Apologies to T.S. Elliot for the title, was there ever a more useless political life than this man's. Question - What do you think Ming ? answer - 'First, what do Brown and Cameron think'
His decision to become a Liberal is painted by him as a rebellion when he was in fact at Glasgow Uni. with Donald Dewar, John Smith, James Gordon, D Alexander Snr. and other labour big hitters that's what made him a Liberal, he knew he would have sunk without trace among these guys.
That and a display of rat like cunning that told him there would always be a place for a politician who wasn't Labour or Tory.
He is defined by what he is not, not by what he is, how can anyone tell what he is, he has gone through his political life bearing the impression of the last person who sat on him.
He has survived and lived very well on a philosophy which was never anything more than 'a plague on both your houses' a cringing venal appeal to be liked because the big two were always quarreling and we / me the Liberals are nice people, a shell of a man.
Check this, Hyde Park Anti Iraq War Rally, Charlie Kennedy said he was "not yet persuaded" of the case for war, not opposed ? where was Ming ? no answer no comment ! Kennedy said " a U.N. endorsement would persuade him, the U.N. did not endorse the war, the Lib Dems. backed the war when it started, Kennedy saying in the commons that the 'prime minister can be confident of the genuine support of the Lib. Dem. Party, where was Ming ? no answer no comment !
Ming with that famous 'rat like cunning' followed his instincts, he waited to see if the war would be popular or unpopular, once he saw the way it was going he re-invented himself as the principled anti war champion, a charlatan if ever there was one.
He hid until it was safe to further his own career.
Forget about dead soldiers or civilians that's what motivated him, shameful.
His one attribute was that he had a very catchy nickname 'Ming' at least we in Scotland know what 'ming' means don't we.
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24 comments:
Terry:
"Apologies to T.S. Elliot for the title, was there ever a more useless political life than this man's[?]"
You really do make it too easy sometimes.
"His one attribute was that he had a very catchy nickname 'Ming' at least we in Scotland know what 'ming' means don't we."
I may be mistaken, but I just thought that 'Ming' was the correct pronounciation oh his name.
Would those principled Labour "big hitters" also include A. Blair esq., who used to be anti-Europe and pro-CND? Or, nearer to your home, G. Brown esq., who berated the Tories for failing to seek a mandate from the people when their leader changed and who also failed to raise a squeak against the Iraq war but now can't run fast enough, and whose election manifesto includes the promise to hold a referendum on the EU treaty?
Jut wondered!
Hi Terry,
I have never had any time for Ming - he is your typical middle class product trying to appeal to all and ending up having nothing to say to anyone, having spent a lot of time in North East Fife I can say that he appeals to the "chattering classes". Maybe the Labour Party should have a wee look at who they are trying to appeal to and try and get back to their Socialist roots? I could go on, but I know you don't like the criticism!
TS Elliot? One of my favourites! We must have had the same teachers somewhere!
See you before Christmas I hope,
Mo
Are the Conservative members of the council part of the ruling group now Terry? If so what did they get from the SNP in return?
Rumbold - I'm used to your silly arguments but, you are usually quite lucid.
The correct pronunciation is Menzies, in Scotland it becomes Minges and is further shortened to the 'nick name 'Ming' which is also a Scots. term for a bad smell i.e. What an awful 'ming' or that is 'minging'
David Duff - "A. Blair esq., who used to be anti-Europe and pro-CND?" I used to be pro. Europe and anti CND and I'm now Anti Europe and pro CND what does that say ? how many people have changed their opinions on many things ? Not you of course you still think the earth's flat.
"G. Brown esq., who berated the Tories for failing to seek a mandate from the people when their leader changed and who also failed to raise a squeak against the Iraq war but now can't run fast enough, and whose election manifesto includes the promise to hold a referendum on the EU treaty?" I don't recall Brown berating the Tories for this, but anyway we don't elect prime ministers in this country we elect parties. Brown argued against the war he was out voted and was then bound by collective responsibility. A referendum on the European Treaty ? Brown remarked only today at (PMQT) that every member of the Tory shadow cabinet had voted in the past against a referendum, so what ?
What's this got to do with Ming ?
Maureen - Labour's socialist roots / they are still there.
Join me in the fight back.
RFS - They were not asked as far as I'm aware but they did form a co-alition with the SNP years ago, still referred to as 'Paisley's Shame'
May I suggest then that the labour group stop claiming they are part of the current administration? Just a thought.
"I used to be pro. Europe and anti CND and I'm now Anti Europe and pro CND what does that say ?"
Thank you, Councillor, I could not possibly add so much as a syllable to your own words which say so much more about you than anything I might have to say.
May one enquire what other major areas of political thought you have succeeded in turning 180 degrees? Or any that you are about to execute? Just so we can all watch, you understand!
RFS - When/where did we do that ?
David Duff - It might help you to understand but I doubt it, anyway I was pro Europe and anti CND about 30 yrs. Ago.
I used to work for the Communist Party approx. 35 yrs. Ago. David Cameron opposed a referendum and now wants one, Alex Salmond was once expelled from the SNP and now that he has moderated his views he is their leader, I can't remember how many times the old drink sodden crook Churchill changed sides, are you following this ? Need I go on ?
Politics David, you wouldn't understand.
May one enquire what other major areas of political thought you have succeeded in turning 180 degrees?
To be honest, I don't see anything wrong with changing your mind, especially as the situation changes and you grow in experience.
I used to be pro-Europe too, but now I'm against. Never liked the CND though.
Patrick
"I'm now Anti Europe and pro CND what does that say ?"
Blimey, something we actually agree on. I'm not exactly anti-European. In fact I like living on the continent but am completely against the Euro-federalism that has crept into the EU.
As for the CND. All those hairy women just make me shudder.
Oh, amd for the record...this is not a HC/TK love-in.
You should know Terry, you were there but I am always happy to cite my sources.
Was there not a vote on it? I only ask because the minutes are not up yet from September.
Council Minutes Point 11
I used to work for the Communist Party approx. 35 yrs. Ago.
Wait a minute Terry, didn't you boast on two occasions on this blog that you had been involved in corrupt Labour party politics for 40 years? I am tempt to draw the conclusion from your statement that you were a KGB mole.
However Yuri Andropov was probably bright enough to figure out that you would be an unrealible idiot.
RFS - Yes No. 11 states Snp/Lib.Dem./Tory - I doubt if anyone would take it literally but you ? The Tories supported the administration so they got dragged in.
I'm not aware of the Tories complaining, I'm sure they got the point.
Rumpole - That's not very nice is it ? and it's not an argument either is it ?
When I started out in politics there were regular contacts between Labour and a great many left wing groups including the Communist Party I worked for both quite openly, we saw ourselves as the 'Labour Movement' many of us still do.
I suspect you don't really know a great deal about this do you ?
Ah, we are back to this "literal" thing again. You claim I am the child-like one yet when it comes down to it and you are questioned on it you don't have the balls to even support your own stated position on anything. How many times have you played this "literal" card? Are we to take it that no-one should trust anything that comes out of a Labour group member's mouth? Are you claiming all your group are not to be trusted? Can we quote you on that?
Well here is the rub. It is part of the official record of the council and is voted for as is so unfortunately it IS to be taken literally.
That is like saying "oh yes, point 11 did say the tories were in the administration but what we meant was 'this council recognises with joy that the old folks home has just got new central heating' and it is your fault for not realising that".
What this shows is that Labour were shown the door and instead of being a responsible opposition and trying to rebuild their reputation they have lashed out in all directions and are now making a fool of themselves. That or they are treating council matters, and by extension the electorate who returned that council, with contempt.
The tories on the council read your blog and I am sure we will both hear more on this.
RFS - You force me to say it again - You are the only one I know who would look at this and actually think that Labour were saying that the Tories are part of the administration it's a political jibe as old as the hills.
When a political opponent is found in common cause with their declared enemy they expect flak and get it, they expect us to have some fun with it to embarrass them, it will happen again in one form or another so maybe the next time you won't be so silly.
You seem to be taking it literally, that's foolish and now you are more angry at yourself than you are at me and, not for the first time.
'stop digging' your embarrassing.
So what you are saying is that the Labour group is having a laugh at the expense of other parties?
Ah, I see. You think it is a good use of your time to do this. And you still don't understand why the people of Renfrewshire are sick of you?
Are you sure the Tory jibe is not based on something a bit more, um, closer to home? Like, say, the very last seat to be declared in the council election?
RFS - You clearly don't understand this business - try watching PMQT - what you will see is that the most hurtful blow is delivered using humour, if this is why Labour lost power then no party would get a vote.
I really wish I didn't have to explain this, try asking some Tory friends if you know any, the honest ones will try to explain it to you.
The last seat declared ?
I don't think I need any further explanation. You have admitted that you are not taking the job of opposition seriously enough. If you had any perspective you would see the difference between a spoken jibe and PMQ and putting something in writing that will be debated and voted on.
Damned by your own deeds here I am afraid. And you started by admitting you knew nothing of what your own group was doing in council. Priceless
RFS - This still shows that you know nothing about this, I didn't remember this because it wasn't important, what absolute rubbish.
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