The slow erosion of government

Faceless Bureaucrat

Interesting question being posed elsewhere in the blogosphere - i.e. Why would the Treasurer of Croydon Labour Party disguise a donation to an internal Lab election? Where did the money come from and just whose money is it?...

Trumpeter Lanfried

I think we'd better hold our horses on this one until about 11.30 tomorrow morning when the Electoral Commission finishes its coffee break and returns to work. According to Johnson, he did register, and can prove it, but the Electoral Commission lost the details. Sounds improbable, but if true he is off the hook.

TGF UKIP

There is one huge difference between what happened to the Major Government and what Brown's lot face now. Poor old Major faced a ferocious, serious, professional Opposition hungry for power who attacked his Government like a pack of hyenas. Brown on the other hand has Dave and his limp-wristed gang. "Tory sleaze and Tory lies" were jumped on spun and twisted and rammed down the public consciousness. Labour sleaze and Labour lies are being allowed to slide by, barely registering outside the broadsheets. No wonder the gap in the polls is still so close.

Tiberius

Ar'noon, TGF: I take it you didn't see George Osborn's response to Darling in the Commons last week? But, like Fraser in this week's magazine, you make a fair point. There does have to come a time when the Tories up the ante, and demonstrate that they are an attractive alternative government. But there are potential unintended consequences of kicking Brown too hard when he's already on the floor. I posted a reference to a Janet Daley article in the DT on this subject a few weeks ago. Young Tory toffs bullying a defenceless leaden figure flailing around for political survival is a sentiment that some commentators would be glad to use to try and put potential Tory voters off the Opposition hierarchy.

Max Kaye

TGF, you must also consider that virtually all the MSM were against Major. This built-in media bias for Labour remains in place even today - when we can all witness for ourselves the lying and incompetent arrogance that is the Brown government.

TGF UKIP

Tiberius, as Caligula's grandad I would have thought you of all people would have been only too well aware of the peoples lust for public bloodsport. All this squeamishness must have Gordon laughing his wotsit off. This is a battle for power and people admire strength and the will to win. Blair/Brown/Mandelson/Campbell knew this and consequently they tore Major etc to pieces. Did the public evisceration of nice guy JM do Labour any damage? Just what was their majority in 97? One of the reasons why Gordon and his gang are still so confident is that they don't believe that Dave and his fey gang of part-timers are really up for the raw, bare knuckle streetfight they plan for 09/10. BTW, on more serious matters - Wolves v L'pool in the next round? If Benitez is still in charge I'll be putting some money on your team.

Tiberius

Max has answered your politics points, TGF. As for the footy; we have hit 7 goals in two away games, so bring on the Reds! Bit of a heart flutter for you yesterday, eh!

MatthewL

Re 1997; it was the Beeb what won it.

TGF UKIP

Tiberius and Max Kaye, I fully accept and agree with Max's very valid point. The Tories cannot, for that reason leave the destruction of Brown and his gang to the media. They need to be the attack dogs. Picture what the attacks would be like if the roles were reversed and the Tories were the Government and Labour the Opposition. Imagine what the attack rhetoric would be like then and you would have where the Tories need to go now.

Nicholas Millman

I find myself agreeing with TGF. The Tories are not aggressive enough in opposition. To be fair they do not have the same propaganda machine available to them. The BBC over report Labour spin and under report on the Tories. Also there is the socialist back block. Those people who are stubbornly anti-Tory rather than pro-Labour and will remain so regardless of how far the latter betrays their ideals or leads this country to doom. Having said that I guess many in the BBC must fall into that category. If ever there were a time for a united opposition it is now but I fear the opposition factions will remain divided and bickering to the great satisfaction of Chairman Brown.

Max Kaye

TGF, Tiberius was Caligula's great uncle, not grandfather. (tut tut ;-)

I agree with you that the Tories need to be more aggressive. Knock them down and then kick them hard. We do want blood on the carpet - and to hell with the niceties.