General Ramblings

General Ramblings

In the last two days the Conservative party has had two meetings, the Lib/Dems three and continuous email contact. Labour has had none.

We are to have one Wednesday 2-30 by which time it will probably be all over. No need to consult us when all the decisions can be taken by Mandy & Campbell. They know things so much better than the peasants and workers.

Rumour has it that Clegg is getting impatient with his party. A young man in a hurry shouldn’t have to be held up by having to be wagged by the tail.

General Ramblings

Don’t be fooled by the media hype that the decision on a new government is urgent or imminent or by the City’s clamour for instant action to save the markets.

It’s essential to get this right. That means take it slowly Bring everyone in every party along. Reduce the risk of dissident groups rebelling and endangering any agreement. If that takes weeks take them

The politicians have to get an agreement. If they pass the problem back to the people by forcing another election they’ll be punished. The people want us to solve the problem and give them a stable government which will last for two years or more.

The best way of getting that remains a Lib/Con coalition Green economy, special help for disadvantaged schools, fairer taxes are all easley agreed. Liberal Ministers could easily be accepted. But there are three key elements which are causing problems.

The Liberals have to draw the Tory fangs of massive cuts and a reversion to Thatcherism. They have to have a time limited agreement, say two years of support on supply and confidence just like the Lib Lab pact that carried government through from 1977 to 1979.

Finally and most crucially there has to be an agreement and a referendum not on the alternative vote which is the intellectually handicapped person’s electoral reform but proportional representation

Read more: Get it right!

General Ramblings

Michael Grade, who failed to turn ITV round, leaves with £2.7 million consolation. His successor, Adam Crozier, is to get £3.2 million over 3 years, plus £200,000 in cash as a golden “hello” meanwhile ITV is firing staff and closing studios.

Stuart Rose at Marks and Spencer gets £1.2 million a year through his stepping down to a less demanding role. His successor, Mark Bolland, gets £15 million to move from Morrisons.

Bob Diamond for Barclays kindly waived his bonus last year but still got £22 million.

Gordon Pell retired from RBS, after making such a mess of it, with a £13.5 million pension.

Lucky lads.

Meanwhile party leaders and cabinet members prostrate themselves by declining to take any salary increase and I’m getting angry letters complaining because MPs pay has gone up by £1000 a year.

General Ramblings

General Ramblings