Michael Jackson dies at 50

Last night Michael Jackson died from a heart attack at his rented Los Angeles mansion. A sad end to a tragic life.

Jackson had an incredible career selling over 750 million records, more than any other artist in history. Not since the Beatles has a music act been so successful on the world stage.

For many people in their twenties and thirties, Michael Jackson has been a constant, always in the news and often for the wrong reasons. The allegations of child abuse were particularly damaging to the star, although he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Flawed genius

Another fascination was Jackson's changing face. Over the years Jackson changed from a good-looking black boy to a frail white husk. His apparent wish to change himself so drastically proved that fame and wealth do not always bring happiness.

What ever you think about Michael Jackson, he changed the world of pop music. You only have to listen to any music in the charts today to hear his enduring influence. Jackson was truly a genius, but as with many geniuses he was flawed.

When he annaounced his comeback at London's O2 arena, many people were unsure if at fifty he would still be able to be the Michael Jackson people loved, but no one could have predicted his premature death last night.

One step too far

Jackson had faced endless lawsuits over recent years and looked an exhausted man. The aim of the comeback looked like an attempt to get some of the fortune he lost back, and what his performances would have been like we will never know.

Not surprisingly the Paparazzi were obsessed with Michael Jackson, and even at his moment of death they huddled around the ambulance trying to see the star's dead body.

The coverage of Jackson's corpse being wheeled from a helicopter was in my opinion a step too far and it is a shame that news editors did not resist showing this.

Fickle media

News agencies are now waxing lyrical about Michael Jackson's many virtues but it was not long ago that many of them were condemning him for baseless charges. The media have always been fickle, but this does appear a bit rich.

Michael Jackson should be remembered for what he was, a musical genius who's music will outlast all of us. Through music he brought people together across the world, and whatever you think of him he was certainly one of a kind.

John Bercow is the new speaker...so what?

Well it has finally been confirmed. Conservative MP John Bercow is the new Speaker of the House of Commons.

Many Tory MPs did not want Bercow to get the position and it appears that Labour got their way, voting for a Tory that is disliked by many in his own party. It is sad that party politics got in the way of this appointment, but also inevitable.

Michael Martin the former failed speaker, was derided as a Labour chosen candidate during his time in office and Bercow promised "permanently to cast aside" his "previous political views". Admirable words indeed, but ones that were roundly ridiculed.

Neutrality

Bercow's statement even produced a joke from Gordon Brown; "It is said that you have now cast aside all your past political views - some of us thought you had done that some time ago."

This was in relation to Bercow's previous work in an advisory role to the Prime Minister, and rumours of his planned defection to Labour. It was significant to see many Conservative MPs refuse to applaud the new man as he was led to the speaker's chair.

Today was supposed to signal a big change in the way that parliament conducts is business, but is this really accurate? Bercow speaks of reform, but in reality the speaker is in no real position to offer it.

Need for change

The only way reform will happen is for all of the party leaders to agree on a clear way forward together, and this will not come from the speaker however much Bercow would like us to think it will.

On another point, it was sad to see Ann Widdecombe post such a low vote. Widdecombe is a politician with much integrity, but her decision to stand down at the next election may well have dissuaded MPs from voting for her.

The rise of the career politician is something that Widdecombe stands against, and this is arguably one of the biggest problems with today's parliament. The party whips have become too powerful, with some MPs reluctant to break party lines for fear of stalling their political careers.

Breaking with party policy was never something that bothered Ann Widdecombe and she will be a big loss to both parliament and party when she stands down.

Overplayed

In the past, the election of a new speaker has never usually been reported as a big event, it is only because of today's unique circumstances that it has now become one.

Parliament is still in crisis, and the sticking plaster of a new speaker, however much he talks of reform will not heal this wound.

Fundamental political reform is needed urgently, and for this to happen there needs to be agreement from all sides of the house, otherwise party politics will continue to cloud the debate.

The worrying rise of the BNP

Last night the British National Party won their first two seats in the European parliament.


Many mainstream politicians looked shocked when this happened, but in truth this has been coming for some time. In a country where the first past the post system means that the big parties focus so much of their energy on chasing floating voters, the BNP have filled a void.

One could argue that both the low turn-out and the disgust shown at MPs' expenses could mean that many of the BNP and other smaller parties' votes were merely a show of protest and would not be repeated in a general election.

BNP play on fear

However, the fact that a racist organisation like the BNP is getting any support at all is deeply worrying. In an increasingly multicultural nation, the BNP have successfully played on people's fears over immigration and job losses.

In somwhere like Barnsley for example, BNP support shot up from 8% in 2004 to 17% in 2009. This is a classic example of a place that feels forgotten by mainstream politics. Businesses are closing down, people have lost their jobs and it is little surprise that voters are left feeling frustrated.

For Nick Griffin the BNP's leader, it has been so easy to win followers. By dropping references to his party's racist beliefs, and making dissatisfied white people believe he is the only person standing up for them the BNP have become more successful than many would have ever believed.

Debate

Under Griffin, the BNP have become the most successful British fascist party ever, surpassing Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists, and the fearsome National Front (of which Griffin is a former member), and this is no accident.

For too long politicians from all three main parties have chosen to ignore the rise of the BNP, suggesting that openly engaging with them would give them free publicity, but this has been firmly proved to be the wrong decision.

The Church of England should be applauded for intervening and telling people not to vote for the party, but in reality this had little effect. Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats need to wake up to the fact that the BNP are here to stay. It is time to engage with them in debate.

Nick Griffin has been very clever in masking what the BNP are really about, but by engaging in debate with his party, the mainstream parties can retake the initiative.

Devious

Opening up a debate over the BNP's small-minded policies would show them up for what the party really is; racist bigots who happen to wear suits. This needs to happen without delay.

One of the party's new MEPs Andrew Brons, mentioned nothing of his racist beliefs in his acceptance speech last night. This is the deviousness of the far-right, they now know how to look acceptable and must be exposed.

In modern Britain there should be no room for any racist party, and politicians need to wake up to the danger that our democracy faces from hate-filled groups like the BNP; before it is too late.

Broadly Speaking

Have a listen to a clip of my radio show "Broadly Speaking". Sadly we have now finished broadcasting but I hope you enjoy listening to it!

Gordon Brown's position may soon become untenable

As more and more expenses claims continue to surface in the Daily Telegraph, British politics has never looked worse.

Many governments have been damaged by allegations of sleaze, John Major's for example in the 1990s, but today's scandal cuts deeper than rows over brown envelopes and affairs.

The problem for Gordon Brown right now, is that he has to be seen to be firmly in control of his party, but with each new allegation his influence seems to weaken.

Brown indecisive

Take the example of Hazel Blears, the MP for Salford. Brown called her actions "completely unacceptable" but then appeared to give her his full backing. Pardon the electorate for feeling confused over what he really thinks.

There are now rumours that Blears will be moved on in the next cabinet reshuffle, which would only make Brown's decision making process look even more confused. Many may well ask, if he can't control his own party, can he be expected to keep control of the country?

Of course one should add some balance here, this expenses scandal was not solely a result of Gordon Brown's mismanagement of the system, although one could argue that he (and others) only want to make changes now because the revelations have come out.

Parliament still in the dark ages

It is very easy to blame the Prime Minister for the problems, and ultimately in a self-regulating House of Commons, one could argue that the buck stops with him, but this is far too simplistic.

The fact is that much of what goes on in the Commons is well and truly past its sell-by date, and the expenses furore could just be the shot in the arm that politics in this country needs.

Sadly for Brown though, he has not really been able to seize the initiative, and instead the younger more articulate David Cameron looks to have come out on top. With an election only a year away (or sooner depending on who you talk to) the Labour party is in deep trouble.

Labour left dejected

It looks almost as if Labour have given up the ghost, resigned to their fate of being the opposition party after the next election; but does it really have to be this way? There could just be a twist in the tail.

The most popular theory doing the rounds at the moment is the idea of Alan Johnson the Health Secretary, putting himself forward to be leader. Johnson would be a popular choice, and he could just give Labour a much needed boost in the polls going into an election.

Significantly, Johnson put himself well and truly in the shop window this week, by talking up political reform and suggesting perhaps the use of Proportional Representation.

Johnson wrote in the Times "we need to overhaul the engine, not just clean the upholstery," but does he mean removing Gordon Brown as leader? He of course denies this but for many, a Johnson led Labour party would be a welcome relief from the burden of Gordon.

So now we can sit back and await the next round of expenses revelations. Only this morning there was the news that the Labour MP Frank Cook allegedly claimed for a £5 church donation, a kind gesture indeed, I am sure you will agree.

Brown's political raft may have been set adrift by Labour, and it looks like his party would rather puncture it than throw him a lifeline, but have they got the guts to do it? Only time will tell, but if the Prime Minister does sink, expect to see some political careers go down with him.

(photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk)

Calls to force out the Speaker may be misguided

Today things really began to hot up in the House of Commons, and this was not because they were afraid to claim for air-conditioning expenses.

18 MPs have so far signed a motion of no confidence in the Speaker Michael Martin, and several of them have openly attacked Mr. Martin. Among them, David Winnick MP said, "your early retirement sir, would help the reputation of the House".

Mr Martin replied that was "not a subject for today", but that was all today was about for many MPs. Significantly, the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has now added his voice to the ranks of dissenters, calling for 'Gorbals Mick' as Martin is known, to stand down . Martin however, has so far stood firm.

Scapegoat

But is this really fair on the speaker? It is true that Martin has not covered himself in any glory over the past few weeks, and many see him as a roadblock to reform. Indeed, there were calls for his resignation when the Damian Green affair unfolded.

But wait a moment, is there just a hint of the commons looking for a scapegoat here? There is a great deal at stake for a still growing list of MPs that have become embroiled in the sordid expenses revelations, and they will not want to lose their seats.

So by blaming Mr. Martin for standing in the way of reform and allowing the murky culture of expenses claims to develop, are the MPs trying to deflect attention away from their own dirty deeds? It seems like a distinct probability.

Taking responsibility

Surely the MPs can not continue to blame the system for their own failings? Well if they do then it will just not wash with the public, and only make things worse for them. They have to admit their failings and this means taking responsibility for their actions.

An MP claiming for a non-existent mortgage can not really blame their actions on Michael Martin, but at the moment Parliament look hopelessly detached from the real world.

This was perfectly illustrated by the bizarre argument in the House today, over "early day motions" and "substantive motions". If there is anything that is sure to turn the electorate off, it is a squabble over arcane Parliamentary practice.

Parliament out of touch

There is no doubt that the House of Commons needs reforming. It is an institution that clings fiercely to tradition, but perhaps this whole affair really will force some changes through.

Michael Martin has not been a good speaker and neither has he acted professionally in his dealing with the issue of expenses, but will removing him now really make a difference to public confidence in parliament?

I suspect not, and this is where MPs are misguided. By obsessing over Michael Martin's job, they have forgotten about their own job, representing the public.

How many people on the street really care about the speaker of the house of Commons losing his job when they may well have lost their's? The answer is probably very few, and parliament should recognise this.

British politics is dragged through the mud as Cameron takes the lead

First it was Labour's turn, then it was the Conservatives and today it is the Liberal Democrats' turn to have their reputations dragged through the mud.

However, entertaining as it has been to see so many politicians embarrassed, this does no good at all to British politics. At a time when the domestic (and global) economy is at a standstill, it is a pity that Prime Minister's questions today, was spent squabbling over who paid back what and who claimed for this?

The Tories expenses have been arguably the most embarrassing claims yet. Douglas Hogg's moat cleaning has to get the prize for 'most original expense claimed' with Oliver Letwin's claim for a leaking pipe under his tennis court coming a close second.

Cameron takes the initiative

Despite this though, David Cameron has somehow come out of the last few days on top. Yesterday he took the initiative by saying that Tory MPs who refused to pay back "excessive" claims would not be Conservative MPs for much longer. This was a firm stance and perhaps as a result, the government were left scrambling to keep up.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears held up a cheque for £13,332, money she made from dodging capital gains tax (although she did not break any rules), and Gordon Brown claimed to have cross-party support for his new plans to review all expenses claims going back four years.

It was later revealed that this cross-party support was not fully agreed although it was discussed, and that Brown appeared to have been caught on the hop. The Tories have been just as bad as Labour in terms of their abuse of the system, but by failing to act sooner Brown has been left behind.

Lame duck government

Michael Howard, the former Conservative leader, described today's government as a "lame duck" government, while speaking on the BBC's Daily Politics, and in today's Prime Minister's questions this was all too telling. Brown was unable to think on his feet while Cameron was offering up new ideas.

One of his ideas today was not a new one, the idea to cut the number of MPs, but it is one that could capture public opinion. This is the key to the middle ground right now, and the ailing Labour government have shown themselves to be way out of touch.

Of course this happens to most governments on the way out but at a time when the economic situation is so dire, the country needs strong leadership. Brown is a good politician, but crucially he appears to be losing the support of his party, and when that happens, as it did for Margaret Thatcher in 1990, there is only one way to go, and that is towards the exit.

A challenge to Brown?

David Cameron has used the expenses row to put himself in the shop window as a future leader, and Brown has not used it at all. It will be very interesting to see how the summer pans out. Labour MPs will certainly be getting twitchy, but just who would be willing to stand against Gordon Brown?

Alan Johnson could be a good option, and if the economy starts to pick up, there might just be hope for Labour, but Brown is a survivor and will not go down without a fight. Anyone wanting to deal a knock-out blow to Brown had better be prepared for a scrap, and Johnson may well think better of it.

This week will not be looked back on as one of British politics finest hours, but hopefully it will lead to positive changes to the MPs' expenses system. It is just a shame that so much damage was done before things could begin to be mended.