Comments on: Love him or Hate him? http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/ Random wonderings about God and Life Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:21:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: rupert http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1408 rupert Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:28:00 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1408 <img src="http://www.cce.uk.net/ims/Rupert.jpg" alt="Rupert" WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=75 HSPACE=15 VSPACE=10 ALIGN=RIGHT /> <FONT color=blue> Thanks Tony ... don't the Major years seem such a long time ago. I think one of the problems with the Tories then was they just seemed so out of touch with the mood of the country, but I don't think Major was a disaster either. I think a lot of the problem was the rest of the party ... I agree about Brown and the economy too... I just seems slightly mad and rather iniquitous that he raids pension funds and then we find that people are not putting enough money aside for their retirement and we are heading towards a pension crisis. All rather hidden, so that Labour weren't seen as a tax and spend party... But it did raise a lot of money for him, so unlikely to see it reversed I would think... </FONT> Rupert
Thanks Tony … don’t the Major years seem such a long time ago.
I think one of the problems with the Tories then was they just seemed so out of touch with the mood of the country, but I don’t think Major was a disaster either. I think a lot of the problem was the rest of the party …

I agree about Brown and the economy too… I just seems slightly mad and rather iniquitous that he raids pension funds and then we find that people are not putting enough money aside for their retirement and we are heading towards a pension crisis. All rather hidden, so that Labour weren’t seen as a tax and spend party…

But it did raise a lot of money for him, so unlikely to see it reversed I would think…

]]> By: Tony http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1401 Tony Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:56:07 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1401 I agree that Ken Clarke was probably the best chancellor we've had in my life time (and is still one of the few tory (or any other party for that matter) politicians who act. But if Blair is allowed to take the credit for Brown's handling of the economy just because he was PM at the time, why not Major? Don't get me wrong - I'm no big fan of the guy - I just think the contrast with Blair is interesting: Blair is perceived as being all image, but achieved some things of substance. Major had a huge image problem, but also (I think) achieved something of substance - and I completely disagree with Mr Reilly's assessment - I think he was actually quite a skilled politician (see the way he resigned as party to leader to precipitate Redwood's challenge) who was crippled by the way he was portrayed in the press and by a party who no leader since has managed to prevent tearing each other to pieces (The jury's still out on Cameron). As to Brown and the economy - he is a success at the moment, but I fear we are really going to suffer later for his raid on pensions and then he might not look quite so inspired. I agree that Ken Clarke was probably the best chancellor we’ve had in my life time (and is still one of the few tory (or any other party for that matter) politicians who act. But if Blair is allowed to take the credit for Brown’s handling of the economy just because he was PM at the time, why not Major? Don’t get me wrong - I’m no big fan of the guy - I just think the contrast with Blair is interesting: Blair is perceived as being all image, but achieved some things of substance. Major had a huge image problem, but also (I think) achieved something of substance - and I completely disagree with Mr Reilly’s assessment - I think he was actually quite a skilled politician (see the way he resigned as party to leader to precipitate Redwood’s challenge) who was crippled by the way he was portrayed in the press and by a party who no leader since has managed to prevent tearing each other to pieces (The jury’s still out on Cameron).

As to Brown and the economy - he is a success at the moment, but I fear we are really going to suffer later for his raid on pensions and then he might not look quite so inspired.

]]> By: Paul http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1398 Paul Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:28:27 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1398 :oops: believe me, my spin machine is still working to try and make me look in the best light possible :roll: :oops: believe me, my spin machine is still working to try and make me look in the best light possible :roll:

]]> By: rupert http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1394 rupert Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:37:17 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1394 <img src="http://www.cce.uk.net/ims/Rupert.jpg" alt="Rupert" WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=75 HSPACE=15 VSPACE=10 ALIGN=RIGHT /> <FONT color=blue> Thanks guys ... I think Major sowed the seeds of peace in NI, but Blair has held his nerve and forced the different sides to come to the table and talk. I think that is a majour achievement. Apart from the stroke of genius that matthew mentions, I think Brown has riden the wave of a pretty strong economy that he inherited and pretty good world economy. He could have screwed it up, but he didn't... The sounds coming out of No 10 are very different these last few days, but I am sceptical that things are that different. After all Brown was there at the heart of the Blair years... </FONT> Rupert
Thanks guys … I think Major sowed the seeds of peace in NI, but Blair has held his nerve and forced the different sides to come to the table and talk. I think that is a majour achievement.

Apart from the stroke of genius that matthew mentions, I think Brown has riden the wave of a pretty strong economy that he inherited and pretty good world economy. He could have screwed it up, but he didn’t…

The sounds coming out of No 10 are very different these last few days, but I am sceptical that things are that different. After all Brown was there at the heart of the Blair years…

]]> By: Matthew http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1392 Matthew Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:33:37 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1392 You are undoubtedly right about the economy in 1997 Tony, but its Ken Clarke who should get all the credit. Major, quite frankly, didn't know his a**e from his elbow. However, Brown's major policy change on taking office 10 years ago was to give the BoE independence on interest rates, something that brought great stability. You are undoubtedly right about the economy in 1997 Tony, but its Ken Clarke who should get all the credit. Major, quite frankly, didn’t know his a**e from his elbow.

However, Brown’s major policy change on taking office 10 years ago was to give the BoE independence on interest rates, something that brought great stability.

]]> By: Tony http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1391 Tony Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:13:13 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1391 Here's a thought - how much were the seeds of what are being claimed as Blair's major successes (the economy and Northern Ireland) actually sown during the universally derided Major years. Despite the unpopularity - the country was actually heading in a pretty healthy direction in 1997. I wonder if in 50 years historians will look back and scratch their heads about why Major was so unpopular. At least nobody could say he was a spin king. Agree with Matthew - not sure I trust DC, can't quite pin down if he stands for anything yet. I think GB's intentions are probably right, but, to be honest, his front bench doesn't fill me with confidence. Does David Milliband really have what it takes to represent UK on the world stage? Here’s a thought - how much were the seeds of what are being claimed as Blair’s major successes (the economy and Northern Ireland) actually sown during the universally derided Major years. Despite the unpopularity - the country was actually heading in a pretty healthy direction in 1997. I wonder if in 50 years historians will look back and scratch their heads about why Major was so unpopular. At least nobody could say he was a spin king.

Agree with Matthew - not sure I trust DC, can’t quite pin down if he stands for anything yet. I think GB’s intentions are probably right, but, to be honest, his front bench doesn’t fill me with confidence. Does David Milliband really have what it takes to represent UK on the world stage?

]]> By: Matthew http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1379 Matthew Sat, 30 Jun 2007 15:22:12 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1379 Ah, that'll be your Tory instincts coming through :wink: I do however doubt DC's sincerity and would suggest that the way he is presented things is in great homage to the worst excesses of spin during the Blair years. There is tremendous irony in the Tories electing a Blair-like leader just as the country was getting fed up of the original. Ah, that’ll be your Tory instincts coming through :wink:

I do however doubt DC’s sincerity and would suggest that the way he is presented things is in great homage to the worst excesses of spin during the Blair years. There is tremendous irony in the Tories electing a Blair-like leader just as the country was getting fed up of the original.

]]> By: rupert http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1377 rupert Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:44:44 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1377 <img src="http://www.cce.uk.net/ims/Rupert.jpg" alt="Rupert" WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=75 HSPACE=15 VSPACE=10 ALIGN=RIGHT /> <FONT color=blue> Thanks Matthew ... I pretty much agree with you. I don't doubt TB's sincerity, even with Iraq. I think if he had said he got it wrong, then there would have a been a much more positive reaction to him, as he left. On Cameron, i can't quite work him out, but i don't see him as negatively as you do... I think he is slick, but like Blair, i do actually believe his sincerity. What i didn't like about Blair was the way he stage managed everything ... and i don't think DC does that ... </FONT> Rupert
Thanks Matthew … I pretty much agree with you. I don’t doubt TB’s sincerity, even with Iraq. I think if he had said he got it wrong, then there would have a been a much more positive reaction to him, as he left.

On Cameron, i can’t quite work him out, but i don’t see him as negatively as you do…
I think he is slick, but like Blair, i do actually believe his sincerity. What i didn’t like about Blair was the way he stage managed everything … and i don’t think DC does that …

]]> By: rupert http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1376 rupert Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:40:35 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1376 <img src="http://www.cce.uk.net/ims/Rupert.jpg" alt="Rupert" WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=75 HSPACE=15 VSPACE=10 ALIGN=RIGHT /> <FONT color=blue> :wink: PM for PM ... You would HAVE to stop being so honest... </FONT> Rupert
:wink: PM for PM …
You would HAVE to stop being so honest…

]]> By: Matthew http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1375 Matthew Sat, 30 Jun 2007 09:29:00 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1375 One of the things that I don't think we can doubt about Blair is that he did what he thought was right. On NI, he most definitely got it right, and we are actually seeing the fulfilment of that right now. On Iraq, in hindsight he got it wrong - trusting Bush too much for a start. But he believed he was going the right thing and had enough information at the time to make an informed choice. Ultimately, this has been proved wrong but, if you look back, there was a significant majority in favour of invasion. He also did change the political landscape in Britain, effectively blurring the lines between the old right, left and centre positions. Brown? Personally, I can't work out his agenda yet. He seems to be saying all the right things - inclusion, making change, making people's lives better - but it remains to be seen whether his actions match his words. If his changes to income tax for next year are anything to by - penalising the very lowest paid and ensuring charity income drops - then he'll need to do something radical to make me believe differently. The ostensible alternative - Cameron - is a slimey, untrustworthy, sly, king of spin himself. I suppose we shouldn't get too worried - we'll be independent within 5 years anyway. :grin: One of the things that I don’t think we can doubt about Blair is that he did what he thought was right.

On NI, he most definitely got it right, and we are actually seeing the fulfilment of that right now.

On Iraq, in hindsight he got it wrong - trusting Bush too much for a start. But he believed he was going the right thing and had enough information at the time to make an informed choice. Ultimately, this has been proved wrong but, if you look back, there was a significant majority in favour of invasion.

He also did change the political landscape in Britain, effectively blurring the lines between the old right, left and centre positions.

Brown? Personally, I can’t work out his agenda yet. He seems to be saying all the right things - inclusion, making change, making people’s lives better - but it remains to be seen whether his actions match his words. If his changes to income tax for next year are anything to by - penalising the very lowest paid and ensuring charity income drops - then he’ll need to do something radical to make me believe differently.

The ostensible alternative - Cameron - is a slimey, untrustworthy, sly, king of spin himself. I suppose we shouldn’t get too worried - we’ll be independent within 5 years anyway. :grin:

]]> By: Paul http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1373 Paul Sat, 30 Jun 2007 06:21:52 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/06/28/love-him-or-hate-him/#comment-1373 Good old blair - he did ok - which is pretty good for any PM... so says this PM :grin: Good old blair - he did ok - which is pretty good for any PM… so says this PM :grin:

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