Groan.
Former MP Kim Howells is re-inventing himself. Advanced publicity for a programme tommorow suggests that he is now painting himself as a 'rebel.' His history proves that he is a conformist.
He is a natural banner-carrier. Wherever the flow is heading, he likes to be in front carrying the banner.
Kim’s joined a sit-in at Hornsey School Art when student demonstrations were fashionable in 1968. No one knew what the protest was about, but it was more fun than painting. The son of communist, Kim was a member of the communist party too when he was employed by the National Union of Miners. It was the thing to do – especially as his boss Arthur Scargill was a party member.
During the strike taxi driver David Wilkie was killed by two striking miners who dropped a concrete block off a local bridge on to his taxi. On being told of the incident in a telephone call from a reporter of the South Wales Echo, Howells rode his bicycle to the NUM offices, and destroyed the maps and information associated with co-ordinating the strike for fear of a police raid. He later commented that same day that the incident was a result of pressure to get the miners to return to work.
Then his odyssey to right began. He adjusted his views to a mould that was acceptable to be New Labour as candidate in Pontypridd. The metamorphosis from communist to Blairite loyalist was swift when he was elected.
As a Foreign Office minister he had his picture taken cuddling up to soldiers who murder trade unionists. It was a matter of pride and displayed on the Foreign Office website.
Smiling Kim Howells is close to a general linked to paramilitary death squads and soldiers of a notorious unit of the Colombian army accused, including by Amnesty International, of torturing and killing trade unionists.
Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of the union Unite, called for an end to British support for the Colombian regime: "Colombia is the world's leader slaughterhouse for trade unionists and it defies belief that the British ministers should be cuddling up - literally, judging by the photographs - with the perpetrators."
The trailer for the programme suggests that Kim will be bigging up his role as a Foreign Office Minister. Why? Was it his comment in July 2006 when he said that calling for a cease-fire in Lebanon was a "meaningless gesture"? Only Israel, USA and the UK failed to demand a ceasefire. It would not have been meaningless for the children buried alive at Qana, the thousand killed and the million whose homes were destroyed in the subsequent invasion.
Was it his flippant dismissal of the 7th February 2006 warning that his Afghan drug eradication programme would lead to the alienation of Aghans and the deaths of more British soldiers ? He describes the questioner as a 'muesli-eater'. Then 12 had died. Now it's 345.
Was it for announcing that Arial Sharon was dead, when he is still alive?
Was it for the serial failure of his anti-drugs policy and repeated assurances that drugs production in Afghanistan was dropping. It cost British taxpayers £250 million to engineer a 60 % increase in heroin production to the highest level ever. The price of the drugs on the streets of Britain is the lowest ever.
Was it his impassioned speech on Britain's 'shared values' with Saudi Arabia? ....bribery, torture, anti-democratic, feudal...?
Having not been nominated for a place in the Lords, Kim appears to be searching for a new role. He has taken up painting again. He is also a born-again devolution botherer.
Yawn.
Remembrance
Today the Merchant Navy dead were remembered at Newport's Merchant Navy memorial.
In spite of his failing health Bert Bale was present to guide the service. Visitors come from many parts of the country to the prized event. The Merchant Navy National Association has just become a registered charity. Newport has always been proud of the city's maritime history. In spite of the cold and snow, today's event was well attended, dignified and inspiring.
The Newport Merchant Navy Association President writer Leslie Thomas could not attend today because of ill-health. He sent a message saying how much he admired Bert for attending in spite of his very serious health difficulties.
Well done Bert. You have served the Merchant Navy and the city of Newport well.
David Davies - inspiring the next generation
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/8706269.Too_many_going_to_university___Gwent_MP/
Posted by: D.G. | November 28, 2010 at 12:34 AM