Speaker election ought to have a secret ballot this time. Last time round it looked like an 18th century vote. But ultimately The Speaker represents the Commons not The Government.
Papers together are not going to struggle their pages tomorrow. Feel for all the poor journos desperately trying to get all the copy written in time. No copy / pasting and mailing in some crappy z-celeb story today.
I don't understand why John Bercow gets such a bad rap. It makes no sense and seems without any merit.
Is it still complaints about him spending money on the speakers office restoration? Isn't maintaining the Pomp and historical context of Parliament the entire POINT of the Speaker?
He seems to be getting screwed just for doing what you'd expect the Speaker to do.
Payback, a large chunk of the Tory Party and the Lib Dems in Government speak as highly of John Bercow as I do about Mark Reckless.
When I've seen him on TV he's come across as condescending, patronising and rude.
I understand that what particular riles people is his total lack of humility. He's held various positions across the political spectrum over the years and has been equally convinced, every step of the way, that he's 100% right.
The BBC is too big. They should have 2 TV channels, separate out Radios 1-4, the news website, and sell everything else that doesn't run at a profit.
As a business, the BBC is not well run, because it doesn't seem to think like a business.
Scrap the licence fee and let it carry advertising. Then they would find out in a big hurry what makes money and what doesn't. The advertising plus BBC Worldwide revenue should provide a nice stack of change.
During fund raising breaks on PBS, the network tracks very closely who calls in each break in each program, what pledges were made etc. That's gold in TV land - you know immediately what your audience wants.
Payback, a large chunk of the Tory Party and the Lib Dems in Government speak as highly of John Bercow as I do about Mark Reckless.
When I've seen him on TV he's come across as condescending, patronising and rude.
I understand that what particular riles people is his total lack of humility. He's held various positions across the political spectrum over the years and has been equally convinced, every step of the way, that he's 100% right.
Without breaking confidences, that's exactly how many people describe him.
He's gone from being a member of the Monday Club (when it was properly chock full of loonies, racists and fruitcakes) to practically being a Labour MP.
Payback, a large chunk of the Tory Party and the Lib Dems in Government speak as highly of John Bercow as I do about Mark Reckless.
It seems tremendously petty. Pathetic.
It could easily be argued that the whole saga over the replacement for the excellent Sir Robert Rogers as clerk has brought the position of speaker into disrepute. It's the sort of thing only a good speaker with enough friends could have got away with. Thankfully, he did not get away with it.
steve richards @steverichards14 52s53 seconds ago John Bercow only told at 5.30 of a vote tomorrow on a secret ballot to elect post election Speaker. Underhand but Bercow will be re-elected.
Mystic Steve - will look silly if he wins, but only half as silly as those if Bercow isn't defenestrated.
I cannot see what benefit getting rid of Bercow now would provide?
Isn't it a task for the new parliament?
I value Jack's views on this sort of thing so if he doesn't like it I don't like it!
Camo and Osborne need to realise that most of their supporters like me are self-made not built on family money - we are relying on them winning the election to stop Labour taking the rest of our money!
RE: Quality of the BBC programmes. Life is very difficult for the commissioning people at the BBC. Each day they scour the Guardian for proramming ideas but so few come up. It has got so bad apparently that some have added the Independent and the Mirror to their reading material. Things will only improve when the Guardian has a better range of articles.
steve richards @steverichards14 52s53 seconds ago John Bercow only told at 5.30 of a vote tomorrow on a secret ballot to elect post election Speaker. Underhand but Bercow will be re-elected.
Mystic Steve - will look silly if he wins, but only half as silly as those if Bercow isn't defenestrated.
If the Tories don't get rid of him, they are going to look very very stupid. Either way, doesn't this deflect again from the GE campaign and I would have thought the Tories would want to spend every second trying to convince people to vote for them?
Interesting timing, not only because of all going on today, but tomorrow, it is Cameron NOT VS Miliband, interviews.
The Government has tabled a motion for a secret ballot to stop John Bercow being re-elected as Speaker of the House of Commons.
The motion put forward by Conservative MP William Hague is expected to see his fellow party member replaced in the post he has held since 2009 after the General Election.
It states that a secret ballot should be triggered if anyone shouts "object" when the standard post-election proposal to reinstall the Speaker is made.
The standing order states: "If that question is contested, it shall be determined by secret ballot, to take place on the same day under arrangements made by the Member presiding, who shall announce the result of the ballot to the House as soon as is practicable."
RE: Quality of the BBC programmes. Life is very difficult for the commissioning people at the BBC. Each day they scour the Guardian for proramming ideas but so few come up. It has got so bad apparently that some have added the Independent and the Mirror to their reading material. Things will only improve when the Guardian has a better range of articles.
steve richards @steverichards14 52s53 seconds ago John Bercow only told at 5.30 of a vote tomorrow on a secret ballot to elect post election Speaker. Underhand but Bercow will be re-elected.
Mystic Steve - will look silly if he wins, but only half as silly as those if Bercow isn't defenestrated.
If Bercow wins or if he loses, his credibility and authority, such as it is, will be gone for good.
A hung parliament needs an impartial and shrewd speaker who can navigate well in stormy waters. It is hard to see how Bercow fits the bill.
Payback, a large chunk of the Tory Party and the Lib Dems in Government speak as highly of John Bercow as I do about Mark Reckless.
When I've seen him on TV he's come across as condescending, patronising and rude.
I understand that what particular riles people is his total lack of humility. He's held various positions across the political spectrum over the years and has been equally convinced, every step of the way, that he's 100% right.
Without breaking confidences, that's exactly how many people describe him.
He's gone from being a member of the Monday Club (when it was properly chock full of loonies, racists and fruitcakes) to practically being a Labour MP.
I cannot see what benefit getting rid of Bercow now would provide?
Isn't it a task for the new parliament?
I value Jack's views on this sort of thing so if he doesn't like it I don't like it!
Camo and Osborne need to realise that most of their supporters like me are self-made not built on family money - we are relying on them winning the election to stop Labour taking the rest of our money!
Don't * it up!!
It will mean one more Tory and one less Labour after the election. Which could make a difference as things stand. Or they could be planning to give it to a Scot and make it one less SNP. Although AFAIK the SNP don't respect the "don't stand against the Speaker".
On the BBC I'm struggling to see a long-term future. What good dramas have they made recently? I mean, global successes?
There's Sherlock. Um.. Poldark is ok. And that's about it. Please don't mention Call the Midwife or Broadchurch. I almost wrote Downton Abbey too (ITV) - that's how bad it is.
...
The David Attenborough programmes are still world class. I would miss those. But apart from that you're left with the Britainsgotstrictlycomexfactortripe. And the rest is dross. ...
Sherlock. Based on books well over a hundred years old with an incredibly well-known and bankable central character.
Poldark. Adapted from books written in the 1940s/50s and already previously adapted decades ago.
David Attenborough. Has been making nature programmes since the 1960s.
So what's new?
Well, quite. The BBC can't write for toffee. Even some of the writing for Sheock is laboured.
The Government has tabled a motion for a secret ballot to stop John Bercow being re-elected as Speaker of the House of Commons.
The motion put forward by Conservative MP William Hague is expected to see his fellow party member replaced in the post he has held since 2009 after the General Election.
It states that a secret ballot should be triggered if anyone shouts "object" when the standard post-election proposal to reinstall the Speaker is made.
The standing order states: "If that question is contested, it shall be determined by secret ballot, to take place on the same day under arrangements made by the Member presiding, who shall announce the result of the ballot to the House as soon as is practicable."
steve richards @steverichards14 52s53 seconds ago John Bercow only told at 5.30 of a vote tomorrow on a secret ballot to elect post election Speaker. Underhand but Bercow will be re-elected.
Mystic Steve - will look silly if he wins, but only half as silly as those if Bercow isn't defenestrated.
If Bercow wins or if he loses, his credibility and authority, such as it is, will be gone for good.
A hung parliament needs an impartial and shrewd speaker who can navigate well in stormy waters. It is hard to see how Bercow fits the bill.
So Bercow will lose credibility and authority because he is being criticised for demonstrating too much credibility and authority?
This whole thing makes no sense to me and I'm actually interested in politics. How does nonsense like this look to the public who feel Westminster politicians are alien and remote to them and their lives?
RE: Quality of the BBC programmes. Life is very difficult for the commissioning people at the BBC. Each day they scour the Guardian for proramming ideas but so few come up. It has got so bad apparently that some have added the Independent and the Mirror to their reading material. Things will only improve when the Guardian has a better range of articles.
- or when the newsagent starts stocking Country Life and Paris Match
The Government has tabled a motion for a secret ballot to stop John Bercow being re-elected as Speaker of the House of Commons.
The motion put forward by Conservative MP William Hague is expected to see his fellow party member replaced in the post he has held since 2009 after the General Election.
It states that a secret ballot should be triggered if anyone shouts "object" when the standard post-election proposal to reinstall the Speaker is made.
The standing order states: "If that question is contested, it shall be determined by secret ballot, to take place on the same day under arrangements made by the Member presiding, who shall announce the result of the ballot to the House as soon as is practicable."
Awful decision prompted by Hague whose has diminished himself as he leaves Commons.
Votes in the HoC should be open to scrutiny by the electorate.
It should be routine that elections for Speaker are contested. Unfortunately it seems MPs don't have the balls to vote as they wish, or put themselves forward for election, under the current arrangements.
Paul Waugh @paulwaugh 18s18 seconds ago Lib Dems confirm they have a free vote tmrw on Bercow secret ballot motion. Clegg will be in constituency. Maybe nos cd be tight
The Government has tabled a motion for a secret ballot to stop John Bercow being re-elected as Speaker of the House of Commons.
The motion put forward by Conservative MP William Hague is expected to see his fellow party member replaced in the post he has held since 2009 after the General Election.
It states that a secret ballot should be triggered if anyone shouts "object" when the standard post-election proposal to reinstall the Speaker is made.
The standing order states: "If that question is contested, it shall be determined by secret ballot, to take place on the same day under arrangements made by the Member presiding, who shall announce the result of the ballot to the House as soon as is practicable."
On the BBC I'm struggling to see a long-term future. What good dramas have they made recently? I mean, global successes?
There's Sherlock. Um.. Poldark is ok. And that's about it. Please don't mention Call the Midwife or Broadchurch. I almost wrote Downton Abbey too (ITV) - that's how bad it is.
...
The David Attenborough programmes are still world class. I would miss those. But apart from that you're left with the Britainsgotstrictlycomexfactortripe. And the rest is dross. ...
Sherlock. Based on books well over a hundred years old with an incredibly well-known and bankable central character.
Poldark. Adapted from books written in the 1940s/50s and already previously adapted decades ago.
David Attenborough. Has been making nature programmes since the 1960s.
So what's new?
Well, quite. The BBC can't write for toffee. Even some of the writing for Sheock is laboured.
I enjoy Silent Witness and Hinterland, as far as crime dramas on the BBC; I also value its imports (Spiral, Salamander, The Killing, the Bridge, (The Young) Montelbano etc). I watch BBC Three comedy, not just McFarlane's stuff, and a few mainstream comedy programmes (Charlie Brooker; Mock the Week; Not Going Out). The Great British Bake Off / Sewing Bee / Painting Challenge as far as watchable slow paced stuff is concerned. Plus music and the odd history documentary on BBC Four. I honestly could easily avoid paying the licence fee - I iPlayer 90% of things anyway - but I don't mind in the slightest.
Either way, doesn't this deflect again from the GE campaign and I would have thought the Tories would want to spend every second trying to convince people to vote for them?
Maybe they they think their record will see them through and they just want to stop the opposition building up a head of steam?
The certain to vote numbers on ICM, Opinium and Ashcroft had up to 5 point Tory leads. The leader and economic numbers are massively favourable.
It's the equivalent of a football team taking forever with throw ins and feigning injury when they think the game's won. Just sucking the life from the opposition until they give up and their supporters go home.
Convention would have it, that if defeated, the Speaker would leave the Commons for the Lords.
Buckingham the first by-election of the new parliament?
Conventions can be changed. I don't see why an ex-speaker can't remain in the Commons nor why, if he chooses to step down, why he should be awarded a sinecure and a silly title.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
I cannot even being to believe the pettiness of the HoC. Really it just goes beyond belief. It is the worst kind of narrow minded, little uppity, boys club you could find. They do themselves no justice.
And BTW I cannot stand Bercow. He is an unlikeable, narcissistic dwarf (aren't they all). But he is what he is.
Re the bbc: personally I think it is well worth the money. Roughly a tenner a month for all of the TV, radio and Internet services is amazing value.
That said, making it a compulsory TV tax is beyond anachronistic.
Also, as a PSB, the Beeb should stop making populist shite (that it doesn't even do as well as itv), and concentrate on the sort of programming that commercial channels either can't or won't do: serious science, history, politics etc; breaking new talent; edgy comedy and so on.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
RE: Quality of the BBC programmes. Life is very difficult for the commissioning people at the BBC. Each day they scour the Guardian for proramming ideas but so few come up. It has got so bad apparently that some have added the Independent and the Mirror to their reading material. Things will only improve when the Guardian has a better range of articles.
- or when the newsagent starts stocking Country Life and Paris Match
only if the BBC employ people with a wider range of interests.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
Is this a good time to remind you of your Ma Beckett for Speaker predictions in 2009?
Among the doom and gloom of our cricketing and rugby teams Scotland's football team have been something of a shining light in recent times.
Until now, as Clarkson might have said if he hadn't been sacked. The friendly against NI tonight is one of the worst games I have seen in years. Nothing for the mighty Gibraltar to worry about. Nothing at all.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
Is this a good time to remind you of your Ma Beckett for Speaker predictions in 2009?
Certainly not.
She and Con GAIN Watford 2010 will forever be carved into my heart.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
His backers were disproportionally Lib Dems and Labour.
My Dad helped vote out Gidley for her part in his nomination. Mind you he went off Noakes pretty quickly afterwards, because of her texting her boyfriend during debates.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
Is this a good time to remind you of your Ma Beckett for Speaker predictions in 2009?
Certainly not.
She and Con GAIN Watford 2010 will forever be carved into my heart.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
Is this a good time to remind you of your Ma Beckett for Speaker predictions in 2009?
Certainly not.
She and Con GAIN Watford 2010 will forever be carved into my heart.
It's ok, we're not infallible.
Just remember, a couple of years ago, I did a thread which talked about Lib Dem making net gains in May 2015.
Convention would have it, that if defeated, the Speaker would leave the Commons for the Lords.
Buckingham the first by-election of the new parliament?
Conventions can be changed. I don't see why an ex-speaker can't remain in the Commons nor why, if he chooses to step down, why he should be awarded a sinecure and a silly title.
The Speaker is supposed to eschew all political ambition and partisanship on assuming the Chair. Indeed it was Manners-Sutton's angling for the premiership while Speaker, which led to his downfall in 1835 [although two earlier Speakers had made that transition]
Also, after becoming one of the highest Commoners in the land, why anyone would be happy to return to the obscurity of the backbenches after such a humiliation escapes me...
RE: Quality of the BBC programmes. Life is very difficult for the commissioning people at the BBC. Each day they scour the Guardian for proramming ideas but so few come up. It has got so bad apparently that some have added the Independent and the Mirror to their reading material. Things will only improve when the Guardian has a better range of articles.
- or when the newsagent starts stocking Country Life and Paris Match
only if the BBC employ people with a wider range of interests.
This was a good BBC 3 parter on posh peoples magazines:
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
Is this a good time to remind you of your Ma Beckett for Speaker predictions in 2009?
If the vote wasn't secret then the elected speaker (who has great power in the running of the HoC) would know who opposed him. If we were to get a vindictive speaker then he/ she could use his powers against those people or political party. Hague is going? so he has nothing to lose.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
His backers were disproportionally Lib Dems and Labour.
My Dad helped vote out Gidley for her part in his nomination. Mind you he went off Noakes pretty quickly afterwards, because of her texting her boyfriend during debates.
He is now a pro-EU kipper...
On such things are elections decided!
Bercow's election was similar to Betty Boothroyd's in that sufficient Conservatives broke ranks and voted with Labour, LibDems and other parties to ensure Bercow's election by a considerable margin.
Your father certainly appears to be a swing voter !!
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
Is this a good time to remind you of your Ma Beckett for Speaker predictions in 2009?
Certainly not.
She and Con GAIN Watford 2010 will forever be carved into my heart.
This move by the Coalition against the Speaker is a big mistake.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories before the last election, just to piss them off.
Not so.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
Not so. Barely a handful of Conservatives supported him. Bercow was elected off the back of partisan Labour votes.
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Sir George Young was hardly non-partisan !! No candidate is until they are dragged to the Speaker's chair.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
His backers were disproportionally Lib Dems and Labour.
My Dad helped vote out Gidley for her part in his nomination. Mind you he went off Noakes pretty quickly afterwards, because of her texting her boyfriend during debates.
He is now a pro-EU kipper...
On such things are elections decided!
Bercow's election was similar to Betty Boothroyd's in that sufficient Conservatives broke ranks and voted with Labour, LibDems and other parties to ensure Bercow's election by a considerable margin.
Your father certainly appears to be a swing voter !!
My mother will probably persuade him to vote Tory. Though she disapproves of Noakes's colourful shenanigans, she disapproves of Labour even more.
Am I right in understanding that Ed Miliband would not answer the NI question at PMQs. Yet within a couple of hours Ed Balls stated that indeed he would it rule out in the manifesto.
Which makes me wonder if:
A) Ed Balls has not shown Ed M the manifesto
or if the manifesto is being made up on the hoof.
Any other possibilities?
Probably the latter - but Labour are in a hole now. Their entire political strategy (less cuts than the Tories) was based on raising taxes. They've lost NI, Pension relief and VAT, the only ones available are PAYE and Corporation tax.
And you can imagine how saying you are going to raise them would go down with the Populace.
Do I see another 'Labour Tax Bombshell' poster campaign?
Whatever about a majority for Labour or Conservatives after May, there will be a majority which supports p***ing off the Tories who want Bercow out.
The Tories are working on the principle if at least 250 MPs vote against Bercow in May, he is fatally damaged even if he "wins" and he is forced to stand down.
Am I right in understanding that Ed Miliband would not answer the NI question at PMQs. Yet within a couple of hours Ed Balls stated that indeed he would it rule out in the manifesto.
Which makes me wonder if:
A) Ed Balls has not shown Ed M the manifesto
or if the manifesto is being made up on the hoof.
Any other possibilities?
Probably the latter - but Labour are in a hole now. Their entire political strategy (less cuts than the Tories) was based on raising taxes. They've lost NI, Pension relief and VAT, the only ones available are PAYE and Corporation tax.
And you can imagine how saying you are going to raise them would go down with the Populace.
Do I see another 'Labour Tax Bombshell' poster campaign?
They have also ruled out any rises to PAYE basic rate.
Am I right in understanding that Ed Miliband would not answer the NI question at PMQs. Yet within a couple of hours Ed Balls stated that indeed he would it rule out in the manifesto.
Which makes me wonder if:
A) Ed Balls has not shown Ed M the manifesto
or if the manifesto is being made up on the hoof.
Any other possibilities?
Probably the latter - but Labour are in a hole now. Their entire political strategy (less cuts than the Tories) was based on raising taxes. They've lost NI, Pension relief and VAT, the only ones available are PAYE and Corporation tax.
And you can imagine how saying you are going to raise them would go down with the Populace.
Do I see another 'Labour Tax Bombshell' poster campaign?
Yep. I am sure that is a central Tory theme.
A third possibility is that Balls deliberately stuck it in to neutralise the attack. He was sitting next to Ed M at PMQs and could have had a word in his ear. Unless he intended Miliband to be left gasping like a landed fish...
Among the doom and gloom of our cricketing and rugby teams Scotland's football team have been something of a shining light in recent times.
Until now, as Clarkson might have said if he hadn't been sacked. The friendly against NI tonight is one of the worst games I have seen in years. Nothing for the mighty Gibraltar to worry about. Nothing at all.
International friendlies are a complete waste of time. Why anybody would pay good money to watch players almost inevitably going through the motions is beyond me.
As for the BBC a shadow of it's former self and getting worse, even it's football coverage is sub-standard. To get rid of Clarkson one of the few employees of star quality left is baffling and I agree with the poster earlier, that Miranda they love these days is bloody awful.
Comments
Very bad move if true.
Is it still complaints about him spending money on the speakers office restoration? Isn't maintaining the Pomp and historical context of Parliament the entire POINT of the Speaker?
He seems to be getting screwed just for doing what you'd expect the Speaker to do.
I understand that what particular riles people is his total lack of humility. He's held various positions across the political spectrum over the years and has been equally convinced, every step of the way, that he's 100% right.
As a business, the BBC is not well run, because it doesn't seem to think like a business.
Scrap the licence fee and let it carry advertising. Then they would find out in a big hurry what makes money and what doesn't. The advertising plus BBC Worldwide revenue should provide a nice stack of change.
During fund raising breaks on PBS, the network tracks very closely who calls in each break in each program, what pledges were made etc. That's gold in TV land - you know immediately what your audience wants.
So close to the general election it beggars belief.
He's gone from being a member of the Monday Club (when it was properly chock full of loonies, racists and fruitcakes) to practically being a Labour MP.
John Bercow only told at 5.30 of a vote tomorrow on a secret ballot to elect post election Speaker. Underhand but Bercow will be re-elected.
Mystic Steve - will look silly if he wins, but only half as silly as those if Bercow isn't defenestrated.
Isn't it a task for the new parliament?
I value Jack's views on this sort of thing so if he doesn't like it I don't like it!
Camo and Osborne need to realise that most of their supporters like me are self-made not built on family money - we are relying on them winning the election to stop Labour taking the rest of our money!
Don't * it up!!
Life is very difficult for the commissioning people at the BBC. Each day they scour the Guardian for proramming ideas but so few come up. It has got so bad apparently that some have added the Independent and the Mirror to their reading material. Things will only improve when the Guardian has a better range of articles.
Interesting timing, not only because of all going on today, but tomorrow, it is Cameron NOT VS Miliband, interviews.
The motion put forward by Conservative MP William Hague is expected to see his fellow party member replaced in the post he has held since 2009 after the General Election.
It states that a secret ballot should be triggered if anyone shouts "object" when the standard post-election proposal to reinstall the Speaker is made.
The standing order states: "If that question is contested, it shall be determined by secret ballot, to take place on the same day under arrangements made by the Member presiding, who shall announce the result of the ballot to the House as soon as is practicable."
http://news.sky.com/story/1452661/conservatives-bid-to-banish-bercow-as-speaker?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter
A hung parliament needs an impartial and shrewd speaker who can navigate well in stormy waters. It is hard to see how Bercow fits the bill.
Votes in the HoC should be open to scrutiny by the electorate.
It doesn't change electoral arithmetic because if Bercow is Speaker then Lab provides two Deputy Speakers to one from Con.
Only way it affects arithmetic is if Bercow is re-elected as MP (as Speaker) and then deposed as Speaker and he then switches to Lab.
Buckingham the first by-election of the new parliament?
This whole thing makes no sense to me and I'm actually interested in politics. How does nonsense like this look to the public who feel Westminster politicians are alien and remote to them and their lives?
I hope this shabby last minute move is defeated.
Public elect representatives, they should be able to judge them on their actions.
Lib Dems confirm they have a free vote tmrw on Bercow secret ballot motion. Clegg will be in constituency. Maybe nos cd be tight
Bercow is a pompous oaf, who has diminished the office of Speaker. He deserves his comeuppance.
The certain to vote numbers on ICM, Opinium and Ashcroft had up to 5 point Tory leads. The leader and economic numbers are massively favourable.
It's the equivalent of a football team taking forever with throw ins and feigning injury when they think the game's won. Just sucking the life from the opposition until they give up and their supporters go home.
Bercow was first elected by a cross section of the Commons including Conservatives and despite all the piss and wind after 2010 Bercow was re-elected by acclaim.
I think I might purchase a gun safe to protect my investment....
Sir George Young was the non-partisan choice who should have won.
Re: Bercow
I cannot even being to believe the pettiness of the HoC. Really it just goes beyond belief. It is the worst kind of narrow minded, little uppity, boys club you could find. They do themselves no justice.
And BTW I cannot stand Bercow. He is an unlikeable, narcissistic dwarf (aren't they all). But he is what he is.
That said, making it a compulsory TV tax is beyond anachronistic.
Also, as a PSB, the Beeb should stop making populist shite (that it doesn't even do as well as itv), and concentrate on the sort of programming that commercial channels either can't or won't do: serious science, history, politics etc; breaking new talent; edgy comedy and so on.
And Doctor Who.
You also gravely in error in your earlier comment that "Labour conspired to foist Bercow on the Tories ....."
The Speaker is not a Conservative post. He is openly elected by MP's acting for the benefit of the HoC.
Until now, as Clarkson might have said if he hadn't been sacked. The friendly against NI tonight is one of the worst games I have seen in years. Nothing for the mighty Gibraltar to worry about. Nothing at all.
She and Con GAIN Watford 2010 will forever be carved into my heart.
His backers were disproportionally Lib Dems and Labour.
My Dad helped vote out Gidley for her part in his nomination. Mind you he went off Noakes pretty quickly afterwards, because of her texting her boyfriend during debates.
He is now a pro-EU kipper...
On such things are elections decided!
Just remember, a couple of years ago, I did a thread which talked about Lib Dem making net gains in May 2015.
Also, after becoming one of the highest Commoners in the land, why anyone would be happy to return to the obscurity of the backbenches after such a humiliation escapes me...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04q0wwg
Your father certainly appears to be a swing voter !!
No Tory leads this week so far but YG is due in 63 mins
There was a reason Farage finished third in a two horse race last time in Buckingham
I need to work on my acceptance speech as Speaker after my unopposed election as the Jacobite MP for Harpenden & Auchentennach Central.
And you can imagine how saying you are going to raise them would go down with the Populace.
Do I see another 'Labour Tax Bombshell' poster campaign?
What were the scores?
A third possibility is that Balls deliberately stuck it in to neutralise the attack. He was sitting next to Ed M at PMQs and could have had a word in his ear. Unless he intended Miliband to be left gasping like a landed fish...
As for the BBC a shadow of it's former self and getting worse, even it's football coverage is sub-standard. To get rid of Clarkson one of the few employees of star quality left is baffling and I agree with the poster earlier, that Miranda they love these days is bloody awful.