Right. Now I really am voting Lib Dem.
Posted by: Alex S. on 23 July 2004
I got the vote in '79 and was one of very few who voted Labour that year. I continued voting Labour until last time, even resisting the alure of Lib Dem Riviera First Lady Rosie Barnes and despite fancying Bill Rogers' daughter.
But Mandy's return does it. Okay, its not quite like invading Iraq but it was only a small straw that broke the camel's back.
Alex
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by matthewr
Although to be fair to Mandy, he was stitched right up over the Hindujah (?sp) passport affair and shouldn't really have had to resign.
Matthew
How can not love dear old Mandy?Posted on: 23 July 2004 by MarkEJ
I'm with Alex.
Madder than Redwood, slimier than Campbell, dodgier than Blair.
(Actually pretty close on all counts)
I'd cheerfully vote Labour if Tony Benn was leader. More pipes and suede shoes, less of that polyester nonsense.
Best;
Mark
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Alex S.
quote:
2001 finds Peter Mandelson back out in the wilderness.
This time, however, Mandy was forced out due to actions which took place long before even his first resignation, before his stint at the DTI, when he was 'Minister Without Portfolio' in charge of the Millennium Dome. Desperate for cash to fund the sinking project, Mandy flirted with the Hinduja brothers - a family of Indian tycoons well-known for less than savoury business practices. In return for their cash to bankroll the Dome's 'Faith Zone', Mandy put pressure on Mike O' Brien, the minister responsible for passport applications, to give the Hindujas British passports.
O' Brien says he received a call from Mandy asking about the Hindujas' applications, even though he had no responsibilities in that area. Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, also backed this up. Mandy initially claimed he couldn't remember. But late in January 2001, his memory suddenly got much better and, on the orders of Tony Blair (guided by Alistair Campbell)), he resigned for a second time. Meanwhile, the Hindujas were being held in India on corruption charges.
Mandelson has done another U-turn since the affair came out and has denied making any call to anyone about passports. Singling out Alistair Campbell for particular pain, he seems determined to clear his name . . . perhaps yet another comeback some time in the next (sic) parliament is on the cards. That's unless the residents of Mandelson's Hartlepool constituency decide to unseat their absentee, high-living local MP. The one who, on a rare visit 'up north', went into a chip shop and mistook mushy peas for guacamole.
PS I'm with Mark - If only Tony Benn was our leader.
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Simon Perry
I'm not sure Mandy is really the/a problem. What about manipulating intelligence to invade a country, resulting in the deaths of 1000s? That's all Bliar. Anyway, he should fit in well with the culture of the political elite in Brussels, after all it's practically expected to fiddle your expense claims....
Simon
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
I'm delighted Mandelson is 'back' (although I suspect he has never really gone away) because it means that Rory Bremner can brush off his impersonation of the man.
A chillingly repellent portrayal.
Bruce
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Rasher
Tony Benn!! Or was it Sir Anthony Wedgewood-Benn as I remember him to be once. Blimey.
I do think that Mandy (as he will now be known) is a very, very clever politician, and I have a lot of respect for him.
You can't criticise a politician for being slimy, dodgy, elusive or evasive. It's their job. Could you imagine the country being run by a bunch of Sgt Wilson's?
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Rasher
Put that light out!
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by MarkEJ
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
A chillingly repellent portrayal.
Agreed!
quote:
Originally posted by Rasher:
Tony Benn!! Or was it Sir Anthony Wedgewood-Benn as I remember him to be once. Blimey.
Viscount Stansgate, wasn't it?
quote:
You can't criticise a politician for being slimy, dodgy, elusive or evasive. It's their job.
Presumably I therefore also cannot criticise a thief for nicking things?
quote:
Could you imagine the country being run by a bunch of Sgt Wilson's?
Er, well yes, actually! Never thought of aimiable incompetence as a vote-winner, but it could work... the resulting government would at least by WYSIWYG.
On reflection, wasn't that Jimmy Carter?
Best;
Mark
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by MichaelC
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
Although to be fair to Mandy, he was stitched right up over the Hindujah (?sp) passport affair and shouldn't really have had to resign.
Matthew
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Politics/Pix/pictures/2004/07/23/mandy2128.jpg
_How can not love dear old Mandy?_
I guess there is some irony within the comment but it's the end of the week and I can't seen the wood for the trees.
Poor dear, mortgage fraud, let us not forget. Ah ha - Brussels - just the place for Mandy. Snouts in the trough, all together now.
I guess his Brazillian play thing will form part of the entourage - passports anyone?
Blair - is he having some form of relationship with Mandy??? I can't see why else he should keep wheeling him back in.
Mike
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by MichaelC
Lib Dems
My god - they are fcuking mad. Have you seen their agenda? Scary stuff.
Mike
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Rasher
Alex - What on earth have the Lib Dems got to offer you then? Do you really think that whassisface - Charlie Higson - no.. Charlie..ummm.....short ginger bloke - looks like his mum just packed him off with pocket money and a clean handkerchief - him - do you really think he can kick ass in government?
He hasn't the substance. Sad but true. You may as well have Delia Smith there.
.....Kennedy...that's him.
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by MichaelC
Kinnock steps aside to be abely replaced by Mandy as Minister in charge of corruption/fraud.
Surreal times.
Mike
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by matthewr
MichaelC is channelling Geoffrey Bloom!
Matthew
PS By "his Brazillian play thing" I presume you mean his partner with whom he has been in a long standing, stable relationship?
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Rasher
I was impressed by Jimmy Carter when he appeared on The Old Grey Whistle Test when running for pres - so my judgement isn't up to much. But Mike - You're right, the Lib Deb agenda is absolutely mad. Frightening really - such a nice young man.
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Stephen Bennett
quote:
Originally posted by Alex S.:
But Mandy's return does it. Okay, its not quite like invading Iraq but it was only a small straw that broke the camel's back.
Alex
Unfortunatley, voting Lib Dem will only serve to allow the camels less savory bits back into government. It'll be all your fault.
Ok, not just you. A lot of my leftish friends who voted Labour last time, won't again. Most are too young to remember the '80s and Thatcher and won't listen to my tales of dire woe.
After all the good things Labour have done since gaining power (minimum wage, investment in education and transport, employment and social legislation, freedom of information, investment/encouragment on 'green' energy and not even cocking up the economy, it could all be ruined by a PM who only seems interested in keeping happy those who will
never vote Labour.Blair does;
Invade Iraq
Make Students pay for degrees
Not re-nationalise anything that really needs to be in public hands.
Not ban foxhunting
Not get rid of the unelected upper house
And many more broken, social democratic promises.
Which will lose votes on the left and gain none on the right. Now he's saying that the liberal concensus of the '60s is causing social problems. I have to say it's not my liberal friends who are the violent/drunken/criminal ones....
What is he on?
Stephen
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Rasher
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Rasher
Peter Hain has hinted that foxhunting will be banned by Christmas
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Mekon
Actually, I would actually vote Tory rather than let Blair get away with taking us to war. Yes, it would be 4 years of misery, but failure to call him to account for ignoring a million people on the streets and regular polls of >50% against the war is too horrible to countenance, and in my mind, a more important issue that all the QoL stuff the Tories will no doubt screw with if they do get in.
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Stephen Bennett
quote:
Originally posted by Rasher:
Peter Hain has hinted that foxhunting will be banned by Christmas
I've heard that one before.
Do that, give us an elected upper house, remove all the 'perks' fossil fuel energy generators get and I might consider it.
Stephen
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Stephen Bennett
quote:
Originally posted by Mekon:
and in my mind, a more important issue that all the QoL stuff the Tories will no doubt screw with if they do get in.
It is important. But if you think the Tories wont go to war if the US wants in, say, Iran or Saudi if there is a coup, you're sorely mistaken.
Whatever the 'Intelligence'
Stephen
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by MichaelC
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by Alex S.
Matthew in show of Mandy support shock
Anyway, like most people I haven't a clue what the Lib Dems would do apart from be pro European, not invade other countries and stick a penny on income tax and spend it on education. They'd better be doing some really bad things to put me off. I'm not saying I'll never vote Labour again but I've had enough of Bliar and think its a good idea to vote.
Alex
PS Stephen are you on for next Wed? - I don't have your email address.
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by matthewr
"Err - you've totally lost me on this Matthew"
Geoffrey Bloom is a comedy UKIP MEP who talks in slightly surreal Daily Mail style headlines. Like, say, "Minister for Fraud/Corruption".
Matthew
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by MichaelC
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
Geoffrey Bloom is a comedy UKIP MEP who talks in slightly surreal Daily Mail style headlines. Like, say, "Minister for Fraud/Corruption".
Matthew
Matthew
What program is that?
I obviously do not watch enough tv.
Cheers
Mike
Posted on: 23 July 2004 by matthewr
"I obviously do not watch enough tv"
Or read newspapers which have been full of him this week.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3912205.stm"he told the media: "No self-respecting small businessman with a brain in the right place would ever employ a lady of child-bearing age."
Somehow I think Mick would approve.
Matthew
