The one thing that kept many liberals reading the increasingly strident and reactionary Guido Fawkes blog was that he claimed to be some sort of libertarian and stood up against vested interests and corruption.
However, his latest campaign (if it really warrants the name) is to reintroduce hanging and he hopes to force the government to have a debate by getting 100,000 names on his petition.
Aside from the cant and hubris in his belief that his website is some sort of moral crusade - his campaign does two things:
Firstly, it confirms Paul Staines and his side kicks are simply just right wing reactionaries whose claims of political neutrality are now simply ludicrous.
Secondly, it exposes his huge hypocrisy. For a site that claims to be libertarian, distrustful of government (of all types) and in favour of a smaller state - campaigning to increase the state's power over the ultimate - life and death - and at the same ignore its ability to get things wrong shows a stunning level of hypocrisy/stupidity (delete as appropriate).
So when Staines fails either to get the signatures needed, or the debate, or loses the debate (which he will if it gets that far) - it will send out a clear message that self important right wing loons - of both the tea party in the US and of the Staines variety in the UK are part of the problem - not the solution.
Oh and if you want evidence of his self importance - enjoy this:
31 July 2011
30 July 2011
Cameron proud of No to AV campaign
David Cameron has sent the following email to Tory supporters - so my spies tell me...
Not only is he proud of the No campaign he is clearly incredibly defensive about the NOTW hacking scandal. One might think he's a little under pressure for his employment of Andy Coulson and his vast number of smooches with Murdoch. He's also claiming credit for Lib Dem policy on Equitable Life.
Dear X,
As the summer break approaches, I am writing to thank you for all your support over the past few months, particularly in the run-up to the AV referendum. This victory was a crucial moment for our Party and our country - and it was only possible with the tireless campaigning of Conservative supporters across the country. We can be truly proud of the campaign we fought and the result we achieved. Our voting system is safe, and electoral reform is off the agenda for a long time to come.
As recent weeks have shown, being in government produces all sorts of challenges that need a clear response. The hacking scandal has been shocking in terms of the dreadful things that have happened, and profound in terms of its long-term impact. I hope you agree that with a Judge-led inquiry now being established; a proper police investigation under way; the BSkyB merger now off the agenda; and maximum transparency being delivered, we have dealt decisively with this issue.
Overall, I believe we can be proud of the progress we're making in government. In all the years in Opposition, I had a clear idea in my head of the kind of government I wanted to lead: one that thought about the long term instead of tomorrow's headlines; one that did the right thing by decent, working people; and one that restored Britain's standing in the world. In our actions of the past few months, we're making progress on all three fronts.
First, we're doing what's right for our country in the long term, however difficult that may be today. One of the big tests in recent months has been our plans to modernise the NHS. The decision to pause those reforms was the right one. It gave us the time and space to get the involvement and support of doctors and nurses, and we came back to the table with a package that is changed for the better, but not changed in its fundamental drive to make the health service more dynamic, efficient and effective.
We've applied the same long-term approach to pension reform. We all know that the pensions system as it stands is unsustainable, and that to duck this challenge would have been a dereliction of our long-term duty to this country. The decisions we have made on raising the pension age are tough, but right. However choppy the political waters may be as we pursue these plans, it is vital we stick to the course.
Second, we're doing the right thing by decent, hard-working people. Nothing so undermined the value of responsibility in this country than the woeful welfare system allowed to spiral out of control by the last government. That's why in June we launched The Work Programme, the largest-ever welfare-to-work scheme of its kind. We're bringing in a whole range of new providers and paying them on the results they achieve - getting people into work and keeping them in work.
We're also doing the right thing by the Equitable Life policyholders who were so cruelly let down. In Opposition we promised to help those people, and it's a promise we have kept. Last month the first cheques were sent out - the start of a three-year programme of payments totalling £1.5 billion.
And third, this is a government that is restoring Britain's standing in the world. In little over a year, through one Spending Review and two Budgets, we have restored this country's reputation for economic competence. At a time when the shadow of sovereign debt problems is falling across Europe, we can be more confident than ever in the action we are taking. Market interest rates in the UK - vital to encouraging the investment we need - are falling; in so many other countries they are rising.
Holding a Strategic Defence and Security Review when our inheritance was a MoD budget that was out of kilter by £38 billion was always going to be difficult, but we now have a long-term plan to deliver the right defence forces for Britain's future. Our plan to increase the trained strength of our Territorial Army from 14,000 to around 40,000 in the next few years is something that all Conservatives can be proud of.
And just as we have shown responsibility in our domestic affairs, so we are playing our part in global affairs. Along with our allies, we continue to enforce the UN resolution in Libya, protecting the civilians there from Qadhafi's murderous regime and pressuring him to go. In Afghanistan, we continue our efforts to pursue a lasting political settlement. The transition of security responsibility to Afghan control for selected districts throughout the country is just about to start and, in line with progress in this area, we have made some plans for modest troop reductions by the end of 2012, with the ultimate aim to have no UK troops in combat roles by 2015.
We have also made good progress in meeting our promises to limit immigration and stop powers being passed from Britain to Brussels without a referendum, and we have severely limited Britain's exposure to future EU bailouts.
So while the day-to-day of politics can sometimes be tough, I hope you can be proud that you have a government that does the right thing for the long term, that is on the side of responsible people, and that is restoring Britain's standing in the world.
I wish you and your families a relaxing summer.
With best wishes,
David Cameron
Not only is he proud of the No campaign he is clearly incredibly defensive about the NOTW hacking scandal. One might think he's a little under pressure for his employment of Andy Coulson and his vast number of smooches with Murdoch. He's also claiming credit for Lib Dem policy on Equitable Life.
Dear X,
As the summer break approaches, I am writing to thank you for all your support over the past few months, particularly in the run-up to the AV referendum. This victory was a crucial moment for our Party and our country - and it was only possible with the tireless campaigning of Conservative supporters across the country. We can be truly proud of the campaign we fought and the result we achieved. Our voting system is safe, and electoral reform is off the agenda for a long time to come.
As recent weeks have shown, being in government produces all sorts of challenges that need a clear response. The hacking scandal has been shocking in terms of the dreadful things that have happened, and profound in terms of its long-term impact. I hope you agree that with a Judge-led inquiry now being established; a proper police investigation under way; the BSkyB merger now off the agenda; and maximum transparency being delivered, we have dealt decisively with this issue.
Overall, I believe we can be proud of the progress we're making in government. In all the years in Opposition, I had a clear idea in my head of the kind of government I wanted to lead: one that thought about the long term instead of tomorrow's headlines; one that did the right thing by decent, working people; and one that restored Britain's standing in the world. In our actions of the past few months, we're making progress on all three fronts.
First, we're doing what's right for our country in the long term, however difficult that may be today. One of the big tests in recent months has been our plans to modernise the NHS. The decision to pause those reforms was the right one. It gave us the time and space to get the involvement and support of doctors and nurses, and we came back to the table with a package that is changed for the better, but not changed in its fundamental drive to make the health service more dynamic, efficient and effective.
We've applied the same long-term approach to pension reform. We all know that the pensions system as it stands is unsustainable, and that to duck this challenge would have been a dereliction of our long-term duty to this country. The decisions we have made on raising the pension age are tough, but right. However choppy the political waters may be as we pursue these plans, it is vital we stick to the course.
Second, we're doing the right thing by decent, hard-working people. Nothing so undermined the value of responsibility in this country than the woeful welfare system allowed to spiral out of control by the last government. That's why in June we launched The Work Programme, the largest-ever welfare-to-work scheme of its kind. We're bringing in a whole range of new providers and paying them on the results they achieve - getting people into work and keeping them in work.
We're also doing the right thing by the Equitable Life policyholders who were so cruelly let down. In Opposition we promised to help those people, and it's a promise we have kept. Last month the first cheques were sent out - the start of a three-year programme of payments totalling £1.5 billion.
And third, this is a government that is restoring Britain's standing in the world. In little over a year, through one Spending Review and two Budgets, we have restored this country's reputation for economic competence. At a time when the shadow of sovereign debt problems is falling across Europe, we can be more confident than ever in the action we are taking. Market interest rates in the UK - vital to encouraging the investment we need - are falling; in so many other countries they are rising.
Holding a Strategic Defence and Security Review when our inheritance was a MoD budget that was out of kilter by £38 billion was always going to be difficult, but we now have a long-term plan to deliver the right defence forces for Britain's future. Our plan to increase the trained strength of our Territorial Army from 14,000 to around 40,000 in the next few years is something that all Conservatives can be proud of.
And just as we have shown responsibility in our domestic affairs, so we are playing our part in global affairs. Along with our allies, we continue to enforce the UN resolution in Libya, protecting the civilians there from Qadhafi's murderous regime and pressuring him to go. In Afghanistan, we continue our efforts to pursue a lasting political settlement. The transition of security responsibility to Afghan control for selected districts throughout the country is just about to start and, in line with progress in this area, we have made some plans for modest troop reductions by the end of 2012, with the ultimate aim to have no UK troops in combat roles by 2015.
We have also made good progress in meeting our promises to limit immigration and stop powers being passed from Britain to Brussels without a referendum, and we have severely limited Britain's exposure to future EU bailouts.
So while the day-to-day of politics can sometimes be tough, I hope you can be proud that you have a government that does the right thing for the long term, that is on the side of responsible people, and that is restoring Britain's standing in the world.
I wish you and your families a relaxing summer.
With best wishes,
David Cameron
Friday favourite 17
I've just finished watching 'My favourite joke' on BBC1. There appears to be more episodes to follow - but I doubt they will feature the late great Bill Hicks.
So in memory of him (and Amy Winehouse - who I think he would have appreciated) - here is is talking about manufactured pop musicians. Warning - don't watch if you are easily offended.
So in memory of him (and Amy Winehouse - who I think he would have appreciated) - here is is talking about manufactured pop musicians. Warning - don't watch if you are easily offended.
29 July 2011
How Zac Goldsmith bought his seat in parliament
The Electoral Commission has published the accounts for the main political parties and so far the focus has been on the failure of the BNP to submit its accounts and possible legal action as a result.
However the Electoral Commission also includes accounts of the various constituency parties. And the entry for Richmond Park Conservatives makes fascinating reading.
In it we find the party has a property portfolio - through the shadowy Thameside Property Trust - worth more than £2 million. This investment income was worth more than £60,000 in 2010 to Zac's campaign.
Line 11 of the accounts includes an entry for 'Notional income' which shows a grand total of £108,602 for the period 09/10. You have to read the notes on the penultimate page of the accounts to find out that this is the 'private expenditure on campaigning' by Zac Goldsmith.
The accounts claim that a Mrs Sarah Tippett is the registered treasurer (she is also the Chair). According to Richmond Park Conservative's website she works for the Rupert Murdoch owned Fox Sport.
However the Electoral Commission also includes accounts of the various constituency parties. And the entry for Richmond Park Conservatives makes fascinating reading.
In it we find the party has a property portfolio - through the shadowy Thameside Property Trust - worth more than £2 million. This investment income was worth more than £60,000 in 2010 to Zac's campaign.
Line 11 of the accounts includes an entry for 'Notional income' which shows a grand total of £108,602 for the period 09/10. You have to read the notes on the penultimate page of the accounts to find out that this is the 'private expenditure on campaigning' by Zac Goldsmith.
The accounts claim that a Mrs Sarah Tippett is the registered treasurer (she is also the Chair). According to Richmond Park Conservative's website she works for the Rupert Murdoch owned Fox Sport.
26 July 2011
Cheap Paxman English Defence League jibe
Monday's Newsnight contained an interview between Paxo and Stephen Lennon - head of the ultra nationalist English Defence League.
The premise was some extremely dodgy research that led the BBC to claim that Norway mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik had links to the EDL because he posted on various websites (including Facebook) in praise of them.
Paxo's attempted hatchet job on Lennon backfired completely (and it started pretty poorly due to the paucity of the evidence presented) when he ended by claiming that Lennon and the EDL were threatening a similar slaughter in the UK because of Lennon's closing remark that 'I think we're five years away from that happening here, or 10 years, of English lads doing that because of the desperation they're in'.
It's not available on i-player yet - but catch it when you can (and I'll try and link it when it is available). You can catch it here.
The leftish bias of the BBC does itself no favours when it behaves like this. I don't have any time for the policies of EDL - but they are representative of a section of white, working class opinion that should not be ignored. It particularly should not be ridiculed and defamed by multi-millionaire public sector workers like Paxman.
The BBC needs to put its student union trotskyism to one side and deal with issues of race, religion and the homegrown dispossed in a more grown up and sensitive way.
The premise was some extremely dodgy research that led the BBC to claim that Norway mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik had links to the EDL because he posted on various websites (including Facebook) in praise of them.
Paxo's attempted hatchet job on Lennon backfired completely (and it started pretty poorly due to the paucity of the evidence presented) when he ended by claiming that Lennon and the EDL were threatening a similar slaughter in the UK because of Lennon's closing remark that 'I think we're five years away from that happening here, or 10 years, of English lads doing that because of the desperation they're in'.
The leftish bias of the BBC does itself no favours when it behaves like this. I don't have any time for the policies of EDL - but they are representative of a section of white, working class opinion that should not be ignored. It particularly should not be ridiculed and defamed by multi-millionaire public sector workers like Paxman.
The BBC needs to put its student union trotskyism to one side and deal with issues of race, religion and the homegrown dispossed in a more grown up and sensitive way.
24 July 2011
So farewell then Amy Winehouse
It's sad, but not hugely surprising that Amy Winehouse has died at just 27. She was a talented musician, a flawed person and definitely no angel. And her music reflected this - supported by some great musicianship from her band.
Here they are at their best:
Here they are at their best:
22 July 2011
Friday favourite 16
It's July, it's raining, so it's time to stand in a field listening to your favourite bands. So here is the Manic Street Preachers at last weekend's T in the Park.
Time for Lembit to stand down
Ballot papers are being received in the Lib Dem selection for its London Mayoral candidate. The first hustings took place on Wednesday and Lib Dem Voice carries a report here.
In addition to some bizarrely defensive comments from his campaign manager Ed Joyce on Lib Dem Voice, Lembit posted some frankly strange comments on Facebook, implying there is some sort of conspiracy against him.
It's clear Lembit has lost touch with any sense of reality. As Peter Black makes clear Lembit is blaming anyone but himself for the loss of Montgomeryshire last year.
Lembit has lost it. His flagship policy for London Mayor - a referendum on a 24 hour tube is both facile and impossible. He is now an embarrassment to the party and if London Region had had the courage they should have excluded him from the shortlist, rather than let him embarrass himself and the party by carrying on with his ridiculous campaign.
But they allowed him to stand and for the good of his mental health - if nothing else - Lembit should do the decent thing and withdraw from the race.
In addition to some bizarrely defensive comments from his campaign manager Ed Joyce on Lib Dem Voice, Lembit posted some frankly strange comments on Facebook, implying there is some sort of conspiracy against him.
It's clear Lembit has lost touch with any sense of reality. As Peter Black makes clear Lembit is blaming anyone but himself for the loss of Montgomeryshire last year.
Lembit has lost it. His flagship policy for London Mayor - a referendum on a 24 hour tube is both facile and impossible. He is now an embarrassment to the party and if London Region had had the courage they should have excluded him from the shortlist, rather than let him embarrass himself and the party by carrying on with his ridiculous campaign.
But they allowed him to stand and for the good of his mental health - if nothing else - Lembit should do the decent thing and withdraw from the race.
20 July 2011
Miliband flunks hacking statement
Caught most of the proceedings on today's statement by Cameron on phone hacking.
It was a robust performance from Cameron. And despite having some difficult issues to deal with I thought he struck the right balance between partisanship and statesmanship.
However, Ed Miliband was dreadful. Trying to make partisan points when you and your party are up to your necks in the scandal isn't sensible. And he was put down brilliantly with Cameron's line about 'only one party leader still employing ex-News International staff'
One wonders what ex-News International hack Tom Baldwin (and now Mili minor's media adviser) makes of it?
It was a robust performance from Cameron. And despite having some difficult issues to deal with I thought he struck the right balance between partisanship and statesmanship.
However, Ed Miliband was dreadful. Trying to make partisan points when you and your party are up to your necks in the scandal isn't sensible. And he was put down brilliantly with Cameron's line about 'only one party leader still employing ex-News International staff'
One wonders what ex-News International hack Tom Baldwin (and now Mili minor's media adviser) makes of it?
Overblown hyperbole of the day...
...and the award goes to Dr Jacky Davis of Keep Our NHS Public, who says of the proposals to extend patient choice to a number of non acute services such as counselling:
'This is the final step in outsourcing NHS care to the private sector'
Full report here.
'This is the final step in outsourcing NHS care to the private sector'
Full report here.
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