Dodgy Donor Droop

Glyn rage therapy

There are encouraging signs today that the 'dodgy donor' stunt is strangling itself with its own hysteria.

BBC Wales were orgasmically thrilled by the news that Peter Hain was involved. In spite of yards of coverage, no-one could explain what he had done wrong, who was hurt and why it was a scandal. The Vox Pop in Neath expressed strong support for Peter. What crime had he committed ? No-one really knew.

Unseated AM Glyn Davies exploded with anger on his blog today . "Absolutely bloody outrageous' was his considered judgement on a phone-in I did with him yesterday on Post Prynhawn. That's because the tone of the programme did not follow the sanctimonious malign humbug of the Daily Mail who are leading the feeding frenzy. Poor Glyn is woefully unaware of the sins of Ashcroft. Michael Brown and the Midlands Industry Council.

The BBC  kindly allowed me to spread similar  balm in English on Good Morning Wales and on the Jeremy Vine show today. Things went well, I thought. Although Rhun did keep interrupting my interruptions. He gave up in the end and allowed me to escalate into hyper-rant.

On Radio two, I was linked with the pleasant SNP MP who stated the Cash for peerages witch hunt. The interviewer (not Vine today) warmed to the idea that dragging police in to settle political scores is not the most sensible use of their time.

There was plenty of time to discuss practical alternatives to party dependence on donors. I asked Angus if he thought Plaid should be reported to the Police for their mis-use of the Communication Allowance.

My  health dip last week did leave me with a few fleeting moments of lassitude. This week has been wonderful. Topping up my stock of indignation at these moronic frenzied bullies is very bracing and extremely therapeutic.

Things can only get better. After a few insubstantial revelations that will bore the public rigid, it will be  time to launch the counter attack with a banner emblazoned with the word ASHCROFT

Democracy Day

In Newport City Centre today, ACCENT will seeking signatures for the Democrcy Day petition. The EDM now has 24 very significant MP backers>

That this House believes that the pioneering sacrifices of those who sowed the seeds of British democracy should be celebrated with a new Bank Holiday on the Monday nearest to 4th November, the anniversary of the killing of more than 20 Chartist insurgents in Newport in 1839, recalling other significant events in the history of the Suffragettes (1903) and the Putney debates (1647); and calls for a fresh appreciation of the value of the courage and vision of past generations in order to defend, promote and develop Britain's democratic institutions.

Flynn, Paul Francis, Hywel Hopkins, Kelvin Corbyn, Jeremy Davies, Dai Vis, Rudi Challen, Colin Efford, Clive Williams, Betty Pope, Greg Foster, Michael Jabez Hancock, Mike McDonnell, John Caton, Martin
Morden, Jessica Simpson, Alan Williams, Stephen Cryer, Ann Austin, John Anderson, David Jenkins, Brian
Etherington, Bill Burgon, Colin Galloway, George
.
Narcissus Bird
Intriguing behaviour from a sparrow who inhabits my small front garden.

He has a mirror fetish. He spends his time communicating with his reflection in the rear window or on the wing mirrors. Sometimes he pecks at his reflection. Mostly he stares at it quizzically titling his puzzled head from left to right.  Occasionally there is flurry of wing-flapping at the  mirrors.

Is this normal behaviour? Is he a Newport mutant? Anyone know? Is there a strain of narcissus sparrows ?

Red Dragons rampant.

A host of new designs are on offer for a dragon addition to the Union Jack. Here are the best.

Comments

[Adam]

Great flags Mr. Flynn. Wales are hte greatest.

Here is a video of Newport's most famous son.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB2POWSnStU

[Che Gravara]

I have to say Paul that you are getting very defensive over this issue. Surely if the donations are illegal then the politicians involved must take the consequences.

After the fuss you and the Labour party made of the Plaid Cymru adverts you must admit it is very hypocritical of you to defend this issue. Ultimately what Labour have done is (according to the Electoral Commission) illegal and a matter for the police.

I agree that it is no worse than the donations that support the Tory party but that still does not excuse the actions of senior Labour members.

[Paul Flynn]

Hypocrisy is an odd accusation. Plai voted against CA, then claimed and mis-used it. The tories in the main are not claiming CA after voting against. that's an honourable course. Are Plaid happy for the Police to investigate their abuse of the Communication Allowance? I have not defended or excused what happened- but the publicity does not fit the error. All parties are guilty - only one is being blamed as a result of a newspaper/opposition campaign to hype a thin story.

Any police investigation damages because the public assume guilt .
The actions are stupid and not sleazy. But the perception will stick regardless of the outcome.

[David Walters]

Smeering the cash for peerages investigation as a "witch hunt" does you little credit. Unless there's an investigation how does anyone know whether it's true or not. What are we supposed to do -take Tony Blair's word? Even in your latter-day role as new Labour cheerleader, you surely wouldn't suggest that. Obviously it was doomed to failure because the secretive nature of such deals (if there were any) essentially then involves someone admitting they bought or sold honours.

Your bleat seems to be that MPs and their acolytes were treated like ordinary people.

Has it occured to you that Hain decided to reveal the donation only when Mendelson's name started being bandied about in the unlawful donations sage? Hain conduct is probably cock-up rather than deception but let's not run away with the idea that he's not capable of the latter.

For the many of us who recall you as a principled and thoughtful politican, it's sad to see and hear you as you are now.

[Paul Flynn]

My previous personality thanks you for your kind words. But, nothing has changed, David Walters. I am the same boring unchanging person.

The cash for peerages complaint was a successful political stunt by the SNP. it's success was it damaged the reputation of Labour. But no main party has clean hands. For at least a 100 years there is a clear correlation between donors and peerages awarded by the three main parties. It was British tradition- as unjust as many others in the Lords. Labour attempted to clean up the system with transparency. the Tories spotted that loans were exempt and exploited it Labour followed.
the Public administration Committee were in the process on investigating honours when the police probe started. the loophole has been closed and our report would have been published if the police investigated had not taken place. It was stretched out for 16 months.

Cash for peerages was 'custom and practice'. Wrong but accepted. Labour was caught holding the parcel when the music stopped.
The 'witch hunt'-ed were the rejected peers who went through hell, after they did nothing wrong. Distinguished, accomplished people who were also generous benefactors. They have written to members of the Select Committee. I hope they let us publish their letters plus fascinating diaries of press activity that preceded police calls.

What did Peter Hain do? At worse it was a foul-up by him or a member of his staff. At worst , all it amounts too is that details were not published of a wholly proper contribution by a member of the Labour Party to another member of the Labour party in an internal Labour party election. Would this be a news item in any other county except ours?

[Chris Gale]

Hi Paul

Ref your fiesty sparrow.

What you are dealing with are fiercely territorial birds

Your car has ended up together within the sparrows' territory and every time they fly past
your windscreen he is seeing THE ENEMY.

Great pic!

[Paul Flynn]

Thanks Chris. If it's the enemy, he is certainly attacking with a great deal of offensive deposits.

[Che Gravara]

"Plai voted against CA, then claimed and mis-used it."

Are you suggesting that it is not correct that Plaid did not want to give members £10,000 each? If enough members had joined plaid in the vote this money would be better spent. Having been given the money, even against their wishes it was obvious that it would be used. What is suspicious is your failure to judge labour member, such as Ruth Keyy, wo have also been found to have misused the money. Maybe its time to stop pointing the finger of accusation and start atmitting there is something very wrong with the Labour party at the moment.

[Paul Flynn]

Ruth Kelly was a pretty standard one issued at a time when there was no local election. it contained three references acknowledging local improvements resulted from Government action. Wrong ? yes. She has fully apologised. When will Plaid?