More scandal

The MP's expenses scandal escalated today when it was discovered that David Blunkett had claimed for a motorcycle, a hang-glider and a pair of binoculars!

Hazel is toast

A number of commentators - including Iain Dale here - have suggested that Hazel Blears is being lined up for being dumped by Gordo especially following her outspoken attack on how Gordo is running the country.

This from the BBC seem to confirm that view.

Martin blows it

Just watched the Speaker make a complete hash of his opportunity to clean up the Commons. he has in fact without a shadow of doubt made things worse by his complete misjudgement of the feeling of not just the House but also of the country at large. He gave no indication of his plans, no indication of when he will go. Absolute disastrous performance.

He must go NOW

Star Trek

Just had a friend on the phone talking about the new (brilliant btw - saw it last Saturday) Star Trek film.

There is a scene where Captain Pike (Kirk's predecessor as Enterprise commanding officer) is being tortured by the Romulans in order to disclose Spock's whereabouts.

Apparently in one cinema someone shouted out at this point "Don't tell him Pike!"

Priceless

BNP shoots itself in the foot

Iain Dale has reported that the BNP has claimed that the VC awarded to Johnson Beharry "was only awarded his Victoria Cross because he is black".

Actually I though that the medal was awarded to Beharry was awarded because he twice performed actions of outstanding heroism, either one of which would have probably won a high award for gallantry.

With luck, comments like those above will make people think twice before voting BNP.


VC citation here

The Speaker

With Douglas Carswell's vote of no confidence in Michael Martin imminent it is worth wondering what the minimum vote that will be needed to cause his resignation. Given the tribal loyalties of Labour I strongly suspect that Carswell will not get an absolute majority but that does not mean that Martin is safe. From a historical point-of-view it is worth remembering that Chamberlain actually won the vote in May 1940 but was forced to go because his majority had been slashed.

Now obviously the circumstances are very different, it does mean that given a sufficient minority Martin is doomed. The question is what size of minority will be needed before Martin gets the hint?

Just a few votes against him and he will survive but I don't think that that will happen. There is just too much feeling against him. I suspect that it will be the number of abstentions that will be crucial. MPs might not feel upto positively voting against him, but they realise that he will have to go. A high level of abstentions will force him out just as much as a positive vote against.

Will Nick Clegg's intervention allow more high profile MPs to come out against him?

I hope so.....

The Crooks or the Fascists

The current situation reminds me somewhat of the 2002 election in France when it was between Chirac and Le Pen .....

A bunch of freeloading (criminal maybe) MPs who are boosting the BNP....

Not nice