Ed Balls biding his time before ear bashing

Ed Balls is now hoist on his own petard. By getting Maggie Atkinson, the new children's commissioner in place and saying she will be no "patsy", he will now have to sit around like Vesuvius, the volcano. Better to remain dormant than active. The first time she has to cross swords with him in public, the public will be reminded that he thinks she's no patsy and cheer her on in her confrontation with him.

As she's only got nine months left with Mr. Balls in charge I'm hoping she will rattle his cage a bit sooner than that.

Read more »

Damian Green's arrest "not proportiate"

Ex-British Transport Police chief Sir Ian Johnston has said that the leaked information that found its way to Damian Green amounted to "embarrassment" for the government but did not threaten national security. He said the arrest of the Tory frontbencher, as part of an inquiry into Home Office leaks, was "not proportionate".

The police probably knew this at the time, but under New Labour they feel that they are in a bind. "Damned if they did, damned if they didn't". That's the view of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Denis O'Connor. Hardly a proper footing for initiating investigations.

The main question now is - "Who authorised the arrest in the first place?" - that's the one that may be is the most interesting to know.

Read more »

Glasgow North-East By-election

If I were a voter in the Glasgow North-East by-election, I'd be concerned that my vote counted. Normally I'd suggest that the Conservative candidate would make a good MP and that by voting Conservative the government would get a bloody nose and all the rest of it. And in truth that would be true. It would be seismic in this part of Glasgow.

What have the voters of this constituency got on offer? Possibly the chance to vote SNP, or LibDem as an alternative. Would that do them much good? I doubt it. I'm inclined to think that in this particular election the Glasgow voters have an opportunity to do something for themselves. If they elect John Smeaton, of the Jury Team, they would be doing two things. Sending a man to Westminster who was there with a message to clean up the shambles of the expenses system and who would not be arm-twisted by the whips. His very presence might just get the three main parties to realise that something was up. Up until now, precious little has got through to them. This might just work.

It would also not upset the apple cart by causing a fall of government. That can be left to the General Election. But as an effective protest, well I know of no better.

John Smeaton, Jury Team candidate for Glasgow North-East -

Read more »