Praguetory

21st Century Campaigning

2009-11-14T11:35:00.004+01:00

The Labour Party have dropped another notch with their Jedward negative campaigning. At the excellent Alice in Chains gig I went to yesterday, I was passed a flyer advertising the following band.

I raised a laugh when I said that it was a Gordon Brown letter of apology. Not sure that a politicians who complains to cartoonists for making him look fat will do tell well on this campaigning territory.

Trust Hope Change

2009-10-31T23:48:00.003+01:00

When even the Foreign Secretary is putting party politics before the country's interests by smearing democratically elected politicians from other EU countries, it's hard not to sink down to his party's level. Despite the temptation, we should remain above the fray.

The 2008 Conservative conference coincided with Birmingham Uni Freshers' Week. That year trust, hope and change were the campaigning themes of the Fresher recruitment drive - all positive concepts - we should keep this at the forefront of our minds when we are promoting the Conservative message.

Cult Support For Labour In Bedford

2009-10-16T16:03:00.005+02:00

Since the constituency was created in 1997 Bedford has had a Labour MP. Back in 1997, Labour gained over 50% of votes cast.

You’d have thought that Labour would be strong contenders in the Bedford mayoral elections. You’d be wrong. John Prescott and Ali Campbell may be campaigning to Go fourth, but in key battleground seats such as Bedford, Labour are coming fifth. In yesterday’s mayoral elections, the Labour candidate captured just 3,482 (less than 10%) of the 34,875 votes cast. Backing for Labour has fallen from 1 in 2 to 1 in 10.

Voting Labour is looking increasingly like a cult activity.

Foreboding

2009-08-26T12:40:00.004+02:00

In the near future there may be protests in the centre of Birmingham and the local football derby will have taken place at St Andrews. In the light of recent events, it's hard to be optimistic about how things may unfold. I shall not be in town for any of these 'upcoming activities'. I hope that the police have jolted out of their apparent complacency and the city is in one piece when I come back.

Trends In Bribery

2009-08-05T19:25:00.002+02:00

I’ve been having fun with Craig Murray of late. I pulled him up for attacking our winning candidate in Norwich North - Chloe Smith – on the grounds that she had worked for Deloitte. He reacted in characteristically over-the-top style to this criticism, with an extra-ordinary post on his blog where he accused auditors of bribing the Tories. Having said all I need to say to Craig (and I think it’s safe to say that nobody who is involved with running our financial system will be consulting him) it made me go away and have a closer look at bribery and bribery law.

And the news is this. This Autumn, from the government which didn’t bring you an investigation into BAe, expect new legislation relating to the giving and receiving of bribes. In addition to reforming legislation related to these criminal activities, a new corporate liability offence of "negligently failing to prevent bribery" will be introduced. As a risk management professional, I am grateful for this extra offence as the enhanced requirements on companies that ensue is good for my trade. Draft bill here.

Bad Penny

2009-07-24T11:24:00.004+02:00

In May 2008, Cllr Matt Bennett won Stockland Green for the Tories for the first time in 22 years on the largest swing in the city. Report here. The Labour incumbent at that time was Penny Holbrook who works for Sion Simon.

Either Sion or one of his staff seems to be caught in the past. If you visit his latest web entry, the author labels the photo above as sion-simon-mp-brookvale-centenary-with-cllr-penny-holbrook.jpg. Let's hope this error is corrected so that Penny can't be accused of impersonating a councillor.

Update Sat 25th - corrected.

Poor Choice Of Words From 'Sorry' Liam Byrne

2009-07-07T00:48:00.005+02:00

In an attempt to pre-empt David Cameron's quango-slaying, Liam Byrne graced us with this ridiuclous utterance.

I am determined that every penny of public money goes to front-line services.

Setting aside the impossibility of this aspiration, here is a man who can't even ensure the legitimacy of all the (extortionate amounts of) money he claims as an MP! Exhibit one and exhibit two.

A propos de rien, here's a good story about Liam Byrne from the guys in the Dixon estate agents below his constituency office in Hodge Hill. Remember when he claimed how remorseful he was when he was caught using a mobile whilst driving. Well the press were gathered at his work the day after he was convicted. As he breezed through the Dixon offices - whilst smirking - he gestured being on the phone and driving. Liam, like me, they think you're a twunt.

Reinstate Lisa

2009-07-05T23:07:00.005+02:00

Lisa Greenwood has lost her job for posting an anonymous blog comment critical of Hazel Blears expenses. Source. A few points.

1. The comment was anonymous so it can't 'bring the department into disrepute'.
2. Most politicians I've heard have told us that MP expenses are not a party political issue, so how can calling the behaviour of one MP into account be considered to be party political?
3. Will people from Ed Balls department who criticised Conservative politicians be brought to book in a similar manner?
4. After her recent behaviour, when will Damian McBride's gf be departing her job?

A civil servant has every right to a private opinion and I think we should all be able to call a politician a disgrace without censure. Add your name in the comments if you think we should get a campaign going to reinstate Lisa.

Labour Party On Tilt

2009-06-22T02:05:00.005+02:00

Tilt is described as follows on wikipedia

Tilt is a poker term for a state of mental confusion or frustration in which a player adopts a less than optimal strategy, usually resulting in the player becoming over-aggressive... Placing an opponent on tilt or dealing with being on tilt oneself is an important aspect of poker. It is a relatively frequent occurrence due to frustration, animosity against other players, or simply bad luck. Experienced players recommend learning to recognize that one is experiencing tilt and avoid allowing it to influence one’s play.

The expenses row seems to have precipitated a tilt-like madness in the Labour Party from the painful process involved in getting the expenses published, to Gordon's retracted youtube, from the eve of an election resignation to blacked-out claims. The exposure of these expenses on any government's watch would have been deeply damaging, but the unhinged reaction of Brown's clowns is making things even more grisly for their beloved party.

Clear evidence of Labour whips arm-twisting MPs to back the anti-reform candidate for Speaker might just be the final straw for the public. I am afraid to say that this story may be a self-fulfilling prophesy. After all, it is a secret vote and theoretically Labour can force through their choice of Speaker. Machiavellian Tories may decide to vote for her on the basis that they may calculate that their party will be the beneficiaries of the public outrage that would follow her appointment.

From the very start of this process over a month ago, I made it clear that my favourite choice for Speaker is Richard Shepherd. None of the objections to his candidacy that I have heard have been anything other than cosmetic. Late backing from Guido and Douglas Carswell is not likely to help his chances. Whilst some Tories may back Beckett to make Labour look bad, I contend that the lack of support for a Tory like Shepherd on the Labour benches is due to the fact that his clarity and integrity would make Labour look bad. If pushed, I am sure Labour MPs would much prefer a pantomime baddie like Widdecombe in the Chair.

Update - Douglas Carswell and some of my favourite bloggers (Guido Fawkes, Graeme Archer, Cranmer and Jonathan Calder) called it right. As Tony Sharp observes the mood of the country does not extend to Westminster. I suppose we have to hope for the best from Bercow.

Congratulations Pete

2009-06-21T09:48:00.005+02:00

I have known Peter Smallbone since I joined 1M at the age of 11. Even at school we were good friends and instinctive Tories. I might be wrong but I vaguely remember us discussing subscribing to British Gas shares at school. Our contact faded when we were at different universities but reignited in our 20s when we took several holidays together including trips to Cuba and Russia. By 2006 Pete was standing at local level and started his political blog (see links on the right). He captured Birmingham Quinton off Labour in May 2008. :-)
Well, on 13 June 2009 Pete got married at his parish church. Here's my favourite picture from the reception at the Chamberlains' former family home - Highbury Hall. Congratulations to Laura and Pete on a great wedding day and an excellent wedding party. Best wishes for the future.

Fantasy Political Evening Guests

2009-06-14T23:49:00.005+02:00

This weekend I was lucky enough to meet Roger Ward, the author of the book "City State And Nation" - Birmingham's Political History 1830 - 1940. His book is one of my favourites because it offers unique insights into Birmingham's political development and in our brief conversation today he managed to recommend a couple of others and passed on a couple of pearls of wisdom. The briefest of meetings with a real authority on a subject is worth its weight in gold.

As a member of several political groups in Birmingham, the topic of political speakers comes up from time to time. Many of my colleagues seem overly keen on getting leading politicians of the day to come (up from London) to talk, but I find them to be less than candid and often in a hurry. Apart from Roger my short list of the people I would like to have present at one of our local political meetings looks like this.

Dermot Reeve - Successful Warwickshire cricketer, innovator and man manager.
Nick Booth - Community media guru - full of ideas, enthusiasm and delivery.
Clare Short - Always has something interesting to say (e.g. this weekend)
Heather Brooke - The successful open government campaigner.
Jon Moulton - As someone who speaks with clarity about the recession, he is a rarity.

Roger gave me a quiz question which I was unable to answer. Name the last Liberal elected to Parliament from Birmingham? Can anyone get that?

This Nightmare Has To End

2009-06-09T07:32:00.001+02:00

On Friday morning I set out on a stag weekend with guys who had travelled in from all over the world. South Africans, Americans and a few Brits, a Kiwi, a Slovak and a Canadian - one chap flew in from Japan. All successful in their part of the private sector. Far from the praise that Labourites suggest that Brown garners from all four corners of the globe, they were unaminously gloomy about both his style and substance and were trying to understand when would be the latest date that the British public could get shot of him.

I knew Labour had had a bad election, but didn't keep in touch with home so my first contact was reading the Mail on Sunday on the flight back to Heathrow. Labour strife appeared to have descended into open warfare. Take Geraldine Smith's article - which deserves a fisk. What kind of mindset do you need to have got yourself into to call fellow female MPs witches? Whilst I think that the following quote has a kernel of truth, can't Ms Smith appreciate that it is so much more powerful and therefore damaging to her party cause when a female Labour MP says it.

The trouble with some of the so-called Blair Babes is that they have come into Parliament without any experience of the cut and thrust of the business world. Frankly, some of them are better equipped for meetings of a WI knitting circle than the rough and tumble of politics.

I am not sure which element of what is going on is worse for Labour's prospects. Is it the open division with each factional blow and counter-blow escalating the level of rancour? Or is it Gordon Brown's stubborn intransigence and startling immaturity? Or is it the 'Blairite' plotters who only appear to have damaged themselves and their party so far whilst cementing Labour's reputation for incompetence? I didn't expect ruthlessness, but they can't even manage to give one of the weakest PM's in history a political knifing.

I would like to see Labour obliterated at the ballot box, but even I don't think I could wish for this nasty, mean-spirited saga to play out in public for much longer. A friend of a friend who has contacts in the Treasury and meets a Minister frequently, reports back that the air of gloom when he last visited was palpable. The Minister who I won't name doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the box, but does at least come across as affable in public.

Meanwhile, the Independent has the audacity to assemble four Lefties to debate titled 'Is Our Democracy Under Threat?' in Birmingham this Wednesday. Let me assure the panellists who I expect to be scratching around for new and exciting ways to keep the Tories out, that the public's appetite for an immediate general election will be made crystal clear.

52 Card Pickup

2009-06-02T17:47:00.001+02:00

Apparently, Gordon Brown is planning a reshuffle in the wake of the Euros.
This picture was mailed to me of his plans from inside 10 Downing Street.

How To Woo A Lib Dem

2009-05-27T23:19:00.006+02:00

Councillor Martin Mullaney is the latest Cabinet member on Birmingham City Council. After having his arm twisted to throw his hat in the ring, he circulated the following pitch to his fellow Lib Dems and then won the overwhelming backing of the group to overthrow Ray Halsall the incumbent Cabinet member for Leisure, Sport and Culture.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

I expect no reward for this public service, but I hope this gives other ordinary mortals an insight in how to woo a Lib Dem.

Behind The Curve & Ahead Of The Curve

2009-05-19T14:12:00.006+02:00

It is difficult to gauge the mood when events move so quickly. In spite of following the progression of many a political scandal, I was slow to appreciate the political impact of the Expensegate and as a result I have a somewhat painful bet hanging which depends on Labour's performance at the upcoming Euros.

On the other hand, a thread that I started a week ago on Michael Martin - where John Hemming MP indicated his support for attempts to remove the speaker and which attracted some half-hearted criticism from a local Labour blogger now appears ahead of the curve. Congratulations Douglas Carswell MP.

On a related note, do you think now would be a good time for the Daily Telegraph's whistleblowing source to reveal their identity? Update - Police will not prosecute. 2nd Update - John Wick deserves congratulation, but in the MPs' expenses maelstrom some people are losing perspective. For example, where is the scandal in this case?

Easter In Wales

2009-05-14T02:11:00.010+02:00

At Easter, Wales was the only sunny place in the UK, but fortunately that's where we went. We started at Mellington Hall where my wife and I stayed for a night. Built like a Cluedo boardgame, I imagine that the murder mystery nights they host there are great fun. Its grounds were perfect for a relaxing evening stroll.
Here's a few pictures from the country roads and lakes of mid-Wales.

The perfect reflection at Lake Efyrnwy was a joy.
We ended up at the distinctive Powys Castle near Welshpool which remains inhabited.

Political In-Fighting

2009-05-13T01:51:00.003+02:00

Astonishingly, Birmingham Labour returned more MPs to Parliament in 2005 (nine) than the number of councillors they returned in last year's locals (eight). Labour MPs sit in Birmingham Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Hall Green and Northfield but in the 36 local elections held in these four seats in the local elections held in May 2006, 2007 and 2008, Labour have won a solitary seat. Occasionally people express surprise at how badly Labour are doing on Birmingham City Council. In a recent post (three down) I related Labour's selection difficulties for the Lozells & East Handsworth by-election. This election campaign has now exploded into violence. Not between parties, but within the Labour Party! It's rumoured that the victim is in fact the Labour Party agent, a chap who is unfortunate enough to share a name with a commenter who posted this drivel on the Birmingham Post blog.

...Every one has right to air their views how ever I begg to differ.
Roshan must be held responsiable for an attack on the sikh community. The birmingham post should remove such people from their post who try to create hate within our multicultral, multifaith community. I also take the view that this is not roshan speaking but the Birmingham post for not vetting and allowing this articail to be printed. Again welldone to the organisors. This is what happens when you harvest fruit out of season , you get a Coconut that has a bitter taste.

Now do you understand why Labour is vanishing in Birmingham?

Annoyed With The Telegraph

2009-05-09T23:10:00.002+02:00

Guess why?

Doing Your Bit For The Economy

2009-04-29T16:13:00.001+02:00

On a car bodyshop invoice.

Please help us to beat the credit crunch by settling your account promptly.

Labour Family Trees

2009-04-28T02:37:00.010+02:00

When it comes to selecting candidates, I don't think you'll ever find me holding up the Conservative Party as a paragon of virtue, but compared to the Labour Party we approach perfection. Several recent contests involving all-women-shortlists have resulted in organisational chaos and worse. If you were looking for arguments for selecting on merit alone, the catalogue of chaos that follows makes a strong case.

The most obvious debacle is of course Erith and Thamesmead where the 22 year old daughter of Lord Gould was placed as favourite before the whole show was called off after some ballot box tampering back at Labour HQ. You'd have thought that Labour would have learnt from Crewe & Nantwich that nepotism is unappealing - but then again there are many unlearnt lessons from that campaign.

Speaking of 'it's not what you know' Tony Blair's mother-in-law recently won out in an acrimonious contest in the Calder Valley.

Not wishing to be upstaged, West Midlands Labour have organised an all-women-contest in the wake of the mysterious departure of Cllr Kim Brom from the inner city ward of Lozells & East Handsworth. Contest you say? Well not really. Despite interest from various quarters, only one name was put forward to the party membership - benefit claimant, Hendrina Quinnen, leaving Khalid Mahmood's former squeeze out in the cold.

But this time Elaina Cohen isn't taking things lying down. It appears that when she was canvassing for support she was told she was too white and jewish and has a witness to back her up. All this is before I give you the lowdown on how the 27 year old daughter of the Chairman of the Birmingham Labour Party managed to win selection for Clare Short's seat... That will have to be for another day.

Labour rules may prevent men from having a fair chance, but it's all relative. ;-)

Labour List Lost

2009-04-19T23:36:00.003+02:00

The online project that the Labour Party planned and in which senior figures invested so much political capital is drawing to an end. Red Rag? No, I'm talking about Labour List.

I did predict that this online project would help the Tories, but as you can see by the latest polling data, it has surpassed all expectations. Bravo Derek Draper.

Bull In A China Shop

2009-04-15T14:03:00.006+02:00

The Labour Party are desperately trying to limit the fall-out from Smeargate to Damian McBride, but facts may get in the way. For example, if he's not the person who purchased the Red Rag website, there is likely to be further spillover. The BBC reports,

Meanwhile, the Times newspaper has reported that the Red Rag website was set up by someone giving the name "Ollie Cromwell" and the House of Commons as their address. Easily internet, which registered the site, would not confirm or deny the address given but is looking into whether its terms and conditions were breached. The firm has been unsuccessful in contacting the site's creator on the telephone number given.

We're looking for a Westminster-based Puritan whose phone doesn't work. Hmmm

Spinning Into Oblivion

2009-04-14T18:31:00.005+02:00

Gordon Brown and Damian McBride's published reactions to Smeargate sum up their regime. I've thrown in Tom Watson's resignation letter for good measure.

Damian McBride's Resignation Letter

I am shocked and appalled that, however they were obtained, these e-mails have been put into the public domain by Paul Staines. When Derek Draper originally suggested using a website to compete with the kind of material seen regularly on the Guido Fawkes blog, he asked me in a personal capacity to write up some of the stories doing the rounds in Westminster. Derek and I decided in the end that this website was the wrong thing to do, and that Derek should not take his online efforts down to the level of Guido Fawkes and his Tory backers.

Guido has frequently asserted his independence - which is a key element of his online reputation. Astonishing that a resignation letter for smearing would contain an apparently actionable smear.

I have already apologised for the inappropriate and juvenile content of my e-mails, and the offence they have caused, but I did not want these stories in the public domain - it is because Paul Staines has put them there, and I am sickened that he has done so.

Only because you lost your job over it.

However, we all know that when a backroom adviser becomes the story, their position becomes untenable, so I have willingly offered my resignation. It has been an absolute privilege ...

Game over.

Gordon Brown Apologises For Getting Caught

I enclose a letter sent to Gus O'Donnell to revise rules for political advisers. The political adviser concerned has apologised unreservedly and left his post. He sent these prank emails without the knowledge of anyone in Downing Street. I understand the embarassment caused, and any activity such as this that affects the reputation of our politics is a matter of great regret to me. As you can see, I have taken action to do all I can to avoid this happening again.

Firstly, is that supposed to be a personal apology? Secondly, McBride's e-mails were palpably not a prank - even his resignation letter makes that clear. Misrepresenting them in this way is brazen dishonesty. Rather than an apologising, Brown's letter adds insult to injury.

Tom Watson's Resignation Letter

Dear Tony,

The Labour Party has been my life since I was 15 years old... So it is with the greatest sadness that I have to say that I no longer believe that your remaining in office is in the interest of either the party or the country. How and why this situation has arisen no longer matters.

At least have the guts/decency to explain your resignation. What a coward.

I share the view of the overwhelming majority of the party and the country that the only way the Party and the Government can renew itself in office is urgently to renew its leadership. For the sake of the legacy you have long said is the only one that matters - a renewed Labour party re-elected at the next general election - I urge you to reconsider your determination to remain in office. As you know, I had a conversation with the Chief Whip last night... with the greatest regret, therefore, that I must leave the Government. Yours ever,

Tom Watson MP

The greatest regret! Ha.

Happy Easter

2009-04-13T01:50:00.002+02:00

Back again. Call it intuition but now seems like quite a good time to be recruiting/energising Conservative Party supporters. Funnily enough I have a list of about 200 to go through. Should be fun.

Blogging Break

2009-02-22T19:55:00.003+01:00

The Lenten season approaches and I've decided to take a blogging break as part of that. I'd like to point you to a couple of Birmingham-based conservative websites. Young Tory activist Matthew Tidy has just started blogging. And David Kelly is a mysterious character who seems to be the first on all the local political gossip. I only plan to update the blog if and when my suggestion for a party peerage is published by Conservative Home.