Greg: I don't think I am unduly romanticising Tony Blair but I'd readily admit to seeing past events in a very sentimental light.
With regards to the Iraqi Invasion, you must remember of the existence of the rumoured 'smoking guns' and how plausible accounts of hidden weapons were at that juncture. Sadaam Hussein's intransigent as well as unreformed ways were his downfall: he did not co-operate with the weapons inspectors fully and led many to speculate with good reason that here was a man with something to hide.
On hindsight, we've all been taken for a ride, Messrs Bush and Blair included. If anybody was guilty, I'd blame the various spooks on the ground for failing to gather intelligence properly.
I'd like to meander here into the mechanics of the Westminister system of parliamentary democracy. Let's just say that this political system favours the incumbent and gives the ruling government a headstart in any election. It is technically possible for the opposition to gather 49% of the total number of votes cast and yet not end up with a single seat in parliament because all of their candidates have only scooped up 49% of the total share of ballots in their respective wards or districts.
Firstly, I'd like to warn Benjamin not to be seduced by the persuasive language that supporters of proportional democracy always come out with. It is a recipe for political instability and makes governing a country a mightily tricky assignment. The first-past-the-post system is just a natural extension of many things in life where people remember the champions and nobody gives a damn about the first runner-up.
A question to the English electorate: How do they feel about having another Prime Minister from Scotland? Is it fair that Scots get to vote on issues that pertain to England whereas the English are denied the right to decide on issues of Scottish importance?
A last question that is altogether unrelated to the thread.
Quote:
C'est toi qui est un idéaliste, je crois
Isn't it C'est toi qui es un idéaliste? In the same token, wouldn't it also be C’est vous qui êtes un idéaliste? _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
A question to the English electorate: How do they feel about having another Prime Minister from Scotland?
I personally don't care where the Prime Minister is from. It is slightly strange though that two of the most likely candidates to replace Tony Blair (Gordon Brown and John Reid) are from Scotland, and that Tony Blair was originally from there and spent most of his childhood there, not to mention that the current and previous leaders of the Liberal Democrats are both Scottish as well. Especially considering that Scotland is quite a self-contained place, is definitely 'another country' and clearly has an identity of its own, it's seems surprising that so many of the most influential people at Westminster, which is very much centred on England, are Scottish.
And if I go to university in St Andrews next year, Sir Menzies Campbell, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, will be my MP! :)
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Is it fair that Scots get to vote on issues that pertain to England whereas the English are denied the right to decide on issues of Scottish importance?
No. And the Scottish National Party would definitely agree with me there.
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Isn't it C'est toi qui es un idéaliste? In the same token, wouldn't it also be C’est vous qui êtes un idéaliste?
It might be. I probably wrote that because this is how I'd say it in English:
It's you who is an idealist
From what I read about Scotland in articles, I must say that they sound like a rather disagreeable lot when it comes to fostering warm relationships with their English neighbours. The Economist concluded that Scotland suffers from mild anglophobic behaviour that is, the newspaper hastened to qualify, more jocular than serious.
From the perspective of an outsider, the Scots are concerned with magnifying and exaggerating minute cultural differences that exist between the two home countries. Among the Chinese, I'd go on to say that different dialect groups actually enjoy more heterogenity than the Scots and the English as there are visible differences not only in the spoken speech but cuisine, religion, etc. At least the Scots overwhelmingly speak English, don't they? And it's useless for them to say that they also speak Scots or Gaelic: they still all retain the capability to speak the Queen's English albeit with a different accent.
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It might be. I probably wrote that because this is how I'd say it in English:
It's you who is an idealist
I know. It sounds more logical. I hope someone -Greg or Patriccke- can clarify this. I once wrote in a speech bubble "C'est moi qui suis con, pas toi" and I wasn't penalised for it. Hence the source of my confusion now. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
I know. It sounds more logical. I hope someone -Greg or Patriccke- can clarify this. I once wrote in a speech bubble "C'est moi qui suis con, pas toi" and I wasn't penalised for it. Hence the source of my confusion now.
In one of my French books I've found a sentence: "C'est toi qui es bête !" And this is how I would have written this sentence.
Mais c'est Greg qui décide...
So will Gordon Brown take over from Blair? I'm watching an interview with him (Brown) on Sky right now, which seems to portray him in a very sympathetic light. He's always seemed rather cold to me, but he's coming across much warmer on this interview. He doesn't seem to have popular support, although he does seem to be extremely efficient. _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
So will Gordon Brown take over from Blair? I'm watching an interview with him (Brown) on Sky right now, which seems to portray him in a very sympathetic light. He's always seemed rather cold to me, but he's coming across much warmer on this interview. He doesn't seem to have popular support, although he does seem to be extremely efficient.
I'm sure France would love to have Brown as next UK's PM. All too manageable.
Gordon Brown... what was it a BBC news reporter said the other day? 'He wants to be the leader of the Labour Party, he wants to be the prime minister, he thinks he should be the prime minister...'
I don't really know much about Brown, other than that it's been assumed for a long time that he'd eventually take over from Blair. However, he has been criticised over the past few weeks for not calling Labour to order, which he could easily have done, but presumably chose not to in order to weaken Blair's position even further.
I know who'd be perfect to take over from Tony Blair...
John Prescott, the current Deputy Prime Minister. *joking*
Yeah, why not Prescott? He shagged his secretary, didn't he? I am sure that is a clear demonstration of virility for an old git like himself.
On a more serious note, I heard on the news awhile back that the heir apparent aka Gordon Brown 'positively welcomes' an open succession. So John Prescott can throw his hat into the ring provided he can muster adequate support from the rank and file of the Labour party. I've heard of Alan Johnson's name being mentioned but frankly, I fail to see why there must be another Scot in Number 10 in post-devolution Great Britain.
I like Gordon Brown - he makes for a great case study for psychologists. He always looks so morose in parliament: dark and brooding and god knows what subtle schemes and plots his brain is weaving. He reminds me of Hamlet in a way except that of course, there is no evil Uncle Claudius hovering in the background.
But one thing is sure, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has a very complex character that defies a straightforward psychoanalysis.
And of course, he is obviously less charismatic than Tony Blair. That can only be good for David Cameron. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
I would like to add that there is nothing more detestable in life than swing voters. Voting for a political party is like supporting a football club - you are born to support it and you owe allegiance to it throughout your life. It does not matter if the party's fortunes have hit a new high or ebb, one should stick with it through thick and thin.
Just thought I explain why I am such a passionate supporter of moderate right-wing causes. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
Don't worry, John Prescott has apparently decided that he won't contest, as has David Miliband. And rather amusingly, a grew of British journalists followed Prescott all the way to New York just so they could ask him 'when does Tony Blair plan to step down?' a few months ago.
The only person thus far who has formally declared that they will contest for the leadership post is John McDonnell, who is very much an 'Old Labour' figure. As you said, Alan Johnson and also John Reid are probably the main alternatives to Gordon Brown at this stage. John Hutton, Hazel Blears, Alan Milburn and Jack Straw have also been suggested.
It is assumed that John Prescott will resign as Deputy Prime Minister at the same time as Blair. Peter Hain has already declared his intention to stand for this position. Harriet Harman, who described Gordon Brown as 'the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom' a few months ago, is also apparently a popular candidate.
Fascinating insight, Benjamin. I have been given to understand however, that the relatively youthful junior environment secretary David Miliband is not too keen on staging a bid for the top job. Can't say I know much about British junior ministers as I've only heard of him recently.
In all likelihood, I think the party faithful would rally around Gordon Brown as he is the annointed successor for quite awhile already and it is hard to change mindsets. It is interesting to see how Brown as Prime Minister would try to use his leadership to influence his party into continuing with centrist Blairite policies.
But we are living in exciting times, aren't we? 10 years of Labour and the memories of the last Conservative government are fast fading. I wonder what the old stalwart of the Tories Winston Churchill would have made of the current situation. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
There was a report in the newspaper yesterday that Peter Hain wants to become deputy leader of the Labour Party. Would be interesting for us, since he's South African (or at least used to be). _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
I should make the way down to the Sutect Convention Centre to quiz Gordon Brown on his political plans then. Just realised that he is already in Singapore for a couple of days for the IMF meeting.
Now, the only barrier for me would be to get past the obscene amount of security.... _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
If he becomes PM, that'd be another addition of a long illustrious list of alumni that Eton can boast of.
Also, I heard that his wife is the daughter of a baronet.
When was the last time any Prime Minister had such a 'posh' background?
At any rate, it's certainly a far cry from Alan Johnson's deprived childhood. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
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—> at least he looks funny :cry:
