MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2012
Internal Strife at UK Uncut
Sexist Pig Revolutionaries Feel the Wrath of the Sisters
All is not well over at UK Uncut. While the group’s spin would have you believe that they are some sort of anarcho-syndicalist, non-hierarchical autonomous collective, they do in fact have leaders and key figures. True to lefty history, instead of fighting the self-perpetuating autocracy, they have started turning their swords of self-righteous indignation on each other.
Guido’s eyes and ears report of a six-hour meeting to resolve the fact that “many in the group perceive there to be a strong male-dominated gender bias in the leadership of the organisation, and thus in the development of ideas.” In a sign of how bad things have got, professional moderators have been called in. The meeting was chaired by ethical hippy hand-holders Seeds for Change. They were clearly off their bonces all day today because nobody answered a phone at either of their “training collectives”and UK Uncut have declined the opportunity to comment. Are we supposed to have detected a particularly masculine theme running through their ideas to date? Squatting in the country’s most upmarket tearoom and running around the make-up counters in Boots stores seems rather girly to Guido…
UPDATE: It seems avid Uncut watcher and Telegraph blog-chief Damian Thompson has heard from the splitters too.
Union Funded Labour MPs Organising Against Pilgrim Vote
After his OpEd in the Telegraph this morning, Tory MP Jesse Norman will put down at 10 Minute Rule Bill against Pilgrims immediately after PMQs on Wednesday:
Ten minute Rule Motion: Jesse Norman: Trade Union Officials (Refund of Pay to Employers): That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide that pay for hours worked on behalf of trade unions by trade union officials during hours when they are paid by an employer should be refunded to the employer by the trade union; and for connected purposes.
Success with a 10 Minute Rule Bill is rare, but it should be a good reminder for the government about this issue in the run up to their promised consultation. Cameron has pledged to scrap taxpayer-funded trade union activity so it would be embarrassing for him if it were to fall. The union funded Labour MPs are having their thumbs screwed by the brothers to organise against the vote:
From: LLOYD, Tony
Sent: 05 January 2012 14:25
Subject: Ten Minute Rule Bill next Wednesday after PMQsDear Colleague,
You may be aware that the Conservative backbencher Jesse Norman MP is introducing a Ten Minute Rule Motion on Wednesday 11th January. It will be opposed by Labour MPs in the Chamber and it would be useful if you could be around to vote against. Its timing is subject to statements and PMQs but it will be the first piece of business after 12.30.
Regards,
Tony
Tony Lloyd MP
Manchester Central
What Tony doesn’t mention in his email is that he is the chairman of the Trade Union Group of Labour MPs.
The group greases the wheels for unions to manipulate legislation. They seem to be getting their money’s worth today…
What a Difference Two Years Makes
730 days ago the Labour Party were secretly flapping about their leader, but publicly grinning, all be it with guns to their head:
If Guido recalls correctly, Gordon’s “relaunch” a few days later was a spectacular success.
Hungry For Taxes: Lunchtime Robbery
Hungry? Last week Guido brought you the rib-eye steak and hand-cut chips with béarnaise sauce that cost MPs a mere £7.80, thanks to the handy £5.93 top up from the taxpayer. This subsidy works out at some £20,000 per day…
As lunchtime approaches and the first greedy members saunter back into town, they can head to their exclusive riverside restaurant today for seared breast of pigeon with aubergine purée and spiced couscous. It will set them back £4.15. The rest of us, eating al desko, will pick up the extra £3.15 subsidy.
Choking…
UPDATE: Tory backbencher Chris Kelly gets in touch to say:
“Every day I have been an MP I have made my own sandwiches for lunch & brought them in. I used to take a packed lunch to work when I worked in my family businesses &, when I was campaigning flat out ahead of the general election, I did the same. I don’t see why it should be any different now that I’m an MP.”
Cheese and mustard today, in case you were wondering…
UPDATE: Elizabeth Truss MP responds with a call for the Commons catering to be outsourced to the private sector:
.@daisymcandrew @GuidoFawkes @MirrorJames why should the staff get subsidy? Other public officials don't. Nor private sect low paid workers?
@MrHarryCole @daisymcandrew @GuidoFawkes I would to see franchises bid for on Parliamentary estate from the likes of Pret/Cafe Nero. #VFM
David Miliband Says Ed Should Apologise For Errors
Says Everyone in Labour Party Frustrated at the Moment
Last week it was Glasman, Byrne and Murphy having their say about Labour’s direction under Ed, today it’s his own brother. David Miliband has called for Labour to apologise for more of the things that they got wrong in government. Ed Balls attempted a “sorry we didn’t regulate enough”, but the big brother clearly thinks Ed should go further:
“There’s a debate in the Labour Party about how we should understand our record in government, what we should be proud of and what we should apologise for. But I think it’s very important to be proud of your achievements and humble about your mistakes…”
It is one line in particular that will make waves, he goes on to say in an interview today in India’s The Hindu that: “I think for everyone in the Labour Party, it feels very frustrating at the moment.”
The source of that frustration of course being his brother…
DUEMA is Hiring!
The Don’t Unseat Ed Miliband Association had a shaky baptism of fire last week. Both big mouths and events caused no end of trouble. So good news then that Labour are looking to hire a spinner solely for rapid rebuttal:
Labour Party
Job DescriptionJob title: Executive Director, Rebuttal and Policy
Location: Based at Head Office LondonKey Purpose: Provide strategic leadership responsible for designing the Party’s policy programme and managing the research and rebuttal functions necessary to carry out this role
Working with the leadership, shadow cabinet and all parts of the Party, to co-ordinate and implement a winning policy agenda to lead into the next general election
Establish a rapid rebuttal function to allow the Party to respond quickly and effectively to claims made about the Party’s policy positions
Guido is looking forward to sparring…
Posts
