The Iraq truth is already starting to disseminate

Two items in the Chilcott Iraq war inquiry have already come to light. The first was that the USA and Britain had already discussed deposing Saddam Hussein before September 11th 2001, and the second that the Attorney General had advised that it would not be legal.

 

We expected the first, to be honest, and we're probably not surprised by the second. But just these two facts really do ring big alarm bells over why we went to war. The whole terrorist link which was trumpeted by George Bush and WMD report by the British Government were a means to an already wanted end. And what was it that changed the Attorney General's mind?

 

It's no surprise really, but it confirms our doubts that the public were heavily misled about the war. The words 'in good faith' will be used time and again over the next few months, but if the first few days are anything to go by we should not hold much store in those words.

 

Squiffy.

 

Tony Lloyd re-elected as Labour PLP chairman

Last night Tony Lloyd was re-elected unopposed as the chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party. This seemingly small piece of news has bigger implications than what first appears.

 

There are precious few moments when the Labour Party can do the most sensible thing and get rid of a Mr. G Brown of 10 Downing Street. One moment was last night. Barry Sheerman had said that he may stand as chairman of the PLP as a "Get Brown Out" candidate. If he had succeeded it would have shown that the Labour Party did indeed want him to go. Without the vote, that's another chance gone.

 

Maybe the poll over the weekend showing the Tory lead down to 6% had an impact. But as they were voting another poll put the Tories' lead at 17%, and Labour at a low of 22%. It now looks likely that the previous poll was rogue and normal service will be resumed.

 

There are now two more set pieces which could trigger the downfall. The PBR and Budget. So far each PBR and Budget of Mr. Brown's reign has immediately lead to a worsened poll position.

 

It is beginning to look like Labour will stick with Brown and face a severe drubbing. Of which we can all be truly grateful.

 

Squiffy.

 

The Queen must have been cursing inside her crown.

What a pitiful Queen's speech. Getting the Queen to read out a Labour Party political broadcast is horrible. It was cringeworthy.

We know there are only 33 days in Parliament before a General Election is called and so hardly any bills with any opposition will become law.

The worst law is the promise to reduce the deficit by half in 4 years. Sure the aim is fine, but what happens when it isn't adhered to. Can't imagine the PM being taken down. No, it's just the worst politics. Just bloody do it. I can't believe the Labour party can though, at every turn they just spend more money. It's the only thing they know.

Oh, by the way, what happened to the fiscal prudence rules which were passed into law in 1997/1998. They were supposed to keep out debt down. When it went slightly wrong they redefined the economic cycle. Then when it went further wrong, it was the global downturn. So who's going to prison for breaking this law? No-one. So what's the whole point.

Yesterday we heard Lord Mandelson on the Today programme being interviewed by Evan Davis. It was handbags at dawn, as Davis put it to Mandelson that the law to make sure no families would be in fuel poverty by 2010 was going to be broken. Who would be prosecuted. Mandelson did his usual trick of blaming Evan for not listening to his answer (the fact that there was no answer, didn't seem to matter to Mandelson). He's good, but soon the interviewers will cotton on to his technique!

Please put this Government out of its misery. I don't think I can wait another 5 months.

Squiffy.

Jenson to McLaren. Probably not good.

Now that it has been confirmed that Jenson Button will be joining Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, we take a look at his chances.

Firstly, we know that both are very good drivers and both should win races. But both like different set-ups. Lewis prefers an oversteer based car, but for Jenson it has to be perfectly balanced.

We know that Lewis has been McLaren's favoured son for many years. The likelihood is that the car will be built to Lewis' preferred set-up making it very difficult for Jenson. When Lewis doesn't have his perfect set-up he can grab the car by the scruff of the neck and make a good fist of it. Unfortunately, Jenson can struggle in a non-balanced car.

It does look to me that he may have made the wrong choice and will be beaten by Hamilton. I'm hoping I'm proved wrong and they are more evenly matched, but my suspicion is that Lewis will blow Jenson away.

Squiffy.

Degrees in Nursing?

I heard with incredulity that everyone who goes into nursing will need a degree in a few years time. What has happened to this country?

 

My mum was a night sister, very respected, well liked, firm but fair. Everyone knew where they stood with her and the patients knew they were getting the best of care.

 

She didn't get a degree, she left school at around 15 to go into training. In fact, she didn't have O-levels and I was extremely proud of her when she decided to get GCSE's later in life to make up for her lack of formal general qualifications from earlier schooling.

 

You can't tell me that hospital care is so different now to what it was two decades ago. Sure things will have moved on, there will be new treatments, drugs and a bit more administration but the care being provided by a nurse will greatly similar.

 

By making nursing a degree only profession, it will close off another job prospect to those kids who find they're not as academically gifted and be another reason why vocational qualifications are not taken seriously in this country.

 

I suppose this is one way to fulfill the Government's aim of getting 50% of people into university. There'll be no jobs for anyone without a degree soon! What does this mean for the policy of raiding other countries for nurses in recent years? Is it going to be that only British nurses need a degree, whilst others can transfer in without the necessary qualifications?

 

How flaming ridiculous.

 

Squiffy.

 

 

 

Reaction to the Tory change of policy on Europe

Now that we know what the new Tory policy on Europe is (or we think we do), I can give my first thoughts.

 

Firstly, disappointment that my recommendations weren't taken on board. I guess David Cameron does not want to go on board the train that could lead us out of the Union.

 

Secondly, though, I believe the policy is largely pragmatic and will have the best possible chance of keeping the Tory party united. I like the sound of the legislation to keep British Sovereignty, make sure future treaties have a referendum, and stop the ratchet clauses. I just hope they are strong enough to hold legal force!

 

Thirdly, when the dust has settled and we're on a path to economic recovery and a debt-reduction plan is in place, he will need to start playing hardball with the EU on his promises to bring back powers. Any lack of determination will be as much as a broken manifesto promise as the Labour party's promise to hold the Lisbon referendum. He must be prepared to withhold money, and must be prepared to play the EU countries at their own game and be very slow at implementing new laws.

 

Finally, in private he must be telling the EU partners that we must being to look at Association and not Union unless we get our powers back. Anything less will not get them thinking.

 

And for  all those people who harp on about the "cast-iron guarantee", they forget to mention the line after that which reads "No treaty should be ratified without consulting the British people in a referendum." i.e. the cast-iron guarantee is only while the treaty is not ratified.

 

Overall, probably the best the Tories could hope for. But as Vic and Bob used to say, 'you wouldn't let it lie' - and the public won't!

 

Squiffy.

 

David Miliband as EU foreign representative? No

In a column in the Mail on Sunday William Hague talks about David Miliband's recent comments about the Conservative's partners in Europe.

He points out that the EU partner's are not very happy about these comments, and it just so happens that some of them form coalition partners in their Governments or have the position of President. Do you think that they will want David Miliband to represent them at an EU level? I don't think so.

Mr Miliband has been disgraceful and will have to apologise before he gets that job. Even then his behaviour has been less than diplomatic and should rule him out completely!

Squiffy.