Monday, July 28, 2008

"you cannot hope to bribe or twist, thank god! The British journalsit. But seeing what the man will do unbribed, there's no occasion to." (H.Wolfe)

Can anyone remember a prime minister being subjected to the personal abuse that Gordon Brown is now taking? I certainly can’t and I go back a bit, I remember serious conversations in our house where a guy called Eden was mentioned, McMillan, Home, Wilson, Heath, Callaghan, Thatcher, Major, Blair and Brown, and Gordon is the most vilified of the lot, even more than Thatcher, is this justified ? Is he guilty and really the man they are painting or are his accusers the guilty ones?


That list of PM’s has some crackers on it, people who could provoke rage and start a fight in an empty house but Brown is being treated worse than any of them, and all within a year of coming to office.
There are those like the Glasgow Herald crowd who will say anything to damage labour, look at the treatment of Wendy Alexander, and those who are anti Labour and enjoy running with the crowd, the chase takes on it’s own momentum and the fact that he is in fact a decent, honest and diligent leader is getting him abuse.



He doesn’t smile enough, he is dour, well he’s not Cameron and he’s not Blair thank god. We have seen recently in Scotland what the media are capable of and we are seeing it again.
Dishonest and devious journalists who care for nothing and believe in nothing except their story, the headline, people who will do and say anything for a few minutes in the limelight, whatever the cost.


There is a cancer in our society and it’s rooted in the media, it can be traced back to the days of Murdoch and Mackenzie and the dumbing down of society under the grasping brutal Thatcher years. Communities destroyed and the press turning the country into a squalid greedy cesspit, tune into big brother and tell me you are proud of your society. This is where it has taken us and it is degrading. The cost of this type of media activity is more damage to our dignity and is further dumbing down. That’s what the press are guilty of, the outcome and the repercussions do not matter to them.


Today’s Daily Record carried a column by George Galloway which was wretched and chilling for the way George enjoyed twisting the knife, a sneering back stabbing vindictive piece which he should but won’t be ashamed of , this is the dark fetid side of politics, he once stood for something. The greasy pole done for him, that’s why Gordon has to be treated like this, thwarted ambition by someone who was never a party man. Galloway V Brown? it’s a no brainer !


Despite all of this I believe the way forward is to carry on with Gordon at the helm and improve our performance and our commitment, we must get people to see Gordon Brown for what he is, a dedicated public servant who is trying to do everything he can for his country. He is still the best politician in Parliament and the best leader we have got, now is the time to stand and fight, let the cringing cowards and sneering traitors who are crawling out from under stones know that we will not be cowed and we can still win, “we are best when we are Labour”

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's no doubt Brown is getting a lot of the flack that would at this time be heading Blair's way had he not gone when he did.

I believe Brown to be basically decent and that may be part of his problem. Whilst he is an intelligent and talentend politician he has little talent for the dirtier aspects of politics. He's quite an old -fashioned politician in that respect. No bad thing I'd take substance over style anyday- though I could kick him for not having an election all those months ago!

However being more pragmatic, sadly types like Blair and Cameron are popular with some voters -enough to win or lose an election. I'm not suggesting Brown start grinning at every opportunity but I wonder if tactically it might be useful to think a bit more about image. I deplore the way we seem to be heading towards American Style beauty contests between candidates rather than proper debates on policy and principle but it would be foolish not to acknowledge the world we live in now.

There are no easy answers but I do think a change of leadership at this time would be enormously damaging both to Labour who whould be seen as dancing to the SNP and Tories tune and to the country at a time of economic uncertainty.

Brown certainly shouldn't be exempt from criticism but let's remember what's at stake here.
Most of in Scotland who remember the Thathcher years are in no hurry to for a rerun. As I've said in the comments below I have voted SNP in the last few elections but come the next general election I'm almost certain to be voting Labour as a tactical anti-tory vote. Whatever Labour's current failings and whoever you think has done the best job in the Scottish Parliament, at a UK level Labour remain our best hope against the tories. I hope all centre left to far left voters will bear this in mind when the time comes.

Anonymous said...

So who's next after Mr Bean then, David Miliband, son of Mr Bean ?

The Labour Party has no talent, just hangers on, looking out for numero uno, career politians only out for what they can get

Macnasty said...

Councillor
The Charity Commission investigation into the Smith Institutes abuse of it's charitable status by acting as a Labour mouthpiece reported 'The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP did not respond to the commissions correspondence.'

Why would the commissions questions give him a problem?

Anonymous said...

"Can anyone remember a prime minister being subjected to the personal abuse that Gordon Brown is now taking? I certainly can’t and I go back a bit..........."


You're having a laugh, right? Margaret Thatcher fell from grace 18 or so years ago and the likes of you still regularly drag her out for another kick or two. No, come on, be serious.

Jim Lewis

Allan said...

And to think that Gordon Brown bent over backwards to provide nice "Middle England" friendly policies for these people. Gordon sold the working classes for these people.

Ever get the feeling that you've been cheated by the "New Labour" project?

Anonymous said...

There is a time for honesty to come within our party Terry, and maybe you and others should stand up and be counted.

We have received a kick in the teeth through our own bloody mindedness and our firm belief in sticking together despite the direction that we are going.

Collective responsibility is fine if we share the same general beliefs, however, when our leadership drives us in directions that are alien to our committments, then we must sit up and take notice.

I read your blog often and whilst I share some of your views politically and personally abhor some of your other viewpoints, I firmly believe that as a party we must unite, but not blindly.

Recent events must demonstrate that a different approach is needed. Or do you wish to see the party obliterated.

Ordinarily, I would not see the need for this post, however, your blog has received a high profile(for reasons that you should not really be proud of) that I felt that someone should bring this to your attention.

I will identify myself to you in person over the next 2/3 weeks and hopefully we can talk.

You will ask yourself why I have made this statement public! At the moment we are the only alternative.

Don't change that

Think about it!

Concerned Member

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Ann) 28/07/08

I only disagree with one thing here, voting SNP they aren’t Labour or Tory they have no political anchor, they will sell out to the highest bidder.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Paisley Buddie) 29/07/08

A very erudite political analysis. I take it you are a Nat.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Macnasty) 29/07/08

I think you should go public with this story, the general public should be allowed to enjoy your gift for comedy.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 29/07/08

Thatcher was never subjected to the personal abuse that Brown is getting, her policies were pilloried not her personally. Except of course by people like me but I’m not referring here to people like me, did you miss that ? It’s the national media, slightly bigger.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Allan) 29/07/08

Brown can be proud of his achievements at the top of politics over the last 11 years. Of course the world would be a better place if it wasn’t for those horrible “Middle Engerlanders” wouldn’t it Hamish.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(concerned member) 30/07/08

I find it impossible to believe that this post is genuine. The party is not in such a state that we have members like this.

Anonymous said...

Ref Macnasty at 5.21

Confirmation that 'The Right Hon Gordon Brown did not respond' (to the Charity Commission) can be found in the Commissions report, (footnote 71) or if wading through that would be too painful, try Guido Fawkes Blog entry, dated 18h July.

Jackart said...

Have you thought of running for the Leadership? There won't be a PLP in 2010, so why not a councillor?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 11:56

I get the feeling that you are trying to tell me something here, can you be a bit more specific.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Jackart) 12:32

You take political analysis pretty seriously don’t you.

Anonymous said...

Councillor at 2.01
'You're trying to tell me something aren't you.'

You're on the button as usual, Terry, indeed I am.

Yet another of your idols, Brown, with demonstrable feet of clay.

You really do choose some tainted heroes don't you.

Brown refused to answer. In the same position, Maggie would have handbagged the Commission and Winston would just have shot the b*****s

Anonymous said...

Oh my god Terry,

Labour in coalition with the hated Tories in at least 2 Scottish councils (possibly 3)

From COSLAs website
South Lanarkshire Council LAB/CON Coalition
Falkirk Council LAB/CON/IND Coalition
And horrors upon horror in bed with the Nats in East Renfrewshire Council LAB/SNP/IND & 1 SLD Coalition
You must be about to rip up your meal ticket, sorry, membershp card in disgust.

Just think, if you were nicer to the nasty Nats in Renfrewshire you might have been all tucked up cosy with them. But come the next council elections, predictions and polling have the SNP getting a significant majority to run Renfrewshire.

Macnasty said...

The essential difference 'tween Labour and the Tories, with Labour the stink goes right to the top.

Admit it, there's something rotten in your party generally and the Scottish section in particular.

Anonymous said...

Terry your snide remarks may make you feel somehow superior and right, but you have to face up to the facts (apart from the fact you cannot ever lift a quote correctly!)
The tide is changing in Scotland. We are well sick of Westminster, and as an 'eastender' I tell you Labour party 'socialism' is a joke. We have had David Marshall milking the system for years while doing next to nothing.
You and your party are on the way out Terry boy unless you see that a change must come. (Quoting old folk songs here, god help me!)

Allan said...

What achievements. Turning Britain into a third world country! Continuing the Thatcher legacy! Making it easier to be ripped off by the multi-national comapnies! Destroying the way of life of many innocent Britons (see http://humbug3.blogspot.com/2008/07/closing-near-you.html)!

Oh and as has been mentioned elswhere, the evidence for the Smith Institute, can be found on the Guido Fawkes website, where i believe there are also stories about Gordon's leadership bid being funded by Private Equity firms.

Concerned Member, where have you been for the last 14 years, when the party formely known as the Labour Party had its soul sold by Blair and Brown?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 30/07/08

I know you are trying to make a point here, just try harder.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Macnasty) 30/07/08

Again that’s not much of a political argument is it ? Hardly worth writing.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 30/07/08
Can you not find one single thing that is new to say - it’s not worth replying to.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Allan) 30/07/08

I will respond using your logic and style.

Labour are brilliant.
“ have made people’s lives better.
“ Gordon Brown is the best and hardest working and most honest politician in Britain.
I am a great guy and I am also honest and hard working.
The SNP are a bunch of political thugs and con artists.
Cameron and the Tories are no better.
Salmond is a ’spiv’

Etc. Etc, Etc. it doesn’t really chime as political debate but, you started it.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 30/07/08

I have never heard of a Nat./Labour co-alition, maybe you should check that again. Co-alitions are being formed everywhere because of PR and the realisation that the SNP really are a crazy bunch of opportunists and very dangerous. Today’s politics of co-alitions have been forced on us, that wasn’t the case with the SNP then.

I know it pains you to be reminded but they (the SNP) gave us Thatcher and joined the Tories at a time when the country was being devastated by them, you can’t get much lower.

Your suggestion of us cosying up to the Nats. Reveals your lack of knowledge. The majority of the SNP in Renfrewshire would not join a co-alition with me in it while I would not join a co-alition with any of them in it.

Anonymous said...

You are a very rude person Terry.
Not worthy of my time or opinion.
Your party will 'reap what it has sown', and no doubt you will run away with your nice little councillor's pension. You are part of the cause of the desertion from the labour party. Hope you can live with yourself, no doubt you will as you can see nothing wrong, as you have 'always supported the right causes'. You are a joke.

Macnasty said...

Terry, Lad,
It's over, it's done. Don't you see that Miliband has torpedoed Labour unity as lethally as Conqueror did the Belgrano.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Macnasty) 31/07/08

With every post you demonstrate your lack of any political understanding.

Milliband has done what politicians of every party do, those who have ambitions that is, he's measuring up the top of the ‘greasy pole’ that’s no sin.

Let me give you a hint so you might get a clearer understanding but I doubt it.

David Davis !

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 31/07/08

I get tired saying this but, I’m not rude and I’m not abusive, what I do is reserve the right to deal with rude and abusive comments as I see fit.

That can be by deleting them because they use unsuitable language or content. this means that in your case I feel it suitable to say you are a cretin and a coward who hasn’t the courage to put his name to the abuse which he/she writes. Geddit ?

Macnasty said...

Kelly @ 12.44
When 'Political understanding' entails involvement in the insanitary Tammanny Hall politics of Scottish and particularly Glasgow Labour, then Sunshine, I'm happy to remain determinedly ignorant.

The Scottish Labour Party stinks to high heaven and is no place for decent people, but undoubtedly, there'll always be a place for a sycophantic creep like you.

Get off your knees and clean out the stable.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Macnasty) 02/08/08

“I'm happy to remain determinedly ignorant” well, I’m happy that you’re happy.