From Hero to Nero

 

Once the darling of the middle-of-the-road voters, Nick Clegg has had a hideous 48 hours.

Anyone can forget a microphone in the pocket, but his comment will return to haunt him. If he is to recover a separate identity for the LibDems his confession of no differences between the two parties will be dangled before him.

Worst today was his chronic ignorance on a greatly loved benefit. He twice denied this morning that there was any cut in the Winter Fuel Allowance. Once more and the cock would have crowed.

He told one caller to radio phone-in "I wouldn't believe everything you read in the papers, I certainly don't these days. We have increased winter fuel payments."

In response to another caller, Nick Clegg said about Mr Balls: "Honestly, I don't know what he's on about. He keeps sort of throwing around a lot of sort of wild allegations."

During the election campaign, David Cameron attacked Labour for suggesting winter fuel payments were under threat if the Conservatives came to power, accusing them of lying to voters."

The truth is that Labour raised the cold weather payments from £8.50 to £25 a week. The Coalition is cutting the winter fuel allowance by £50 - from the present £250 to £200. Recipients will not be amused.

Someone should have told Clegg.

 

Help yourself

Do royalty help charities? Or are charities propping up royalty?

Aware that Princess Diana's popularity grew from her charitable work, the royal spin machine has cranked up royal links to good causes. Some invites to the royal marriage are for firms who have backed royals' charities. The benefits of a royal presence is usually overstated. All cash raised when royals visit charitable events should have the security costs of policing deducted. That would wipe out the sums raised by most charitable stunts. It is the taxpayers money that is shoring up the institution of royalty.

More to come on this.

Six weeks or eternity?

The Fukushima disaster is following the pattern of Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. The radiation danger is understated. I did an interview today for a Welsh language TV programme on the 1986 leak. Also interviewed for the programme is Farmer Glyn Roberts of Padog, near Betws- y-Coed, Conwy. He was placed under restrictions after the disaster. Five years ago he said:

"They told me the restrictions would last six weeks," he said.

"I have to notify the agriculture ministry and ask for a licence if I want to move any sheep.

"I have to wait for that to come through the post before I can move them. Then someone from the ministry has to come to count the ones I've painted. It costs in time and labour and administrative work.

"People don't realise that it's a lot of hassle if you want to sell smaller lots of sheep."

Clouds carrying caesium-137 were blown from the Ukraine to Britain in the days after the disaster. I don't know what my friend Glyn is saying now. But the restrictions still continue. 

Worth remembering when considering our new nuclear plans.

 

Comments

[Junican]

I don't understand you at all, Mr Flynn. I really don't. You emphasise again and again the number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan, but you do not mention the consequences of not being in Afghanistan. But I do agree that we Brits seem to be taking more responsibility for these things than is reasonable.

You seem to find it hilarious that Clegg made a 'faut pas' and that it is somehow important. I find it anything but. It really does not matter. Who cares?

The reality is that you politicians can do nothing. Special interest groups rule the roost.

I have voted in every election since I was able to. I see no point any more. Cameron, Clegg, Milliband are all the same person - give or take a bit. None of them have any real control of events.

I do not think that I will vote in the elections in May or for or against AV. There is no point. Win or lose will make no difference. The Special Interest Groups will still be in control however I may vote. What is the point? We will all still be persecuted.

[Paul Flynn]

Sadly we have achieved virtually nothing in Afghanistan except the unnecessary deaths of 362 British soldiers and an uncounted number of local people. There is no terrorist threat from the Taliban and Al Quaeda are free to recruit and plot in dozens of other countries.
Have a look at previous blogs.