Monday, 23rd February 2015

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 12:13 pm

norman smith ‏@BBCNormanS 4m4 minutes ago
Sir Malcolm Rifkind says despite suspension will not stand down from Intelligence Committee unless committee calls on him to step aside

What a ........

frightful_oik · Post by **frightful_oik** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 12:17 pm

Those interested in WCA may want to listen to You and Yours on R4. Interview with Maximus.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 12:23 pm

LABOUR CHALLENGES TORIES ON TV DEBATES
Dear Mr Shapps,

Both you and the Prime Minister have stated recently that you want live television debates between the party leaders to happen.

[more text]

You will now be aware that broadcasters have today decided – after the drawing of lots – that the head-to-head leaders’ debate between Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband will take place on April 30, just seven days before the General Election.

In the light of the previous comments from yourself and Mr Cameron, I am sure you will agree this is a “credible debate” and an excellent opportunity for the British people to watch the two leaders who stand a realistic chance of being Prime Minister after May 7.

I am happy to confirm on Mr Miliband’s behalf that he will turn up to debate Mr Cameron on April 30.

Can you today confirm that Mr Cameron will be there too?

Failure to answer this question will lead many to conclude that you and Mr Cameron are reluctant to give the British people the chance to make up their own minds.

The broadcasters have set the date. The invitation is in the post. The only question remaining is whether David Cameron is willing to go head-to-head with Ed Miliband.

Yours,

Douglas Alexander

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1118541 ... tv-debates

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 12:27 pm

Guardian 'breaking news' banner says Rifkind has been suspended from the Conservative Party...

Others quicker on the draw than I was. Still, first time I've seen a 'breaking news' banner suddenly appear at the bottom of the screen while I was perusing the Graun...

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 12:40 pm

edited to make this thread flow better without my random notes.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 12:51 pm

ITV to air first party leaders’ TV debate on 2 April
BBC, Channel 4 and Sky News to broadcast following debates which will take place after official election campaign begins, contrary to David Cameron’s wishes

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/f ... on-2-april" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Everyone is just so personally horrid to you, Davie, poor fella.

You, your Tory party need kicked out te' government.
Take te' door & go

edited to remove a reference to physical motivational pokes

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 12:56 pm

The most important aspect of that statement by the TV companies is that they seem to be sticking to their "empty chair" threat for anybody who does not attend.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 12:56 pm

James Chapman (Mail) ‏@jameschappers 40m40 minutes ago
Rifkind insists PM has two jobs. 'How much time do you think he spends in his constituency?' That'll go down like cup of cold sick at No10

howsillyofme1 · Post by **howsillyofme1** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 1:00 pm

Good afternoon everyone

That piece of excrement who masquerades as a Prime Minister has now come up with the following

"but wouldn’t allow someone to run a family shop or a family publishing business or such like and I think that wouldn’t make sense"

How many MPs run a family shop? How can they be a good MP if running a business?

The problem with 'professional politicians' is what they do prior to becoming and MP, not what they do during the time in position - we actually need a more professional approach to politics as well...treat it more as a proper job rather than the old boy club we have now with all the baggage that surrounds it

I despise that man with every passing day.....

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 1:09 pm

howsillyofme1 wrote:Good afternoon everyone

That piece of excrement who masquerades as a Prime Minister has now come up with the following

"but wouldn’t allow someone to run a family shop or a family publishing business or such like and I think that wouldn’t make sense"

How many MPs run a family shop? How can they be a good MP if running a business?

I despise that man with every passing day.....

(my edit of your post, howsillyofme1)
Speaking in modern, people-lingo, street parlance, Cameron & his boys are quintessential, Tory-muthaf*****s.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 1:15 pm

In an interview the other week Dennis Skinner said @BeastofBolsover is nothing to do with him. He doesn't even do email.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 1:25 pm

ohsocynical wrote:In an interview the other week Dennis Skinner said @BeastofBolsover is nothing to do with him. He doesn't even do email.

I know, but I like to maintain the illusion!

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 1:27 pm

The taxpayer stake in Lloyds Banking Group has fallen below 24% as the bank prepares to pay its first dividend since the 2008 financial crisis and hand its top management team more than £25m in bonuses.

The body which controls the taxpayer stake in the bailed-out banks had already announced that it would drip-feed shares into the market in the runup to the general election and aim to reduce the stake to 20%.

Lloyds announced on Monday that UK Financial Investments had activated the first sale under this process ahead of the publication of the bank’s 2014 results on Friday.

In 2008 and 2009, when the government pumped £20bn into Lloyds after it rescued HBOS, the taxpayer was left with a 43% share, after selling off the stake in two chunks. It now stands at 23.9%. The £500m sell-off means that the government has received £8bn from the bank, the chancellor, George Osborne, said.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/201 ... nd-bonuses

(my bold)
Chancellor Jeff, you're a rat-f*** sonofa*****

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 1:48 pm

Angus Carruthers ‏@AngusCarruthers 5 mins5 minutes ago

#HSBC: Ed Balls will ask the Urgent Question in the Commons at 3.30pm.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 1:51 pm

Lloyds announced on Monday that UK Financial Investments had activated the first sale under this process ahead of the publication of the bank’s 2014 results on Friday.

In 2008 and 2009, when the government pumped £20bn into Lloyds after it rescued HBOS, the taxpayer was left with a 43% share, after selling off the stake in two chunks. It now stands at 23.9%. The £500m sell-off means that the government has received £8bn from the bank, the chancellor, George Osborne, said.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/201 ... nd-bonuses" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Where has the money gone, Jeff?
Where's the value for money?
That's a one-off £8bn, if £8bn is the correct number, Jeff, I don't trust your word.
You've compromised your word by not telling the truth.
That leaves your word worthless.
How much did the regulars, the taxpayers, all of us doling out our work & wages saving the economy hijacked by your financial sector & Tory government pay, Jeff?
Throughout the last 5 years, where's the peoples' bonuses?
We've not received anything.
We've watched your Tory-led coalition government sell off everything of value originally belonging to the nation.
Those valuables were the nation's belongings, not yours & not for the use of your private sector billionaires.
You don't work for the best interests of your country or the people you're in government to represent.
Finally, could someone please explain what the f*** this quote from Jeff means?

The £500m sell-off means that the government has received £8bn from the bank, the chancellor, George Osborne, said.

I mean that literally - if what he's saying is accurate, I need an explanation why that is so.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 1:53 pm

ohsocynical wrote:Angus Carruthers ‏@AngusCarruthers 5 mins5 minutes ago

#HSBC: Ed Balls will ask the Urgent Question in the Commons at 3.30pm.

Look out for the "But it happened on Labour's watch so it's all your fault".

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 1:54 pm

Means testing WFP is just silly.There are very good reasons why it is universal.Political machination rather than evidence/sense driving policy must be railed against,regardless of Party IMHO.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 2:01 pm

It is also expected to confirm that António Horta-Osório, the boss who is planning 9,000 job cuts and 200 branch closures, has met the terms of a share bonus handed to him in March 2012. The Portuguese banker stands to receive £7m and other members of his executive team up to £23m.

The shares were awarded when the price was 34.7p but the value has now increased to over 75p. The taxpayer paid an average of 73.6p for its shares.

Osborne said of the latest reduction in the stake: “This is further progress in returning Lloyds Banking Group to private ownership, reducing our national debt and getting taxpayers’ money back. The trading plan and its success are only made possible by our long-term economic plan, which is delivering a more secure and resilient economy.”

A spokesperson for Lloyds said also said the bank was demonstrating its ability to get taxpayers’ money back. “This reflects the hard work undertaken over the last four years to transform the group into a low-risk and customer-focused bank that is committed to helping Britain prosper.”

9,000 job cuts & branch closures, millions paid out to a few, and Osborne crowing about what now?

Could someone please explain to me how good or bad this is, please?

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 2:08 pm

They work for you - Malcolm Rifkind.

Salary - £67,000 PA.
Expenses - £141,000 (mainly office expenses)

Monthly payments - £2,916.66/£34,992PA (Adam Smith International); £7,166/£85,992PA (Unilever); £5,000/£60,000PA(Alliance Medical).
Total £180,984 PA.
Quarterly Payments - £12,500/£50K PA(LEK consulting); AS$ 12,500 (Dragoman) Sterling Equivalent £6,350/£25,400PA.
Total £75,400 PA.
One-off fees/payments last year - £5,512 (Adam Smith); £5,000 (United Jewish Israel Appeal)
Plus a few thousand in fees for articles etc. in papers/journals.

Malcolm Rifkind "earned" in excess of £250,000 last year.

These people do not come from the same mindset as ordinary people.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 2:27 pm

AndrewSparrow ‏@AndrewSparrow 3m3 minutes ago
Cash for access - Who's winning - My take - http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blo ... a1d2485098" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … #Rifkind #JackStraw

Spoiler: He gives the 'win' to Ed Miliband.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 2:31 pm

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 1h 1 hour ago
@LordAshcroft phone poll due 4pm. Last week CON 31, LAB 32, LD 9, UKIP 16, GRN 8
Other polls +YouGoov expected in next day or so

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 2:33 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
AndrewSparrow ‏@AndrewSparrow 3m3 minutes ago
Cash for access - Who's winning - My take - http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blo ... a1d2485098" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … #Rifkind #JackStraw
Spoiler: He gives the 'win' to Ed Miliband.

Through gritted teeth I suspect.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 2:42 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
AndrewSparrow ‏@AndrewSparrow 3m3 minutes ago
Cash for access - Who's winning - My take - http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blo ... a1d2485098" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … #Rifkind #JackStraw
Spoiler: He gives the 'win' to Ed Miliband.
Through gritted teeth I suspect.

He does say "Today, it's Ed Miliband"

Because every other day it's been Cameron....

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 2:55 pm

Ah, here's Adrian Hilton's article about UKIP and their grammar school policy. Worth reading as there are some bits that are very funny...

http://www.conservativehome.com/platfor ... kfast.html

Of course, there is a sense – the political campaigning one – in which UKIP aren’t obliged (and don’t need) to flesh out any details of their policy at all. We are, it must be noted, still waiting to hear the precise legal mechanism and bilateral trade negotiations by which they would enact UK secession from the EU, which, being their 20-year raison d’être, you might think they’d have expounded with clarity by now. In the interminable (and fruitful) quest for disaffected Tories, they only need to announce the headline-grabbing ‘what’; not grapple with the murky details of ‘how’.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 2:57 pm

At coffeehouse,
'Cameron’s response can quite easily be that the TV debates are a package, and therefore the head-to-head must work as part of the group of three, with the two other seven-way debates agreed too. And Cameron can see the seven-way debates getting messier and messier without his input at all. So we return to the stalemate, as the date of the debates draws nearer, and the prospect of them happening fades.'

The speccie don't appear to want the debates. Admiration for Cameron for killing them off oozes through their pieces on the debates.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:02 pm

StephenDolan wrote:At coffeehouse,
'Cameron’s response can quite easily be that the TV debates are a package, and therefore the head-to-head must work as part of the group of three, with the two other seven-way debates agreed too. And Cameron can see the seven-way debates getting messier and messier without his input at all. So we return to the stalemate, as the date of the debates draws nearer, and the prospect of them happening fades.'

The speccie don't appear to want the debates. Admiration for Cameron for killing them off oozes through their pieces on the debates.

“The other point I made, which I have been making for well over a year, is that the debates are better outside of the election campaign,” said Cameron.

“Last time I found, although the debates were excellent and I enjoyed taking part in them, they took all the life out of the election campaign, no one could about anything else.”

Dave Cameron - 23 February 2015

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/f ... on-2-april" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:05 pm

"Debates take the life out of the election campaign..."

Yes, Dave, your debate with Miliband will take any life the Tory party have left out of your election campaign & thus die. And it is good.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:11 pm

I wondered whether we're getting close to the point where MPs would have to justify where they've been all week and what they've been doing.

Not an hour by hour log but a AM/PM - Commons Committee, Commons chamber, meeting with constituents - something along that lines. For ministers it should be a easier as they should be in their ministry when not voting or speaking; or out and about on ministry business.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:16 pm

Ian retweeted
Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 3 hrs3 hours ago
Ladbrokes make it 6/4 that Sir Malcolm won't be CON candidate in Kensington at GE15.
1/2 that he will

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:42 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:I wondered whether we're getting close to the point where MPs would have to justify where they've been all week and what they've been doing.

Not an hour by hour log but a AM/PM - Commons Committee, Commons chamber, meeting with constituents - something along that lines. For ministers it should be a easier as they should be in their ministry when not voting or speaking; or out and about on ministry business.

I see no reason why this shouldn't be the case. Furthermore, this is a wonderful, positive suggestion.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:45 pm

RobertSnozers wrote:
citizenJA wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:At coffeehouse,
'Cameron’s response can quite easily be that the TV debates are a package, and therefore the head-to-head must work as part of the group of three, with the two other seven-way debates agreed too. And Cameron can see the seven-way debates getting messier and messier without his input at all. So we return to the stalemate, as the date of the debates draws nearer, and the prospect of them happening fades.'

The speccie don't appear to want the debates. Admiration for Cameron for killing them off oozes through their pieces on the debates.
“The other point I made, which I have been making for well over a year, is that the debates are better outside of the election campaign,” said Cameron.

“Last time I found, although the debates were excellent and I enjoyed taking part in them, they took all the life out of the election campaign, no one could about anything else.”

Dave Cameron - 23 February 2015

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/f ... on-2-april" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
No one could what about anything else?

I jes cuts-n-paste 'em.
Is it an journalistic error or did Dave really say that?
I honestly don't know.
Dave starts blanking when the pressure gets high.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:51 pm

Anyone able to give a Balls v Osborne summary please?

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:54 pm

StephenDolan wrote:Anyone able to give a Balls v Osborne summary please?

(The shouting is very loud. John Bercow interrupts, and tells MPs to “cut it out or get out”).

Balls says when the Tories shout, they have something to hide.

He says he wants to ask Osborne what he knew and when.

FuriousGeorge · Post by **FuriousGeorge** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:58 pm

StephenDolan wrote:Anyone able to give a Balls v Osborne summary please?

Apparently its all Labours fault because they were given the files 11 days before Parliament was dissolved, so they should have acted then.

Not that anything has been done in the last 5 years of this coalition.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 3:58 pm

StephenDolan wrote:Anyone able to give a Balls v Osborne summary please?

Yep, Ed Balls can.

Ed Balls ‏@edballsmp · 3m3 minutes ago
George Osborne fails to answer any questions concerning his conversations with Lord Green on tax evasion at HSBC or the Swiss deal

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:02 pm

Rachel Reeves ‏@RachelReevesMP 38m38 minutes ago
300,000 women a yr take maternity leave but @AndrewRosindell thinks can't do big job & be a mum. Tory women problem? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... m-tax.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:02 pm

Well, well, well .....

Lord Ashcroft @LordAshcroft
· 4m 4 minutes ago
Ashcroft National Poll, 20-22 Feb: CON 32%, LAB 36%, LDEM 7%, UKIP 11%, GRN 8%. Full details on @ConHome, 4pm.

http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index. ... ost-seats/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB · 5m5 minutes ago
ENGLAND ONLY shares @LordAshcroft poll
LAB 38
CON 32
UKIP 13
GRN 8
LD 6
At GE 10 CON had 11.4% lead

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:07 pm

Best tweet yet:

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 4m 4 minutes ago
If GE10 in England went according to today's @LordAshcroft Engand figures LAB would have solid majority even if it lost all its Scotthsh MPs

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:09 pm

Twitter pointing out that the first London head of HSBC was Sir Ewen Cameron, Dave's great grandfather.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewen_Cameron_(banker" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:10 pm

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB · 5m5 minutes ago
ENGLAND ONLY shares @LordAshcroft poll
LAB 38
CON 32
UKIP 13
GRN 8
LD 6

England's population must be 38% ethnic minorities, dole scroungers and rich liberals.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:11 pm

http://lordashcroftpolls.com/2015/02/as ... 1-green-8/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
For our groups, the ongoing rows about HSBC, tax avoidance and political donors had melded into a single shapeless story (“there was the guy with the Swiss bank account who hadn’t paid tax for twenty years but they didn’t prosecute. Wasn’t it the Boots man?”). They had not found any of it very edifying but neither was it very surprising, and our participants did not think of it as a party political question, let alone a decisive election issue: “There are so many ways of dodging tax – invest in a film, buy a forest, it’s been going on for decades. You go to your accountant and say ‘I don’t want to pay any tax’ and he’ll come back and say ‘OK, invest in this and this.’ Did Labour really change it in the thirteen years they were in government?”

Yes, move along, nothing to see here. Or in Belize....

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:13 pm

Love the idea that Ed would stop MPs working in the family shop.

He wouldn't, even if they were. He'd stop them earning too much from it.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:13 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:Anyone able to give a Balls v Osborne summary please?
Yep, Ed Balls can.

Ed Balls ‏@edballsmp · 3m3 minutes ago
George Osborne fails to answer any questions concerning his conversations with Lord Green on tax evasion at HSBC or the Swiss deal

Thanks TGS. I really need to get on to that Twitter thing...

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:16 pm

Labour’s Helen Goodman asks Osborne if he ever discussed tax avoidance at HSBC with Lord Green.

Osborne says the proper procedures were followed for the appointment of a minister. He is not privy to the tax affairs of any citizen. It would be an abuse if he were, he says.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blo ... 4d47774c6a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Green headed the bank until 2010 before serving as the coalition's trade minister and as part of Cameron's Cabinet Committee for Banking Reform, and also as an adviser to George Osborne on banking."

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/02 ... 83530.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I feel indignant, overwhelmed, by the Tory Chancellor Osborne, in a position of responsibility, power & authority, responding with evasions & outright lies when asked straightforward, appropriate questions on the floor of the House of Commons.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:17 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:I wondered whether we're getting close to the point where MPs would have to justify where they've been all week and what they've been doing.

Not an hour by hour log but a AM/PM - Commons Committee, Commons chamber, meeting with constituents - something along that lines. For ministers it should be a easier as they should be in their ministry when not voting or speaking; or out and about on ministry business.

Surely Osborne couldn't object to "mailshots" to each household saying eg "Michael Fallon earned £750 for 2 hours work this week at Tullet Prebon"?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:19 pm

citizenJA wrote:
Labour’s Helen Goodman asks Osborne if he ever discussed tax avoidance at HSBC with Lord Green.

Osborne says the proper procedures were followed for the appointment of a minister. He is not privy to the tax affairs of any citizen. It would be an abuse if he were, he says.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blo ... 4d47774c6a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Green headed the bank until 2010 before serving as the coalition's trade minister and as part of Cameron's Cabinet Committee for Banking Reform, and also as an adviser to George Osborne on banking."

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/02 ... 83530.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I feel indignant, overwhelmed, by the Tory Chancellor Osborne, in a position of responsibility, power & authority, responding with evasions & outright lies when asked straightforward, appropriate questions on the floor of the House of Commons.

Hang on, it's the position of Green as a manager of a business, not his personal tax affairs.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:27 pm

Andrew Hawkins ‏@Andrew_ComRes 14m14 minutes ago
RT @jameschappers: First of new series of @DailyMailUK/@ComResPolls out tonight at 10pm. Looks like interesting one to kick off with #GE2015

Mike Smithson
‏@MSmithsonPB
@Andrew_ComRes @jameschappers @DailyMailUK @ComResPolls Will the D Mail polls be phone surveys?

Tom Mludzinski ‏@tom_ComRes 12m12 minutes ago
@MSmithsonPB @Andrew_ComRes @jameschappers @DailyMailUK @ComResPolls yes they will, carrying on our tracking from 2006

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:28 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Love the idea that Ed would stop MPs working in the family shop.

[My bold]

And yet another clue into how a Tory brain works.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:29 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:
citizenJA wrote:
Labour’s Helen Goodman asks Osborne if he ever discussed tax avoidance at HSBC with Lord Green.

Osborne says the proper procedures were followed for the appointment of a minister. He is not privy to the tax affairs of any citizen. It would be an abuse if he were, he says.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blo ... 4d47774c6a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Green headed the bank until 2010 before serving as the coalition's trade minister and as part of Cameron's Cabinet Committee for Banking Reform, and also as an adviser to George Osborne on banking."

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/02 ... 83530.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I feel indignant, overwhelmed, by the Tory Chancellor Osborne, in a position of responsibility, power & authority, responding with evasions & outright lies when asked straightforward, appropriate questions on the floor of the House of Commons.
Hang on, it's the position of Green as a manager of a business, not his personal tax affairs.

Well yes.

Though interestingly depending on what Government info he had access to he may have been asked to declare things he could have been blackmailed about during his security clearance. The kind of things Andy Coulson wasn't asked about. In which case it would be appropriate to ask him about his personal finances (I'm not expert on this).

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 23 Feb, 2015 4:35 pm

Tim Montgomerie ن ‏@montie 12m12 minutes ago
Tories have gone from 6% ahead in @LordAshcroft National Poll to 4% adrift. Worth noting these changes when looking at marginal seat polls.

Sophy Ridge ‏@SophyRidgeSky 11m11 minutes ago
Tory MPs in marginal seats unhappy w Rifkind's free time boast: "I work an 80hr week, the arrogance of his statement makes us all look lazy"

Yes - Rifkind has been most helpful in confirming that the superior sense of entitlement for doing not much is very much still in evidence in the Tory party. And this on the same day Dave has been banging on about creating a society where you should only expect to get 'something for something'. Duck house and underpants to that Cameron. Sort your own house out before you lecture us.