Absolutely Brilliant

Squiffy.

Are we watching 1990 to 1997 replayed in double speed?

It struck me the other day that the similarities between the present Government's problems and the problems of John Major's Government are similar but being played out a double speed.

Both leaders came into office after a coup had forced out the previous thrice election winning incumbent, and quickly saw their initial popularity wane as they were deemed useless compared to their illustrious predecessor. But the similarity does not end there...

After John major's election as leader of the Tory party, that he became a very popular figure for a short while and was able to pull off the spectacular coup of a fourth Tory election victory. There could be a similarity here with Gordon Brown's initial popularity which lasted a short 5 months.

There then followed an economic upheaval as Britain was forced (thankfully) out of the ERM. For Brown, this could be deemed his Northern Rock moment. From that moment on, Major's and Brown's popularity plummeted.

John Major then had to pass the Maastrict treaty against some rebels in his party, the Constitution anybody?

For John Major, the following Budget brought in tax rises in a very unpopular way. The addition of VAT to fuel was in the words of Sir Humphrey, 'Courageous' as it hit the poorest hardest, and had to be amended (halved) for the tax proposals to pass. Are you seeing the abolition of the 10% tax rate yet?

By this point, the Tories were backstabbing, inward-looking, and not interested in unity any more. John Major had to plead for loyalty. Maybe someone should tell the PLP.

John Major had seven years in office before being booted out, at most Gordon Brown has three years. The similarities are striking. I don't think Labour will recover.

Squiffy.

10% tax, 90% trouble

Gordon Brown is in a right pickle over the abolition of the 10% tax rate. It's a problem entirely of his own making.

For some reason, Gordon Brown forgot his own Labour principles when he announced with a fanfare the decrease in the basic tax rate from 22% to 20%. He pushed principles aside to get a quick headline, achieving what Margaret Thatcher had always wanted. As usual with GB the detail was in the 2007 budget red book, and not in his speech. He had quietly forgot to mention the scrapping of the 10% tax band.

It was Gordon Brown, in 1999, who introduced the 10% tax band. It was a good measure to decrease tax for all, but was of disproportionate benefit to those on lower incomes. He now claims that he wants to simplify the tax system! It was he of course who complicated the tax system in the first place. Had GB decreased the basic rate of tax in 1999, all would have benefited and he would not be in his present mess.

Gordon Brown has made much play of his help to low earning families, but he forgets all those who don't have a child. He wants to take as much money as he can, then he give it back to you in state aid through tax credits and benefits. He knows best - or should I say - knew best. I think he has shown that his earlier political instincts have deserted him and shown him as a political opportunist. Unfortunately for Britain, he's crap at it and he's making poorer people's lives worse.

Squiffy.

Gwyneth

It's so sad to hear of the news of Gwyneth Dunwoody's death. There's not many MPs you can appreciate across the political divide, but some can gain your respect through steadfastness and a sense of purpose - and not giving in to the prevailing wind.

Gwyneth Dunwoody was such a person, and as the chairman of the Transport select committee showed her brilliance in asking awkward questions of ministers from her own Government. She would, frequently, show her independence of spirit and would often entertain by not towing the party line.

Tonight, I feel much poorer for her passing. Heaven has gained a new straight-talking angel.

Squiffy.

Will Brown be ousted?

The short answer is No. It is practically impossible to remove a Labour Prime Minister, whereas it is easier to remove a Labour leader in opposition.

The fact that we are even beginning to ask this question must be shocking to Labour MPs, and no less to Mr Brown himself. It seems like an age ago when Mr Brown was crowned leader of the party and country, seemed at ease with himself, and had the country in the palm of his hand with his sureness of touch in dealing with initial troubles.

Since October, his political acumen has alluded him. He now does not seem like Prime Ministerial material, he is surrounded by political pygmies, and looks like he is not enjoying the job. After the non election, he asked to be given time to explain his vision. We are still waiting. After the abolition of the 10 pence tax rate, even Labour MPs are beginning to ask what is the purpose of this Government.

Today, the Guardian's leader has mentioned the PM in trouble, there are open leadership questions and Polly Toynbee now thinks that GB has not got the necessary qualities. When your former backers are now posing problems you can tell that you are in deep do do. Ask John Major.

I think we are watching Labour's endgame (for now) being played out. Only a change of leadership will raise their fortunes, but I cannot see it happening.

Squiffy.

The travails of the commuter

I arrived this morning at Kilburn tube station, just like normal, to find that the platform has yellow squares painted onto it. The idea is to show where the doors will be when the train stops. Nice idea. But please, London Transport, stop now. One of the only bonuses of being a commuter in this city is having the insider knowledge, i.e. knowing where the doors will be. Don't give away our secrets.

While I'm having this rant, I want to make a few other points. During peak hours, please stop all the announcements. I know I shouldn't smoke, there's signs everywhere. I know that I should tap my oyster card in and out. I know that Baker Street comes after St John's Wood. I know Bond Street has a change to the central line. I know to mind the gap. I know to stay behind the yellow line.

I don't need to be told every 30 seconds! Maybe this information is useful for tourists, but if they're travelling around at 8 in the morning and 6 in the evening then they must be mad.

Just like the earlier post about street furniture, please trust us to know what we're doing.

Squiffy.

Get rid of street furniture

I'm interested in the idea of removing street furniture to make our roads a safer place. As a perennial pedestrian I can see some great merits in the idea.

For the pedestrian, there's too many barriers stopping your from crossing the road at convenient points.

I can see that drivers speed as fast as they can between green traffic lights, hoping to make some progress before they hit the inevitable red. Given these overriding thoughts it's no wonder that drivers aren't paying too much attention to the pedestrians on the pavement, and accidents do happen.

The idea of removing barriers, traffic lights and a multitude of other signage is to make everybody a first class citizen of the road, and give everyone an equal chance to move at a sensible speed. It may sound mad, but experiments in the Netherlands have shown that people get to their destination quicker and accidents are reduced. As well as that, roads are clearer and it costs councils less.

A trial is going to happen in Kensington & Chelsea. I hope it's a success.

Squiffy.

Max Mosley should go

It is time for Max Mosley to resign. That is quite obvious. Now that BMW, Mercedes and Honda have criticised him, it is clear that he has lost the support of the major F1 teams.

It's interesting to note that Jean Todt has just stepped back from the front line and is being mentioned as a possible successor. Given that the FIA has been accused of Ferrari bias, is this wise? It is also to be noted that this week Ron Dennis has been giving his views on the future of F1 and interesting reading it makes.

To try to bring some balance back to F1, let's hear a cheer for Ron Dennis, President of the FIA.

Squiffy.