tagged w/ David Cameron
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Cameron is on a visit to Turkey and repeated comments he used in the House of Coomons earlier in the week "Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp."-Guardian.
The Guardian does note the previous comments used 'open prison' and not 'prison camp' with Downing Street stating the change in phrase shows the PM remains concerned. The speech made in Turkey saw the PM criticise Israel on the assault on the flotilla and saying the situation in Gaza has to change.
One reaction to the comment were from a former Israeli deputy minister of defence, ""Cameron is right – Gaza is a prison camp, but those who control the prison are Hamas."
"Also during his speech, Cameron challenged France and Germany over their opposition to Turkish membership of the EU. Cameron also said Turkey should use its links with Iran to persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear weapons programme."-GuardianCameron is on a visit to Turkey and repeated comments he used in the House of Coomons... more
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When you live in a village named Shitterton, you can probably expect your road sign will be repeatedly stolen for hilarity (and of course cruel thievery). Though the Telegraph reported on plans to stop sign thieves by carving the sign in stone. However, I bet describing the word Shitterton with "Camerons' Big Society" might not win them points with the conservatives.
"Ian Ventham, 62, chairman of the parish council, who lives at Shitterton Farmhouse with his wife Diana, 61, said: "We have lived here for the last 20 years and during that time the sign has been nicked at least three times.
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Mr Ventham said he felt the project was a good example of community empowerment as proposed by the Prime Minister in his Big Society.
"I am not sure if he is expressly thinking about Shitterton signposts, "-TelegraphWhen you live in a village named Shitterton, you can probably expect your road sign... more
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The government’s attempts to delay the current proceedings that have yielded highly classified documents for public consumption have received a rebuttal out of court. The failed attempt to suppress the information out of court, a ’spin-off’ hope from the appeal court’s dismissal of the same case in May, has dented the coalition’s plans to restore confidence in the British Intelligence service who have been implicated in the torture of British citizens in Guantanamo and Afghanistan.
http://www.spectacle.co.uk/spectacleblog/guantanamo/government-tried-to-prevent-disclosure-of-detention-manual/The government’s attempts to delay the current proceedings that have yielded... more
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Another Big Society project was announced today with the beginning of the National Citizen Service, aimed at 16 years old.
So far the project is starting with pilot schemes which will place teenagers in communities to carry out volunteer services. One current aim is to have 10,000 teens take part in pilot schemes next summer (unlucky for the festival season?).
"Ultimately it is the government's aim to give every 16-year-old the opportunity to participate in an eight-week residential and home-based programme of events. This will include 10 days away from home, working on projects to develop "life skills and resilience"."-BBC
Critics are concerned this is the government trying to make cuts in public spending by using volunteers. I recall that some local libraries are cutting the pay of librarians, so it'll be interesting to see if any volunteers in this project will end up there.Another Big Society project was announced today with the beginning of the National... more
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As anyone who's seen the film 'Enigma' knows, it's a long-held view among some Americans that it was them who lead the fight, and won, World War 2.
Although America didn't enter the war until 1941, four days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, David Cameron still described the UK as a "junior partner" in the allied fight against Germany in 1940.
The Prime Minister made the gaffe when asked about the changing nature of the "special relationship" with the US and his meeting with President Obama on Tuesday.
"I think it is important in life to speak as it is and the fact is that we are a very effective partner of the US but we are the junior partner," he said.
"We were the junior partner in 1940 when we were fighting the Nazis."
Labour's David Miliband called it a "slight", while a veterans' group said it could "alienate" former troops.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-10719739As anyone who's seen the film 'Enigma' knows, it's a long-held... more
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richjm
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Clegg took on the dispatch box role in yesterdays PMQs, since Cameron is visiting the US. Though a government spokesman stated some of his comments were as Liberal Democrat leader and not as a representative of the government.
The main issue was when Clegg stated at Jack Straw "We may have to wait for his memoirs, but perhaps one day he will account for his role in the most disastrous decision of all: the illegal invasion of Iraq."-Guardian.
One lawyer said comments by politicians in formal placements like the commons, could increase the chance for it to be taken to international courts.
"In an attempt to avoid speculation about splits with Cameron, who voted in favour of the war, Downing Street added that the government would await the findings of the Chilcot inquiry before reaching a view on the war."-Guardian
The Home Office gave out a detailed response about controversial Yarl's Woods detention centre, after Clegg said it was closing down. Only Yarl's wood family unit is closing.Clegg took on the dispatch box role in yesterdays PMQs, since Cameron is visiting the... more
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The Big Society was a major part of the Conservative campaign manifesto, which the party proposed to shift money and power to communities. Today David Cameron announced how the big society scheme will be funded and the areas to be the first to take part.
Though when announcing the plans Cameron denied the criticisms which argued the scheme was a way for the government to save money by using volunteers and making cuts.
Key quotes from the article on the Big Society :
"But some have criticised the project as a way of masking cuts by offloading state work to the voluntary sector. Mr Cameron rejected the claims today."
"The other three areas picked to receive initial help with projects are Eden Valley, Cumbria; Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire; and the London Borough of Sutton."
"The Big Society Bank is based on legislation passed by Labour allowing money untouched for 15 years to be diverted to good causes if account holders cannot be traced by banks. Ministers hope it will be operational quickly enough to see the first money distributed to groups by April next year."The Big Society was a major part of the Conservative campaign manifesto, which the... more
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We all love the awkward family photos blog, but did anyone find this beer photo op between PM David Cameron and President Barack Obama to be one for the awkward political moment lists (doubt there's a blog for all those pics/clips yet, Nixon would take up too much awkward space). I'll assume politicians are good enough to deal with the current economic problems, but I will always know them for supplying bad beer and fail at a basic bottle tap.We all love the awkward family photos blog, but did anyone find this beer photo op... more
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The fourteen civilians shot dead on Bloody Sunday in 1972 were killed as a result of "unjustifiable firing", according to the long-awaited Saville Inquiry today.
The Prime Minister told the Commons [full speech] that the inquiry had found that none of the casualties posed any threat to British troops. He said that the inquiry found that it was British troops who fired the first shots, no warnings were given, and some soldiers had lost control.
Cameron told MPs: "What happened on Bloody Sunday was both unjustified and unjustifiable. It was wrong. What happened should never have happened. The Government is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the armed forces. And for that, on behalf of the Government, indeed on behalf of our country, I am deeply sorry."
On January 30th, 1972, soldiers from the British Parachute Regiment fired live rounds at civilians taking part in a civil rights march in Derry, Ireland. 13 died and 15 were wounded. A 14th victim later died in hospital. The soldiers claimed they shot in self defence against armed combatants; witnesses refuted this and argued that the victims posed no threat.
The Bloody Sunday shootings caused shock and horror around the world. In Dublin, protesters set fire to the British Embassy and the IRA had some young, previously non-political people join up.
Two months after Bloody Sunday, the Stormont Parliament was suspended, having ruled Northern Ireland since its creation in 1920s, and direct rule from London was imposed.
In the April after the shootings, the Widgery Inquiry concluded that the Paratroopers' firing had "bordered on reckless" but it also said that the soldiers had been fired upon first and that some of the victims had been armed. This contradicted evidence from witnesses who said the victims were unarmed civilians. The inquiry was rejected as a "whitewash" by a large part of the Catholic community and a long campaign for another one began.
In 1998, Tony Blair's government announced that a fresh inquiry, headed by Lord Saville, would take place.
The fourteen civilians shot dead on Bloody Sunday in 1972 were killed as a result of... more
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richjm
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Prime Minister David Cameron has angered some of his MPs by trying to reform the Tories' powerful backbench committee to open it up to ministers.
Membership of the 1922 Committee is usually restricted to backbench MPs when the party is in government.
But Mr Cameron wants the body to allow ministers a vote, reportedly arguing they must be "one party".
MP Bill Cash described it as a "great tragedy" while Christopher Chope said it came as "a bolt from the blue".
The 1922 Committee is separate from the Tory leadership, and keeps it informed about the mood on the back benches
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8693078.stmPrime Minister David Cameron has angered some of his MPs by trying to reform the... more
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ITN video report of the return of MP to Parliament after the election. Though the seating arrangement is a little more interesting this time because of the coalition government. It looks like Nick Clegg will be seated next to Cameron (it looks weird), with other Lib Dems in the Government benches.
Heard on the radio, the SNP took the place of the third statement, which was previously Nick Cleggs.
"Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman congratulated Mr Cameron but said her party would hold him to account."-BBC
"With Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg beside him, he joked: "It really does look and feel different - indeed many of us are sitting next to people that we have never sat next to before."-BBC
"Instead SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said it would be for the parties of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to take on more of the work of scrutinising the government."-BBCITN video report of the return of MP to Parliament after the election. Though the... more
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The new cabinet minster for Justice Ken Clarke stopped the 'ripping up' of the Human Rights Act, which the Conservatives previously wanted to replace with a 'UK Bill of Rights'.
"The Tories had promised to replace the act, which many believe protects criminals more than innocent people, with a UK Bill of Rights. [...] In 2006, Mr Clarke attacked David Cameron over his “anti-foreigner” proposals to tear up the Human Rights Act, which was introduced by Labour, and said a Bill of Rights was “xenophobic and legal nonsense”. "-Telegraph
I'm unsure of the background to this story, though the flakes in my memory brings up topics like the Human Rights Act being closest document the UK has to a constitution or maybe the law about EU legislation being in put in place without passing through parliament? (there might even be a third reason) It'll be great if anyone could clear up the confusion.The new cabinet minster for Justice Ken Clarke stopped the 'ripping up' of... more
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Today there was a joint press conference with the new PM David Cameron and Deputy PM Nick Clegg. The two parties talked about the new coalition between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives and answered press questions. (video is part two)
There was a strange moment when a journalist reminded Cameron of a past comment when he said Nick Clegg after being asked what his favourite joke was. Clegg's reaction was to do a mock 'that's it I'm off' joke, very weird and gigglesome. (9:00 minutes in).
It's clear the question of how long the two parities can make a coalition work will remain, but hey it's the first day lets feel a little bit hopeful for a few hours.
"Mr Clegg admitted both party leaders were taking "big risks" but said it would be a "new politics": "It's a new kind of government, a radical, reforming government where it needs to be and a source of reassurance and stability at a time of great uncertainty in our country too.""-BBCToday there was a joint press conference with the new PM David Cameron and Deputy PM... more
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Tuesday 11 May 2010: A video rush from the ground around Westminster capturing some of odd and unreported scenes on the day Conservative Leader David Cameron became UK Prime Minister. High speed exits from Parliament, Brian Haw megaphone attacks on Daily Mirror photographers, rooftop protests and The Sun newspaper declaring the death of democracy, not to mention boozed-up Tory supporters on Whitehall.Tuesday 11 May 2010: A video rush from the ground around Westminster capturing some of... more
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eva2
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Nick Clegg has given himself 24 hours to come to a decision over whether he'll form a coalition government with the Tories, team up with a number of other parties to form a rainbow coaltition deal with Labour or let the Conservatives' Queen's speech go through but tackle individual legistation on a day-to-day basis.
Clegg has held personal meetings with both David Cameron and Gordon Brown while, behind closed doors, negotiating teams for each party are attempting to form agreements.
Over the weekend, protesters met outside the building where talks were talking place between the Lib Dems and Conservatives, to demand Nick Clegg doesn't back down on electoral reform as a condition of any coalition. Labour has offered a full reforendum on voting if the Lib Dems team up with them but David Cameron wouldn't have the backing of his MPs if he attempted to make a similiar offer. The Independent reports that Cameron's "dangled the prospect of several cabinet jovs to the Liberal Democrats, but both sides believe a looser government is more likely as they edge towards a deal."
The Guardian says Gordon Brown's been told it's time to go by a number of his MPs. Before the election, the Lib Dems made it clear that no long-term coaltion deal could be done with Labour with Gordon Brown at the helm. Pressure is on Brown to announce that he'd only be a transitional figure in any Lib-Lab pact.
Channel 4 News reports that Clegg and Brown may have met face to face this morning.
Some timings from The Times: The Conservatives and Lib Dems restarted talks at 10am today; the Liberal leadership meets at 1pm; the Tories gater at 6pm.
This venn diagram from The Telegraph shows where the three main parties overlap on policy.
Nick Clegg has given himself 24 hours to come to a decision over whether he'll... more
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richjm
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It's Conservative 305 (+97) 36.1%, Labour 258 (-91) 29.1% and Liberal Democrats 57 (-5) 23.0%. The spin will start, newspapers will speculate and the party leaders will weigh up their choices, with talk of talks behind closed doors are already starting.
Overall, it looks like a struggled swing for the Conservatives, a deflating result for the Lib Dems and a fight for Labour to hold onto seats. By looking at Jeremy Vines magical Knightmare map and swingOmeter the results held no strong pattern that caused the Hung Parliament.
The next stories to expect, though the BBC said it might be 50 days till decisions are made.
Will Nick Clegg join with another party? (He's hinted at going for who gains the most seats/votes) Heard there's going to be a Clegg statement at 2.30 (tho it was from Boris on BBC)
Question to the politics geeks: If Clegg picks a party for coalition, and some of his party MPs are upset over the choice, could they stand down in protest?
Will Gordon Brown stay in power and form a coalition government or stand down to boost Labours negotiating chances?
Will David Cameron win over the Lib Dems or take chances of another election after a swing? Conservatives need 20 seats for the majority, according to the BBC.
Is another election headed for the UK? BBC pundit says this could be bad news for Cameron, if between that time they have to introduce tough decisions (assuming this means cuts)
On the up side, no BNP seats, yaaay.It's Conservative 305 (+97) 36.1%, Labour 258 (-91) 29.1% and Liberal Democrats... more
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When a right-wing British tabloid has to invoke an American left-liberal politician to get people voting for their candidate of choice, you know this is definitely an election that hasn't quite gone to plan for them.
The Sun, faced with an unexpected boost of interest and support for Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats and their encapsulation of political change, has pulled out all the stops for today's frontpage. If, that is, pulling out all the stops means lazily ripping off Shepard Fairey's "Obama Hope" poster from the US elections.
It's either a brilliant parody of Britain's self-deprecating view of our own election and politicians compared to America's bombastic Presidential battle or it's a cringe-worthy effort that's crying out for parody. Step forward, the internet:
You can make your own poster using this template. Typeface: this one is very similar to the original font Shepard Fairey used (and it's free) or if you're lazy just use Gill sans bold.When a right-wing British tabloid has to invoke an American left-liberal politician to... more
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richjm
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"This is a dispatch from David Cameron's Britain, the country that could be waiting for us at the other end of the polling booths and the soundbites and the spin. I didn't have to take a time machine to get there; I just had to take the District Line. In 2006, a group of rebranded "compassionate Conservatives" beat Labour for control of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, a long stretch of west London. George Osborne says the work they have done since then will be a "model" for a new Conservative government, while Cameron has singled them out as a council he is especially "proud" of. So squeezed between the brownish dapple of the Thames and the smoggy chug of the Westway, you can find the Ghost of Cameron Future. What is it whispering to us?"
An interesting article what perhaps shows that what the Conservatives truly want hasn't changed in the past 13 years.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-welcome-to-cameron-land-1962318.html"This is a dispatch from David Cameron's Britain, the country that could be... more
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