Can the Internet turn Dan Hannan's skewering of Brown into a story?

Rhoda Klapp

It's on Drudge. That will mean lots of views, from people who don't ahve much connection to the story. I'm aware of no exposure on TV or print so far. If the net can drive this, shame on the media for not noticing it themselves, honourable exception right here.

Tech Support

YouTube's counter lags by approx. 24 hours, so his views are going to be way higher than the 25 thousand showing so far. 3/4 million is the UK record for a political video - Held by Gordon Brown - it shows him picking his nose on the front bench.

TomTom

Daniel Hannan was clear, punchy and very effective - why can't Osborne be as effective instead of long-winded ?

Cameron too talks too much - says too little of substance - Hannan was superb

Kiffa

Daniel my man, you ROCK!

Telling him exactly like it is: I think it was called 'opposition', once.

Notquitegaberiel

This is a cracking speech, concise, understandable, and honest. Three things many people feel are missing from politics today. The speech deserved to be shown in its entirety, but not even a soundbite was taken by the main news channels.

Bearing in mind the small percentage of the population who follow the blogs this video has had a phenomenal level of interest as much for the level of bias it highlights in BBC reporting as for its content. Hopefully this is one of the issues that Guido could bring up on Daily Politics tomorrow. Not an ideal platform but better than nothing.

Peter Wilson

It's on the front page of the drudge report, so here's hoping

http://www.drudgereport.com/

john miller

Well, its got top billing on Drudge and if you read the stats posted by one of Guido's commenters, its doing pretty well on YouTube.

But it won't make it into the MSM.

Sarkis Zeronian

Surely the next stage is to demand, as this blogger suggests (http://theorator2009.blogspot.com/2009/03/daniel-hannan-mep-for-question-time.html), that Dan be invited to sit on the Question Time panel.

John MacLeod

Done my bit - put Dan Hannan's brilliant demolition on my Bebo page, where it is already winning hits. And thanks for keeping the ghastly Theo Hobson's banalities off The Spectator Coffee House main site; it is gratifying to know that one's work is read.

Steve.W

The best bit is the one second cameo appearance put in by Gordon Brown. Perhaps unused to being criticised in such a direct and accurate manner Brown seems to be unable to cope. He is seen writing and grinning as a way of showing he is neither annoyed or embarrassed. Which he clearly is. Roll on the G20?

Wily Trout

At 3 pm it's over 36,000 hits

Kevyn Bodman

It was a very good speech; but thank you James for saying that 'Tory MEP attacks Labour Prime Minister is a dog bites man story'.
Many commenters on these pages think that because it was good speech which they liked very much it is newsworthy.
It isn't for the MSM, and never would be, and that in itself is not a sign of bias.
Now, how about Nigel Farage's speech where he skewered Brown about the broken pledge on the referendum for the Constitution (of course, the Lisbon Treaty is not a constitution, says HMG.)
That's not MSM stuff either, but I think CoffeeHouse might have something to say about it.

golfwidow

Don't hold your breath on the MSM front. Believing Andrew Neil to be one of the less sycophantic journalists, I sent an email to the Daily Politics, challenging them to buck the trend and show it. I guess I'll wait a long time.

TrevorsDen

"it won't make it into the MSM"

its already on the Telegraph website.

But the anti Cameron usual suspects should not get carried away. Ypou cannot even say 'phoney' in Parliament.

Hannan is saying nothing which Tories have not said before - the difference here was that EU circumstances allowed someone to say it to Browns face. And in a benign environment which meant he could not be interrupted.

Who manoeuvred Brown into this spot - I hope he has a tin helmet?

Tom M

The best thing about this speech is the number of killer lines, of the kind we've come not to expect from the Tory front bench.
Take your pick from any of the following:
"The truth, prime minister, is that you have run out of our money."
"The country as a whole is now in negative equity."
"Every british child is born owing around £20,000. Servicing the interest on that debt is going to cost more than educating the child."
"You cannot spend your way out of recession, or borrow your way out of debt."
"The devalued prime minister of a devalued government."

Simple, clear, easy to understand, hard to refute - great examples of attack politics. It will be criminal if the Tory party front bench doesn't pick up at least some of these.

Anand

Closing in on 40K views and the number one News and Politics video viewed today!

Its gathering momentum and even positive comments from across the pond in the land of the 'free'!

Sally Chatterjee

I agree with the others, this was an excellent speech, concise and articulate. Why aren't we hearing such simple yet powerful speeches from Osborne and Cameron, these two seem too shrill at times.

BaghdadBlue

Is the text of Hannan's speech anywhere? I can't get video on the system in my office.

CS

Why do you give a link to Brown's speech on Youtbe but not Hannan's?

John H

I cannot recall being as moved by a politician for quite some time as I was by Hannan's speech.

To use the modern vernacular, he absolutely 'bitch slapped' Brown with a performance of lucidity, honesty, fact and controlled aggression.

The look on Brown's face, despite his appalling acting and false smile, is one of unbridles terror.

The best expression though has to be Hannan's as he wraps up and sits down with a look of total contempt shot at Incapability Brown.

As close to perfection as I have seen in a long time.

Hannibal

Kevyn Bodman,

The BBC saw fit, via Europe Editor Mark Mardell, to reveal that a Socialist MEP who wasn't even British thought Brown "brilliant" and "courageous". Why is that a more valid MSM story than the fact a British MEP criticised him?

Anand

Telegraph website has the Hannan speech video on its front page via telegraphTV!

Its spreading

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

jgfox

As an American, I was electrified by his speech!

Why don't we have orators and statesman link Hannan in the US.

I passed it on to all my friends as a great Oration with a message also for Americans.

DB

Will the Today programme dare to mention the Hannan video? Its own fake viral effort has been up on YouTube for more than two weeks, has received numerous plugs on the show, and yet still only has 52,000 views. It would be somewhat embarrassing to admit that a news item the BBC had ignored was now an internet sensation which pissed all over its flagship news programme's attempts at publicity.

Thomas Rai

Transcript: http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2009/03/25/british-mep-daniel-hannen-transcript-of-his-attack-on-gordon-brown.html

biggestaspidistra

Well 'man bites dog' made the main stream media in the US if not in the UK. I think it will follow here tomorrow, now Jade has found peace.

here is the text in USnews:

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2009/03/25/british-mep-daniel-hannen-transcript-of-his-attack-on-gordon-brown.html

Simon Denis

The way the Beeb blanks bad news for the government is a continued scandal. Had the boot been on the other foot; had Mr Major or Mrs Thatcher been successfully attacked in the European parliament, do you think for one second that the Beeb would have ignored it? They'd have published in full; broadcast it day and night; stretched it further by citation in some discussion of political oratory. And then it would have been lovingly embalmed in the cellars of Broadcasting House as a "pivotal moment" in the fall or at least the wounding of a Tory PM. Compare, as they say, and contrast. This by any standards was a magnificent speech; a masterpiece of concision and sequencing; one point led to another on an ascending scale of accusation and all with the most scrupulous finesse of manner. In its fear of the right, the Beeb deviates ever more sharply from neutral reportage.

HJ

I thought that Daniel Hanna was excellent. However, he did make one highly questionable statement:

"Every british child is born owing around £20,000. Servicing the interest on that debt is going to cost more than educating the child."

The interest on £20,000 is not going to cost more than educating the child. Even at 5% interest, it costs only around £1,000 p.a. to service the interest. Of course, the real damage and debt from Brown's incompetence is much greater than just £20,000 per child...

Sarkis Zeronian

Baghdad Blue,

From an American news website! The transcript:

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2009/03/25/british-mep-daniel-hannen-transcript-of-his-attack-on-gordon-brown.html

strapworld

trevors den. For goodnesss sake. Please give me chapter and verse where your hero, Cameron, has given a speech to Brown or at Brown with anything like the effect that Hannan's speech has had.

That he has galvanised so much support. That so many people have viewed his speech is testimony alone that it was unique!

Not one politician in Westminster has laid a glove on Brown to the effect that Hannan has had.

Instead of knocking Hannan, which you are doing, you should be thanking your lucky stars that your party has such an articulate orator has him in its ranks.

Cameron should get him into Westminster asap. Instead of playing juvenile games like promising to raise the inheritance tax. Clarke was right the tories can only have aspirations- you cannot promise anything until you know the state of the books.

Hannan proved we have a young man who can lead! Cameron has yet to prove to me that he has the ability to lead. Osborne is as much use as a wet lettuce!

Tom Pride

* * * * *
BaghdadBlue
March 25th, 2009 4:09pm

Is the text of Hannan's speech anywhere? I can't get video on the system in my office.
* * * * *

Strapworld kindly transcribed it in the comments at :

http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/3469996/home-and-away.thtml#comments

strapworld: March 24th, 2009 9:19pm

Daniel Hannan MEP:
The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued Government!

Rhoda Klapp

Numerous calls on Mark Mardell's BBC euroblog to report the speech, but no response at all. He won't even turn up to give a reason. BBC scum.

Jon

Can I encourage everyone who can be bothered to get into contact with editing team of all the major newspapers, and draw their attention to Hannan's speech?

Also to add comments to their blogs
etc.

The more the public see of Brown/Labour being brought to account in this way the better

We must make it our objective to get this into the MSM asap.

Verity

CS - The link to Hannan's speech was given yesterday, six or seven threads down. http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/3469996/home-and-away.thtml

Hereford

Just complained to the BBC about lack of coverage of this speech. I encourage everyone to do the same. Eventually they will have to cover it.

Ray

A wonderful example of a crisp and concise use of three and a half minutes to land some absolutely killer blows.

James

I think this story WILL break out. Tonight, I've been asked to appear on a Christian talk radio show in St Louis, Missouri. What's the main thing they want to talk to me about? Dan Hannan's speech...

Thomas Cussans

79,000 Youtube views and counting.

To say that Hannan has brilliantly, memorably touched a nerve is to do no more than state the obvious.

Pete

It's now 5.30 and nearly 80,000 hits!

BrianOfBritain

79,000 views now. Lots of interest from the USA, judging by the comments.

Jim

The MSM media is not as important as it used to be though. The good point about the blatant BBC bias is that it destroys their own credibility., day by day.
The gatekeepers are losing their power, the next election should give a better idea of how far this process has gone.

Hamish Monro

Dan Hannan is superb - yet again! Why can't the Westminster politicians do the same? Brown is as Clarkeson described but the current Shadow front bench do not pull their weight. Their are not even brave enough to tackle the EU 'elephant in the room' D H for PM!

Verity

Nigel Farage also punched the living daylights out of a gurning, pretend note-taking Brown in Brussels. It's linked somewhere on this site but I can't remember the thread. But it's boffo.

How encouraging that they're paying such attention to Hannan's speech stateside!

Rhoda Klapp

Mardell still hasn't responded, but he is running a story where a tory MEP criticises Cameron for leaving the EPP, as promised. Surely a double standard? Perish the thought that the BBC would do such a thing. Probably an accident. Or a reasonable editorial decision based on data which is not available to the great unwashed. Or we green-inkers.

TGF UKIP

Toss up, who will be "seething" most, Gordon or Dave, at Hannan's tour de force.

Dave, in all probability.

Bit like the captain of a cricket team who's supposed to be an ace batsman but in reality can rarely ever scrape into double figures, when along comes a number 11 who scores an easy century off the same bowling.

Expect heavy anonymous briefing against Hannan over the next few weeks - and not from Labour!

Thomas Rai

It must be way over 80,000 hits by now, obviously a problem with the counter. Its been stuck on 79,347 for a couple of hours now despite it top of YouTube's 'most viewed'.

quadratus

HJ:1639
How about trying compound interest,because that is the appropriate page.

Will

More of a man bites dog story.

stark

BaghdadBlue

Try eureferendum.blogspot.com

Athesius the Facilitator

It's no good moaning about Cameron not making killer blows, he is constrained by the protocols of the "establishment"
and Ozzy Osbourne is being usurped by Vincenzo Cabballerio. Somebody should tell the BBC that Peter Lilley and Gillian Shepherd beat Vince on the banking thing'y by several years.

Hannans speech was superb (but he did have the platform) I loved it and Nigel Farrage's was just as enjoyable.

Stepney

19:04 and 167,000 hits. Doubled in 2 hours. American coffee-breaks.

Gone viral - received it three times today.

Mainstream media? WTF do they know?

Robtro

POW 167,779 hits!

Pete

Just under 168,000 at 7.30

David

now 167,000 youtube views!!!

Trixy

Mark Mardell was not in the chamber when Farage and then Hannan made their speeches. He was giving an interview to News Channel when they were on, talking about the reaction to Brown's speech.

Given that Farage was the first opposition MEP to speak and Hannan, sitting in the non attached, was the only Tory to speak (the only other Brit was Toady Watson who leads the Liberals) I would have thought it would have been worth the Europe Editor's time staying in the chamber for those extra 6 minutes.

Alf Tupper

Jacket, shirt and tie all top notch. Where can I buy these?

Verity

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

DAN da man

Dan Hannan has gone global. A soundbite from the speech was played on the Rush Limbaugh radio show earlier today in the US, with the immensely popular and influential host telling listeners in the states "The Republican party over here can learn a lot from the boldness of this man!" Great job and lets hear more of it!!

Moraymint

His speaking style is a bit camp; but I like him (a lot). Can we make him, say, next in line to the throne? He could then dissolve Parliament and we could get going from a clean start. Just a thought.

Alan

This is terrific for America! That is, if enough smart Americans begin to get it and put a stop to the systematic destruction of the US economy.

Not only is California a "fortune teller" (or bankruptcy forecaster) for America, Britain is now showing us what is in store for the US in the near future if we don't stop spending like drunken sailors.

California is 50 billion in debt due to a "big government will take care of everybody including millions of illegal immigrants" policy. Fed up taxpayers are leaving California in droves! The poor can't leave because they're too dependent on California's generous welfare benefits - which California can no longer afford. California will soon become America's first banana republic - or should I call it a banana socialist state.

What's happening in Britain could easily happen in the US within a decade if fiscal conservatives can't turn things around. Inflation (thanks to flooding the country with fiat money) will destroy the middle class. People on fixed incomes will soon be raiding trash cans for food to bring to their homes, which will consist of large cardboard boxes just off the highways.

Dirty Euro

I thought people in America did not know who the PM was? How can they know about someone who is attacking someone they don't know?
So all this rubbish by americans that they don't know who our PM is, was a con trick.

Alan

Over 260,000 views on YouTube. It's a big hit with conservatives in the US. Hannan was also interviewed on Fox News by Glenn Beck on his show. I'm sure all the responsible (anti-socialist) political TV and radio shows will air the speech.

Fearless Frank

No mention that I could detect of Dan Hannan speech on The World Tonight (Radio 4, just now).
Nor of King's tryst with the Queen...

Chris

I'm interested in politics again

Alan

Believe me, Dirty Euro, it doesn't take a reasonably intelligent American long to decipher what's going on over there. We don't have to know the names. We understand the problems and the primary causes. We're also experiencing them.

Obama, a liberal Democrat (big spender) was elected because too many uneducated US citizens didn't realize he couldn't possibly pay for all the expensive programs he promised during his campaign. Let's face it, too many US citizens suck at math!

Perhaps what's going on in Europe will smarten up enough idiots over here to turn the tide in 2010 - the year we elect ALL our representatives in the House, some Senators and some state governors. If we don't act soon, we'll become a banana republic with nukes. Perhaps Iran and Korea will purchase enough nukes from us to feed those brave enough to remain in the US in the near future.

Maria J

You say:

"If Hannan's speech was to become an internet sensation, hitting, say, the million views mark"

and yet the Youtube views counter has been stuck at 260,000 views for hours and print deadlines approaching.

Even if the mainstream media felt obliged to write something they will not be able to reflect the real popularity of the speech. Hmmm.... do I believe in conspiracies? Answer = in this case YES!

Frank P

He was interviewed by both Neil Cavuto and Glenn Beck on Fox in quick succession tonight; still nothing from either the Beeb or Sky News.

The suppression of this withering and articulate attack on Brown by a British MEP, to Brown's face, with Brown grinning like a tortured maniac, is nothing short of sinister. WTF is going on here? Who has the power to put a D notice on this event? Are they all waiting until somebody cracks; are they all checking on Hannan's pedigree? Will the story become a full frontal attack on Hannan? Has he any skeleton's in his own cupboard? Eerie! This should be headline news in Britain, not in the USA.

James M.

It's now up to 316,779.

What's interesting is that it's not just people having a quick look and then moving on, there is also furious discussion going on in the comments section. It's hit a nerve with a lot of American viewers who are now spreading the link across the US.

Currently there are 2,858 comments and 2,638 maximum 5-star ratings.

If you look at the Statistic and Data link, you'll see the whole raft of countries where it has become the number one watched, rated and discucced video.

RayD

Just saw it on Fox, terrific!

Jon

Views: 417,032

Story hits MSM ........ in America

Trumpeter Lanfried

Ten column inches on page 4 of the Telegraph this morning.

Trumpeter Lanfried

Correction: 19 column inches in the Telegraph, including the full text of the speech.

notquitegabriel

5769001 views at 7 this morning for those with dodgy hit counters.

ralph perry robinson

576,901 at 7.13am on St Ludger's day.

Baghdad Blue

Zarkis, Strrapworld, Stark
Many thanks.

David

It's now 576,000!!!

mac

There just isn't time to include such a trivial matter on the Today programme, and certainly not when weighty matters like small meteorites and "pet sizeometers" need earnest discussion.

sebastian

Superb! Saw it; admired it; downloaded it. It was like watching a man deflate, with purposeful stomps, a sullen li-lo.

Alexandrovich

I think this infatuation may be tempered somewhat when you listen to his speech about Turkey's entry to the European Union.

Taxfodder

Not taking it away from Dan, but G.Brown is not exactly the hardest target to hit especially when he is a captured audience.

What really surprises me is why the Tories tolerate newsworthy stories like Dan's speech not making National TV.

Or is the BBC and others (MSN) more akin to the club hostess that goes down on the club management whenever and whoever they might be at the time.

So are we to expect more of the same dumming down if the Tories win the next election?

Emma

transcript:

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2009/03/25/british-mep-daniel-hannen-transcript-of-his-attack-on-gordon-brown.html

F0ul

Maybe its time to use the social media of the moment - Twitter.

It should at least get a few more people aware of the truth of MSM bias!

se1man

I'm not sure that becoming the poster boy of the likes of Neil Cavuto on Fox News is going to help get Hannan aired/discussed on the BBC.

Fox News is seen (by BBC drones and Guardianistas) as a right wing reactionary neo-con pulpit.

If their editors glance across the Atlantic and see Hannan being hoisted onto pedestals at Fox, I think it makes it an easier decision for them: this is a cranky right wing story and not for us.

"Move along now, nothing to see here... let's get back to flying around the world with The Great Unelected Leader."

Notquitegabriel

and it is finally acknowledged by the BBC (Andrew Neil atleast). Although I suppose with the Daily Politics guests today they had to realise that it would be impossible to bruush this under the carpet.

RayD

I don't know about everybody else, but a fairly obvious tory tax cut seems to be presenting itself. Hands up everybody who wants to carry on giving the BBC 139.50 a year. Not many, is it?

Let's privatise the buggers.

Michael Taylor

Nearly 700,000 now, and still rising.
Silence from the Ministry of Truth.

Gunner

If Hannan's speech was to become an internet sensation, hitting, say, the million views mark, then the media would be likely to cover that as a story in and of itself.

Well it currently rests at 680,000 plus. I would say a million hits by the end of the week is a proper guess.

Robert Burntwing

I have put a complaint into the BBC trust for not covering this story.

Paul B

BBC have covered it now- on DP with Guido & Dolly.

Dave Evans

Gunner.

It's over 730,000 now.

I wouldn't mind betting the million before the end of the day!

Dave Evans

Neil Weaver

When are you tories going to realise, the rubbish you are spouting alright Brown and Labour arn't top of my voting list. But the truth, had you been in charge their is a good chance the mess would be bigger because you are greedy and selffish, secondly you would
have blamed, the ordinary working man for your sins.

Steve.W

Neil Weaver, I am an ordinary working man, have another try.

se1man

1 million.

Allan Vincent

As usual, Sky news has finally covered it> Only because in the newspaper round up, they had a columist for The telegraph. Also, what has happened to the Sky straw polls? These used to buck the trend for all the usual polls, and seemed a lot more accurate reflection on what was the state of Labour support! I think they were stopped because they did not reflect the views of the editorial team bias! This Hannan speech, (bitch slap!!) would have caused the biggest response in history, and shown the true depths to which McBrown has plunged!

mrs c cleghorn

well done more mps needed like him can we have more truth instead of lying governments

Janet M.

Hannan speech was sensational.

Shame on the BBC.

Barbara

Daniel Hannan's speech should have been the first thing on the news today. Our media is very well controlled to sieve out bad news.
I felt so relieved to hear Mr Hannan speak for us all, it was positively therapeutic! Now, go Mr Brown - just go and take your cheating MPs with you.

Terry

Fantastic. Someone is finally telling the emperor about his wardrobe!

Robert

This upstart Hannan started in America you know (South to be exact), this is also where the recession started. All my troubles seem to start from there, I suppose its too much to hope this one doesn't go Global.
GB.

C Hilton

It's late Friday night and Mr Hannan's speech has received well over a million hits on You Tube and much comment elsewhere. Interestingly, there is no mention or link to the Hannan speech on the front page of the BBC news website. However, there is a not very obvious and easily missed link to the story on the England page. I think the BBC have been caught with their trousers down and they are refusing to accept the fact.

Christopher G. Adamo

Hearing Mr. Hannan as an American, I am filled with admiration for him, and hopes for his future successes, which will redound as successes to England and all of the world. We in America need people of this eloquence and courage.

Pat Kelly

On seeing Hannan's wondrous speech I felt the thrill that I used to have when listening to tapes of Churchill's speeches when I was a little girl. That man has to come back from Europe and help us here in Britain. We need someone with guts, oratory skills, common sense and decency.

Mackenzie Andersen

Daniel's Hannan's speech is played on Fox news in America. Hannity immediately interviewed him and will be doing a second interview tomorrow. The beauty of Hannan's speech is that it was spontaneous and yet elegantly clear and focused. The only way one can have such spontaneous clarity is as a result of an integral understanding. Many American's share Hannan's views. He is a refreshing change to the monotony of our teleprompter president, who always seems to put his foot in his mouth when he speaks spontaneously.

When Hannen was interviewed on Hannity he said, the one thing he would like to get across to this country is "Please don't go down the road to socialized medicine". I only hope our congress is listening. Since Obama was elected and Democrats control congress, we are being assaulted with socialistic programs by the handful every day. I think it is meant to overwhelm us with too much too fast so that we can't deal with it. Fortunately we are already seeing some Democrat's opposing Obama's agenda. I hope this movement increases quickly enough to stop Obama. His programs are unconstitutional and many states have sovereignty resolutions under considerations because the Obama administration is illegally usurping power that belongs to the states.