The current outbreak of crying

[Nick]

So let's see. First we are told that that delicate little flower Gordon Brown broke down in tears during an interview with Piers Moron. We have that lovely Jim Devine with his trembling little lip protesting and simultaneouly admitting that he was guilty of false accounting. Now sensitive little Alastair Campbell gets all tearful because that horrid Mr Marr has asked him a tricky question 

How long till we see the loathsome Baroness Uddin sniffling into a Kleenex as she explains she accidentally stole ?180000? 

[Miss Demeanour]

But if they cry and express remorse then the stupid British public are supposed to go 'aah bless' and forgive them all for being  irresponsible criminals  - it wasn't their fault after all - they were just working within the rules , even if they made them up as they went along 

[Uncle Mort]

I expect the people in charge of this country to be made of sterner stuff. Any sign of blubbing should be a sackable offence.

 

[Barman]

Did you read the comments on the Daily Mail article...? 99% thought Brown put it on and was a loathsome reptile for it... 

[Snoopy]

Did you read the comments on the Daily Mail article...? 99% thought Brown put it on and was a loathsome reptile for it... 

That'll be 99% of Daily Mail readers would it. Dippy and co 

[Barman]

Leg-Iron manages to nail it once again! 

This is Britain. We don't respect you if you cower and cry. We don't want to know how you feel about anything at all. We are not remotely interested in your emotions and we don't understand them if you show them. We get edgy if you even stand too close. This is the country where Asperger's is normal. Here, you'd need to be well advanced along the autism spectrum before we'd even notice. And when we do notice, we won't worry about it.

We want leaders who will rage and fight against anything life throws at them. We want leaders who can stand up and say "Yes, I had a problem. I dealt with it. Forget it, it's not your business." We do not want to be run by a bunch of girlie men who blubber their way through life. That just won't work here. Any public emotional display makes us uncomfortable and we don't like to be uncomfortable. It's worse than vomiting at your host's dining table and it gets much the same reaction.

Source

 

[Nick]

I like Leg Iron 

[Barman]

I like Leg Iron 

He is my first read of the day - after the pub of course... 

[Snoopy]

Vitriol is fine as far as it goes but clearly ridicule makes no difference to these people any more. They are immune to it.

The problem with Leg Iron and all the others is that they really don't offer anything as an alternative. Call Me Dave is a total arse, Clegg lacks Compo and Foggy to make him even laughable and Nu/Old Labour are beyond redemption. Where are the alternatives?

And now they are floating the idea of "ennobling" Cherry Booth/Blair ~ Gawd help us

[Nick]

Agreed, but short of armed revolution vitriol and ridicule is about all we have. They hate it. I am not one of the piano wire and lamp-post brigade, but the blogosphere is now watched more closely inside Parliament and has brung off some scalps - more than the newspapers or the Beeb.....

[Snoopy]

Thanks to Wiki we at least know that this lot will be gone:

In all, 86 Labour MPs, 35 Conservatives, 7 Liberal Democrats, 2 independents, 1 Independent Conservative and 1 member each from Plaid Cymru, Scottish National Party and the Democratic Unionist Party have announced that they will not be contesting the next election.
[edit] Labour

   1. Hilary Armstrong ? North West Durham, announced 4 July 2009[36]
   2. John Austin ? Erith and Thamesmead, announced 31 July 2008[37]
   3. John Battle ? Leeds West, announced 20 October 2006[38]
   4. Liz Blackman ? Erewash, announced 9 January 2010[39]
   5. Des Browne ? Kilmarnock and Loudoun, announced 27 November 2009[40]
   6. Colin Burgon ? Elmet, announced 23 April 2009[41]
   7. Stephen Byers ? North Tyneside, announced 14 November 2009[42]
   8. Richard Caborn ? Sheffield Central, announced 13 September 2007[43]
   9. Colin Challen ? Morley and Rothwell, announced 30 January 2007[44]
  10. Ben Chapman ? Wirral South, announced 21 May 2009 [45]
  11. David Chaytor ? Bury North, announced 2 June 2009[46]
  12. Michael Clapham ? Barnsley West and Penistone, announced 14 November 2006[47]
  13. David Clelland ? Tyne Bridge, announced 26 January 2010[48]
  14. Harry Cohen ? Leyton and Wanstead, announced 30 June 2009 [49]
  15. Frank Cook ? Stockton North, deselected 12 January 2008[50]
  16. Jim Cousins ? Newcastle upon Tyne Central, announced 9 June 2009[51]
  17. Ann Cryer ? Keighley, announced 21 August 2008[52]
  18. John Cummings ? Easington, announced 9 October 2006[53]
  19. Claire Curtis-Thomas ? Crosby, announced 7 October 2009[54]
  20. Janet Dean ? Burton, announced 20 June 2007[55]
  21. Bill Etherington ? Sunderland North, announced 9 December 2006[56]
  22. Barbara Follett ? Stevenage, announced 1 October 2009[57]
  23. Neil Gerrard ? Walthamstow, announced 23 February 2007[58]
  24. Nigel Griffiths ? Edinburgh South, announced 31 January 2010[59]
  25. John Grogan ? Selby, announced 10 October 2006[60]
  26. Mike Hall ? Weaver Vale, announced 2 February 2010[61]
  27. Doug Henderson ? Newcastle upon Tyne North, announced 4 July 2009[36]
  28. Stephen Hesford ? Wirral West, announced 23 January 2010[62]
  29. Patricia Hewitt ? Leicester West, announced 2 June 2009[63]
  30. Keith Hill ? Streatham, announced 23 May 2007[64]
  31. Kim Howells ? Pontypridd, announced 18 December 2009[65]
  32. Beverley Hughes ? Stretford and Urmston, announced 2 June 2009[63]
  33. John Hutton ? Barrow and Furness, announced 5 June 2009[66]
  34. Brian Iddon ? Bolton South East, announced 5 October 2006[67]
  35. Adam Ingram ? East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, announced 27 March 2009[68]
  36. Lynne Jones ? Birmingham Selly Oak, announced January 2007[69]
  37. Martyn Jones ? Clwyd South, announced 7 May 2009[70]
  38. Ruth Kelly ? Bolton West, announced 2 October 2008[71]
  39. Fraser Kemp ? Houghton and Washington East. announced 6 September 2008[72]
  40. Jane Kennedy ? Liverpool Wavertree, announced 9 November 2009[73]
  41. Robert Laxton ? Derby North, announced 19 October 2009[74]
  42. David Lepper ? Brighton Pavilion, announced 19 September 2006[75]
  43. Tom Levitt ? High Peak, announced 12 November 2009[76]
  44. Chris McCafferty ? Calder Valley, announced 7 March 2007[77]
  45. Ian McCartney ? Makerfield, announced 23 May 2009[78]
  46. John McFall ? West Dunbartonshire, announced 29 January 2010[79]
  47. Rosemary McKenna ? Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East, announced 3 August 2007[80]
  48. Andrew MacKinlay ? Thurrock, announced 24 July 2009[81]
  49. Bob Marshall-Andrews ? Medway, announced 17 July 2007[82]
  50. Eric Martlew ? Carlisle, announced 1 May 2009[83]
  51. Alan Milburn ? Darlington, announced 27 June 2009[84]
  52. Margaret Moran ? Luton South, announced 28 May 2009[85]
  53. Elliot Morley ? Scunthorpe, announced 29 May 2009[86]
  54. Kali Mountford ? Colne Valley, announced 16 January 2009[87]
  55. Chris Mullin ? Sunderland South, announced 10 May 2008[88]
  56. Denis Murphy ? Wansbeck, announced 5 November 2009[89]
  57. Doug Naysmith ? Bristol North West, announced 26 January 2007[90]
  58. Bill Olner ? Nuneaton, announced 25 March 2007[91]
  59. Ian Pearson ? Dudley South, announced 21 January 2010[92]
  60. Greg Pope ? Hyndburn, announced 11 June 2009[93]
  61. Bridget Prentice ? Lewisham East, announced 6 April 2009[94]
  62. John Prescott ? Hull East, announced 27 August 2007[95]
  63. Ken Purchase ? Wolverhampton North East, announced 27 October 2007[96]
  64. John Reid ? Airdrie and Shotts, announced 15 September 2007[97]
  65. Martin Salter ? Reading West, announced 10 February 2009[98]
  66. Mohammad Sarwar ? Glasgow Central, announced 21 June 2007[99]
  67. Si?n Simon ? Birmingham Erdington, announced 3 February 2010[100]
  68. Alan Simpson ? Nottingham South, announced 18 February 2007[101]
  69. John Smith ? Vale of Glamorgan, announced 22 May 2009[102]
  70. Helen Southworth ? Warrington South, announced 16 June 2009[103]
  71. Ian Stewart ? Eccles, defeated in selection for merged seat 19 January 2008[104]
  72. Howard Stoate ? Dartford, announced 28 July 2009[105]
  73. Gavin Strang ? Edinburgh East, announced 26 November 2007,[106] but reversed his decision 31 March 2008.[107] He announced on 27 June 2008 that he will stand down after all.[108]
  74. Paddy Tipping ? Sherwood, announced 23 October 2009[109]
  75. Mark Todd ? South Derbyshire, announced 21 September 2007[110]
  76. Don Touhig ? Islwyn, announced 29 January 2010[111]
  77. Paul Truswell ? Pudsey, announced 8 July 2009[112]
  78. Des Turner ? Brighton Kemptown, announced 23 October 2006[113]
  79. Neil Turner ? Wigan, announced 31 July 2009[114]
  80. Kitty Ussher ? Burnley, announced 17 June 2009[115]
  81. Rudi Vis ? Finchley and Golders Green, announced 28 May 2008[116]
  82. Alan Williams ? Swansea West, announced September 2006[117]
  83. Betty Williams ? Conwy, announced 12 September 2008[118]
  84. Michael Wills ? North Swindon, announced 14 September 2009[119]
  85. Tony Wright ? Cannock Chase, announced 21 July 2008[120]
  86. Derek Wyatt ? Sittingbourne and Sheppey, announced 1 July 2009 [121]

Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) barred five MPs from standing as official Labour Party candidates at the next general election in the wake of the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal.[122][123] However, they could stand as independent candidates. Three of these MPs, David Chaytor, Margaret Moran and Elliot Morley, have stated that they will be standing down as MPs. Another, Ian Gibson, resigned his seat, causing a by-election in Norwich North that was won by Conservative candidate Chloe Smith. The fifth, Jim Devine, has not yet stated whether he plans to stand down as an MP, resign, or stand as an independent for re-election as MP for Livingston.[124][125]

In addition, David Taylor (North West Leicestershire) had announced on 13 May 2008 that he would stand down at the general election,[126] but died on 26 December 2009.[127]

The East Lothian Labour Party voted on 22 January 2010 to deselect their MP Anne Moffat,[128] and the NEC will shortly be taking a decision on the matter.[129]
 Conservative

   1. Michael Ancram ? Devizes, announced 11 August 2009[130]
   2. Peter Ainsworth ? East Surrey, announced 5 January 2010[131]
   3. Peter Atkinson ? Hexham, announced 19 June 2008[132]
   4. Tim Boswell ? Daventry, announced 31 March 2006[133]
   5. Angela Browning ? Tiverton and Honiton, announced 17 November 2006[134]
   6. Sir John Butterfill ? Bournemouth West, announced 17 March 2008[135]
   7. Sir Patrick Cormack ? South Staffordshire, announced 1 December 2009[136]
   8. David Curry ? Skipton and Ripon, announced 5 February 2009[137]
   9. Christopher Fraser ? Norfolk South West, announced 28 May 2009[138]
  10. Paul Goodman ? Wycombe, announced 5 June 2009[139]
  11. John Greenway ? Ryedale, announced 28 November 2006[140]
  12. John Gummer ? Suffolk Coastal, announced 30 December 2009[141]
  13. Douglas Hogg ? Sleaford and North Hykeham, announced 19 May 2009[142]
  14. John Horam ? Orpington, announced 12 October 2009[143]
  15. Michael Howard ? Folkestone and Hythe, announced 17 March 2006[144]
  16. Michael Jack ? Fylde, announced 14 March 2008[145]
  17. Robert Key ? Salisbury, announced 2 December 2009[146]
  18. Julie Kirkbride ? Bromsgrove, announced on 28 May 2009 that she would stand down,[147] reversed her decision on 5 November,[148] then announced she would indeed stand down on 18 December[149]
  19. Jacqui Lait ? Beckenham, announced 21 September 2009[150]
  20. Sir Michael Lord ? Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, announced 12 September 2009[151]
  21. Andrew MacKay ? Bracknell, announced 23 May 2009[152]
  22. David Maclean ? Penrith and The Border, announced 26 June 2009[153]
  23. Humfrey Malins ? Woking, announced 16 March 2009[154]
  24. John Maples ? Stratford-on-Avon, announced 10 January 2010[155]
  25. Michael Mates ? East Hampshire, announced 24 November 2006[156]
  26. Malcolm Moss ? North East Cambridgeshire, announced 6 September 2007[157]
  27. Sir Michael Spicer ? West Worcestershire, announced 24 March 2006[158]
  28. Richard Spring ? West Suffolk, announced 23 November 2009[159]
  29. Anthony Steen ? Totnes, announced 20 May 2009[160]
  30. Ian Taylor ? Esher and Walton, announced 16 June 2009[161]
  31. Sir Peter Viggers ? Gosport, announced 20 May 2009[162]
  32. Ann Widdecombe ? Maidstone and The Weald, announced 7 October 2007 [163]
  33. David Wilshire ? Spelthorne, announced 15 October 2009[164]
  34. Sir Nicholas Winterton ? Macclesfield, announced 25 May 2009[165]
  35. Ann, Lady Winterton ? Congleton, announced 25 May 2009[165]

 Liberal Democrats

   1. John Barrett ? Edinburgh West, announced 25 July 2009[166]
   2. Colin Breed ? South East Cornwall, announced 9 October 2007[167]
   3. David Howarth ? Cambridge, announced 5 November 2009[168]
   4. Paul Keetch ? Hereford, announced 16 November 2006[169]
   5. Mark Oaten ? Winchester, announced 25 July 2006[170]
   6. Matthew Taylor ? Truro and St Austell, announced 17 January 2007.[171]
   7. Phil Willis ? Harrogate and Knaresborough, announced 18 May 2007.[172]

 Other parties

   1. Derek Conway (Independent conservative; Conservative Party whip withdrawn) ? Old Bexley and Sidcup, announced 30 January 2008[173]
   2. Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party) ? North Antrim, announced January 2008,[174] may reverse decision.[175]
   3. Andrew Pelling (Independent; Conservative Party whip withdrawn) ? Croydon Central, announced 4 December 2007,[176] although is reported to be reconsidering.[177]
   4. Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) ? Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, announced 18 September 2009[178]
   5. Alex Salmond MSP (Scottish National Party) ? Banff and Buchan, announced 15 January 2006[179] (will remain an MSP)
   6. Clare Short (Independent; elected as Labour MP, resigned the whip 20 October 2006) ? Birmingham Ladywood, announced 14 September 2006.[180][181]

Iris Robinson, the Democratic Unionist Party MP for Strangford, had announced on 28 December 2009 that she would not seek re-election.[182] However subsequent revelations led her to resign her seat in January 2010, before the end of the Parliament.

However looking at those queueing up to get selected I doubt that we will see much benefit.

[Nick]

Did you see Guido Fawkes tearing into Tim Yeo the other night? No one in the mainstream had picked THAT up! Yeo went bonkers!

[Snoopy]

No I missed that. Did you post something? ~ I'll go and have a look.

[Nick]

http://order-order.com/guy-news-yeo-tory-policy-confusion-lie-action-replay/
 

[Miss Demeanour]

and so it continues 

Gordon Brown has admitted he struck a deal with Tony Blair over the 1994 succession to the Labour leadership.

He said they agreed Mr Blair would have a clear run, and then support Mr Brown to take over when he stepped down.

But he told ITV1's Piers Morgan's Life Stories the deal was not made at the Granita restaurant as widely believed.

The prime minister also wept when he spoke about his daughter Jennifer, who died aged 10 days after suffering a brain haemorrhage in 2002.