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Thursday 29 July 2010

Sarah McDermott | 11:41 UK time, Thursday, 29 July 2010

More details on tonight's Newsnight:

It's a packed programme tonight which will include reaction to the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú2 documentary 'Five days that changed Britain' (9pm Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Two) about how the coalition was formed. We'll be speaking to some of the key figures that determined events in those tumultuous days, including the Labour leadership contender, Ed Miliband.

Tomorrow the government is promising radical proposals on welfare reform - we'll explain what they are likely to be.

We have an exclusive interview with Senator Menendez, who had planned to hold hearings today into the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber. He's postponed the hearings due to lack of cooperation from BP, the Scottish and UK governments, but has vowed to launch a new investigation. We'll have reaction from the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond.

And we'll be joined by the former US Marine Karl Marlantes - whose best-selling book Matterhorn is being hailed as the definitive Vietnam novel of our times.

Join Gavin at 10.30pm on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Two.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From earlier:

At 10.30pm we'll be following up our colleague Nick Robinson's documentary ('5 Days that changed Britain') about how the coalition was formed. It's on 9pm on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Two.

We'll be examining claims that Nick Clegg may have bluffed David Cameron into offering a referendum on AV (read more on Michael Crick's blog).

Then Paul Mason will be considering the economic implications of the death of retirement and we'll debate what the cultural implications might be.

And Gavin will be speaking to the author of the best-seller, Matterhorn that some are hailing as the definitive Vietnam novel of our times.

More details later.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Re: Nick Robinson's honest and apparently sincere blog:
    /blogs/nickrobinson/ with whom I had the pleasure of being in the same lecture room and listen to him live at one of the Media Society events.

    mim

  • Comment number 2.

  • Comment number 3.

    There may be truth in Nick Robinsons claims that Clegg may have bluffed the other party in political negotiations over AV.

    But that would not really be unexpected and I doubt that Cameron did not consider it so it will be interesting but I am not sure it will really change anything within the coalition.

    There will be those amongst the Tories for and against electoral reform and those in the Labour Party shifting uneasily that they are well out of step with public opinion on the issue.

    I don't think it is lost on the public that there is a relationship between the voting system and the disparity between their local MP and their own aspirations.

    How few are the countries that rely on first past the post.

  • Comment number 4.

    Meanwhile, former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell reveals there is "enormous chemistry" between his successor - and coalition Deputy Prime Minister - Nick Clegg and Mr Cameron.

    But he warns: "If you have a dog... for long enough, eventually you begin to look like your pet.

    "Well, if you have a coalition partner, then it seems to me there's a very grave risk eventually you'll come to look like them."
    -----------------------------------

    Actually there is probably also a risk that if you have friends in the Labour Party you might mistake their overtures for genuine acts when they are trying in fact to destabilize the party claiming vast hordes of Lib Dem supporters are now with them.

    Leave aside the "abandon ship" claim is over VAT and is a valid action in this climate when you compare it to the Labour 10p attempt.

    It also surprises me that the usually considered Menzies Campbell seems against the idea of coalition when in fact it is, in the absence of clear winners based on policy, the best way of satisfying the public desires.

    He was of course treated quite badly by Clegg but it is a tough world and his objectivity should be focused on what is right for the country right now as we try to recover ourselves from the ashes of Labours term in office.

  • Comment number 5.

    The Paul Mason piece will I hope touch on the likely outcome that more and more people will probably have to fear old age as their pensions for various obvious reasons fail to generate the income that they had taken for granted.

    I would hope that the coalition will get us out of the financial hole we are in and will then try to repair the inevitable damage to those on low incomes who will have been disproportionately affected and also assess a better long term, stable and risk free policy to pensions than currently exists.

  • Comment number 6.

    Repost
    For my mate gango, a quote, from someone whose name escapes me, could be a Roman poet..and maybe not. But who every said or wrote it had good common sense:

    The road to hell is paved with good intentions.


    There you go Gango, you can cut-n-paste that one into your blog. That Marxist, Leninist, Maoist, Pol Potist and Bob Crowist blog you got going on here.
    Its time to raise your profile now Gango, I see lights, red carpets and literary awards on the horizon and slipping in a good quote now and again never did any renowned wordsmith harm.
    Quote interpretation:

    Its gone pear-shaped, we only wanted to help and be inclusive to all creeds, race and cultures.

  • Comment number 7.

    You have to wonder how those on what is commonly called the far right talk to each other about policy when they are in each others company.

    First off they are always falling out with each other and so you get people like Collett allegedly threatening to kill his BNP party leader Nick Griffin in a row, apparently, over expenses and policy.

    Then there are inter party rows as I would guess those of the Aryan Strike Force disposition (the most racist group in Britain they proudly claim) probably despise the BNP. Still quite a few of that even smaller band are in prison and so on.

    The BNP must need to keep a good distance from those who are of that mindset and they need to try and preserve their external image as being "modern and progressive" and "not a Nazi Party".

    So if a bunch of these types run into each in the Dog and Duck it must be quite complex in how far they go in expressing themselves.

    Serious implications if they get it wrong.

    Even when such people post on the web, as some do on here, they seem to have a very limited remit in what they can say.

    But then as I have said many times there is not much they can say as there is no evidence in science that there are racial differences in IQ that cannot be explained by environmental factors and there is no relationship, on any level, between race and culture.

    Culture is not in the genes it is in the mind.

    So the great far right "thinkers" really have no direction in which to proceed and that probably explains the simplistic hooliganism of the English Defence League as it is more about venting emotional maladjustment and being manipulated by remote self interested power hungry and hidden leaders who are devoid of conscience.

  • Comment number 8.

    Oh no kevseywevsey is on the block with more tales of rubber bullets in his childhood Belfast!

    He is stronger than Mike Tyson - and that has to be useful on the web - and he is going to use his intelligence .....

    Can I wait to see his words?

    Yes.

  • Comment number 9.

    Arizona illegal immigration laws etc.

    I did try and find a TV or radio report on the Arizona story that had a libby wing slant on it, but I could only find Spanish speaking ones. Although the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú did peddle this story from its usual left position, Anyhow, I've found one that I would discribe as objective; Talk radio host Mike Savage:



    Midterms coming up...should be interesting this November in the land of the free. Anyone who finds US politics irrelevant. Take note: the USA is on an implode setting, all empires come to an end, and what is unfolding over the pond is the perfectly timed engineered collapse of this once great country and they intend to bring others down with them. But watching the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú financial news...Santa's gonna be giving out more free money, 'hey everybody! everythings gonna be alright, Preston and Flanders told us so! How much more sugar can you put on a story eh?!

  • Comment number 10.

    Something good by the government!

  • Comment number 11.

    #9 Take note: the USA is on an implode setting, all empires come to an end, and what is unfolding over the pond is the perfectly timed engineered collapse of this once great country and they intend to bring others down with them.

    It looks as though JJ was right all the time then Kev. He always spoke of the impending "Perfect Storm" looks as though we'll be dragged into the thunder and lightening as well then! : (

  • Comment number 12.

    Love having a snooze in the fresh air
    Dreaming of a future compatible pair
    That he and I might yet make true
    Once clear of one particular fool.
    We have already contributed much
    Why not be happy carrying on such?
    There is no doubt uniqueness in our bond.
    These are my thoughts by Kensington pond.

    mim

  • Comment number 13.

    is it true...can it be..in what you say, that this could be the end of the USA, their borders are open and the wetbacks come in, all that 'free' healthcare.....don't know where to begin....but it's not all bad just think of the plus...the wars that they start...won't involve us...no more Iraq, no Afghanistan...we can get out as fast as we can...they've run out of oil...what will they do...they'll just have to walk..just like me and you...so if it's the end..shed not a tear...just be grateful...they're not over here....

  • Comment number 14.

    When asked in 1999 what plans he had for his retirement, the legendary
    miners' leader Mick McGahey replied:

    'You know the joke I made, when they said what are you going to do when you retire? I said I am looking for a safe Communist seat in Parliament!
    First of all, communists never retire, they change their area of work. I will be involved in the pensioners I am sure, and community work. I'll aid and assist wherever possible. If I get that safe Communist seat I will let them know - if I'm still living.' (Scottish Trades Union Review No 92 Jan-Feb 1999). And of course he was also an active grandfather too.

  • Comment number 15.

    Whoopdedo, just what I keep complaining about, overcrowding.



    One of the smallest countries in europe but full to the brim with arguing, fighting people, haven't government heard a quart into a pint pot won't go. : (

  • Comment number 16.

    no. 15

    So called liberal-democratic 'governments' just serve the masters who field them, i.e business interests. The people are not an electorate but those interests' consumers/workers. 'Immigration is good for the economy' - the less discerning the better.

  • Comment number 17.

  • Comment number 18.

    A WHOLE HOUR, AND NO MENTION OF PERSONAL AMBITION

    Dave wanted to be PM at any price - he got it. Nick hoped against hope to be runner up - PM next time. Such was his disappointment that he clung, Gollum-like, to the next best thing to his Precious.

    All this was dressed up by these two as 'best for the country'. Oh Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú. DO YOU REALLY KNOW NOTHING OF MEN, AMBITION AND POWER?

    Westminster politics is about PERSONALITIES - NOT POLICIES. Governance is ancillary.

    Oh - it's all going terribly well.

  • Comment number 19.

    One of the greatest ironies of the Al-Megrahi case is that if he had been incarcerated in a US jail he would still be there now...as the US healthcare system has around a greater than 90% success rate in treating prostate cancer. In the UK, the success rate in clearing up prostate cancer is less than 35%.

    So, the Scottish doctors who agreed to the compassionate release of Megrahi would have been fairly certain tha his days were numbered...however, he's hanging on for a while longer...in Libya!

  • Comment number 20.

    Does any one else find it noteworthy that when ever the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú seeks a comment/interview from one of the four US senators about the case of the Al-Megrahi release...it is always from senator Menendez.

    The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú seems to be avoiding any comments from any of the other three Jewish senators, all of whom are representatives of NY city and its surrounding area.

    Shurely shome coinshidence!

  • Comment number 21.

    There has been a problem...
    Your comment contains some HTML that has been mistyped.

    Name cannot begin with the '3' character on line 1

    -------------------------

    This is a new one!

  • Comment number 22.

    The US senators have now proclaimed that if 'Mohammed won't go to the mountain...then the mountain will go to Mohammed'.

    i.e. regarding the 'no shows' of Straw and MacAskill to the US senate hearing over the release of Al-Megrahi and BP/Libya affair...then the US senators will come here to the UK.

    Now, I'm absolutely sure that the Miliband brothers will do all that they can to accommodate the US senators in their quest for the truth.

  • Comment number 23.

    barrie...you posted...

    'Westminster politics is about PERSONALITIES - NOT POLICIES. Governance is ancillary.'

    ----------------------

    Regarding the former part of your sentance above...someone far better than I told you it's not about personalities...it's actually about SUBVERSIVE policies that WE are not party to. Governance is for the benifit of the oligarchs...

    Tony Benn migrated to the left-wing of the Labour Party. Benn attributed this political shift to his experience as a minister in the 1964-1970 Labour government. Benn wrote:

    "As a minister, I experienced the power of industrialists and bankers to get their way by use of the crudest form of economic pressure, even blackmail, against a Labour Government. Compared to this, the pressure brought to bear in industrial disputes is minuscule. This power was revealed even more clearly in 1976 when the IMF secured cuts in our public expenditure. These lessons led me to the conclusion that the UK is only superficially governed by MPs and the voters who elect them. Parliamentary democracy is, in truth, little more than a means of securing a periodical change in the management team, which is then allowed to preside over a system that remains in essence intact. If the British people were ever to ask themselves what power they truly enjoyed under our political system they would be amazed to discover how little it is, and some new Chartist agitation might be born and might quickly gather momentum.[30]"



    You MUST understand this!

    I am the second person to advise this to you.

  • Comment number 24.

    #16 Yup tab01 it's money that rules the world, not governments.

    But what happens when the prols turn their back on governments and banks and start fighting?! Roll on the revolution! ; )

  • Comment number 25.

    #6 kevseywevsey

    "Its gone pear-shaped, we only wanted to help and be inclusive to all creeds, race and cultures."

    Its good that you try to express yourself but why not try a few facts somewhere along the line as there are always emotive accusations but no substance.

    It hasn't gone pear shaped and won't be going pear shaped and there is no evidence that many people think it will though many were reasonably unhappy about uncontrolled immigration under Labour.

    You also are unable to grasp that where there are no differences in science there is not much point treating people differently and to exclude them.

    Still whilst you brag about the importance of your rubber bullets back ground and the virtues of embracing religious hatred I don't see too many people listening to you.

    I am merely trying to stir your mind to question your core beliefs as they are wrong in all senses.

  • Comment number 26.

    Every now and again, you get a classic programme that follows immediately after NN...tonight is one of those nights!

  • Comment number 27.

    #20 debtjuggler

    "The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú seems to be avoiding any comments from any of the other three Jewish senators, all of whom are representatives of NY city and its surrounding area."

    Oh you are so terribly clever mentioning people who are Jewish all the time.

    You would be far more ridiculous though if you were more explicit about your views instead of hinting at them.

    What do you think about Von Bruun, the sometime American Friend of the BNP, who has rabid racial views and was convicted for trying to kidnap a Fed member and is currently charged with the murder of a guard at a US Holocaust memorial?

    Would you say your views coincide?

  • Comment number 28.

    #18 barriesingelton

    "Westminster politics is about PERSONALITIES - NOT POLICIES. Governance is ancillary."

    Your old pal jaded_jean used to rant on about National Socialism and that German dictator chap .... Hitler.

    I am glad people like that have nothing to do with governance today and nor will they in the future eh?

    If people don't watch it they would start of hearing "differencism" and then they will be hearing race "realism" and then it would be jack boots time.

    But happily we are too sensible to go down that path.

  • Comment number 29.

    #16 tabblenabble01

    "So called liberal-democratic 'governments' just serve the masters who field them, i.e business interests. "

    That's nothing so called National Socialists just talk wildly about conspiracy theories, froth at the mouth and try to create fuhrer-states to serve whoever is at the top of their pile.

    By the way do you ever notice those polling booths the public uses - it helps make sure the crazies don't get into power.

  • Comment number 30.

    #11 ecolizzy

    "It looks as though JJ was right all the time then Kev. He always spoke of the impending "Perfect Storm" looks as though we'll be dragged into the thunder and lightening as well then!"

    Oh well then it must be true just like the Holocaust " was made up to put people off statism".

    So people should be taking up National Socialism to replace democracy and be looking to Hitler as an inspiration for modern day policies?

    Whacko's of the far right unite you have nothing to lose but your padded jackets with the nice neat buckles and bingo on Wednesday nights and daily medication.

  • Comment number 31.

    CARELESS POSTING COSTS NOTHING (#23)

    I could have phrased it better DJ. How about 'Westminster advancement is by personality not policy?'

    Would you care to address the meat of my post?

    I am wary of the Benn PERSONALITY. A man who NEEDS to tell you how many words he wrote in his diary, and how late he stayed up to write them, is not the kind of person I tend to rely on. However - as you know - I gave JJ due credence; due, but no more than due . . .

  • Comment number 32.

    On the Labour front they do really try to go for the throat on dishonesty and subterfuge as Ed Miliband did tonight.

    The trouble is people have views on Iraq regardless of whatever Chilcott produces; there were the cabs for hire; the reneging on PR; 10p; the smoke over the BP/Lockerbie manoeuvres; the Granita row and associated internecine strife and so on and so on.

    The Lib Dems were saying before the polls that there would be a big dip in support but we will have to wait and see whether in the end the public will rally to them more strongly than before - when they nearly pushed Labour into third but for the perverted electoral system - when the fruits of their labours may start to bear.

  • Comment number 33.

    IS MILITARY LOGIC APPLICABLE TO BASIC BLOKE?

    OK - so going to work will pay better (says IDS). Idle bloke would wonder: 'How much better? Only fools and horses work.'

    How well does IDS understand/empathise with Idle Bloke?

  • Comment number 34.

    gango wrote:

    "I am merely trying to stir your mind to question your core beliefs as they are wrong in all senses."

    God your so right! I've done nothing but write twisted nonsense. I'll be sure to go down to the re-education centre soon-as buddy...do I get a new top-of-the-range skateboard if I pass the exam? And that'd be good because me and you can then spread the message that libbyness is the way to go whilst boarding down the streets...yeah, Gango, that'd be cool.
    Thanx for helping me see the light dude :)

  • Comment number 35.

    1 post.. how very nice for you, it wouldn't be for me

  • Comment number 36.

    post 15 yes, overCrowDed with people who Seemingly cant speak the lingo

    my new heroine is the woman who took the dozy taxpayer for 3 Million

    got 2 sTart collecting names for cLaimS

    The Mod paying/taking charge of TriDENT..Right.. 10 chinooks that dont work, 6 Billion diffy from aCcountS.

    inNepTiTunes wooden trident will come in very handy, I dont no what for

  • Comment number 37.

    GOO sorry I cant help You..your posts make me sing Spring/Goosestep/time for Hitler every time.

    its driving me Fruit n nuts..again

    I do Love Mel Brooks

  • Comment number 38.

    Although India is the world's largest democracy, now this happens in a University:


    ...will this also happen in Britain too?

  • Comment number 39.

    VINDICATION?

    On this blog, I have repeatedly called into question the 'Westminster Ethos' and its part in Dysfunctional government of Britain.

    John Prescott, who thrived in Westminster, and was (tactically) elevated to Deputy PM by Tony Blair is, today, tacitly spraying his 'credentials' all over the Chilcot Enquiry.

    His testimony, its manner and content, encapsulates a most awful aspect of Westminster, and illustrates why I call, repeatedly, for its ritual dismemberment.

  • Comment number 40.

    38D?

    It will if You let it.

    A muslim friend of mine showed me A picture of his Beautifull Mother.Downtown Baghdad,Big Smile Short Skirt, A Lovely Happy picture circa 1970's.

    It didn't last long, THEY started Hanging young girls/women from lamposts.

    Some of THEY ARE over Here

    You will catch me with A Smile, you wont catch me wearing A short skirt

    Pass me the Long Kilt, does my bum look big in this, Arse we there yet

    NO You Nits are Not

    Freedom 2 show your Builder's Crack is A corner stone of our society.. eh

    IT could come at A heavy/hanging price

  • Comment number 41.

    39 I'll 2nd That

    Dismember the Members. (they don't have a member 2 dismember)

    according 2 idiot precott's SECRETary

  • Comment number 42.

    I Want 2 Control and Dominate Women (but only with Their PerMission)

    Does that make Me A Wimp

    I DON'T THINK SO..mupPets

  • Comment number 43.

    Off 2 do some Leaching/lechin at Women

    Womens Golf.. silly

  • Comment number 44.

    I D S...are there no workhouses...are there no prisons....

  • Comment number 45.

    The El Megrahi release was a huge mistake, and I am not surprised Americans are furious, many people were killed in this outrage.

    But, I just feel we (Britain) are being treated like a junior partner in this, and a naughty little boy who must go to explain ourselves to our betters. BP being included in this does look like Senators are paroniod, but is does not mean they are wrong. It could be that when the Central and Scottish Governments help with information, it will come out that BP asked the Government to release Megrahi, who knows, is there, or will there be any proof of this. But Companies lobby anyway, US firms do. You cannot tell me that American companies are not exactly the same as BP or BAE (which are more or less American Firms now).

    What is wrong is the way these Senators are going about things, and for all I detest Salmond, he was right in what he said regarding ministers in office, or out of office going to hearings, and he should be supported in this particular matter (it should not be devisive to our unity).

    US is not a World Government or Court. They are out of there juristiction and coming over here to have some sort of inquest is arrogant. I did not know we were under their juristiction. I would personally tell them where to go, politely of course. Peopele were killed in this sad disaster and there needs to be an investigation, but in the States, and not ex British Prime Ministers going over there being rapped and talked down to.

    Whilst BP are involved and this terrible spill, have a duty to the people who live in this part of America, and it must be cleaned up. But it seems America is living in denial, as if no American person was involved in this, let alone Transocean, Haliburton, and Cameron Engineering (for example, were alarms turned off?). It feels like there is a concerted effort to destroy this company (BP) by the US political establishment and Obama in particular.

    Just a point of interest, was there a criminal investigation into Piper Alpha, and how much was that fine for buncefield?

    I wonder if there was a British drilling company in the North Sea, drilling for an American firm, and the same terrible disaster happened. Who would get most of the blame?

  • Comment number 46.

    BUT AS MEGRAHI IS AS INNOCENT AS THE 3 TOWERS WERE CONTROLLED DROPS (#45)

    All bleats are off - off by an American mile.

    Nothing to be gained in discussing pros and cons against a background of a massive CON.

    Dave and the war, Salmond and Lockerbie, Obama and 9/11, they are all 'living within the lie' (Vaclav Havel) because to step outside it, is to become REAL in an unreal world.

    Strange to tell: on Any Questions tonight, both A N Wilson and Digby Jones spoke of the need (to all intents and purposes) to SPOILPARTY GAMES. I had thought I was alone. By that chink of light, perhaps we can see a way forward to a day when Dave, Salmond, and Obama, might STEP OUTSIDE THE LIE as Havel's grocer did, and that tiny light could prove to be a new dawn.

    I can dream.

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