Or at least it resumes for a Mr Schumacher from Germany, when he steps into a Ferrari in Valencia ready to take on the young guns.
When Felipe Massa had his accident on Saturday, I knew that there would be calls for Schumacher to pick up his helmet again. I didn't think he'd do it though, what has he got to prove? He's already the most successful driver of all time with a clutch of records which may never be broken.
For me it seemed likely that Fernando Alonso would step into the cockpit of Number 3 Ferrari in the next race as it has been widely predicted that he has a deal done for next year anyway. It made sense for him to move now when his second home race is coming up and Renault have been banned.
What I didn't gamble on was that Schumacher still loves driving F1 cars, he was pushed out of Ferrari by the incoming Raikonnen in 2006 before he had really made up his mind. He wants a chance to race the new machines fitted with slicks and KERS and see whether he is still the fastest out there. For these reasons, we'll see the Red Crash Helmet in a Red Car in three weeks time.
What do I expect to happen? I think he will be fast, maybe not as fast at first as he once was. When Mansell came back from the States in 1994 he was bested by Damon Hill in France in an identical Williams, and Mansell was a much better driver, but by years end Mansell was faster again.
So within a race or two Schumacher will be very fast again. Will he be faster than Raikonnen? I think so. In fact I think this could ruin Raikonnen's chances of retaining a Ferrari seat next year. Kimi is being paid vast amounts of money and hasn't shown the raw speed we expect from him, and I expect Schumi to be faster.
It will be fascinating to see a Schumi vs Hamilton battle on track, they have never faced each other and now both cars are heading towards the front of the grid it is a mouth watering prospect to see how they match up. We were deprived of the old vs new in the Senna vs Schumacher duel in 1994 when Senna was tragically killed, but we may see the next generation duel happen in a couple of races this year.
What of next year? I expect Raikonnen to be gone, maybe to World Rally. If Massa is fit again Schumacher will go back to being a put lane advisor. But what if Massa is unable to race next year too, would it be possible to see Schumi do one last full season alongside Alonso? Now that would be spectacular!
Squiffy.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Cut the tax credits for the rich
Every morning I read blogs, and newspaper articles from across the political spectrum. I hope that it helps me to be politically informed. I tend to read broadsheets because they tend to have better thought out arguments against the reactionary ideas used in tabloids. So I very rarely read pages from the Daily Mail. I now know why.
This morning Dominic Sandbook makes the point that David Cameron is planning to make enemies of the middle classes by making them pay a lot more and take away their tax credits. How ridiculous. Anyone knows that the middle classes are the lifeblood of Tory sentiment.
Lets state firstly that Labour has through many many years of stealth piled tax upon tax on the middle classes. Some has been redistributed to the poor which is good thing, but a lot of it has gone on big Government schemes which tend to waste money and have very little to show for themselves. During that time the rich have got immesurably richer.
So when the Tories make it to number 10, the long term plan must and will be to bring the tax system to some kind of balance. It is the middle classes which generate the wealth in this country, and the over taxing of this section of society has led to a reduced tax take generally as many try to opt out of the Government's complicated regime. If there is only one lesson to learn from the 80's on tax, it is that the simpler and lower the taxes, the greater tax take.
David Cameron has, however, said that in Labour's debt crisis everyone will have to pay their fair share. Fair enough. I expect all taxes to rise, probably through increased VAT. I hate it, but I'll even accept a couple of pence on Income tax for a few years.
Taking away tax credits for those earning greater than £50,000 seems to be taxing Dominic's brain rather too much for he has forgotten the big question. Why on earth should anybody on £50K need tax credits. It is a sign that something has gone greatly wrong. It is symptomatic of the fact that the Government thinks that our money actually belongs to them so they can do with it what they will. We should not be taxed so highly that we have to be given handouts just so we can get by!
I expect David Cameron to start tackling these anomalies and to reduce the state's intervention in our bank accounts. I expect him to reduce taxes on jobs and reverse the planned NI raise, and later to reverse the 50% tax rate. The tax system needs to be simpler and through simplification I will then expect to see more money in the bank accounts of the middle classes and a widening of incentives to entrepreneurs.
When we have a balanced budget, lower and fairer taxes and good growth I will know that David Cameron has done the job that I will have asked of him. The years of Labour mismanagement will have rolled away and we can have bright future once again. Let's hear no more about David Cameron being a follower of Ted Heath!
Squiffy.
This morning Dominic Sandbook makes the point that David Cameron is planning to make enemies of the middle classes by making them pay a lot more and take away their tax credits. How ridiculous. Anyone knows that the middle classes are the lifeblood of Tory sentiment.
Lets state firstly that Labour has through many many years of stealth piled tax upon tax on the middle classes. Some has been redistributed to the poor which is good thing, but a lot of it has gone on big Government schemes which tend to waste money and have very little to show for themselves. During that time the rich have got immesurably richer.
So when the Tories make it to number 10, the long term plan must and will be to bring the tax system to some kind of balance. It is the middle classes which generate the wealth in this country, and the over taxing of this section of society has led to a reduced tax take generally as many try to opt out of the Government's complicated regime. If there is only one lesson to learn from the 80's on tax, it is that the simpler and lower the taxes, the greater tax take.
David Cameron has, however, said that in Labour's debt crisis everyone will have to pay their fair share. Fair enough. I expect all taxes to rise, probably through increased VAT. I hate it, but I'll even accept a couple of pence on Income tax for a few years.
Taking away tax credits for those earning greater than £50,000 seems to be taxing Dominic's brain rather too much for he has forgotten the big question. Why on earth should anybody on £50K need tax credits. It is a sign that something has gone greatly wrong. It is symptomatic of the fact that the Government thinks that our money actually belongs to them so they can do with it what they will. We should not be taxed so highly that we have to be given handouts just so we can get by!
I expect David Cameron to start tackling these anomalies and to reduce the state's intervention in our bank accounts. I expect him to reduce taxes on jobs and reverse the planned NI raise, and later to reverse the 50% tax rate. The tax system needs to be simpler and through simplification I will then expect to see more money in the bank accounts of the middle classes and a widening of incentives to entrepreneurs.
When we have a balanced budget, lower and fairer taxes and good growth I will know that David Cameron has done the job that I will have asked of him. The years of Labour mismanagement will have rolled away and we can have bright future once again. Let's hear no more about David Cameron being a follower of Ted Heath!
Squiffy.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Get well Felipe
Yesterday I happened to be watching a rowing regata in Cambridgeshire and so I missed the Formula 1 qualifying live. It was only when I got home that my other half alerted me to Felipe Massa's injury at the Hungary GP. I then turned the PVR on to watch what happened.
The spring from the back of Barrichello's car hit Felipe's crash helmet when he encountered it four seconds after it fell off. In a freak accident which mirrored to some extent the Formula 2 tragedy of Henry Surtees the week before at Brands Hatch, who was hit by an errant wheel from a previous accident, it is to be expected to hear calls for more safety.
It's strange how these accidents seem to happen close to each other. Back in 1994 Ayrton Senna died two days after Roland Ratzenberger and Barrichello and had a big accident in between. Before then, there had been twelve years before the previous fatality in F1.
The key to Massa's survival was the introduction of carbon fibre helmets four years ago. Had they been around in 94 maybe Senna would also have been saved. As it is, those accidents 15 years ago encouraged greater safety for cars now meaning that Massa did not have leg injuries also.
It sounds like Felipe Massa is going to make a full recovery and is in good care. I really hope so. He has developed into a great driver, and was unbelievably magnanimous in losing the F1 championship last year. I hope that he can make it back into the car before the end of the year.
I think, however, that Alonso will be in the Ferrari for the next race in a month's time - especially now that Renault have been banned from Valencia. He may stay there for next year, but who will he replace - probably Raikonnen who seems to be more interested in rallying now.
Anyway, my thoughts go out to Felipe Massa, his family, and to Rob Smedley - his race engineer with whom he has formed a great bond.
Squiffy.
The spring from the back of Barrichello's car hit Felipe's crash helmet when he encountered it four seconds after it fell off. In a freak accident which mirrored to some extent the Formula 2 tragedy of Henry Surtees the week before at Brands Hatch, who was hit by an errant wheel from a previous accident, it is to be expected to hear calls for more safety.
It's strange how these accidents seem to happen close to each other. Back in 1994 Ayrton Senna died two days after Roland Ratzenberger and Barrichello and had a big accident in between. Before then, there had been twelve years before the previous fatality in F1.
The key to Massa's survival was the introduction of carbon fibre helmets four years ago. Had they been around in 94 maybe Senna would also have been saved. As it is, those accidents 15 years ago encouraged greater safety for cars now meaning that Massa did not have leg injuries also.
It sounds like Felipe Massa is going to make a full recovery and is in good care. I really hope so. He has developed into a great driver, and was unbelievably magnanimous in losing the F1 championship last year. I hope that he can make it back into the car before the end of the year.
I think, however, that Alonso will be in the Ferrari for the next race in a month's time - especially now that Renault have been banned from Valencia. He may stay there for next year, but who will he replace - probably Raikonnen who seems to be more interested in rallying now.
Anyway, my thoughts go out to Felipe Massa, his family, and to Rob Smedley - his race engineer with whom he has formed a great bond.
Squiffy.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
BoE bad, FSA good? Me thinks not.
He was stating that the tripartite system is better and quoted that Barings and BCCI went under using the old regulations enforced by the Bank of England.
Well, excuse me, but those very small banks went under without threatening the integrity of the entire system. They didn't cause a recession. How is it that the FSA's lack of keeping an eye on Northern Rock, HBOS, RBS & Bradford & Bingley leading to massive bailouts is better than the failure of BCCI and Barings overseen by the BoE?
Delusional. Again.
Squiffy.
Well, excuse me, but those very small banks went under without threatening the integrity of the entire system. They didn't cause a recession. How is it that the FSA's lack of keeping an eye on Northern Rock, HBOS, RBS & Bradford & Bingley leading to massive bailouts is better than the failure of BCCI and Barings overseen by the BoE?
Delusional. Again.
Squiffy.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Yesterday's PMQs
Having just watched PMQs I couldn't help but agree with David Cameron that "the PMs display is feeble".
Dire. Risible. Shameful. Unwatchable.
Gordon Brown looks beaten. The Labour benches were very quiet. He's on a hiding to nothing, repeating the same old lines day after day with nobody believing him.
The line about a "0% increase" says it all really. He may have misspoke, but you can tell that he's in total denial. The line about the Tory policy being unemployment was absolute rubbish. The party of full employment (Labour) has always left office with unemployment higher than when it arrived. It may believe in full employment, but by it's usual terrible handling of the economy it always hurts most those that it claims to represent.
If I was in the Labour Government, which I'm glad I'm not as I wouldn't be able to get enough Prozac, I would be plotting again.
Squiffy.
Dire. Risible. Shameful. Unwatchable.
Gordon Brown looks beaten. The Labour benches were very quiet. He's on a hiding to nothing, repeating the same old lines day after day with nobody believing him.
The line about a "0% increase" says it all really. He may have misspoke, but you can tell that he's in total denial. The line about the Tory policy being unemployment was absolute rubbish. The party of full employment (Labour) has always left office with unemployment higher than when it arrived. It may believe in full employment, but by it's usual terrible handling of the economy it always hurts most those that it claims to represent.
If I was in the Labour Government, which I'm glad I'm not as I wouldn't be able to get enough Prozac, I would be plotting again.
Squiffy.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Nadine Dorries should be quiet
Having heard Nadine Dorries MP on the radio this morning blasting the new speaker, John Bercow, I just wanted to shout be quiet.
Until recently I had the utmost respect for Nadine Dorries, but her outburst on the Today programme during the expenses scandal, showing that she didn't really get the public's anger, a woeful performance on Question Time and now this morning's diatribe against John Bercow has really dented my confidence in her.
It's true that many Tories do not support John Bercow, but now that he has been elected as Speaker he should be given some respect and some time to prove that he is up to the job. If he is shown to be as inept as Michael Martin then by all means have a go, but this is just looking like peevishness at a lost election. If there's anything that the public don't like it's a sore loser. So Button it.
Squiffy.
Until recently I had the utmost respect for Nadine Dorries, but her outburst on the Today programme during the expenses scandal, showing that she didn't really get the public's anger, a woeful performance on Question Time and now this morning's diatribe against John Bercow has really dented my confidence in her.
It's true that many Tories do not support John Bercow, but now that he has been elected as Speaker he should be given some respect and some time to prove that he is up to the job. If he is shown to be as inept as Michael Martin then by all means have a go, but this is just looking like peevishness at a lost election. If there's anything that the public don't like it's a sore loser. So Button it.
Squiffy.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Formula 1 in turmoil
As a break from normal politics, I'll take a look at the other great love of mine - Formula 1. Which just happens to be mired in politics at the moment!
Formula 1 is caught between two bodies which think they have the best interests of the sport going forward. In the red corner sits the FIA, the governing body of international motorsport, intent on producing a reduced cost formula of £40 million per team. In the blue corner resides FOTA, the association of formula 1 teams, intent on reducing the cost of teams to enter formula 1.
The positions of the two bodies seem to be nearly identical, so why the fuss?
I believe that it is based on history.
Max Mosley has been president of the FIA for a long long time. In that time he has improved safety massively, especially since the death of Ayrton Senna. But he has also been very adamant in pushing through changes to the sport. One has to think of these changes; re-fuelling, banning active suspension, banning traction control, narrow-track cars, grooved tyres, un-banning traction control, standard engine control units, banning mass dampers, banning traction control again, slick tyres again, new aero-dynamics and KERS. The next changes include banning re-fuelling again. When he has not been able to get his changes through, because technical changes need unanimous support, he has pushed changes through as safety improvements which do not.
Also in that time, many independent teams have become backed by manufacturers, some independents have gone and new manufacturers have come in. They did so because it has been tremendously successful at advertising manufacturer's technical prowess, but they did bring large amounts of money.
With the benefit of hindsight, an autocratic leader who changes regulations regularly causing more to be spent in development whilst the changes themselves make the cars less technological, it looks obvious that we were going to get to this point.
In the current climate, with some teams turning their backs on F1 due to the cost and threatening the strength of the grid it does look like costs need to be reduced. Both organizations want reductions, the manufacturers in a step by step approach, the FIA in a dramatic single step. I can understand why Ferrari, for example, do not want to jump from £200M to £40M in one step, there will be many redundancies.
So, swords have been drawn. In the wrangling, Max Mosley has continued a trend from Gordon Brown. He creates dividing lines, and uses the divide and conquer technique to try to split the FOTA teams. This causes more animosity. Normally it works, but I don't think so this time.
FOTA have become intransigent, and wants to be listened to rather than brushed aside. After all, they are the ones spending money on this exercise. They are sick of being pushed around and being ignored. As an example, FOTA ran a survey of F1 fans and asked them what they thought of various aspects - I know because I took part. One conclusion that came out of it was that there should be a greater points difference between 1st and 2nd place. At the beginning of the season, the FIA tried to push through another system of medals. The World Champion is the one who won most races. The FIA ignored the fan's survey as well as the teams. At present, this crazy system is on the regulations for next year even though Jenson Button would win this year's championship earlier than he will at present. It set the tone for the year.
Multiple suggestions have been ignored, although on the basis of the cost cap there has been some compromise. Even then though there has not been agreement. Press briefing accuses the other side, highlighting the differences.
So, where do we go from here?
This is not about the cost cap any more. It is about Max Mosley. FOTA want him out and he is refusing to go. This is a billion pound game of chicken. Both sides are now so polarised that I don't believe compromise can now be achieved. The likelihood of a breakaway series is now 70% (in my mind), followed by Max Mosley being ousted as FIA president. Maybe there will then be a meeting of minds.
Otherwise we could have an F1 championship, run to £40M with small independent teams and a GP1 championship with the manufacturers including Ferrari, McLaren etc. with the existing drivers. I know which one I would watch. Actually, I love it so much I'd probably watch both.
I'll be in Silverstone this weekend to hopefully watch Jenson Button take a famous victory. The deadline for FOTA backing down is Friday, but don't hold your breath.
Squiffy.
Formula 1 is caught between two bodies which think they have the best interests of the sport going forward. In the red corner sits the FIA, the governing body of international motorsport, intent on producing a reduced cost formula of £40 million per team. In the blue corner resides FOTA, the association of formula 1 teams, intent on reducing the cost of teams to enter formula 1.
The positions of the two bodies seem to be nearly identical, so why the fuss?
I believe that it is based on history.
Max Mosley has been president of the FIA for a long long time. In that time he has improved safety massively, especially since the death of Ayrton Senna. But he has also been very adamant in pushing through changes to the sport. One has to think of these changes; re-fuelling, banning active suspension, banning traction control, narrow-track cars, grooved tyres, un-banning traction control, standard engine control units, banning mass dampers, banning traction control again, slick tyres again, new aero-dynamics and KERS. The next changes include banning re-fuelling again. When he has not been able to get his changes through, because technical changes need unanimous support, he has pushed changes through as safety improvements which do not.
Also in that time, many independent teams have become backed by manufacturers, some independents have gone and new manufacturers have come in. They did so because it has been tremendously successful at advertising manufacturer's technical prowess, but they did bring large amounts of money.
With the benefit of hindsight, an autocratic leader who changes regulations regularly causing more to be spent in development whilst the changes themselves make the cars less technological, it looks obvious that we were going to get to this point.
In the current climate, with some teams turning their backs on F1 due to the cost and threatening the strength of the grid it does look like costs need to be reduced. Both organizations want reductions, the manufacturers in a step by step approach, the FIA in a dramatic single step. I can understand why Ferrari, for example, do not want to jump from £200M to £40M in one step, there will be many redundancies.
So, swords have been drawn. In the wrangling, Max Mosley has continued a trend from Gordon Brown. He creates dividing lines, and uses the divide and conquer technique to try to split the FOTA teams. This causes more animosity. Normally it works, but I don't think so this time.
FOTA have become intransigent, and wants to be listened to rather than brushed aside. After all, they are the ones spending money on this exercise. They are sick of being pushed around and being ignored. As an example, FOTA ran a survey of F1 fans and asked them what they thought of various aspects - I know because I took part. One conclusion that came out of it was that there should be a greater points difference between 1st and 2nd place. At the beginning of the season, the FIA tried to push through another system of medals. The World Champion is the one who won most races. The FIA ignored the fan's survey as well as the teams. At present, this crazy system is on the regulations for next year even though Jenson Button would win this year's championship earlier than he will at present. It set the tone for the year.
Multiple suggestions have been ignored, although on the basis of the cost cap there has been some compromise. Even then though there has not been agreement. Press briefing accuses the other side, highlighting the differences.
So, where do we go from here?
This is not about the cost cap any more. It is about Max Mosley. FOTA want him out and he is refusing to go. This is a billion pound game of chicken. Both sides are now so polarised that I don't believe compromise can now be achieved. The likelihood of a breakaway series is now 70% (in my mind), followed by Max Mosley being ousted as FIA president. Maybe there will then be a meeting of minds.
Otherwise we could have an F1 championship, run to £40M with small independent teams and a GP1 championship with the manufacturers including Ferrari, McLaren etc. with the existing drivers. I know which one I would watch. Actually, I love it so much I'd probably watch both.
I'll be in Silverstone this weekend to hopefully watch Jenson Button take a famous victory. The deadline for FOTA backing down is Friday, but don't hold your breath.
Squiffy.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Surprise surprise, the inquiry reports in July 2010
As predicted, Gordon Brown has just announced an inquiry into the Iraq war. It sounds like it maybe a wide inquiry, which is to be welcomed. But as I suggested earlier, the report will be published just after the latest date possible for a General Election.
He must think that we are idiots! We can see through it though, but we are getting used to the lies and the cynicism.
Squiffy.
He must think that we are idiots! We can see through it though, but we are getting used to the lies and the cynicism.
Squiffy.
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
He can't stop creating dividing lines
On Monday the Prime Minister said to the PLP that he would change his style. But it is so difficult for him, and two days later he's proved that he cannot.
His Democratic Reform Council, packed full of Labour members, has met once and for 90 minutes. In that time they've decided that Electoral Reform should be back on the agenda, funny how Labour is interested now it is in danger of being the third party in the UK.
They also decided that Government papers should be released after 20 years rather than 30 years, which funnily enough would enable all the papers for the Thatcher Government to be released in one go. They obviously want lots of embarrassing details to be in the open just in time for the GE.
So there's some more dividing lines, he just can't stop himself.
I'm also expecting there to be a full review of the Iraq war to be announced in the next few days, and I guess the results will be announced next June, so that the remit is set by this Government but they don't have to face the consequences. Maybe I'm just a cynic.
Squiffy.
His Democratic Reform Council, packed full of Labour members, has met once and for 90 minutes. In that time they've decided that Electoral Reform should be back on the agenda, funny how Labour is interested now it is in danger of being the third party in the UK.
They also decided that Government papers should be released after 20 years rather than 30 years, which funnily enough would enable all the papers for the Thatcher Government to be released in one go. They obviously want lots of embarrassing details to be in the open just in time for the GE.
So there's some more dividing lines, he just can't stop himself.
I'm also expecting there to be a full review of the Iraq war to be announced in the next few days, and I guess the results will be announced next June, so that the remit is set by this Government but they don't have to face the consequences. Maybe I'm just a cynic.
Squiffy.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Bob Crow makes me mad
As someone who lives in London and needs to use the tube to get to work, I get mad with the annual tube strikes. It's the last union that needs the Thatcher treatment.
For far too long they have held London to ransom with spurious strikes. I remember the strike because the station at the end of line did not have a wash basin, the strike when someone was fired because he was found to be playing squash when he was signed off sick, the strikes because of fears over safety which achieve nothing and the myriad of strikes over pay.
This strike is over a 5% pay claim. Are they in the real world? We're living in a world of deflation and pay freezes. I'd love to see an army of part timers trained up to provide a reduced service when the RMT goes on strike. I'd volunteer myself, I think it would satisfy my boyhood dreams of being a train driver. I'd also pay the volunteer force more money for the days when they have to taken over. Just watch the RMT go on strike then!
Also, why is it that strikes always seem to be held when England are playing?
Squiffy.
For far too long they have held London to ransom with spurious strikes. I remember the strike because the station at the end of line did not have a wash basin, the strike when someone was fired because he was found to be playing squash when he was signed off sick, the strikes because of fears over safety which achieve nothing and the myriad of strikes over pay.
This strike is over a 5% pay claim. Are they in the real world? We're living in a world of deflation and pay freezes. I'd love to see an army of part timers trained up to provide a reduced service when the RMT goes on strike. I'd volunteer myself, I think it would satisfy my boyhood dreams of being a train driver. I'd also pay the volunteer force more money for the days when they have to taken over. Just watch the RMT go on strike then!
Also, why is it that strikes always seem to be held when England are playing?
Squiffy.
Lily livered nancies
That's the Labour party for you. They deserve the largest defeat possible for leaving us with this dysfunctional, half crazed, delusional, lying, economy wrecking idiot.
Squiffy,
Squiffy,
Monday, 8 June 2009
Maybe I was just getting excited...
The feeling of gloom has descended on me. I now think that Gordon Brown will not resign and will trudge on for the next few months. Damaged, going slightly mad and angry. It's going to be horrible.
Squiffy.
Squiffy.
Could we be approaching the endgame?
Sky News is reporting that cabinet ministers are meeting this afternoon at Number 10. Sounds reasonable to work out a strategy for tonight's PLP meeting.
But my spideysense tells me that it's not going to be like that, Sky say that Alan Johnson and Alistair Darling have been entering via the back entrance.
I think the meeting could be similar to the one-to-ones that Mrs T had when she realised it was over. I'm going to stick my neck out and say that Gordon Brown will announce his resignation to the PLP tonight, they will agree some basic timetable for a leadership election and will then hit the airwaves. Everyone will then say that they regret what happened but Gordon Brown has done the honourable thing, and now they can unite.
I may have got this so wrong, but sometimes who have to go with a hunch.
Squiffy.
But my spideysense tells me that it's not going to be like that, Sky say that Alan Johnson and Alistair Darling have been entering via the back entrance.
I think the meeting could be similar to the one-to-ones that Mrs T had when she realised it was over. I'm going to stick my neck out and say that Gordon Brown will announce his resignation to the PLP tonight, they will agree some basic timetable for a leadership election and will then hit the airwaves. Everyone will then say that they regret what happened but Gordon Brown has done the honourable thing, and now they can unite.
I may have got this so wrong, but sometimes who have to go with a hunch.
Squiffy.
Hazel Blears has been strangely silent
The little chipmunk is usually everywhere on our TV screens, but she has gone to ground since her resignation last week. It is traditional that a ministerial resignation leads to a statement in the House.
Could it be that La Blears is planning a Geoffrey Howe type statement? If nothing happens this week, after the PLP meeting and minister level resignations, I think she will. Hazel Blears is not one to pull her punches and she could try to go for the kill. It would be much more effective than Caroline Flint spouting off after giving GB support one day then knifing him the next.
Squiffy.
Could it be that La Blears is planning a Geoffrey Howe type statement? If nothing happens this week, after the PLP meeting and minister level resignations, I think she will. Hazel Blears is not one to pull her punches and she could try to go for the kill. It would be much more effective than Caroline Flint spouting off after giving GB support one day then knifing him the next.
Squiffy.
Now Tony, it's up to you.
It's time for Tony Blair to finish off Gordon Brown. He needs to phone Peter Mandelson to tell him to pull the plug on the PM.
Tony Blair should, for the sake of his own legacy, tell Peter Mandelson to start strategising on how to get the person he wants as PM before the next election. Revenge is a dish best served by the cold calculator of British Politics, the Prince of Darkness.
Squiffy.
Tony Blair should, for the sake of his own legacy, tell Peter Mandelson to start strategising on how to get the person he wants as PM before the next election. Revenge is a dish best served by the cold calculator of British Politics, the Prince of Darkness.
Squiffy.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Wow. Lord Falconer has asked for GB to go.
The Blairite plot is obviously still running. Tony Blair's ex-flatmate has come out and asked GB to go, now it is obvious that TB also thinks this way.
Nearly game over.
Squiffy.
Nearly game over.
Squiffy.
Why is Suralan being made a Lord?
On the Andrew Marr show and Sky, Sir Alan Sugar has stated that he's not going to be a working peer, and that he doesn't know whether he will be voting with the Government. He clearly doesn't have a clue of what is being expected of him.
It was basically spin, and I thought Sir Alan would have been more astute. He keeps saying that people who know him would know that he wouldn't be used by anyone. That's exactly what's happened.
Out of his depth.
Squiffy.
It was basically spin, and I thought Sir Alan would have been more astute. He keeps saying that people who know him would know that he wouldn't be used by anyone. That's exactly what's happened.
Out of his depth.
Squiffy.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Gordon Brown, oi shut it
I'm listening to the cracked record that is our PM. He says he's going to be candid, but then is candid about other peoples failures - such as expenses. Come on Labour MPs. Sharpen those knives, we need him gone.
Oh, Caroline Flint has just resigned. Please, can we have some more?
Squiffy.
Oh, Caroline Flint has just resigned. Please, can we have some more?
Squiffy.
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