Saturday 22nd March 2008

3.15pm ToryDiary: Too many straw men, too few bold political voices

Dr Teck Khong on Platform: Where are the Chinese Britons in politics?

CentreRight: It's time for charities to do more and campaign less says Robert Halfon and Tim Montgomerie posts: Nick Robinson attacks Jeremy Paxman's handling of the news

Police to give Conservative leader David Cameron cycling safety advice - Mirror

PlayPolitical: Watch David Cameron break the rules of the road (Yesterday's ToryDiary)

Churchleaders attack Brown's crushing of Catholic objections to 'Frankenstein Bill'

"Cardinal Keith O'Brien will use his Easter Sunday sermon to censure the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which will allow scientists to create part-human, part-animal embryos for use in stem cell experiments... Cardinal O'Brien said yesterday he hoped that Catholic ministers would be prepared to resign rather than accept orders to back the legislation but, ultimately, it was a matter of individual conscience." - Telegraph

Yesterday's CentreRight: 'Are Catholics welcome in Labour?' asks Louise Bagshawe

Francis Maude: "There's absolutely no reason why a third of permanent secretaries shouldn't be women."

In a wide-ranging issue with The Telegraph, Francis Maude, trendily wearing Abercrombie & Fitch, proposes more equality across Whitehall and warns: "There are those who think that if you commit to massive tax cuts then people will automatically vote for us, but people are not impressed these days with politicians promising tax cuts that look like us serving our electoral self interest by appealing to their self interest."

The Guardian talks to Nick Clegg about his ambition to make "taxes fairer, greener and - if possible - lower."

Simon Heffer: Derek Conway should resign

"Dave has chucked him out of the Tory party, which was the least he could do. But Mr Conway, who has owned up to certain misdemeanours and who it seems is going to get away with many more, can only stop being an MP if he chooses to resign. What is stopping him? Has he no shame? Don't these people ever know when the game is up?" - Telegraph

"Senior MPs have promised sweeping changes to their system of expenses following the Metropolitan Police's decision not to investigate the Conservative MP who paid his son for work he did not carry out." - Independent

"Tories say Labour MPs in marginal seats are spending a £10,000 communications grant as a “save our seats” subsidy." - The Sun

Matthew Parris: Where is political leadership?

Returning to a theme he wrote about last week, Matthew Parris today: "Where today is the bold advocacy, the impatience to persuade, the urgency of argument? Where are the shouts of “Here's how!”? ...Where are the leading actors, the big voices, the great thoughts?  Pictures of David Cameron in his kitchen, a family scene sweetly contrived to frame his thoughts on paternity leave, or whatever, and images of the passionless figure cut by Alistair Darling at the dispatch box, his grey stare charged with all the philosophical depth of a shop-window mannequin, stick in my mind. Are these the spirits of the political age?" - Times

Peter Oborne also thinks that Britain is entering very tough times that demand more of our political leaders: "New Labour loved to talk about 'tough choices' at a time when they did not exist. Now that those tough choices are just round the corner, the country will soon discover just how able it is to make them." - Daily Mail

Andrew Grice: Only the LibDems were right on Iraq

"On Tuesday, the Conservative Party will propose an inquiry into the conflict to ensure all lessons are learnt. It, too, is trying to rewrite history. Without its support, Mr Blair would have lost the crucial Commons vote and Britain would not have gone to war. The only party that doesn't want to rewind the tape is the Liberal Democrats, whose opposition to the war has been totally vindicated." - The Independent

Sir Edward Heath's Salisbury home, Arundells, now open to the public

"On his death in July 2005, the unmarried Heath left almost all his £5.4 million estate, largely made up of Arundells and its contents, to a charitable foundation to open the house as a museum. Arundells is almost as Heath left it when he died in his bedroom." - Telegraph

Click here to see more and book a tour.

Former Tory sports minister Colin Moynihan argues that an Olympics boycott won't work - Times

Teachers' union wants help for parents to say 'no' to spoilt kids - BBC

My Society want parliamentary Bills published in a way that is compatible with the internet age - Telegraph | Sign up to the campaign

And finally...

"The price of providing tap water around the House of Commons would be five times that of bottled water, according to “bizarre” estimates from parliament’s administration committee." - FT

Please use this thread to highlight other interesting news and commentary...

Comments

[Giles McNeill]

'The Guardian talks to Nick Clegg about his ambition to make "taxes fairer, greener and - if possible - lower."'

David Levene's photograph of Nick Clegg look gastly.

They say the camera never lies... I wonder if this is an image that has captured his inner Liberal Democrat?

[James Maskell]

Maudes comments regarding equality in Whitehall dont wash with me. In the words of Ed Balls, so what? As long as those who make up the civil service and the cabinet are the best people for the job, then does it matter how the Civil service and Cabinet is constituted?

The Q and A session with Harman last week over equality showed exactly the problem at present regarding equality. It was nasty pandering to minorities. Its a contradiction in terms to be a Minister for Women and Equality and if the Conservative Party had any guts regarding meritocracy, they would pledge to abolish the exemption in the law which allows blatant discrimination in politics regarding selection of candidates. No other occupation allows this.

[Iain]

How depressing, at a time when the Government should be put on the rack for their mismanagement of the economy, Uber Maude rounds on the people who think the State should take less of our money.

I gather the SUN has done a spread on all the British people fleeing Britain in their 100's of thousands, perhaps someone could mail Maude a copy, which might just remind him that there are millions of people not being represented while he pursues his project to make the Conservative party the blue Labour party.

[Paul, Southampton]

So there's a Minister for Women & Equality and there's a Minister for Children. Who is the Minister for Men?

[Derek W. Buxton]

I too read, well most of, Maude's article, wishy washy it was just like the current leadership. No sensible person would expect in the current circumstances definite tax policy announcements but we have comments such as "we will keep to the current spending plans". The "conservatives" should be rigorously working on their plan for recovery, more or less as was done before Lady Thatcher won. But there seems to be no plan, just more of the same. That is not good enough, especially with the EU taking over our Country.

[Robert Wilson]

So there's a Minister for Women & Equality and there's a Minister for Children. Who is the Minister for Men?

Posted by: Paul, Southampton | 22 March 2008 at 11:00

I dunno, probably a woman.

Please stop showing photos of auntie Maude, it is enough to make want you join Brown's Revenge for Thatcher/Culloden & Affiliated Polygamy Party.

[Dave B]

Philip Dunne, and John Maples, both appeared on today's Week in Westiminster.

[Malcolm Dunn]

Suprised that Conservative Home missed the very powerful leader in the Daily Mail today which powerfully attacks the Government in relation to the Itaq war.

[Editor]

Sorry Malcolm!!

[KR forever]

Installing tap water is a huge cost to any organisation. I work in a school where there is only a limited number of drinking water taps - no more that 6 for 1500 people. We bring our own bottled water. There are other taps, but they are tank fed and not safe to drink.

[michael mcgough]

more on Ahern on www.independent.ie

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/
political-houdini-is-plotting-his-
greatest-escape-1324881.html

Find the sterling bank account and Bertie will fall, together with the yes vote on Lisbon.Looking for an account TAGGED B/M or M/B,probably in Manchester.

[Mr Angry]

As ever, Maude is totally wrong, totally making it up as he goes along and totally irrelevent.

[michael mcgough]

"In fact, the shadow cabinet office minister will not rule out tax rises if the Conservatives win power.(another certain vote winner chaps)"

With Lisbon ratified we will be subjected to new (carbon)taxes imposed through majority voting,red lines or none.

[Dontmakemelaugh]

I am surprised that there are no comments in praise of Sir Eward Heath's generous gift of his house to the nation which he has decided no longer needs. It will be a national treasure. It was sad to learn from Hef in today's DT that Sir Edward was made rich by stock market tips by what is known as insider trading and is now illegal (but not, of course when Sir Edward was buying - God forbid). He left over 5 million quid. Any shares in Northern Rock were shrewdly sold sometime ago.

It is not known if Margaret Thatcher was a beneficiary. We would like to think that at least he left her the Frank Sinatra record, "I've got you under my skin" which we are sure that he used to sing in the bath (under his breath). We do not know what happened to any of his Elvis Presley records if any. "Are you lonesome tonight must have been a favourite"

Here is the news of Sir Edward's generosity
as stated in the Daily Telegraph:

Sir Edward Heath's Salisbury home, Arundells, now open to the public

"On his death in July 2005, the unmarried Heath left almost all his £5.4 million estate, largely made up of Arundells and its contents, to a charitable foundation to open the house as a museum. Arundells is almost as Heath left it when he died in his bedroom."

It is suggested (by me) that his former regiment attend and ceremoniously open the house to the public with a 21 gun salute from the front lawn - (from a distance of 25 yards aimed at the house using live ammo).
A notice "No fly tipping" should then be affixed to this "National Monument" (to counter global warming). Prospective visitors are urged to attend early.

Only joking Ted - just like you were on the Common Market

[Sophia]

"Blair had a Jesus complex"

This reminds me of a recent documentary on the psychological profile of Hitler. He also regarded himself as the messiah.

I would be happier if the party castigated this idiot instead of apologising for his errors. We could then put the Labour Party where it belongs – a passing phase of history.