Comments on: A PM isolated by Europe

By: mikestallard

mikestallard — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:23:04 +0000

Good comment!
Please may I repeat my plea for a secret ballot on all motions within the House of Commons?
Once the terrible power of the Political Parties is controlled – not broken – I think MPs would be freed up to be what they usually are – straight, decent people determined to make a difference.

By: David morris

David morris — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:41:03 +0000

would that a mainstream Tory politician have given such a concise, absolutely spot on, appraisal of the misguided, self serving, devastation Brown continues to dump on our nation and children’s future. Although, to be fair, Gorbals Mick wouldn’t have let Mr Hannan get beyond the first sentence.

By: alan jutson

alan jutson — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:44:10 +0000

Mike the difference is that in Australia they have a Prime Minister who is believable.
When he speaks it makes sense, and you really do believe that he is sincere.
Because of this, your faith in Politics is upheld, no matter what Party you support.
Here we cannot even get any Minister to answer a simple question, they appear to just be out for themselves.
Most Government ministers here know the policy they have to uphold is wrong, but they lack the character to stand up and be counted when it is made, because if they do they will be sacked, and be hit in the pocket.
To be perfectly honest it would seem that we no longer have honest debate at all by Cabinet Ministers. The Prime Minister fills the positions with yes men and women who will do his bidding.
That is why Frank Field was sacked, he had a mind of his own.
We can only hope that the next Government is rather more Democratic.

By: Robbie

Robbie — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:07:54 +0000

I don’t know if this link has already been posted, but Mr Hannan explains it almost as well as you do John!

See:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4tBXs

By: Brigham

Brigham — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:58:53 +0000

I looked up the question you asked Brown about the taxpayers commitment in total, on the website “They work for you” His reply was totally unacceptable. Is there nothing that can be done to make him answer questions? He is, I feel, the worst PM this country has ever had. When I look at him I get the feeling he isn’t far short of a megalomaniac. It wouldn’t suprise me if he doesn’t suspend the election when the time comes under the pretext of a national emergency.

By: alan jutson

alan jutson — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:18:14 +0000

Chris
I agree entirely.
But MPs will not remove this Speaker, it is suggested because they are afraid he will not call them to ask a question.
These sort of blackmail tactics to hold onto a job, for that is what it is, should be absolutely stamped out.
There are already enough questions over the Speakers financial expenses and allowances, and the benefits of travel for his wife to fill Hansard.
John
Can the Speaker be removed for incompetence, for failing to follow proceedure, or is it a job for life.
Certainly I and many of my collegues are appalled at the refusal of any Government Minister to answer any sort of questions at all.
When this happens Democracy has died.

Reply: A Speaker can be removed by passing a Motion of No confidence in him at any time.
This Speaker still has the confidence of the House, as the majority are happy with him.

By: mikestallard

mikestallard — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:52:45 +0000

Conservatives all know that Mr Brown is in no sense a credible figure.

There are real green shoots, though, in Labour. Last night on Panorama, Frank Field, who was tasked with the reform of the Social Services and told to “think the unthinkable” under the controlling magnificence of Mrs Harman, made a statement that there would be rioting in the streets when the pensions issue hit home.

In Australia, I had the privilege of staying with a family who are firmly Labour. they believe in equality for all. They are firmly on the side of the little man and woman. The wife teaches in a State School and tells snidey stories about the local “posh” school. They are proud of their hard working lives. they speak, of course, with Australian accents.
What staggered me was the fact that I utterly believed in their every aspiration! I, too, am on the side of the little man. I believe in equality and in one nation (Disraeli). I firmly believe in State Education.

So where are the sensible Labour people in my country, please?
IDS seems to be the only voice standing up for the poor.

By: APL

APL — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:37:49 +0000

One too many ‘fact of the matter’ there.

Since Brown doesn’t answer questions of significance. Perhaps you could ask him something trivial. Has he managed to watch all the DVDs his great friend Obama gave him?

By: APL

APL — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:33:12 +0000

Simon D: “He would do well to listen to Chancellor Merkel”

JR: “his grandstanding as a Euro statesman”

The fact of the matter is Brown has no allies in the EU, all of them were sick to the back teeth of his incessent crowing about how the UK economic model was an example for them all.

The fact of the matter is, the man is a buffoon, an international laughing stock and a domestic liability.

By: chris southern

chris southern — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:03:23 +0000

Surely someone who bails out part of a countries financial sector, when the other part is still functional is aware of the irony in being against protectionism!
Surley someone who is for the “single” market (which is just a large trade block with enforced tarrifs for those outside of it and heavy regulation for all) is aware of the irony when talking about protectionism!

And how can a politician, even the Prime minister be allowed to regulary get away with not answering question, but just reading out a spiel that is just state statistics (sometimes not even releated to the question.) As i understand it, the House of Commons is set up like a court, where the speaker is effectively the Judge, surely the speaker is supposed to enforce that the questions are answered in a manner that is acceptable, as he can make people retract statements, or even find them in contempt and have then removed/fined.