What the Brownite bunglers are up to today
James Forsyth 10:28am
Fraser explains the absence of Douglas Alexander and Ed Balls from the airwaves in the past week in this week’s cover story and today brings further news on what this dynamic duo are up to. Alexander has pulled out of Question Time tonight, begging the question of what should replace him. (Iain Dale has a list of the questions that Douglas might not have been 
too keen to answer). While Ed Balls will not be facing the media today but playing Santa Claus at a No. 11 Christmas party, Ben Brogan reports. Ben also reveals that Balls owns his own full Santa outfit. Considering the way this government is going it is good to know that Balls has an alternative form of employment lined up.
Previous
Comments
Dave Bartlett
December 6th, 2007 11:59am'Brown-ie' bunglers, not 'brown-ite'. Don't confuse them with grown-ups :-)
Tiberius
December 6th, 2007 12:24pmAfter the roasting of New Labour that David Starkey produced when he and Douglas Alexander were on together, I'd be surprised if Dougie ever recovered to face the pressure of QT again. But his position is so compromised by his sister at the moment it really is no wonder he's hiding. Such action is no doubt characterized as courage in NuLab speak.
Nicholas Millman
December 6th, 2007 2:47pmBut where is the donated money? In response to requests to confirm confiscation of the impermissible donations the Electoral Commission has replied:
"Dear Mr Millman,
Thank you for your email. The Electoral Commission announced on 29 November that it was referring matters to the Metropolitan Police. The Electoral Commission is not making any further comment at this stage.
Regards,
Vera Markos
Head of Strategy and
Secretary to the Commission
The Electoral Commission
Trevelyan House
Great Peter Street
London SW1P 2HW
Tel: 020 7271 0681
Fax: 020 7271 0528
Textphone: 18001 020 7271 0681
www.electoralcommission.org.uk
www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Democracy matters"
Does it indeed? Well, in view of the fact that this money, wherever it is, will be earning considerable amounts of interest, the public has a right to know where it is, what will happen to it and when. The Electoral Commissions refusal to comment on the disposal of the money is at odds with Section 4) of the regulations which state:
"An order may be made under this section whether or not proceedings are brought against any person for an offence connected with the donation."
It seems, however, that everyone is trying to bury this story, including those who are supposed to be restoring confidence in the integrity of government and the public bodies charged with monitoring this. This is scandal on an unprecedented scale.
MTK
December 6th, 2007 2:58pmSorry James, it's pedantry time again. Dougie's action "raises" a question, it does not "beg" one. To beg a question is to presuppose an answer.
Max Kaye
December 6th, 2007 3:53pmI find it ironic that wee Dougie now finds himself in the role of 'my sister's keeper'.