09/01/08

Topical Page 2

for my sins I watch the BBC and have my daily newspapers  delivered.   Well today, 2nd June 2003, the  paper I pay 40p for had as it's front page story "Revelations" from that fine upstanding ex cabinet minister Ms. Claire Short.

I am not clairvoyant (should that be Claire Voiyant?) but I predicted in "Topical Talk" that this would be the case.   This woman served from day 1 of the 'New Labour Government' as a minister.   She sat at the cabinet table and was party to every decision that was passed and by collective responsibility she therefore agreed to all that was put into the public domain by the spin meisters.

She could have resigned at any time she was not happy or vehemently disagreed with 'New Labour Policy', did she do that?   Or did she stay in post and collect a not inconsiderable sum of money from us the taxpayer by way of a minister's salary.

She is in print saying that nice Mr. Blair agreed with President George Bush that we would go to war with Iraq last September regardless of any decision by the UN.

She is also quoted as saying that nicey nicey Mr Blair "built a case for war around three big deceits".  

I heard our nice Prime Minister on the news denying categorically everything that this frightful woman was alleging.

I do believe that this could run and run (as the political journo's like to say).

What has the BBC got to do with any of this I hear you ask?

Boxing used to be a sport I took an interest in, I remember watching Henry Cooper punch out Cassius Clay's lights only to be stopped with a badly cut eye, I also got up in the middle of the night and watched "live" BBC coverage of (the still named) Cassius Clay beating the 'unbeatable' Sonny Liston.

I got in on Saturday night and the end of the Audley Harrison fight was on TV, or was it the beginning?   Anyway all hell broke loose in the audience when Herbie Hide took offence at our Audley posing with that great pantomime performer Frank Bruno and the audience chanting 'Brooooono' as the British champions' next opponent.

Herbie Hide started shouting abuse and then the stuff hit the fan.   Why was Herbie Hide in close proximity to the prancing pugilists?

Answer - He was doing the summary of the fight for the BBC.

My paper had ipso facto startling revelations from Claire Short on the front page and proceeded to slag off the BBC on the back pages over its' conduct and cause and effect on the trouble at the fight.

I think I might start reading "The Sport" at least they do not expect to be taken too seriously.
 

P.S.   Today's Times newspaper,3rd June 2003, (I have this delivered every day too) has a headline reading "Put up or shut up", a quote from our Prime Minister, the right honourable Tony Blair MP.
 

Your move Ms.Short.