Malik back from purdah

Shahid Malik returned to front-line politics today after being cleared following allegations that he'd broken the ministerial code over his housing arrangements. The story broke at the top of the expenses avalanche, and now looks like small beer after duckhousegate, moatgate, secondhousegate and non-existenthousegate. But old Yella doesn't really care that much whether he did get a cut-price deal from his pal or not. What does matter is his first pronouncement in his new role as Communities Minister. He hit the nail squarely on the head when asked about the recent BNP electoral success. For as we all know, the reason that those racists dead-heads actually have two MEPs is (a) because the political elite have failed this country utterly and (b) millions of lazy people who had a golden opportunity to keep the scumbags out of power sat on their hands when they should have been placing a cross in a box. If you didn't vote, your part of the problem. So feel some shame. Obviously Mr Malik was quick to sweep point (a) under the carpet. Not many politicians are much good at the old self-examination. But at least he said it. And who knows - with all the right noises coming from Catchphrase, Boy George and Ian and Duncan Smith (with whom I'm actually developing some empathy - must be old age) things may actually change. Won't be for a good while yet though.

From the sublime to the deeply depressing

On Saturday 6th June 2009, we celebrated the 65th anniversary of one of the most honourable and proud days in our nation's history. Less than 24 hours later, the European Election vote count revealed that we will soon be sending two fascists to represent our country in the European Parliament. The political elite of this country - and the large numbers of voters who were too lazy to get off their backsides and prevent this calamity - should feel shame. The BNP lurch from generating a deep sense of anger in me (when they try to justify race hate) to making me laugh out loud (when I "study" their economic policy - which wouldn't pass a GCSE-level close examination). But to have them representing any of us in any way, shape or form in Europe disgusts me. The collapse of Labour's vote is a personal tragedy for Brown, Moribund, Caroline Flaunt etc. But the election of two BNP MEPs is bad for the whole of Britain. Too many people voted for hate and fear. Too many people didn't vote at all. And too many politicians have failed to show leadership, and failed to publicly reinforce what Britishness really means. And this is the result. A bad day.

More Bluster from Catchphrase Cameron

From the Sky News Website "David Cameron told Sky News this morning he was "appalled" by the revelations and would take disciplinary action where necessary."

Eh? But haven't we been drip-fed the idea that they've all acted (politician places left hand on left breast, lowering eyes and voice whilst saying...) "entirely within the existing rules " since this whole fiasco broke? How can you take disciplinary action against people who have obeyed the rules? Of course, you can't in a properly functioning and fair system. But the catchphrase-loving, bandwagon-jumping poster boy of the right (shame about those rosy cheeks) doesn't care about that. He's so desperate for power, he'll say anything he thinks the British public and media want to hear. Sorry, we're just not that easilly appeased. Tell us you'll guarantee to restore Parliamentary sovereignty - no matter how much of your (as yet, totally unclear) legisltative programme it may jeopardise and I may change my mind. But don't treat me like a child, patronising me with criticism of some of your closest friends and supporters. People aren't stupid. Realistically he's probably just added yet more Euro-votes the the BNP tally. Infuriating.