Prescott lashes out
Peter Hoskin 9:53am
Another post, another interview with a Labour figure. This time it's John Prescott's conversation with Michael Savage in the Independent. Prescott puts in a fiery performance, and lashes out at almost everyone and everything within his party. I've pulled out some of his attacks below, for the benefit of CoffeeHousers:
Prescott's overall message is that Labour should get on with campaigning, and take the fight to the Tories. But, reading this interview, it's hard not to see it as indicative of the fin de siècle mood that has overtaken Labour.On the Labour Party: "There is no direction in campaigning – we are drifting .... So there's a feeling in the party that, somehow, we're not getting a grip on it. There is something lacking."On Harriet Harman: "If I was being honest about it, I think too much of [her] emphasis has been on female rights..."
On Labour's campaign organisers: "Those who have responsibility for campaigning – it is not reaching out to the depths of the party .... I don't believe, neither will I accept, it is simply about money. We've got a whole bank of MPs who should be out there, doing that job."
On the absence of leadership: "I worry somehow that we've been in a 15-round fight. We're just losing the other rounds when we shouldn't and it's almost getting to the stage where we have to win with a knock-out. There's got to be leadership and there's got to be a message. If we don't get that, then we won't get the knock-out punch in the last round. And we are in the last round."
On "defeatist" MPs: "We've got a whole bank of MPs, but everybody seems despondent. There's too much defeatist thinking."
On Labour's current crop of strategists: "We would have a reply within minutes of a story coming out. Alastair [Campbell] had a good smell for that. These people were exceptional. I don't think the same talent is around today."
On the government's overall vision: "We've got individual ministers saying things about their departments, but there's no overall message."
On James Purnell and Jon Crudass: "They're a bloody party of whiners, when what we want is a party of campaigners."
Previous
Toulouse Latrack
September 26th, 2009 10:07am Report this commentTwo loos Prezza plays hard and loose with the facts.
THX1138
September 26th, 2009 10:23am Report this commentPrescott almost makes me want to vote Labour again, almost.. He reminds me in a deeply tribal way why deep down in political socks I still hate the Tories.
Still going to vote for Dave though, just Dave not the rest of them.
Silent Hunter
September 26th, 2009 10:45am Report this commentOn the Labour Party : "There is something lacking"
Yes!
It's called H O N E S T Y.
On HarpyHarman: "too much emphasis on female rights"
This from the man who shagged his secretary - did he think about his 'wifes rights'?
On Labour Campaign organisers: "not reaching out to the depths of the party"
It's not the campaign organisers fault - they just can't find anyone at grass roots level who are willing to go out onto the doorstep and take dogs abuse for what Labour MP's have done.
On the absence of leadrship: "I worry..."
So you should, but then, you bozo's appointed Gordon without a fight and look where that decision has got you.
On "defeatist" MP's : "...everybody seems despondent"
So why do you think that is John? You ALL know that you're in for the kicking of your lives and that once the dust has settled - there won't BE a Labour Party left worth talking about.
On Labours current crop of strategists : "Alastair Campbell had a good smell"
What you mean is that the previous bunch of spin doctors were better LIARS, but that's unfair...the previous lot worked in a climate where the electorate were prepared to listen to Labour.
Now, years of lying and spin have shown us that anything Labour say is almost certainly a LIE. What chance have they got to get any message across when we all see them as liars? even if they tell the truth? (I suggest Prescott reads Matilda by Hillaire Beloc)
On the governments overall vision: "there's no overall message"
Well spotted Trigger! Apart from we just want to SPY on you, READ all your e-mails and texts, JAIL you for 42 (90) days without charge, RECORD all your telephone conversations and keep all you details on one huge BIG BROTHER computer database.
On James Purnell & John Cruddas: "Bloody party whiners"
Had you said "weaners" I would perhaps have agreed.
Face it Prescott - The party's over.
Marbury
September 26th, 2009 11:32am Report this commentI love that formulation "It's hard not to..." so frequently employed here: it implies the author has made strenuous efforts to see things from every other point of view but has finally, reluctantly, concluded that the Labour Party is collapsing...:-)
Vulture
September 26th, 2009 1:04pm Report this commentI remember this obscene lump of lard's triumphalism in 1997. I'm looking forward to seeing his reaction to the massacre of 2010.
Nicholas
September 26th, 2009 3:14pm Report this commentI do like your 9th bullet point Silent Hunter. Sums them up so succinctly. Their greatest legacy perhaps.
David Ossitt
September 26th, 2009 4:43pm Report this commentPlease tell: why are you taking any notice of this obnoxious piece of ordure.
He who has no shame; and yet he shamed his wife, his party, the government and the office of deputy prime minister by persuading his diary secretary to fellate him behind his open office door.
The man is a low life.
THX1138 please be true to your own convictions, vote labour.
Alan Douglas
September 26th, 2009 5:48pm Report this comment"This from the man who shagged his secretary - did he think about his 'wifes rights'?" ... or the secretary, who complained about his chipolatta !
She also "was really pleased" when for once he kissed her, rather than use her as a disposable cloth.
I'll take no lessons in women's rights from such a man - H Harman
Alan Douglas
THX1138
September 26th, 2009 5:59pm Report this commentDavid O
Nah- I'm over them really and certainly with that clown Brown in charge but If TB came back, now that's another story.
billb
September 26th, 2009 7:59pm Report this commentPrescott reminds me why I've never voted Labour. He reminds me in a deeply tribal way why deep down in political socks I still hate the Labour.
Frank P
September 26th, 2009 8:26pm Report this commentI just discovered that Bulimia is catching; having read the above Prescott gems I had to retire to the toilet and be sick. I just couldn't stomach his crap.
gareth
September 27th, 2009 7:23am Report this commentwell said Silent Hunter. We all agree with you 100%. Keep posting.
Peter
September 27th, 2009 10:35am Report this commentApart from diehard socialists, a few union leaders and independent readers, who in hell takes the slightest interest in what this inept, incompetent, incoherent, dim-witted oaf has to say?
He is yesterday's fool and I would have thought that the current labour leadership would want him boxed up and despatched to a remote island, well, out of harms way.
THX1138
September 27th, 2009 1:17pm Report this commentgareth- No we don't !
Gordon Kennedy
September 27th, 2009 11:21pm Report this commentDear John Prescott
As a Dagenham resident, I honestly do not want Jon Cruddas MP knocking on my door, please do not encourage him.
You've done your best for the Party haven't you? But I think it is time for you to give up on trying to steer the Labour leaderless-ship.
I think it’s obvious that the climbing over each other to be 'leader' of the remains of the Labour Party is all that is in the minds of Mr.Cruddas and Ms Harman. There is nothing more you can do.
I think in this glorious socialist struggle the usual suspects will continue to stab each other in the back, to the delight of Lord Mandelson, who does not seem to mind which party he ultimately represents.
Kind regards
Gordon Kennedy
Gordon Kennedy
September 27th, 2009 11:27pm Report this commentDear John Prescott
That idea is brilliant, I do not want to complain about Labour........I just want to Campaign.
Thanks for the tip!
www.justvotethemout.com
Back to top