Backing Blair :: Campaign Weblog

Our closing statement

Backing Blair — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 14:39:00 +0000

Backing Blair has, in our view, done all it can do.

We are now moving on to a new project that's designed to address the many problems that Tony Blair will leave behind.

A beta release of the 2005 Labour Party Campaign Return will be published shortly as an introduction to this new project (and a prominent link will appear here when this goes live).

Click here for our closing statement.

Click here for our new project... National Service.

Tactical Voting Advice

Backing Blair — Tue, 22 Mar 2005 18:09:00 +0000

This campaign has been wrongly accused of taking a number of different positions, including being pro-Tory,pro-Respect and pro-War in Iraq. Which is a pretty impressive spread for a campaign that is actually anti-Blair (and anti-New Labour project).

Some of the other tactical voting campaigns are focussed specifically on the Iraq War, aiming to punish MPs who voted in favour of military action. Now that is a laudable object and is one of the factors we are using to revise the voting advice given. However, it isn't the complete picture. When considering the performance of a Labour MP over the lifetime of the current parliament, other issues need to be considered including (in no particular order):

- The Anti-Terrorism legislation
- Trial without jury
- Reform of the House of Lords
- Foundation Hospitals
- ID Cards
- Student top-up fees

Depressingly, when looking at Labour MPs, we find only 17 who voted against the government on at least 75% of the divisions associated with the above issues. Now obviously this list will expand when prioritisation is taken into account e.g. Iraq ranks higher than reform of the House of Lords. Even so, only 17 Labour MPs out of 412 voted consistently against the more right-wing of the governments policies.

Even more depressing is the sheer contempt Tony Blair appears to hold for parliament. Out of 71 votes on these key issues, Blair didn't even vote in 44 of them, illustrating the arrogance of a Prime Minister with such an overwhelming majority that he does not feel the need to vote on his own key legislation.

So, at the end of the day, Backing Blair is about punishing Tony Blair and those Labour MPs who slavishly support his right-of-centre policies. And at the same time rewarding those Labour MPs who appear to have retain at least a reasonable sense of what the party should stand for. A case in point being Mike Wood, Labour MP for Batley and Spen. If we were truly anti-Labour then we'd be throwing our weight behind the Conservative candidate Robert Light, especially given Mike Wood's fragile majority. But we're not. Instead we're urging voters in Batley and Spen to vote for Mike, to ensure that the more principled anti-Blairites survive.

Bush puts his finger on it

Backing Blair — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 09:38:00 +0000

A nugget from Bush and Blair's increasingly infamous 'open mic' moment that proves to be delightfully entertaining when used out of context:

Bush: Yo, Blair. What are you doing? Are you leaving?

Blair: No, not yet.

No special favours.... just a bit slicker

Backing Blair — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 10:54:00 +0000

Guardian - Alleged offer to rebel MP investigated: The police inquiry into the sale of honours may be widened to investigate allegations that the independent MP Peter Law was offered a peerage by Labour party officials not to stand against the official Labour candidate in the last general election.

Independent - Labour MP was offered peerage to head off rebellion, widow says: Mr Law, who died last week, ran as an independent at the last general election in Blaenau Gwent, previously the safest Labour seat in Wales. The allegation by his widow that a "high-ranking politician" had tried to buy him off with a seat in the Lords has been emphatically denied by the Labour Party. But suspicious Tories queried how the Labour Party could be in a position to be so sure the allegation was false, so soon after it was aired... Sir Ray Powell, the long-serving Labour MP for Ogmore, in Wales, claimed after the 1997 general election that he had turned down an offer of a peerage made by party officials hunting for a safe Welsh seat to reward Alan Howarth, who had claimed a footnote in history by being the first sitting Tory MP to defect to Labour. When Sir Ray refused, another Welsh MP, Roy Hughes, offered his seat, securing a life peerage in return. But offering a peerage to someone as an inducement not to run against a Labour candidate is more serious, because it could be interpreted as a breach of a law dating from 1925 banning the sale of honours. This month Maggie Jones, who as Labour's official candidate was defeated by Mr Law in the last general election, was awarded a peerage.

[UPDATE - BBC - Hain accused of offering peerage (04 May): Plaid Cymru have named Welsh Secretary Peter Hain as offering the late MP and assembly member Peter Law a peerage.]

Pretty slick, huh? But wait... we fear it's even slicker:

Because the Tories have Boris and the Lib-Dems have Mark Oaten, both parties have been quick to agree that John Prescott's affair is a private matter... but the affair was with Tracey Temple, his Assistant Private Secretary and Diary Manager. Surely this makes it a career matter.

Even the sheer hypocrisy of it is grounds for claiming that a minister has lost public confidence (Prescott made quite a few gains on the back of Tory sleaze), but are we really supposed to tolerate the use of a grace-and-favour flat as a near-to-office love-nest?

Further; are we honestly supposed to believe that the work that John Prescott was scheduled to do (that was scheduled by his secret lover) did not include the occasional 'accidental' meeting-of-convenience?

And who the hell is willing to investigate this? All you'd need is one diary entry that shows either or both parties used their position to secure the opportunity for a taxpayer-funded out-of-town tryst.

WARNING: GOSSIP AND SPECULATION FOLLOWS

Those who contribute to Guy Fawke's blog (in posts and comments) recently rounded on political reporter Nick Robinson and his 'surprise' at what they claimed to be an open secret. Nick Robinson's response speaks volumes. It also needs to be noted that Trevor Kavanagh, former political editor of The Sun, recently said the following on Radio 5 Live: "Learning that John Prescott's had an affair is a bit like learning that Simon Hughes is gay. I mean, everyone knew he has affairs. He's had a string of affairs throughout his life and this has come as no surprise."

The same crowd over at the Guy Fawkes blog (note: again, we are referring not only to the owner of the site, but also the anonymous Westminster insiders who respond to his revelations under comments) were equally sure of themselves when they threatened to release the name of another woman that they claim had an affair with John Prescott. That name is now in the public domain.

More on that name in a moment... let's first look at the nature and context of the allegations:

Guy Fawkes (April 26): Guido knows that where there is one blousy mistress, there is often another... Inquiring minds should be looking for a local grammar school girl (this would be prior to him becoming DPM). The girl has since done very well for herself.

The woman at the centre of these allegations is Rosie Winterton.

She worked for John Prescott as his Constituency Personal Assistant from 1980 until 1986, and again as his Head of Office from 1994 until 1997 (when Prescott was deputy Party Leader).

In 1997 Rosie Winterton was elected MP in the safe Labour seat of Doncaster (a position she still holds). She also served as Minister of state for health from 2003 to 2005.

Cash and favours for peerages? Pah!

If allegations of an affair prior to 1997 prove to be true, then a serious question has to be asked, and it can be summed up in the following headline (which we have cleaned up a tad to make it suitable for universal consumption):

COPULATION FOR CONSTITUENCIES?

UPDATE (30 April): Scotsman - Prescott's lover tells of trysts in office: Last night another woman, former Labour party candidate Sarah Bissett-Scott, also claimed she had had an affair with Prescott over 20 years ago.

We readily acknowledge that chinese-whispers could have resulted in some confusion between Sarah Bissett-Scott and Rosie Winterton... but it's equally possible that both women feature in his "string of affairs throughout his life"...

"I think it's called t'internet, or blogs or something..."

Backing Blair — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 11:59:00 +0000

Chicken Yoghurt - Dead meat: The big thing for me to come out of Prescott’s interview with John Humphrys on the Today programme this morning is that he could not or would not categorically deny having other affairs other than his one with Tracy Temple. That, I would say, is the green light for journalists to start to dig. If the substance to the rumours (the objects of Prescott’s affections got promotions) are true then there’s a public interest in getting the details out there.

Blair Watch - Prescott: He didn't deny further affairs even after being asked about ten times. He mentioned 'the internet, or blogs, or whatever they're called' in a faux-disparaging way, which suggests he's actually quite worried and doesn't know how to handle it.

Iain Dale - Prescott Fails to Answer 'More Affairs' Question on Today - 8 Times: It was a simple question which required a simple answer. Yes or No. Even John Prescott could not get those two words muddled up. He was asked the question repeatedly but did not answer.

OK, enough of the chipolata... let's move on to a really juicy bit of bratwurst...

Ministry of Truth - Following the money: From a series of posts on his blog, its looks very much as if both myself and Iain Dale have been simultaneously working on the same question - just what was John Prescott actually doing in visiting Colorado-based Billionaire, Phillip Anschutz, at his home, last July...

UPDATE - Tharrr she blows!

Reuters - Parliament launches full inquiry into Prescott row: Parliament launched a full inquiry on Thursday into Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's contacts with an American billionaire who is hoping to open a London casino in the Millennium Dome.

Well, not a *full* inquiry into the *entire* row, but you know what Westminster is like. If Prescott's position looks shaky, many sets of previously-tight lips will start to flap.

UPDATE - John Prescott's Radio 4 interview in full (transcript)

Calling time on Two Shags

Backing Blair — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 08:33:00 +0000

The Times - The Dome, the US billionaire and John Prescott's night on the ranch (July 1) : John Prescott was under pressure last night to explain why he accepted hospitality from the American billionaire owner of the Millennium Dome while he had ultimate ministerial responsibility for the regeneration of the site... Last night a spokesman for the department said that the visit happened “on a day off”. He added that the two men did not discuss business, Mr Prescott’s Permanent Secretary was informed in advance and Mr Prescott subsequently made a donation for the value of a hotel room to a July 7 charity.

It's funny the things people will say when they're under pressure...

The Times - Prescott's charity gift came from public purse (July 3) : The charity donation made after John Prescott spent the night at the Rocky Mountain ranch of the tycoon who owns the Millennium Dome was paid by the taxpayer... A spokeswoman for Mr Prescott confirmed that the donation, which was made to a 7/7 charity, came from the public purse because the trip was official business.

Meanwhile, the Independent on Sunday suggests that Prescott may be in for a multiple bonking this week... and not for the first time:

Backing Blair - No special favours.... just a bit slicker (April 29): The woman at the centre of these allegations is Rosie Winterton. She worked for John Prescott as his Constituency Personal Assistant from 1980 until 1986, and again as his Head of Office from 1994 until 1997 (when Prescott was deputy Party Leader). In 1997 Rosie Winterton was elected MP in the safe Labour seat of Doncaster (a position she still holds). She also served as Minister of state for health from 2003 to 2005.

UPDATE - Daily Mail - Prescott facing fresh embarrassment over Net rumours of two more affairs (4 July): John Prescott was under mounting pressure last night as fresh rumours surfaced about his private life. Internet websites named two new alleged mistresses of the Deputy Prime Minister, including a current Labour MP and a diplomat. And Westminster was awash with speculation that one of Mr Prescott's drivers was planning to "tell all" about his activities. Mr Prescott's office firmly denied the allegations... The Labour MP at the centre of the latest allegations has also denied being involved sexually with him.

Fourth. Behind UKIP.

Backing Blair — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 07:59:00 +0000

Guardian - Labour suffers double blow in byelections: The government was dealt a double byelection humiliation early today after defectors defeated Labour in its former stronghold of Blaenau Gwent and Ukip pushed it into fourth place in Bromley and Chislehurst. The results will inevitably fuel mounting calls within the party for Tony Blair to step down as prime minister and allow Gordon Brown to take the helm.

Brown's not going to help matters; he's been hopelessly compromised for a long time now. Not that it matters. If Brown does somehow (finally) wangle his way onto No.10, he'll only be keeping the seat warm. Blair, "now the most unpopular Labour Prime Minister of modern times", has pretty much handed the next election to the Tories.

Labour's only shot at redemption? Justice need to be seen to be done.

New Labour astroturfing in the North East

Backing Blair — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 11:24:00 +0000

Still entering data like mad, folks... but we've found a little bit of evidence of astroturfing during a routine name/spell-check, and we though we would share it with you...

The Labour Party employed a number of temporary staff for data entry (listed under Voter Research in the return), and a few of them reported to a woman by the name of Licell Mortimer - or, as she is named in some invoices - Leisel Mortimer.

In cases like this we do a quick check online to find what is most likely to be the correct spelling, and when doing so in this particular case, we found a letter from Chris Morgan, Mayor of North Tyneside, which would appear to suggest that he knows (or suspects) a little more than he is letting on....

North Tyneside Today (Letters) 13/02/2003: Leisel Mortimer puts a number of detailed and technical questions to me regarding the council's budget, which are very similar to questions raised by one of our local Labour MPs and some of our Labour councillors. I am sure this is just a coincidence.

The letter he refers to can be read on this page.

Incidentally, the relevant data-entry invoices from the return are all made out to: The Labour Party, Eldon House, Regent Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE3 3PW

We are sure this is just a coincidence.

Your chance to call Alastair Campbell

Backing Blair — Tue, 30 May 2006 13:11:00 +0000

When going through the Labour Party 2004/5 Campaign Return we suddenly found ourselves in possession of Alastair Campbell's professional contact details.

Given recent auction-related developments and our need for further data-entry funding, our course of action seemed obvious:

Click here to buy Alastair Campbell's phone and fax numbers on eBay!

(Or simply click here to make a donation.)

Cheers all.

:o)

Don't Tell Me What I Don't Want To Hear

Backing Blair — Fri, 26 May 2006 15:42:00 +0000

The British motor industry has long been a thorn in the side of successive Governments since the early 1970s when British Leyland was synonymous with the breakdown in relations between the unions and management. But in the depressing history of British Leyland's terminal decline there can be no more unedifying illustration of political ineptitude than New Labour's handling of MG Rover.

In 2000 New Labour gave its full backing to the Phoenix Consortium's acquisition of Rover for a mere £10. The "rescue" of Rover was touted as an example of how the entrepreneurial spirit was thriving under New Labour.

Fast forward 5 years, to the run up to the 2005 General Election, and things weren't looking quite so rosy. More than £30 million had been siphoned out of the company by the Phoenix Four in a situation that the Financial Times described as "capitalism at its ugliest... a spineless government taken for a ride by entrepreneurs who succeeded only in enriching themselves."

Meanwhile New Labour, in panic and desperation made public pronouncements of support for the MG Rover employees, going so far as to slip the company a £6.5m pre-election bung.

However, it seems that their concern for the thousands of soon-to-be-jobless MG Rover workers was less than superficial.

The following would appear to suggest that New Labour paid Experian Intact to cleanse election canvassing data of any MG Rover employees*.

The relevant entry appears here, in document number HO809 from the Labour Party's campaign return:

Full details from the invoice appear in text below (with the relevant data highlighted):

Return Document Number: HO809
Invoice Number: E504197
Company: Experian Intact
Address: Synectics House, The Brampton, Newcastle, Staffordshire ST5 0QY
Date Expense Incurred: 29/04/2005
Total Invoice Amount: £1,692.00
Amount to be Included in Return: 100%
Labour Party Contact Name: Lee Williams
Expenditure Type: Voting Research
Comments: Data services

Invoice Details:

7 Intact Teleappending jobs undertaken in April 2005 as shown on the attached spreadsheet @ 195 each - £1365.00

Data cleansing undertaken on MG Rover database:
OSIS - No. of records: 2,676 @ rate: 0.0075 - £20.07
Bureau Fee - $54.93
Total - £75.00

Net - £1440.00
VAT - £252.00
TOTAL - £1692.00

(* We fully acknowledge the possibility that New Labour paid Experian Intact to add MG Rover workers to their existing database... or build/correct a special database comprised only of MG Rover workers so they could call each one of them in turn to apologise.)

[NOTE - We are currently busy processing the Labour Party's complete campaign return in order to teach the powers that be what the words 'public domain' really mean. Soon you'll be able to search through the documents yourself and find other juicy nuggets that journalists missed in their haste to ruffle Cherie's hair. The devil is in the detail, folks... and we plan to give you access to as much of it as we can. If you wish to help pay for the time spent on data entry, you can click here to make a donation. Thank you.]

UPDATE - Here is the relevant entry from the return summary. Note especially that the expenditure is classified as 'Voter Research' and not 'Unsolicited Materials addressed to Electors' (the latter is what one would expect if this particular data service was used to build a list for a targeted call/letter).

(Entry HO809 from)
Head Office - General Election Campaign Spending 2004/5

Item Number for the Return: HO809
Invoice Number: E504197
Name of Supplier: Experian Intact
Address of Supplier: Synectics House, The Brampton, Newcastle, Staff. ST5 0QY
Date Expense Incurred: 29/04/2005
Invoice Date: 29/04/2005
Date Invoice Paid: 03/06/2005
Total Invoice Amount: £1,692.00
Portion applied/included in return: 100%
Amount to be included in return: £1,692.00
Type of expenditure: Voting Research
Description: Data services

Thank you

Backing Blair — Tue, 16 May 2006 08:33:00 +0000

We now have a copy of every single invoice/receipt/document from the recent Labour party campaign expenditure return. It may take us a while to sort through it all. Please bear with us.

Labour fundraising idea

Backing Blair — Thu, 25 May 2006 18:33:00 +0000

Here's a thought, chaps...

When you've finally hounded Brian Haw into an early grave, you can auction off all the placards you've seized.... including those two original works by Banksy (assuming, of course, that they weren't damaged when police stuffed them inside that metal container).

Money in the bank.

Humour

csummerfield@seeingred.co.uk (Clive) — Tue, 16 May 2006 10:52:00 +0000

Okay, there still work to be done, not only in ensuring that Blair is removed from any position of authority, but also in ensuring that his replacement is chosen through open and democratic methods, rather than as a result of some deals done behind closed doors. In the meantime, a bit of humour for you...

Tony Blair was visiting a British School, the teacher asked the Prime Minister, Mr Blair, if he would like to lead the discussion on the word "tragedy." So the illustrious leader asked the class for an example of a "tragedy." One little boy stood up and offered,

"If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs him over and kills him, that would be a tragedy."
"No," said Blair "that would be an accident."

A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not." explained the PM. "That's what we would call a great loss."

The room went silent. No other children volunteered. Blair searched the room. "Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of tragedy?"

Finally at the back of the room a small boy raised his hand. In a quiet voice he said: "If an aircraft carrying you, Mr. Blair, was struck by a "friendly fire" missile and blown to smithereens, that would be a tragedy."

"Fantastic!" exclaimed Blair. "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?"

"Well," says the boy, "it has to be a tragedy, because it certainly wouldn't be a great loss and it probably wouldn't be an accident either."

Somehow we missed this...

Backing Blair — Tue, 09 May 2006 08:46:00 +0000

Here's a great ad for Labour. It rocks our world. Hooray for the continuation of forward-thinking.

New Video!

Backing Blair — Tue, 09 May 2006 22:24:00 +0000

You lucky devils! I bet you thought we'd run off without so much as a dollop of post-election optimism.

Well, here it is... one great big *whopping* dollop. Enjoy our new rosy outlook on life!

The Roses of Success (3.5MB w/sound)

Remember, kids... Iran is not Iraq!