Cable teaches Umunna a lesson about the past
Peter Hoskin 5:21pm
If you were in a particularly soggy mood, you'd almost feel sorry for Chuka Umunna. He'd
managed to force Vince Cable into the House this afternoon, to announce the coalition's plans for curbing executive
pay a day earlier than planned, and he must have been feeling pretty swell about it. This was, on paper, the initiative seized; a chance to prise open the Business Secretary's differences with his
Tory colleagues. But, in practice, it was something completely different. In practice, Cable dispatched his opponent with ruthless ease. You might even have found yourself in the unthinkable
position of cheering him on.
A large part of it was Umunna's petty, needling set of questions. But it's telling just how much Cable was aided by Labour's own record in this area, or what I called Miliband's ‘proximity problem’ last week. And so when Umunna said that the government ‘hasn't gone far enough’, Cable was able to reflect that ‘we have just emerged from twelve years of Labour government, when they could have done something.’ Continuing the theme, he cited New Labour's ‘prawn cocktail offensive’, their relaxed attitude about the filthy rich, and their knighthood for Fred Goodwin. And he even had some numbers to back him up: when Labour came to power executive pay was 46 times greater than average; when they left power it was 120 times greater.
Fairly blunt, even cheap, politics — but it worked effectively in the Commons today, even against a member of Labour's 2010 intake. All governments like to point out the shortcomings of their predecessors, but this government is particularly eager to do it in the case of executive excess. It is, they sense, one of Miliband's main weaknesses, and they're going to keep pummelling it.
As for the actual policies that Cable announced, there was nothing of any surprise. He's going to implement ten of the High Pay Commission's twelve recommendations, most of which revolve around making companies' executive pay structures more transparent, or upholding the powers of shareholders. The main question mark, as I see it, is whether this actually eventuate any change. As Cable put it himself, ‘Lasting reform depends on more active shareholders and responsible businesses doing more to push the agenda forward.’ That admission may be some solace for those Tory backbenchers concerned about Vince's designs — as well as for Chuka Umunna.
Previous
Heartless Curmudgeon
January 23rd, 2012 5:47pm Report this comment. . . Fairly blunt, even cheap, politics . . .
NO IT ISN'T! - and we could do with a lot more of it instead of the mealy-mouthed beat-around-the-bush-but-neversay-what-you-mean kind that we have to suffer so much.
Had the H2B got the guts to do it years ago things may be very different now. But I count the H2B as worth very little on the political arena, - or PR stage as he might like to see it.
Enough!
ollie
January 23rd, 2012 6:18pm Report this commentWhat on earth does chukar know about private business or wealth creation? I wouldn't employ him as a toilet cleaner.
Halcyondaze
January 23rd, 2012 6:51pm Report this commentAm I the only one that sees Umunna as a smug, self-satisfied little student union squit? Certainly has about the equivalent life experience. The Labour equivalent of the vacuous Matthew Hancock or Louise Mensch on the Tory side. Always wheeled out to show just how "down with the kids" the parties are. Meanwhile us adults are reduced to banging our frustrated heads against the wall.
Well young Chuka may be the darling of the Labour Party (what a guy) but I've never seen him utter anything remotely credible. I almost feel sorry for that off-the-planet old duffer Cable getting harangued by this little non-entity. Almost.
Widmerpool
January 23rd, 2012 6:55pm Report this commentIf Cable did not have the habit of grandstanding outside the House of Commons this would not have happened!
Look at all the noise he has made recently on Mansion Tax which is not even an area inside his ministerial responsibility!
Maybe Dave and Nick will now move him to Energy and bring back David Laws to Trade. Nick is now saying he does not rule out David Laws' comeback.
Fergus Pickering
January 23rd, 2012 6:56pm Report this commentYears ago, curmudgeon? How many years ago. He's only been abut for 18 months. And do stop calling him H2B. It isn't witty, though you may think it is. Though one thing B was good at is winning elections. He might take a leaf out of B's book there. Better than H2 the last three Tory leaders, wouldn't you say? Don't be so sentimental.
TrevorsDen
January 23rd, 2012 7:23pm Report this commentFortunately for the future of the conservative party Heartless, you are a dipstick of no consequence.
And I think you will find that when 'Dave' was quick witted and excorciatingly funny (against a thorougly obnoxious target) the lefties and the media luvvies put up the bully accusation again.
Anan
January 23rd, 2012 7:24pm Report this commentSo in the battle of the featherweight nincompoops, the government one won. Was this non-event really deserving of a full blog post?
Hexhamgeezer
January 23rd, 2012 7:47pm Report this commentYoung Chuka should stick to looking cool leaning against walls.
Nicholas
January 23rd, 2012 7:48pm Report this comment"Umunna's petty, needling set of questions"
Pretty much his usual modus operandi. Vince was clearly prepared and sank his little boat with a 15-inch broadside, most (Tory) targets aren't and don't.
Woody
January 23rd, 2012 7:52pm Report this commentIf the Lib Dems really started getting after Labour instead of trying to wreck everything the tories are trying to do, then hopefully the Labour party would be finished FOR EVER.
Redneck
January 23rd, 2012 8:24pm Report this commentMr Hoskin
This gets Mr Cable 2 brownie points: another couple of dozen and he'll be above zero. Sadly, I don't like him but as long as he sorts out Labour, I can probably tolerate him.
Number7
January 23rd, 2012 8:28pm Report this commentollie
I may be wrong - but don't Omamma's £1,200.00 suits have something to do with parental offshore accounts?
Ian Walker
January 23rd, 2012 8:48pm Report this commentYou have to be a complete slimeball to make me want to cheer for Cable, but Chuck-up managed it.
Snivelling little champagne socialist shit
Holly ......
January 23rd, 2012 8:58pm Report this commentChuck..Banker bashing, fat cats,blah,blah, blah'.
'Not going far enough',blah, blah, blah'.
Cable,'Thirteen years'!'where the fcuk were your lot'!
'I'll take no lectures from that side of the house'!
Job done.
Tee hee.
David Lindsay
January 23rd, 2012 9:20pm Report this commentThe voting rights of shareholders should be made conditional, by statute, on having held the shares in question for at least 12 months.
Magnolia
January 23rd, 2012 10:05pm Report this commentHere is the news.
The beautiful, bald, old, Labour man wins over the beautiful, bald, young, Labour man.
With apologies to The Two Ronnies.
David Lindsay
January 23rd, 2012 10:17pm Report this commentA David Laws comeback, Widmerpool? He certainly didn't have to restrict himself to £26,000, did he?
Cynic
January 24th, 2012 4:32pm Report this comment"If you were in a particularly soggy mood, you'd almost feel sorry for Chuka Umunna. I'd have to be waterlogged beyond saturation point before I felt even the slightest twinge of sympathy for Chuckus Urmoney.
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