Give the Coalition a Chance

I was genuinely frustrated to see this morning's splash on Danny Alexander. Frustrated not because the story has been exposed, but frustrated because Danny Alexander has literally just taken up the role of Chief Secretary to the Treasury following the downfall of David Laws.

Now, less than 48 hours on, we have a (small) questionmark over Mr Alexander.

I will stick my neck out and predict that Danny's first / second home allocation loophole will not cost him his job, but I will also predict that in drips and drabs, we'll see more expenses related stories around Lib Dem MP's, who were until three weeks ago, hardly worth investigating.

Is there any chance at all that we could give the Cleggolition Government a chance to get off the ground before trying to kill it before it grows?

This isn't any vote of confidence in the hung Parliament situation we find ourselves in, or indeed in the coalition Government itself, but, and I can't quite explain it, there seems to be a very unsporting feeling to what's happening.

I made it quite clear that I didn't think David Laws could stay in post, and indeed, 24 hours later, he resigned his position. I don't intend on running down my list of reasons why David had to go, and why I praise him for making the decision he eventually made - but feel free to scroll down if you want to read previous ramblings.



I am slightly new to all this movie publishing stuff, but this is a Youtube video of my debate with Tony Grew on ePolitix.com on Sunrise with the excellent Mark Longhurst.

I still reject any suggestion that Mr Laws was forced out because of his sexuality, and stress that I think the unfortunate byproduct of this story coming out is that his sexuality has been exposed. For this, I am truly sorry for David.

My key assertion however is that Mr Laws would find himself in exactly the same position in as far as his job goes, if we were dealing with a secret Landlady lover. There are undoubtedly some unfortunate people out there who will be more shocked because we are talking about a Landlord, and those people should get over this - it's 2010!

People should try to have some empathy with David however because his very private affairs have been dragged in to the open, and WOULD have been dragged in to the open without Mr Laws statement to the Telegraph, in which he spoke of his sexuality.

... But I cannot accept that Mr Laws has been driven out because he is gay.

Discuss.

This morning's outing on Sky News

Earlier this morning, I had the pleasure of appearing on the excellent Sky News' "Sunrise" Programme, hosted by presenter Mark Longhurst, and alongside Tony Grew from Epolitix.com .

We were discussing the hot topic of David Laws downfall and whether his sexuality played any part. I take the view that Mr Laws would have been treated in exactly the same wayif his relationship was with a Landlady, rather than a Landlord

It is undoubtedly the case that David Laws was subject to much greater scrutiny the second he entered Government, and it seems likely that someone had tipped the Telegraph off that Mr Lundie was David's partner. This is deeply unfortunate, and my very genuine sympathies go out to David at this time.

I said yesterday, and I say again that Mr Laws had to go for the good of the Government, and for the sake of preventing politics from falling back in to the black hole of dodgy expense claims.

"I don't care if it was within the rules, it was wrong, and the public know it is wrong"... David Cameron, May 2009.

Mr Laws is such a financial guru, and such an excellent politician that I have every confidence he will be back, even if he is found to have gone against the rules. This would be in any case rather a minor parting from the rules.

I would like to thank Sky News for today's booking, and I look forward to returning to the Sky News sofa next Sunday June 6th to review Adam Boulton's papers.

Wishing David Laws well

I should like to add my voices to the many that are wishing the Former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Laws well with future endeavours.

I think there will be much sympathy for his situation - and many of my followers have made it clear that they disagree with my earlier call for him to step down, but I am afraid it is the only way.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg made much play on being whiter than white on expenses.

We shall of course wait to see what the Parliamentary Commissionery for Standards has to say in the coming week, but it is clear that Mr Laws did work on a very liberal understanding of the rules - whatever the Parliamentary Commissioner may say.

I take no joy in Mr Laws' resignation. I very sorry indeed, but in the best interests of the nation and the Government, he had to step aside.

THIS IS SERIOUS:

David Laws has personally done lots to bridge the gaps between the Libs and the Cons. Indeed he was heavily involved in the coalition talks, and despite Simon Hughes' best efforts, Mr Laws worked flat out to make this coalition Government work.

I wish David the very best, and know he'll be back!

******

I will be on Sky News 'Sunrise with Mark Longhurst' alongside Tony from ePolitics.com tomorrow morning. I look forward to explaining why I felt David had no choice but to quit.

Laws Breaker: The Real Question

David Laws has done some excellent work in the Treasury, and by all accounts the coalition has him to thank for much of the smooth running to date.

David Laws is a committed politician, and someone who I feel went in to politics for the right reasons.

I have great sympathy with David, both on the timing of this story, and because the story itself has outed him to his family.

Regretable though it most certainly is, Mr Laws simply cannot stay in post. His Leader 'Deputy Dave' has spoken of a "New politics" - and both "Cleggy" and the Prime Minister have spoken about "disgusting" expense abuses.

For me, the excuse that he had to claim this money to hide his sexuality doesn't wash. I knew David was gay, and I knew because it is common knowledge in the Lobby... and the fact that it was common knowledge in the Lobby, and that it hasn't come out beforehand should surely testify as to how little people care what someone elses sexuality may be.

... But lets not get too carried away with this aspect. Nobody was forcing Mr Laws to rent property from his boyfriend, and nobody was forcing him to enter a claim to the House of Commons Fees Office.


THE REAL QUESTION:

In the interest of openness, perhaps Mr Laws' partner could produce evidence that he received rental payments to the value of £40,000?

...
THE REAL ANSWER

I am going to assume that this evidence can be produced, and I am going to suggest that because Mr Laws was entitled to claim these costs, notwithstanding the rule that you cannot rent from a partner, his career in politics should continue... but not in Government... not for now!

Platform Zero?

I was left more than a little confused this evening when my 9:52pm train home was announced as "leaving from Platform Zero".

No, it's not some kind of Harry Potter type joke - the smarties at Kings Cross have built a new platform where the old taxi rank used to be and called it Platform ZERO rather than renumbering the lot.

.....

I am looking forward to a chat later with Matt Ford, formerlly of the Labour Party, now a cover presenter on talkSPORT radio.

The main talking point will be the BBC / Downing Street fight that saw the Coalition Government entirely unrepresented in last night's show.

Are Number 10 small minded for refusing to put a Minister up against Alistair Campbell, or are the BBC out of order for failing to even request a Labour frontbencher?

I haven't quite made my mind up. I have about 30 minutes to decide.

.....

I noted the Prime Minister's visit to Yorkshire today, where he made his first major speech as Prime Minister.

While I sincerely wish the coalition Government well, I couldn't honestly point to anything within today's speech that is new and dynamic.

To be fair to the Prime Minister, the coalition Government have yet to finalise their emergency budget, due to be delivered on June 22nd - but I hear all is not well with Cleggwood's team.

Lets be honest, it is hardly a surprise that a coalition Government disagree on one or two points, but well placed sources tell me there is friction between the Department for Business and Enterprise, and the Treasury.

No need to stop the press there... but I have been able to stand up these whispers with solid info.

But before you go registering to run as an MP in the second election of 2010, I think it highly unlikely that an agreement will be too hard to find.

Do the Times need to find 'a new way of charging'?

The saga of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority continues... or to be accurate, ill feeling toward IPSA remains high amongst returning "Old Guard" MP's.

One senior Labour MP told me earlier today, as he hunted for a quiet place to complete his "£4,000 "loan that he has fallen behind on his mortgage payments as a result of the new system, and that he has "seriously considered" whether to just chuck the job.

I was interested to receive a reply to my tweet on the matter earlier today, branding the senior Labour MP as "a tosser" who "should get a mortgage he can afford".

For clarity, this Member CAN afford his mortgage - but the unfair system means that they are having to use their own funds (out of their own pockets and bank accounts that they might otherwise use to pay their mortgage) to pay for office set up costs and wages.

IPSA have backed down slightly and offered to lend £4,000 to Members (mentioned above) to cover some of these costs - but please take my word that honest MP's are being treated badly. I would tell you if they weren't.

.....

I spent an enjoyable half hour on the terrace with some broadcast and print hacks this evening arguing about News International's decision to charge users to view the Times Online site.

The basic facts are that the move is expected to kill 90% of the current traffic - but that News Int. will be breaking equal if they retain just 5% of existing traffic.

It is also right to point out that journalism costs lots of money, so it's not fair for the journalist's hard work to receive no recognition.

My thought on the matter is that this business model cannot work in it's current form because people will not be bothered to sign up for account details, entering card numbers either for this stand-alone service, or for the other sites that would have to start copying the measure.

My thinking is that if News Int. want to make this work, they should look to find another way of charginf for content. For instance, could they sell an Iphone / Ipad app for say £5 that only works for a month or two?

Would this work?

.....

Having had the fun of a bottom wisdom tooth removal earlier today, I can tell you that it is an "interesting" experience to interview Government Ministers with one side of your face totally full of anesthetic.

If you've ever had a wisdom tooth removed, you will know how painful it can be... but as I tweeted earlier today, it was nothing like as painful as listening to Mr Rifkind toadying up to Mr Speaker Bercow earlier this week.

......

Lastly, for tonight, I apologise for neglecting this blog. I am working to a slightly different brief at the moment and literally haven't had a free moment in days.

I very much enjoy blogging , so if you can bear with me, I promise I'll find time to put more content up.

Evenin' all!

Portcullis House is the new Members Lobby

It has been said for some time that the real action in the Palace of Westminster takes place these days not in the Members Lobby, but in Portcullis House - an area of the Palace to which virtually every Parliamentary Passholder has access.

One upon a time... before my time really, the Members Lobby (the area right outside the Chamber) was THE place to be to hear hot tips, but I've had more than the average come my way lately, and they've all reached me by the despatch box coffee bar in PCH.

I am still getting used to Secretaries of State and Government Ministers insisting on buying cups of coffee and tea... but I'm not complaining.

The biggest source of frustration for "The Cleggolition" is that in the views of Rt. Hon. Members, the press are digging and digging to look for divisions between the Tories and the Lib Dems.

Further, one Minister of State has been most shocked that Labour are receiving much more media attention having lost the election, than did the Tories in 1997. The answer to this little concern however is that it is reasonably hard to get an on record, on mic chat with Tory Ministers or loyal backbenchers, and also because New Labour won a landslide victory in 1997.

Must dash... another Minister awaits, Milky coffee in hand... thank you very much Minister!

Some Political Must-Reads

Let me open this blogpost by holding my hands up to the fact that I've had a very lazy day away from work - but having gone through the tiring task of making a printed book in to electronic text, I thought I would pop a quick post up on political reading.

I also want you to know that I am not on a bung or advertising deal from amazon.co.uk , but thought it would be helpful to include links to the books I mention.
.......

I love reading, and I am a political geek. I can't get enough of it.

Someone is going to ask, so I might as well answer it here; I either read 'talking books', or I take printed books, scan them in, and listen to them being read by any one of a variety of voice synthasisers.

My latest political read has been sitting on an armchair in my livingroom on a pile of 7 or 8 other books waiting to be scanned. It is called "A history of Conservative politics since 1830" and is written by John Charmley. This book is the second edition and covers Conservative Politics from 1830 right up until David Cameron's leadership.



Buy this book HERE for £8.50

To date, my favorite political books have been Stephen Pollard's biography of David Blunkett:



You can order HERE for just 49p plus posting and packing from amazon.co.uk

... And Chris Moncrieff's "Wine and Women in Westminster":



You can order "Wine and Women in Westminster" new for £12.49 HERE

Stephen's book does what it says on the cover, but it is no run-of-the-mill biography. Indeed, I can say, hand on heart that I enjoyed reading it more than any other biography I have ever read.

Wine and Women in Westminster is a MUST for anyone in and around the "Westminster Bubble", and a rather amusing read even if you've never been within a thousand miles of the Palace of Westminster. It's not full of political comment -in fact, there's none at all. It is full however with very amusing stories. You'll enjoy it. Give it a try.

There are of course many other political must-reads of old, including but not limited to Michael Dobb's excellent "House of Cards" and Andrew Neil's "Full Disclosure". As a former employee of Kelvin Mackenzie, Andrew's autobiography gave me excellent insight in to my old boss.

Anyway, there's some reading for you to be getting on with... do me a favour, and let me know of any political reading you can recommend to me.

Blogcast: ONE YEAR ON: AUDIO FROM THE MONTH OF SHAME

It's exactly one year on from the MONTH of shame, and this is the subject of my second blogcast.



If you have any problems playing the blogcast above, click HERE

I very much welcome your comments

MP's and Ministers are being treated like scum: This MUST STOP!

I never thought I would be championing the cause of MP comfort, but this goes to show just how far things have gone from the one extreme to another.

On backbench MP's firstly, The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authrority (IPSA), that was set up to clamp down on the MAJOR excesses of previous Parliaments has gone too far. There are 232 new MP's and over double that amount of returning MP's who were not tangled up in serious abuses of the free and easy expenses system that has been in place until very recent times.

Members of our supposedly mature Parliament are being treated like common criminals. IPSA, known readily in Westminster as "f****ing IPSA", or "I pay sod all" are warning MP's that IPSA staff will not tolerate abusive or rude behaviour from elected representatives.

This is frankly disgusting and must stop NOW! I do not defend previous behaviour. In fact, I believe that criminal behaviour has been accepted as the norm before now, but it is not acceptable to treat the honest people WE elect to represent us in Parliament as if they are dishonest, before theyh have done anything dishonest.

I do think that IPSA and MP's are being a little bit silly though. IPSA staff are refusing to answer even basic questions on what is and is not acceptable to claim for. They insist that Members put their query in writing. Members on the other hand are bottling out of putting pen to paper.

Why?

Members are afraid that IPSA officials will leak details to the press, or that inquiries will become subject to the 'Freedom of Information Act'. Let me give you an example... under the new rules, Members can only claim for the cost of standard class train travel. One north-of-England MP told me that they asked IPSA staff whether it would be acceptable if they were to buy a first class ticket to ensure they secured a seat, so long as they only claimed for what a standard class ticket would cost.

This is a perfectly reasonable query, and an entirely understandable arrangement that anyone should have the right to put in place. ISPA staff however are point blank refusing to verbally advise this MP - instead insisting that they put their question in writing and await a formal written response.

Needless to say that this Member has resolved to put up with standard class train travel, even though this will mean that they will be forced to make regular, and rather substancial train journeys, without a seat on occasions.

I have tried to advise this Member to write the letter to IPSA, but they are worried that if they do, the letter will be published and they will be accused by the press and the public of being too high and mighty to travel in standard class like the rest of us.

I appreciate that some readers to this blog will be outraged that I would defend such an arrangement, but it is as simple as this - MP's who represent Constituencies a long way from London DO have to travel by train to get to and from their main homes. So long as the taxpayer is only footing the cost of a standard class ticket, it is fair enough for such a representative to be assured a seat for the regular long journey.

......

Moving away from backbenchers to the Government; I am still surprised that the Prime Minister has axed the PM's Metropolitan Police outriders. Love or loath the person who holds the Office of Prime Minister, most right-thinking people would not want the Prime Minister to run the entirely unnecessary risk of being assassinated.

Honestly, I'm talking sense here - as i am sure President de Gaulle would tell you!



... And on a less important note, I am sure that we do not want the Prime Minister to be late for appointments. The Office is highly important and cannot be compromised by silly PR stunts like this.

Talking of silly PR Stunts, Government Ministers have been warned that Number 10 will take a dim view of the use of Official Government cars UNLESS it is not practicable to use public transport.



I just love the idea of George Osborne and David Laws hopping on the number 214 from Westminster to Victoria station before catching the 8:22 to Brighton, where no doubt they'll be expected to stand in standard class.

......

In conclusion, some CRIMINALS (no individuals being named here) have lowered the reputation of Parliament in the mind of us voters (and non-voters thanks to them) by abusing a trust-based system, but notwithstanding the importance of being seen to be tough on such abuses, both IPSA and the Government are treating MP's and Ministers like scum. This is not acceptable and must stop! FULL STOP!

You won't BELIEVE this quote

Take a look at this quote

I read about Jacqui Smith’s interview in which she complained that too much was made of “tax payer porn-gate” when her husband Richard was found shaking hands with the “Governor of Love”, all courtesy of our income tax bills naturally.

Yes, can’t imagine why people were upset by that!

Anyway, upon reading the interview more fully – I noticed THE QUOTE OF THE YEAR.

The former Home Secretary said,

“'For Richard to have to literally stay in the house with the curtains drawn for weeks on end because he didn't want to go out and be yelled at - it was hard.”

REALLY! That’s the quote! And this was AFTER he’d been splashing out at the taxpayers expense.

Tearful Tories: "Cameron is the Mugabe of Westminster"

Tory MP’s are still screaming from the roof-terrace about David Cameron’s reformation of the 1922 committee. Douglas Carswell is not a happy bunny… but frankly , who cares what he thinks?



… But serious Tory MP’s are also deeply upset at this transparent attempt by the party’s Leadership to curtail the ability of backbenchers to hold the Government to account, and many are making the totally valid point that “Big Dave” is watching over their every move.

One Senior backbencher texted me today, describing DC as "The Robert Mugabe of Westminster"... isn't it a bit early for cracks to start appearing?

But while it may be nothing more than sulky ramblings from tearful Tories who lost out as a result of the “Cleggolition”, there had been talk from the right of forming a new committee of backbench Members. Now I can’t see this happening in reality, but non-“governmenters” will NOT buy the Prime Minister’s dismissal of criticism that, “We’re all in this together”.

Clearly you are either in Government or you are not, and so surely it naturally follows that you are either in the backbenches, or you are not.

My two penny’s worth is that this will cause division and resentment – and at this early stage, it doesn’t augur well for the prospect of a full-term coalition Government.

1922 Committee - Tory MP: "This smacks of control freakary freakary"

Today has just been one of those days where NO ONE is returning my call without a fight.

The Centre for European Reform are today's biggest bafoons - and should win a prize for their stupidity. They took four hours, three phone calls and two emails to tell me, AFTER MY DEADLINE HAD PASSED that "if no one has got back to you, then no one is available".

Well, I can quite understand... David Cameron is off to Europe for his first trip and the Centre for European Reform are not that bothered... makes perfect sense!

In the meantime, I have had trouble reaching other quite senior politicians, but thanks to the power of twitter, I received a phone-call from a miffed spokeswoman. Like all the other press spokespeople who only return calls after a bit of a tweeting, she is pretty unhappy with me, but I am afraid that I will not shy away from such tweets when I feel quite so unloved.

On another note, but staying with the "miffed" theme, there are a lot of unhappy backbench Conservative MP's. Unhappy because the Prime Minister is proposing changing the system operated by the 1922 committee so that members of the Conservative Government, and NOT just backbench MP's get a vote.

As one Lobby colleague said to me, "This won't move the markets", but in the words of a senior backbench Tory MP, "It smacks of control freakary on a level that would make Tony Blair blush".

How today's Speaker Election will work out, plus news from Stephen Timms MP

At the time of writing, we do not have a Commons Speaker, so a new one needs electing late today.

Here’s how it’s going to play out. Mr Speaker Bercow will spend the morning chatting up as many backbenchers as he possibly can – before at 2:30pm, the House will sit, chaired by the Father of the House, Sir Peter Tapsell, and the process of choosing the new Speaker will begin.

For non-politicos, the Father of the House is the backbench MP with the longest, unbroken service.

It’s all very archaic really, but the Commoners (The MP’s) will be ordered to attend the Lords and told by the Lords Commissioners to elect a Speaker. It’s a darn good job someone thinks of these things eh?

Mr Speaker Bercow will be officially asked whether he wishes to take the Speaker’s chair (and he does), and so he will be invited to say a few words before a motion is moved that would allow him to take the Chair as “Speaker Elect”. More on this in a moment.

A number of “usual suspects” will object to this motion being passed. If they shout loud enough, for long enough, a division will be called. I am confident that when all is said and done, Mr Speaker Bercow will win any division (vote) – but questions are being asked about the effect such a division may have on his future authority.

Anyway – back to this “Speaker Elect” business. The “Speaker Elect” doesn’t become Speaker until he / she receives “Royal Approbation”. This involves yet another trip to the Lords – but this will happen tomorrow, not today!

On another note, I was delighted to hear (from the horses mouth) that Stephen Timms MP is recovering well following his appalling stabbing on Friday, and Medical staff say he should be out by the weekend.

He wishes to thank everyone who has sent good-will messages, and he’ll be back to politicking very soon indeed.

Secret, Emergency Meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP)

Word has just reached me that there will be an unscheduled, emergency meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party tomorrow afternoon at 1pm.

Why?

To discuss the future of Mr Speaker Bercow.

It seems that the Labour love affair with JB has ended, and according to my source, he’s now as popular as a dose of VD at a swingers party!

Personally I find Mr Speaker Bercow to be extremely polite and courteous, but the very Members who installed him in that seat, against the wishes of the Conservatives it has to be said, are now plotting his possible downfall.

I am told that the PLP wish to discuss whether retribution against the Tories can best be served with Mr Speaker Bercow in or out of “The Chair”.

At 2:30pm tomorrow, certain MP’s (the usual suspects) will shout “Object” to the Speakers election. There MAY be too few objections to halt proceedings, but if enough Members shout loudly enough, there will be a division (vote), the result of which will be a majority in favour of Mr Bercow’s return to Office.

My prediction is that Mr Speaker Bercow is going nowhere soon!

UPDATE AT 11:40pm
*****************
Check out Iain Dale's blog www.iaindale.com for exclusive details on the Speaker hopefuls.

Strangely, a number of left of centre commentators have called Iain's story in to question. He describes his source as 18ct - and I can tell you off my own back that this has been stood up. I stick to my prediction that there probably will be a vote tomorrow, but John Bercow will win comfortably.

Prime Minister's Spokesman: NO PLANS TO CHANGE PMQ's

Earlier today, I asked the Prime Minister’s Spokesman whether there were any plans to change the length, format or slot for PMQ’s. The PMS said that there are currently no plans to do things differently – that is, I assume other than the obvious difference in format whereby the Liberals (other than backbench Liberals) will no longer be able to challenge the Government, since they ARE the Government.

The PMS said he didn’t know what would happen to the Parliamentary time which was dedicated to the Liberal Democrats “Opposition Day Motion” just yet.

Deputy Dave wins the day

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has walked away from the Lib Dems "Special Conference" in Birmingham with a smile on his face.

The party faithful have "overwhelmingly approved the party's coalition agreement with the Conservative Party".

Mr Clegg has expressed his pleasure with his party. In explaining that the coalition is a good thing for his party, Mr Clegg has said,

"We now know there will be no ID cards, no third runway at Heathrow, no more fingerprinting in schools without parents’ consent, no more child detention."

Although the Liberals actually achieved less Parliamentary seats than in 2005, Mr Clegg has boasted,

"“Promises we were making to people on their doorsteps just a few weeks ago are becoming realities. "

On the subject of "New Politics", Mr Clegg said,

“Fixed term parliaments – happening.

“The power of recall to get rid of corrupt MPs – happening.

“A clean up of party funding, a clamp down on lobbying in Parliament, an elected House of Lords – all happening.

Deputy Dave acknowledged that the coalition is a bit of a gamble,

“Real, big change never comes easy. So it would simply be wrong for us to let this chance of real change pass us by. “The chance to transform politics, the chance to hardwire fairness into our society, the chance to change Britain for good.”

Deputy Dave: "The Lib Dems are a very democratic party"

Arriving at the Lib Dem "special Conference" in Birmingham this morning, The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that he thinks it's only right that activists have the opportunity to debate the "Cleggolition" since the party is "a very democratic party".

Hardly - there's nothing they, or anyone else could say to break-up this "beautiful partnership".

My weekend away from politics

I finished work on Thursday evening, and I'm not due back in till Monday morning. THREE clear days away from politics - and it feels very weird. Adrenaline has kept me going since the dissolution - and since then, I've been working darn nearly every hour of every day.

If anyone has any good suggestions on how to relax and forget about work, post them this way.

In the meantime, I wanted to pop the briefest of posts up to assure readers that this blog has yet to go the way of many others. I am recovering from what has been an exhausting election campaign followed by a very strange post-election negotiation between the main parties.

If you're about tomorrow night at 9:30pm, flick over to Press TV on Sky Channel 515 where you can watch me being interviewed by the former Member for Bethnal Green and Bow, George Galloway. I enjoyed recording the interview, but at the risk of giving away too many trade secrets, we recorded the piece at 4pm on Tuesday.

If you cast your mind back, Gordon Brown didn't resign until 7:15pm on Tuesday, and David Cameron didn't return to Number 10 until 8:45pm - and so it was an interesting experience to review events that were yet to happen. I think we did what we needed to though.

Good night all.

The Cleggolition: What Condem MP's REALLY think

It has been a strange day in the Palace of Westminster, Tory and Liberal MP's were walking about the place, with mobile phone in hand, clearly waiting for a call from Number 10. For some that call came, and for others, like David Davis (not that David was likely expecting a call), it didn't.

Journalists, with the exception of Sunday journalists (who work to a slightly different schedule), were dead to the world today (this journalist included). The Press Gallery was like an old persons' care home with reporter after reporter shuffling about the place, sharing plans for their first weekend off for five weeks.

I bumped in to the former Lord Chancellor Jack Straw on my way to buy a much needed coffee... and like most of his former governmental colleagues, he was relieved rather than shell-shocked. It struck me how relaxed and happy he seemed - and I break no confidence here since he wrote about it in the Times today (and an excellent read it was too).

Anyway, back to those CONDEM MP's... the truth is that there were hardly any Lib Dems about the place, but I did speak with a couple. Most Liberals seem to embrace this "new politics" thing - but one particular person was a bitter as a pickled pepper and told me that s/he is planning to cross the floor after the State opening. We'll see!

Conservative Members are not so mixed in their views. Many are of course happy that the "Cleggolition" has got them in to Government, but even the biggest supporters of this "beautiful partnership" are deeply sus about it, and not ONE Tory MP (frontbench or backbench) told me they thought the Parliament will last more than two years. Again, we'll see!

The general feeling on the ground from members of all parties and journalists alike is that it will only be a matter of time before "Cleggy" and "cameron" fall out over who sleeps on which side of the bed!

Where have all the Lib Dems gone?

You'd think Labour MP's might be a little down-cast having been de-elected from Government, but I have spoken with so many of them who are virtually jumping for joy.

Gordon Brown apparently looks five years younger... and David Miliband looks about five years smugger. On Mr Miliband, I think he's probably the right man to reform the Labour party, but there is a very real feeling in the PLP that he chose the wrong time to announce that he was standing in the leadership contest. The clear belief is that his message sounded like he was thrilled that Gordon Brown's Labour party had been cast from power.

Meanwhile, "Liberal Democrat" MP's have been running for cover. There haven't been many about the Palace of Westminster since the Cleggolition took effect - and it's not because they've all got Ministerial jobs either!

If you haven't done so already, may I suggest you take a read of Jack Straw's bit in the Times today. It represents the feeling of most Labour MP's I have spoken with, and made me chuckle.

A tribute to Labour (Early hour-ramblings

It is 2:30am in the morning on Wednesday May 12th - but before I clock off for the night, I felt the urge to jot down a few thoughts.

May I pay the strongest, and most sincere tribute to Mr Gordon Brown, and actually also to Mr Nick Clegg and Prime Minister David Cameron.

Mr Brown is a good person. He has made many mistakes - as all us humans do on a regular basis. I could draw up a list of things that could perhaps have been handled differently - but nobody likes an arm-chair PM - and it would hardly be the constructive thing to do. I will however assure readers to this blog that Mr Brown has always struck me (as a journalist) as a genuine and caring man.

Mr Brown has rightly recognised the wishes of the electorate, and I feel that under Britain's current voting system, it would have been very wrong for him to have done otherwise, but his "goodbye" speech was very well delivered.

Labour have delivered more fairness through the tax credit system and have shown themselves to be big supporters of the NHS. Don't believe that you'll die of cancer for voting "the other lot in", but it is beyond doubt that Labour have improved prospects for NHS patients. I hope and believe that Mr Cameron will build upon Labour's excellent work in this regard.

In a message directed toward Mr Brown, and the Labour party, I note that Mr Brown described "a difficult media environment" in his resignation speech at Labour HQ. I am afraid that much of the tension between New Labour and the press, while possibly prompted by some less than friendly coverage in some publications to start with, had reached such levels due to rather aggressive attacks on the media by senior Labourites and by the promotion of anti-media feeling amongst party workers.

DON'T HATE THE MEDIA FOR HOLDING THE EXECUTIVE TO ACCOUNT! IT'S OUR FUNCTION! WE DO IT ON YOUR BEHALF!

I promise you that certain party-workers have given journalists an entirely unfriendly reception of late - ever since Labour's conference in Brighton in September indeed - and so I can entirely understand how some journalists may have gone further in their criticism of the party than ey otherwise would have.

It should also be noted that Labour have some excellent workers, and special recognition must go to Jo Green and Nicola Burdett. I should like to wish both of these workers the very best of luck for the future - and urge their colleagues to learn from them.

My advice to Labour (for what it is worth) is to take a breath, relax, enjoy opposition for a few months, then do what the tories did and fight to put your regenerated message to the public.

Your biggest danger (frankly) is to allow Miss Harperson to further damage relations between the press and the party during her time as caretaker leader. I look forward to Mr DAVID Miliband winning leadership and showing you how to keep the press on side without losing your message.

So in conclusion to my early-hours ramblings... though you (the electorate) may be fed up with Labour right now, you mustn't forget the valuable contributions they have made to Britain today.

I wish Mr Brown success post premiership, and I wish Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg well in their challenging journey ahead.

No informal agreemen with Tories or Labour says Lib Dem source

A senior Lib Dem source has told talkSPORT, on Lobby terms that discussions in this afternoon's meeting of Lib Dem MP's makes an informal 'confidence and supply' arrangement with any party unlikely.

The source admitted that the Libs have a stronger duty to do business with the tories first, because they have more seats and more votes than Labour - but that all options are on the table.

The Labour party are offering the Liberals more, s/he said, but the Libs are very aware that Labour are in a weaker position than the tories and are less likely to be able to deliver on their promises.

The likely demand, s/he said is that the Lib Dems would want to occupy Cabinet seats. "In for a penny, in for a pound". The senior Lib Dem said that a 'confidence and supply' arrangement could be broken any time, whereas if Liberals occupied Cabinet seats, they would have more chance of influencing policy.

The senior Liberal would not be drawn on how long negotiations may take and told me, "I can't tell you when the negotiating teams will meet again, because right now, I really don't know".

The source is solid - and we can take for a fact that there are differing opinions in the party.

It doesn't look like this is going to get resolved tonight!

I can tell you that there are a LOT of unhappy political hacks - raging on behalf of their readers, listeners and viewers.

MP's: Their very first day

This is my first General Election this side of the mic, and I have to tell you, there is a very strange atmos at the Commons today.

The Country is in high drama over the Lib / Con negotiations, which incidentally I feel will end up resulting in a confidence and supply plus arrangement - yet inside the House of Commons, new and returning Members hardly seem too bothered about any of this.

New Members are lining up to collect their passes, give the pay-branch their bank details and walking around the place like lost school children. Fortunately, there are plenty of friendly journalists taking down their mobile telephone numbers and promising to be bestist friends!

So not MUCH to report right now, but I do understand that one NEW Conservative MP has been a little loose lipped on the subject of Europe and has been dragged before the Chief Whip for his (or her) first bo*****ng.

I'll post more when I knoew more!

We need urgent resolution: STOP TRYING TO CHEAT DEMOCRACY!

I am just about recovering from my marathon election-night / next day coverage for my employers Talksport Radio.

I have been glued to Sky News all day, and glued too to my mobile telephone, on which I have been sending and receiving texts to and from senior politicians in each of the main parties.

The markets open tomorrow morning, and still we are no closer to an announcement as to which party will form the next Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

We all KNOW that David Cameron will end up forming the next government, whether a minority Tory government, or a Lib/Con pact - and we all know that Gordon Brown could not possibly do so - but sadly, Gordon brown doesn't appear to know this and is busily meeting with Cabinet colleagues and with the Lib Dem Leader.

Stop trying to CHEAT democracy!

It is frankly strange that a party that has polled 2 million more votes, and nearly 50 seats more than their runner-up should be needing to make a deal with a party with less than 25% of all votes cast, and with a reduced number of seats in this new Parliament.

I make no criticism of the Libs for entering in to negotiations, but I think all parties have a duty to conclude negotiations quickly. Frankly, tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, next week or the week after are not quick enough deadlines. Our financial position is in real danger of further decline.

So come on Dave, and come on Nick - this will be the ONLY chance the Libs have got to share power for a generation. So either make a deal or DON'T, but stop peeing about and let the public have the government they voted for.

Why the PM UNELECT must go NOW!

Good day to you all. Apologies for the lack of posts since Wednesday / Thursday time. As you will understand, I have been rather busy reporting on election events.

I should first like to clarify my position on why I think Mr Brown should make way for Prime Minister David Cameron.

A number of my twitter followers (those with a particular political axe to grind it has to be said), have, deliberately I suspect, chosen to take my tweets literally.

Firstly, let me address the pathetic attempts by political campaigners who defend the former PM's right to squat in Number 10 Downing Street. I am a Parliamentary Lobby Correspondent, so of course I understand fully the Constitutional position and actualities of who is Prime Minister, when, and when and how someone stops being Prime Minister. I also understand that we do not elect Prime Ministers, but rather political parties... but these are archaic conventions that mean absolutely nothing to the average man or woman on the street.

Secondly, let me pre-empt any suggestion that I am supporting the Tories by calling for Mr Brown to leave Downing Street. The Conservative party have failed to secure an overall majority in the Commons. This means that the public are not entirely convinced by their policies or their personalities, and further, it almost certainly means that whatever happens, we'll see another General Election within the year. David Cameron's party HAVE achieved MORE votes than any other party, and secured more seats in the Commons than any other party and therefore, they are the ONLY party with the moral right to field a Prime Minister.

Iit is theoretically possible that the Liberal Democrats could refuse to cooperate with the Tories and form a coalition with the Labour party, but whatever you may say about Nick Clegg, he is a decent chap and I am as sure as one can be that Mr Clegg would have nothing to do with any dodgy deal that would see the PM UNELECT to CHEAT the public out of democracy.

Now, I personally feel that Gordon Brown is a decent chap too, and he probably genuinely feels a duty to hold on at Number 10 until he is sure that either the Tories, or even the Labour party are in a position to form a stable government - but subconsciously, he is also desperate to hold on to power.

My advice to political watchers is not to get too excited by any of this speculation. There are many technical possibilities, but it is monstrously unthinkable that any party other than the one with the strongest mandate would rule.

Many people are worried that the Lib Dem Leader has spoken only of "the party with the strongest mandate" having "the first right to seek to govern". They suggest that the Lib Dems are trying to dishonestly create a get-out of supporting any Tory government by saying that the party with the strongest mandate tried, and failed to seek to govern, and so they'll support Labour in the National Interest.

Voters shouldn't worry about this scenario. Nick Clegg has spoken constantly about NOT propping up a Prime Minister whose party has no legitimacy to rule, and so if Nick Clegg supported Labour in these circumstances, it would make him a liar.

None of this is to say that the Libs will strike a deal with the Tories. They may, or they may not. They may merely support David Cameron's Queen's Speech and emergency budget, which would tick all the technical boxes that STRANGELY need ticking before democracy can be had.

So there are MANY possibilities as to what may or may not happen next, but I think we can write-off any possibility of Gordon Brown being PM at the State opening of Parliament on May 25th.

MY election night on talkSPORT

It seems hard to believe that this election campaign, which seems in some ways only to have been called yesterday, is over!

It's polling day, and every right-thinking person will be heading out to cast their votes.

Does this mean I think we have the perfect democratic system? NO it doesn't, but like Queensbury rules in boxing, we can only play within the rules that the game allows.

Final opinion polls indicate a hung parliament - but I for one am sincerely hoping that we do not have one. If we do, we'll have ANOTHER highly expensive, taxpayer funded election within the year.

I am heading in to talk towers for 5 ish to book out and test our sat gear. It's a highly expensive way of communicating for the purpose of radio broadcasting, but it does mean that we are quite mobile throughout the night, and could end up anywhere.

talkSPORT's excellent election night coverage is being headed by my colleagues Ian Collins and Adrian Goldberg. We'll be crossing to correspondents up and down the UK, and to yours truly in Westminster... so talkSPORT should keep you as informed as anyone, whilst adding that touch that only talkSPORT can deliver.

My evening will start on Westminster Bridge, where without shame, I intend to nab guests heading towards the ITV County Hall do, and guests heading on and off the BBC boat on London's South Bank.

My broadcast schedule means that I am highly unlikely to have the time to blog throughout the night - but for what it's worth, I'll absolutely be tweeting.

I'll personally be broadcasting throughout the night - and my last scheduled hit is 7:30am in the morning on talkSPORT's fine breakfast show.

The PLAN is to get my head down for a couple of hours and be back on the ball by 10am.

This is why I may be neglecting this blog... but keep your eye out for any blogposts that I may find time to deliver.

Above all, CAST YOUR VOTE, and enjoy our election night coverage!

DOUBLE STANDARDS: Broadcast Media GAGGED!

The law of the land, and broadcast rules as they stand prevents broadcasters from saying absolutely anything about politics throughout tomorrow.

By the letter of the rules and the law, this kicks in from the moment polls open, but many responsible broadcasters are applying the rules from midnight tonight.

We (the broadcast media) are allowed to say that an election is taking place. We can report turnout and we can report whether. Under no circumstances can we report any opinion poll or exit poll JUST IN CASE people are influenced by such things.

The print media, and incidentally, Sun Talk radio since they are regulated by the Press Complaints Commission rather than Ofcom), can and will make ANY political comment they like.

I'm saying nothing!

All election period rules end at 10pm when polls close!

LISTEN: Interviews with Nick Clegg, Gordon Brown & David Cameron

Click here to listen to compressed (low audio quality) interviews with the three biggest leaders.

The Nick Clegg interview was recorded for talkSPORT earlier today, Gordon Brown on Sunday, and David Cameron on Sunday.

Broadcast Quality Audio is available on request - and quotes may be used freely when crediting talkSPORT Radio.

The Nick Clegg interview will broadcast in quality on the Late Show with Ian Collins, on Talksport from 10pm.

LABOUR Press Conference

Labour have hit out at the Conservatives over their policies on child trust funds.

The First Secretary Lord Mandelson, Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Wee Bigmouth 'Dougy Alexander', Labour's General Election Co-ordinator held a press conference this afternoon at Labour HQ.

Just to remind ourselves of the Tory position, they take the view that anyone earning above £50,000 per year should not be receiving these child tax credits at the taxpayers expense. The Labour party say this would be simply unfair.

Importantly, Labour challenge Conservative policies, claiming that cuts would hit families earning £31,000 or more.

Lord Mandelson charged David Cameron with taking the electorate for granted and said that he believes two thirds of people actively fear tory "social divisions".

"David Cameron has swung around hopelessly on what he is saying about this vital family support". He said families are alarmed at Conservative proposals.

Then Wee Gobby Alexander took the mic and claimed that concern has emerged among voters about the tory plans to cut child tax credit for families earning over £50,000.

Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said that Labour have always boosted help for families and increased funding for childcare.

"The tories and the Liberal Democrats want to cut child tax credits" Cooper warned.

Laura Kunesberg grilled the three during the press Q&A and expressed concern that Labour policies would help some of the richest. It seems that she got too close to home, and so Lord Mandelson interjected and moved on to Sky News' Jon Craig.

Bob from the Mirror asked Peter Mandelson whether there was any truth to him attempting to install David Miliband as the next Labour party leader, - but Lord Mandelson reacted angrily saying that he REFUSES to engage because it's only printed in the Sun and the Telegraph - and that further, "they're playing games".

Gordon Brown: "THINGS WILL GET BETTER" - interview online now!

This is a transcript of my interview with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. We recorded it earlier today in Eltham, South East London. Due to editorial considerations, the interview will air (as below) after 10pm tomorrow, during the Late Show with Ian Collins. Please use freely when crediting talkSPORT Radio.

*** Starts ***

SD - Prime Minister, looking at the poll positions... how are you feeling in yourself? Can you still win this election?

GB - Lots of people have got to make up their mind, and the only poll that really matters is the poll on Thursday... And I think when people see that we are the party with the policies to secure the recovery, to make sure that jobs increase, to make sure that our health service, our policing and our schools are protected, and we've gone through a very difficult period, but people can see that things are improving as a result of the actions we're taking, and things will get better... And I think we are the party with the only serious programme for making sure that the recovery works, and people get the jobs of the future.

SD - From politics to personal attacks, some not very nice things have been said by people, and also by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight the other day. How does it feel when you're being attacked all the time? How does that make you feel inside?

GB (Laughing), Well I think Jeremy Paxman was being a bit eccentric in what he did. Look, this is a professional whatever you call it, vocation, where you're here because you want to do some good, and if you can't make a difference, you shouldn't be in it... And if that means you've got to take the slings of outrageous fortunes, whatever you call it, the arrow of outrageous fortunes, if that means that you've got to get criticism, there be it, but I think at the end of the day, people will say, well who made the big calls so we came out of the recession, Who made the big calls that sorted out people's savings when they were in danger, when the banks went down, and who is trying to move further in fighting every, every single day so that we get jobs in this economy, and so people feel more secure.... And who's going to fight for your health service, and fight for your policing, and fight for your schools? And that's me.

SD - If you will forgive the informality Prime Minister, moving away from Gordon the politician to Gordon the person, and away from policy - I'm just talking character here, what qualities do you feel you personally have, that makes you the right person to lead this country forward, and to be Britain's returning Prime Minister?

GB - I'm a fighter, I'm impatient. I want to do things for the people that er, represent... you know if you're rich and privileged, you can come through a recession because you've got the money to do so, but if you're part of the middle classes and on modest income, you need the Government working with you to make sure there are jobs, to make sure that there is a health service, to make sure that there is proper policing, to make sure that there are the schools that are necessary. So I'm fighting for the very people I come from, hard-working families who believe that they need a fair deal, they need fair rules and they need fair-play, and that's what I'm about. I want to ensure that hard-working families get the best, and that's what makes me get up in the morning, and that's what inspires me to work.

SD - That's the Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He wants your vote next Thursday May 6th, but that decision is yours.

*** ENDS ***

Please use freely when crediting talkSPORT Radio.

I personally felt he performed well. He was relaxed, and opened up just a tiny bit more than he has in previous interviews.

What do you think?

Check back here for Nick Clegg's Talksport interview on Tuesday.

My VERY Wet outing with the Prime Minister

This is me at Labour's morning event in Eltham in South London.

As you can see, it rained a little bit.

The Prime Minister kicked off his tornado tour of London (mainly the South East) by visiting a Safer Neighbourhoods Police Station in the South London Borough.

I understand that the PM's walk-about was slightly shortened due to the awful weather, but this event was certainly interesting for many reasons.

A major argument kicked off between my colleagues in the press busses, and the Labour press officers on scene. It has to be said that I wasn't involved in the argument, but it was a very strange thing to watch. Due to the pure number of events taking place, it was not possible for all the press to attend every event, and so bitter rivals, such as the Sun and the Mirror were being asked to attend different events and share their stories. As if!

There was also little notice of addresses and times, and so the Press Association had to pull a rabbit out of a hat and get reporters to all ten events at the click of a finger.

One particular journalist was VERY narked to have been removed from the Labour Party Operational Note list. Opt notes are adviseries sent out by parties so that journalists know what is going on, and so events are reported by the press. If this is true, then it's all very silly.

When the Prime Minister arrived, he was heckled by three ladies, and when he left, he was shouted at by a man WITH his young child. Not sure whether that sets a good example or not really!

Additionally, a couple of Tory supporters turned up waving posters with slogans printed on them.

So these were the noteworthy bits of today's visit - but personally, notwithstanding having got very wet indeed, I walked away happy, having interviewed the Prime Minister for Talksport Radio.

The PM's interview will air tonight after 10pm, and I shall either post the audio or transcript later this evening.

David Cameron Interview online now!

The Conservative Leader David Cameron dropped by the Key Marginal Constituency of Stevenage to visit the Lister Hospital earlier today. This is one of the areas the tories will need to win if they hope to turn the Commons Blue.

When Mr Cameron had finished visiting new Mothers in the state of the art maternity ward, Mr Cameron spent a few minutes on mic with yours truly.

The interview was conducted for talkSPORT. This is a transcript. Please use freely when crediting talkSPORT radio


SD - Mr Cameron, lets kick off on a health related issue, we are at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage after all, and ask you about your top-down targets. The Labour Party are saying that potentially under a Conservative Government, cancer patients wouldn't get the same quality of treatment that they get now.

DC - Well cancer patients under a Conservative Government would get a better deal, because we want to make sure cancer patients see specialist quickly, and sometimes, two weeks frankly is too long, but also we'd go further than that and say because we're not going to impose the national insurance increase, there'd be a £200,000,000 fund to make sure that patients get the cancer drugs they need. We've seen too many cases recently of people, you know, mortgaging their homes, borrowing money to get cancer drugs that their doctors want them to have. In a Conservative government, they would get those drugs. When it comes to treating cancer patients, it's not just about the first meeting with a Consultant, it's about the drugs you need, it's about the chemotheraphy, it's about the radiotherapy. It's making sure that everything happens to make sure you get the treatment you need, and we as a country do better than we do now, where are cancer outcomes are actually, you know amongst some of the worst in Europe, whereas they should be amongst the best in Europe.

SD - Moving away from health for the second, to the fortunes of the parties, the positions in the polls, the Times coming out for the Tories, the Guardian coming out for the Lib Dems. Do these sorts of things really make any difference?

DC - Well obviously it's great to have the support of a leading newspaper like the Times, a very authoratative newspaper, but in the end, what really matters is the millions of voters in Britain when they go to the polls on Thursday, and I think what the Conservatives are demonstrating is we've got momentum, because we've fought the most energetic campaign, the most positive campaign, and the key point I think to make is if people want change, if they want a new Prime Minister, a new team, a new government on Friday, rolling up it's sleeves and starting work, that's what the Conservatives can give. Labour is just more of the same. The Liberals are a vote for great uncertainty, and frankly flakiness. The Conservatives can get us moving.

SD - What has it been like for you on this election campaign? You're all over the country from dawn till dusk. I'm surprised you're still standing. How do you cope with it?

DC - Well I had a good night's sleep last night, I even managed to sleep in my own bed rather than in a hotel. I just find that you know, this is such an important election for our country, and the prospect of taking the country in a different and better direction is a huge tonic, and I've got bags of energy. I'm looking forward to these last five days of charging round the country, and really putting the case to people that this is the time to vote for the chance that the country needs, and so I've got loads of energy. The debates were important, but now we're in the last stage, and I think we come out of those debates with people looking very positively at what the Conservatives offer.

SD - If you'll forgive the informality, lets look at "Dave" the person. There is a chance that next Friday, you could be Prime Minister of this country, and nobody would assume you were prejudging the voters in telling us how that makes you feel personally. Are you excited? How do you feel? What sort of thoughts run through your head at night?

DC - Well it's not about me, it's about the country. I just think the country needs change. We've been stuck in a rut with this Labour government for thirteen years. and I think that I've got the team behind me. I think I've got the judgement and the leadership and the values to take the country in the direction it needs to go. Of course this is a daunting prospect, and we face some difficult decisions, and the point I would make is this, is that I really want people to know that although we may have to take difficult decisions, we will always make sure that we help the frail, the vulnerable, the elderly, those who are the poorest in our society. I want people to know that I will not leave those people behind, that we've got to change in this country, we've got to do better, but you judge a society by how you look after the weakest and the most vulnerable. That is who I am. That's what any government I lead would be like - and I want people to know that, because it's really vital that we're all in this together.

SD - Well that's David Cameron speaking in Stevenage. He'd like to be Prime Minister, but the decision... is yours!

A political bet worth making! 7-1 odds

Ladbrokes the Bookmakers are offering 7-1 on the tories achieving 350 - 374 seats.



In other words, an overall Tory majority of more than 25 and less than 50.

The polls DEFINITELY indicate that we're headed for a hung Parliament with the Tories bagging more seats than any other party, but I am still convinced that there are many people out there who will say one thing to a polling company, and another when in private.

The odds of an overall Tory majority are 5-4, so it's simply just not worth placing this bet - not when statistically a hung Parliament is apparently the most likely option.

Unlike every other political bet I've ever had, I don't think that it's a cert that the tories will achieve 350 - 374 seats - but at 7 - 1, it's worth having £10 because it's a VERY achievable outcome by my reading.

In fact, I think I'm probably going to have another £50 on it.

I should just like to put a little health warning at this point to say only bet what you can afford to lose - and in the interests of political neutrality, I'm not backingg any one party over another. I'm just sharing a professional view of what COULD happen.

I certainly wouldn't have any more than £100 on it anyway!