Orwell's book was a nightmarish vision of the future
Civil rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti launched a scathing attack on Gordon Brown's record at a Lib Dem conference fringe event last night, saying he used George Orwell's book 1984 as "a manual for government".The Liberty director warned the prime minister had failed to become the change voters expected during his honeymoon period and that he was now struggling in the polls as a result. "Democracy is sometimes about hiring and firing governments," she told politics.co.uk. "If you've been in power for a long time people feel like a change and sometimes you have to be the change or the change comes. "I think Mr Brown got a honeymoon because people thought he might be the change. He could dump some things like ID cards, not run away with pre-charge detention, say sorry for Iraq, maybe? "These things don't cost any money but they show a great amount of humility. You might be the change or the change comes upon you." Ms Chakrabarti railed against the incremental increases in surveillance and unregulated use of CCTV cameras, saying the George Orwell novel 1984 was "supposed to be a warning, not a manual, for government". "We know what we're up against: the terrible idea that if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear. It does matter. Imagine a society where privacy doesn't matter: no dignity, no intimacy, no freedom of thought, no free speech." She said Orwell's book captured the way in which language was used to subvert important values, including the 'war on terror' in particular. "The moment you call it a 'war on terror' you're asking people to surrender their freedoms because they're living in a permanent state of emergency," she finished. "I'm not prepared to wait for 50 years."
Friday, September 19, 2008
Clegg launches savage attack on Labour and Tories
Nick Clegg delivering his speech today
Nick Clegg has used an impassioned leader's speech to the Liberal Democrat conference to launch a savage attack on both Labour and the Conservatives.Labour have "no heart, no mind, no soul," Mr Clegg said. "[They are] stumbling around with no idea what to do. They are a zombie government." Turning his fire on the Conservatives, Mr Clegg implied David Cameron's party believed in nothing but their natural right to govern. "They are a say everything, do nothing party," he told party members. Mr Cameron wanted to become the "Andrex puppy" of British politics, he continued. "Cameron's only aim was to make the Conservatives inoffensive. Problem is, once you strip out the offensive parts of the Conservative party, there isn't much left." But the full force of Mr Clegg's arguments was reserved for the government. "Labour offers nothing," he said. "They're so desperate to protect their own jobs, they can't be bothered to protect other people's." He made particular mileage out of the party's internal strife, referring to "all these backbenchers and ex-ministers you've never heard of rising up from the grave of obscurity to impale their Gordon Brown". He continued: "Remember 1997? Things can only get better? "We were told our country would be a success – and no-one would be left behind. "It didn't happen. New Labour failed. "But there is a new, New Labour on the block. Blue Labour: the Conservative party. "Let our country not be fooled again." Mr Clegg set out the general policy direction of a Liberal Democrat government, calling for action to stop repossessions, market regulation to stop irresponsible activity by banks and speculators, a cutting down on City bonuses and finally – his big policy idea of the conference – tax cuts for low and middle income families. Selling the policy as a left-wing move, rather than the drift to the right his opponents have described it as, Mr Clegg said: "The money must go direct to people on low and middle incomes. "The very wealthy, the super-rich – should be paying more not less. "I will never support the Tory idea that you cut taxes for millionaires and the benefits somehow trickle down. "That's not what struggling families need. They need their money back." The Liberal democrat conference has passed off without a hitch, except for the media spotlight being distracted by financial trauma in the City and leadership speculation in the Labour party. Scottish National party (SNP) Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP criticised the speech's omission of Scottish politics. "Mr Clegg speaks optimistically of the road to power but he seems to have forgotten that the Liberal Democrats are losing to the SNP in Scotland," he said. "Not only did they see their vote squeezed in Glasgow East but the latest polling figures show they are ten per cent down in advance of the next general election."
Clegg speech as-it-happens Fannie and Freddie’s Open-Ended Future U.S. Cybersecurity Is Weak, GAO Says Job One for McCain or Obama: Jobs
Nick Clegg has used an impassioned leader's speech to the Liberal Democrat conference to launch a savage attack on both Labour and the Conservatives.Labour have "no heart, no mind, no soul," Mr Clegg said. "[They are] stumbling around with no idea what to do. They are a zombie government." Turning his fire on the Conservatives, Mr Clegg implied David Cameron's party believed in nothing but their natural right to govern. "They are a say everything, do nothing party," he told party members. Mr Cameron wanted to become the "Andrex puppy" of British politics, he continued. "Cameron's only aim was to make the Conservatives inoffensive. Problem is, once you strip out the offensive parts of the Conservative party, there isn't much left." But the full force of Mr Clegg's arguments was reserved for the government. "Labour offers nothing," he said. "They're so desperate to protect their own jobs, they can't be bothered to protect other people's." He made particular mileage out of the party's internal strife, referring to "all these backbenchers and ex-ministers you've never heard of rising up from the grave of obscurity to impale their Gordon Brown". He continued: "Remember 1997? Things can only get better? "We were told our country would be a success – and no-one would be left behind. "It didn't happen. New Labour failed. "But there is a new, New Labour on the block. Blue Labour: the Conservative party. "Let our country not be fooled again." Mr Clegg set out the general policy direction of a Liberal Democrat government, calling for action to stop repossessions, market regulation to stop irresponsible activity by banks and speculators, a cutting down on City bonuses and finally – his big policy idea of the conference – tax cuts for low and middle income families. Selling the policy as a left-wing move, rather than the drift to the right his opponents have described it as, Mr Clegg said: "The money must go direct to people on low and middle incomes. "The very wealthy, the super-rich – should be paying more not less. "I will never support the Tory idea that you cut taxes for millionaires and the benefits somehow trickle down. "That's not what struggling families need. They need their money back." The Liberal democrat conference has passed off without a hitch, except for the media spotlight being distracted by financial trauma in the City and leadership speculation in the Labour party. Scottish National party (SNP) Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP criticised the speech's omission of Scottish politics. "Mr Clegg speaks optimistically of the road to power but he seems to have forgotten that the Liberal Democrats are losing to the SNP in Scotland," he said. "Not only did they see their vote squeezed in Glasgow East but the latest polling figures show they are ten per cent down in advance of the next general election."
Comment: Lib Dem prospects
Comment: Lib Dem prospects
Nick Clegg's leader's speech seeks to position his party as the natural successors to "finished" Labour.It's a little presumptuous, to say the least, that the party whose rise suffocated the Liberals in the first half of the 20th century is now itself beginning a terminal decline. But the Lib Dems seriously believe they are emerging from a couple of very difficult years with a real chance to fill the vacuum created by sucked-up Labour unpopularity. This year's conference revealed a lot of home truths about Nick Clegg's dynamic and divided party. Their commitment to conference delegates being "sovereign" shone through: there's none of the staged 'discussions' seen at Labour and Conservative conferences here. Instead activists make the rules and feel genuinely involved as a result. And backroom deals are replaced by having it out in the open. The more squeamish among you – including this writer – might be a little appalled by the prospect of a party sorting out their dirty washing in the public glare. It's true, this is healthier than repressing the tensions, the difficulties, that underlie all parties. It does have an unfortunate side-effect, though. The Lib Dems are as divided – if not more so – than any of the other parties and that was plain for all to see during Monday's tax cuts v spending priorities debate. A 'broad church' coalition is all very well. But Monday highlighted the huge differences of views which are perfectly compatible with Lib Dem values. What links them together are principles; what divides them is how to achieve them. It's possible to argue well into the night whether this is a serious ideological problem. Believe me, politics.co.uk has gone more than a few rounds with the party faithful. And perhaps it's true the traditional left-right balance isn't so relevant when it comes to the fundamentals of their philosophy. Unfortunately, however, the political world we live in is fundamentally dominated by the means debate. Thirdly – and this is probably the most significant of all - the media is having a lot of trouble fully understanding this. Senior party officials have admitted to politics.co.uk the situation was worsened by confusion over the £20 billion of "guaranteed", probably, tax cuts. That didn't help, but the real problem goes much deeper than that: what was passed was conceptual, a point of principle, as opposed to final spending policy. It's about 'getting' the way the party works. If journalists have struggled at times in the last few weeks to comprehend the uniqueness that is the Lib Dems, the electorate can hardly be blamed for failing to receive the message being sent from Bournemouth. Mr Clegg says he wants to move into Labour party territory; to do so will require shaping the party's message in a way which real voters can understand. Alex Stevenson
Marcial: Yahoo’s Endgame Clegg turns knife on Brown ahead of Lib Dem conference Immigration: Enforcement or Politics?
Nick Clegg's leader's speech seeks to position his party as the natural successors to "finished" Labour.It's a little presumptuous, to say the least, that the party whose rise suffocated the Liberals in the first half of the 20th century is now itself beginning a terminal decline. But the Lib Dems seriously believe they are emerging from a couple of very difficult years with a real chance to fill the vacuum created by sucked-up Labour unpopularity. This year's conference revealed a lot of home truths about Nick Clegg's dynamic and divided party. Their commitment to conference delegates being "sovereign" shone through: there's none of the staged 'discussions' seen at Labour and Conservative conferences here. Instead activists make the rules and feel genuinely involved as a result. And backroom deals are replaced by having it out in the open. The more squeamish among you – including this writer – might be a little appalled by the prospect of a party sorting out their dirty washing in the public glare. It's true, this is healthier than repressing the tensions, the difficulties, that underlie all parties. It does have an unfortunate side-effect, though. The Lib Dems are as divided – if not more so – than any of the other parties and that was plain for all to see during Monday's tax cuts v spending priorities debate. A 'broad church' coalition is all very well. But Monday highlighted the huge differences of views which are perfectly compatible with Lib Dem values. What links them together are principles; what divides them is how to achieve them. It's possible to argue well into the night whether this is a serious ideological problem. Believe me, politics.co.uk has gone more than a few rounds with the party faithful. And perhaps it's true the traditional left-right balance isn't so relevant when it comes to the fundamentals of their philosophy. Unfortunately, however, the political world we live in is fundamentally dominated by the means debate. Thirdly – and this is probably the most significant of all - the media is having a lot of trouble fully understanding this. Senior party officials have admitted to politics.co.uk the situation was worsened by confusion over the £20 billion of "guaranteed", probably, tax cuts. That didn't help, but the real problem goes much deeper than that: what was passed was conceptual, a point of principle, as opposed to final spending policy. It's about 'getting' the way the party works. If journalists have struggled at times in the last few weeks to comprehend the uniqueness that is the Lib Dems, the electorate can hardly be blamed for failing to receive the message being sent from Bournemouth. Mr Clegg says he wants to move into Labour party territory; to do so will require shaping the party's message in a way which real voters can understand. Alex Stevenson
Profile: David Cairns
David Cairns MP
David Cairns says he became political while serving as a Catholic priest in Clapham, south London. As anyone from the area will tell you, there are many Claphams. The quiet, middle class Clapham of newlywed couples taking their baby for a Sunday afternoon stroll co-exists easily with the sweaty nightlife of the club Infernos. But Clapham also has some of the most severe disparities of wealth in the capital. As most estate agents already know, it is almost unheard of to find such high house prices in an area with such high crime rates.Mr Cairns says it was that disparity which propelled him into parliament. It's "the kind of place where the very rich and very poor live next to each other," he said. "It became clear that political action was going to be part of the solution." But his progression from priest to politician required something more than just desire. Mr Cairns was the only sitting MP who could only enter parliament after a law was changed on his behalf. The House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001 was passed just in time to give him access. It reversed a previous law – and not before time, as its supporters argued – which forbade former Catholic priests from taking up a seat in the Commons. He became Labour MP for the Scottish seat of Greenock and Inverclyde that same year as Labour began its second term in office. But his real political career had begun slightly earlier, as a researcher for Siobhain McDonagh, the party whip who recently resigned as the first martyr of the new Labour rebels. She has previously tried to push through legislation repealing the laws barring him from parliament but ran out of session time. Now, with his actions mirroring her, their loyalty looks like it could be responsible for a fundamental change at the uppermost levels of British politics. His career in Westminster was fairly orthodox, although by becoming a minister in the Scottish Office just six years after entering parliament he evidently showed signs of promise. Those signs were not corroborated by his role as manager for Labour's jaw-droppingly bad Glasgow East campaign, where the party managed to lose one of its safest seats in the country to the Scottish National party (SNP). With another by-election on the horizon in the form of Glenrothes, Mr Cairns may not have needed that much incentive to leave his job. But his possession of the fox-like cunning required of successful politicians is not entirely in doubt. Just under a year ago, when Gordon Brown bottled the general election that never was, Mr Cairns stood up proudly for his leader. "He [Mr Brown] was very resolute that he was getting on with the job in hand, the business of running the country," Mr Cairns said. "And that's what he'll do until the general election comes, whenever that is." It now appears his mood has changed.
Obama, McCain, and the Stock Market
David Cairns says he became political while serving as a Catholic priest in Clapham, south London. As anyone from the area will tell you, there are many Claphams. The quiet, middle class Clapham of newlywed couples taking their baby for a Sunday afternoon stroll co-exists easily with the sweaty nightlife of the club Infernos. But Clapham also has some of the most severe disparities of wealth in the capital. As most estate agents already know, it is almost unheard of to find such high house prices in an area with such high crime rates.Mr Cairns says it was that disparity which propelled him into parliament. It's "the kind of place where the very rich and very poor live next to each other," he said. "It became clear that political action was going to be part of the solution." But his progression from priest to politician required something more than just desire. Mr Cairns was the only sitting MP who could only enter parliament after a law was changed on his behalf. The House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001 was passed just in time to give him access. It reversed a previous law – and not before time, as its supporters argued – which forbade former Catholic priests from taking up a seat in the Commons. He became Labour MP for the Scottish seat of Greenock and Inverclyde that same year as Labour began its second term in office. But his real political career had begun slightly earlier, as a researcher for Siobhain McDonagh, the party whip who recently resigned as the first martyr of the new Labour rebels. She has previously tried to push through legislation repealing the laws barring him from parliament but ran out of session time. Now, with his actions mirroring her, their loyalty looks like it could be responsible for a fundamental change at the uppermost levels of British politics. His career in Westminster was fairly orthodox, although by becoming a minister in the Scottish Office just six years after entering parliament he evidently showed signs of promise. Those signs were not corroborated by his role as manager for Labour's jaw-droppingly bad Glasgow East campaign, where the party managed to lose one of its safest seats in the country to the Scottish National party (SNP). With another by-election on the horizon in the form of Glenrothes, Mr Cairns may not have needed that much incentive to leave his job. But his possession of the fox-like cunning required of successful politicians is not entirely in doubt. Just under a year ago, when Gordon Brown bottled the general election that never was, Mr Cairns stood up proudly for his leader. "He [Mr Brown] was very resolute that he was getting on with the job in hand, the business of running the country," Mr Cairns said. "And that's what he'll do until the general election comes, whenever that is." It now appears his mood has changed.
Labour rules out leadership battle
Brown comes face-to-face with rebels
Labours National Executive Committee has ruled out sending party members leadership nomination papers.Rebels had planned to use the meeting to force senior party figures to abide by an obscure clause in the party's constitution saying the papers should be sent out every year just before the party conference. In a statement, the committee said: "The Labour party National Executive Committee is in agreement that internal procedural debates will not divert the Labour Party from our mission of building a fairer Britain and helping people through these challenging times." Referring to the refusal of general secretary Ray Collins to distribute the forms yesterday, the committee continued: "The NEC fully endorses the view of the Labour party's general secretary and the party's independent legal advisors. "A leadership election when in government can only be held if requested by a majority of party conference on a card vote, only Labour MPs can trigger the process and the NEC is confident that most MPs know their responsibilities under the rules." The news came just moments after it was revealed Janet Anderson, one of the Labour rebels, pulled out of this morning's meeting. The meeting comes as at least one anonymous minister told media sources he was considering quitting the government, indicating the rebels' attempt to gain high-level support may be proving successful. "You can't go on saying 'I think Gordon Brown is the man to lead us to victory' when you don't believe it," he told the BBC. Health secretary Alan Johnson called for the party to pull together after a Cabinet meeting this morning. "Unity is essential in a political party," he said. The party's chairman, Tony Lloyd, tried to play down the extent of discontent. "What we don't need is a long period of introspection, gazing at our own navels, because the British public expects better than that," he said. "There are a very, very small number of people who have been agitating in recent days. For anyone to launch a serious leadership challenge requires many, many, many more MPs than those that were available in the last few days." Yesterday, a third rebel – forestry envoy Barry Gardiner – lost his position for calling for calling on the clause to be implemented. The sacking follows that of Siobhain McDonagh, junior whip, and Joan Ryan, vice chair. Later in ther evening another former minister, Gisela Stuart, joined the revolt. "It became clear that not only had we failed to renew ourselves with fresh ideas, we also seem to have lost the knack to tell a good story," she said. A party spokesperson refused to disclose further details of today's executive meeting to politics.co.uk, saying it concerned "party matters".
Brown fires another rebel MP
Labours National Executive Committee has ruled out sending party members leadership nomination papers.Rebels had planned to use the meeting to force senior party figures to abide by an obscure clause in the party's constitution saying the papers should be sent out every year just before the party conference. In a statement, the committee said: "The Labour party National Executive Committee is in agreement that internal procedural debates will not divert the Labour Party from our mission of building a fairer Britain and helping people through these challenging times." Referring to the refusal of general secretary Ray Collins to distribute the forms yesterday, the committee continued: "The NEC fully endorses the view of the Labour party's general secretary and the party's independent legal advisors. "A leadership election when in government can only be held if requested by a majority of party conference on a card vote, only Labour MPs can trigger the process and the NEC is confident that most MPs know their responsibilities under the rules." The news came just moments after it was revealed Janet Anderson, one of the Labour rebels, pulled out of this morning's meeting. The meeting comes as at least one anonymous minister told media sources he was considering quitting the government, indicating the rebels' attempt to gain high-level support may be proving successful. "You can't go on saying 'I think Gordon Brown is the man to lead us to victory' when you don't believe it," he told the BBC. Health secretary Alan Johnson called for the party to pull together after a Cabinet meeting this morning. "Unity is essential in a political party," he said. The party's chairman, Tony Lloyd, tried to play down the extent of discontent. "What we don't need is a long period of introspection, gazing at our own navels, because the British public expects better than that," he said. "There are a very, very small number of people who have been agitating in recent days. For anyone to launch a serious leadership challenge requires many, many, many more MPs than those that were available in the last few days." Yesterday, a third rebel – forestry envoy Barry Gardiner – lost his position for calling for calling on the clause to be implemented. The sacking follows that of Siobhain McDonagh, junior whip, and Joan Ryan, vice chair. Later in ther evening another former minister, Gisela Stuart, joined the revolt. "It became clear that not only had we failed to renew ourselves with fresh ideas, we also seem to have lost the knack to tell a good story," she said. A party spokesperson refused to disclose further details of today's executive meeting to politics.co.uk, saying it concerned "party matters".
Tories offered discount to strip bar
Tories offered discount to strip club
Conservative members attending the party's conference in Birmingham this month have been sent discount vouchers to one of the city's strip bars by party headquarters.The vouchers, which offer entry to the club for ВЈ5 before 23:00 BST, came as part of a leaflet produced for by Marketing Birmingham, which was included in a mailing to members sent by the Conservatives. "A leaflet promoting Birmingham produced by the city council was included in the conference literature sent out by the Conservative party," a party spokesperson confirmed. The club, Rocket Club on Broad Street, was one of the establishments in the guide, which also included hotels, restaurants and casinos. The inclusion of the voucher will cause some embarrassment at Conservative HQ, with the party spearheading efforts to change planning law so that local communities can prevent strip clubs from opening. The conference starts on September 28th, with politics.co.uk covering events live from Birmingham.
Cameron: Not one ounce of complacency Where Customers Go to Praise (or Bash) You Marcial: Betting on a Buyout at MGM
Conservative members attending the party's conference in Birmingham this month have been sent discount vouchers to one of the city's strip bars by party headquarters.The vouchers, which offer entry to the club for ВЈ5 before 23:00 BST, came as part of a leaflet produced for by Marketing Birmingham, which was included in a mailing to members sent by the Conservatives. "A leaflet promoting Birmingham produced by the city council was included in the conference literature sent out by the Conservative party," a party spokesperson confirmed. The club, Rocket Club on Broad Street, was one of the establishments in the guide, which also included hotels, restaurants and casinos. The inclusion of the voucher will cause some embarrassment at Conservative HQ, with the party spearheading efforts to change planning law so that local communities can prevent strip clubs from opening. The conference starts on September 28th, with politics.co.uk covering events live from Birmingham.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Clegg speech as-it-happens
Mr Clegg's speech will close the Lib Dem conference
Welcome to politics.co.uk's As-It-Happens page. Here you can keep up to date with major parliamentary debates, press conferences or news events in real time. Just hit refresh on your browser to see the latest development.Nick Clegg is set to deliver his first conference speech as party leader today, after overseeing a successful redirection of his party's policies on taxation. Mr Clegg easily won a vote on whether to adopt a policy of tax cuts for low and middle income families, despite protests from some in the party that it was now occupying the same space as the Conservatives. He is expected to return to that theme today. But the debate, and the conference in general, failed to receive the level of media coverage Mr Clegg would have hoped for. The party conference is one of those rare times the Liberal Democrats can rely on definite media coverage, but the financial chaos on both sides of the Atlantic and Gordon Brown's continuing leadership nightmare have robbed them of vital attention. Despite not suffering from any particular threat to his leadership, Mr Clegg will want to end the conference on a strong note, sending his members home with a smile on their face. The speech is set to be delivered at 12:07 BST.
Clegg launches savage attack on Labour and Tories Clegg turns knife on Brown ahead of Lib Dem conference Senate Forges a Compromise Energy Bill
Welcome to politics.co.uk's As-It-Happens page. Here you can keep up to date with major parliamentary debates, press conferences or news events in real time. Just hit refresh on your browser to see the latest development.Nick Clegg is set to deliver his first conference speech as party leader today, after overseeing a successful redirection of his party's policies on taxation. Mr Clegg easily won a vote on whether to adopt a policy of tax cuts for low and middle income families, despite protests from some in the party that it was now occupying the same space as the Conservatives. He is expected to return to that theme today. But the debate, and the conference in general, failed to receive the level of media coverage Mr Clegg would have hoped for. The party conference is one of those rare times the Liberal Democrats can rely on definite media coverage, but the financial chaos on both sides of the Atlantic and Gordon Brown's continuing leadership nightmare have robbed them of vital attention. Despite not suffering from any particular threat to his leadership, Mr Clegg will want to end the conference on a strong note, sending his members home with a smile on their face. The speech is set to be delivered at 12:07 BST.
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