Mrs. Blair’s speeches/declarations
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Asked why the Prime Minister had declared Mrs Blair’s speeches that she had made in Washington, Australia and New Zealand, the PMOS said that in terms of precedent, the Prime Minister did not have to declare them. If people looked at the previous Administration, Mr. Major did not register royalties received by his wife when she wrote a book on Chequers, for example. The Prime Minister decided to register these benefits in July so that everyone knew that they were "on the books" and to err on the side of caution. The Prime Minister felt it was best to be open and transparent.
Put to the PMOS that the Prime Minister had also paid for the accommodation for his holiday in Barbados, but when did he make the payment, and how much did he pay, the PMOS replied that what was on the register remained there, and he was not going to give a running commentary on it.
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Downing Street Says.
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Since John Major left the Commons in June 2001 and Norma Major’s book wasn’t published until September 2001, it’s difficult to see what royalties could have accrued. There is no comparison whatsoever, nor is there any doubt that the speaker who calls herself Cherie Booth in her professional life has a far higher value as Cherie Blair on the international stage.
Comment by Peter Mattock — 17 Nov 2005 on 2:19 pm | LinkYes indeed. The going rate for a Barbadian holiday is about four quid and a peerage, I think.
This is the second or third time the PMOS has attempted to draw his cloak over the revelations by referring to Norma Major, John Major or anyone else he can think of. Never mind if the facts are completely wrong or actually contradict his position.
What’s being discussed here is the grim and ghastly Cherie’s activities, not what anyone else might or might not have done. Or is the PMOS of the view that if others have previously transgressed then it’s OK for the Blessed Cherie so to do?
Comment by Chuck Unsworth — 17 Nov 2005 on 3:31 pm | LinkThis is like reading the Daily Mail. Its mostly humourless, inelegant and there is no dialogue; people just rant; what’s the point of that? Nonsense rhetorical questions put to imaginary people. there is no such person as the PMOS. It’s just a state of mind. Anybody could do it. No point asking him or her questions through this website. I have had it with all you people, you people are the problem, spawned by the internet, talking nonsense; may as well talk to yourselves, that’s all you want to do, just see your voice in print. No dialogue, no interchange, no community of dissent. Just rubbbbish, all rubbish. No, there was one good bit from psyckyhacker pointing out that the whole growth thing beloved of young parent Gordon Brown was predicated on the relentless depreciation of last year’s wealth and thus we were all living in a fool’s paradox. You probably all, being so clever, missed it. Probably think a paradox is some kind of drain cleaner.
Comment by tasty macfadden — 19 Nov 2005 on 3:46 am | LinkYeah, Amen. Y’am all like old wimmen what always know better’n each other, even though them never, for a single second listen to anything but them own internal an infernal monologue. Ain’t nuttin ere what gonna pull down the temple walls, smite the unGodly and chastise the unrighteous heathen, nuttin but words like what come from babes and sucklings what know nuttin. And the enemy, im laffin all the way to the bank. Me tink Him Imperial Majesty Haillie Sellassie, Lion of Judah, him say that.
Comment by john the revelator — 19 Nov 2005 on 4:00 am | LinkWell some of us find the Daily Mail screamingly funny. Depends on your sense of humour, I guess…
Comment by Chuck Unsworth — 19 Nov 2005 on 5:20 pm | LinkTony MacFadden and John the Revelator – greatly amused by your posts.
Of course no one in a position to do anything reads this. It’s a steam pressure valve and it’s sometimes fun to read the hissing and even belch out a bit oneself when one gets bored with whatever….
It’s also reassuring to know that not everyone is happy with the way Two Bites behaves.
Comment by Mr Pooter — 23 Nov 2005 on 2:07 pm | LinkPoor Mr MacFadden; he doesn’t understand the concept of free speech or factual argument.
Comment by Peter Mattock — 23 Nov 2005 on 10:09 pm | Link