Revealed: Cameron's hypocrisy on Radio One

Liberal Review recently did a brilliant deconstruction of David Cameron and his hypocrisy on many issues.

Well, now there is evidence that our Dave is even two-faced when it comes to the simple matter of music.

Yesterday he was in the press for slamming Radio One, in particular DJ Tim Westwood, for encouraging violence by playing hip-hop songs.

Close analysis of lyrics sung by two of David Cameron's favourite artistes, named on Radio Four's Desert Island Discs, show that their lyrics also feature violence. Morissey and Bob Dylan have recorded lyrics which include references to: bludgeoning, smashing teeth, a guillotine and shooting a girlfriend.

A bit of a theme is developing here....

Stone, paper, scissors to settle legal dispute

This is a classic.

According to the Guardian:

Fed up with listening to two lawyers bicker for weeks over where to interview a witness in a civil lawsuit, US district judge Gregory Presnell decided to set a precedent by ordering the pair to settle the matter with a game of scissors, paper, stone.

The laugh of the day award goes to the spokesman of the USA Rock Scissors League who said:

"We will make sure that rock, paper scissors is not made a mockery of by the legal system"

Vodafone's Mike Caldwell

I was very sad to hear of the death of Mike Caldwell, Vodafone's erstwhile communications director. I spent a year in the late nineties accumulating two cardboard boxes' worth of paperwork campaigning about the proposed (now built) HQ at Shaw.

Throughout this time I came into contact with Mike quite a lot. Though I was on the opposite end of the debate to him, he was thoroughly decent and a very highly skilled communicator. On one occasion, in order to staunch the flow of correspondence between me and Vodafone's MD, he invited me to come into his office to discuss the subject. He was very affable.

I think he showed that you can get a point across while still being polite and decent.

Vodafone owe him a great deal. I offer my sincere sympathies to his family and friends.

Great headline - wrong paper?

"Liberal Democrats rejoice in a sudden attack of sanity"

The best headline for us this morning - brilliant. It's as if Saint Chris himself paid them to write it.

But...oh...um....look at the paper it's in....the Torygraph....aaah..does that tell us something?

Ditch the glasses and the reading, Ming!

While I stand by my earlier praise of Ming's speech today, I have some harsh words for his mode of delivery. I have just seen him on BBC TV news. He should ditch the glasses for speeches. They are an impediment to communication. There are a wonderful range of contact lenses available, including "omnivision" systems for those of us past 45 years of age. There is no excuse for not using them for major speeches. Also, I noticed that, at the last conference, Ming read his speech from a typed script in front of him. While I let him off that as he was still starting as leader, it is quite ridiculous that he is still doing it. There are many auto-cues available. Paddy was a past-master at using these devices. It just looks stupid, these days, for him to be reading speeches from a paper script. Come on, Ming. People criticise you for being too old, but you are doing yourself no favours. Ditch the glasses and the reading, for pity's sake.

Ming's speech: A great start

Ming's speech this afternoon is a great start to his leadership. It is a very solid, coherent speech covering the main policy areas. As one would expect, he demonstrates his much-reported gravitas, his liberal heart and leadership skill. The fact that Tony Blair has come out with vituperative crticism of Ming, even before the speech is delivered, is a sign that the speech is bang on target. I am delighted about the headline-grabbing 2p reduction in the basic rate of income tax plus taking three million of the lower paid and pensioners out of income tax payment altogether. I am particularly cock-a-hoop that this is being deftly done by, at long last, delivering on our policy to tax polluters. I am very proud of our team for producing this top level tax strategy.

Belfast basks in sun and satire

It was wonderful to see Belfast in the sun yesterday. Many people were sun-bathing on the grass in front of the grand City Hall. There were hordes sitting outside pubs enjoying the sun. Having visited the Crown last time, I added McHugh’s to my pub passport. It is in the oldest building in Belfast. I sat with my pint of Pilgrim’s Ale admiring the striking trick fountains in front of the Albert Memorial Clock.

After all the "Troubles" it is good to see the people of Northern Ireland making a go of it. Belfast is a fine city with some superb restaurants and attractions springing up.

In the evening I had a rare televisual treat. I was able to watch a brilliant satirical programme which is only aired on the BBC in Northern Ireland. It’s called "Folks on the Hill". It started on BBC Radio Ulster about four years ago. In its TV form, it features computer animation and the versatile voices of Sean Crummey. As one might imagine it is about the politicians on the "hill" – Stormount. It is extremely funny, very wry and the animation is superb. Tuesday night’s episode started with Ian Paisley sitting at his desk saying:

"No…….No……….No………ah…….No…………No way……………No……….No……………On yer bike sunshine……………..No"

He is approached his son Ian Paisley Junior who asks him:

"What are you doing, Dad?"

to which Dr Paisley replies:

"Just rehearsing my latest speech son"

I liked it.