Well-Heeled and Two-Faced Politicians

 

 

I sympathise with the Tory Party leader, David Cameron, and his wife Samantha, on the death of their 6 year old son, Ivan, which was announced a couple of hours ago. He had been suffering from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and had been in and out of hospital for most of his short life. After Mr Cameron made his presence felt in the British political arena, newspapers carried a couple of news items about Ivan, but there was never very much, as the Camerons wished their private life to remain just that – private. Compare that with the hype over the past couple of weeks concerning the impending death from cancer of Jade Goody, so-called celebrity. Newspapers have had the story plastered across their front pages, making me wonder if some editors are unaware of Britain’s economic plight. I feel sorry for Jade as well, and applaud her for trying to make some money for her 5 and 4 year old boys. How much they actually get is another matter, after the newspapers, magazines, and her publicist Max Clifford have pocketed their share. Her case has certainly also raised awareness of cervical cancer, and has led to an increased number of women going for tests. However, there are thousands in the country who are dying of cancer, and who do not have that option of making piles of money to leave to their loved ones.

 

I mentioned the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith a few days ago, in connection with her refusal to acknowledge that there’s any problem with her £116,000 “second home” expenses. Whenever we hear a news bulletin, or read a paper, we have the same kind of stories. We find that British Members of the European Parliament can easily make £1 million in allowances over a single term in Brussels, Prince Andrew taking a helicopter to reopen a bridge – just a drop in the ocean, that one, at £4,000, Tory veteran Michael Ancram (personal fortune of tens of millions) claiming £50,000 towards the upkeep of his country retreat, and £170,000 being lavished on modern art to decorate the walls of Jack Straw’s department for Justice. This is the same John Whitaker Straw who was Foreign Secretary in 2001, and was a member of the Cabinet that decided to send our troops to Iraq. Now, as Secretary of State for Justice, he has used his power to veto the publication of minutes of key cabinet meeting held in the run-up to the Iraq war, after the Information Tribunal ruled last month that they should be published. What’s in those minutes that are so potentially damaging to him and to others? His arrogance is there for all to see, and I reckon that his cowardice calls for the saying, “Straw by name, straw by nature.”

It has come as no surprise to me that the police are predicting a “summer of rage” in Britain, as folk seek to get even with those who have been ripping them off, and duping them, for ages.