Saturday 29 November 2008

Who is running this country?



Of the two above pick the one who resides in 10 Downing Street.
The recent arrest of the Conservative spokesperson on Immigration begs the question, 'would it have happened in a free country where the opposition can speak out against the government?'
If Gordon says he had no advance knowledge of this, why did the Police inform Boris J and David Cameron?
And the Home Secretary also claims a lack of knowledge. Perhaps the police trust the opposition more than the government?

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ken, I find the juxtaposition of Dictator Mugabe and Gordon Brown highly offensive and totally irrelevant. You have sunk even lower in my estimation than you already were.

Anonymous said...

Whilst I am furious that Damian Green has been subject to arrest and 9hrs of questioning and I am worried about the threat posed to the position of our MPs when bringing information into the public domain that a Government would rather hide, as a North Thanet Tory, I find,like Megan, this juxtaposition of Brown and Mugabe offensive and ask that you re-consider it, Cllr Gregory.

By the way, you might like to ask your Leader and Deputy Leader about some strange events in the summer that have a certain resonance to Mr Green's treatment.

Anonymous said...

And perhaps you should wait until we all know what wrong-doing may have been done by Mr Green before making such offensive comments. After all, several Tory MPs have been found to be "outside the Law" over recent months - granted in relation to expenses.

John Worrow said...

Nonsense, Ken is totally right to compare Brown with Mugabe. One thing they both have in common is that neither of them were chosen by the people.

Anonymous said...

Your intervention, against your own personal background, Mr Worrow, says a very great deal about you. And it is not nonsense to draw attention to the number of Tory MPs and MEPs found guilty of what would usually be classed as imbezzlement. Against that backdrop, who's to say that Mr Green hasn't "done wrong". It simply doesn't fit your political bias to admit it.

John Worrow said...

As far as my personal background is concerned, I come from a working class family and I am a law abiding citizen. It is a policy of mine not to respond to anoymous people who make rash judgements. However,if you wish to make a rash judgement using your name, I will be happy to talk to you.

James Maskell said...

Its a bit over the top to compare Mugabe with Brown. The only way they can be compared is over the Labour policy of British jobs for British workers, which is still a world apart from the Mugabe position of requisitioning White owned farmland. I dont find it offensive.

As for Damian Green, he wasnt leaking national security information despite Jacqui Smith's claims that they were. There wont be charges because if there were they would have been presented by now, owing to the anger by MPs across the board. The Tories are relieved because it drops some of the pressure over economic policy which to be frank isnt their strongest suit. Civil libertarianism and arguments about the power of the state is a topic they much prefer since it taps into public annoyance over government action in some respects.

Ken Gregory said...

Those who complain miss the points made.

1. We only know what the 'press' tell us, a, about Mugabe, b, about Greem, c, about Brown.

2. We do know that both Brown and Blair sent our troops to Iraq, and to Afghanistan.

3. They did mislead parliament about weapons of mass destruction.

4. Mugabe has tried to stop opposition to his regime.

So, who is worst? I do not know, but would suggest that Mugabe is. However, on a wider scale, who will have the longer lasting historical 'Footprint?'

Anonymous said...

The fact you cannot tell the difference, Councillor, is why you are (now) in the Tory Party. You are welcome to each other.

Anonymous said...

Oh, sorry, missed a point. Mr Worrow, you and others keep on raising the same issue about anonymous contributors. Most choose to be; get over it.

And I am pleased to learn that you are a law-abiding citizen. At least the Tory Party has one, then.

James Maskell said...

1. Pretty obvious since we arent in the inner circles of either government. We have to use what resources we have. Bit of an irrelevant point really.

2/3. Mugabe didnt send troops into Iraq or Afghanistan so never needed to discuss the issue of WMDs.

4. Gordon Brown never sent troops into Conservative areas to kill opposition supporters...

You are now making the argument about who is worse which isnt the same argument you were making before when you were, albeit tongue in cheek, trying to compare them.

As for anonymous posters I recall Cllr Wise and I had an argument on Thanet Life about 2 years ago on that very point. Anonymity doesnt reduce the argument's validity or right of the person involved to make such arguments.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely right here, James. Well said.

John Worrow said...

James, I don't think that its over the top to compare Mr Brown with Mr Mugabe, afer all Mugabe started off in a very similar way to Brown before he became a dictator. However, Mugabe had more credibility than Brown in his early days, due to the fact that he was originally chosen to lead the country by the people.

James Maskell said...

Gordon Brown has plenty of credibility since no one in the Labour Party could concievably be a half decent PM. His credibility is based on their being no alternative Labour leader. Given the economic crisis, his credibility is reinforced due to his experience in that field.

Brown's authoritarianism stems from good intentions and poor legislation/implementation. Mugabe's authoritarianism stems from a clear decision to control the country with an iron grip, suffocating the country for what gain he wishes to get.

Anonymous said...

1) Mugabe is allowing the opposition to starve and refusing to allow aid to reach those areas.

2) Cholera is ramaging through the country and he is allowing no medical or other aid into the country.

3)He has allowed lawless bands of his own supporters kill white farmers, including the brother of a farmer from Ash, and seize their land.

4) He has suppressed all opposition in the media leading to journalists from the BBC being refused entry to his country.

5) On the Damian Green issue, we don't know the whole story yet so don't rush to defend him. He apparently approached the civil servant, a Tory party member, soliciting information. It's a bit different to a civil servant seeking out a blogger or a journalist to blow the whistle on something.

I still find the putting the two, Mugabe and Brown side by side offensive. Thank God, whatever our country's faults, we still live in freedom and no-one will come knocking on my door because I've written to the press or posted on a blog.

Anonymous said...

not yet jennifer, but when they do knock on your door you will wish someone had shouted earlier

Anonymous said...

Mr Worrow, your judgement and argument are laughable. You started out as an independent, allegedly, but then came out as a Tory. Who can you legitimately be compared with?

Anonymous said...

If an "ordinary member of the public", ie someone who does not have the protection, privilege and publicity stage of Parliament, were arrested - let's say especially a black or gay person - on suspicion of a crime having been committed, the Tory answer would be that they have nothing to fear if they are innocent.

How differently they all behave - Councillor Gregory, Mr Worrow, local MP Gale - when it is one of their own. Suddenly it's front page news; an affront; the end of civilisation as we know it; a challenge to democracy.

What rubbish! It is simply political point scoring, and entriely in line with the Tory Party's defence and support for those in its ranks who have fiddled expenses, and committed other crimes.

That you, Councillor Gregory, should go the extra mile and post such an offensive and ludicrous comment is unsurprising. Others have often said that you should think before opening your mouth or putting fingers to keyboard. They make a good point.

John Worrow said...

04 December 2008 23:39

you are ignorant of the fact that my being a parish councillor has nothing to do with my personal political choices.Parish councillors do not stand for political parties. So my political choice is none of your business. You don't pay my bills, nor does the tax payer,I give my time for free. So if you don't like it - hard luck..
So there

John Worrow said...

04 December 2008 23:39

As I am a parish councillor and not a district councillor my personal politics is not an issue, which means you are talking total BS. At least I am not an anonoymous coward. Why are you so afraid to back up your words with a name? The word gutless comes to mind.

James Maskell said...

Is that the technique you used to win over the voters?

Anonymous said...

Whether or not you like anonymous bloggers - and perhaps you should be arguing for their exclusion with the blog owner - your rather immoderate postings do suggest a little work may be needed on your people skills, Mr Worrow.

John Worrow said...

If I need advice on winning votes, james, I'll take it from someone who has actually one an election in their life.