John Terry: Oh Captain!

So, John Terry thought it was honourable to take his friend's girlfriend to bed and then when found out go to court to plead "human rights". Can you imagine the atmosphere in the dressing room at Chelsea when the other players first found out that he was slipping between the sheets with a team-mate's wag?

Reading the papers, one would think he had sent the country to war under false pretenses, such is their outrage, but one suspects the media is getting its own back because he dared go to court to stop the information of his affair being published. The media won't let this one rest until he is removed from the captaincy prior to the World Cup.

It appears that a number of celebrities have used their rights to a private life to stop publication of their dirty deeds, much to the frustration of the tabloids, who are desperate for such stories now that it has become harder and harder to shock the public. There was a time when, unless you were George Best, footballers were largely exempt from press tittle-tattle about their private lives and sexuality, but one suspects that the stories will get bigger and bolder in the future.

By going to court to obtain a gagging order, John Terry has placed himself in the line of fire and even his Chelsea career will now be under threat. I doubt he will be going to South Africa.

Tony Blair & Iraq: What a performance!

You have got to admire the man, surely? He turned up at the Chilcot Inquiry and for such an early hour turned in an impressive performance. No snivelling apologist he. No regrets, quite the opposite in fact. Now has a taste for it and is ready to move on...to Iran. Tony Blair started nervous, but quickly recovered and gave a masterful performance, positive, almost boastful at times, rarely reflective, doubtful or humble. Like a religious zealot, sure in his beliefs. He and George W. were buddies and where George wanted to go, Tony was sure to follow. You have to like a man who shows such loyalty. So, people died, but Tony was a Leader and at times they have to make tough choices.

Others in his government may have had doubts about the war, but most were too cowardly to stand up and be counted. There was a touch of hypocrisy about Jack Straw, who seemed to think one thing and do another. I couldn't decide if he was suggesting that he went along with a war that cost so many lives, just so the Labour Party wouldn't be split on the issue? Lord Goldsmith told it like it was and then took an all-expenses trip to America and changed his mind. If I believed in such things, I would suspect he was a victim of rendition and was given a taste of water-boarding to make him see the error of his ways. It will feature in an episode of "Spooks" someday. It's the only explanation for his behaviour in declaring the war legal, just a few short days after he said the opposite. Poor man.

One now wonders how Gordon Brown will do when he appears before the Inquiry? He will mumble, fumble and mangle the English language, but that doesn't make him a bad person. His behaviour back then was that of a man not prepared to stand up and be counted. But, one wonders, was he guilty of behind-the-scenes efforts to sabotage the war effort, by withholding the money needed to equip the forces? Somehow, on the day he appears,I think the Inquiry panel will be less kind to him than they were to the previous Prime Minister. Love him or hate him, Tony Blair is a star, a winner....Gordon....well, bless.

Iraqi Inquiry: Gordon Brown NOT Tony Blair the real loser?

Oh Dear! Gordon had announced the Chilcot Inquiry to get the critics off his back and to line-up Tony Blair for a big fall. Unfortunately and as is always the case with this Prime Minister, he got it wrong. Only a man out of touch would have announced such an Inquiry to take place just months prior to a General Election and unless Tony Blair gives a really, really, bad performance on the day, then the man who will lose most will be Gordon Brown himself.

As the Inquiry moves forward, with people like Hoon and Straw appearing, the headlines are more about the preparations for war than the legality off it. As Tony massaged the ego of his buddy George W. Bush and, it seems, dreamed together of a triumphant welcome into their new Kingdom of Baghdad,the Treasury Department here was hellbent on stopping the Ministry of Defence from spending money on the essentials for war. At the Inquiry, the then Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, seemed detached from any decision-making, but he did query the potential of Saddam's weapons to do what the 45-minute scare said they would.

Looking back, many of us across the political divide didn't disagree with the removal of Saddam, but there was surprise that there were no plans in place beyond the dropping of the bombs and his capture. However, regardless of the politics, the government owed it to our troops to send them into battle ready and prepared, with the necessary equipment in place. If it is discovered that Gordon Brown, while supporting the war effort, was counting the pennies at the expense of soldier's lifes, then the man will be finished. But perhaps he is anyway?

Ricky Gervais: Who thinks he is funny?

Ricky Gervais reminds me of the Emperor with no clothes, but no one would state the obvious for fear they would be considered stupid. Is it the same with Ricky, whose David Brent was a comic masterpiece, but who has failed to be funny since?

Every chat show he does, every press interview he grants, is remembered more for his powerful ego than his wit or witticisms. He has had an easy ride from the UK media and even the Americans call him a “genius”, because that’s what they have been told, rather than any solid evidence other than “The Office”.

His hosting of the Golden Globes, an honour in itself, has received mixed reviews and the audience on the night couldn't make up its mind if he was funny or not.
Perhaps my sense of humour is not developed enough to appreciate a connoisseur of comedy, or perhaps he just isn’t funny after all?

Could the BNP be quietly gaining ground?

Could the BNP be quietly gaining ground? I ask this because I was driving along the M53 today and heard a woman proclaim matter-of-factly that she would be voting for the BNP in the next election. It was only a ten second comment, but I assume she was sane and sober and she made it sound like a natural option. Her friends in the background concurred with her comment and it got me thinking that while many believe if there is a hung parliament it will be the Lib Dems who will hold the balance of power, what if the fringe parties attract a larger than expected protest vote?

Even its strongest supporters know that Labour has done a bad job recently, but crossing that big class divide to vote Conservative would, for some, be a betrayal too far. If Gordon Brown wants to win the next election then perhaps his "class warfare" was the path to take? Of course, now that he is impotent as PM, Gordon has had to swing behind the "middle-ground". But, in doing that, is he abandoning a section of society, who would normally not vote, but may be enticed to do so this time?

Sadly, in inner cities around the country, there is an underclass on the fringes of society. Being on benefits is a badge of honour and a member of the family serving a jail term almost obligatory. These are people, who have been jobless for generations, can hardly read or write and who sneer at so-called "normal" people who work for a living, or at least seeking a job. They do not want to work, but on the other hand they don't want "those immigrants" coming in to do the jobs either. They no longer feel they are being represented by mainstream parties and are turning to the fringe for support.

For a long time the people of Northern Ireland, on both sides, turned to the para-military to address their local issues and, on mainland Britain, we now have no-go estates where drugs and gangs rule the roost. For the respectable people who live there and want a better life it must be a frightening existence, filled with despair that the mainstream parties, like the police, are ignoring them.

Parties like the BNP prosper in this environment and will continue to do so, despite Nick Griffin's disastrous appearance on "Question Time".

Haiti: A tragic country

It is good that the world seems to have responded quickly to help Haiti in its hour of need, following the terrible earthquake that is said to have killed 50,000 people. However, reports suggest that there is still no organised operation in place to direct the relief effort or assist those still alive under fallen buildings.

The country itself reeks of an image of poverty and thuggery, of voodoo and magic and the people of that land have suffered disgracefully under corrupt rulers. Even the departure of Papa and Baby Doc has not improved everyday life there.

The TV pictures showed people stunned by the loss of their loved ones, along with the disappearance of their homes and merge possessions. It was heartening to see President Obama move so quickly to promise American assistance to a stricken land, not that far from the shores of the richest nation in the world. The UK too has responded as it always does, with speed and expertise.

If you want to do your own bit, then donate: DEC Haiti Emergency Appeal

Watt stabs Gordon Brown in the back! Others line-up!

I wonder if Gordon Brown ever sees himself as others see him? Whatever happened to the Chancellor with the "clunking fist" who terrified everyone around him? He even saw off that star manipulator, Tony Blair, but now he trembles before the Pygmies in his own cabinet, a man lost in a sea of his own ambition and limitations. When he stands in front of his backbenchers and tells them, once again, he is a team player and would heed their words, does he not see them sigh in contempt? When he says they still have a chance to win the next election with him as the Great Leader, does he really believe it? Bless him, I think he does.

Peter Watt, the former general secretary of the Labour Party, has really stuck the knife in, with tales of a Prime Minister who, to put it mildly, has a serious lack of personal communication skills. Gordon Brown's behaviour, throwing things, sulking and temper tantrums are more suited to a Hollywood movie actor, or even the humble recording artist Mariah Carey, than the leader of the UK's government.

Replacing Gordon Brown now won't win Labour the next General Election. It would be hopeful to think that David Miliband realised this and that was his reason not to force the issue, in the hours following the Hoon-Hewitt sad coup attempt, worthy of a "Carry On...." film. Unfortunately, the impression is that he is just a coward.

After so many years in power, one could accept that whatever the state of the economy or the country, perhaps voters would have been bored and voted for change anyway. But in this case, if Labour loses the election, it will be because Gordon Brown and his cabinet have behaved in a manner that demands it.

As for Lord Mandelson, throughout this week Gordon must have been wondering where he stood. The answer, of course, is he was right behind him. No doubt watching his back.

Iris Robinson said "Bugger" to her Christian Values

Who would ever think it? Northern Ireland, one of those dour places, where bigotry and hypocrisy has long reigned, would be the last place you would consider a home for a sex scandal amongst the political classes. The fact that it involves the wife of the First Minister and herself an MP, makes it surprising but also, dare I say, cause for laughter. Iris Robinson, the wife of Peter Robinson, once bag carrier for Ian Paisley, flaunted her Christian values like an expensive necklace and caused heartache and pain for the gay population of Northern Ireland, who she considered beyond the pale, describing homosexuality as “an abomination”.

It has now been discovered that all the time she was aligning herself with God and preaching “Christian family values", the then fifty-nine year old paragon of virtue had an eye on a nineteen-year-old youth, who she took to her bed and found so attentive to her needs that she went and obtained £50,000 from two rich developers, so that her young lover could open up a restaurant. One wonders what the two developers were promised in return?

Her husband Peter Robinson was one of the many politicians in Northern Ireland who helped extend the horror of the troubles with their hatred and belligerence, but like Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley, he found the road to peace quite a comfortable and powerful place to be. Today, he works side-by-side with his ex-enemies and such is the fragile peace there, that should he have to resign, for failure to report his wife’s cash hoard, it could bring the whole Northern Ireland Assembly crashing down.

Perhaps Mrs. Robinson will see it as a punishment from God. Meanwhile, her young lover, now 21-years old and his restaurant are doing well.

Jonathan Ross: Says Goodbye To The BBC

Jonathan Ross, was in the end too hot for the BBC to handle and quietly told that his contract would not be renewed. The Daily Mail, which represents all that is good about bigotry and hypocrisy was jubilant in its coverage of his departure, while the rest of the media declared, even if grudgingly, that he was a talented force in the jungle that is British broadcasting.

There is no doubt that he had to leave the BBC. Critics of the broadcasting giant used his £18 million salary as a weapon, seeing it as representative of all that was bad and excessive about the organisation. He too must have been fed-up with the constant criticism and the attacks on his presenting style, once charming and irreverent, now seen as egotistical and smutty.

The truth is, his Radio 2 shows retained a freshness and originality, even if his remarks were toned down, but his Friday night television slot lost its way several series ago. He no longer interviewed his guests, instead he used their presence to bolster his own persona and some of his remarks, especially to females, were crude and sordid. Jonathan also showed a level of dishonesty and cowardice, often praising the latest movie of a star in their presence and then later slating it on his film review programme.

Too often the Friday evening show appeared to be used by his "friends" to push their latest album, concert or book and allegations were often made that they all had the same agent in common.

There is no doubt that he will return to our screens, probably sooner than we think, with both Channel 4 and Sky already showing interest in signing him. However, it is unlikely he will ever be in a position to command the big money his BBC bosses once pleaded with him to take.

Nick Clegg – The Making Of A Prime Minister?

Nick Clegg may not make Prime Minister in his own right, but there are signs that with a hung Parliament in sight, he could be the key to deciding on the man who will. His appearances in the media over the past few days have been quite impressive, with no qualms in letting the bigger boys know that when it comes to it, it will take more than a few sweets to get him and his party into either of their beds.

In the launch of their election campaigns the Labour and Conservatives are showing signs of a little desperation, with attacks on each other that strangely seem somewhat old-fashioned and self-serving and it is like hearing the same old song when a new one is required.

Gordon Brown is not one of my favourite people, but he is our Prime Minister and the recent attacks on him, including those photographs in sections of the media, appeared rather nasty, verging on crude propaganda on behalf of the Conservative Party. I am not sure the British public like it, especially at a time when we are seriously considering who can best lead us out of the mess we are in.

Perhaps a hung Parliament, with Nick and his gang involved would be a good thing? Of the Party Leaders he seems to have gauged the mood of the country and has pitched the message accordingly. David Cameron has still got to be the hot favourite to lead us, but I did shudder over the married people saga, when he showed worrying signs of old-style political evasiveness! The scramble to issue the follow-up statement of contradiction made it worse. Now that’s what we expect from our current Prime Minister, but not from the smooth Cameron, who has had plenty of time to consider his policies.

Celebrity Big Brother: The House of Horrors

This has got to be the saddest show on television and it is right that it will come to an end after this series. The housemates, those sad deluded so-called celebrities, can’t help but degrade themselves for another shot of exposure and just maybe a call from their agents later in the year to confirm the panto booking. But surely the public can show some restraint and resist the urge to watch the freak show?
For some who are not even real celebrities, there is little to lose, but for people like Stephanie Beacham, of Dynasty/Colbys and Bad Girls fame, you would think that she would want to hold on to her dignity. Of course dignity doesn't pay the rent and it must be tough being out of work at her age, unless your Meryl Streep.

Tony Blair: The end of the road.....

I have a vague memory of a time when, for a fleeting moment, Tony Blair had everything in his grasp. I think he was even described as a "Man of the People" and at some point in his career he found the time to save the Monarchy, despite Cherie's protests. They made a movie about it.

And now...Tony Blair may have succeeded in his ambition to make pots of money, but when he does finally appear before the Chilcot Inquiry, the prediction is that it will end with his reputation in ruins and fewer and fewer demands for his after-dinner speeches.

There must be times when "Honest" Tony regrets those heart-to-heart conversations with George W. Bush. One wonders if he and his friend George ever wake up at night thinking of the service personnel they sent to their deaths, based on a falsehood?

His appearance at the Inquiry will be world news and one expects that the actor within him is already preparing for the moment of truth. Tony Blair will not let us down, his performance is sure to be a Masterclass. The fear is that if anyone is going to under-perform it will be the Inquiry panel itself, fearful of upsetting their special guest.

The 2010 General Election: Will Cameron & Clegg become best buddies?

It could very well be that the next General Election will produce one of the biggest turnouts of the electorate on record. Far from being apathetic, there is a view that the public will be anxious to give a bloody nose to all those politicians who played the fiddle while the world descended into financial chaos and allowed the likes of Tony Blair and George W. Bush play cowboys, using Iraq and then Afghanistan for their macho war games.

The great divide in British politics has always appeared bogus, in that ultimately, whoever is in government, the voters believe that the country is run in accordance to a set of rules laid down by the establishment and their (civil) servants, with the ruling politicians a mild inconvenience. However, over the past twelve months in particular, the public has seen the Masters of the Universe naked and exposed in their greed and sadly impotent in their inability to control the financial institutions who they rewarded with so much freedom. Also, in their war on terror, it does appear that it is the terrorist who is gaining the upper-hand and it is OUR freedom, not theirs (the terrorists), which is being eroded.

And so to our next General Election. The majority of the current crop of MP fodder will disappear from the Commons and, despite the many disasters of the Labour government, it appears that the Conservative Party, under David Cameron, is still sadly lacking in its ability to convince the electorate that it could do any better.

In recent weeks, it could be said that Gordon Brown has re-discovered his mojo and re-emerged as the man who has a plan for just about everything. It just needed the threat of election defeat to unveil it. However, perhaps the country just needs a change, but wants to hedge its bets.

The talk of a hung parliament is gaining momentum and it is Nick Clegg who could emerge as the real winner. The forthcoming TV debates will give him the opportunity to convince the public of his credentials and could pay dividends, so long as he doesn't use the occasions to promote the Liberal Democrats "Wish List" when, what the public wants, are straightforward solutions to the problems ahead. He will need to establish his credibility and raise his public profile, if he is to play a part in the next government. In his favour is that he sounds good and will appear fresh-faced beside the vampiric Gordon Brown and even David Cameron who, when he is being sincere, has the ability to remind people of Tony Blair at his most honest.

But, whatever Nick Clegg dreams, the likelihood is that David Cameron will be our next Prime Minister, but possibly lacking a clear mandate to govern. Will the Tory leader have difficulty sharing the spoils with another? The great thing about Mr. Cameron is that, like Mr. Blair, he appears to believe the soundbite more important than the principle, so working with Nick Clegg, or anyone else for that matter, should not prove a difficulty. In fact, they could become best buddies and, without any personal ideology to worry about, the scene could be set for a government prepared to act, not on principles, but necessity, in the interest of Queen and Country. Now, in the climate the new government will inherit, surely that would be no bad thing?