Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness did a brave thing when they turned their backs on violence and helped bring about peace in Northern Ireland. Whatever their own personal involvement was in the IRA, their efforts to convince others to lay down their arms, was no mean achievement and should be acknowledged.
What should also be recognised is the pain and hurt inflicted on the victims of the IRA and other hardline paramilitary organisations. Martin McGuinness has served Northern Ireland well as a government minister, but there are those who must scream in anguish for their loved ones murdered by the IRA, on seeing him stand in the election for the Presidency of Ireland.
Although he denies it, it is generally accepted that Martin McGuinness served on the council of the IRA and is therefore seen as someone directly involved in the sanctioning of atrocities in Ireland and beyond its shores. It is surely too early for him to take over the tenancy of Áras an Uachtaráin, the presidential residence in Dublin. For many, the blood on the hands of his associates has barely dried.
The history of Ireland is splattered with the blood of its citizens and forgiveness has been part and parcel of its foundation as a sovereign nation. One day, the pain of its recent violent history will fade, but people like Martin McGuinness should show some humility, some spark of regret and seek forgiveness rather than aspire to the highest office in the Emerald Isle.
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
X Factor UK: Simon Cowell will make big changes for 2012
X Factor UK may have lost viewers this series but it is still a big hitter in ITV's weekend schedule and will return next year. It is said that its creator Simon Cowell is not happy with the current UK production, but it was he who took his most experienced producers with him for the USA version.
The problem is that the current series has no real surprises and the Saturday night show is just too long. The current panel has done a good job, although Louis Walsh has been criticised and will probably not be back next year. The truth is that Simon Cowell has not been around to produce the show from his judge's position and at times it has appeared shambolic, as if there was no one in charge. The host, Dermot O'Leary, does a satisfactory job, but he lacks real star appeal and does not command the stage. His suits are awful too!
The whole format needs to be shaken and stirred and it would be a surprise if Simon Cowell has not already made decisions over its future. One thing contestants on the show need to understand is that winning it is not a guaranteed path to fame and fortune. UK judge Gary Barlow may delude himself that it is all about finding an International star, but that is not the case. The contestants are disposable fodder in a show made to attract television audiences.
This series the contestants have failed to connect with viewers, although Misha B. has the charisma to rise above the controversy over her alleged bullying. Unfortunately, I do get the impression that she is a proper little madam who won't be nice to those around her should she find some fame. I hope I am wrong.
Meanwhile, the judges on the USA version have decided on the acts for the "live" shows, although I must admit I am surprised by some of the choices. It does appear to be more contrived than the UK version and I have yet to spot an act that I think will sell records. But then, that is not what it is about. It will be interesting to see how Steve Jones hosts the "live" events. So far he appears to be almost superfluous to the show and he may find himself as disposable as the artists next time around!
The problem is that the current series has no real surprises and the Saturday night show is just too long. The current panel has done a good job, although Louis Walsh has been criticised and will probably not be back next year. The truth is that Simon Cowell has not been around to produce the show from his judge's position and at times it has appeared shambolic, as if there was no one in charge. The host, Dermot O'Leary, does a satisfactory job, but he lacks real star appeal and does not command the stage. His suits are awful too!
The whole format needs to be shaken and stirred and it would be a surprise if Simon Cowell has not already made decisions over its future. One thing contestants on the show need to understand is that winning it is not a guaranteed path to fame and fortune. UK judge Gary Barlow may delude himself that it is all about finding an International star, but that is not the case. The contestants are disposable fodder in a show made to attract television audiences.
This series the contestants have failed to connect with viewers, although Misha B. has the charisma to rise above the controversy over her alleged bullying. Unfortunately, I do get the impression that she is a proper little madam who won't be nice to those around her should she find some fame. I hope I am wrong.
Meanwhile, the judges on the USA version have decided on the acts for the "live" shows, although I must admit I am surprised by some of the choices. It does appear to be more contrived than the UK version and I have yet to spot an act that I think will sell records. But then, that is not what it is about. It will be interesting to see how Steve Jones hosts the "live" events. So far he appears to be almost superfluous to the show and he may find himself as disposable as the artists next time around!
Eurozone: Like a bad soap-opera
Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister, struts the world stage like a bad actor in a tragi-comic soap opera. A seedy, sordid old man who shames his beautiful country, in recent years he has been so busy fighting to stay out of jail, he has proved incapable of addressing the financial horrors now threatening his nation.
The European financial crisis does not just impact on the Eurozone, but the whole world economy and the failure of EC leaders to agree an immediate package of measures to bolster the Eurozone, would result in the beginning of a catastrophic meltdown across the globe. President Sarkozy may upbraid the British Prime Minister for his interventions on the Eurozone crisis, but David Cameron is right to shout for reform and action and it is just a pity that France and Germany have not acted sooner to sort out the mess.
Greece needs to wake-up to the reality of that country's situation and be serious about taking the necessary measures to address the inefficiencies within its economy. As for Italy, it is difficult to see how it can restructure its institutions with Mr Berlusconi at its helm. Whatever agreement he reaches with other leaders in Brussels tonight (Wednesday), to rescue Italy from meltdown, will prove impossible for him to deliver to his countrymen and there is a possibility he may have to resign.
The European financial crisis does not just impact on the Eurozone, but the whole world economy and the failure of EC leaders to agree an immediate package of measures to bolster the Eurozone, would result in the beginning of a catastrophic meltdown across the globe. President Sarkozy may upbraid the British Prime Minister for his interventions on the Eurozone crisis, but David Cameron is right to shout for reform and action and it is just a pity that France and Germany have not acted sooner to sort out the mess.
Greece needs to wake-up to the reality of that country's situation and be serious about taking the necessary measures to address the inefficiencies within its economy. As for Italy, it is difficult to see how it can restructure its institutions with Mr Berlusconi at its helm. Whatever agreement he reaches with other leaders in Brussels tonight (Wednesday), to rescue Italy from meltdown, will prove impossible for him to deliver to his countrymen and there is a possibility he may have to resign.
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Strictly Come Dancing: Give Anton Du Beke an award for bravery!
I can't decide if Nancy Dell'Olio is in on the joke or not, but the lady really can't dance! Her partner Anton Du Beke is a brave man, who takes on the more, er..difficult female contestants on Strictly Come Dancing and basically carries, hauls and throws them through each and every routine! There should be a special award just to recognise his bravery.
The show tonight was a fiery affair, with the professional dancers in revolt against some of the judges remarks. All in all it made for an entertaining show. Last series suffered an audience decline because of schedule clashes with the X Factor and an undistinguished list of contestants, but this season is proving a hit and there have been times when it has even attracted more viewers than its rival when they have clashed.
While the X Factor has lost viewers this series, with a not overly-attractive bunch of contestants, even if some are talented, what is often overlooked about Strictly is the high-standard of the orchestra and singers who accompany each dance routine. On the judging panel Alesha Dixon has come into her own, her remarks concentrating more on the entertainment value of a performance.
The show is sure to get another series next year, but one wonders if Sir Bruce will continue to act as co-host? His jokes really are awful, but have become an intergal part of the Saturday night edition. They are so-oo bad that even he misses the Sunday results show to allow him to recover from the telling of them!
The show tonight was a fiery affair, with the professional dancers in revolt against some of the judges remarks. All in all it made for an entertaining show. Last series suffered an audience decline because of schedule clashes with the X Factor and an undistinguished list of contestants, but this season is proving a hit and there have been times when it has even attracted more viewers than its rival when they have clashed.
While the X Factor has lost viewers this series, with a not overly-attractive bunch of contestants, even if some are talented, what is often overlooked about Strictly is the high-standard of the orchestra and singers who accompany each dance routine. On the judging panel Alesha Dixon has come into her own, her remarks concentrating more on the entertainment value of a performance.
The show is sure to get another series next year, but one wonders if Sir Bruce will continue to act as co-host? His jokes really are awful, but have become an intergal part of the Saturday night edition. They are so-oo bad that even he misses the Sunday results show to allow him to recover from the telling of them!
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Gaddafi Dead: Libya celebrating....
So, the cruel, mad and bad dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, has been shot dead and Libya celebrates! Some in the International community would have preferred he be taken alive and placed on trial. But that would have been a drawn out affair, at a time when the country he ruled for forty-two years, needs to move on and rebuild.
It is unlikely Gadaffi would have spilled the beans on his murky dealings with the likes of the IRA and, ultimately, the Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am 103. Perhaps someone within his inner circle has the full information and will emerge with the evidence, but will there also be embarrassment for some public figures on the world stage who accepted his money and favours?
The handsome officer who took over Libya evolved into an ugly monster, who ruled his own people through fear and torture and exported his methods to other parts of the world. It is hoped that those running the new Libya will not revert to his ways, although there are reports that captured and imprisoned pro-Gadaffi soldiers are being horrifically abused and killed by the soldiers of the country's liberators.
The International community, Britain and France in particular, should be proud of their support for those who fought against the Gadaffi machine, but it now also becomes their duty to protect the rights of all the Libyan people, including those who supported the late dictator.
It is unlikely Gadaffi would have spilled the beans on his murky dealings with the likes of the IRA and, ultimately, the Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am 103. Perhaps someone within his inner circle has the full information and will emerge with the evidence, but will there also be embarrassment for some public figures on the world stage who accepted his money and favours?
The handsome officer who took over Libya evolved into an ugly monster, who ruled his own people through fear and torture and exported his methods to other parts of the world. It is hoped that those running the new Libya will not revert to his ways, although there are reports that captured and imprisoned pro-Gadaffi soldiers are being horrifically abused and killed by the soldiers of the country's liberators.
The International community, Britain and France in particular, should be proud of their support for those who fought against the Gadaffi machine, but it now also becomes their duty to protect the rights of all the Libyan people, including those who supported the late dictator.
Monday, 17 October 2011
Dr Liam Fox: Something rotten going on......
The last Conservative government was kicked out of office because ministers started to behave as if the country was their personal fiefdom. The Liam Fox affair is the latest example of someone in a position of trust behaving as if the ministerial code of conduct was in place for everyone else but them.
Something rotten was going on in the world of Dr Liam Fox, during his term at the Ministry of Defence. While soldiers were dying in Afghanistan and cost-cutting a major part of the defence review, the Defence Secretary was being accompanied by his close friend on flights around the world, the cost being paid by wealthy donors for reasons yet to be established.
Unless it is for charity, people don't normally just hand over money without the desire for something in return. Although there is no suggestion Dr Fox behaved in a manner that could be considered criminal, one wonders to what extent did Adam Werritty have influence over him in matters of defence?
Dr Fox lied when first asked about Adam Werritty. He said he never travelled with him on foreign trips when, in fact, he did so on at least twenty-two occasions. Mr Werritty wasn't just keeping his friend company, but actually sitting in on meetings where defence issues were discussed and presumably decisions made on behalf of the country. Now why would that be?
What did senior civil servants and military top brass think of the arrangement between the pair? Surely they must have thought it somewhat odd, especially as Mr Werritty never did have any official standing within the Ministry? Did it never dawn on someone to raise it as a security issue?
The Cabinet Secretary is to publish a report on the affair tomorrow and it will be interesting to see if any further revelations will emerge to scupper plans for Dr Fox to return to frontline politics in the future. A police investigation may still prove embarrassing for him and Adam Werritty, but whatever the outcome, for a man in his position, Liam Fox behaved like a pillock.
Something rotten was going on in the world of Dr Liam Fox, during his term at the Ministry of Defence. While soldiers were dying in Afghanistan and cost-cutting a major part of the defence review, the Defence Secretary was being accompanied by his close friend on flights around the world, the cost being paid by wealthy donors for reasons yet to be established.
Unless it is for charity, people don't normally just hand over money without the desire for something in return. Although there is no suggestion Dr Fox behaved in a manner that could be considered criminal, one wonders to what extent did Adam Werritty have influence over him in matters of defence?
Dr Fox lied when first asked about Adam Werritty. He said he never travelled with him on foreign trips when, in fact, he did so on at least twenty-two occasions. Mr Werritty wasn't just keeping his friend company, but actually sitting in on meetings where defence issues were discussed and presumably decisions made on behalf of the country. Now why would that be?
What did senior civil servants and military top brass think of the arrangement between the pair? Surely they must have thought it somewhat odd, especially as Mr Werritty never did have any official standing within the Ministry? Did it never dawn on someone to raise it as a security issue?
The Cabinet Secretary is to publish a report on the affair tomorrow and it will be interesting to see if any further revelations will emerge to scupper plans for Dr Fox to return to frontline politics in the future. A police investigation may still prove embarrassing for him and Adam Werritty, but whatever the outcome, for a man in his position, Liam Fox behaved like a pillock.
X Factor UK: Public voting with feet....loss of two million viewers
It seems the public are tiring of the X Factor formula with over 2 million deserting the programme on Saturday. It still managed an impressive 11.4 million viewers, but down on last year at this stage. Simon Cowell must be wondering if Cheryl Cole has put a curse on him, because his USA version is also suffering from disappointing audience figures.
I think X Factor UK has benefited from the new judging panel, although some of their decisions have been suspect. Louis Walsh usually knows his stuff, even if at times he can be irritating, but I can't imagine what he was doing getting Johnny to sing a Kylie number dressed as some geisha girl. It wasn't a good move and has turned Johnny, who actually can sing, into a joke figure.
Misha B is the girl with attitude and owner of an amazing soul voice. A Diva in the making if ever there was one! Craig Cotton has an incredible way of phasing and using a song to tell a story, while Marcus Collins is a talent, although his version of Rihanna's Russian Roulette just didn't work. Kitty Brucknell is a competent performer, but please, someone shut her up when she opens her mouth to do anything but sing. She is a nutcase.
Overall, I thought that it was Gary Barlow's acts which had the least impressive song choices on Saturday and the artist who appears to be his favourite, Frankie Cocozza, is the least talented singer, although the one most like a rock-star. However, I am told, most teenage girls still like their boys to be a little less experienced than the 18 year-old Frankie who has the names of seven conquests tattooed on his bum. Classy!
It is sad that last year's winner, Matt Cardle, is slagging X Factor and coming across like a pretentious twit in the process. His single, Run For Your Life, is bland and the long-awaited album is said to be somewhat insipid. It is dangerous to be critical of Simon Cowell, a man friendly with every top music executive in the country. Matt may find himself without a recording contract sometime soon.
It will be interesting to see if the show holds its appeal in the coming weeks. But, as with Big Brother, the public may be tiring of watching folk bare their souls. It now seems so contrived.
I think X Factor UK has benefited from the new judging panel, although some of their decisions have been suspect. Louis Walsh usually knows his stuff, even if at times he can be irritating, but I can't imagine what he was doing getting Johnny to sing a Kylie number dressed as some geisha girl. It wasn't a good move and has turned Johnny, who actually can sing, into a joke figure.
Misha B is the girl with attitude and owner of an amazing soul voice. A Diva in the making if ever there was one! Craig Cotton has an incredible way of phasing and using a song to tell a story, while Marcus Collins is a talent, although his version of Rihanna's Russian Roulette just didn't work. Kitty Brucknell is a competent performer, but please, someone shut her up when she opens her mouth to do anything but sing. She is a nutcase.
Overall, I thought that it was Gary Barlow's acts which had the least impressive song choices on Saturday and the artist who appears to be his favourite, Frankie Cocozza, is the least talented singer, although the one most like a rock-star. However, I am told, most teenage girls still like their boys to be a little less experienced than the 18 year-old Frankie who has the names of seven conquests tattooed on his bum. Classy!
It is sad that last year's winner, Matt Cardle, is slagging X Factor and coming across like a pretentious twit in the process. His single, Run For Your Life, is bland and the long-awaited album is said to be somewhat insipid. It is dangerous to be critical of Simon Cowell, a man friendly with every top music executive in the country. Matt may find himself without a recording contract sometime soon.
It will be interesting to see if the show holds its appeal in the coming weeks. But, as with Big Brother, the public may be tiring of watching folk bare their souls. It now seems so contrived.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Sir Bruce Forsyth: A Knight to remember....star of Strictly Come Dancing
I am delighted Bruce Forsyth has achieved his ambition to become a Knight of the realm. Arise, Sir Bruce! The 83 year-old entertainer and current presenter of the UK's Strictly Come Dancing has waited a long time for the honour, with the public and media campaigning on his behalf over the years.
I am not in favour of such honours, but he might as well have one, when you consider they are dished out to many who are less worthy and often exposed as members of the criminal class. I do wonder what The Queen must think about some of the shifty characters who have knelt before her for the traditional ceremony.
There are some excellent dancers emerging from the current series of Strictly along with some woeful performances from the likes of Nancy Dell'Olio, ex-girlfriend of football manager Sven Ericson, who must look back on the day they first met and admit an own goal. Nancy is being kept in by the public vote just to humiliate her further, although she would be the last to realise this, enjoying her infamy on the show and mistaking it for admiration of her and her talent.
This is a woman who declared that her most recent boyfriend Sir Trevor Nunn, the respected theatre and film director, told her that he described her as "the most intelligent person he's ever met". The rest of us would declare her "the dumbest" for really believing that from a man who was just horny at the time. The affair didn't last.
The person who has captured the heart of the British public is Russell Grant, best-known as an astrologer, who has battled with a weight problem and depression, but who has embraced the show with some of the campest moves and outfits worthy of Liberace. Strictly and X Factor have revived the Saturday night TV audience here in the UK and the likes of Russell have made it fun!
I am not in favour of such honours, but he might as well have one, when you consider they are dished out to many who are less worthy and often exposed as members of the criminal class. I do wonder what The Queen must think about some of the shifty characters who have knelt before her for the traditional ceremony.
There are some excellent dancers emerging from the current series of Strictly along with some woeful performances from the likes of Nancy Dell'Olio, ex-girlfriend of football manager Sven Ericson, who must look back on the day they first met and admit an own goal. Nancy is being kept in by the public vote just to humiliate her further, although she would be the last to realise this, enjoying her infamy on the show and mistaking it for admiration of her and her talent.
This is a woman who declared that her most recent boyfriend Sir Trevor Nunn, the respected theatre and film director, told her that he described her as "the most intelligent person he's ever met". The rest of us would declare her "the dumbest" for really believing that from a man who was just horny at the time. The affair didn't last.
The person who has captured the heart of the British public is Russell Grant, best-known as an astrologer, who has battled with a weight problem and depression, but who has embraced the show with some of the campest moves and outfits worthy of Liberace. Strictly and X Factor have revived the Saturday night TV audience here in the UK and the likes of Russell have made it fun!
Liam Fox & Adam Werritty: On the same bus......
It really shouldn't be an issue if Dr Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary and his best friend Adam Werritty are regulars on the same bus, so to speak. It is the minister's behaviour in allowing his friend accompany him on business trips abroad and sit in on meetings with people who believed his companion was a bona fide member of the defence team, that has caused concern.
The majority of us don't take our friends, partners or spouses into meetings, never mind those that deal with the defence of our country, so it is accepted that Dr Fox made serious errors of judgement in doing just that. And why?
Was Werritty acting as an honest broker for possible deals and if so what was his pay-off on completion? If he was there because his presence made Dr Fox feel good, then there is the little matter of security clearance. Surely, the secret service would have been aware of Mr Werritty and his connection with the minister and if so, why did it not act and alert Downing Street?
Dr Fox represents the right-wing of the Conservative Party and isn't a favourite of the Prime Minister, who feels obliged to support him right now, but may well be forced to remove him at some point.
Much of the damage of this scandal as been the woeful spin, counter-spin and misleading information initially dished out by the minister and his friends and his future is likely to depend on what the Sunday papers reveal at the weekend. There is a touch of homophobia creeping into the latest press reports and it cannot be easy for Dr Fox's wife right now, although it is a mistake to assume what goes on within a marriage.
It is a credit to Dr Fox that he has blasted so-called friends for a whispering campaign about Adam Werritty, which accuse him of being a "Walter Mitty" character - as if that would absolve the Defence Secretary of any part in this saga.
The majority of us don't take our friends, partners or spouses into meetings, never mind those that deal with the defence of our country, so it is accepted that Dr Fox made serious errors of judgement in doing just that. And why?
Was Werritty acting as an honest broker for possible deals and if so what was his pay-off on completion? If he was there because his presence made Dr Fox feel good, then there is the little matter of security clearance. Surely, the secret service would have been aware of Mr Werritty and his connection with the minister and if so, why did it not act and alert Downing Street?
Dr Fox represents the right-wing of the Conservative Party and isn't a favourite of the Prime Minister, who feels obliged to support him right now, but may well be forced to remove him at some point.
Much of the damage of this scandal as been the woeful spin, counter-spin and misleading information initially dished out by the minister and his friends and his future is likely to depend on what the Sunday papers reveal at the weekend. There is a touch of homophobia creeping into the latest press reports and it cannot be easy for Dr Fox's wife right now, although it is a mistake to assume what goes on within a marriage.
It is a credit to Dr Fox that he has blasted so-called friends for a whispering campaign about Adam Werritty, which accuse him of being a "Walter Mitty" character - as if that would absolve the Defence Secretary of any part in this saga.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Sarah Palin: Doing the decent thing.......
I love Americans, but do they or do they not have a weird, wonderful and frightening set of moral values? The USA gave black people equal rights although, it has to be said, with a little reluctance in some quarters and even elected a black man president. It helps police the world, ridding it of tyrants and despots, yet holds people without trial and renders them to other countries for torture. It even deprives some of its citizens of their rights as gay people to a legal union and yet responds like no other to tragedy around the globe.
Sarah Palin must thank her lucky stars that John McCain selected her as his running mate, although he must wake up in a sweat every single night since making that decision, wondering if had he been elected what damage she could have done had a disaster happened and she succeeded him.
Mrs Palin will still attempt to influence the nominations through her association with the Tea Party, her very own publicity machine, which helps her sell heaps of books and gives her a voice on Fox. She cites many reasons for not seeking the nomination, but the real reason is she probably likes the money she now makes far too much.
BBC: Talented creative people being dumped on the scrapheap...
I like to watch Sky for news, but on those special occasions, when the event warrants the right tone, whether it be Princess Diana's funeral or coverage of Obama's Inauguration, I instinctively switch over to the BBC.
I never did understand why Jonathan Ross was so highly paid for a second-rate chat show all about himself, but you could not blame him for taking the offered millions. The problem with the BBC was that for too long it defended its highly-paid performers by citing "market forces", when it was the institution itself setting the going rate. With the licence fee now frozen at £145.50 until 2017, action is now required to reduce overheads, cull unnecessary layers of management and reduce inflated salaries.
In the process of this latest saving exercise announced this week, over 2,000 jobs will go, with spending cuts across a range of sports, entertainment and news programmes. Repeats will rule the afternoon schedules and programmes like the Daily Politics show will disappear. BBC News will lose over 800 jobs and "live" coverage of various events, like party political conferences, will be limited. The cuts will impact on radio programming too, with less high-brow "live music" performances on Radio 3 and an amalgamation of some news and entertainment services across the various national and local radio channels.
The future of the BBC's orchestras and singers is to be reviewed, although the famous Proms will benefit from an additional £1million a year. Plans are already well-advanced to get rid of some buildings and hundreds of staff have already sacrificed life in London for Salford, Manchester, which will be home for programmes like the Breakfast Show.
As a broadcaster gifted with public monies, the role of BBC TV in particular, has always been questioned, especially when it goes up against the commercial channels to chase mass audience figures and eschewing quality for quantity at the viewers expense.
Even with the cuts in progress and talented creative people being dumped on the scrapheap, a job vacancy for a Decision Support Manager is being advertised at £58,000pa. What the holder of this important office "actually does" is a total mystery to even the BBC's Chief Operations Officer, who was unable to say when asked on Newsnight. Now if anything demonstrates the waste at the BBC, it's just that.
I never did understand why Jonathan Ross was so highly paid for a second-rate chat show all about himself, but you could not blame him for taking the offered millions. The problem with the BBC was that for too long it defended its highly-paid performers by citing "market forces", when it was the institution itself setting the going rate. With the licence fee now frozen at £145.50 until 2017, action is now required to reduce overheads, cull unnecessary layers of management and reduce inflated salaries.
In the process of this latest saving exercise announced this week, over 2,000 jobs will go, with spending cuts across a range of sports, entertainment and news programmes. Repeats will rule the afternoon schedules and programmes like the Daily Politics show will disappear. BBC News will lose over 800 jobs and "live" coverage of various events, like party political conferences, will be limited. The cuts will impact on radio programming too, with less high-brow "live music" performances on Radio 3 and an amalgamation of some news and entertainment services across the various national and local radio channels.
The future of the BBC's orchestras and singers is to be reviewed, although the famous Proms will benefit from an additional £1million a year. Plans are already well-advanced to get rid of some buildings and hundreds of staff have already sacrificed life in London for Salford, Manchester, which will be home for programmes like the Breakfast Show.
As a broadcaster gifted with public monies, the role of BBC TV in particular, has always been questioned, especially when it goes up against the commercial channels to chase mass audience figures and eschewing quality for quantity at the viewers expense.
Even with the cuts in progress and talented creative people being dumped on the scrapheap, a job vacancy for a Decision Support Manager is being advertised at £58,000pa. What the holder of this important office "actually does" is a total mystery to even the BBC's Chief Operations Officer, who was unable to say when asked on Newsnight. Now if anything demonstrates the waste at the BBC, it's just that.
Liam Fox, Defence Secretary: Should avoid looking shifty and guilty as hell....
Dr Liam Fox, the UK Defence Secretary, has a fight on his hands to prove that one of his closest friends has not benefited from their association.
Adam Werritty, is one of Fox's best friends and was best man at his wedding, with regular access to the Ministry of Defence and who it was discovered carried a business card that stated he was an adviser to Dr Fox, although there is no evidence that he was ever employed in this capacity.
In addition, Mr Werritty seemed to have the happy knack of turning up in places like Sri Lanka, on occasions when the Defence Secretary was on official business. The questions now being asked are if National Security was compromised and the reasons for Mr Werritty's regular visits to Dr Fox's offices (sixteen times in fourteen months), combined with his presence on overseas trips.
Dr Fox has always struck me as being a Minister who, asked a direct question, gave a blunt reply, but on this occasion he has passed the matter on to one of his own senior officials to investigate the "baseless allegations" and to look at whether the ministerial code of conduct was breached.
By setting up his own department's enquiry it has given Dr Fox the opportunity not to answer any questions on the issue so that he does not prejudice any findings. If he wasn't going to answer questions, then he should have avoided appearing in media interviews on television, where his refusal made him look shifty and guilty as hell. A pity really when his own department's investigation may exonerate him of any wrongdoing whatsoever. It may even be confirmed that Mr Werritty's presence in foreign lands at the same time as Dr Fox were purely coincidental.
Adam Werritty, is one of Fox's best friends and was best man at his wedding, with regular access to the Ministry of Defence and who it was discovered carried a business card that stated he was an adviser to Dr Fox, although there is no evidence that he was ever employed in this capacity.
In addition, Mr Werritty seemed to have the happy knack of turning up in places like Sri Lanka, on occasions when the Defence Secretary was on official business. The questions now being asked are if National Security was compromised and the reasons for Mr Werritty's regular visits to Dr Fox's offices (sixteen times in fourteen months), combined with his presence on overseas trips.
Dr Fox has always struck me as being a Minister who, asked a direct question, gave a blunt reply, but on this occasion he has passed the matter on to one of his own senior officials to investigate the "baseless allegations" and to look at whether the ministerial code of conduct was breached.
By setting up his own department's enquiry it has given Dr Fox the opportunity not to answer any questions on the issue so that he does not prejudice any findings. If he wasn't going to answer questions, then he should have avoided appearing in media interviews on television, where his refusal made him look shifty and guilty as hell. A pity really when his own department's investigation may exonerate him of any wrongdoing whatsoever. It may even be confirmed that Mr Werritty's presence in foreign lands at the same time as Dr Fox were purely coincidental.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
The Conservative Party Conference: Something else simmering under the surface...
There is something about watching the Conservatives at their conference in Manchester that reminds me of a town hall meeting where something else is simmering under the surface, but folk are either too polite to say, or have been threatened into silence.
In the case of the Tories there are certain subjects that arouse anger and frustration. Europe being one of them. The Tories have a dislike of foreigners. They can't help it, it is in their blood. Many of them equate membership of the European Community with occupation by a foreign power and would love to take up arms against it. Well, maybe not use guns and such-like, but to overthrow the forces of evil based in Brussels with a referendum against membership at least.
This time round it is the Human Rights Act, enshrined under the European Convention, which has got them baying for blood, with Theresa May, the Home Secretary, joining in. "I'd personally like to see the Human Rights Act go because I think we have had some problems with it."
Although the Conservatives like to portray it as another evil from Brussels, the Act was actually drafted in 1950 by the Council of Europe and the UK has, with some exceptions, always accepted its protocols, although it was Labour who introduced the Human Rights Act as part of UK law in 1998.
The main source of complaint is the rights of immigrants with criminal convictions, or even terrorist suspects, to remain in the country rather than be deported, because of family ties, no matter how tenuous, here in the UK. Or judges rule that they cannot be deported because of some conflict within their own country, despite their anti-social behaviour here.
Mrs. May quotes the story of one criminal who a judge ruled could not be deported because he owned a cat, although there are reports that her illustration is somewhat exaggerated and fails to take into account other aspects of the case
It must be said that you do not have to be a Conservative Party member to feel that such people have surrounded their right to residency once they break the law. But what happens to their British-born wife, or children, girlfriend or boyfriend, who have no cultural attachment to a far off land? Should they be deported too?
It is the interpretation of the Act by judges, out of step with public opinion, that has allowed the abuse of the Human Rights Act. But measures to be adopted by the government will only seek to advise a course of action (i.e. to hell with rights, kick them out!), which the Courts will still be able to ignore.
However, it made for a strong conference speech from Mrs May, even if the end result of her proposals, backed by Mr Cameron, will be diluted by the reality of present day politics.
Which brings us to another Conservative Party hate at present. Their Coalition partner in government, the Liberal Democrats, whose leader, handsome Nick Clegg defended the Human Rights Act a few weeks ago and promised "It is here to stay".
Now, both David Cameron and the Chancellor George Osborne, have been martyrs to the cause of patience in dealing with Clegg and his party, but the reality is that at the next General Election the Conservatives may still need their support to stay in government.
Should the Coalition survive until 2015, when the next election takes place, it will be with a background of strikes and public sector job cuts and even, the worst case scenario, the failure of the Chancellor's measures, with a country paralysed by lack of economic growth and continued financial meltdown.
Of course, should Mr Osborne's plan for growth work, then the Conservatives may well win enough House of Commons seats to rule alone. The voters, fed up with being squeezed, but still angry with Labour for getting us into the financial mess in the first place, will vote with reluctance to keep Mr Cameron and the Tories in power, while the Liberal Democrats will get a severe thumping at the ballot box and be consigned to cult status.
In the case of the Tories there are certain subjects that arouse anger and frustration. Europe being one of them. The Tories have a dislike of foreigners. They can't help it, it is in their blood. Many of them equate membership of the European Community with occupation by a foreign power and would love to take up arms against it. Well, maybe not use guns and such-like, but to overthrow the forces of evil based in Brussels with a referendum against membership at least.
This time round it is the Human Rights Act, enshrined under the European Convention, which has got them baying for blood, with Theresa May, the Home Secretary, joining in. "I'd personally like to see the Human Rights Act go because I think we have had some problems with it."
Although the Conservatives like to portray it as another evil from Brussels, the Act was actually drafted in 1950 by the Council of Europe and the UK has, with some exceptions, always accepted its protocols, although it was Labour who introduced the Human Rights Act as part of UK law in 1998.
The main source of complaint is the rights of immigrants with criminal convictions, or even terrorist suspects, to remain in the country rather than be deported, because of family ties, no matter how tenuous, here in the UK. Or judges rule that they cannot be deported because of some conflict within their own country, despite their anti-social behaviour here.
Mrs. May quotes the story of one criminal who a judge ruled could not be deported because he owned a cat, although there are reports that her illustration is somewhat exaggerated and fails to take into account other aspects of the case
It must be said that you do not have to be a Conservative Party member to feel that such people have surrounded their right to residency once they break the law. But what happens to their British-born wife, or children, girlfriend or boyfriend, who have no cultural attachment to a far off land? Should they be deported too?
It is the interpretation of the Act by judges, out of step with public opinion, that has allowed the abuse of the Human Rights Act. But measures to be adopted by the government will only seek to advise a course of action (i.e. to hell with rights, kick them out!), which the Courts will still be able to ignore.
However, it made for a strong conference speech from Mrs May, even if the end result of her proposals, backed by Mr Cameron, will be diluted by the reality of present day politics.
Which brings us to another Conservative Party hate at present. Their Coalition partner in government, the Liberal Democrats, whose leader, handsome Nick Clegg defended the Human Rights Act a few weeks ago and promised "It is here to stay".
Now, both David Cameron and the Chancellor George Osborne, have been martyrs to the cause of patience in dealing with Clegg and his party, but the reality is that at the next General Election the Conservatives may still need their support to stay in government.
Should the Coalition survive until 2015, when the next election takes place, it will be with a background of strikes and public sector job cuts and even, the worst case scenario, the failure of the Chancellor's measures, with a country paralysed by lack of economic growth and continued financial meltdown.
Of course, should Mr Osborne's plan for growth work, then the Conservatives may well win enough House of Commons seats to rule alone. The voters, fed up with being squeezed, but still angry with Labour for getting us into the financial mess in the first place, will vote with reluctance to keep Mr Cameron and the Tories in power, while the Liberal Democrats will get a severe thumping at the ballot box and be consigned to cult status.
Monday, 3 October 2011
X Factor UK: For better or worse...the judges make their decision
The X Factor finalists have been selected and the "live" shows start next week. I think this season's judges have been a success, with the mix of Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavios, Kelly Rowland and veteran Louis Walsh bringing new energy to the format.
Of course, controversy is never far from the X Factor and some of the judges selections have raised eyebrows, with Louis Walsh in particular making at least one weird choice. Although, it must be said, that he of all of those involved, recognises that the whole experience is about producing watchable TV, with the future of the performers a minor consideration.
Louis's dismissal of Sami Brookes for Goldie Cheung was somewhat bizarre, but I can understand why he picked Kitty Brucknell. The show thrives on publicity and Miss Brucknell is so far up her own butt that she is sure to keep the tabloids happy, although I suspect she will not be the people's eventual choice. Many would agree that justice was served when Goldie withdrew, to be replaced by Sami Brookes, but Louis didn't do his credibility any favours.
In the final stages, Gary Barlow who has control of the boys, came across as someone who really cared about his choices, but both he and Robbie Williams who helped him make the final selection, were shocked and concerned about the reaction of 16 year-old Luke Lucas, who performed badly at the judge's house in Los Angeles and sobbed when told he was not in the final.
Is sixteen too young for such heavy pressure? The boy was there without family support and failed to produce the magic of his first audition. But it was sad to watch his meltdown on television and one wonders how he must have felt making that long plane journey back from LA to London?
Meanwhile, word is that Simon Cowell's USA version has not been as accepted as he would have hoped, but I have quite enjoyed watching highlights and his exasperation with fellow-judges L.A. Reid and Chery Cole's replacement, Nicole Scherzinger, is a joy to behold.
There is some great talent on both the UK and USA shows, but I am still not convinced that the music industry is best served by so many manufactured wannabes. But the X Factor makes for great television.
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Vladimir Putin: The Dictator of Russia....?.
Russia may be a democratic country in name, but the reality is that Mr Putin's grip on power has steadily grown since he was first elected President in 2000. Many of those who have criticized the current Kremlin hierarchy have found themselves in jail, or conveniently murdered. Even though the constitution meant he had to step down last time, his obliging friend Medvedev agreed to keep the seat warm for him and it has always been accepted that it is he, Vladimir Putin, who is the one in charge.
It would appear that dictatorial power in Russia has been won without bloodshed and with the tacit agreement of many citizens who are familiar with and generally like strong leadership. It could be said that they are even in the majority. For the many, everyday life remains the same, regardless of who is in power. It is those who believe in real democracy and free speech with most to lose. Like their freedom, or worse, their lives.
However, a growing number of Russians, fearful for the future of their country, are quietly deserting it for a life abroad. The Russian oligarchy who obey the rule of not opposing Emperor Putin thrive, but those who seek real democracy are finding life more difficult and dangerous.
The macho man that is Mr Putin is increasingly showing signs of being frustrated with the normal demands of the democratic process and is aware that long after the current batch of world leaders disappear, he will still reign supreme in Mother Russia. After all, who is going to oppose him?
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