Liberal Burblings

Archive for July, 2006

I see that the well-known cerebral newspaper, the News of the World, reports that Charles Kennedy is preparing a challenge to get his old job back as leader. Reports of regular “secret” meetings with aides are the basis of this. The Press Association also report on this, with details of the people who are supposed to be at the meetings.

All this is described as “fanciful” by Kennedy.

On balance, I believe Kennedy’s denial. I don’t think we should give much credence to News of the World forays into political reporting (alongside ‘Michael Portillo’s romps in Commons with City babe‘)

On the other hand, the denial would sound more credible if Kennedy refers to Ming by his name next time he is interviewed, rather than as “my successor” (as he referred to him on Question Time). And, the conspiracy theorist in me would not be surprised if there is a grain of truth in the story – at least regarding a challenge after the election.

The News of the World article is headed “Kennedy plot to oust ‘Ming’” and starts: “Former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy – dumped because of his drinking – is plotting to get his old job back. He is holding secret meetings with top aides in a bid to replace bumbling successor Sir Menzies “Ming” Campbell…”

However, it is not all sweetness and light for Charles. The story also mentions a “new biography of Kennedy coming out this summer…The book will detail Kennedy’s drinking and paint a picture of a man who was not in control of his party.” Perhaps he needs “secret” weekly meetings to work out his damage limitation strategy for the publication of that book.

The News of the World report ends by saying “However, other friends have warned Kennedy that he’s deluding himself, and that such a (leadership) move would make him a laughing stock. ‘He had to quit because senior MPs said at the time they would not serve under him,’ one said. ‘Even if Sir Menzies was deposed I just can’t see them supporting Charles again.’ “

I can’t find the News of the World report online (they only seem to cyberfy their more salacious stories). So I had to don dark glasses and mackintosh (hot in this weather) to buy a copy.

David Cameron’s ratings are at an all-time according to YouGov. My graph below shows a massive dip down to just a two point net rating. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Anthony King commented:

“The Conservative Party increasingly resembles a tired runner panting along in sweltering heat. He is ahead in the race but only because his main rival is even more exhausted…

The proportion who reckon he is not proving effective has nearly doubled from 19 to 33 per cent. The proportion of voters unable to make up their mind about him remains high: 32 per cent.”

I am a great fan of the energetic and wide-ranging blog of Peter Black AM. I read his blog entitled “It’s time for Ming to shape up” with some sympathy. It has now been covered by BBC News.

However, the focus of the article is wrong, in my opinion. I have read many blogs like that.

Quite frankly we should be saying to ourselves – it’s time for us to shape up. Each one of us in the party should be asking ourselves – are we doing enough? Enough leaflet delivering? Enough casework? Enough residents’ surveys?

Ming went to Bromley four or fives times during the campaign (I can’t find the actual number but it was something of that order). If we had all gone there as many times as Ming we would have won and we wouldn’t be in this situation.

One line on which I do agree with Peter is that before the conference I would like to see a Paddy-style tour of the country by Ming.

David Cameron’s ratings are at an all-time according to YouGov. My graph below shows a massive dip down to just a two point net rating. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Anthony King commented:

“The Conservative Party increasingly resembles a tired runner panting along in sweltering heat. He is ahead in the race but only because his main rival is even more exhausted…

The proportion who reckon he is not proving effective has nearly doubled from 19 to 33 per cent. The proportion of voters unable to make up their mind about him remains high: 32 per cent.”

Mark Oaten has announced that he will be standing down as an MP at the next election.

Very wise.

Sighs of relief and triples all round!

I enjoyed the article, entitled “Circus Maximus” in the Observer magazine yesterday about Max Clifford. However, the strapline was ridiculous. It said: “He’s the most powerful man in tabloid Britain”

The article’s writer Carole Cadwalladr kept quite objective throughout. So I suspect she did not write that strapline.

I just think of Rupert Murdoch, Sly Bailey and Viscount Harmsworth. They can sack editors, close down/buy/sell newspapers, close down printing presses etc etc

Can Max Clifford do any of that? Can he ‘eck as like.

It speaks volumes that someone at the Observer has fallen for this man’s line in self-publicity.