No drunken sailors here!

Oh good grief - another – nursey rhyme amended by the PC brigade. No more baa baa black sheep. Humpty falling off the wall was too violent. Three pigs may offend muslims. Those billy goats gruff had better watch it, and I for one wouldn’t want to be in Rumplestiltskins shoes!!

 

 

Tom Harris is right

I have to say I completely agree with the comments made by Tom Harris today on the subject of anti social cyclists.

I have a cycle which I use (not often mind you). I travel over 250 miles a day on public transport. I also have a car. I do not accept that just because statistics show that there are more injuries caused to cyclists by cars, that should in any way be used as an excuse by cyclists to break the law. Riding on pavements. Riding with no lights and worst of all shooting through red lights.

Now I for one don’t envy anyone on their bike in London. I wouldn’t dare. However I also wouldnt fancy driving in London either. As a pedestrian I feel more at threat to cyclists when I am crossing the road than I do from cars. The attitude Ive more often than not experienced is one of "well a car has cut me up so I will cut you pedestrians up". Is it any wonder that cyclists give themselves a bad name.

No need to tighten your belt

In a downturn sometimes you see things that will ultimately lead to belts being loosened not tightened.

 

Go fourth and blog….

Blogging takes hold in the strangest of places. I remember watching the programme on John Prescott that was on a while ago and the thing I took from it was that in spit of everything – all the fun poked at him and so on – he did come from a humble background and became Deputy Prime Minister of this country. Couldn’t have been that daft then could he!

I guess its the northerner in me that always likes to see someone from nothing so to speak reach great heights. What is even more fascinating for me is that the man portrayed as being bumbling and stupid by the media in actual fact has a better understanding of the internet and its power than some self styled blog guru’s who shall remain nameless.

I think my views of Prescott are very much like those of my former MP Tony Benn. I disagree with much of your political philosophy – but I kind of respect what you are doing!

 

Will the lobbying industry have a wry smile?

Having worked in the lobbying industry in the past I followed the whole debate about what to do with the UKs lobbying industry with interest. Should they have a compulsory register? Should they be forced to publish every client and every person they meet?

Isn’t it interesting that the focus has never turned to our elected or indeed non-elected representatives.

Those terrible lobbyists! If they don’t tell you who their clients are they could be representing some awful people – someone like, say, Robert Mugabe!

Isn’t it interesting that in the light of allegations about the possibility that certain members of the House of Lords MAY have accepted money in return for trying to change legislation, suddenly the focus has turned (and quite rightly so) onto those members of the legislature.

In my view, this is where the focus should always have been. It’s no good saying that these lobbyist are awful and need to be regulated, as in every single case no one is ever forced to meet with lobbyists. If a lobbying company is meeting someone who is seen as unreputable then it is down to the MP, the Lord, The Minister or indeed the Civil Servant to say NO, I don’t want to meet you. If lobbyists have been getting away with representing unsavoury clients, the question that really should have been asked is not why are they being represented, as thats the role the lobbyist is paid to do. The question is why haven’t elected represnetatives or officials not turned down meetings if the clients being represented are so unsavoury?

Without lobbyists we would have some awful pieces of legislation that doesn’t take into acccount any of the unitended consequences that become apparent long after the legislation has been drafted.

I suspect there may be a few people with wry smiles on their face after having seen the industry kicked about during hearings of the Public Administration committee, it nowappears it could be Memebers of the Upper House who have brought the system into disrepute.

Self regulation was seen as a no no for the lobbying industry. Will the same rule apply here?

Shadow Cabinet sign ups

Good news good news… several members of the Shadow Cabinet have signed up to do an interview with Tory Radio. Watch this space, as once the dates are in the diary we will be back to our podcasting best!

Calamity claptrap

Now I can understand that Nick Clegg must be getting quite frustrated that he isn’t getting many headlines at the moment. It can’t help that the only person the media might want to talk to in these testing times are his No. 1 contender Vince Cable.

But to suggest that because of the economic climate we are, the case for joining the single currency could again be on the agenda is clutching at straws.

What I find incredible is that he admits that IF we HAD been in the Euro what has happened to the house price bubble would have been much worse.

Should I expect anything else from Cleggy. Probably not.

 

 

FSA Advice?

Would I want the FSA to give me advice about money?? Hmmmm!!

 

> ——————————————-

> From: Communications-Office of the Chief Executive

> Sent: 21 January 2009 13:54:38

> Subject: FSA seminar – 29 January

This email is aimed at MP’s Staff and is being sent from the Communications team, Office of the Chief Executive.

  

Money Matters!

An invitation from the Financial Services Authority Thursday, 29 January 2009, Wilson Room, Portcullis House Sessions at 2-3pm and 3.30-4.30pm

 

Apparently there are providing advice on:-

 • Taking control
• Borrowing
• Protecting your family and possessions
• Saving and investing
• Planning for retirement
• Your employee benefits

 

OK – well No one will lend money, banks are in crisis, and I can see I will have to work well past retirement due to what has happened in the banking sector. And what did the FSA do to avoid this situation??

 

Now that's a speech

President Obama

Just finished Obama take the oath to become the 44th President of the United States. With the eyes of the whole world upon you I can almost forgive someone for fluffing his lines – but a bit a preparation wouldn’t have gone amiss.

For me the speech was all what I expected, but the hard work starts now, and he hasn’t reached the Oval office at the best of times. They do say that the cream rises to the top – so what better time for a President to show if they are going to be one of the greats than during tough times.