long 'refit':






    The Ark Royal's commander was quoted saying:

    "... The ship is now faster, leaner and greener and looking forward to taking her place at the vanguard of the fleet."

    - Labour's mismanagement and shoddy planning of the country's finances and its armed forces are plainly why the Ark Royal's commander's media statements did not contain variations of the following:

    "The ship is now more powerful" or

    "The ship now has enhanced and upgraded defences against airborne threats" or

    "For the first time in over 3-years the ship has her compliment of fixed-wing aircraft embarked, rather than remaining an 'aircraft carrier without aircraft', and all of her 'Royal Navy fixed-wing aircraft' remaining stationed in land-locked Afghanistan. Over the coming months- for a change-the ship and her crew will be able to legitimately carry out the duties for which the ship was designed and her crew assigned".

    If the French can keep fixed-wing aircraft assigned to their aircraft carriers- why can't the UK?

    The fact is that ALL in-service (commissioned) Royal Navy warships- and especially Ark Royal and Lusty- are sitting ducks to recently developed supersonic anti-ship missiles, such as the Russian 'Sizzler' SS-N-27.

    Other than the upgraded US Navy Aegis/ESSM/Standard Missile system, only PAAMS/Aster is thought to be able to counter this type of missile...

    The UK- and especially the UK's BAE systems- are front-line partners with France and Italy in the PAAMS/Aster system...

    If Labour is a party that looks out for the country's best interests, then why the *&&*@!!! is Labour authorizing funding for the RN's Flagships to be made "faster, leaner and greener" but not simultaneously authorizing funding for these- and their escorts to have their weapons and defensive systems upgraded???

    No matter how much "faster, leaner and greener" the Ark Royal or Illustrious are made, they won't be able to outrun or dodge missiles such as the SS-N-27...

    And if these 2 integral-to-the-RN's-capacities and capabilities warships continue to be put on patrol without their fixed-wing aircraft (Harriers), as has been routine 2006-2009, not only does this make the country and its 'world leadership aspirations' appear as a joke internationally- this can only immeasurably damage naval personnel morale while jeopardizing their safety...

    Considering that the completion of construction and commissioning of new aircraft carriers for the RN is at least 2/3 of a decade away and current Labour govt plans are to not provide these ships with fixed-wing aircraft for 3 or 4 years after that, and recognizing the existing extreme threat to all in-service Royal Navy warships- as well as other UK vessels- posed by today's anti-ship weapons- like the SS-N-27 and newly developed 'air independent propulsion' submarines- wouldn't a responsible, competent government be IMMEDIATELY assigning sufficient finances to the RN so that at least its Flagships- Ark Royal and Illustrious- as well as its most integral escort warships had their weapons and defensive systems upgraded??

    Regarding the Ark Royal recently being refitted to make her 'faster, leaner and greener', her commander was also quoted saying: "... we are ready to start our sea training and be able to practise our war-fighting skills..."

    How can the Ark Royal and her crew "... start our sea training and be able to practise our war-fighting skills" without any fixed-wing aircraft on board??

    The Ark Royal was designed to have fixed-wing aircraft embarked at all times she is at sea and on patrol...

    If her fixed-wing aircraft (Harriers) remain stationed in land-locked Afghanistan, Ark Royal can not legitimately function as a Royal Navy Flagship let alone perform as a 'fighting ship'...

    "Faster, leaner and greener" makes a great, 'politically correct sounding' 'sound bite' in a news clip aimed at the un-informed voting public- but should a Royal Navy catastrophe occur due to this absurd govt imposed military-spending prioritizing it will only underline why Labour are characterized as foreign policy-stupid...

    The UK needs a political party in govt that understands business and that will legitimately 'look out for the country's interests'!!

    ____________________
    Roderick V. Louis
    Vancouver, BC, Canada

  • Comment number 4.

    "In the uncharted waters we sail, the challenge of change demands
    nothing less than a new model for our economy, a new model for a more
    responsible society and a new model for a more accountable politics."


    So, after 12 year of anarchism he seriously expects the people to trust him? People won't trust Cameron or Clegg either of course. That's the problem we now face. However, if Lisbon is ratified by Ireland, what will any of that matter?

    Discuss - Politics Panel.

  • Comment number 5.

    So a policy stolen from the BNP ~ A promise for childcare for all the mothers who aren't prepared to register on his child-minders database ~ A ban on the 24 hour drinking culture he helped introduce ~ and a promise of a referendum ~ well we've never heard that one before.

    The only good news was the elected House of Lords we can get rid of Mandy, Baroness Scotland, Baron Sugar, and all the other unelected rabble that he and his cronie have foisted on us.

  • Comment number 6.

    Just like one of his old budgets...much of it sounded good but he rushes through so fast you don;t get time to see the detail. When you do look afterwards, it all seems less shiny.

    I particularly liked the idea of recall - floated all morning as a solution to stop the expenses scandal happening again. But when he spoke, Brown said

    "where there is proven financial corruption by an MP and in cases where wrong-doing has been demonstrated but Parliament fails to act we will give constituents the right to recall their Member of Parliament."

    But hold on - most MPs didn't break the rules during the expenses scandal, they just stretched them to a point which left their voters cold. And even when a couple of MPs really did break rules, Parliament "acted" - reclaiming money, or censuring them with suspensions.

    So am I right in thinking this brave new policy would have resulted voters being able to vote to recall precisely zero of the MPs named and shamed in the scandal? What a huge step forward....

  • Comment number 7.

    (re- submitted)

    LABOUR'S TWO-FACEDNESS!!

    G Brown's statements today that 'Labour supports nuclear power' are disingenuous and quite contradictory to facts...

    In 2006- due to pressure from then then Chancellor- in an absurdly short-sighted attempt to balance the UK's then comparatively very healthy economic books, Labour forced British Nuclear Fuels to sell its nuclear power unit: nuclear power station designer/builder Westinghouse- to Japan's Toshiba- destroying the UK's best chance of at having an 'exportable nuclear power industry' and wrecking possibilities of the UK 'building its own' nuclear reactors to produce power for the country...

    Then, 2 years later, once the petroleum market and international energy-security situation changed, the Labour govt facilitated contracts with France's part-French-govt-owned AREVA and EDF companies to build new reactors for the UK...

    Is this 'looking out for the UK's national or economic interests'??

    Today, Toshiba is bidding for and winning huge contracts to build nuclear reactors across the world- using Westinghouse's designs and technology:







    'Labour supports UK business'- where is Rover/Land Rover and where will Vauxhaul be in the future under Labour??

    'Business needs morals'... 'Big business' practices were just fine with Labour for over 8-years: until the international banking industry self destructed!!

    'Labour supports the UK's military'

    - then why are brand-new Royal Navy warships, such as the Type-45 Destroyer, being built- and commissioned- without 80 percent of their most basic, vital weapons and defensive systems??

    - Why are Type-45 Destroyers being built with second hand, obsolescent weapons, such as 'Close In Weapons System' (CIWS's) guns that have been stripped from de-commissioned 25-year old Type-42 Destroyers?

    - why are the UK's present, in-service Type-42 Destroyers being sent on patrols without any anti airborne-threat defenses?

    - If the French can retrofit their aircraft carriers- such as the Charles Degaulle- with new, cutting edge anti airborne threat missile systems* that are required to meet today's threats, why- during the last 10-years- hasn't the Labour govt ensured that the same was done for the Royal Navy's carriers?

    Why are the planned new carriers not going to have PAAMS/Aster or any anti airborne threat defences??



    (* the UK, France and Italy joint project developed PAAMS system with Aster 15 and 30 missiles)

    Last week HMS Ark Royal finished a 7-month long 'refit':






    The Ark Royal's commander was quoted saying:

    "... The ship is now faster, leaner and greener and looking forward to taking her place at the vanguard of the fleet."

    - Labour's mismanagement and shoddy planning of the country's finances and its armed forces are plainly why the Ark Royal's commander's media statements did not contain variations of the following:

    "The ship is now more powerful" or

    "The ship now has enhanced and upgraded defences against airborne threats" or

    "For the first time in over 3-years the ship has her compliment of fixed-wing aircraft embarked, rather than remaining an 'aircraft carrier without aircraft', and all of her 'Royal Navy fixed-wing aircraft' remaining stationed in land-locked Afghanistan. Over the coming months- for a change-the ship and her crew will be able to legitimately carry out the duties for which the ship was designed and her crew assigned".

    If the French can keep fixed-wing aircraft assigned to their aircraft carriers- why can't the UK?

    The fact is that ALL in-service (commissioned) Royal Navy warships- and especially Ark Royal and Lusty- are sitting ducks to recently developed supersonic anti-ship missiles, such as the Russian 'Sizzler' SS-N-27.

    Other than the upgraded US Navy Aegis/ESSM/Standard Missile system, only PAAMS/Aster is thought to be able to counter this type of missile...

    The UK- and especially the UK's BAE systems- are front-line partners with France and Italy in the PAAMS/Aster system...

    If Labour is a party that looks out for the country's best interests, then why the *&&*@!!! is Labour authorizing funding for the RN's Flagships to be made "faster, leaner and greener" but not simultaneously authorizing funding for these- and their escorts to have their weapons and defensive systems upgraded???

    No matter how much "faster, leaner and greener" the Ark Royal or Illustrious are made, they won't be able to outrun or dodge missiles such as the SS-N-27...

    And if these 2 integral-to-the-RN's-capacities and capabilities warships continue to be put on patrol without their fixed-wing aircraft (Harriers), as has been routine 2006-2009, not only does this make the country and its 'world leadership aspirations' appear as a joke internationally- this can only immeasurably damage naval personnel morale while jeopardizing their safety...

    Considering that the completion of construction and commissioning of new aircraft carriers for the RN is at least 2/3 of a decade away and current Labour govt plans are to not provide these ships with fixed-wing aircraft for 3 or 4 years after that, and recognizing the existing extreme threat to all in-service Royal Navy warships- as well as other UK vessels- posed by today's anti-ship weapons- like the SS-N-27 and newly developed 'air independent propulsion' submarines- wouldn't a responsible, competent government be IMMEDIATELY assigning sufficient finances to the RN so that at least its Flagships- Ark Royal and Illustrious- as well as its most integral escort warships had their weapons and defensive systems upgraded??

    Regarding the Ark Royal recently being refitted to make her 'faster, leaner and greener', her commander was also quoted saying: "... we are ready to start our sea training and be able to practice our war-fighting skills..."

    How can the Ark Royal and her crew "... start our sea training and be able to practice our war-fighting skills" without any fixed-wing aircraft on board??

    The Ark Royal was designed to have fixed-wing aircraft embarked at all times she is at sea and on patrol...

    If her fixed-wing aircraft (Harriers) remain stationed in land-locked Afghanistan, Ark Royal can not legitimately function as a Royal Navy Flagship let alone perform as a 'fighting ship'...

    "Faster, leaner and greener" makes a great, 'politically correct sounding' 'sound bite' in a news clip aimed at the un-informed voting public- but should a Royal Navy catastrophe occur due to this absurd govt imposed military-spending prioritizing it will only underline why Labour are characterized as foreign policy-stupid...

    The UK needs a political party in govt that understands business and that will legitimately 'look out for the country's interests'!!

    ____________________
    Roderick V. Louis
    Vancouver, BC, Canada


  • Comment number 8.

    POLICIES DON'T DESTROY LIVES - 'LEADERS' DO.

    So I pay attention to leaders, and the causes of leaders.

    Sarah is utterly approving of her husband - oh he is untidy and noisy - but not devious and desperate to be topp, apparently. When a small Brown offspring asks, at some time in the future, if it is right to deceive people - in their own interest, out of love, will James Brown say 'yes'?
    Would Sarah be happy to be deceived by a loving James, as we have been?

    I suppose it was predictable that Brown would choose a sycophantic wife. But who now will tell him: "Remember thou art not a god?"

  • Comment number 9.

    is it not amazing how people come to the defence of someone on the run from a pedo charge just because they are famous?

    very little about war [with no end] on terror in the speech? are they bored with it now?

    the anti social culture....is funded by the welfare state.

  • Comment number 10.

    #8 barrie

    Does this character remind you of wee jimmy brown ?

  • Comment number 11.

    WHY SHOULD ANYONE TAKE NOTICE IF WE DON'T KNOW WHO WROTE THE SPEECH?

    The entire presentation was smoke, mirrors and obliquity. The same old tricksy Brown who is either dumb or arrogant. As he 'does not take 'no' for an answer' I guess it is the latter. I bet he uses: "I don't suffer fools lightly" also; the ultimate mark of a consummate fool.

  • Comment number 12.

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

  • Comment number 13.

    barrie (#11) I hate to repeat the obvious, but politicians don't tell the truth, it's scientists who do that. Politicians just do a job and have to be judged as members of their party and in terms of what their office/party does whilst in office. Brown's government alloed the economy to blow. We haven't had decent governance for decades, by design in my view -probably the USA's influence? :-(

  • Comment number 14.

    Mr Brown said it was not right to put pregnant 16 and 17-year-olds into council flats and leave them on their own. Instead those who were supported by the taxpayer would be "placed in a network of supervised homes", shared with others, to give them "a new start in life where they learn responsibility and how to raise their children properly".

    A step in the right direction and decades too late but I suspect that this is a mere "eye-catching" gimmick.

    Why don't we just do what the Dutch do and refuse to allocate social housing to any under-age parents. In fact, why aren't babies of irresponsible teenagers routinely taken into care? Perhaps this is some kind admission that there is nothing wrong, selfish or immoral with having children as parents (some as young as 12).

    After baby P and Karen Matthews, a more effective policy would surely be to put the babies of those who demonstrated that they would be irresponsible as parents (by introducing human beings that they are then unable to look after or properly care for) into care or foster care whilst serial offenders are systematically sterilised?

    Controversial? Possibly, but undoubtedly a policy that would help to reduce crime and unnecessary consumers, reducing pollution and thereby helping our environment.

    A policy for the future perhaps?


  • Comment number 15.

    ChaosMagick (#14) You might like , if you haven't already read it.

    It's one of the few strategies which would work, as it's nearly all genetics.

  • Comment number 16.

    UNSUSPECTED FACTORS DON'T GET MEASURED (#15)

    Apparently the presence of a mature male elephant, inhibits the final maturity of a young bull. It isn't done by religious or cultural pressure is it! Nor 'a good talking to'. Pheromones probably, or sheer pressure of psychological dominance, or some of each perhaps.

    In passing (probably posted before) I am of the view that the unique position (position used advisedly) of the TV within the 'home' (as imprinted on the group) empowers it as 'alpha', to communicate directly with our animal substrate.

    I see the two as parallel, and many more in us, quite unsuspected but very powerful.

  • Comment number 17.

    from mimpromptu
    a little birdie tells me that both jj & brossen99 have been helping gordie and mandy with their speeches

  • Comment number 18.

    Well I thought it was a good speech. Yes, a touch of the smoke and mirrors perhaps but any politician's speech is going to have those. In spite of his undoubted problems with presentation I feel that Gordon Brown does have gravitas and does know what he's about particularly in the realm of economics. The thought that he will be judged on looks and presentation and that the country is sleepwalking towards a clueless Tory government largely because they're better looking and a bit slick terrifies me. Just maybe the country will wake up in time. We can only hope..

  • Comment number 19.

    from mimpromptu
    Streetphotobeing, I've been stitching today
    For the big Anniversary
    Of the Society of Poetry

    Have a good evening
    May come up with something later

  • Comment number 20.

    THEN VOTE FOR NEITHER SPINELESS ROSETTE-STAND NOR PARTY-OWNED ROSETTE (#18)

    No need to vote for the usual suspects. Still time to find a local 'worthy' who has no wish (need) to 'be somebody' and to cajole them into standing. Just think - a REAL PERSON who will take no whip, have no ambition but to serve the constituency, and who will, by their very presence in Westminster, begin to SPOIL PARTY GAMES.

    The SLEEPWALKING resides in letting parties PRE-SELECT your candidates. Why would they choose ones that will serve YOU before THEM? Would you let your bookie choose your horse?

  • Comment number 21.

    barrie (#16) Psychopathy/APD - it can't be (is not permitted to be) officially diagnosed in the under 18s. It's highly probably mostly genetic, hence runs in families. We produce too many of them. The only thing one can do to reduce the consequences is limit the birth rate, except, some APDs are allegedly good for financial services, movie industry etc! :-(

  • Comment number 22.

    Care homes for single mothers. Milliband Jr says it will cost £30 million. Leaving aside where the money will come from it seems hardly enough and Junior implied it would just be centres where they can get 'support' and info. It seems its actually in operation now (a well guarded secret) and was first mooted back in 1999.

    Care for the elderly is to be paid for by robbing the NHS budget of £400 million - bet the conference audience did not notice that. No one knows where the rest of the money comes from.

    What Brown and Junior did not make clear is where the money for anything will come from. And what Paxman did not press anywhere near hard enough was how the debt will come down.

    The clear issue which Mr Paxman needs to press Labour on is that ever since 2001 Brown has been adding to debt - even when we had growth Brown was running deficits. So the point is how can we believe Labour who are implying that a simple return to growth will pay off the debt? Even if that were true (which it is not) it would take 50 years and we would be impoverished and uncompetitive in all that time.

    And Mr Paxman should realise that even under the budget Red Book, after you take non discretionary spending away (not least interest payment on debt, soon to be £60 billion a year - 2ce the defence budget and benefit payments) - then departmental budgets will be cut by 7 %. Thats Labour cuts based on Labour figures (leaks indicates they are planning on 9%).
    Nothing about this was uttered by Brown, Milliband Junior persists with the fiction of efficiency savings.

    We are being lied to and Mr Paxman needs to sharpen up his act.

  • Comment number 23.

    What a corker of an interview by Jeremy with Ed Milliband. How Jeremy made him squirm :o)
    :p and what about the car made by (or sponsored/in conjunction with) Airbus? Did it really need to be funded for by taxpayers, and not even open to the general public, but to a party conference? What was the point of that?
    Also enjoyed the debate by Jeremy with Rachel Sylvester et al.

  • Comment number 24.

    Brown's speech was absolutely brazen when he claimed Labour were not for allowing the free market to triumph over social values.

    Whate have they been doing for seventeen years? Why did Blair query why the FSA would want to investigate "perfectly respectable banks?

    Nobody else in the world had a better regulatory system - but then it was largely an Anglo-Saxon problem based on run-away derivatives so they perhaps didn't need a better system and we did.

    Nothing that they have put in place corrects that situation.

  • Comment number 25.

    #15 jaded_Jean

    "It's one of the few strategies which would work, as it's nearly all genetics."

    Perhaps if you described what you are talking about as "Jaded_Jean genetics" then it would not be so contentious.

    Real genetics does not find that there are significant racial differences - but you do.

    Scientists don't embrace the eugenics and euthanasia you long to retrieve from the 1930's.

    Most people wouldn't make the leap that if somebody is Jewish then they must be "anarchists and Trotskyites" and therefore an "internal political and economic enemy". Race is usually considered to be independent of ideology.

    Most people wouldn't watch "The Last Nazis" and decide it was all spin due to the "people who made it". You offered no reason to think that it was "all spin".

    Your pal Newfazer thought that "The Incredible Human Journey" based on real science (the largest global DNA study ever) "fooled me". No reason was offered. I see the evidence the series described as proof of the science that genetic variation is greater within a race than between races and that there is no basis for racism in science.

    Perhaps I am right on the money when I describe the far right (your left) as a cult rather than a serious political movement where logic and facts are secondary to propaganda requirements.

    The Cult of The Latter Day Haw haws.

  • Comment number 26.

    #4 jaded_Jean

    "So, after 12 year of anarchism he seriously expects the people to trust him? People won't trust Cameron or Clegg either of course."

    So do you think they will trust the BNP who "aren't a Nazi party" but whose supporters favour National Socialism?

  • Comment number 27.

    THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY (#22)

    "Care for the elderly is to be paid for by robbing the NHS budget of £400 million - bet the conference audience did not notice that. No one knows where the rest of the money comes from."

    Actually, Limited Ed. admitted to Paxo that the other £300M would come from local government, which amounts to a displaced tax rise (from central taxes to local). What is Brown's problem? He is like the three-year-old that thinks he has hidden something successfully, in full view.
    Just like the 10p rate. I despair of the man; of party-selection; of Westminster governance.

  • Comment number 28.

    here, here, Barrie
    mim

  • Comment number 29.

    from mimpromptu
    Should anybody be following my activities, I hereby confirm joining the Sun bloggers.

  • Comment number 30.

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

  • Comment number 31.

    Just watched Mr. Brown with Adam Boulton on SKY (not sure Sian on Breakfast quite the A team interview-wise... maybe a post Marrgate concession by Aunty. Loved the follow-up with Trevor Kavanagh of the Sun, mind. I wonder who from on high shapes what the ´óÏó´«Ã½ does editorially, too, or is that differ... er.. unique?).

    Fairly clear that Mr. 'When the time is right' Brown has decided that dealing with the media (well, except Mr. Maguire and White... see them on soon, no doubt) is a lost cause, and has decided to work his appeal on the public. Translation: hectoring in broadcast only mode. Good luck with that.

    I dabble in the world of invention, with varying degrees of success.

    But one thing I know, above all, is that you can truly, truly believe that you have the best idea on the world, and even convince all your family and mates it is too, but if you can't convince anyone else then you have a problem. Especially if, in his case, after 12 years there is very little worthwhile track record to point at.

    The difference in my case is that my ongoing success... or more pertinently with 'Lost? Never Knew What 'It' was?' Labour's rampant failure, is not dragging down the country more and more for doomed, selfish political ambition.

    It won't compensate the country, but when the time comes, with luck they will pay. And if any good will come of it, this may act as a lesson for those who would claim to be the ones to take over.

  • Comment number 32.

  • Comment number 33.

    from mimpromptu
    Gordon Brown may have a 1st for his University degree but he has clearly shown lack of insight in assessing the public mood and I don't understand why he carries on letting himself be manipulated by people like NewFazer who 'install useful idiots in positions of power' while dreaming of achieving their own 'private' dreams.

  • Comment number 34.

    from mimpromptu
    Streetphotobeing, apart from stitching I have been snapping
    While around London doing some cruising,
    Taking images of street lamps and all,
    Today I may go to the Whitehall.

  • Comment number 35.

    31. At 08:30am on 30 Sep 2009, you wrote:
    This comment has been referred to the moderators. Explain.


    I'll never know by whom, but I will be fascinated as to why, especially if it 'fails' the test.

    If Mr. Marr can ask awkward questions that some might not fancy, why cannot I?

    Now, how to resolve this? Oh, I know... (sorry Brossen99 if you become collateral damage).

  • Comment number 36.

  • Comment number 37.

    and again from mimpromptu
    Streetphotobeing
    It may have been a coincidence but Jeremy Paxman's tie last night was the colour of my blouse. Well, this time I did find it flattering but am not sure whether Mandy wasn't by any chance imitating Jeremy in the choice of the colour of his tie.
    Have a good day
    Are you currently in Birmingham?

  • Comment number 38.

    thegangofone (#26) "So do you think they will trust the BNP who "aren't a Nazi party" but whose supporters favour National Socialism?"

    I suspect not. The BNP is just a fringe party. Old Labour may have stood a chance at one stage, but most of the electorate is now so undiscriminating that it can't tell the difference, which, as I have repeatedly said, appears to have been the subversive, Balkanizing, agenda. The strategy appears to have been to shift power to Brussels and thus the 'Socialist' International, i.e. free-market liberal-democracy, aka anarchism, the oppiste of nationalism or statism - to oppose the SCO and similar emerging truly socialist groups.

  • Comment number 39.

    Mimpromptu #33

    On 28 September you wrote this:

    "#76 What paranoia, 'newfazer = jj'?
Would I be cycling across London streets, if it was true?
Would I be prepared to sit unprotected at the tables opposite the Queen's Ice Rink, if it was true?"

    Now today you write this:

    "Gordon Brown may have a 1st for his University degree but he has clearly shown lack of insight in assessing the public mood and I don't understand why he carries on letting himself be manipulated by people like NewFazer who 'install useful idiots in positions of power' while dreaming of achieving their own 'private' dreams."

    Nuff said?

  • Comment number 40.

    #27 barrie

    Care for the Elderly (I do)

    "Actually, Limited Ed. admitted to Paxo that the other £300M would come from local government, which amounts to a displaced tax rise (from central taxes to local)"

    I suspect there would be quite a lot of 'fiscal easing' by the transfer of costs to local authorities if Brown & Co get another term. The proposed care homes for the promiscuous,free childcare services,etc., might also be subject to this lateral arabesque - if ever they materialise.

    A shift of more responsibilities - and powers - to local authorities can be good news(#5/32 Thurs24th)giving us, the ratepayers, more scope for hire and fire and decision making at the local level. Your desire for less party and more independents would be easier to accomplish at councillor than at MP level. Doncaster even voted in an English Democratic mayor, who is making some drastic reductions in Town Hall staffing and budgets (including halving his own salary!) and against flippant expenses, political correctness, etc.

    If certain local authorities choose social/political policies that attract a particular type of resident then at least it is possible to relocate elsewhere in UK, whereas at present I have to consider becoming an expatriate again, like my son and grandchildren, in order to escape this broken society.

  • Comment number 41.

    HELL o Auntie

    So our gordon wants 2 Fight for Dear Old Blighty

    I dont like helping selfhelping politicians but in this case I will.

    DEAD Easy, 1st, him and the rest of the shower should Report 2 the nearest Armory and Sign out A Rifle and Bayonet.

    2ND, Report down or UP his nearest A.R.R.S.E.nel and collect A SUM of AMMO.

    3RD Fly 2 Afghanistan. [easy init]

    Dont forget mandy and the very rich princess tony.

  • Comment number 42.

    The MODS seem 2 be a bit more whats the word?

  • Comment number 43.

    dAllan169 #41

    Your signal is faint but keep trying! Some of us are looking forward to hearing from you again.

  • Comment number 44.

    barrie (#27) "Actually, Limited Ed. admitted to Paxo that the other £300M would come from local government, which amounts to a displaced tax rise (from central taxes to local)"

    The Milibands remind me of Mike and Bernie Winters, with a bit of George Cole from St Trinian's thrown into the mix in David's case. The problem is that the Conservative Party and Lib Dems are just other ships of puppets. British liberal-demcoracic 'adversarial' politics all takes place in the environs of the dip in an M I suggest...that's why sensible people pay no attention. Sadly that inertia ensures libertarian free market anarchism. That's the agenda I reckon, i.e. to have everyone arguing about inconsequential trivia.

  • Comment number 45.

    dAllan #42

    Enthusiastic? Fearful? Wearing crimson robes and carrying soft cushions?

  • Comment number 46.

    YOU KNOW HOW LOW WESTMINSTER POLITICS GO WHEN DAVE CALLS THE SUN A MAJOR NEWS PAPER.

    But then Harpy Harriet calls herself a dog, and the ghost of Eric Morcambe cries: "There's no answer to that!"

    As for me: the reincarnated George Formby, 'I can't cope!'

  • Comment number 47.

    43 NewFazer no internet at home at present that will change.

    45 NewFazer Very FearFull I would Say.

  • Comment number 48.

    BAND OF BROTHERS (#44)

    I do worry about the rest of the Miliband clan - having to absorb media dissemination of embarrassing performances from two poor practitioners of the arts of disingenuity and dissembling.

    I think you Mike and Bernie comes close, although Limited Ed is probably a Winters/Schnorbitz cross.

  • Comment number 49.

    Streetphotobeing, some stars were swinging
    At Queen's today. They were recording
    A comedy programme for ´óÏó´«Ã½1
    Which will be shown at Christmas time.

    There were Jayne Torvil and Christopher Deen,
    Victorria Wood and Julie Walters
    Mucking about and having fun
    Which will be shown at Christmas time.

    Further updates to be posted later
    mim

  • Comment number 50.

    I thank the mods for my reinstatement... sincerely.

    Not likely on a few blogs south on the main feed LHS nav bar:)

    Credit where due. I am... encouraged.

  • Comment number 51.

    THE BUSINESS OF SPOILING PARTY GAMES (#40)

    your points well made and well taken IDG2. I assume there are more independents in local government? (I am not really political - just have to wade through to get to higher ground.)

    I often wonder about mayors, and had registered the Doncaster one. Is he/she non-party? (Is 'English Democratic' a party?)

    An acorn or two there, I think.





    A shift of more responsibilities - and powers - to local authorities can be good news(#5/32 Thurs24th)giving us, the ratepayers, more scope for hire and fire and decision making at the local level. Your desire for less party and more independents would be easier to accomplish at councillor than at MP level. Doncaster even voted in an English Democratic mayor, who is making some drastic reductions in Town Hall staffing and budgets (including halving his own salary!) and against flippant expenses, political correctness, etc.

  • Comment number 52.

    I know that Jeremy Paxman is lauded by some for his combative style but I have to disagree with the post from Mistress76uk. His 'interview' with Ed Miliband last night went too far. The constant hounding and interruptions, before Mr Miliband had barely even had chance to open his mouth, left me with a feeling of the utmost respect for the interviewee at having kept his cool. It was to his credit, and not any journalistic prowess on the part of the questioner, that he managed to get across some very important points. Jeremy even had the temerity to tell Mr Miliband to stop saying 'if I could just make the point...'. No doubt he was highly delighted when a subsequent panel member [from Demos I believe] said that Ed Milliband hadn't handled the interview very well. Rubbish, he handled it commendably. I did notice that Jeremy seemed to be having trouble with his autocue [again] towards the end of the programme, and that without someone constantly in his ear to interrupt and bully... with this level of under-performance perhaps we can expect more than a change of government in the coming months.

  • Comment number 53.

    Streetphotobeing
    I'm at the Blue Moon
    Thinking of what there is to loom
    Soon in the future for Madam Mim
    And how she's going her fight to win.

    More later
    mm

  • Comment number 54.

    PARTY ELECTION DITTY FOR THE MIM PARTY

    I am Madam Mim a polished Polish performer
    Not to be confused with Min Cream - a polish.
    I wave my baton at rhyme - and or reason
    And put organised cerebral function in a spin.
    A 'min' is sometimes use in: 'just a min'
    But let no one be in doubt I am MAX - min:
    A thermometer to measure global-warming
    Until we all fall through the ice - vote Mim.

  • Comment number 55.

    Streetphotobeing
    I'm at the Poetry Society cafe
    Exploring my mind's rhythm & rhyme sachet

    mim

  • Comment number 56.

    Oh, Barrie
    you are spoiling me now
    thank you
    I'll try for it not to go into my head

  • Comment number 57.

  • Comment number 58.

    GORDON'S BLACK AND WHITE (#57)

    From my observation James (Gordon) Brown DELIGHTS in Machiavellian practises. I will not bore with detail - the truth is out there.

    WE are told he is DELIGHTFUL WARM AND CARING when not doing politics. Well: it would not be hard to construct the psychology of that. I have said before: Jekyll and Hyde was based on life. Brown is - in my view - a classic split. If I knew more of his origins I would hazard a construction. I wonder if the black/white split is to be found in a lot of leaders? Blair had it (Campbell, black by proxy). Major was back to basics in public while 'privately' investigating Edwina's basement. Maggie sold tobacco and bombs. A rich seam?

  • Comment number 59.

  • Comment number 60.

    Oh, I forgot to say that post #59 was addressed to Didsquid in #52 ^_^

  • Comment number 61.

    @ #52 - You've lost it, haven't you? :p

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