Posts Tagged ‘Honours’
If you live by the spiv, you die by the spiv – Levy represents so much that is wrong with politics
It’s almost enough to make you feel sorry for Gordon Brown – but I urge you to resist the temptation.
The news that “Lord” Levy had stuck his well-heeled boot into the prime minister should be taken for what it is: book – and self – promotion.
Yet spare no pity for Brown. There is, and never was, a Rizzla’s width between Blair and Brown on policy, as is becoming increasingly apparent. Brown, like Blair, signed up to the corrupt sale of peerages in which Levy was pivotal. Brown, like Blair, raised hardly a whimper about the failure to honour the ’97 election pledge to democratise the House of Lords.
Brown himself was doshed-up by numerous dubious characters like Geoffrey Robinson MP, whose short-lived job as Treasury Paymaster General could not have been unconnected with his generous support of Brown’s office – not to mention the flash gaffs he made available for Brown’s relaxation and pleasure.
What is becoming increasingly apparent is what a poisonous mob these Labour people are. They came to us in ’97 all creepy-smiley nice-guy, but all they have in common is mutual contempt, allied to an unhealthy lust for power at almost any cost.
Sure, we Tories fell out. But it was over policy, not personality. The main protagonists under Major – Heseltine, Clarke, Hurd, Rifkind, Howard etc etc – all remained at least cordial and often on very good terms.
Of course I exclude from that the most toxic of the Tory eurosceptics. But where are they now? Bemoaning the fate of the Euro, no doubt. Woops – maybe not.
But I digress – New Labour was backed from the word go by a bunch of self-serving spivs. Now Labour can do no more for them, the spivs have turned and are hastening their end.
Phillip Oppenheim
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