Origin North West

From what I can gather David Laws has paid his close friend or partner so he can use his flat in London for his government duties. Apparently this might be against rules introduced in 2006 as his close friend might be classed as a partner.

Many people who know David Laws say he is a person of integrity and the amound paid is very small in comparison with what he could have claimed. He says he claimed it because he didn’t want people to be aware of the relationship.

This seems doubly difficult in that he is now a member of the cabinet, which he probably never expected until a couple of weeks ago. Also there has been two years of controversy about expenses during which time this never came up.

Secondly he has been making a big impression in his new post and the coalition must be reluctant to move him as well as being reluctant to make changes at such an early stage of its formation.

The question is will this be a running sore if he stays. It probably depends on how its handled and how much good will David Laws can muster. Also how it compares with other MP’s situations. Even if it comes out justifiable there are some who will undoubtedly not let this pass, although the opposition might not want to appear to be making an issue that could be construed as being driven by sexual orientation prejudices.

Tough decision for Mssrs Cameron and Clegg.  Hope David Laws survives as talent shouldn’t be wasted.

Like a James Bond movie: Lord Triesman head of the English FA. A young lady, an alleged lover, with a tape recorder. Some candid comments between them. A Sunday paper publishes the comments. The Lord resigns from leading the World Cup bid.

Publishing facts isn’t a crime. Candid politicians might be thought to be a refreshing change. The unwise mistake seems to be mixing business with pleasure, ignoring the moral question and not knowing how the story was obtained. As far as known the participants are all on the same side, but seemingly batting against their own team.

The English World Cup bid has had a few problems and if a new leader is found with a common touch, like a David Beckham with political credibility, then all is not lost and this might turn into an advantage. The decision is due to be announced in early December.

In other matters, it was said that England lost a previous bid because ‘football’s coming home’ was perceived as arrogance. Yet quite a few papers have been using this term in the last week and it seems we never learn.

The hottest competition seems to be from Spain / Portugal. Yet Australia could be seen as a place needing a pull up for football, with Rugby and Australian Rules being more popular. Russia might also be a place seen as benefitting from wider understanding. England have a big job ahead to win the hosting of this event but the love of football, fine venues and commercial success of the Premier League is an appealing combination.

The coalition announced yesterday between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats appears to be one of the best outcomes for many a year. It provides a healthy majority and takes the best policies of both parties and reduces the possibilities of the worst ones.  A more socially liberal agenda coupled with a more hard-nosed defence policy seems in tune with the 21st century. Even the basic concept of parties working together seems in tune with the 21st century.

Many LibDem supporters don’t like this and some Conservatives don’t.  But the Liberal Democrats might have continued whistling in the wind with their policies ignored and now some are being promoted. Some of their members will be visibly involved in serious government.  This must be good for them except for those who might have voted Labour. Although many politicians warned about the dangers of tactical voting.

At the moment the two leaders are in a honeymoon period even to the extent that they are trying to cement the knot for 5 years. Time will tell.

Some are saying this is new ground, a hung parliament. What might be new is if the Conservatives and the Lib-Dems combine. There are so many areas of policy where they don’t agree.  Yet it could be what is needed. A Conservative party with its hard edges taken off. A Lib-Dem party with its odd box policies put to one side for now. A combination with no dependence on trade unions and a strong belief in personal liberty.

A sticking point might be electoral reform. Offering some kind of talking shop isn’t going to fool anyone. If the Conservatives fear there never being a single governing party of the right they should awaken to life in a democracy because if that is the case then that is what the people are voting for.

A combination of Conservatives and Lib-Dems would have a tidy majority so MP’s who feel strongly against something, for example European or nuclear policies could probably be allowed to vote as they wished. It could be said that if the combined parties can’t carry off a policy then it isn’t what is wanted anyway.  In some cases Labour might vote to assist the passage but it would be foolish to think they wouldn’t find a way to object and not assist.

A Labour – Lib-Dem combination would seem more natural, yet such a combination hasn’t got a parliamentary majority so isn’t strong,  and wouldn’t even have half of the votes cast. So it seems right to explore the Conservative – Lib-Dem options and if there are strong objectors on either side it will depend on how many there are as you can’t make everyone happy.