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Nick:

I am glad, that the "punishment" was handled out for the living on rations....

=Dennis Junior=

Nick Robinson:

I am glad that Leader David Cameron handled down this "punishment"
of demotion to Alan Duncan.....For his choice of words.

=Dennis Junior=

Good evening each & Nick.

I take it all back.
This has answered every question there could be regarding probity in Parliament. Not!
What do they think we are?
That the same demotion will apply to the bally lot of them come the election I can only hope, now at least AD has less far to fall.

Now that one of the MPs is living on rations has some 'punishment, perhaps some of the others, such as Serial flipping Chancelleor - 'Who will not flinch from cuts in public spending' will pay up for their misuses.

How many more months do we have to suffer?

People like Alan Duncan whom personally or otherwise believe that M.P.s' should by their very nature of being an M.P. that it entitles him to demsnd that he should receieve a luxury income for his part time working Job in the House of Commons, after making Private after Dinner speeches, and sitting on the Boards of Companies as a Non-Executive Member, should never be elected to serve as M.P.s'.

As for, upon reflection stating that he along with the Conservative elite amongst the Duck - Ponds, and Moats, is now pro-claiming to be some kind of lightening conductor, for I would not even recommend his chances as a Bus Conductor.

This issue speaks volumes about how afraid "call me" David is in charge of his Party, for this issue shows a weak Conservative Leader allowing a rich member of the Cabinet to get away with an view that was last use by the very poor during the Victorian Era, and it is a mockery of comtempt to expect that the next Conservative Government if elected will treat the Real poor in Britain with any respect, all the time there is an under-tone of voices like Duncan left in the Conservative Party.

"This made him a target for the Daily Telegraph which revealed the details of MPs' claims and made Mr Duncan a source of embarrassment for his leader."
NR

=

You may have been away at the time Nick but the Beeb and others made plenty of noise about the incident. All richly deserved. But why single out the Telegraph?

Duncan said and did nothing wrong. I'd have more respect for Cameron if he'd laughed it off in the first place. Do we really want politically correct MPs ?

No sympathy for him.

Is it really a demotion though? Still a ministers post.

For what its worth, I wouldnt be surprised to see him lose his seat at the next election anyway... a Chris Patten moment.

Actions and consequences, Mr Duncan. Actions and consequences.

Ah well!

Duncan ' ...is to become shadow justice minister responsible for prisons.'

Staying in contact with those in this Fraudsters' Parliament who are going to hear the slamming of cell doors behind them should be easy then!

I guess I will be in the minority here but in defence of Aan Duncan he could genuinely have earned more outside of Parliament and the fact he chose to stand as an MP means he did give up a lot financially. He was not one of those career politicians who would find it hard to exist outside Westminster.

Was he wrong in his comments about rations - yes probably. He quick wit and inability to curb a witty reposte inevitably got him into trouble but I for one do not want to see rows of Tory clones [ not clowns ] lined up opposite NuL clones.

No lesser person than Michael Crick the archetypal anti-Tory even defended him on his blog a few weeks ago.

Sacrificial Lamb - Sanctimonous, righteous nonesense.

I'll take no comfort in knowing that call me Dave's wisteria didn't get in the way of him milking the publicity cow by offering Duncan up on a platter.

These people are still the morally bankrupt, apologetic, snide and conniving people they were before they got caught with their noses in the proverbial trough.

This will make no difference to my view of the Tories or Labour.

Empty gesture anyone?

More examples of MPs wasting of our money?

I think that it is act of abusing expenses that rankles, not what it consist of or how much.
Value is all relative to the individual. There very rich people in the H of C from all parties as was spelt out in the previous bog, following criticism of Cameron and Osbourne. A comment mentioned that Robinson (of the Mandelson mortgage notoriety) is a millionaire so it applies to all.
This just attempts to take one's eye off the ball, ignoring the point in issue.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

The quote did not sound smart & was a headline grabber... However, that aside he was right in as much as without proper pay we are only going to get either a bunch of numpties. What sort of business leader, accountant, lawyer, etc will leave a high-paying job for £60k a year, life under a lens & dogs abuse at every turn.
They need a decent wage and we need people who have worked outside of parliament/politics for a good 10 years or so. Not some 25 year old with a CV including stacking shelves, barwork & summer job for an MP - friend of daddy(mp)....

sagamix 14

Sorry to sound off at you, again, but one of the things that tends to strip this blog of its thin veneer of "serious debate" is your continued use of the "clown" epithet.

A, It's an old joke (which wasn't all that funny the first time); you should find a new one.

B, Do I have to dig into your archive and show you the posts where you promised to stop it before? (Yes, yes, I know, they were Labour promises, not a real ones!)

And who is Mortimax - and why? By the way, If he is who I think he is, then I doubt he will be bossing you around, soon or ever - do you not get the principle of Small Government?

But wasn't Alan Duncan right about 'rations' - speaking as a city banker/footballer. OK so he is too much of a comedian, but David Cameron has a party full of comedians. Comic MEP, comic Mayor of London - basically a load of jokers - that look likely to get elected as the country seems to had enough of worthy and our Scots.

David Cameron has to correct the miss-speaks for almost everyone in his disunited party - he must be hoping that they don't fall apart in public before they can get elected. There must be a high risk of this occurring, mustn't there, going by recent form.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

#14 sagamix

Too many people vote for their party/individual of choice only to have that same old sinking feeling as you fear.
The first step is to encourage all and sundry to register to vote, then go out and vote. The rest is easy by comparison.
There must be about 30% of those registered in each constituancy who do not vote. [so what if it is 20%]
These votes alone could swing the result anywhere. This is before any notion of NOT voting for the big three.
A "vote for choice 4 or more." would make them all quake.
Certainly in a few places [i.e. Brighton] greens would be the best option.
Care would have to be taken that the likes of 'he with the head of a bird and a horses a*se' were not advanced through this campaign.
I have a week or more before the party-confs. I have a few ideas...

Nick,

is this what happens when you dare to disagree? This is getting more like a state where there is not allowed to be freedom of speech. The enemy is listening. It is like High Court injunctions have been taken out preventing any freedom of expression.

I notice that the the three terrorists who have today been found guilty of conspiracy are now being described as Moslems, not Afghans nor Pakistans, so now who should I be afraid of? Everybody! Are these home grown terrorists, so who should we now take on? I no longer understand.

jr @ 16

the c word? - yes I suppose I let myself down sometimes - never break promises btw, I always mean what I say at the moment I'm saying it - Mortimax is quite apt though, don't you think? ... especially here where he's showing that callow streak again, demoting one of his people for an offence that is, in truth, far less serious than his own!

gaberdeen @ 18

all very well for you, no brainer really - but if you were down here, then what, I wonder - we don't have an equivalent of the SNP ... UKIP are right of the Conservatives and (like the Greens) are obsessed with one issue, the LibDems have a leader who's too excitable and jumpy to be PM, and the EngDems are a bunch of bananas

Still he can afford cheese sarnies !
More "tasty" if he uses sause !
Red or BROWN.

So detached from the REAL world !

Are his gardening expenses claims get
reduced as he is now demoted to weeding jobs ?

Every political party has clowns. Alan Duncan was stupid saying what he did and many other MP's of all parties have been crass over the expenses issue. But do we really need a climate where every utterance that is arrogantly considered "unacceptable" by the politically correct media or party leaders listening to spin doctors and focus groups has to be pounced upon ? I'm sure the British electorate can make its own mind up without "guidance" from pompous, self-appointed arbiters of taste and decency.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

So when will we see the sacking and charging of MPs who have actually defrauded the public purse by "flipping" and/or failing to pay capital gains tax?

Anyone?

People continue to mention duck houses and moats , denied funding.
They seem to forget the motes and planks of other parties to support the politics of envy , encouraged by the BÖ÷²¥´óÐã and certain newspapers.

We have read the " Posh boy" rants those who went to "posh "schools all sitting on one side of the house.
LIES!
A little investigation will show that " the politics of envy" can be applied elsewhere too!

It's quite right that AD should be sacked, anyone who abuses the system should be. Whether you are a PM, Chancellor or Shadow whatever.

Quite frankly, after the wisteria incident I would have been happy if Cameroon had at least stood down for re-election.

In GB's immortal words that would have been the 'right thing to do.' But then clearly Labour don't want to stand down and hold a general election, so I think I agree with the Tories - don't bother.

There are two things that amaze me about this.

1. How did AD become a shadow minister in the first place? Especially after his flippant remarks on 'Have I got News', it became clear that he neither has a good sense of humour, nor a good sense of people perspective.

2. Why are we going back to the expenses and AD episode when that was done and dusted weeks ago? Yes it is news that he has been sacked - but so what?

G20, Brown fiddling while the UK burns, the scottish independence question, high unemployment, bad news being hidden, Afghanistan, smearing campaigns against military leaders, incompetent leadership....etc

I want to know what GB's thoughts are regarding the Libya question? Why did he use Ed Balls to say he finally disagreed with the Scotland decision, why can he not at least be honest about oil deals when history shows that eventually he will be found out.

Incompetence or incompetent spinning?

On reflection I would rather have Alan Duncan as Prime Minister at least when he shoots himself in the foot it will be at least a little amusing.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

So it's bread and water and solitary confinement for The Dunk. Should allow him time for reflection.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

I notice Nick that as soon as a tory gets sacked you're all over it - as usual with any 'anti-tory' story.

Perhaps if Gordon ever had the bottle and integrity to sack a labour MP we would be able to see if you were so quick to jump on the story.

Actually perhaps there isn't much point sacking Labour MPs as they don't seem to remain sacked do they!

23#

"But do we really need a climate where every utterance that is arrogantly considered "unacceptable" by the politically correct media or party leaders listening to spin doctors and focus groups has to be pounced upon?"

Very good question indeed.

In an ideal world.... no.

This is what happens though, when weak leaderships play to the media gallery. You figure you only have to engage with the media rather than the electorate. Then, when the media see a chance to turn on you and bite the hand that feeds...

Theres a quote somewhere about lying down with dogs that springs to mind.

Nicholas:

Any comment on John Bercow appointing himself a SpAd? On anywhere between 87000 and 10000 per year?

What possible real reason would there be for the Speaker of the House to need a spin doctor?

PS Seeing the man was demoted and placed in a more useful position he just might start locking a few more up who knows?
Or will we see the wardens all out on strike in protest? Like the train workers last week?

I noticed the chain saw out again whatever happened two free speech?Are we now in a Muslim enclave where ones tongue is removed.

Well done Cameron for demoting him.
Now then what did Brown do about McNulty et al.

Dear mods, If you give me my #19 back I shall gladly remove the 'bottom' line and repost elsewhere. Thank you. :)

sircomespect @ 28

after the wisteria incident, I would have been happy if Mortimax had at least stood down for re-election

me too, although it was more the home loan side which got my back up - but he didn't stand down, of course, what he did was pretend to be absolutely livid about the whole thing, and then he ran around saying he was going to "clean up politics" and firing anyone who even thought about having their Moat cleaned, even if they didn't have a Moat! - really poor show - looking back, that was when he lost not only my vote (and I would imagine that of many others) but ... what's worse, both for him and for me ... my respect

Oh blimey, it looks like my favourite moderator is back on duty.

This is going to be a fun day then :-) Just as well I've got some real work to do....

How many more months do we have to suffer?

Indefinitely- we get the government we deserve, and I have a feeling that either puppet, dour scot or blair-lite, is ill suited to the job of governing with a bunch of tea leaves who have been caught with their hands in the till.

"that was when he lost not only my vote"


SAGA!!!!

You cant seriously expect us to believe that the Vacuous Poshboy ever had your vote???!!!! Pull the other one!

And if you're outraged about home loans theres probably a minimum of THREE dodgy ones that Mandy has got or had during his time in government that are even murkier than Camerons!

Why arent you as a floating voter absolutely apoplectic about that as well???

Saga voting for Cameron.... hang on, I think I've got to make a phone call to Beelzebub and ask him if he has developed a recent case of frostbite!

#42 tengearbatbike

You could do me a great service by explaining what is meant by, "we get the government we deserve"

Ever since I heard this phrase on Question Time many years ago [then it was 'the police we deserve'] I am at a loss as to what I should take from it.

sagamix 40

Another dead horse, thoroughly flogged. Your only point, in this entire story, is that Cameron committed the offence of "claiming expenses while being well-off". However you twist it around, that's all it comes back to. If you could write a principled piece on why MPs' expenses should be means tested, I would have a sliver of respect for the line you are taking. But you can't, and therefore I don't.

"that was when he lost not only my vote" - really!

I'm looking forwards to later today, when Cameron speaks on the "cutting the cost of politics" agenda, which is the subject that Duncan was, quite rightly, no longer considered to be serious enough to address. "Cutting the cost" is going to contain at least one policy that you and your little friends will hate, but which you can't find a word to argue against. It's going to be very interesting to see how you cope!

Saga, Saga, Saga. You type with forked finger methinks! You've been anti-Dave a lot longer than the expenses issue. Plus, what did Gordon do at the time? He "pretend to be absolutely livid about the whole thing, and then he ran around saying he was going to "clean up politics" and firing anyone who even thought about having their . . ." (fill in your own choice of expenses abuse there). The only difference being GB is (apparently) in power, and could actually have DONE something about it.

And as for your previous comment! you "never break promises btw, I always mean what I say at the moment I'm saying it". Well. How much more New Labour can you be? Are you Tony in disguise? You'll be telling us next you're a pretty straight kinda guy!

I am happy to see MPs' salary increased 10 folds if I can be certain every MP is GENUINELY dedicated to their work of ONLY serving the interests of the public and the country.

Alas, but I think many, perhaps not the majority, MPs are only in it for themselves and using it as career stepping stones, ways to increase their earning potentials in future jobs and deal, feeding their egos and serving 'outside' interests at the expense of the public and the country.

Over the years, collectively the MPs, from PM down, have set too many bad potent examples.

@ 45

"Cutting the cost" is going to contain at least one policy that you and your little friends will hate, but which you can't find a word to argue against

well I'll look forward to that then, JR ... if it's reduced MP salaries so that one has to be independently wealthy (or have a second job) in order to go into politics then, yes, I'll be hating it

A bit of a 'non story' for a blog this one. In truth, the whole MPs expenses, rights and wrongs thing has been done to death. So Alan Duncan said somthing unwise to a hidden microphone and has been duly punished. Yawn. Some claimed for stuff they were entitled to, but becuase they are rich are being castigated, others abused the system. Yawn. So what's new?

The whole expenses thing is a matter for individual MPs, it crosses all political party boundaries with some MPs, who I previously respected having lost my respect and others, with whose politics I disagree, gaining my respect. The only point at which any of this will now matter is on the hustings. Some will stand down, and others will have challenging questions from their constituents to answer. Some will talk their way out of it and some who did nothing wrong will be hung out to dry. All that I can say is that the election can't come soon enough so that the country can move on.

With millions of People now only receiving Unemployment benefits as their only incomes, how dare a million Politician complain that the wages given to M.P.s' are nothing short of Ration's.

This issue has got nothing to do with Political Correctness, but everything to do with class divide.

Cameron, is now however claiming that after the next General Election that his Conservative Party will be the "New" Party of all the People, but I am afraid this newness as shown in Dunk's comment should act as a reminded of just what the attitudes of past Conservative Parties once stood for, for they were and and will forever only a Political Party of the Elite, just like of old and will be again in the future.

48#

What, you think that is bad for politics compared to being a bag carrying SpAd straight out of university then being parachuted into a safe constituency because you know where your minister buried all the bodies?

Pah. Give me the independently wealthy or second jobbers any day...

48 sagamix

I think you will find you've got that one wrong. My guess is cutting the number of MPs while evening out the populations of constituencies - i.e. no more "rotten boroughs". But let's see what really happens....

Alan Duncan's position was totally untenable and Cameron has acted with ruthless efficiency in (quite rightly) dumping him out of cabinet,but without doing it in such a way that it would appear to be a knee jerk reaction to a news story.

Another example of how better a politician he is than the buffoon currently in #10.

when is this going to be applies to ZANU-labour and there tax evading rip of merchants. Apparently from 2003-2008 IR35 only brought in 1.5m per year, rather less than the entire cabinet gain from the flip flop and fly scam that they were engaged in.

Sagamix, 40

" looking back, that was when he lost not only my vote (and I would imagine that of many others) but ... what's worse, both for him and for me ... my respect"

Arf.

And 48.

Once again with your all to obvious envy and distaste for the successful.

I will take someone who has made something of themselves over a frothing at the mouth political do gooder for life anyday.

54#

Not to mention the revenues track record in IR35 investigations - see the PCG Ö÷²¥´óÐãpage.

They've investigated 1500 people.... and won SIX cases.

That in itself has probably cost more than the million and a half that it has raised. Because its a stupid, vindictive scheme especially when you consider how lax and loose Gollum has been with the Venture Capital and Private Equity lot.

Not to worry. AD did no wrong in my eyes.

He can be reinstated when the storm dies down and the Conservatives are in government.

Nothing could be so dreadful as Brown resurrecting shady characters such as Mandy and knighting the stupid Kinnocks (who had said some years ago that they would like to abolish the House of Lords - Doh!).

#57flame Just how nutty do you have to be to get a knight hood?
As to the kinnocks well i might as well kneel down a get smack over the head as that pair Disband the lot of em And turn the chambers into overnight accommodation for the commuters that will save a few quid.

...Further to my #19.

Within #19 I mistook the shape of the Griffin. The backside is not that of a horse but a lion, so that will not do at all.

I did say that I had 'ideas' and I shall post the first of them today.
No thought as to banner or shield of fair play but an Anthem to be sung joyously in concert from now till the polls close.
It's verses could be numberless but will be best adapted to the needs or priorities of each constituancy throughout the land.
And this Anthem is in addition to the slogans I have voiced thus far.
"Vote for option 4 or more."
"Vote local independent."
"Vote for the usual nut to keep the country in this RUT."
"Vote for your lives to improve; vote independent and get in the groove."
"Don't vote Big-Three for they are all set to agree."

Day one is here. day one of the rest of your life.

[dearest MODS thank you for your forebearance and understanding]

GO FORTH AND MULTIPLY

Go forth and multiply
go forth and multiply

You request our trust
as you each now must
at hustings to molify
let this be our reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

That you constantly
affirm your honesty
and misdeeds you decry
to this is our reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

Whichever we choose
we are the ones that lose
from all blame do you fly
now this is our reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

That you have often said
that you are underpaid
does more than patience try
and this is our reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

If you see this as a job for life
to employ your issue and your wife
this your plan has gone awry
for this is our reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

When fraud you employ
the high-life to enjoy
and this you can't deny
we give you our reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

No thought of we
at other times see
our choice let us clarify
and give you our reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

though it's the public purse
you say that you nurse
it's your savings that magnify
to this we too reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

We fight wars of choice
in which we've no voice
though our children fight and die
take this as our reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

Democracy will set us free
from your plutocratic spree
in bankers hands our futures lie
they also get this reply

Go Forth and Multiply
go forth and multiply

There is one last thing
the reason we sing
as Britons we you power deny
Forn this is our considered reply

Go Forth and Multiply!!!


Oudeis: September 8th 2009

Give that man a knight hood God save us all And the queen.

grawth @ 46

Are you Tony in disguise? You'll be telling us next you're a pretty straight kinda guy!

a very good point you raise - that TB interview, with the benefit of hindsight, we can now pinpoint as being the exact time he first gave himself away as being a bit of a chancer - didn't know it at the time of course, because I (like many) were fooled but looking back on it, oh what a squirmer! - so let's NOT (please Grawth, promise me!) put another one in - check out the latest DC performance today ... the "Cost of Politics" etc ... and you will hopefully see what I mean

O @ 60

that's great, babe ...

#saga your still not on that ebb tide are you?

"sagamix wrote:
grawth @ 46

Are you Tony in disguise? You'll be telling us next you're a pretty straight kinda guy!

a very good point you raise - that TB interview, with the benefit of hindsight, we can now pinpoint as being the exact time he first gave himself away as being a bit of a chancer"

If you listened carefully to what he said (and what he didn't say) before 1997 you could have picked up on it. I certainly got that impression.

Anyone got a pack of those large diapers it babe time again ?Right up to our necks in the brown stuff BABE

60#

Absolutely love it. Whats the tune its sung to?

You know he is a bit of a twit. There was a time when the rich and well connected saw it as their duty to serve the country through the medium of Parliament. The point was that the money was not made from parliamentary salaries, rather from the lucerative contracts that came about as a result of the patronage or the influence of Government policy. Ie money led to money. Churchill tended to make his money from tours and writing rather than his parliamentary position as did the other grandees.

He does not have to be an MP and I sure that the City would be only too open to him and a lot more lucerative. If he wants to talk about rationing he should consider those who are only living on the average wage, but then he is a Tory as opposed to a conservative but he is actually no better than a benfits scrounger.

#67 Fubar_Saunders

I am not such a musical person.
It may be because I caught an episode or two of Porterhouse Blue that the tune is sort of this side of 'plain chant' choral rather as the drama's theme tune.
All I can say, or that I am sure of is.
The first line of the 'burden' ends...ply-aye-aye
The second line has...mul-tip-ply.
I hope this helps and thank you for your interest.
Now it seems I should write a letter to the country's local press.
"As soon as this pub closes the revolution starts." As one northern poet has it.

Nick:

What David Cameron did to Mr. Duncan was acceptable and approriate, since, he made some "comments" that were not tolerable...

=Dennis Junior=