Alan Johnson quits frontline politics

[trousers]

...for "personal reasons"...hmmmm.....

 

The Labour spin machine is alive and well....?

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12242397

[Pancake]

Dirty boy.

 

I'm betting some svelte 18 year old political intern who has kisses and told to the NOTW.

[Whitey Grandad]

'Personal reasons' being that he's personally not up to the job?

[SuperMikey]

'Personal reasons' being that he's personally not up to the job?

 

Either that or he doesn't like the direction the party is going in again.

[scotty]

The most important political question is "will anybody notice"?

[Colinjb]

Apparently his wife has been carrying on with his bodyguard.

 

Couldn't cope. Oh well. But seriously? Ed Balls to replace him? Good god how unelectable do they want to be!?

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

...for "personal reasons"...hmmmm.....

 

The Labour spin machine is alive and well....?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12242397

 

Either that or his marriage is over and he fancies some time away from the limelight? can't blame him.

[Saintandy666]

All the toryboys saying the personal reasons were a charade sure look like ****s now.

[Gingeletiss]

Apparently his wife has been carrying on with his bodyguard.

 

Couldn't cope. Oh well. But seriously? Ed Balls to replace him? Good god how unelectable do they want to be!?

 

Bodyguard in question, has been suspended, so you win the coconut!

[saintfully]

All the toryboys saying the personal reasons were a charade sure look like ****s now.

 

No change there then

[badgerx16]

Good god how unelectable do they want to be!?

How 'electable' will they need to be after the BrokeBack coalition collapses ?

[Saintandy666]

It is a massive shame Johnson has gone. He was one of the few front bench politicians with a real life before politics. He had a harsh upbringing from a working class background, whether you agree with him or not we need more people from that background in parliament so parliament better represents society.

[Verbal]

'Personal reasons' being that he's personally not up to the job?

 

No. Personal reasons means exactly that - it's personal.

[Wade Garrett]

'Personal reasons' being that he's personally not up to the job?

 

Just like 95% of the ConDem cabinet then.

[Lord Duckhunter]

It is a massive shame Johnson has gone. He was one of the few front bench politicians with a real life before politics. He had a harsh upbringing from a working class background, whether you agree with him or not we need more people from that background in parliament so parliament better represents society.

 

I agree

 

The problem nowadays is two fold. Since the Thatcher reforms the unions are not the political animals they used to be. Therefore a traditional source of Labour MP's from normal backgrounds who came up through the unions ranks from activest to shop steward ect, is gone. On the other hand the spotlight on their money making, background and personal life, together with low wages (compared to what they earn in business). Has put many traditional Torys off. Aslo added to this is the obsession the public have with people only being an MP with no outside work interests, and you end up with identikit MP's/professional politians.A concerted effort needs to be made to engage people in local politics and then give them a route to national politics. The party machine has become too big, and neither one wants independant thinking people, either left or right, to rise to the top.Instead of making a differance the back bench MP is just lobby fodder for the whips.

 

Another thing that needs to be curbed is people being parachuted into the Lords to be able to become members of the Govt.Baroness Warsi is a prime example, fought a seat and lost, so the Tories made her a life peer and she's now a Minister without portfolio. Labour was just as bad, backbench MP's toe the party line because if they dont, they wont get on.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

I was hoping I would see trousers re-tract he sleazy sounding statement that the thread opened with seeing as it truly was a personal matter, but never mind eh?

[Verbal]

I was hoping I would see trousers re-tract he sleazy sounding statement that the thread opened with seeing as it truly was a personal matter, but never mind eh?

 

No, he will.

 

trousers is the exception to the rule - the honourable Tory.

 

That is, if he's not too busy fiddling his tax return.

[um pahars]

Apparently his wife has been carrying on with his bodyguard.

 

Couldn't cope. Oh well. But seriously? Ed Balls to replace him? Good god how unelectable do they want to be!?

 

The story I heard was that he was having an affair with a civil servant (and I assumed the naughty policeman bit was that he had leaked this).

 

I also heard that people in the Labour Party themselves were happy for this story to come out as many were not happy with Johnson's recent performances (his NI gaffe just seemed to highlight that this was the wrong brief for him).

[team-saint]

I agree

 

The problem nowadays is two fold. Since the Thatcher reforms the unions are not the political animals they used to be. Therefore a traditional source of Labour MP's from normal backgrounds who came up through the unions ranks from activest to shop steward ect, is gone. On the other hand the spotlight on their money making, background and personal life, together with low wages (compared to what they earn in business). Has put many traditional Torys off. Aslo added to this is the obsession the public have with people only being an MP with no outside work interests, and you end up with identikit MP's/professional politians.A concerted effort needs to be made to engage people in local politics and then give them a route to national politics. The party machine has become too big, and neither one wants independant thinking people, either left or right, to rise to the top.Instead of making a differance the back bench MP is just lobby fodder for the whips.

 

Another thing that needs to be curbed is people being parachuted into the Lords to be able to become members of the Govt.Baroness Warsi is a prime example, fought a seat and lost, so the Tories made her a life peer and she's now a Minister without portfolio. Labour was just as bad, backbench MP's toe the party line because if they dont, they wont get on.

 

Good post, completely agree.

[dune]

I was hoping I would see trousers re-tract he sleazy sounding statement that the thread opened with seeing as it truly was a personal matter, but never mind eh?

 

lol @ you.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

lol @ you.

 

Yes dear, "lol @" me. Honestly. I thought cunstervatives hated this 'modernisation' of the English language?

[trousers]

No, he will.

 

trousers is the exception to the rule - the honourable Tory.

 

That is, if he's not too busy fiddling his tax return.

 

:-)

[trousers]

I was hoping I would see trousers re-tract he sleazy sounding statement that the thread opened with seeing as it truly was a personal matter, but never mind eh?

 

Fair point. Apologies, consider it retracted. (sorry for the delay - haven't stumbled across this thread up to now - I blame the Tapatalk application....)

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

Fair point. Apologies, consider it retracted. (sorry for the delay - haven't stumbled across this thread up to now - I blame the Tapatalk application....)

 

Ah, I see I'm not the only one who has some issues with that App. Cheers trousers :-)

[trousers]

Ah, I see I'm not the only one who has some issues with that App. Cheers trousers :-)

 

I find using Tapatalk is quite useful in that it displays the latest 'hot topics' (on my default view) but that often means losing sight of any threads that aren't "top 10" at any moment in time. Modern technology....pah!

[dune]

Yes dear, "lol @" me. Honestly. I thought cunstervatives hated this 'modernisation' of the English language?

 

The Conservatives are all for modernisation. You should see that over the coming years as education is repaired and children start getting taught properly:

 

'Michael Gove: 'I want the political correctness out of national curriculum'

 

Education Secretary Michael Gove says British schools are falling behind other countries and the national curriculum needs rewriting.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/8272021/Michael-Gove-I-want-the-political-correctness-out-of-national-curriculum.html

 

Will you rise to the challenge or will you sulk?

[badgerx16]

The Conservatives are all for modernisation. You should see that over the coming years as education is repaired and children start getting taught properly:

 

'Michael Gove: 'I want the political correctness out of national curriculum'

 

Education Secretary Michael Gove says British schools are falling behind other countries and the national curriculum needs rewriting.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/8272021/Michael-Gove-I-want-the-political-correctness-out-of-national-curriculum.html

 

Will you rise to the challenge or will you sulk?

 

Yet more narrow minded, short sighted, ill thought out, or just plain dogmatic, political interference in the educational system by somebody whose personal experience of the school environment stopped at sixth form. No wonder our kids are dropping down the international 'league tables', what with all the programs, initiatives, and rewriting of curricular content by each new incumbent of an educational portfolio.

 

( And yes, I include all the previous Govt's playing around as well - for once, why can't they leave it alone. They just HAVE to be seen to be doing something ).

[LGTL]

Gove is fantastic at making these massive sweeping statements without having a clue what he's going on about. He is without doubt the worst Tory on the front bench, and that is saying something with Osborne sat there. Has he ever been in a school post 16?

[dune]

Yet more narrow minded, short sighted, ill thought out, or just plain dogmatic, political interference in the educational system by somebody whose personal experience of the school environment stopped at sixth form. No wonder our kids are dropping down the international 'league tables', what with all the programs, initiatives, and rewriting of curricular content by each new incumbent of an educational portfolio.

 

( And yes, I include all the previous Govt's playing around as well - for once, why can't they leave it alone. They just HAVE to be seen to be doing something ).

 

It's programmes not programs.

 

Your ignorance to the English spelling is a perfect example of where education has failed.

[dune]

Gove is fantastic at making these massive sweeping statements without having a clue what he's going on about. He is without doubt the worst Tory on the front bench, and that is saying something with Osborne sat there. Has he ever been in a school post 16?

 

He's right about political correctness, and I think it's brilliant that he's come out and said what he thinks. Since the Conservatives got into office it's like a dark cloud has been lifted and our civil liberties are slowly being restored.

[LGTL]

He's right about political correctness, and I think it's brilliant that he's come out and said what he thinks. Since the Conservatives got into office it's like a dark cloud has been lifted and our civil liberties are slowly being restored.

 

I'm more interested what "Political Correctness" he has personally witnessed in a school that he feels needs to be eradicated? Where is he getting these ideas from exactly? As I said, it's a sweeping statement because he believes it's what the majority of people want to hear, which is a different discussion completely.

[badgerx16]

It's programmes not programs.

 

Your ignorance to the English spelling is a perfect example of where education has failed.

Your ignorance of the IT industry is shocking. After 28 years of writing computer PROGRAMS, this is, unfortunately, one Americanism that has crept into my vernacular.

[dune]

Your ignorance of the IT industry is shocking. After 28 years of writing computer PROGRAMS, this is, unfortunately, one Americanism that has crept into my vernacular.

 

You have allowed yourself to use the American spelling. There is no need. I always use the word "programme" at work and have never been asked to dumb the word down.

[badgerx16]

You have allowed yourself to use the American spelling. There is no need. I always use the word "programme" at work and have never been asked to dumb the word down.

From the OED "The standard spelling of the noun and verb in British English is programme, except when referring to computer programs".

 

From the Cambridge Dictionary : program - noun

a series of instructions which can be put into a computer in order to make it perform an operation.

 

Edited 22 January, 2011 by badgerx16

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

The Conservatives are all for modernisation. You should see that over the coming years as education is repaired and children start getting taught properly:

 

'Michael Gove: 'I want the political correctness out of national curriculum'

 

Education Secretary Michael Gove says British schools are falling behind other countries and the national curriculum needs rewriting.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/8272021/Michael-Gove-I-want-the-political-correctness-out-of-national-curriculum.html

 

Will you rise to the challenge or will you sulk?

 

What political correctness? I thought referring to those people who we dragged across the Atlantic kicking and screaming as 'African Slaves' instead of '******s' was just the truth. How wrong I was.

 

Gove is your weakest link dunce and will end up being the Tory's downfall.

[dune]

What political correctness? I thought referring to those people who we dragged across the Atlantic kicking and screaming as 'African Slaves' instead of '******s' was just the truth. How wrong I was.

 

Gove is your weakest link dunce and will end up being the Tory's downfall.

 

I wouldn't have said anything if I'd known you were going to react like this.

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

Yet more narrow minded, short sighted, ill thought out, or just plain dogmatic, political interference in the educational system by somebody whose personal experience of the school environment stopped at sixth form. No wonder our kids are dropping down the international 'league tables', what with all the programs, initiatives, and rewriting of curricular content by each new incumbent of an educational portfolio.

 

( And yes, I include all the previous Govt's playing around as well - for once, why can't they leave it alone. They just HAVE to be seen to be doing something ).

 

Before elections the opposition claim that the current situation is **** (even if it isn't) and so it follows that when they get in they must change it. Sad aspect of our adversarial politics, no common ground or stability.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

I wouldn't have said anything if I'd known you were going to react like this.

 

And once again you play the 'I was trying to wind you up' card. It's a shame for you that everyone can see that unfortunately for human civilisation, you're deadly serious and not being ironic. I really do pity you you sad pathetic little man.

[dune]

And once again you play the 'I was trying to wind you up' card. It's a shame for you that everyone can see that unfortunately for human civilisation, you're deadly serious and not being ironic. I really do pity you you sad pathetic little man.

 

I'm always being serious apart from when i'm not. In the case Michael Goves reforms of course i'm encouraged by what he's saying. To have a politician speaking against political correctness has far wider implications than just education. It signals a sea change in attitude between the nanny state Labour Party and the freedoms of the Conservative party.

[um pahars]

I'm more interested what "Political Correctness" he has personally witnessed in a school that he feels needs to be eradicated? Where is he getting these ideas from exactly? As I said, it's a sweeping statement because he believes it's what the majority of people want to hear, which is a different discussion completely.

 

Me too!!!!

 

Just what is it that he has seen or thinks exists that leads him to such a sweeping statement. I personally have a great aversion to some of the over the top Health & Safety rules/legilation (that guy who got done for taking kids sledging seemed unfair) and have no real time for the petty "PC" brigade, but that's not the same as wanting Political Correctness out of the curriculum (just what is it in the curriculum that he is talking about?).

 

Just like his English Baccalaureate curriculum, it sounds catchy, might go down with the Daily Mail and its readers, but what exactly does it mean.

 

I'm not holding my breath!!!!!

[um pahars]

Before elections the opposition claim that the current situation is **** (even if it isn't) and so it follows that when they get in they must change it. Sad aspect of our adversarial politics, no common ground or stability.

 

Indeed. Why can't any of the Political parties accept that their adversaries may indeed have some workable policies and solutions?

 

It seems to have gone all playground with many debates being "whatever they're saying or doing, we're doing the opposite".

[dune]

It seems to have gone all playground with many debates being "whatever they're saying or doing, we're doing the opposite".

 

In the case of Socialism and Socialist ideologies doing the exact opposite is the right thing to do.

 

socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the object worship of the state. It will prescribe for every one where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and what they may say. Socialism is an attack on the right to breathe freely. No socialist system can be established without a political police. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo, no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance

 

Winston Churchill.

[tony13579]

I think Alan Johnston has taken an opportunist blinder. The labour opposition cabinet are an embarrassment.

 

They are trying to attack vary weak Tories who are making a hash of fixing their mess. They are attacking the cuts to their overspending rather than proposing a solid plan. The reality is probably to harsh to drop on the public.

 

When these to cabinets collapse Alan is in a good position to step in and replace the kids that are doing it now.

 

I can see a labour cabinet of Burnham Johnston Denham Abbott at the core.

 

I hate family links in politics, they run on back room deals. Cooper and Balls, or Southampton's Marsh-Jenks & Jenks gang.

[dune]

I can see a labour cabinet of Burnham Johnston Denham Abbott at the core.

 

I have absolutely no time for champagne Socialists and Denham is right up there in this hypocritical motley crew.

 

John Denham's expenses

 

John Denham kept his expenses simple while claiming the maximum possible under the second homes allowance.

 

His monthly mortgage claims for his terraced house in Islington, north London, stood at £1,284 in 2005, rising to £1,533 by 2007. The new Communities Secretary, who has responsibility for housing policy, also claimed for utilities, maintenance, insurance, television licence, council tax and phone bills.

 

In addition, the taxpayer paid him up to £250 a month for food and £25 a week to have the house cleaned. In 2005, he spent £2,479 on two chairs and a rug from John Lewis, and £400 the next year for a washing machine. This was followed in 2007 by a claim for £2,792 to have a bathroom wall damp-proofed.

 

He was one of a number of ministers to use their office allowances to pay for personal tax advice from an accountant.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/cabinet-expenses/5602014/John-Denhams-expenses.html

 

As for Abbot she is even more of a hypocrite.

 

[video=youtube;-5uMbMJ2EUQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5uMbMJ2EUQ

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

In the case of Socialism and Socialist ideologies doing the exact opposite is the right thing to do.

 

socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the object worship of the state. It will prescribe for every one where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and what they may say. Socialism is an attack on the right to breathe freely. No socialist system can be established without a political police. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo, no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance

 

Winston Churchill.

 

Your new years resolution didn't even last in to February...

[dune]

Your new years resolution didn't even last in to February...

 

An Orwellian quote like that is too good not to use because it perfectly sums up the last 13 dark years under Labour. The war on motorists, cctv on every corner, detention without charge, the erosion of freedom of speech. I could go on and on. Socialism is a totalitarian ideology that is all about centralisation of power and the erosion of individual freedom. Socialists hate the concept of people earning money and spending that money as they so choose. You have a lot to learn, but hopefully with a new curriculum and a change of political direction you will start to grow up and see some sense.

[dune]

There you go Thorpie. Watch and learn...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hATC_2I1wZE

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

An Orwellian quote like that is too good not to use because it perfectly sums up the last 13 dark years under Labour. The war on motorists, cctv on every corner, detention without charge, the erosion of freedom of speech. I could go on and on. Socialism is a totalitarian ideology that is all about centralisation of power and the erosion of individual freedom. Socialists hate the concept of people earning money and spending that money as they so choose. You have a lot to learn, but hopefully with a new curriculum and a change of political direction you will start to grow up and see some sense.

 

Simply an observation dunce you paranoid fool.

[dune]

Simply an observation dunce you paranoid fool.

 

At least I can debate and put my case forward. I can see you really struggling to comes to terms with the new curriculum where facts are the order of the day, not political brainwashing.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

At least I can debate and put my case forward. I can see you really struggling to comes to terms with the new curriculum where facts are the order of the day, not political brainwashing.

 

dunce, facts are my bread and butter. I'm more concerned about the effects it will have on a generation growing up knowing that the Industrial Revolution took place between 1750-1900 yet not being taught the skills to utilise this knowledge, i.e. analysis, which the new curriculum makes no provision for. But never mind eh? As long as your political dogma is satisfied.