Watching the much-anticipated televised debate between the Chancellor, Alistair Darling and his two political opposite numbers, George Osborne and Vince Cable was very much an anti-climax.
Neither participant wanted to step on the others' toes and it was a very sedate affair. Politeness was the name of the game.
It was very difficult to choose a clear winner. All three men gave confident answers to the questions put to them by the studio audience. Any voter still undecided about who to support in the general election expected in just a few weeks time would have been no more certain after the hour-long debate.
We will wait to see if the debate between the three main party leaders is any more exciting.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Cameron's Call to Thatcher's Ad-men a sign of Desperation.
The news this evening that the Conservatives' lead in the polls over Labour is now down to less than five per cent will send shock-waves throughout the Party.
It is hard to believe that less than a year ago, David Cameron and the Tories were so far ahead in the opinion polls that nobody believed that Labour could possibly recover.
Now, Mr Cameron has called in Maurice and Charles Saatchi, the advertising moguls credited with sweeping Margaret Thatcher into Downing St with their hard-hitting 'Labour isn't Working' ad and against the odds, keeping John Major in power with the Labour's Tax-Bombshell' campaign.
It is a clear signal that in order to win power again after 13 years of opposition, the Tories intend to fight dirty. They are prepared to resort to the most negative campaigning, targeting Gordon Brown himself, to get back into Government, rather than focussing on what alternative policies they have to offer.
David Cameron is clearly a desperate man, running scared. His performances at PMQs have been nothing more than petulant displays of Gordon Brown- and Labour-bashing. Will the public see past his smooth-talking exterior? Hopefully they will realise that he talks an awful lot but actually says very little.
It is hard to believe that less than a year ago, David Cameron and the Tories were so far ahead in the opinion polls that nobody believed that Labour could possibly recover.
Now, Mr Cameron has called in Maurice and Charles Saatchi, the advertising moguls credited with sweeping Margaret Thatcher into Downing St with their hard-hitting 'Labour isn't Working' ad and against the odds, keeping John Major in power with the Labour's Tax-Bombshell' campaign.
It is a clear signal that in order to win power again after 13 years of opposition, the Tories intend to fight dirty. They are prepared to resort to the most negative campaigning, targeting Gordon Brown himself, to get back into Government, rather than focussing on what alternative policies they have to offer.
David Cameron is clearly a desperate man, running scared. His performances at PMQs have been nothing more than petulant displays of Gordon Brown- and Labour-bashing. Will the public see past his smooth-talking exterior? Hopefully they will realise that he talks an awful lot but actually says very little.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Chancellor Delivers Sensible Pre-Election Budget
The Chancellor, Alistair Darling kept to his word today and delivered a Budget designed to aid Economic recovery.
Halving the deficit by 2014 was a priority as was investing in our industrial future.
Savings of £20bn would protect frontline services.
It is Labour who have a very clear road-map to recovery compared to he Conservatives who have nothing to offer and are bound to engage in one of the most negative election campaigns in history.
Halving the deficit by 2014 was a priority as was investing in our industrial future.
Savings of £20bn would protect frontline services.
It is Labour who have a very clear road-map to recovery compared to he Conservatives who have nothing to offer and are bound to engage in one of the most negative election campaigns in history.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Are Lobbying Claims An Attempt to Undermine Brown?
Labour have acted swiftly against the three MPs implicated in the row over their links with a Lobbying firm.
Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon have all been suspended from the Parliamentary Party in the wake of their appearance on Channel 4's Dispatches programme.
The three MPs - all standing down at the next Election - are well-known Blairites. Although Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, has been quick to say that there is not a shred of evidence of any wrong-doing on their part, one can not help wondering whether this is an attempt to undermine Gordon Brown's chances of leading Labour to victory in the imminent General Election.
This story has whipped up total disgust amongst both fellow MPs and Party members at large. After all is was Hoon and Hewitt who attempted to stage a coup in January, arguing that there should be a challenge to Gordon Brown's leadership. Now they are at it again.
Labour needs to get its act together and present a totally-united front to the electorate if they want to achieve that historic fourth successive election victory.
Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon have all been suspended from the Parliamentary Party in the wake of their appearance on Channel 4's Dispatches programme.
The three MPs - all standing down at the next Election - are well-known Blairites. Although Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, has been quick to say that there is not a shred of evidence of any wrong-doing on their part, one can not help wondering whether this is an attempt to undermine Gordon Brown's chances of leading Labour to victory in the imminent General Election.
This story has whipped up total disgust amongst both fellow MPs and Party members at large. After all is was Hoon and Hewitt who attempted to stage a coup in January, arguing that there should be a challenge to Gordon Brown's leadership. Now they are at it again.
Labour needs to get its act together and present a totally-united front to the electorate if they want to achieve that historic fourth successive election victory.
Monday, 22 March 2010
Bumpy Road Ahead for Obama's Healthcare Bill.
It was truly an historic moment when the US House of Representatives voted in favour of President Obama's Healthcare Bill.
The winning 219-212 margin was larger than expected, with only 216 votes needed for the Bill to pass.
The new legislation will clearly benefit millions of Americans who previously had either inadequate or no health insurance cover.
However, with the new laws unlikely to take effect immediately and with several individual states, including Florida, threatening to challenge the new legislation in the courts, many conservatives will use this opportunity to raise strong opposition to the Bill.
What has been most interesting is how the conservative right-wing in the US has viewed the introduction of this Bill as an attack on the freedom of the American people and criticised it as allowing too much Government interference in their lives. Their thinking is so far behind that of many European countries, who have been governed by both Socialist and Conservative governments in equal measure, whilst at the same time enjoying universal Healthcare for generations.
It is clear that the President had to compromise a great deal to win over those Democrats worried about losing their seats in this year's Congressional elections. Many campaigners will be greatly upset that, in order to gain the support of sceptical Democrats, Mr Obama has promised that money raised by the Bill will not be used to pay for state-funded abortions.
How many more compromises will have to be reached to ensure the full implementation of this Bill in the years to come?
The winning 219-212 margin was larger than expected, with only 216 votes needed for the Bill to pass.
The new legislation will clearly benefit millions of Americans who previously had either inadequate or no health insurance cover.
However, with the new laws unlikely to take effect immediately and with several individual states, including Florida, threatening to challenge the new legislation in the courts, many conservatives will use this opportunity to raise strong opposition to the Bill.
What has been most interesting is how the conservative right-wing in the US has viewed the introduction of this Bill as an attack on the freedom of the American people and criticised it as allowing too much Government interference in their lives. Their thinking is so far behind that of many European countries, who have been governed by both Socialist and Conservative governments in equal measure, whilst at the same time enjoying universal Healthcare for generations.
It is clear that the President had to compromise a great deal to win over those Democrats worried about losing their seats in this year's Congressional elections. Many campaigners will be greatly upset that, in order to gain the support of sceptical Democrats, Mr Obama has promised that money raised by the Bill will not be used to pay for state-funded abortions.
How many more compromises will have to be reached to ensure the full implementation of this Bill in the years to come?
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Ex-Ministers Implicated in Cash-for-Influence Row.
I, like most people am utterly shocked to hear the revelations that ex-cabinet ministers tried to influence Government policy in return for cash.
Both the Chancellor, Alastair Darling and the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband have been swift to condemn the alleged actions of former colleagues, including Geoff Hoon, Patricia Hewitt and Stephen Byers.
And those implicated have strenuously denied their involvement.
As usual, the Opposition have been very quick to jump on the political band-wagon, with Shadow Foreign Secretary, William Hague revealing his utter shock at the reports.
I wonder what is behind all this. The timing is very convenient, just weeks before the General Election.
If it true that the people right at the top of Government have tried to change policy in return for money, then it is corruption of the very worst kind.
On the other hand, neither Channel Four nor the Sunday Times have ever been the Government's closest friends.
Is this just another negative story designed to paint Labour in a bad light right when the voters are about to go to the polls?
Both the Chancellor, Alastair Darling and the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband have been swift to condemn the alleged actions of former colleagues, including Geoff Hoon, Patricia Hewitt and Stephen Byers.
And those implicated have strenuously denied their involvement.
As usual, the Opposition have been very quick to jump on the political band-wagon, with Shadow Foreign Secretary, William Hague revealing his utter shock at the reports.
I wonder what is behind all this. The timing is very convenient, just weeks before the General Election.
If it true that the people right at the top of Government have tried to change policy in return for money, then it is corruption of the very worst kind.
On the other hand, neither Channel Four nor the Sunday Times have ever been the Government's closest friends.
Is this just another negative story designed to paint Labour in a bad light right when the voters are about to go to the polls?
Obama's Healthcare Bill Must Succeed.
All eyes will be on the US Congress on Sunday night, with President Obama's Healthcare Bill facing a crucial vote.
Healthcare has been a political hot potato for successive American Presidents for decades. Even Bill Clinton could not manage to pass any legislation to reform the system.
For the United States, the world's only superpower, to have a healthcare system that is so out of reach to so many people, is unacceptable in the 21st century.
The new Bill will provide insurance for those Americans with inadequate or no cover and this is long overdue.
If President Obama can get this through, it will not only turn his fortunes around; it will ensure that he will leave the White House with a lasting legacy.
Healthcare has been a political hot potato for successive American Presidents for decades. Even Bill Clinton could not manage to pass any legislation to reform the system.
For the United States, the world's only superpower, to have a healthcare system that is so out of reach to so many people, is unacceptable in the 21st century.
The new Bill will provide insurance for those Americans with inadequate or no cover and this is long overdue.
If President Obama can get this through, it will not only turn his fortunes around; it will ensure that he will leave the White House with a lasting legacy.
Friday, 19 March 2010
Tories Quick to Capitalise on Industrial Unrest
The General Election is just weeks away and the Tories have been very quick to capitalise on the Government's difficulties with the Unions.
With both BA and the railway workers at loggerheads with Number 10, the Conservative frontbench are busily evoking people's memories of 1979 and the Winter of Discontent portraying a Government in chaos, being dictated to by the Trades Unions.
Brown is no fool. He will realise the need to resolve this unrest quickly and effectively. Labour have no wish to return to similar events to those which saw them lose power and led to their being consigned to the Opposition benches for 18 long years.
Let's ask ourselves - would the Tories really handle this situation any better?
With both BA and the railway workers at loggerheads with Number 10, the Conservative frontbench are busily evoking people's memories of 1979 and the Winter of Discontent portraying a Government in chaos, being dictated to by the Trades Unions.
Brown is no fool. He will realise the need to resolve this unrest quickly and effectively. Labour have no wish to return to similar events to those which saw them lose power and led to their being consigned to the Opposition benches for 18 long years.
Let's ask ourselves - would the Tories really handle this situation any better?
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Good News for the Government on Borrowing.
Today's Borrowing figures will come as welcome good news for the Government.
It was announced that the Labour Government borrowed £12.4bn in February, which was less than expected. January's initial figures have also been revised from £43bn to £4.3bn.
So the Government could be on target to beat their £178bn Borrowing forecast for the full financial year.
This will please the Chancellor no end and will reinforce the argument that Labour's strategy for dealing with the recession is working well.
It was announced that the Labour Government borrowed £12.4bn in February, which was less than expected. January's initial figures have also been revised from £43bn to £4.3bn.
So the Government could be on target to beat their £178bn Borrowing forecast for the full financial year.
This will please the Chancellor no end and will reinforce the argument that Labour's strategy for dealing with the recession is working well.
The Tories 'Secretive and Evasive' over Lord Ashcroft
With the spotlight falling on former Tory leader William Hague over what he did or didn't know about the tax activities of Lord Ashcroft, this issue is definitely not going to go away. It was Hague himself who nominated Ashcroft for a peerage when he was Party leader.
Lord Ashcroft looks set to hound the Conservatives right up to the General Election.
I agree with the assessment of the BBC's Political Editor, Nick Robinson, that the Conservatives now look 'secretive and evasive over this affair. This flies in the face of the more open image that David Cameron has worked so hard to project and is the last thing the Party needs so close to the electorate going to the polls.
Lord Ashcroft looks set to hound the Conservatives right up to the General Election.
I agree with the assessment of the BBC's Political Editor, Nick Robinson, that the Conservatives now look 'secretive and evasive over this affair. This flies in the face of the more open image that David Cameron has worked so hard to project and is the last thing the Party needs so close to the electorate going to the polls.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
School-Leavers Lose Out As Universities Wield the Axe
School-Leavers are amongst the first victims of public spending cuts as 50000 with the right A level grades will find themselves without a University place this year.
Universities have been forced to cut the number of available places for students by 6000.
It is shocking that Higher Education is not going to be protected from any cuts in spending needed to reduce the Budget deficit.
Surely the Government can reduce spending elsewhere, so the futures of the younger generation is not put in jeopardy.
Universities have been forced to cut the number of available places for students by 6000.
It is shocking that Higher Education is not going to be protected from any cuts in spending needed to reduce the Budget deficit.
Surely the Government can reduce spending elsewhere, so the futures of the younger generation is not put in jeopardy.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Will Osborne Reveal the Tories' True Intentions?
The Tories have made no secret of the fact that spending cuts are needed quickly to reduce the Budget deficit.
The announcement today from George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, that the Conservative will reveal some of their spending plans after this month's Budget may in my view, backfire.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liam Byrne, has already slated the move.
I am reminded of John Smith's 'shadow' Budget of 1992, in which Labour publicised their spending plans, should they win that election. It proved to be a big mistake and the opposition parties not to mention the media, were able to rip the proposals to pieces.
I wonder if George Osborne will face the same criticism as Labour did 18 years ago and is about to shoot himself in the foot.
The announcement today from George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, that the Conservative will reveal some of their spending plans after this month's Budget may in my view, backfire.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liam Byrne, has already slated the move.
I am reminded of John Smith's 'shadow' Budget of 1992, in which Labour publicised their spending plans, should they win that election. It proved to be a big mistake and the opposition parties not to mention the media, were able to rip the proposals to pieces.
I wonder if George Osborne will face the same criticism as Labour did 18 years ago and is about to shoot himself in the foot.
Brown Stands Up to the Unions
Gordon Brown was absolutely right to condemn BA staff in their strike action. UNITE may be the Labour Party's biggest backers, but to call their members out on strike so close to a General Election is plainly damaging.
The last thing we need is for a bitter industrial dispute to dominate the news just weeks before the electorate go to the polls.
Do UNITE really think they will get a more sympathetic hearing from a Conservative Government? Have they forgotten what the Tories did to the Unions the last time they were in power?
The last thing we need is for a bitter industrial dispute to dominate the news just weeks before the electorate go to the polls.
Do UNITE really think they will get a more sympathetic hearing from a Conservative Government? Have they forgotten what the Tories did to the Unions the last time they were in power?
Saturday, 13 March 2010
The House of Lords Above the Law. Is this Right?
The news in the last couple of days that neither Labour Peer Lord Paul nor Conservative Baroness Uddin will be prosecuted over their expenses will dismay a lot of people.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Kier Starmer, has expressed his frustration that a member of the House of Lords can now designate somewhere as main home if they only visit it once a month; a change that only came into force very recently.
Peers are now free to claim hundreds of thousands of pounds at the tax-payers' expense for an address they hardly use.
Both the Government and the Opposition parties have made an awful lot of noise in recent months about the need to clean up the image of Parliament.
So close to a General Election, this will do nothing to get more people likely to vote and only serves to make an already highly-apathetic British public even less trusting of politicians.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Kier Starmer, has expressed his frustration that a member of the House of Lords can now designate somewhere as main home if they only visit it once a month; a change that only came into force very recently.
Peers are now free to claim hundreds of thousands of pounds at the tax-payers' expense for an address they hardly use.
Both the Government and the Opposition parties have made an awful lot of noise in recent months about the need to clean up the image of Parliament.
So close to a General Election, this will do nothing to get more people likely to vote and only serves to make an already highly-apathetic British public even less trusting of politicians.
Should We Raise the Age of Criminality?
The recall to prison last month of Jon Venables, one of the killers of James Bulger, has raised a huge number of questions for debate.
Today, the Children's Commissioner, Dr Maggie Atkinson, is widely reported as saying that a child under 12 should not be prosecuted and held responsible for their actions.
In particular, according to Dr Atkinson, Venables and his accomplice, Robert Thompson, should not have been tried in an adult court. However, such was the outrage at their crimes at the time of James' murder in 1993, that the public would not have settled for anything less. The idea of these two boys being cocooned in the juvenille system would not have sat easily with a horrified British public out for blood.
I am in favour of raising the age of criminality. At the age of ten, children may know the difference between right and wrong, but are they emotionally and mentally equipped to deal with the enormity of their actions?
The fact that Venables is now in prison, having supposedly gone through years of rehabilitation in a secure unit, may provide the answer. I believe the reason behind his re-offending lies in an intense dislike of and a totally inability to live with, himself over what he did.
Dr Atkinson offers a perspective on this issue, that I believe, this country should take notice of.
Today, the Children's Commissioner, Dr Maggie Atkinson, is widely reported as saying that a child under 12 should not be prosecuted and held responsible for their actions.
In particular, according to Dr Atkinson, Venables and his accomplice, Robert Thompson, should not have been tried in an adult court. However, such was the outrage at their crimes at the time of James' murder in 1993, that the public would not have settled for anything less. The idea of these two boys being cocooned in the juvenille system would not have sat easily with a horrified British public out for blood.
I am in favour of raising the age of criminality. At the age of ten, children may know the difference between right and wrong, but are they emotionally and mentally equipped to deal with the enormity of their actions?
The fact that Venables is now in prison, having supposedly gone through years of rehabilitation in a secure unit, may provide the answer. I believe the reason behind his re-offending lies in an intense dislike of and a totally inability to live with, himself over what he did.
Dr Atkinson offers a perspective on this issue, that I believe, this country should take notice of.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Is Cameron Losing the Plot?
Watching this week's PMQs, David Cameron's performance was about the worst I've ever seen from him. He normally shouts across the Despatch Box, but his voice was far more high-pitched than usual. He struck a distinctly petulant tone, one that nobody should expect from someone who is hoping to be the next Prime Minister and leader of our country.
I detected a dramatic loss of control from the Leader of the Opposition. Is this a sign that he realises that he has nothing to offer by way of new policies and only sees PMQs as a means of scoring cheap political points?
Brown, on the other hand was calm and measured in his responses. He has greatly improved in PMQs and I believe, will continue to out-shine Cameron in the weeks ahead. As we get closer to the General Election, the voters will have a clear choice; one between Statesman Brown and Schoolboy Cameron.
I detected a dramatic loss of control from the Leader of the Opposition. Is this a sign that he realises that he has nothing to offer by way of new policies and only sees PMQs as a means of scoring cheap political points?
Brown, on the other hand was calm and measured in his responses. He has greatly improved in PMQs and I believe, will continue to out-shine Cameron in the weeks ahead. As we get closer to the General Election, the voters will have a clear choice; one between Statesman Brown and Schoolboy Cameron.
Darling Has Labour's Priorities Right.
The Chancellor, Alastair Darling today set out Labour's priorities for this month's Budget, the last before the General Election.
He has said that it will not be a give-away Budget, designed to win last-minute support from voters before they head for the polls. At the same time, by promising to spend what is necessary to protect jobs, Mr Darling has shown that he will continue to make the right decisions to get us through the recession.
He is absolutely right to keep hammering home the point that, if the Conservatives do win power in the next few weeks, their promise to cut public spending immediately will ultimately tip Britain back into recession. We must not allow that to happen.
Mr Darling is making very sensible decisions on the British Economy and it is also very reassuring to hear from Liam Byrne, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, that tax increases will not be necessary this year to achieve the halving of the decifit. This is thanks to the prudence exercised by the Chancellor in last year's pre-Budge report.
He has said that it will not be a give-away Budget, designed to win last-minute support from voters before they head for the polls. At the same time, by promising to spend what is necessary to protect jobs, Mr Darling has shown that he will continue to make the right decisions to get us through the recession.
He is absolutely right to keep hammering home the point that, if the Conservatives do win power in the next few weeks, their promise to cut public spending immediately will ultimately tip Britain back into recession. We must not allow that to happen.
Mr Darling is making very sensible decisions on the British Economy and it is also very reassuring to hear from Liam Byrne, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, that tax increases will not be necessary this year to achieve the halving of the decifit. This is thanks to the prudence exercised by the Chancellor in last year's pre-Budge report.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Brown Ever-Strong on the Economy
Gordon Brown was at his brilliant best today, delivering a highly-inspirational message on the economy.
Whilst he admitted that there would still be 'choppy waters' ahead, he pledged to the British people that 'I will not let you down'. More important, he sought to diminish the superficial gloss of David Cameron, by saying, 'I believe character is not about telling people what they want to hear, but telling them what they need to know'.
This was just what we needed from him.
All we have heard from Cameron and the Tories is that if they get into power, spending cuts will happen straight away, undoing all the investment of the last 13 years and ultimately damaging the already-fragile economy even more. Mr Cameron has gone out of his way to attack Brown as weak and indecisive, but we have heard almost nothing in terms of concrete policy alternatives from the Conservatives.
Time is running out for the Tories.
I believe it is the Labour who will prove the stronger during the forthcoming televised debates and election campaign. They have been straight with the British people about the difficulties that lie ahead. Gordon Brown has showed his experience and maturity by not sinking to Cameron's level and attacking personalities. When the election is eventually called and the campaign-proper begins, it will be very clear that it is Gordon Brown who has the more coherent road-map to guide us through the economic recovery and beyond.
Whilst he admitted that there would still be 'choppy waters' ahead, he pledged to the British people that 'I will not let you down'. More important, he sought to diminish the superficial gloss of David Cameron, by saying, 'I believe character is not about telling people what they want to hear, but telling them what they need to know'.
This was just what we needed from him.
All we have heard from Cameron and the Tories is that if they get into power, spending cuts will happen straight away, undoing all the investment of the last 13 years and ultimately damaging the already-fragile economy even more. Mr Cameron has gone out of his way to attack Brown as weak and indecisive, but we have heard almost nothing in terms of concrete policy alternatives from the Conservatives.
Time is running out for the Tories.
I believe it is the Labour who will prove the stronger during the forthcoming televised debates and election campaign. They have been straight with the British people about the difficulties that lie ahead. Gordon Brown has showed his experience and maturity by not sinking to Cameron's level and attacking personalities. When the election is eventually called and the campaign-proper begins, it will be very clear that it is Gordon Brown who has the more coherent road-map to guide us through the economic recovery and beyond.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Has Cameron Mis-judged Again?
It's not been a easy time for the Tories recently. A year ago they were so far ahead in the polls that a resounding victory at this year's General Election looked certain. But with the polls only weeks away, a combination of a resurgent Gordon Brown and a series of embarassing headlines - most notably the 'non-dom' status of Lord Ashcroft - have left David Cameron and his party on the backfoot.
Today's historic agreement reached in Northern Ireland on the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to the Assembly is long-overdue. It was hailed by Gordon Brown, who said that the politics of progress had now replaced the politics of division.
David Cameron also offered his support for the agreement. And yet the only party not to back the vote were the Ulster Unionists - a political party that the Conservatives have formed an alliance with.
Hasn't this put David Cameron in a rather awkward position? So close to the British people going to the polls, the man who aspires to be the next Prime Minister has sided with a party that has opposed a solution to a problem that has dogged Northern Ireland for far too long. Isn't it time for Mr Cameron to think again?
Today's historic agreement reached in Northern Ireland on the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to the Assembly is long-overdue. It was hailed by Gordon Brown, who said that the politics of progress had now replaced the politics of division.
David Cameron also offered his support for the agreement. And yet the only party not to back the vote were the Ulster Unionists - a political party that the Conservatives have formed an alliance with.
Hasn't this put David Cameron in a rather awkward position? So close to the British people going to the polls, the man who aspires to be the next Prime Minister has sided with a party that has opposed a solution to a problem that has dogged Northern Ireland for far too long. Isn't it time for Mr Cameron to think again?
Monday, 8 March 2010
Venables: Common Sense Has Prevailed
Jack Straw's statement to the House of Commons today on the recall to prison of Jon Venables struck absolutely the right note. By refusing to bow to the intense media pressure to reveal the reasons behind Venables' arrest, Mr Straw has insured that his lawyers will not be able to declare a mis-trial on the grounds of unfair coverage should Venables face charges. Nobody should be denied a fair trial, no matter how awful the offence is that they are accused of. I also wish to echo the sentiments of Baroness Butler-Sloss, who imposed the life-long anonymity order on Venables and Robert Thompson in 2001. I agree that the former should not be identified under any circumstances, given the strength of feeling that still exists about the Bulger case, even 17 years on. He is bound to be the target for vigilantes.
I also can't help wondering about the adequacy of the supervision Venables has received over the last eight years. Denise Fergus, James Bulger's mother, has called for those in charge of Venables to be sacked and I am inclined to agree. At the very least, an enquiry into Venables' supervision should be launched. This is not the first time someone under the supervision of the Probation Service has re-offended in a serious way. I wholeheartedly accept that it is ultimately the individual's responsibility to not break the law. However the question of just how rehabilitated Venables was on his release from custody in 2001 does need to be answered. Given the amount of tax-payer's money and resources invested in giving Venables and Thompson a future with new identities, was it really too much to expect for one of them not to re-offend? Or do the authorities have to share some of the blame?
I also can't help wondering about the adequacy of the supervision Venables has received over the last eight years. Denise Fergus, James Bulger's mother, has called for those in charge of Venables to be sacked and I am inclined to agree. At the very least, an enquiry into Venables' supervision should be launched. This is not the first time someone under the supervision of the Probation Service has re-offended in a serious way. I wholeheartedly accept that it is ultimately the individual's responsibility to not break the law. However the question of just how rehabilitated Venables was on his release from custody in 2001 does need to be answered. Given the amount of tax-payer's money and resources invested in giving Venables and Thompson a future with new identities, was it really too much to expect for one of them not to re-offend? Or do the authorities have to share some of the blame?
Miliband on the 'Feeble' UN
Very interested to hear the Foreign Secretary's evidence at the Iraq Inquiry today. David Miliband has described the UN as 'feeble' in not enforcing earlier resolutions against Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi regime.
I, like a lot of people in this country, whilst on the one hand, not sorry that the US and Britain took the decision to invade Iraq, would have much preferred there to have been a second UN resolution backing the use of force against Saddam Hussein.
The Foreign Secretary's comments are very significant. He has questioned why the UN did not more effectively ensure that earlier resolutions on Iraq were enforced. Had the UN done its job properly and seen that Saddam complied with these, the US and Britain might not have seen fit to go over their heads and invade the country without the backing of much of the international community.
The invasion of Iraq in 2003 certainly brought the relevance of the UN in solving international conflicts into very sharp focus.
I, like a lot of people in this country, whilst on the one hand, not sorry that the US and Britain took the decision to invade Iraq, would have much preferred there to have been a second UN resolution backing the use of force against Saddam Hussein.
The Foreign Secretary's comments are very significant. He has questioned why the UN did not more effectively ensure that earlier resolutions on Iraq were enforced. Had the UN done its job properly and seen that Saddam complied with these, the US and Britain might not have seen fit to go over their heads and invade the country without the backing of much of the international community.
The invasion of Iraq in 2003 certainly brought the relevance of the UN in solving international conflicts into very sharp focus.
Straw considering releasing details on Venables
Given the notoriety of this case, I am not surprised at the increasing public demands to know what Jon Venables did to warrant being recalled to prison. The pressure group, Mothers Against Murderers, has now joined the calls for Venables' offence to be revealed, saying that he was given a second chance to make something of his life and has now 'blown it'. Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, is now considering whether he should reveal why Venables is now back in custody.
In my mind, the fact that he has been recalled having obviously done something extremely serious, should put people's minds at rest; the public are no longer at risk. Venables will appear before a Parole hearing within 28 days who will decide what to do with him. Perhaps we should wait for the outcome of this and whether he is going to be charged with anything, before any details are made public.
My concern is, once again, the popular media being allowed to dictate the political agenda and the course of justice. Handing out punishment should be left to the courts.
In my mind, the fact that he has been recalled having obviously done something extremely serious, should put people's minds at rest; the public are no longer at risk. Venables will appear before a Parole hearing within 28 days who will decide what to do with him. Perhaps we should wait for the outcome of this and whether he is going to be charged with anything, before any details are made public.
My concern is, once again, the popular media being allowed to dictate the political agenda and the course of justice. Handing out punishment should be left to the courts.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Samantha Cameron and Labour
I suppose it was too good to be true - the wife of the Tory leader supporting Labour at one time. I must admit to being quite amused at fellow Tory MP Ed Vaisey being the source of the story. He clearly has a great deal of egg on his face now, following flat denials from Tory HQ of it being the case. With a general election so close, the rumour mill is in full motion. What will we hear next?
Ed Balls on Jon Venables
I am further encouraged to read Ed Balls' comments on skynews.com. I totally agree with the Secretary of State here. By continuing to report information that could eventually lead to Venable's identity being revealed, the media are actually impeding the likelihood of a successful prosecution taking place. They could, albeit inadvertently, make sure Venables actually gets away with what he's done.
Jon Venables
I have watched with interest the recall back to custody of Jon Venables over the last few days. The reaction of James Bulger's mother, Denise Fergus, is of course, totally understandable. Nobody can blame her for feeling let down by the judicial system. One can see her argument that Venables, and his accomplice, Robert Thompson, should have spent time in an adult prison before being released.
These two young men were released in 2001 under life licence and that to me, does not in any way, constitute, real freedom. The terms of their licences mean that they have to be supervised by the probation service for the rest of their lives. They cannot leave the UK without permission, have to notify their probation officer if they change address or enter a new relationship and cannot return to their home town without the written consent of the authorities. They will never be completely free. And no matter how much rehabilitation and therapy Thompson and Venables underwent during their eight years in custody, what they did as ten year olds that fateful day in 1993 will stay with them until the day they die. They will have to live with committing that abhorrent and evil act forever. That in itself is a life sentence.
To say that Venables and Thompson should never have been released at 18 and spared adult prison at that time, I believe, is wrong. To keep them in prison for many years beyond their teens, exposing them to hardened recidivist adult criminals would have been very detrimental; only serving to completely undo any good that was done whilst they were in secure accomodation.
Whatever Venables has done now to warrant being recalled to prison, is of course the subject of wild speculation. The tabloid press, always ravenous for a story, is exploiting the anguish of James' family to the hilt. Until we know exactly how serious Venables' breach of his licence is, the Bulger family should be left alone and not be encouraged to speak to those sections of the media whose sole aim is to distort and sensationalise.
No doubt a great effort will be made to blow Venables' cover and reveal his whereabouts. Even though there is a worldwide injunction in force prohibiting the publication of any details either Venables or Thompson, it is highly probable the former will be recognised by a fellow prisoner.
I believe Venables' recall to prison proves that the judicial system is working well. Clearly this was not the first infringement of his licence and he was obviously given several warnings before being sent back to jail. But the fact that Venables is now behind bars again shows that he was considered to be a danger to the public by the people charged with supervising his behaviour.
If Venables has committed a very serious offence then the proper judicial process should be allowed to run its course.
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