Friday, June 05, 2009
Worst Coup Ever?
Sky News have interviewed a couple of Labour MPs today (maybe more when I was not watching), who have been critical of Brown but have said that they have had no letter put to them. Both did not rule out signing the letter.
Well firstly, this has to be one of the most poorly executed coups of all time, it does not have a figurehead and some of its potential supporters have not even been contacted. What exactly is the plan here, ask people to send a response whilst not putting up an alternative? All the while, Brown and his henchmen have been able to cajole senior figures into backing him publicly.
Secondly, we have all seen the letter, I published it here, so if you are a Labour MP, who wants to sign it, just print a copy on your letterhead, sign it, scan it and email it. Simple. I am not sure what the benefit is of being interviewed on TV news and supporting the need for a change of leader, and then not sending an email will achieve? The whole world knows the email address. Or is there some kind of etticate and engraved stationery required with leadership challenges?
With Alan Johnson becoming Home Secretary, and David Miliband keeping his job in the Foreign Office have the email plotters lost their chief candidates to replace Gordon Brown? And if not, who is there left who is both credible and willing?
How Will This Play Out?
I have added a new poll, but this one will only run a few days - how do you think our Governments crisis will play out.
Please use the poll on the right of the blog, but feel free to elaborate, comment or add your own theories in the comments field.
Please use the poll on the right of the blog, but feel free to elaborate, comment or add your own theories in the comments field.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Labour Civil War
The polls are closing and Sky News are saying that James Purnell has quit the cabinet and is calling on Gordon Brown to step down.
The Labour Party must now be recognised as ideologically split, after years of cold war between the Blairites and Brownites things are going to get very heated.
The battle for the soul of the Labour Party is now on.
The Labour Party must now be recognised as ideologically split, after years of cold war between the Blairites and Brownites things are going to get very heated.
The battle for the soul of the Labour Party is now on.
My EU Poll Closes
My EU poll closed overnight here are the results.
Jury Team - 25% (31)
UKIP - 19% (23)
Conservative - 14% (18)
SNP - 14% (17)
BNP - 7% (9)
Green Party - 6% (8)
Liberal Democrats - 2% (3)
Labour - 1% (2)
No2EU - <1% (1)
Not Yet Decided - 5% (7)
Will not vote - 2 (1%)
No votes for English Democrats or Libertas.
It would be hard for me to draw too many conclusions between this poll and what the end result will be, plus we have to wait until Sunday before the counts are concluded.
Jury Team - 25% (31)
UKIP - 19% (23)
Conservative - 14% (18)
SNP - 14% (17)
BNP - 7% (9)
Green Party - 6% (8)
Liberal Democrats - 2% (3)
Labour - 1% (2)
No2EU - <1% (1)
Not Yet Decided - 5% (7)
Will not vote - 2 (1%)
No votes for English Democrats or Libertas.
It would be hard for me to draw too many conclusions between this poll and what the end result will be, plus we have to wait until Sunday before the counts are concluded.
Recommended Reading - Election Special
Here is my latest recommended reading list.
Please note, I do not necessarily agree with these posts and articles, however I found them sufficiently interesting to warrant a recommendation:
Sir Paul Judge says that the main parties have copied some of Jury Teams ideas, but they need to go further and abolish the Whips, here.
The Tax Payers alliance reveal Britain's best value MEPs in the Telegraph, here.
Matthew Parris says that a vote for Browns Labour is a vote for mayhem, here.
Daniel Hannan says that the Conservatives are in better company now that they have left the EPP, here.
Tim Worstall reminds people to unfold their ballot papers, as UKIP is right at the bottom, here.
Tory Poppins reveals Gordon Browns secret plans to join the Euro, here.
Enjoy!
Please note, I do not necessarily agree with these posts and articles, however I found them sufficiently interesting to warrant a recommendation:
Sir Paul Judge says that the main parties have copied some of Jury Teams ideas, but they need to go further and abolish the Whips, here.
The Tax Payers alliance reveal Britain's best value MEPs in the Telegraph, here.
Matthew Parris says that a vote for Browns Labour is a vote for mayhem, here.
Daniel Hannan says that the Conservatives are in better company now that they have left the EPP, here.
Tim Worstall reminds people to unfold their ballot papers, as UKIP is right at the bottom, here.
Tory Poppins reveals Gordon Browns secret plans to join the Euro, here.
Enjoy!
Election Day Newspapers
Thursday 4th June was supposed to be remembered for being the date of local and EU elections in the UK. There is a chance it will be remembered for very different reasons, with the dagger hanging over the head of the PMs career.
I wonder if and where Gordon Brown will be campaigning during the day and what the reaction is to him. I gather from TV pictures that his events are fairly closed off, but if there is a public backlash that will make for interesting election day TV.
Anyway, I thought because it was an election day I would give an early summary of what the papers are saying.
The Telegraph says that Gordon Brown is fighting for his political life. They also carry polling from YouGov which indicates that Labour will be pushed into fourth place in the EU election.
The Guardian is saying that Gordon Brown hangs on, for now and they also claim to reveal the rebels timetable for unseating the Prime Minister.
The Times says that despite the local and EU elections on June 4th, two more elections are needed: an election for Labour Leader and a General Election.
The Mail online leads with the quote “You can best serve the Party by stepping down”: Labour MPs tell Brown to go. They also say that Blairite potential rebels have warned that positioning Ed Balls as Chancellor would be a “Very Grave Mistake”.
The Daily Express says Brown Cabinet crumbles on eve of elections as Hazel Blears quits.
The Suns Political leader begins: Dear Gordon, please resign…Now and continues by pointing out that Gordon Brown faces the prospect of being the first premier dumped by email.
The Mirror has not yet updated tomorrow’s stories online. They are the only newspaper that has not yet openly stated that they think Gordon Brown should go, and from the TV newspaper reports that will not change with tomorrows edition.
The Star says the Labour Party is in turmoil after Hazel Blears quit.
I wonder if and where Gordon Brown will be campaigning during the day and what the reaction is to him. I gather from TV pictures that his events are fairly closed off, but if there is a public backlash that will make for interesting election day TV.
Anyway, I thought because it was an election day I would give an early summary of what the papers are saying.
The Telegraph says that Gordon Brown is fighting for his political life. They also carry polling from YouGov which indicates that Labour will be pushed into fourth place in the EU election.
The Guardian is saying that Gordon Brown hangs on, for now and they also claim to reveal the rebels timetable for unseating the Prime Minister.
The Times says that despite the local and EU elections on June 4th, two more elections are needed: an election for Labour Leader and a General Election.
The Mail online leads with the quote “You can best serve the Party by stepping down”: Labour MPs tell Brown to go. They also say that Blairite potential rebels have warned that positioning Ed Balls as Chancellor would be a “Very Grave Mistake”.
The Daily Express says Brown Cabinet crumbles on eve of elections as Hazel Blears quits.
The Suns Political leader begins: Dear Gordon, please resign…Now and continues by pointing out that Gordon Brown faces the prospect of being the first premier dumped by email.
The Mirror has not yet updated tomorrow’s stories online. They are the only newspaper that has not yet openly stated that they think Gordon Brown should go, and from the TV newspaper reports that will not change with tomorrows edition.
The Star says the Labour Party is in turmoil after Hazel Blears quit.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Email Sent To Labour MPs Urging Brown To Step Down
Here is the contents of the email circulating Labour MPs as per Sky News
Dear Gordon,
Over the last 12 years in government, and before, you have made an enormous contribution to this country and to the Labour Party, and this is very widely acknowledged.
However we are writing now because we believe that in the current political situation, you can best serve the Labour Party and the country by stepping down as party leader and prime minister, and so allowing the party to choose a new leader to take us into the next general election.
Yours,
XXXX [ed - MP name - not kisses]
This email has been sent around to all Labour MPs and I think we all hope that those who agree are tech savvy enough to be able to log-in to their emails, sign it, scan and email it to signonnow@hotmail.com which seems to be a kind of drop box. (And to those who set it up, if your waiting for 50 responses, don't forget to check you spam box; just in case!)
It was passed to Sky by a Labour MP so it must be doing the rounds of Labour MPs, and not be an opposition hoax.
Only when 50 names are received will they be published, and I believe 72 are needed to formally bring about a leadership contest. The commentators around Westminster are suggesting this is the start of, or at least the public outing of a plot to oust the Prime Minister, that will take shape over the weekend and into early next week.
It is a shame that we will need to wait so long for tomorrows elections to be counted as the results will be telling.
Dear Gordon,
Over the last 12 years in government, and before, you have made an enormous contribution to this country and to the Labour Party, and this is very widely acknowledged.
However we are writing now because we believe that in the current political situation, you can best serve the Labour Party and the country by stepping down as party leader and prime minister, and so allowing the party to choose a new leader to take us into the next general election.
Yours,
XXXX [ed - MP name - not kisses]
This email has been sent around to all Labour MPs and I think we all hope that those who agree are tech savvy enough to be able to log-in to their emails, sign it, scan and email it to signonnow@hotmail.com which seems to be a kind of drop box. (And to those who set it up, if your waiting for 50 responses, don't forget to check you spam box; just in case!)
It was passed to Sky by a Labour MP so it must be doing the rounds of Labour MPs, and not be an opposition hoax.
Only when 50 names are received will they be published, and I believe 72 are needed to formally bring about a leadership contest. The commentators around Westminster are suggesting this is the start of, or at least the public outing of a plot to oust the Prime Minister, that will take shape over the weekend and into early next week.
It is a shame that we will need to wait so long for tomorrows elections to be counted as the results will be telling.
Personal Good News
I am happy as I was sneaked the advance list of the Wikio Top 20 - not for politics, but for the Sports blogs and Football Banter made the top 10. The top 20 can be seen, here.
Great news, and some vindication as I nearly packed the football blog in a few months ago - Thankfully Tarquin came on board and maybe a few others will as well in the future.
I am not sure who got the Politics advance list, though I think it is safe to assume this blog has not scaled the heights that would qualify it for a top 20 slot, yet.
Great news, and some vindication as I nearly packed the football blog in a few months ago - Thankfully Tarquin came on board and maybe a few others will as well in the future.
I am not sure who got the Politics advance list, though I think it is safe to assume this blog has not scaled the heights that would qualify it for a top 20 slot, yet.
The Government Is About To Fall
There will be wide support from the opposition parties next week for the mooted debate on whether to dissolve Parliament, should Gordon Brown survive so long. But as I said yesterday, on full attendance there needs to be a mid-30 swing if all MPs attend, and all non-Labour MPs all vote for dissolution.
The BBC has reported today that there is a letter circling abound the backbenchers, and Iain Dales suggests that has already been signed by around 40 MPs. Although 72 is the magic number there, it is clear that should a dissolution vote take place there are already enough Labour MPs in the bag to make it happen already, before the debate has begun. This situation absolutely makes Gordon Browns Position as Prime Minister untenable in my opinion and I think as the day goes on and more is heard from current and potential ex-cabinet members this situation will progress.
So, Mr Johnson it is time to step forward from the shadows and in to the daylight so as to seize your moment. We do not want a reluctant leader, nor do we need someone who is unsure of the task at hand or their own abilities. If it is you who is to steer the ship in the interim you need to do it with conviction.
I also say again what I have said here before, the only acceptable course of action, and the only acceptable way to reform our system is to call for and deliver a General Election.
If The Labour Party cannot sort this out for themselves then it is worth remembering that the Queen is within her powers to dissolve Parliament herself and appoint an interim Prime Minister. This is the nuclear option and things should not be allowed to get that far. However, considering Mr Browns failure to stand for a leadership election of his party, and the absence of a General Election victory with him as leader gives him little mandate. The argument for continuity in government is lost with the massive deviations from the last Labour Manifesto and what has been provided from HMG; her Majesty herself would be better serving democracy by triggering the election in which the overwhelming majority of her subjects desire.... Like I said before, it is time for Alan Johnson to step forward.
The BBC has reported today that there is a letter circling abound the backbenchers, and Iain Dales suggests that has already been signed by around 40 MPs. Although 72 is the magic number there, it is clear that should a dissolution vote take place there are already enough Labour MPs in the bag to make it happen already, before the debate has begun. This situation absolutely makes Gordon Browns Position as Prime Minister untenable in my opinion and I think as the day goes on and more is heard from current and potential ex-cabinet members this situation will progress.
So, Mr Johnson it is time to step forward from the shadows and in to the daylight so as to seize your moment. We do not want a reluctant leader, nor do we need someone who is unsure of the task at hand or their own abilities. If it is you who is to steer the ship in the interim you need to do it with conviction.
I also say again what I have said here before, the only acceptable course of action, and the only acceptable way to reform our system is to call for and deliver a General Election.
If The Labour Party cannot sort this out for themselves then it is worth remembering that the Queen is within her powers to dissolve Parliament herself and appoint an interim Prime Minister. This is the nuclear option and things should not be allowed to get that far. However, considering Mr Browns failure to stand for a leadership election of his party, and the absence of a General Election victory with him as leader gives him little mandate. The argument for continuity in government is lost with the massive deviations from the last Labour Manifesto and what has been provided from HMG; her Majesty herself would be better serving democracy by triggering the election in which the overwhelming majority of her subjects desire.... Like I said before, it is time for Alan Johnson to step forward.
How Many Cabinet Resignations Do We Have To Have Before We Get A General Election?
I ask, because I see Hazel Blears has jumped ship.
Another question beckons, is there anybody left in the Parliamentary Labour Party who is both willing and capable of operating as a cabinet minister?
Final question for now would be who is going to do the job of tapping the Prime Minister on the shoulder and telling his it's time to go. I would have thought Jack Straw, but who knows.
I really think that history is going to record these last few months as one of the darkest periods of British Government history. This is going to be yet another interesting, but dark day.
Another question beckons, is there anybody left in the Parliamentary Labour Party who is both willing and capable of operating as a cabinet minister?
Final question for now would be who is going to do the job of tapping the Prime Minister on the shoulder and telling his it's time to go. I would have thought Jack Straw, but who knows.
I really think that history is going to record these last few months as one of the darkest periods of British Government history. This is going to be yet another interesting, but dark day.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The Guardian Calls Time On Gordon Brown
The Guardian Editorial on tomorrows paper calls time on Gordon Browns Premiership and seeks a leadership change, though clearly they are not keen on a General Election and instead are seeking a vote and a new Prime Minister being installed from within the Labour Party and hope the Liberals will help prop them up.
Personally I do not think they go far enough, but it is clear that this nation and it's Government is crippled by the incompetence and overwhelming dislike for the Prime Minister.
This passage which I have lifted from the editorial is particularly telling, my emphasis is added:
The case for a new leader has been made stronger by the expenses crisis. Labour needs to enter the next election having reformed parliament. But Mr Brown will never do it. The prime minister was absent from the start of the debate and cautious now he has joined it. His instinct is usually to hesitate, and to establish reviews and commissions. Meanwhile, the chance of a generation is being missed.
Unfortunately the paper seems to fail to recognise that confidence in Parliament will not return with just a chance in PM, though it is clear they hope it will and that the Liberal Democrats will perform their progressive duties and help further a left-wing agenda in the remaining months until the clock runs out next May.
But the truth is Gordon Brown has not been elected as Prime Minister, that is his biggest problem whenever he faces anyone in an official capacity. So a patchwork Lib-Lab cabinet where the Lib Dems share in an equal deficit of electoral legitimacy will not wash with the public. Goodwill in the Labour party evaporated a long time ago.
Again, I say the only way to fix Parliament is to have an election, but at least the Guardian are now with the rest of the country in having no confidence in the Prime Minister.
Personally I do not think they go far enough, but it is clear that this nation and it's Government is crippled by the incompetence and overwhelming dislike for the Prime Minister.
This passage which I have lifted from the editorial is particularly telling, my emphasis is added:
The case for a new leader has been made stronger by the expenses crisis. Labour needs to enter the next election having reformed parliament. But Mr Brown will never do it. The prime minister was absent from the start of the debate and cautious now he has joined it. His instinct is usually to hesitate, and to establish reviews and commissions. Meanwhile, the chance of a generation is being missed.
Unfortunately the paper seems to fail to recognise that confidence in Parliament will not return with just a chance in PM, though it is clear they hope it will and that the Liberal Democrats will perform their progressive duties and help further a left-wing agenda in the remaining months until the clock runs out next May.
But the truth is Gordon Brown has not been elected as Prime Minister, that is his biggest problem whenever he faces anyone in an official capacity. So a patchwork Lib-Lab cabinet where the Lib Dems share in an equal deficit of electoral legitimacy will not wash with the public. Goodwill in the Labour party evaporated a long time ago.
Again, I say the only way to fix Parliament is to have an election, but at least the Guardian are now with the rest of the country in having no confidence in the Prime Minister.
Could Parliament Vote To Dissolve Itself
The prospect of a vote in Parliament for an early dissolution may be made next week when Plaid Cymru and the SNP get the chance to call for a debate on whether Parliament should be dissolved. It is an issue that leaves little debate in the wider country and both Nats parties receive my thanks for bringing the debate to the floor.
Parliament should be dissolved, I keep saying it but only a General Election and a fresh house can repair the damage done. More recently, Gordon Brown is making overtures that he wants to ram through Constitutional reforms, when he has never once faced the country and asked for a mandate to make such changes. It is also becoming clear that the Government is in chaos, and that the Labour Party could face another very long spell out of power and are risking losing ground to the Liberal Democrats.
In my opinion if the Liberal Democrats do the improbable and overtake Labour they can stay there for a very long time.
Since hearing this on the way home and reading around the blogs, I see that Conservative Home is already saying that William Hague has confirmed the Conservatives would back such a motion, now this is a relishing prospect. There are 350 Labour MPs, 3 Social & Democratic Labour Party Members, plus maybe Claire Short which Nick Brown will be looking to Whip. So a 30ish swing of Labour MPs could force the issue if every single other MP supported the motion.
Anyway, I will not get too ahead of myself there, as nothing is certain yet, but a hammering on Thursday and the continued implosion of the Cabinet will certainly bring wider calls for this motion to happen.
I will be the happiest man in the land if it is Parliament itself finds that the best way to fix itself is to consult the electorate.
Parliament should be dissolved, I keep saying it but only a General Election and a fresh house can repair the damage done. More recently, Gordon Brown is making overtures that he wants to ram through Constitutional reforms, when he has never once faced the country and asked for a mandate to make such changes. It is also becoming clear that the Government is in chaos, and that the Labour Party could face another very long spell out of power and are risking losing ground to the Liberal Democrats.
In my opinion if the Liberal Democrats do the improbable and overtake Labour they can stay there for a very long time.
Since hearing this on the way home and reading around the blogs, I see that Conservative Home is already saying that William Hague has confirmed the Conservatives would back such a motion, now this is a relishing prospect. There are 350 Labour MPs, 3 Social & Democratic Labour Party Members, plus maybe Claire Short which Nick Brown will be looking to Whip. So a 30ish swing of Labour MPs could force the issue if every single other MP supported the motion.
Anyway, I will not get too ahead of myself there, as nothing is certain yet, but a hammering on Thursday and the continued implosion of the Cabinet will certainly bring wider calls for this motion to happen.
I will be the happiest man in the land if it is Parliament itself finds that the best way to fix itself is to consult the electorate.
Recommended Reading
Here is my latest recommended reading list.
Please note, I do not necessarily agree with these posts and articles, however I found them sufficiently interesting to warrant a recommendation:
The Times say that the Amateur Spy's are using Google Earth to keep watch North Korea, here.
Brits at their Best wished Big Ben a happy birthday, here.
Dick Puddlecote came across a story of plane stupidity, here.
Anna Raccoon updates a classic bit of Gilbert & Sullivan, here.
Iain Martin does not think it wise of Gordon Brown to annoy the Queen right now, here.
John Stokes says the Obama administration is to make some radical proposals to counter the cyberspace wars, here.
And finally, the Czechs are ahead of the UK again, check out these pictures from an EU rally in the Czech Republic, here.
Enjoy!
Please note, I do not necessarily agree with these posts and articles, however I found them sufficiently interesting to warrant a recommendation:
The Times say that the Amateur Spy's are using Google Earth to keep watch North Korea, here.
Brits at their Best wished Big Ben a happy birthday, here.
Dick Puddlecote came across a story of plane stupidity, here.
Anna Raccoon updates a classic bit of Gilbert & Sullivan, here.
Iain Martin does not think it wise of Gordon Brown to annoy the Queen right now, here.
John Stokes says the Obama administration is to make some radical proposals to counter the cyberspace wars, here.
And finally, the Czechs are ahead of the UK again, check out these pictures from an EU rally in the Czech Republic, here.
Enjoy!
Monday, June 01, 2009
Get Gordon Out - PLEASE!!
Something has to give. An unelected Prime Minister with the confidence of less that one in five voters does not provide a platform for governing, or electoral mandate. Add in a weak and widely discredited Parliament and the only person left who does not want an election is the guy who is supposed to call for one.
Here's another thought. Over the past decade, probably the most hotly debated issue on the political left was the Iraq war. There are other big issues, but the Iraq War probably drew more debate and vitriol than any other issue. The focal point of those arguments was actually the man at the figure head, George W Bush. Despite an attempt to impeach him and efforts veto his defence plans in Iraq, at no point (that I have been able to track via Google) did he fall below 30% in an opinion poll. Gordon Brown is on 18% and sliding. I accept this is an apples and oranges analogy, with fewer alternative voting options in the States - but the numbers still strike me as poignant. The former President has recently polled 41% favourable / 57 unfavourable on retrospective opinion via CNN. Gordon Brown will probably sell his cabinet down the river for a mid-twenty poll vote now.
There was with Mr Dubya's departure a sense of re-birth and refreshed thinking during and following the US election. President Obama was being heralded, and even former Republican Cabinet members were backing him. The same is true of the UK today. Only an election can heal our wounds now. The people of the United Kingdom separated by thousands of regional dialects and local traditions, we are a union of separate nations; there has never been a feeling so widely shared by so many within this fraught union as the outright embarrassment felt when Gordon Brown makes a public appearance and opens his mouth (or god forbid, grins).
I do not see Brown recovering and I really hope that those attending the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting tonight, and those Cabinet members who know they are out of their jobs next week have a long hard think. The people want an election, the media wants an election, anyone standing down as an MP and holding on for a pay-off wants an election - the Labour Party is going to suffer long term damage without an election. So, why not have an election? The issue needs to be forced, but it will not be forced by opposition, it will need to be from within the Parliamentary Labour Party.
It would seem to me the lack of an heir-apparent is the biggest stumbling block, but someone is going to have to step forwards, and that person will have to put their personal ambitions to the side and put the good of the Labour Party and the country ahead of such ambitions.
Today the Chancellor gave up the fight, is there anyone left in the Labour Party who is up for one?
Here's another thought. Over the past decade, probably the most hotly debated issue on the political left was the Iraq war. There are other big issues, but the Iraq War probably drew more debate and vitriol than any other issue. The focal point of those arguments was actually the man at the figure head, George W Bush. Despite an attempt to impeach him and efforts veto his defence plans in Iraq, at no point (that I have been able to track via Google) did he fall below 30% in an opinion poll. Gordon Brown is on 18% and sliding. I accept this is an apples and oranges analogy, with fewer alternative voting options in the States - but the numbers still strike me as poignant. The former President has recently polled 41% favourable / 57 unfavourable on retrospective opinion via CNN. Gordon Brown will probably sell his cabinet down the river for a mid-twenty poll vote now.
There was with Mr Dubya's departure a sense of re-birth and refreshed thinking during and following the US election. President Obama was being heralded, and even former Republican Cabinet members were backing him. The same is true of the UK today. Only an election can heal our wounds now. The people of the United Kingdom separated by thousands of regional dialects and local traditions, we are a union of separate nations; there has never been a feeling so widely shared by so many within this fraught union as the outright embarrassment felt when Gordon Brown makes a public appearance and opens his mouth (or god forbid, grins).
I do not see Brown recovering and I really hope that those attending the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting tonight, and those Cabinet members who know they are out of their jobs next week have a long hard think. The people want an election, the media wants an election, anyone standing down as an MP and holding on for a pay-off wants an election - the Labour Party is going to suffer long term damage without an election. So, why not have an election? The issue needs to be forced, but it will not be forced by opposition, it will need to be from within the Parliamentary Labour Party.
It would seem to me the lack of an heir-apparent is the biggest stumbling block, but someone is going to have to step forwards, and that person will have to put their personal ambitions to the side and put the good of the Labour Party and the country ahead of such ambitions.
Today the Chancellor gave up the fight, is there anyone left in the Labour Party who is up for one?
May StatPorn
Before I go through my customary routine of posting statporn on the first of each month, I have decided that this will be the last month which I will do this. Reason being that in April I was reading around (as I do) and the general consensus was, yawn, what a bore. So, to be consistent here are the stats for May, but I will not blog on this again unless there is a particular landmark or something a little more interesting to say. I will however continue to post a list of top referrals each month, as I appreciate the traffic and want to take the opportunity to say thanks for that. These may not be spectacular numbers in comparision to some of the big boys and MSM, but I still want to show my appreciation.
Anyway, traffic in May was again up month on month. I had 2,595 visits an increase of 224 or about 9%; of these 1450 were absolutely unique visitors up 171 or about 13%. Page views were 3,913 down 74 or down nearly 2%.
Referral traffic having dipped in April rebounded somewhat in May so here is an updated top 10, with positions moved within the top 10 in brackets.
1. (-) SNP Tactical Voting - 112 hits
2. (New) Britishblogs.co.uk - 64 hits
3. (New) Subrosa - 58 hits
4. (-1) Scunnert Nation - 57 hits
5. (+2) Catosays (nee, Cato's About) - 56 hits
6. (-1) Tory Bear - 55 hits
7. (-1) Daily Referendum - 50 hits
=8. (+1) Events Dear Boy, Events - 38 hits
=8. (New) 10 Downing Street by Lord Elvis - 38 hits
10. (New) Political Dissuasion - 37 hits
Thanks also to:
11. Behind Blue Eyes (36), 12. LabourHome (33), 13. John Ward (31), 14. Iain Dale (30), 15. Allan Wallace (29), 16. EU Referendum (28), 17. Centurean2 (27), 18. Unenlightened Commentary (26), =19. Defence of the Realm & Plato (24).
And to everyone else who has and continues to link here.
Direct hits in May was 330, down from 331 in April, but Blogger hits were up 13 to 311. Google organic hits was up 14 to 517 hits. Where as traffic on these three shot up in April and linked referrals fell, these have held firm as referrals grew contributing to a modest overall increase in May.
Google is still turning up quite a few hits for people looking for Jury Team and Gordon Browns appearance in South park - but there were no real stand out search terms so I will not bother with that this time.
So thanks for your visits, and for coming back. I appreciate all the hits, it would not really be worth me doing this if I did not have an audience. Feel free to leave feedback in the comments or if you prefer on email. I hope that do you find something of interest here.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Conservative Bloggers Get Together
I just wanted to say thanks to Steve for organising what was a great day out yesterday at the St Stephens Inn opposite Parliament.
If anyone is interested there are some photo's up on Steve's blog, though somehow I managed to avoid being in any of them.
It was good fun meeting up and being able to put faces to the blogs, and just have a bit of banter with fellow bloggers. Not all are active Conservative Party members, which made for some interesting conversations. I see that through DK talking to Mark (Marks Any Musings) he has today joined the Libertarian Party. I also discovered Badger Beer, which went down very well on a hot summers day.
As the day drew on and a numbers began to dwindle myself, Steve and John Ward went exploring for a final drink in the Westminster Arms, but found it to be shut which surprised us.
Needless to say I was fairly drunk by the time we left Westminster.
I had a little trouble finding my way back, and having got on the tube form Westminster to Embankment, I somehow managed to find my way back to Westminster Tube Station. I made it home at about 10:45... thanks, in part to my wife meeting me at the train station at the other end and guiding me back.
I had a bit of a sore head this morning which has thankfully subsided with the application of water and plenty of Tea.
Steve has said he will look to organise another event in about 4 months time, so if you couldn't make it yesterday there will be another chance to meet up. I would certainly recommend it as a good day out with some fine and hospitable company.
If anyone is interested there are some photo's up on Steve's blog, though somehow I managed to avoid being in any of them.
It was good fun meeting up and being able to put faces to the blogs, and just have a bit of banter with fellow bloggers. Not all are active Conservative Party members, which made for some interesting conversations. I see that through DK talking to Mark (Marks Any Musings) he has today joined the Libertarian Party. I also discovered Badger Beer, which went down very well on a hot summers day.
As the day drew on and a numbers began to dwindle myself, Steve and John Ward went exploring for a final drink in the Westminster Arms, but found it to be shut which surprised us.
Needless to say I was fairly drunk by the time we left Westminster.
I had a little trouble finding my way back, and having got on the tube form Westminster to Embankment, I somehow managed to find my way back to Westminster Tube Station. I made it home at about 10:45... thanks, in part to my wife meeting me at the train station at the other end and guiding me back.
I had a bit of a sore head this morning which has thankfully subsided with the application of water and plenty of Tea.
Steve has said he will look to organise another event in about 4 months time, so if you couldn't make it yesterday there will be another chance to meet up. I would certainly recommend it as a good day out with some fine and hospitable company.
Iain & Hopi Election Results - Friday & Sunday
Iain & Hopi are look for an audience and some citizen bloggers to help cover the Election results on Friday and on Sunday. It sounds like it will be good fun. I have posted the link with an additional motivation - that of a chance of being included within the Daley Dozen. I have read wondrous tales of glee from bloggers who have received additional traffic beyond their wildest dreams when they have been linked previously and would like the same for myself.
On the Friday I have volunteered to count votes locally; that is if I am permitted the day off of work anyway.
Brown On Marr
I watched the Andrew Marr show today, which is something I don't normally do and I caught the interview with Gordon Brown.
Our Prime Minister suggested that the Palace was in some way at fault for expecting an invitation to the D-Day remembrance ceremony this week. He went on to suggest that President Sarkozy had wanted the event to be attended by Presidents and Prime Ministers, not by Royalty.
So I guess what Brown was saying was that the Kings and Queens of France, Russia, and the United States weren't invited either, so no offence should be inferred.
The icing on the cake was that Brown then followed this on by saying that if the Queen was to ask him, he would make sure the arrangements are made. What? Why is the Queen not asked if she wants to attend?
The Queen and Prince Phillip lived through and served in World War 2, the Queen is the only Head of State who saw the war first hand. It is not clear to me whether the French an open invitation that has been claimed by Brown, or if this is some kind of Political grandstanding by a Prime Minister in terminal decline, but the fact is, this has been rumbling on for a week now and it is nothing short of insulting that it could not have been resolved without a public airing.
It is not the first time there has been a memorial service in France, surely there is a protocol that has seen many other services observed and remembered.
Anyway, should the Queen not receive an invitation by tomorrow I suggest she books herself a flight with BA, I had a look and 2 tickets will cost in the region of £400. Perhaps giving the circumstances and the event they, or another airline will offer her the tickets. Then I suggest she books into her own accommodation and then she arrives and attends like all other onlookers and veterans.
In fact as head of the military, perhaps they will lay on a plane.
When the press pack asks why she has had to attend in that manner I think she would be justified to tell them exactly why.
If I am not wrong, The Queen has a meeting Tuesday with Mr Brown at the Palace, perhaps she might like to ask Mr Brown if that is what he wants to happen.
Our Prime Minister suggested that the Palace was in some way at fault for expecting an invitation to the D-Day remembrance ceremony this week. He went on to suggest that President Sarkozy had wanted the event to be attended by Presidents and Prime Ministers, not by Royalty.
So I guess what Brown was saying was that the Kings and Queens of France, Russia, and the United States weren't invited either, so no offence should be inferred.
The icing on the cake was that Brown then followed this on by saying that if the Queen was to ask him, he would make sure the arrangements are made. What? Why is the Queen not asked if she wants to attend?
The Queen and Prince Phillip lived through and served in World War 2, the Queen is the only Head of State who saw the war first hand. It is not clear to me whether the French an open invitation that has been claimed by Brown, or if this is some kind of Political grandstanding by a Prime Minister in terminal decline, but the fact is, this has been rumbling on for a week now and it is nothing short of insulting that it could not have been resolved without a public airing.
It is not the first time there has been a memorial service in France, surely there is a protocol that has seen many other services observed and remembered.
Anyway, should the Queen not receive an invitation by tomorrow I suggest she books herself a flight with BA, I had a look and 2 tickets will cost in the region of £400. Perhaps giving the circumstances and the event they, or another airline will offer her the tickets. Then I suggest she books into her own accommodation and then she arrives and attends like all other onlookers and veterans.
In fact as head of the military, perhaps they will lay on a plane.
When the press pack asks why she has had to attend in that manner I think she would be justified to tell them exactly why.
If I am not wrong, The Queen has a meeting Tuesday with Mr Brown at the Palace, perhaps she might like to ask Mr Brown if that is what he wants to happen.
Spain Lunge For The Rock
I have just seen that the EU has approved Spain entry into British waters around Gibraltar on environmental grounds.
So what will the British Government do?
My guess; probably nothing.
So what will the British Government do?
My guess; probably nothing.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Recommended Reading
Here is my latest recommended reading list.
Please note, I do not necessarily agree with these posts and articles, however I found them sufficiently interesting to warrant a recommendation:
Fraser Nelson with the revelation that Alistair Darling actually is cutting Government spending, yet will not admit openly to it, here.
Steve Green with Bad news for Brown and Clegg in the polls, here.
William Hague hits back at David Millibands comments, and says that the Labour Government has left Britain on the fringes of Europe, here.
Lord Mandelson got a Letter from a Tory, here.
Morus reviews VoteMatch on Political Betting, here.
Brits at their Best asks how long can the pols ignore the polls, here.
And finally, for Sci-Fi fans - another epic space battle, this time Battlestar vs Star Wars vs Start Trek vs Babylon 5, here.
Enjoy!
Please note, I do not necessarily agree with these posts and articles, however I found them sufficiently interesting to warrant a recommendation:
Fraser Nelson with the revelation that Alistair Darling actually is cutting Government spending, yet will not admit openly to it, here.
Steve Green with Bad news for Brown and Clegg in the polls, here.
William Hague hits back at David Millibands comments, and says that the Labour Government has left Britain on the fringes of Europe, here.
Lord Mandelson got a Letter from a Tory, here.
Morus reviews VoteMatch on Political Betting, here.
Brits at their Best asks how long can the pols ignore the polls, here.
And finally, for Sci-Fi fans - another epic space battle, this time Battlestar vs Star Wars vs Start Trek vs Babylon 5, here.
Enjoy!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Newsnight 28-May-09
I have just watched the first 20 mins of Newsnight, and it is well worth a watch on iPlayer if you missed it like I did. See it here.
Kelvin MacKenzie, Danny Finkelstein and Susan Kramer talking with Paxo about the Telegraphs revelations - and then, slap bang in the middle Bill Cash phones in to talk about how he flipped his arraignments to help his daughter pay for her wedding - justifying it as within the rules at the time and at no additional cost to what he could have claimed.
So, two observations.
Firstly, I am really sad about the Bill Cash revelation as I genuinely thought he was one of the good guys; despite what I interpret and misappropriation of taxpayers money, he has worked long and hard for transparency in government, the supremacy of Parliament and highlighting the affects of legislation handed down from the EU. When I put up a poll last week about who should be new speaker I included Mr Cash so that I had someone on the list I wanted to vote for... What a fool I feel now. He is not Mr Cameron's favourite backbencher, so I suspect he will get the push, and soon.
Secondly, the crux of the early part of the BBC exchange was that the Daily Telegraph is acting in the roll of Judge & Jury and that paradoxically this through this analogy it was leading to mob rule and disproportion between cases.
It is true that there are people with transgressions (and cases of out-right theft) that have not yet lost their jobs or faced prosecution. To that I would say that I think the BBC analogy is wrong; the DT to me is the Prosecuting Barrister making the case, the public are the Jury and it is the absence of a recognised Judge in the matter that is causing disparity and disproportion. Take the analogy further, the Judge should serve to control the hearing and pass sentence proportionally - to do so as per law, not per emotional stirrings for individual cases. The absence of a judge in the analogy means that the Jury and the victims are deciding the case and proposing their own sentencing.
In short, Parliament should have been the Judge, but it has failed. We needed the Government, or Gordon Brown himself to step into that breech when this began to come to light but he has, predictably, flunked it. It has been passed off to committee. This is why David Cameron is coming off quite well in the public light, because he is acting as Judge for Conservative MPs and he is getting it right.
The only way to fix this and end me making court analogies is to hold a General Election. Only Gordon Brown stands in the way of that happening.
Kelvin MacKenzie, Danny Finkelstein and Susan Kramer talking with Paxo about the Telegraphs revelations - and then, slap bang in the middle Bill Cash phones in to talk about how he flipped his arraignments to help his daughter pay for her wedding - justifying it as within the rules at the time and at no additional cost to what he could have claimed.
So, two observations.
Firstly, I am really sad about the Bill Cash revelation as I genuinely thought he was one of the good guys; despite what I interpret and misappropriation of taxpayers money, he has worked long and hard for transparency in government, the supremacy of Parliament and highlighting the affects of legislation handed down from the EU. When I put up a poll last week about who should be new speaker I included Mr Cash so that I had someone on the list I wanted to vote for... What a fool I feel now. He is not Mr Cameron's favourite backbencher, so I suspect he will get the push, and soon.
Secondly, the crux of the early part of the BBC exchange was that the Daily Telegraph is acting in the roll of Judge & Jury and that paradoxically this through this analogy it was leading to mob rule and disproportion between cases.
It is true that there are people with transgressions (and cases of out-right theft) that have not yet lost their jobs or faced prosecution. To that I would say that I think the BBC analogy is wrong; the DT to me is the Prosecuting Barrister making the case, the public are the Jury and it is the absence of a recognised Judge in the matter that is causing disparity and disproportion. Take the analogy further, the Judge should serve to control the hearing and pass sentence proportionally - to do so as per law, not per emotional stirrings for individual cases. The absence of a judge in the analogy means that the Jury and the victims are deciding the case and proposing their own sentencing.
In short, Parliament should have been the Judge, but it has failed. We needed the Government, or Gordon Brown himself to step into that breech when this began to come to light but he has, predictably, flunked it. It has been passed off to committee. This is why David Cameron is coming off quite well in the public light, because he is acting as Judge for Conservative MPs and he is getting it right.
The only way to fix this and end me making court analogies is to hold a General Election. Only Gordon Brown stands in the way of that happening.
Question Time Tonight
Caroline Flint who is the Minister for Europe was on Question Time tonight, she is famous, so far as I can tell for two things. Firstly for asking to be taken seriously despite a number of pictures floating around of her posing, in what I assume is supposed to be a seductive manner [but was lost on me] on various loungers.
Secondly for being the Europe Minister and admitting that she has not read the Lisbon Treaty - despite her strongly advocating it's adoption.
So you would think that a Minister, who was previously embarrassed for admitting she has not read a Treaty that fundamentally affects us all and the manner in which we are governed, appearing on a show called Question Time might have prompted the question one week before European Elections "Have you read the Lisbon Treaty yet?".... but alas, it did not.
So I am still none the wiser, I suspect the answer is no.
Daniel Hannan and Nigel Farage were good value and Sir Paul Judge popped up in the audience with a question of his own for Nigel.
Secondly for being the Europe Minister and admitting that she has not read the Lisbon Treaty - despite her strongly advocating it's adoption.
So you would think that a Minister, who was previously embarrassed for admitting she has not read a Treaty that fundamentally affects us all and the manner in which we are governed, appearing on a show called Question Time might have prompted the question one week before European Elections "Have you read the Lisbon Treaty yet?".... but alas, it did not.
So I am still none the wiser, I suspect the answer is no.
Daniel Hannan and Nigel Farage were good value and Sir Paul Judge popped up in the audience with a question of his own for Nigel.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Should We Seperate The Executive From Parliament?
I have been thinking a lot in recent weeks about how I would reform Parliament and Government if I were in a position to do so. I have lots and lots of ideas; too many I find for me to coherently set them out in a reasoned and sensible way. My brain now seems fit to burst, and it is clear that I will never get the time to write up a super post about all the ills of Government and how potentially to fix it.
So I thought I would set out some arguments for feedback, not necessarily because I am advocating all of them , but because they are worth debating and thinking about.
So, #1 point I have been thinking about is whether or not it would be a positive step to a more representative democracy to separate the executive from Parliament.
In my thoughts, the executive would still be accountable to Parliament, on the whole, but would instead operate independently and would not sit and participate within Parliament. We would all vote on an executive leader, but as they will not be a Minister, so would not hold the title of Prime Minister. Let’s, for now use the term Chairperson, although I do not like that title. The Executive functions and responsibilities would move from the current office of Prime Minister, to the new Executive leader, and the Legislative responsibilities and functions would transfer to the Majority leader in the House of Commons.
The elected Chairperson and Deputy would appoint a cabinet. Their purpose and function would be to execute the departments of government and exercise the law as set out by Parliament. As the Chairperson would be elected and not the head of the majority party, they would need to be elected by a vote of the entire UK (or what is left of the UK post devolution). I would argue that any candidates for such a role would have to be stronger than some people who have become Prime Minister in the last 100 years.
It would also require, I think an elected upper house in Parliament, but I want to write a separate piece on that… If possible, could you envision that as part of the changes bringing the executive out of Parliament.
Positives:
# The Chairperson of the day has an entire country from which to select suitable candidates from for cabinet positions, not just those who have a current seat in Parliament.
# Cabinet appointments would need to be scrutinised by Parliament and confirmed by act of law.
# The current situation see’s a large number of Ministers of various levels voting in Parliament, there is very rarely any dissent or opposition voiced to Government motions. By removing the executive, many more people’s MP’s would be [more] free to debate on a wider range of issues.
# The Chairperson and Deputy would be subject to a ballot of the entire UK, rather than being the leader of the party with the highest number of seats. This is giving people votes on the executive function. We would never again have a situation whereby the PM has not been elected directly.
# The Executive could potentially represent a party in contrast to the majority seated in Parliament.
# By separating the Executive leader from the Legislature, we have a more effective separation of powers that limit the power of one individual. As such, the effects of a megalomaniacal or ineffectual leader are reduced.
# The removal of the Government from the legislature would remove, at present 32 Cabinet members. As such, there are 32 constituencies on the UK where the current MP will not dissent or argue against the Government Position.
# The Executives primary function would be the execution and enforcement of law. Thus, potentially a reduction laws, or clarification of laws would be sought from Executive consultation.
# I would suggest that the Executive would require a VETO before laws are signed by their branch (before moving on to the Queen) – such a VETO, like in the American model could then be challenged by an over-riding vote, where an increased majority in both Houses of Parliament would be required.
# The VETO could protect people from laws being passed that favour the Legislative Branch.
#Equally, the override vote would require an increased majority of both houses of the legislature, as such should safely ensure that any issue that is popular can still be passed.
# As a possible idea, instead of the Queen reading a Government prepared speech at the state opening of Parliament, perhaps the new Executive and possible even the majority leader could deliver a speech to the Queen on the Legislature agenda for the following year.
# We will have a Supreme Court from October this year already, so potentially the Judicial Branch is near enough established.
Negatives:
# The Prime Minister is currently accountable to Parliament both at law but through weekly scrutiny at PMQ’s. Despite an executive being elected, it could become more remote between elections.
# A separate Executive could circumvent current protections guaranteed by Parliament – Executive Fiat could lead to poor and unaccountable governance.
# If we make such a radical change now, could a precedent of radical change be made which may in the future allow for changes to be more regularly being made which in turn could lead to less democratic controls? This would be a danger in the absence of a codified Constitution...
# ...Do we really want to go down the route where we may need a Written Constitution?
# The Executive could eventually be held up as a challenge to the Crown rather than a defender of it.
# At present somewhere in the region of 75-85% of laws are passed over from the EU. Perhaps that is the problem and a massive repatriation of powers to the existing structures would provide the restoration of democratic accountability so many of us crave.
Like I said at the beginning I am not advocating anything more than the extension of some debate, and in the scheme of how such radical changes would be wide reaching, I am undecided.
Obvious flattery aside, I have a pretty intelligent readership, so feel free to run with your thoughts and feedback in the comments. There is much not considered in this short post, and much that can be added.
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