Is Gordon Brown's shredding killing the planet?

The Mirror is reporting that Gordon Brown's offices in Downing Street are using enough power to supply 300 homes (a million kilowatts of electricity a year). That's a lot of power even for a busy office. I wonder what they could be up to?

Conservative Blogger's get-together pictures.

The Group (Left to right: Croydonian, Very British Dude, My Back, Tory Totty Online, The Boiling Frog, Simon Emmett, Mark's any Musings, Main in a Shed, Mostly Safe for Work). Daniel 1979 managed to avoid being photographed.


John Ward has sent me some pictures taken at yesterday's get-together. Thanks again to those who made it, and I hope that those that couldn't make it will be able to make the next one. From what people said yesterday, I think that three times a year would be OK. So we could be looking at September/October for the next one.

Henry North London
Man in a Shed
A very British Dude
The Devil's Kitchen
Man in a Shed and The Croydonian
Here are two I took: View form inside the pub.
Westminster.

Conservative bloggers get-together.

Thanks to all those that made it, I hope you agree with me that it was a great day. I really enjoyed meeting you all, and I thank you for keeping it sociable. A special thanks goes out to DK for making it with his mum.

I'll arange another one in about four months time, hope to see you then.

Steve

I'm on the train feeling quite squiffy. only a ferry and a taxi to go.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Off to Westminster

Just set off on the train from Portsmouth to Waterloo. All being well I should make the pub by noon. If you are going I'll see you soon. Cracking day for it.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Populus poll is bad news for Gordon Brown.

This General Election Populus poll is really bad news for Brown. And it is just possibly worse for Nick Clegg - down 7 points - wow.

From the Times: The overall general election standings put the Conservatives on 41 per cent, up two per cent since the last Populus poll earlier this month, Labour on 21 per cent - down five per cent - and the Liberal Democrats on 15 per cent, down a thumping seven points.

But the Populus poll for the European Election is the one that could see Brown packing his bags if it proves to be accurate: The Conservatives fall four points to 30 per cent, compared with their position of three weeks ago, Labour drop nine points to just 16 per cent, and the Liberal Democrats fall eight points to 12 per cent.

UKIP are the huge beneficiaries, rising 13 points to 19 per cent, ahead of Labour and the Liberal Democrats. The Greens rise five points to 10 per cent, and the BNP are up three points at five per cent.

Why disgraced MPs are hanging on for General Election.

There's a good reason that those MPs caught getting inventive with our money are not stepping down immediately. If they hang on until the General election they get a nice big fat pay-off. It makes me sick. Here is a list compiled by the BBC indicating how much the troughing sods will get for hanging on:

And don't forget we are still paying them both salary and expenses for the next year.

Conservative blogger's (and friends) get-together Tomorrow!

This is your final reminder for the Conservative blogger's (and friends) get-together (excuse for a piss up). We will be meeting up in St Stephen's Tavern, Westminster (opposite Big Ben) tomorrow at 1200 (Saturday the 30th May).

This is an informal do, not a any kind of strategy meeting. It's called a Conservative blogger's piss up but it is open to anyone really - other bloggers and those who visit and leave comments (the important people).

I hope that those who have shown interest can still make it, it would be great to be able to put faces to names. Also, it should be a good day out if you fancy a bit of sightseeing. You will be sat 20 yards from Big Ben, you are also within a short walk to the London Eye, Westminster Palace, the Abbey, Trafalgar Square, The Palace, a few of the top museums, Downing Street and a host of other points of interest.

This should be a great day out for a bit of a laugh, a drink and possibly a bit of culture if that's your bag (man). See you there!

P.s Can you leave a comment if you are able to make it.

Cheers Steve.

Those indicating that they would like to attend (so far):

Graeme Archer, English Guy, Benjamin Gray, tim for change, King Athelstan, Harry Hook, richardwillisuk, Daniel1979, Henry North London, Man in a Shed, The Boiling Frog, Simon Emmett, Gallimaufry, Croydonian, Theo Spark, Tony Sharp, Devil's Kitchen, Mark's Any Musings, Lord Elvis of Paisley, John M Ward, Not a Sheep, A Very British Dude, Radical Blues,

If I've missed anyone, please let me know.

St Stephen's Tavern (MAP)

Elliot Morely - If we could sack you, you'd be gone already.

This is how I see the Elliot Morley expense claim situation:

If for some strange reason, I had a contract with my employer stating that they would pay my mortgage for me, I would be a very lucky chap. However if I continued to take my monthly mortgage payment (£16,000 for mortgage interest over 18 months) from my employer after said mortgage was paid off (and they found out) then I would be a very sacked chap - and possibly locked up for fraud.

No amount of pleading that it was down to "sloppy accounting" would get me off the hook. Morley is another MP to be added to my list of those who should sacked immediately and sent through the doors of Westminster with a toe up their arse.

UPDATE: Archbishop Cranmer asks: How should MPs address ‘dishonourable’ members?

UPDATE 2: @ 20:18 Morely is stepping down at the General Election. Not good enough - he should be going now.

Message to MPs - You are not Untouchable - Expenses.

Yesterday saw three MPs announce that they will be stepping down at the next election. The current total of those departing Westminster under a cloud is now running at 10, and it looks more than likely to increase, they are:

Andrew MacKay, Julie Kirkbride, Douglas Hogg, Sir Peter Viggers, Anthony Steen, Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton, Christopher Fraser, Margaret Moran, Ben Chapman.

The first point I would like to make is that none of them should be stepping down at the General Election - they should all be sacked NOW. Can you name another job where you can be found unfit to hold the position, and yet stay on for another year on full pay? I was going to say it's a joke - but it most certainly is not - these people are still taking our money when they have abused our trust. Every single one of the money grabbing sods should be leaving Westminster with a toe up their arse, not a golden handshake.

And that brings me on to the Cabinet. It is obvious that politicians still don't get it. I'm starting to feel that some MPs believe that they occupy such senior positions, that they are rendered untouchable. They are wrong. If those MPs think they can ride this storm out then they are sorely mistaken. We won't forget and we won't forgive - even after we have taken their jobs from them. We gave them our trust and they pissed on it.

My MP Sir Peter Viggers made some outlandish expense claims (duck island) and yet I'm still paying him. How the hell can this be right. My employee has squandered my money on himself and I can't sack him? This is definitely one rule for us and another for the political elite. Well I for one will not keep quiet like a good little serf. I'm going to keep pushing until those in Westminster realise that we are their equals - not their subjects.

If I was Caroline Flint I'd throw a sickie - Question Time.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Caroline flint is on Question time tonight and that alone would be bad news in the current political climate. However it's a lot worse than that for poor old Caroline - tonight she is on a panel with Nigel Farage AND Daniel (Gordon slayer) Hannan. I bet her bum is twitching like a rabbits nose.

I will not be missing that.

UPDATE: Not as bad as I thought it would be for Flint. But she did manage to get the biggest boo/laugh when she said we should thank the EU for our economic success - you can't make that up.

The 166th Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus Leaves in 5 Minutes!

Got some time to kill but don't know where to go?

Why don't you climb aboard the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus? There are still a few places left.

Click on STOP 1 and the Bus will take you to your first Mystery Blog location.

To get back on the Bus just click the Back Button and click STOP 2 to continue the Tour. I think you can work the rest out.

The Bus rolls out each day - enjoy the ride. If you have any suggestions for the next tour drop me an email by hitting the Contact button at the top of the page.

+++ALSO: Don't forget the Conservative Bloggers (and friends) get-together/piss-up THIS Saturday in Westminster!+++

Redwood - To referendum or not to referendum?

John Redwood could be using his normally independent blog as a sounding board for a very important Tory policy today. It's all to do with one of David Cameron's leading problems - the Lisbon Treaty. I've posted on why this is so difficult for David before, so I won't go over it all again.

John Redwood is putting forward an idea which is an attempt to mollify those who are demanding a referendum, whether the Lisbon Treaty is ratified or not. Obviously if it has not been ratified by the time we have a Tory government, then there is no problem. But if it has, then it will be extremely awkward for Cameron. It will be a foreign policy nightmare to remove ourselves from a Treaty we are already signed up to.

So what John Redwood is suggesting is a clarification of what Cameron has said all along. John suggests that if the Treaty has been ratified by the time Cameron is PM, then the government will renegotiate some powers back to the UK from Brussels. This has always been Cameron's position ("I won't let it lie there"), but what is new, is that once the powers to be grabbed back have been outlined, they should be put to a referendum.

John says:

I think it best to have a renegotiation, and then to put the results to the people. It is high time the people could express a view on the value of our relationship with the EU. We might get that on Lisbon, if it remains unratified and there is a change of government. If not, let’s have a referendum on any renegotiation. That will concentrate Brussels minds on the need to give us real power back, if the people are going to judge the outcome. As a minimum we need full control of our social and employment policies, taxation, foreign and defence policy, and of Home affairs.

I agree with what John has to say. It's the only realistic option available to Cameron. I want a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, but I also understand how difficult that will be after ratification. So if John is sounding out the grass roots on behalf of the party, then his suggestion has my approval for a start. It's not exactly what I want, but I think it is the most I can sensibly expect.

Of course, we could avoid any future clash with the EU, if only Gordon Brown was a man who kept manifesto promises.

Hanging is not good enough - but it's better than nothing.

Tom Harris writes: When it’s okay to hate. Tom is referring to the tragic Baby P case and the sentences handed down to those who did him unimaginable cruelty.

We stopped hanging women in this country back in the fifties, and men in the sixties. The main reason not being that there could be mistakes made (less likely now) but that it was seen as uncivilised. Now there's a problem with using that argument against hanging today - you see, I believe that in many ways we were a hell of a lot more civilised forty odd years ago.

Maybe I'm uncivilised, but if someone tortures and kills a child then they should be hung until they are dead dead dead. And I would very much like to watch.

I think that sometimes, it can be extremely uncivilised to show mercy.

Chipmunk cancels nuts giveaway - Doughnuts that is.

Hazel Blears has U-turned on a raft of gimmicks aimed at "empowering" communities. The most striking (and disappointing for many a fat, work dodging, Labour voter) is the cancellation of a free doughnut when you cast your vote in an election. It says a lot about what this government think of us if they think we will vote for doughnuts. Sadly it also says a lot about this country that some people would vote for doughnuts. But I suppose they have been doing just that for the last three General Elections.

Full Story.

David Cameron - New politics video.

I'm collecting for a plane ticket for Joan Smith.

Joan Smith (Guardian writer and latest squeeze of Labour MP Dennis McShane) has got to be going for the vacuous bint of the year award. What a complete and utter load of bollocks she has come out with. She most definitely does not get it. She says she is sick of her country, but I'm pretty sure that it is the other way around.

Apparently she is "sick of my country and this hysteria over MPs"

Click HERE and be amazed just how out of touch someone can be. She is getting a real and deserved kicking in the comments - how frightful it must be for her - never mind eh.

UPDATE: I had to laugh at the title of one of her books: How to End the Abuse of Money and Power in the 21st Century.

Put your question to David Cameron - Live

On Tuesday morning, David Cameron be participating in a live Q&A HERE.

The session will follow a webcast of David's speech at the Open University in Milton Keynes, which starts at 11am.

You will be able to put your questions to David by making a comment on the CoveritLive blog, or by tagging a question on Twitter with #askdc.

The 165th Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus Leaves in 5 Minutes!

Got some time to kill but don't know where to go?

Why don't you climb aboard the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus? There are still a few places left.

Click on STOP 1 and the Bus will take you to your first Mystery Blog location.

To get back on the Bus just click the Back Button and click STOP 2 to continue the Tour. I think you can work the rest out.

The Bus rolls out each day - enjoy the ride. If you have any suggestions for the next tour drop me an email by hitting the Contact button at the top of the page.

Strong Language!


+++ALSO: Don't forget the Conservative Bloggers (and friends) get-together/piss-up next Saturday in Westminster!+++

Memorial Day - Thank you.

Today is the day that Americans remember those souls who gave up their lives in service of their country. It is worth remembering that their sacrifice has also enabled our country to remain free.

Thank you.

Nick Griffin's BNP takes on the Church of England.

One factor above all others brings me to reject the BNP. Their so called "voluntary resettlement" of immigrants back to their countries of origin. Being in an ex-RN sailor I've worked with men and women from all sorts of races and backgrounds. I've made many good friends along the way and I would be deeply ashamed if any of my former workmates were asked to leave their own country. I'm British, but my Dad's parents came from Ireland, and my Grandmother on my Mother's side was Dutch. Even my immediate family is a little diverse as one of my daughters is Scottish (I was based in Rosyth for a few years). But still I consider myself to be an Englishman through and through, and Britain is my country.

The archbishops of Canterbury and York are right to ask voters not to let their anger with the establishment drive them to do something immoral (my words). I call it immoral because no matter how angry you may be with the government or the opposition, it is not right to ask people to leave this country purely because of the colour of their skin. We have just seen a fight backed by the British public to allow Gurkhas to stay here - so why vote for a fascist party that would kick them back out again - just because they are not snowy white? The BNP will claim that this resettlement solution of theirs is voluntary. That's true now that they are trying to gain power. But ask yourself whether they would be happy to leave it at that should they ever form a government? They have already started a youth wing. Does that remind you of anything?

Some people have said that the Church should not get involved in politics. As a rule I tend to agree, but when there is a danger of the politics in this country becoming dangerously immoral, then the Church has a duty to intervene. I'm not a Bible basher, but I was brought up a Christian and I do believe in God. So I ask myself, would God look kindly on me if I turned someone away because of the colour of their skin? Many of us in this country may not be practicing Christians, but that does not mean we should turn our backs on the values and the morals we were brought up with. Yes we have immigration problems, but asking British people to go away just because they are not white is not the answer.

So before voting BNP, please consider whether your feelings of anger and frustration are leading you down a path you would not normally take.

David Cameron on the Andrew Marr Show - Expenses.

Gordon Brown, watch David Cameron and learn. Labour supporters, look what you are missing. Click on the picture to watch this interview. 31mins 10secs in.

Superb. Though I believe David still has some way to go to sort out the party, I feel he still stands head and shoulders above Brown when it comes to leadership.

At a time when you would expect Andrew Marr to tear the leader of the opposition "a new one", Cameron comes out of this interview looking statesmanlike.

An MP's expenses joke.

Conservativehome are asking for MP Expenses jokes. Here's mine

Speaker Michael Martin had a unique way to keep an eye on MP's expenses. He had a clock made with extra big fingers that would tick on one minute every time a dodgy claim was submitted.

When asked where he kept the clock, Martin said "It's on my desk, I find it makes an excellent fan".

Don't forget the Conservative bloggers (and friends) get-together/p*ss-up next Saturday in Westminster.

The 164th Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus Leaves in 5 Minutes!

Got some time to kill but don't know where to go?

Why don't you climb aboard the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus? There are still a few places left.

Click on STOP 1 and the Bus will take you to your first Mystery Blog location.

To get back on the Bus just click the Back Button and click STOP 2 to continue the Tour. I think you can work the rest out.

The Bus rolls out each day - enjoy the ride. If you have any suggestions for the next tour drop me an email by hitting the Contact button at the top of the page.

+++ALSO: Don't forget the Conservative Bloggers (and friends) get-together/piss-up next Saturday in Westminster!+++

MP's Expenses: The truffle kafuffle of 2009

In Iain Dale's new GQ article, he points out that we haven't yet got a name for the expenses scandal. I've seen "Snoutgate" mentioned. I've come up with "The (great) Truffle Kafuffle". Can you think of a more suitable name?

A message for David Cameron: Think of us.

I'm tired. I should be settling down after a long day's work. But instead I find myself having to write yet another blog post about MP's expenses.

I'm sad. I should be happy that David Cameron, the leader of my party is taking the lead on expenses. But that happiness is tainted by the fact that though David is doing the most, he is not doing enough.

I'm Angry. I should be able to trust my MP, a man knighted by the Queen. But instead I find that he has been blowing my money on leisure facilities for his ducks.

I'm frustrated. I should have the satisfaction of seeing the man who squandered my money sacked immediately. But instead he is being allowed to step down.

I'm devastated. I should have the confidence to motivate fellow party members who are feeling disillusioned. But instead all I can do is hope that their and my trust can be restored.

I'm pleading. David Cameron, please take tough and immediate action now. Do that, and the people will respect you.

Eric Pickles: The second War Room Briefing

The next excellent video from Eric Pickles:

Conservative Blogging Piss-up (One week to go!).

Just a quick reminder of the Conservative bloggers get-together/piss up. From the comments and emails I've received it looks like Saturday the 30th May would be the most popular. The meeting place will be St Stephen's Tavern in Westminster (opposite Big Ben) at 1200. This is an informal do, not a strategy meeting. It's called a Conservative blogger's piss up but it is open to anyone really - other bloggers and those who visit and leave comments (the important people).

I hope that those who have shown interest can still make it, it would be great to be able to put faces to names. Also, it should be a good day out if you fancy a bit of sightseeing. You will be sat 20 yards from Big Ben, you are also within a short walk to the London Eye, Westminster Palace, the Cathedral, a few of the top museums, Downing Street and a host of other points of interest.

This should be a great day out for a bit of a laugh, a drink and possibly a bit of culture if that's your bag (man). See you there!

P.s Can you leave a comment if you are able to make it. Can you also mention it on your blogs, or comment on blogs that you read.

Cheers Steve.

Those indicating that they would like to attend (so far):

Graeme Archer, English Guy, Benjamin Gray, tim for change, King Athelstan, Harry Hook, richardwillisuk, Daniel1979, Henry North London, James Higham, Man in a Shed, Cato, The Boiling Frog, Simon Emmett, Gallimaufry, Croydonian, Theo Spark, Tony Sharp, Devil's Kitchen, Mark's Any Musings, Lord Elvis of Paisley, John M Ward,
If I've missed anyone, please let me know.

St Stephen's Tavern (MAP)

My MP Peter Viggers is to step down over expenses.

Oh dear. My MP Peter Viggers has been getting creative with his expense claims. Apparently he has claimed £20,000 on gardening expenses and £1,645 for a duck island.

A duck island? You couldn't make it up.

If this is true then I'm more than glad that David Cameron told Sir Peter he faced the removal of the whip if he did not announce that he would not run again at the next election.

A duck island? Jesus.

Gordon Brown is guilty of economic vandalism.

Outgoing CBI president, Martin Broughton, on the 50% tax rate: "Gordon Brown is guilty of economic vandalism. "We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle."

Gordon Brown is addressing the CBI annual dinner. Lucky people. He is dragging out all the usual tractor production figures. This is an ideal opportunity to play Gordon Brown's bullshit bingo. I've just had a thought. We could reduce crime by forcing those arrested to watch this crap whilst waiting to be charged. That should stop a few from re-offending. No doubt it won't be allowed as it would be against their Uman Rites.

The Expenses Song - By the Corrigan Brothers.

Conservative party election broadcast. Cameron Direct.

LOOK: Don't forget to sign David's petition for a General Election. Click HERE.

Should Phil the Greek be worried? BNP Garden Party.

I cannot believe that Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, will be welcome at the Queen's garden party in July. He has been invited as a guest of Richard Barnbrook, a BNP member of the London Assembly. All London Assembly members have received invitations. However, I think that decision may be seen as a mistake on hindsight.

Is Phil safe, what with Griffin's policy of “voluntary resettlement” of immigrants?

Full Story.

Hazel Blears - I won't quit.

I've just seen Hazel Blears caught on the hop by the press. She said she had no intention of quitting and that she had the full confidence of Gordon Brown. This is while one of her constituents was shouting that she was a cheat and a swindler.

Hazel may be kidding herself, but she's not kidding anyone else. When the PM says your behaviour is "totally unacceptable" then your days are numbered. I've no doubt that Hazel is paying the price for criticising Brown last week. Other Ministers have been just as dishonest, but it seems that Brown is throwing Hazel to the wolves.

My PMQs Question for Gordon Brown.

Gordon Brown received a terrible kicking from David Cameron during PMQs today. Cameron hammered him over calling a General Election and Brown ended up admitting that Labour would lose one if called. It was another pathetic stream of stuttering repeats from Brown, this weeks repeated line was "Tory cuts". With that in mind, my question for the Prime Minister would be this:

If you are not going to cut spending, or raise taxes, just how are you going to get us out of this terrible economic mess that you've got us into? How are you going to pay off the massive debt you've run up?

I'd like to hear him stutter his way through that one.

Gordon Brown proves he is out of touch on expenses.

Gordon Brown proves he is out of touch on expenses. I'm not the first to write about this and I probably won't be the last. I'm a bit late to the party, but nevertheless I need to add my small voice to the throng in the hope the David Cameron will take notice.

Gordon Brown's idea to put the running of MPs expenses into the hands of an independent body is just pathetic. What he is in fact saying is "We are far too crooked to run our own system". Is that what we want from the people we trust to represent us? The rules announced by the Speaker last night were most welcome (if far too late for him) and a great start down the road to the recovery of parliament's reputation. However we don't need another Quango to check that those rules are being kept to. Now that MPs have to publish their expenses we can quickly see who is abusing the new system - and just as smartly call for their heads.

The old system was open to abuse because it was designed on trust. The new system will be similar to the ones we all operate under - it will assume that individuals can't be trusted. But that doesn't mean that Westminster can't be trusted to oversee the new system. The new system will have outside regulation - me, you and the media. Never again will they be able to line their pockets and claim that they have obeyed the rules.

So I hope Cameron sees sense and rejects Brown's plan to create yet another pointless and expensive Quango. We don't need it because WE will be watching very closely from now on.

UPDATE: I've just had an anonymous comment that I thought I should share with you:

Am I alone in being worried by MPs who say 'we can't be trusted with our expenses' but then want to spend 100's of billions and run our national debt into trillions

Power to the People - A beginning?

Something great and historic has happened over the last month or so. Something has changed. It has changed in dribs and drabs, but when put together, the changes have the potential to be highly significant. What has happened is a power grab by the people, from the establishment - and it's all thanks to the media - both old and new.

Two months ago we had a sleazy, dirty element operating out of No10's back office. Thanks to Guido and Iain Dale, that element has been removed. We also suspected that our MPs were fleecing us but we couldn't prove it. Guido and other bloggers did their best to expose those MPs with dodgy expenses, and finally the Telegraph got hold of the truth and we were met with the terrible extent of the troughing. We have expressed our outrage and heads have rolled. Many more will follow.

Today the Speaker Michael Martin had to step down. It wasn't because MPs wanted to see the back of him, it was because the people wanted it. MPs have been forced over the last couple of months to answer to the people who put them in Westminster. They know that party members are sick of the greed and the sleaze, and that those members are more than willing to deselect them. Labour MPs especially know that many of them are going to lose their jobs come the general election unless they can get the people back on side. MPs are making their expenses "transparent" not because they want to, but because we have demanded it.

We have seen a government with a majority lose a vote because they did not understand how the public viewed the matter. We have seen that same government cancel votes for fear of losing more. We have seen policies dropped with u-turn after u-turn. The balance of power is shifting back to the people, and we have the media to thank for it.

What do you think. Are we seeing a transfer of power to the people?

Gordon Brown's press conference - expenses and lies.

Gordon Brown's press conference - expenses. I have never listened to so much crap in all my life. Waffle and spin, lies and deceit. Why the assembled press are willing to sit and listen to this rubbish I've no idea. Why don't they just get up and walk out? Brown has not answered one bloody question. And talking of one question, that is all Brown is giving each journalist. This obviously stops them calling him a bloody liar.

The journalists are getting so annoyed with Brown that they are starting to heckle him. I can see this conference falling apart if he keeps on lying and waffling. Not only have the people had enough of Brown and his cronies, so have the press - several have asked if he is going to call a general election.

What a pathetic figure our Prime Minister is. No wonder he doesn't want to face Cameron in a debate, Brown is a political Pygmy in comparison.

Gordon Brown is full of crap. Expenses my arse.

Gordon Brown has made yet another statement on the subject of MPs ripping off the taxpayer through their expenses. And what a load of old crap it is. He has said:

"No minister will be in the cabinet or in the government in future if it is proven that they defied the rules."

Well pump bloody pump. He has spent months defending his MPs saying that they haven't broken the rules. And they haven't broken the rules, so his statement is totally and utterly pointless and just more Brown spin. How can you break rules that allow you to do almost anything?

Brown should have said:

"No minister will be in the cabinet or in the government in future if it is proven that they have used and abused the rules for personal monetary gain."

Not likely though is it?

Sorry about the language, but Brown's incompetence and continual spin makes my blood boil.

Douglas Hogg to stand down at General Election.

Douglas Hogg to stand down at General Election. Douglas has announced that he will not be fighting for his seat in the next general election - this follows revelations over his expense claims. Well done Douglas. No doubt his constituents will be relieved that he has taken this action.

Who's next?

Labourlist: 62% of Labour supporters want Gordon Brown to go.

Labourlist: 62% of Labour supporters want Gordon Brown to go. Can anything get any worse for Brown? When such a large majority of your own (so called) supporters want you to resign, then surely you have to face reality and step down.

Alan Johnson is the one I fear will replace Brown.

Is Michael Martin about to resign as Speaker?

Is Michael Martin about to resign as Speaker? The rumour has it that Martin will announce that he is going to step down in a statement to be made at 2:30 today. Not before time in my opinion. Yesterday was a low point in our political history and I hope that on reflection of his actions, Martin will do the decent thing this afternoon. I wonder if the number of people signing Douglas Carswell's EDM since yesterday has influenced the Speaker's decision?

The next question is who is to replace him? Frank field or Vince Cable would both be worthy choices. However, I would like to see Ken Clarke get the position. Not because he is the best man for the job, but rather because it would get him out of the way. I still think bringing him back was a bad idea, and he will be used as a stick to beat us with by Brown when it comes to Europe.

UPDATE: Martin is also to step down as an MP. This will lead to a very interesting by-election.

Update: Conservative bloggers get-together (piss-up).

Just a quick reminder of the Conservative bloggers get-together/piss up. From the comments and emails I've received it looks like Saturday the 30th May would be the most popular. The meeting place will be St Stephen's Tavern in Westminster (opposite Big Ben) at 1200. This is an informal do, not a strategy meeting. It's called a Conservative blogger's piss up but it is open to anyone really - other bloggers and those who visit and leave comments (the important people).

I hope that those who have shown interest can still make it, it would be great to be able to put faces to names. Also, it should be a good day out if you fancy a bit of sightseeing. You will be sat 20 yards from Big Ben, you are also within a short walk to the London Eye, Westminster Palace, the Cathedral, a few of the top museums, Downing Street and a host of other points of interest.

This should be a great day out for a bit of a laugh, a drink and possibly a bit of culture if that's your bag (man). See you there!

P.s Can you leave a comment if you are able to make it. Can you also mention it on your blogs, or comment on blogs that you read.

Cheers Steve.

Those indicating that they would like to attend (so far):

Graeme Archer English Guy Benjamin Gray tim for change King Athelstan Harry Hook richardwillisuk Daniel1979 CherryPie Henry North London James Higham Man in a Shed Cato The Boiling Frog Simon Emmett Gallimaufry Croydonian Theo Spark. Tony Sharp.

St Stephen's Tavern