http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12031978
Nigel Evans, Conservative MP for Ribble Valley and deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, has revealed that he is gay.
He is the 22nd MP to come out of the closet.
It has always been harder for Conservative politicians than those from other parties to admit openly that they are homosexual, given the Tories' continual promoting of traditional family values.
However, in 2010, times and attitudes have changed.
We now live in an age where couples are able to have their relationships recognised in law by entering into a Civil Partnership. Being gay is no big deal.
Mr Evans is to be applauded for helping to continue the Tories' march into the twenty-first century.
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Cameron Invites Unions To Number 10
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/news/pa/uknews/2010/12/20/prime-minister-to-meet-union-bosses.html
David Cameron is to have a formal meeting with Union leaders in Downing Street, it has been announced.
The last time such a meeting between a Tory PM and Union bosses took place was in 1985 when the then-TUC general secretary Norman Willis, met Margaret Thatcher.
The two sides will meet amid growing concern about impending job losses and spending cuts in the public sector.
However, with the Tories so intent on reducing the budget deficit by cutting spending at such a fast pace, it is difficult to see what the Unions will gain from meeting with Mr Cameron.
I don't see how they will be able to change the government's mind on pursuing this course of action.
David Cameron is to have a formal meeting with Union leaders in Downing Street, it has been announced.
The last time such a meeting between a Tory PM and Union bosses took place was in 1985 when the then-TUC general secretary Norman Willis, met Margaret Thatcher.
The two sides will meet amid growing concern about impending job losses and spending cuts in the public sector.
However, with the Tories so intent on reducing the budget deficit by cutting spending at such a fast pace, it is difficult to see what the Unions will gain from meeting with Mr Cameron.
I don't see how they will be able to change the government's mind on pursuing this course of action.
Coalition In Disarray Over Tuition Fees
As expected, the Coalition succeeded in getting its highly controversial increase in tuition fees through Parliament.
However, this was only possible with the Conservatives' junior partners being split three ways on this issue, with most voting in favour but a significant number - including former leaders Charles Kennedy and Menzies Campbell - opposing the new legislation and others abstaining as is their right under the Coalition agreement.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has admitted that it was a mistake to come out so against a rise in tuition fees during the 2010 election campaign. But this has come too late to repair his damaged reputation.
Nobody willl trust a word he says again and the Lib Dems will no doubt take a real battering in next year's local elections.
However, this was only possible with the Conservatives' junior partners being split three ways on this issue, with most voting in favour but a significant number - including former leaders Charles Kennedy and Menzies Campbell - opposing the new legislation and others abstaining as is their right under the Coalition agreement.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has admitted that it was a mistake to come out so against a rise in tuition fees during the 2010 election campaign. But this has come too late to repair his damaged reputation.
Nobody willl trust a word he says again and the Lib Dems will no doubt take a real battering in next year's local elections.
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Ed Miliband Exploits Coalition Disunity Over Tuition Fees at PMQs
http://www.labourlist.org/pmqs-liveblog-december-8th?utm_source=taomail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=109929+PMQs+verdict%3A+Ed+proves+himself+-+again+%2F+Re-organising+society+Tory+style+%2F+A+government+loss+of+real+significance+%28LL503%29&tmtid=109929-10130-10130-162-12-590-57452
Ed Miliband was back to his best at PMQs this week after a lacklustre performance last week.
He set out to exploit the splits amongst the Liberal Democrats over the now- explosive issue of increasing student tuition fees.
And he succeeded.
The Prime Minister's woeful swipe at Mr Miliband that he was like a 'student politician' saw the Labour leader seize his chance to hit below the belt. He replied with the jibe that the PM 'hangs out with people who wreck restaurants' - a reference to the Bullingdon Club.
David Cameron was clearly rattled.
The Coalition faces its biggest test yet, with the Liberal Democrats split three ways on the issue. Some, including the Party leader, Nick Clegg will vote in favour and, following key meetings today, it now looks as if all Liberal Democrat ministers will follow suit.
Others will abstain as is their right set out in the Coalition agreement.
But we have already seen many high profile Lib Dem figures, including former leaders Charles Kennedy and Menzies Campbell, say they will vote against the proposals.
And the disquiet is also evident on the Conservative benches, with senior Tories, like former Party Leadership candidate David Davis, also declaring his intention to vote against the controversial policy.
To make matters worse, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude has been quoted as branding the policy a 'shambles'.
So what now for the Coailition?
It seems likely that they will win the crucial Commons vote on Thursday as the rebellion amongst disaffected MPs from both parties is clearly not enough to overturn the new proposals.
But what is absolutely obvious is that the furore created by this issue has done enormous damage to the Liberal Democrats, who campaigned so passionately against any rise in tuition fees during the general election.
I wonder whether the splits in the Party that have now appeared can be repaired during the life time of this Parliament.
Ed Miliband was back to his best at PMQs this week after a lacklustre performance last week.
He set out to exploit the splits amongst the Liberal Democrats over the now- explosive issue of increasing student tuition fees.
And he succeeded.
The Prime Minister's woeful swipe at Mr Miliband that he was like a 'student politician' saw the Labour leader seize his chance to hit below the belt. He replied with the jibe that the PM 'hangs out with people who wreck restaurants' - a reference to the Bullingdon Club.
David Cameron was clearly rattled.
The Coalition faces its biggest test yet, with the Liberal Democrats split three ways on the issue. Some, including the Party leader, Nick Clegg will vote in favour and, following key meetings today, it now looks as if all Liberal Democrat ministers will follow suit.
Others will abstain as is their right set out in the Coalition agreement.
But we have already seen many high profile Lib Dem figures, including former leaders Charles Kennedy and Menzies Campbell, say they will vote against the proposals.
And the disquiet is also evident on the Conservative benches, with senior Tories, like former Party Leadership candidate David Davis, also declaring his intention to vote against the controversial policy.
To make matters worse, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude has been quoted as branding the policy a 'shambles'.
So what now for the Coailition?
It seems likely that they will win the crucial Commons vote on Thursday as the rebellion amongst disaffected MPs from both parties is clearly not enough to overturn the new proposals.
But what is absolutely obvious is that the furore created by this issue has done enormous damage to the Liberal Democrats, who campaigned so passionately against any rise in tuition fees during the general election.
I wonder whether the splits in the Party that have now appeared can be repaired during the life time of this Parliament.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Lord Young Quits Advisor Role In We've 'Never Had It So Good' Row
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11798366
Lord Young's comments that the British people have 'never had it so good' have, not suprisingly, provoked a storm of protest from all quarters of the political arena.
And quite rightly, the former Cabinet minister, appointed as the Prime Minister's Enterprise advisor just last month, has very quickly seen the error of his words and resigned.
Labour leader Ed Milliband branded the Government as completely out of touch with ordinary people. And the Unite union called the remarks 'Thatcherite Claptrap'.
It is a chilling reminder of comments that were made in the previous Tory administration that 'unemployment was a price worth paying'.
It is yet another example of the Prime Minister enlisting the experience of millionaire ministers from another era who are totally divorced from the realities of economic hardship that many people are currently having to face.
Lord Young's comments that the British people have 'never had it so good' have, not suprisingly, provoked a storm of protest from all quarters of the political arena.
And quite rightly, the former Cabinet minister, appointed as the Prime Minister's Enterprise advisor just last month, has very quickly seen the error of his words and resigned.
Labour leader Ed Milliband branded the Government as completely out of touch with ordinary people. And the Unite union called the remarks 'Thatcherite Claptrap'.
It is a chilling reminder of comments that were made in the previous Tory administration that 'unemployment was a price worth paying'.
It is yet another example of the Prime Minister enlisting the experience of millionaire ministers from another era who are totally divorced from the realities of economic hardship that many people are currently having to face.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Common Sense Prevails As PM Reverses Photographer Appointment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11764138
It has been announced that the Prime Minister has decided against employing a photographer and film maker at the tax-payers' expense.
David Cameron has recently come under a barrage of criticism for previously deciding on this move, largely seen as an unnecessary expense at a time when the Coalition are engaging in a program of huge cuts in public spending and have endlessly lectured the British people on the need to tighten their belts.
Common sense has eventually and quite rightly, prevailed.
But it reflects very badly on Mr Cameron and the Coalition to have even thought that such appointments were acceptable in the first place.
It shows how out of touch the Prime Minister and his Cabinet of millionaires are with the needs of ordinary people who struggle every day to make ends meet.
It has been announced that the Prime Minister has decided against employing a photographer and film maker at the tax-payers' expense.
David Cameron has recently come under a barrage of criticism for previously deciding on this move, largely seen as an unnecessary expense at a time when the Coalition are engaging in a program of huge cuts in public spending and have endlessly lectured the British people on the need to tighten their belts.
Common sense has eventually and quite rightly, prevailed.
But it reflects very badly on Mr Cameron and the Coalition to have even thought that such appointments were acceptable in the first place.
It shows how out of touch the Prime Minister and his Cabinet of millionaires are with the needs of ordinary people who struggle every day to make ends meet.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Criticism Of Harriet Harman Over Woolas Affair Is Unwarranted
http://www.labourlist.org/i-agree-with-harriet-too---woolas-had-to-go
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11719438
Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman is facing a barrage of criticism today over her comments effectively disowning expelled MP Phil Woolas.
Mr Woolas has been barred from politics for three years after making false statements about a rival candidate in the vote for his parliamentary seat during the recent general election. This in clear breach of the 1983 Representation of the People Act.
I believe, along with many readers of the Party's online bulletin Labour List, that the anger this episode has raised amongst many Labour MPs, is unfair.
I can understand the concerns raised by both Conservative and Labour MPs in the Commons yesterday that a hastily-convened election court having the final say over whether an MP should be removed and barred from office sets a very difficult precedent. There has not been a case like this for 99 years and these matters should where possible, be decided by the electorate.
However, this a case where an MP has been elected on the back of telling lies about other election candidates. Therefore Mr Woolas should not be allowed to remain in office, no matter how many fellow MPs may support him.
Harriet Harman is, in my view, absolutely right.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11719438
Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman is facing a barrage of criticism today over her comments effectively disowning expelled MP Phil Woolas.
Mr Woolas has been barred from politics for three years after making false statements about a rival candidate in the vote for his parliamentary seat during the recent general election. This in clear breach of the 1983 Representation of the People Act.
I believe, along with many readers of the Party's online bulletin Labour List, that the anger this episode has raised amongst many Labour MPs, is unfair.
I can understand the concerns raised by both Conservative and Labour MPs in the Commons yesterday that a hastily-convened election court having the final say over whether an MP should be removed and barred from office sets a very difficult precedent. There has not been a case like this for 99 years and these matters should where possible, be decided by the electorate.
However, this a case where an MP has been elected on the back of telling lies about other election candidates. Therefore Mr Woolas should not be allowed to remain in office, no matter how many fellow MPs may support him.
Harriet Harman is, in my view, absolutely right.
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