Scoff at this picture of David Miliband if you will. Why he didn't get more media coverage for brandishing a banana at Conservative conference than Labour, I can't fathom.
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Out and about with our community
2 days ago
Tuesday, September 30
"Bananas!"
Tory spending commitments could be forfeit
Michael Fallon, Conservative MP for Sevenoaks and Treasury Select Committee member said on BBC Radio 4 World at one that Tory spending plans would be "fully costed", that the party's commitment to Labour's 2011 spending plans was unsustainable, that "We have to look again at our spending plans, I think everybody understands that the cupboard is bare."
He said, "I don't think anybody anticipated the falls we've seen in the housing markets"
Well perhaps he wasn't listening to Vince Cable and the Liberal Democrats, and perhaps he, his party's supporters should join them, because the Liberal Democrats are the only politicians who have not buried their heads in the sand until the last moment on the challenges facing the UK economy.
"Lock the doors"
The papers carry the 'news' today that Parliament was locked for 90 minutes on July 12 2005, for fear of a terrorist attack.
I could have told them that the same day. I was a student visiting to find out about working there that day and I was locked in.
Mind you, I'm pretty sure there were a few journalists in there too!
It does amaze me that when global finance appears to be teetering into complete meltdown, the Guardian, Independent, Express, Times and the Sun all feel the need to recycle old news as if it was a slow news day.
Monday, September 29
Mortgaged
There's lots of stats around to tell homeowners how screwed they are but this is the starkest I think I've seen.
The net amount that banks and building societies (cough) lent in August was 5% of what they lent one month earlier in July.
They say stats don't fall off a cliff. I suppose we'll find out whether they're right when we see this month's figures.
Wednesday, September 24
Labour conference
My photos of the Labour conference in Manchester.
Directions from the unions.
No entry
Nutty folks
Controversial betting shop on the way through security.
Warm welcome
The Darfur stand which rather overshadowed the other stands.
Journos
The political class (although I think that's a misuse of the word class)
Who needs weekends when you get given this every morning?
Hutton and on?
Here's my first round of reshuffle predictions:
Ruth Kelly to step down.
OK so a bit obvious that one, but that was going to be my coup d'etat of front bench scrying until it was leaked!
John Hutton to step down.
Aha what do you think of that?!
Much of the membership feel he has more clout than all the unions and the members/Guardianistas would love it, he's been vilified and demonized and he's fed up of being the bad guy, Labour has lost the city's backing anyway... The list goes on.
But who to replace him - now there's a tough one.
Malcolm Wicks is on message but he's not all that good and isn't a conciliatory figure.
I could go out on a mischievous limb and say Miliband. Its not a demotion with the current importance of the role, but it would tie Mili's fate more closely with controversial Labour policy, the economy and Brown without giving him the political might of the Treasury. Moreover despite Brown's political weakness, I think the mood in the party and the press is ripe an entertaining swipe at David the "apprentice."*
My predictions on his replacement aren't based on hard evidence though...
*not Cameron
Ruth Kelly to step down.
OK so a bit obvious that one, but that was going to be my coup d'etat of front bench scrying until it was leaked!
John Hutton to step down.
Aha what do you think of that?!
Much of the membership feel he has more clout than all the unions and the members/Guardianistas would love it, he's been vilified and demonized and he's fed up of being the bad guy, Labour has lost the city's backing anyway... The list goes on.
But who to replace him - now there's a tough one.
Malcolm Wicks is on message but he's not all that good and isn't a conciliatory figure.
I could go out on a mischievous limb and say Miliband. Its not a demotion with the current importance of the role, but it would tie Mili's fate more closely with controversial Labour policy, the economy and Brown without giving him the political might of the Treasury. Moreover despite Brown's political weakness, I think the mood in the party and the press is ripe an entertaining swipe at David the "apprentice."*
My predictions on his replacement aren't based on hard evidence though...
*not Cameron
Video: Test-driving Lembit's segway
One of the more surreal moments of Lib Dem conference for me.
The rider is the Telegraph's Jonathan Isaby.
Wednesday, September 17
WTF is Gordon Brown?
Finance is collapsing before our eyes.
Confidence hangs on a thread.
GEORGE BUSH made a comprehensive statement on MONDAY.
WHERE ARE GORDON BROWN AND ALISTAIR DARLING?
Those in Labour who say a change of leadership would hurt the country at this time are kidding themselves.
I never thought I'd say this, but Tony Blair would have been in front of cameras, making a statement, assuring the city and quelling panic beyond its confines.
Britain doesn't always need strong leadership but it needs it now.
I fear Brown's weakness could be the source of a terrible legacy.
P.S. Nick Clegg just gave a speech to be reckoned with didn't he? Conference gossip post is on the way.
Wednesday, September 10
Dave ♥ Barack too?
Everyone is castigating Brown for siding with Obama.
They're right of course, particularly as the race seems to be going McCain's way at the mo. Then again perhaps Gord won't be there by the time America gets a fully functional President.
Will Hague said "A responsible British prime minister needs to be ready to work with either presidential candidate after the US election, and should neither take sides nor be seen to be taking sides"
Clearly he hadn't seen this ad paid for by PM-in-waiting Cameron's own Conservative Party:
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