Willi's News Review 3.1
All three of the main political party leaders in Britain will go head-to-head in a series of televised debates, it was officially announced today. All three leaders had previously agreed to participate in principal and now the defined format has been agreed. Labour's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative David Cameron and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg will get their chance to convince the electorate of their parties' ability to lead Britain through some of its most challenging times since the Second World War. In the first instance of its kind, broadcasters Sky, ITV and the BBC will screen three debates from the northwest and southwest of England plus the midlands too.
So, in the final weeks before the anticipated May 6 poll, which leader will glean the biggest advantage from TV debates? As it stands, we're heading for a 'hung' parliament with no party having an overall majority. The Conservatives have seen their lead slip to as much as 2% over Labour as the party struggle to convince voters of their credentials. David Cameron's recent keynote speech in Brighton attempted to display what his core values are to deflect Labour criticism that he lacks substance. Cameron conducted his speech without the aid of notes and he will no doubt be feeling confident ahead of appearing on television. Out of the three leaders, his slick approach and delivery may hand him the advantage though he will have to balance style with substance to strike a sincere note with audiences and vital swing voters. Indeed, the Tories have hired the same advisors used by President Barack Obama as he prepared for his round of TV appearances with John McCain. The Tory slogan for the upcoming election is 'Vote For Change', echoing Obama's campaign and with his team of advisers, at least Cameron will be able to match New Labour's spin department.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's confidence must be boosted by latest polls suggesting that he could remain in power, something that seemed unimaginable just half a year ago. Despite lurching from one crisis to another, it appears an increasing number of voters are placing their faith in his government to help Britain emerge further from its worst recession in years. The kings of spin, Labour will have to work hard to dislodge the dour image that he has suffered from since assuming the role of PM. No doubt Brown will attempt to rally support from the public sector, keen to emphasise to them that a future under the Conservatives will inevitably mean cuts and job losses. Playing on fear is nothing new to electioneering and both Cameron and Brown will aim to depict bleak imagined futures should the other party triumph.
Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats could prove valuable should the spectre of a hung parliament become a reality. Labour and the Tories may wish to court their affections to agree a consensus for policy making. Not much has been heard recently from Nick Clegg. Some of the key Lib Dem proposals involve an overhaul of the tax system, an issue that Clegg thinks will be "one of the key dividing lines" between the parties. Clegg's respected Treasury Spokesman Vince Cable devised the plans, which include abolishing income tax for the first £10,000 earned.
These landmark television debates may not reveal anything wholly original about all three parties' plans though they will offer a fascinating opportunity for the leaders to be scrutinised before a television audience. Will either man crack under the pressure? And will we see Nick Clegg sidelined as Cameron and Brown trade insults? It would be nice to think that the debates won't descend into a comparison of past ills. What we need is a blueprint for the future, backed up by decisive action, not a petty examination of every aspect of a past we cannot change.
Showing posts with label Gordon Brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gordon Brown. Show all posts
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
The Falklands Oil Rush, Gordon the Bully and Ready, Teddy, Go!
Willi's News Review 2.3
Britain and Argentina continue to trade barbs as old arguments concerning the sovereignty of the Falklands Islands resurface. Recently, Argentina has demanded that all British ships docking in the south American country obtain permits. This follows oil exploration by Britain's Desire Petroleum around the South Atlantic Islands.
Although the Falklands are recognised as being a part of the Crown, Argentina has long disputed their sovereignty resulting in a short but bloody war in 1982 with Britain subsequently emerging victorious. Feisty Argentine President Cristina Fernandez has recently claimed at a summit in Mexico that she has the support of a number of Latin-American countries. No prizes for guessing that the Socialist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has already added his weight to Fernandezs' protestations.
Despite a round of patriotic chest-beating, both sides are aware of what's on offer should Desire's exploration prove successful. Britain has claimed the islands since holding them since 1833 and most of the islands inhabitants are of British descent. Argentina still asserts its rights to the Islas Malvinas, not that any of that will matter too much if the reported 400 million barrels of oil are found. Of course, the exploration could prove fruitless, in which case this tiny windswept corner of Blighty will soon be forgotten again. Find oil? Well, that'll be a whole new can of the proverbial worms.
The Conservatives may be losing some of their electoral lead to the Labour Party though they must have been rubbing their hands with glee when revelations about Prime Minister Gordon Brown hit the headlines this past weekend. Christine Pratt, head of the National Bullying Helpline alleged that Downing Street staff had contacted her organisation to express their dismay at the PM's leadership 'style' with some labelling him a 'bully'. Always there to deflect attention from the latest Labour PR disaster, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson defended the Prime Minister, whilst admitting that the leader of the country could be 'impatient, get angry and won't take no for an answer from his staff.'
The initial furoe centred on claims in a recently published book, "The End of the Party" by Observer journalist Andrew Rawnsley. Rawnsley's claims have been dismissed by No. 10. These allegations portray the PM as exuding the traits of an angry child rather than a reasonable and level-headed public figure. These include throwing a secretary out of her seat for not typing fast enough and punching the passenger seat of a car causing its occupier to emerge shocked and shaken. Four patrons, including Ann Widdecombe have resigned from the National Bullying Helpline fearing confidentiality was being breached by Mrs. Pratt's public outburst. Pratt and her husband have since hired PR guru Max Clifford, as they seek to substantiate their claims.
And finally...
If you've ever dreamed of sending your stuffed animal on a relaxing holiday and have someone escort them around the sights (obviously they'd have to be escorted! Ed), then wake up to the future.
Yes, a newly formed Czech travel agent, The Toy Traveling Agency will happily whisk your beloved teddy around the sights of Prague. Along the way, they'll take photographs of said animal as they take in the delights of Prague Castle or Charles Bridge. Following a successful appeal to businessmen on a Czech reality TV show, the idea has flourished, initially inspired by the film, "Amelie from Montmatre".
If you're already gasping with amazement, it gets better. For a handsome fee of between 90 to 150 Euros, your stuffed toy can enjoy the lap of luxury. The company's founders already claim that there is a huge interest in North America and Japan and these toy owners can ensure their teddy receives five-star treatment. The most expensive package offers a massage taking place on a special rug with a view of Charles Bridge. Your bear will be massaged by Mr. Hlavka, the genius behind the initial concept. There's only one thing you could add to a story like this...ready, teddy, go!
Britain and Argentina continue to trade barbs as old arguments concerning the sovereignty of the Falklands Islands resurface. Recently, Argentina has demanded that all British ships docking in the south American country obtain permits. This follows oil exploration by Britain's Desire Petroleum around the South Atlantic Islands.
Although the Falklands are recognised as being a part of the Crown, Argentina has long disputed their sovereignty resulting in a short but bloody war in 1982 with Britain subsequently emerging victorious. Feisty Argentine President Cristina Fernandez has recently claimed at a summit in Mexico that she has the support of a number of Latin-American countries. No prizes for guessing that the Socialist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has already added his weight to Fernandezs' protestations.
Despite a round of patriotic chest-beating, both sides are aware of what's on offer should Desire's exploration prove successful. Britain has claimed the islands since holding them since 1833 and most of the islands inhabitants are of British descent. Argentina still asserts its rights to the Islas Malvinas, not that any of that will matter too much if the reported 400 million barrels of oil are found. Of course, the exploration could prove fruitless, in which case this tiny windswept corner of Blighty will soon be forgotten again. Find oil? Well, that'll be a whole new can of the proverbial worms.
The Conservatives may be losing some of their electoral lead to the Labour Party though they must have been rubbing their hands with glee when revelations about Prime Minister Gordon Brown hit the headlines this past weekend. Christine Pratt, head of the National Bullying Helpline alleged that Downing Street staff had contacted her organisation to express their dismay at the PM's leadership 'style' with some labelling him a 'bully'. Always there to deflect attention from the latest Labour PR disaster, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson defended the Prime Minister, whilst admitting that the leader of the country could be 'impatient, get angry and won't take no for an answer from his staff.'
The initial furoe centred on claims in a recently published book, "The End of the Party" by Observer journalist Andrew Rawnsley. Rawnsley's claims have been dismissed by No. 10. These allegations portray the PM as exuding the traits of an angry child rather than a reasonable and level-headed public figure. These include throwing a secretary out of her seat for not typing fast enough and punching the passenger seat of a car causing its occupier to emerge shocked and shaken. Four patrons, including Ann Widdecombe have resigned from the National Bullying Helpline fearing confidentiality was being breached by Mrs. Pratt's public outburst. Pratt and her husband have since hired PR guru Max Clifford, as they seek to substantiate their claims.
And finally...
If you've ever dreamed of sending your stuffed animal on a relaxing holiday and have someone escort them around the sights (obviously they'd have to be escorted! Ed), then wake up to the future.
Yes, a newly formed Czech travel agent, The Toy Traveling Agency will happily whisk your beloved teddy around the sights of Prague. Along the way, they'll take photographs of said animal as they take in the delights of Prague Castle or Charles Bridge. Following a successful appeal to businessmen on a Czech reality TV show, the idea has flourished, initially inspired by the film, "Amelie from Montmatre".
If you're already gasping with amazement, it gets better. For a handsome fee of between 90 to 150 Euros, your stuffed toy can enjoy the lap of luxury. The company's founders already claim that there is a huge interest in North America and Japan and these toy owners can ensure their teddy receives five-star treatment. The most expensive package offers a massage taking place on a special rug with a view of Charles Bridge. Your bear will be massaged by Mr. Hlavka, the genius behind the initial concept. There's only one thing you could add to a story like this...ready, teddy, go!
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Willi's News Review 1.1
Firstly, please accept my apologies that it's taken a few days longer than anticipated to get the first 'news review' of the year published. And welcome along to Willi's News Review, a condensed commentary on what's been hitting the headlines in the past week or so. It's certainly not going to be exhaustive however I shall do my best to cast my net as far and as wide as possible. The aim is to also highlight a few stories that may have been buried deep in the reams of print and online copy available.
So, now for this weeks news; snow, snow and more snow. The artic freeze that has ensnarled Britain for the past few weeks has been the major talking point. Abandoned cars, icy roads and a never-ending littany of snow tales is becoming increasingly tiresome. Facebook statuses across the land, once charmed by a rare white blanket, are now cursing the prolonged cold snap. 'Fuck off snow' appears to be the message from long-suffering Britons. Spare a thought for the local councils who are under pressure with dwindling salt and grit supplies. We're asking questions about why greater provisions haven't been made despite warnings from the Met Office however how much budgetary consideration can events that happen once every thirty years be afforded? Is there any sympathy out there? No? The cold weather is expected to last into next week though conditions are starting to ease slightly. Ok, let's move on...
Of course, there is a serious side to the effects the bad weather has had with twenty-seven people dead as a result and many more injured or facing severe disruption. Likewise, there are a number of other tragic stories that have made the headlines. The attack on the Togo national football team's bus in the seperatist state of Cabinda in Angola that left three members of their party dead has shocked the world and raised security fears for the rest of the African Cup of Nations competition. Now, under instruction from Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo, the team have left the country and will take no further part in proceedings. Angolan officials were surprised that the Togo national team had decided to enter Cabinda, an area seperated from the rest of the country by the DR Congo. It is also a place of intense rebel activity from the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec), the group that has claimed responsibility for the attack.
So what now for African football? Togo's group opponents were supposed to be Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso and they too had threatened to leave but have decided to stay on. Questions have been raised about security in the country, especially Cabinda, a particularly war-torn province where despite a nationwide ceasefire in 2006, insurgents remain. And security in the continent as a whole will be even more scrutinised ahead of the World Cup in South Africa later in the year. The fact remains however, that this horrific incident could potentially have been avoided had Togo listened to CAF, the continent's football governing body, and travelled by air instead of by road. In the words of team-mate Thomas Dossevi, Togo had wanted to "to show our national colours, our values and that we are men".
As campaigning begins in earnest in preparation for a general election to be held in May or June at the latest, Gordon Brown survived an attempted coup last Wednesday. Former cabinet members Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt failed to weaken the Prime Minister sufficiently or garner enough support to challenge his leadership of the Labour Party. Indeed, according to the latest ICM poll, support for Labour has marginally risen. The net result has been a strengthening of support for Brown. He may be considered a 'lame duck' Prime Minister however with the support of arch schemer Peter Mandelson, he remains a defiant and stoical figure, comparing his struggles to that of Nelson Mandela. Mandelson may be trying to loosely disguise the schisms that exist within the Party and perhaps inside the Cabinet itself however it is important to him and Labour to maintain a united front. Despite Brown's unpopularity with the electorate, a change of leader is unlikely to aid their chances at the ballot box.
So, now for this weeks news; snow, snow and more snow. The artic freeze that has ensnarled Britain for the past few weeks has been the major talking point. Abandoned cars, icy roads and a never-ending littany of snow tales is becoming increasingly tiresome. Facebook statuses across the land, once charmed by a rare white blanket, are now cursing the prolonged cold snap. 'Fuck off snow' appears to be the message from long-suffering Britons. Spare a thought for the local councils who are under pressure with dwindling salt and grit supplies. We're asking questions about why greater provisions haven't been made despite warnings from the Met Office however how much budgetary consideration can events that happen once every thirty years be afforded? Is there any sympathy out there? No? The cold weather is expected to last into next week though conditions are starting to ease slightly. Ok, let's move on...
Of course, there is a serious side to the effects the bad weather has had with twenty-seven people dead as a result and many more injured or facing severe disruption. Likewise, there are a number of other tragic stories that have made the headlines. The attack on the Togo national football team's bus in the seperatist state of Cabinda in Angola that left three members of their party dead has shocked the world and raised security fears for the rest of the African Cup of Nations competition. Now, under instruction from Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo, the team have left the country and will take no further part in proceedings. Angolan officials were surprised that the Togo national team had decided to enter Cabinda, an area seperated from the rest of the country by the DR Congo. It is also a place of intense rebel activity from the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec), the group that has claimed responsibility for the attack.
So what now for African football? Togo's group opponents were supposed to be Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso and they too had threatened to leave but have decided to stay on. Questions have been raised about security in the country, especially Cabinda, a particularly war-torn province where despite a nationwide ceasefire in 2006, insurgents remain. And security in the continent as a whole will be even more scrutinised ahead of the World Cup in South Africa later in the year. The fact remains however, that this horrific incident could potentially have been avoided had Togo listened to CAF, the continent's football governing body, and travelled by air instead of by road. In the words of team-mate Thomas Dossevi, Togo had wanted to "to show our national colours, our values and that we are men".
As campaigning begins in earnest in preparation for a general election to be held in May or June at the latest, Gordon Brown survived an attempted coup last Wednesday. Former cabinet members Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt failed to weaken the Prime Minister sufficiently or garner enough support to challenge his leadership of the Labour Party. Indeed, according to the latest ICM poll, support for Labour has marginally risen. The net result has been a strengthening of support for Brown. He may be considered a 'lame duck' Prime Minister however with the support of arch schemer Peter Mandelson, he remains a defiant and stoical figure, comparing his struggles to that of Nelson Mandela. Mandelson may be trying to loosely disguise the schisms that exist within the Party and perhaps inside the Cabinet itself however it is important to him and Labour to maintain a united front. Despite Brown's unpopularity with the electorate, a change of leader is unlikely to aid their chances at the ballot box.
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