Here comes the payback

[BillyStubbsTears]

Murdoch supported the Tories relentlessly throughout the election campaign. There was barely a day went by without The Sun running an article ridiculing Miliband. Then, when Cameron forgot which football team he supports, The Sun ran a piece that said,"It was obviously just a silly mistake by a speech-write." Just IMAGINE how they'd have dealt with Miliband if he'd done the same thing.

Anyway, Murdoch detests the BBC. It might be the greatest broadcasting organisation in the world, but it's in competition against Sky. And, like the NHS, it's not supposed to work. The Right just KNOWS that publicly funded systems can't be as good as the private sector.

Murdoch's press has been hammering the BBC every chance it's had.

And now the payback. Cameron has chosen his Culture Secretary who will decide the future of the BBC. It's a man who said last year "The licence fee is as unfair as the Poll Tax."

Here we go...

[Lipsy]

Lovely man. Extremely cultured:

[silent majority]

It's a real dissapointment. Being put in charge of DCMS will hold back a lot of progress that has been made by the football supporter groups over the last few years. He just doesn't 'get' football.

[The Red Baron]

The new sports minister is Tracey Crouch, who is a qualified football coach. She might be a good appointment.

[hoolahoop]

Really concerned about the future of the BBC and I'm really struggling to find where the bias was. IMO it was the other way and Murdoch's newspapers hardly gave Labour/ L/Dems a chance in the press.

It seems as if near absolute power is already running away with these Pillocks. He wants to reward Murdoch, ensure his rags continue to totally undermine Opposition parties especially villifying the L/Dems.

Of course he will pamper to the 1922 committee who were non too happy during the last 5 years and then down the line fractures will appear when they want more and more concessions.
He's playing a very dangerous game thankfully.

[jucyberry]

There was no bias.. Not towards Labour and the Lib dems any way.... Busy little employees of Murdoch like call me Dave will be running round now to do their master's bidding, stifling any dissenting voices that might spoil the party line.

My heart bleeds for the poor soul today bleating that his job was akin to a zero hours contract.. Poor Boris and his £67k posting.  :facepalm

Perhaps he should try doing something worthwhile for a true pittance like the thousands of carers in this god forsaken country.

http://www.lbc.co.uk/listen-a-carer-weeps-over-tory-cut-fears-109470

[BillyStubbsTears]

There are at least as many arguments for BBC bias in the other direction. Why the BBC has hammered on the line that the deficit is still the key political issue, when it is demonstrably not, for example.

When both sides have complaints about bias, it probably means that a sensible, balance line is being struck.

The problem that the Tories have with the BBC is not one of bias. It is an ideological one. Their philosophy is that publicly funded bodies are supposed to be, by definition, inferior to private ones. The BBC, like the NHS, is a permanent reminder that this is mistaken. So the Right will always attack its basic premise and will highlight each and every failing, no matter how tiny.

Of course, we could have a totally private broadcasting system. Then we could have such wonderful services as Berlusconi's RAI, or Murdoch's Fox. That'd be good wouldn't it....

[BobG]

A few years ago now I sat down in a living room in upstate New York and forced myself to watch a days worth of American television. I admit I channel hopped. Quite a lot. I didn't see an alternative tbh. The pig ignorance, the venom, the lack of balance, the gainsaying of self evident truths, the cretinous belief that the viewing public could only concentrate for 90 seconds at a time, and, that words of 3 syllables or more would entirely baffle them even inside that 90 second slot, well, they simply blew my mind.

I still haven't worked out how any country, with that level of ignorance and that absence of thinking, can operate as if it  is the leader of the world.  I've got only one theory. It comes from Shakespeare: Richard II. He suggested that some people are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. When you remember the vast natural resources the Yanks continue to squander with such gay abandon, and, the huge inflow of immigrants in the 19th century, well, you can easily see how the US ended up as the example, par excellence, of Shakespeares third category. I hope the Yanks have read 'The Rise and Fall of Great Powers' by Paul Kennedy. Hubris beckons.

Murdoch, Fox and their ilk have an absolutely enormous debt to mankind already. And this equally cretinous government we now have are going to allow them to increase it even further.

BobG

[Sandy Lane]

A few years ago now I sat down in a living room in upstate New York and forced myself to watch a days worth of American television. I admit I channel hopped. Quite a lot. I didn't see an alternative tbh. The pig ignorance, the venom,the lack of balance, the gainsaying of self evident truths, the cretinous belief that the viewing public could only concentrate for 90 seconds at a time, and, that words of 3 syllables or more would entirely baffle them even inside that 90 second slot, well, they simply blew my mind.

I still haven't worked out how any country, with that level of ignorance and that absence of thinking, can operate as if it  is the leader of the world.  I've got only one theory. It comes from Shakespeare: Richard II. He suggested that some people are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. When you remember the vast natural resources the Yanks continue to squander with such gay abandon, and, the huge inflow of immigrants in the 19th century, well, you can easily see how the US ended up as the example, par excellence, of Shakespeares third category. I hope the Yanks have read 'The Rise and Fall of Great Powers' by Paul Kennedy. Hubris beckons.

Murdoch, Fox and their ilk have an absolutely enormous debt to mankind already. And this equally cretinous government we now have are going to allow them to increase it even further.

BobG

Gee Bob, I'm glad you weren't in my living room in upstate NY as I would not have invited anyone who generalises to the extent that you do and quotes the same diatribes over and over, ad nauseam.  But I have to wonder why you would even come here when you obviously despise us so much. 

[hoolahoop]

Yes Bob they are aiming for a "private" system of broadcasting with a total Tory slant . It's easy really  Murdoch's sky will become the state broadcasting company or else and take money from the electorate . Sky will then give 'said' money for future Tory elections . hence the whole electorate ,regardless of affiliation, will fund their campaigns.

[BobG]

Fair enough Sandy. I'll try to not be honest next time then.

Bob

[RobTheRover]

To be fair, Bob, that's "honest" from a very narrow perspective.  I have family and friends in the states and they don't for one second accept what the media giants tell them without challenge.

[IC1967]

I'd much rather America was the main power in the world than the alternative Russia or China. Then again I can see why lefties have a different view. Russia and China operate much more in line with their political outlook.

America has faults (far too many people believe in God for one) but on the whole it does try to be a force for good. I doubt you'd be able to say the same of Russia and China if one of them ever becomes the world's premier power. The day may come soon as China continues to power ahead at a rapid rate of knots. When it does, you lefties will be left ruing the day.

Sandy ignore daft Bob. Most of us Brits love your country.

Long live America!!!

[Glyn_Wigley]

David Cameron: The best Prime Minister money can buy.

[IC1967]

David Cameron: The best Prime Minister money can buy.

Thanks for that. I didn't realise that was the reason he won. Silly me thought it was because he leads a party that knows how to generate 1000 new jobs every day when in power. I didn't realise Labour lost because they always increase unemployment and leave the economy in a mess every time they have a period in office.

You live and learn.

[IC1967]

Just for the record. I'd keep the BBC pretty much as it currently is. I don't hold with the view that it is left wing. I think it strikes the right balance in its reporting of politics.

[hoolahoop]

Just for the record. I'd keep the BBC pretty much as it currently is. I don't hold with the view that it is left wing. I think it strikes the right balance in its reporting of politics.

I agree with both you and Billy, it is a puerile and pathetic attack on the BBC. IC 1967, please stop claiming that ALL the good things in the Coalition were Tory ideas.............I suggest you revisit the 2010 L/Dem manifesto. You like them ( the Tories btw ) want to claim all the credit for the achievements.

Incidentally , I understand that L/Dem Central office have had to employ extra staff to deal with all the new subscriptions to the party. I know I was on the phone to them today they are inundated.

[GazLaz]

That's the same for all parties after an election. Labour have gained 30,000 new members since the defeat.

[IC1967]

Just for the record. I'd keep the BBC pretty much as it currently is. I don't hold with the view that it is left wing. I think it strikes the right balance in its reporting of politics.

I agree with both you and Billy, it is a puerile and pathetic attack on the BBC. IC 1967, please stop claiming that ALL the good things in the Coalition were Tory ideas.............I suggest you revisit the 2010 L/Dem manifesto. You like them ( the Tories btw ) want to claim all the credit for the achievements.

Incidentally , I understand that L/Dem Central office have had to employ extra staff to deal with all the new subscriptions to the party. I know I was on the phone to them today they are inundated.

I apologise abjectly for doing this. You are quite right. The LibDems should take a lot of credit for the last 5 years. I have a lot of time for them and wish them well in their re-building job.

[wilts rover]

I'd much rather America was the main power in the world than the alternative Russia or China. Then again I can see why lefties have a different view. Russia and China operate much more in line with their political outlook.

America has faults (far too many people believe in God for one) but on the whole it does try to be a force for good. I doubt you'd be able to say the same of Russia and China if one of them ever becomes the world's premier power. The day may come soon as China continues to power ahead at a rapid rate of knots. When it does, you lefties will be left ruing the day.

Sandy ignore daft Bob. Most of us Brits love your country.

Long live America!!!

Have you been asleep for the past 25 years? The Berlin Wall came down in 1989 and the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991. Since then Russia with it's oligarchs and Putin's dictatorial rule, is proving to be the atypical right-wing fascist state you aspire for us!

[bpoolrover]

Must say apart from the news I never watch bbc so I feel robbed every time I pay my licence fee

[hoolahoop]

Must say apart from the news I never watch bbc so I feel robbed every time I pay my licence fee

Do you watch the news there because you feel it's balanced though......I do . There is a certain weird paranoia in the way that the Tories perceive the BBC. I think BST alluded to the possible reasons behind that earlier I.e. it's a "public" and not a "private" service.
The envy of the world is our BBC but apparently not good enough for a party that wants to gain 'edges' wherever possible and pay their dues to donors.

[Glyn_Wigley]

David Cameron: The best Prime Minister money can buy.

Thanks for that. I didn't realise that was the reason he won. Silly me thought it was because he leads a party that knows how to generate 1000 new jobs every day when in power. I didn't realise Labour lost because they always increase unemployment and leave the economy in a mess every time they have a period in office.

You live and learn.

Yet again Mick makes a prize pillock of himself by not reading what someone else has written (or deliberately distorting it for his own pathetic attempts to be contrary).

I did not say the election has been bought: I said David Cameron has.

[IC1967]

David Cameron: The best Prime Minister money can buy.

Thanks for that. I didn't realise that was the reason he won. Silly me thought it was because he leads a party that knows how to generate 1000 new jobs every day when in power. I didn't realise Labour lost because they always increase unemployment and leave the economy in a mess every time they have a period in office.

You live and learn.

Yet again Mick makes a prize pillock of himself by not reading what someone else has written (or deliberately distorting it for his own pathetic attempts to be contrary).

I did not say the election has been bought: I said David Cameron has.

Excuse me. Far from being a prize pillock I have enhanced my already excellent reputation. May I remind you that I was the only one who predicted a Tory majority. I made this prediction when Labour were miles ahead in the polls more than a year ago. I was ridiculed for it. Not any more.

 Who was the one who predicted deflation more than a year ago? That's right it was me.

Who predicted 2 out of the first 6 in the Grand National? Yes that was me again.

Here's another couple of predictions for you. Labour will not win either of the next 2 elections. Within 10 years, UKIP will have replaced them as the main opposition to the Tories.

Get in.

[IC1967]

I'd much rather America was the main power in the world than the alternative Russia or China. Then again I can see why lefties have a different view. Russia and China operate much more in line with their political outlook.

America has faults (far too many people believe in God for one) but on the whole it does try to be a force for good. I doubt you'd be able to say the same of Russia and China if one of them ever becomes the world's premier power. The day may come soon as China continues to power ahead at a rapid rate of knots. When it does, you lefties will be left ruing the day.

Sandy ignore daft Bob. Most of us Brits love your country.

Long live America!!!

Have you been asleep for the past 25 years? The Berlin Wall came down in 1989 and the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991. Since then Russia with it's oligarchs and Putin's dictatorial rule, is proving to be the atypical right-wing fascist state you aspire for us!

I'm sorry you've lost me there (not for the first time). Where have I ever said I want us to be like Russia? Evidence man. Where is it?

What about China? I notice you don't disagree with me on that one. At last we've found something we agree on.

Get in.

[hoolahoop]

I'd much rather America was the main power in the world than the alternative Russia or China. Then again I can see why lefties have a different view. Russia and China operate much more in line with their political outlook.

America has faults (far too many people believe in God for one) but on the whole it does try to be a force for good. I doubt you'd be able to say the same of Russia and China if one of them ever becomes the world's premier power. The day may come soon as China continues to power ahead at a rapid rate of knots. When it does, you lefties will be left ruing the day.

Sandy ignore daft Bob. Most of us Brits love your country.

Long live America!!!

Have you been asleep for the past 25 years? The Berlin Wall came down in 1989 and the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991. Since then Russia with it's oligarchs and Putin's dictatorial rule, is proving to be the atypical right-wing fascist state you aspire for us!

I'm sorry you've lost me there (not for the first time). Where have I ever said I want us to be like Russia? Evidence man. Where is it?

What about China? I notice you don't disagree with me on that one. At last we've found something we agree on.

Get in.

 

That's the same for all parties after an election. Labour have gained 30,000 new members since the defeat.

I'd much rather America was the main power in the world than the alternative Russia or China. Then again I can see why lefties have a different view. Russia and China operate much more in line with their political outlook.

America has faults (far too many people believe in God for one) but on the whole it does try to be a force for good. I doubt you'd be able to say the same of Russia and China if one of them ever becomes the world's premier power. The day may come soon as China continues to power ahead at a rapid rate of knots. When it does, you lefties will be left ruing the day.

Sandy ignore daft Bob. Most of us Brits love your country.

Long live America!!!

Have you been asleep for the past 25 years? The Berlin Wall came down in 1989 and the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991. Since then Russia with it's oligarchs and Putin's dictatorial rule, is proving to be the atypical right-wing fascist state you aspire for us!

I'm sorry you've lost me there (not for the first time). Where have I ever said I want us to be like Russia? Evidence man. Where is it?

What about China? I notice you don't disagree with me on that one. At last we've found something we agree on.

Get in.

Mick, Russia and China certainly don't operate anywhere near the same way as our left of centre Labour party.
Russia is run by right wing mobsters and fascists and well China seems to have embraced a sort of capitalism. In that Billy was correct ; you asserted that the lefties as you put it had more in common with Russia and China. That is far from the case and never has the Labour party in this country worked like the Soviet/Russian fascists nor the Chinese post Mao and their 21st century all-engulfing counterparts. Why do you not read the words he has written in response to your assertion ? 

[Glyn_Wigley]

David Cameron: The best Prime Minister money can buy.

Thanks for that. I didn't realise that was the reason he won. Silly me thought it was because he leads a party that knows how to generate 1000 new jobs every day when in power. I didn't realise Labour lost because they always increase unemployment and leave the economy in a mess every time they have a period in office.

You live and learn.

Yet again Mick makes a prize pillock of himself by not reading what someone else has written (or deliberately distorting it for his own pathetic attempts to be contrary).

I did not say the election has been bought: I said David Cameron has.

Excuse me. Far from being a prize pillock I have enhanced my already excellent reputation. May I remind you that I was the only one who predicted a Tory majority. I made this prediction when Labour were miles ahead in the polls more than a year ago. I was ridiculed for it. Not any more.

 Who was the one who predicted deflation more than a year ago? That's right it was me.

Who predicted 2 out of the first 6 in the Grand National? Yes that was me again.

Here's another couple of predictions for you. Labour will not win either of the next 2 elections. Within 10 years, UKIP will have replaced them as the main opposition to the Tories.

Get in.

You really just can't help it, can you?

[IC1967]

I'd much rather America was the main power in the world than the alternative Russia or China. Then again I can see why lefties have a different view. Russia and China operate much more in line with their political outlook.

America has faults (far too many people believe in God for one) but on the whole it does try to be a force for good. I doubt you'd be able to say the same of Russia and China if one of them ever becomes the world's premier power. The day may come soon as China continues to power ahead at a rapid rate of knots. When it does, you lefties will be left ruing the day.

Sandy ignore daft Bob. Most of us Brits love your country.

Long live America!!!

Have you been asleep for the past 25 years? The Berlin Wall came down in 1989 and the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991. Since then Russia with it's oligarchs and Putin's dictatorial rule, is proving to be the atypical right-wing fascist state you aspire for us!

I'm sorry you've lost me there (not for the first time). Where have I ever said I want us to be like Russia? Evidence man. Where is it?

What about China? I notice you don't disagree with me on that one. At last we've found something we agree on.

Get in.

 

That's the same for all parties after an election. Labour have gained 30,000 new members since the defeat.

I'd much rather America was the main power in the world than the alternative Russia or China. Then again I can see why lefties have a different view. Russia and China operate much more in line with their political outlook.

America has faults (far too many people believe in God for one) but on the whole it does try to be a force for good. I doubt you'd be able to say the same of Russia and China if one of them ever becomes the world's premier power. The day may come soon as China continues to power ahead at a rapid rate of knots. When it does, you lefties will be left ruing the day.

Sandy ignore daft Bob. Most of us Brits love your country.

Long live America!!!

Have you been asleep for the past 25 years? The Berlin Wall came down in 1989 and the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991. Since then Russia with it's oligarchs and Putin's dictatorial rule, is proving to be the atypical right-wing fascist state you aspire for us!

I'm sorry you've lost me there (not for the first time). Where have I ever said I want us to be like Russia? Evidence man. Where is it?

What about China? I notice you don't disagree with me on that one. At last we've found something we agree on.

Get in.

Mick, Russia and China certainly don't operate anywhere near the same way as our left of centre Labour party.
Russia is run by right wing mobsters and fascists and well China seems to have embraced a sort of capitalism. In that Billy was correct ; you asserted that the lefties as you put it had more in common with Russia and China. That is far from the case and never has the Labour party in this country worked like the Soviet/Russian fascists nor the Chinese post Mao and their 21st century all-engulfing counterparts. Why do you not read the words he has written in response to your assertion ? 

I beg to differ. Left unchecked Labour hardcore lefties would love the country to be run like China. In China the government manages and controls the economy. Many of the domestic companies are owned and run by the government. Recently, the Chinese economy has become more geared towards capitalism, but is still officially socialist.

Russia is more of a mixed bag these days but until relatively recently they operated pretty much like China.

Both countries have at long last realised that capitalism is the way forward. They both have a very long way to go just like the Labour party.

Countries that are communist (like China) consider themselves to be socialist. Russia is now a semi-presidential country which is still trying to shake off the many socialist shackles inherited from the recent past when it was part of the Soviet Union.

To prove the point here is a list of all the countries that claim to be socialist. Communist China leads the way. It is interesting to note that socialist countries only start doing better for themselves when they embrace capitalism. Labour need to learn this lesson and dump the toxic socialist brand if they ever want to be taken seriously again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_socialist_states

We'll soon know the fate of the Labour party. If they elect one of the old socialist guard such as Yvette (sour-faced) Cooper or Andy (lack of personality) Burnham they are finished.

I don't think they realise how close they are to being wiped out. Scotland should be a stark reminder as to how quickly things can change. They've not just got the Tories to worry about. UKIP are making huge inroads into their support and they better do something pretty damn quick to reverse this trend or they've had it.

I don't think they are capable of turning it around and fully expect UKIP to replace them as the main opposition within the next 10 years.

Get in.

[BobG]

I was going to say 'sadly, I saw Mick's post above' quoted in Glyn's post, but actually, it's given me the biggest laugh I've had this month so far. UKIP will become the main opposition party within 10 years? Lol. I think you need to go back to school Mick. Single issue parties and movements prosper on, er, single issues.  Oh, and don't you remember the last 'new' political party, that was also going to break the mould of British politics and set us all on a new direction? Best get your history book out again Mick. It's an instructive reference point. Mind you, the lesson will, no doubt, pass you by as usual.

BobG

[IC1967]

I was going to say 'sadly, I saw Mick's post above' quoted in Glyn's post, but actually, it's given me the biggest laugh I've had this month so far. UKIP will become the main opposition party within 10 years? Lol. I think you need to go back to school Mick. Single issue parties and movements prosper on, er, single issues.  Oh, and don't you remember the last 'new' political party, that was also going to break the mould of British politics and set us all on a new direction? Best get your history book out again Mick. It's an instructive reference point. Mind you, the lesson will, no doubt, pass you by as usual.

BobG

You are typical of the complacency that bedevils the Labour party. You claim to know your history. What a laugh. You completely ignore recent history. What has happened to Labour in Scotland in the last 5 years? They've been wiped out by a nationalist party. What type of party are UKIP? They are mainly English nationalists.

It beggars belief that you lefties can't see the writing is on the wall. Unless Labour move to the right they are finished. They are already finished in Scotland and they've managed that in less than 5 years. I'm being very generous saying the same thing will happen in England in 10 years. I wouldn't be surprised if it happened in 5 years. May I remind you of my excellent predictive powers.

Labour's only hope of moving forward is if they elect Chuka Umuna and he is able to move the party to the right. Andy Burnham his main rival would be a disaster.

Lets hope Burnham wins.

IC1967