Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
19 January 2009
21:1413253Harry - There have been many ideas put forward by Conservatives, two of them were adopted (in a butchered form) by the Government only within the last week. For instance George Osborne was pushing a Credit Guarantee Scheme to solve the lending blockage back in November and has repeated his call at least 11 times for the Government to act. They have now done so, with a second rate version, but at least they have done something at last.I wonder how many jobs would have been saved in the Government acted in November when george proposed it.
19 January 2009
21:5013259Ideas would be good! Cojones are good too! I am an old leftie, as you know, but have to say I am pleased to be seeing more of K Clarke. A proper heavyweight and a decent speaker. Goddam, I find intellect attractive!!!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
19 January 2009
23:1113264never knew you were into hush puppy blokes bern.
i must admit that it is uplifting to see kenny back, always a good debater.
he was the first chancellor to hammer the motorist, then claim it was a green tax.
bull sh***ers are not normally that clever.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
20 January 2009
10:0513289Heres a surprize,
The tories realy lost there way, bringing clarke back, its desperation, trying to make the party popular as its failing to get its message across.
On the Mandleson issue, I cant stand the man, so it evens it up.
wot about we put on here whos your favorite
and least liked MP
HERES a start
MOST LIKED MP Apart from Gwyn locally I loved Mo Molem very down to earth when i met her in Dover
Also As a speaker Haque does well (leader at wrong time)
MOST DISLIKED Maggie thather/Tebbit/ and yep mandelson
YOUR TURN
Sid Pollitt
20 January 2009
12:2213298The BBC's Nick Robinson's take on the reshuffle is interesting:
The fact that Mr Smudge has swopped jobs with Mr Mudge may matter very little to people outside the Westminster village, but reshuffles do tell us a great deal about how a party leader sees his strengths, his weaknesses and the balance of opinion within his party.
The return of Ken Clarke reveals that David Cameron regards his inexperience as his Achilles heel. The promotion of not just Clarke but of plain-speaking northerner Eric Pickes and tough-talking Chris Grayling, alongside the unveiling of William Hague as deputy leader in all but name, suggests that the Tory leader also sees the danger of being presented as "Lord Snooty", the prefect of the Bullingdon boys.
On Europe, he has sought to reassure his party by promoting arch-sceptic Mark Francois to the Shadow Cabinet, as if Messrs Hague, Osborne, Letwin and many others weren't enough.
So beyond the presentation has anything really changed?
The answer is yes. Having invited Ken Clarke into Team Cameron, they will have no choice but to listen to him.
A stray word here, a planned intervention there, or even his resignation would be devastating for the Conservatives.
Ken Clarke has been around politics long enough, and cares enough about the future of the country, to use any one of those weapons if he felt he had to.
20 January 2009
13:4113310I rather liked IDS, and thought he was underestimated. Tony Benn, Michael Foot (no surprises there!), Mo Mowlem, Barbara Castle. You will be unsurprised to know I didn't like Thatcher or Tebbit. Rather liked Heseltine though........I will book the therapy now.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
20 January 2009
13:5113312Bern - I agree with you about IDS, he was underestimated.
Sid - I think you will find that the Conservative Party has rediscovered its secret weapon, unity. A ConHome survey has found that those opposed to Ken Clarke's return has fallen from 41% to 22%. While 22% may seem significant there has been a 'sound of silence' on the airwaves from those who were against (apart from on ex-MP, a known malcontent, in the Guardian). DC having made his decision people are falling in behind it and being supportive.
Yes, DC has been clever in re-inforcing our anti-EU credentials and getting KC to agree with the Party's 'settled view' on Europe.
You can hope that problems will arise but I can assure you that it is a false hope. DC is making full use of the assets at his command and that can only be right and proper.
The Conservative Party is again ready for power whenever this wretched shower of a Government decides to place its fate at the hands of the electorate.
20 January 2009
19:1513333Let's be honest, people of all hues and shades, all the present parties are a bit of a disappointment. Leftie tho I am, and will be so for the forseeable future, I cannot be unaware of how uninspiring all our political options are, with some individual exceptions of course. Across the board there are disappointing politicians oozing bonhomie and feigning savvy in the hope we won't notice how dull they are. I would so love some proper politicians back - I think that's why I have come over all unnecessary aboput K Clarke - a big hitter, with charm and a decent vocabulary. God Love Him!!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 January 2009
20:3313341getting back to keith's post, my dislike is for the attention seekers who are always ready with rent a quote, so that it looks like they are doing something.
ann widdecombe, dennis skinner, michael heseltine(been present at a meeting where he was guest apeaker), peter mandelson, boris johnson.
that will do for now, need someone to jog my memory.
on the plus side, always respected IDS and hague on the tory side, the blues seem to dislike people with intellect, they never last long. have seen douglas hurd and tom king give speeches in the flesh, both very wise individuals that were not given to soundbites.
always like old pantsdown for the liberals and nowadays that cove cable impresses me.
best of labour for me has been tony benn, denis healey(for his wit), the old kinnock, (not the one now), ken livingstone in his GLC days, they used to roll out opposition poiliticos on the box to put him in his place!!!.
21 January 2009
08:1113374I can only agree! I forgot Denis Healey - how could I?! - and Kinnock when he was a Man.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
21 January 2009
09:3113389I think IDS now is better than when he led the tory party(probably [pressue off him)
Ann Widdicombe was an open speaker admired her for that
I loved Dennis SKinner he gets debates going
Tony BENN has his moments.
Dont go much on the lib dem leader having no impact at all
thought kennedy was good speaker
Sid Pollitt
21 January 2009
13:4713403Gordon Brown referred to Clarke as the Shadow shadow chancellor in PMQs.
MPs I've liked and admired are Tony Benn, Alan Simpson, Jeremy Corbyn, Barbara Castle. Cant think of any Tories I'm afraid and Lib Dem/Liberal wise I liked Michael Meadowcroft. The new leader guy is more Compo than Clegg I think.
The worse MP I have seen is David Cameron, I find the guy totally loathsome. Gordon Brown today in the Commons called him out of his depth. I think Cameron is all spin, tactics and nastiness, a total disgrace as a leader of an opposition party.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
21 January 2009
13:5913405Now, Sid, why does nothing you have said surprise me.
Those I admire, even if I dont agree with them include Tony Benn as well, plus Frank Field.
Among Conservatives, those that stand out are, Mrs T of course, Norman Tebbit and William Hague. I have a growing admiration for David Cameron though he has not grown on me to the level of the first three, not yet. Going back in history others I admire are the obvious, Winston Churchill, Disraeli, Peel, Pitt the Younger and Wilberforce.
As for Liberals I can only go back in history to find some to like, the old rogue Lloyd George of course.
For those who I dislike we can start with the present PM, he has been a total disaster for the UK. Then there are the nuttier elements of Labour, Corbyn and Hatton. Then there is the pc disciple, Harman. Among Conservatives I am not fond of Major.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
22 January 2009
00:0213430i try my best to make things reasonable and non party!!!
then the usual crowd turn it in to a party slanging match.
the turnouts get less each time then they complain about the apparent apathy from voters.
22 January 2009
07:4713434There are some to admire and some to deplore from every Party, sadly not enough of them are admirable enough to encourage our trust and interest. These days, unless one has a real, in-your-blood, genetic, historic interest in politics there is little to really inspire or enthuse. I stake my claim to the in-your-face deeper than deep interest and enthusiasm!!
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
22 January 2009
09:1713461howard
Never wanted to get into politics and gave an open book, even got into cross party and started by putting cross party stuff on it.
as Bern says theres good and bad in all