I fucking hate Top Gear and anyone I’ve met who watches it have always been boring dickheads.
Jeremy Clarkson and Jay Kay from Jamiroquai. I don’t need any more proof to know that all people who have a car fetish are sad cunts with shit taste in music.
The old Top Gear in the 80’s was class, this version is so embarrassing its unbearable, despite the fact that Aston Martin’s are regularly featured.
Comical scenes in the UK today with the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, criticising the low-key plans for celebrating the queen’s jubilee and proposing the taxpayer funds a royal yacht for her to mark the occassion.
Give Queen a new royal yacht for diamond jubilee, says Michael Gove
Michael Gove has brushed aside Britain’s economic problems to propose the public donate a new royal yacht to the Queen as a mark of respect during this year’s diamond jubilee celebrations, according to a confidential letter to fellow ministers.
In the letter, which has been sent to Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary and minister overseeing the celebrations, and to the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, Gove at one point comes close to suggesting that Britain’s dire economic climate means that a large-scale celebration is required to lift the country’s spirits.
The education secretary writes: “In spite, and perhaps because of the austere times, the celebration should go beyond those of previous jubilees and mark the greater achievement that the diamond anniversary represents.”
The Liberal Democrats privately expressed surprise at the proposal, which is likely to cost at least £60m, at a time of national austerity.
Meanwhile Tom Watson, the Labour party vice-chairman, said: “When school budgets are being slashed, parents will be wondering how Gove came even to suggest this idea.”
Gove, an enthusiastic monarchist, writes in the letter: “I feel strongly that the diamond jubilee gives us a tremendous opportunity to recognise in a very fitting way the Queen’s highly significant contribution to the life of the nation and the Commonwealth.”
Commenting on draft celebration proposals prepared by Hunt, Gove expresses his reservations at a lack of ambition, saying: "I feel strongly more should be done to achieve a longer lasting legacy. Events such as proms and the party at the palace organised for the diamond jubilee, and street parties, although excellent, are transient. It would be appropriate to do something that will mark the significance of this occasion with fitting ceremony.
“My suggestion would be a gift from the nation to her majesty; thinking about David Willetts’s excellent suggestion of a royal yacht, and something tangible to commemorate this momentous occasion.” He adds: “The year ahead provides an enormous opportunity to showcase the very best of Britain.”
Hinting at cabinet tensions over the way in which the culture department is focusing so heavily on the Olympics in the year of the jubilee, Gove says: “The diamond jubilee must not be overshadowed by the Olympic Games, but form an integral part of this great year for our country.”
Some of Gove’s extravagant language reveals the difficulties created for politicians by the coincidence of the jubilee and the Olympics, alongside forecasts that the UK economy will slip back into recession this year and see a further severe squeeze on living standards. Labour will be watching for any sign the national celebrations are used by the government to distract from the state of the economy.
Gove ends his letter by suggesting that if insufficient taxpayer funds are available a private donation could be sought, before making a naked departmental bid for every schoolchild or school to be given a gift as a permanent reminder of the event. Gove’s office confirmed the authenticity of the letter but refused to comment.
The royal yacht Britannia was decommissioned by the Labour government in December 1997 and became a visitor attraction in Edinburgh. It was last seen listing after a leak during repairs over the New Year holiday.
Various efforts have been made to propose a new royal yacht, but have been rejected on the grounds of cost, estimated in 1997 at £60m. However, during the June celebrations a luxury cruiser boat, the Spirit of Chartwell, which is already being dressed up as a royal barge, will carry the Queen along the Thames as part of a pageant.
Murdoch’s revenge
Real shock victory for George Galloway and Respect in Bradford West by election. Labour have held that seat for over thirty years and were considered guaranteed to hold on. His margin of victory was huge. Was going to back him without Labour and Tories (who came in third) but never got round to it. Labour candidate refused to appear on panels with him and had general arrogant attitude towards him. Paid the price for this and for Galloway’s popularity in Asian community in Bradford no doubt.
Jeremy Hunt’s time is surely up as Culture Secretary after James’ evidence today. His lack of impartiality from Tories in attempted takeover of BSkyb is unreal really.
Respect candidate Yvonne Ridley is value to win by election in Rotherham on Wednesday at 7/1. Labour will suffer due to McShane’s antics over expenses imo and Respect are very good at getting vote out.
Larry’s got form. I’ll have an interest.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using TFK App
Labour will win this.
This Eric Joyce lad seems a bit of a loose cannon. Second arrest for brawling in a bar - both times in the parliament.
Eric Joyce has been arrested after a fracas in the sports and social bar in parliament.
The incident will increase the pressure on the Falkirk MP to stand down and trigger a byelection.
Last year Mr Joyce pleaded guilty to charges of common assault after an incident in the Strangers Bar in Parliament. He received a £3,000 fine and subsequently resigned from the Labour party and said he would stand down as an MP at the next election.
Tonight more than a dozen police officers were called to the scene as Mr Joyce wrestled officers to the ground outside the Parliament drinking venue.
Police are now taking witness statements from the dozens of parliamentary staff who witnessed tonight’s violence. Mr Joyce was loaded into a police van at 2245 at the members entrance still resisting arrest, and was removed through the members entrance next to Westminster Hall.
The melee continued outside the venue, which was hosting a karaoke night. Mr Joyce arrived at the venue after drinking in a Westminster pub along with one of his staff.
Initial reports indicate that Mr Joyce’s staff member got into an altercation outside the sports and social with a member of staff and as police arrived to escort him away, Mr Joyce became combative with officers and he is reported to have assaulted them.
Mr Joyce wrestled with two officers, knocking them to the ground, and one policeman’s helmet was removed in the melee. Mr Joyce was cuffed while still struggling on the ground, and police closed the bar and called for reinforcements to help remove Joyce.
UKIP doing well in local elections. Lib Dems suffering badly. They came 7th in the South Shields byelection with 10% of the total they got in the general election.
I see where the deputy speaker has been accused of surprise sex with some young fellas. Just to confirm, he is a Tory.
It’s a strange one. The consensus seems to be that he isn’t guilty. He has temporarily resigned his position but hrs getting plenty of support from his colleagues.
Really impressive stuff from Red Ed yesterday. Is trying to move centre ground of politics significantly to left. Unpopular with big business, Blairites and Murdoch press so will be up against it but admirable conviction from him.
The geek is unelectable.
A member of the Government that bankrupted the country. Never worked a day in a proper job in his life. Knifed his own brother in the back to get the Labour leadership (supported by Labour’s paymasters the Trade Unions). And with the economy gradually recovering in the UK I can’t see them being elected. What was his big policy yesterday? Freeze the electricity bill? Sounds like Fianna Fail circa 1977.
Milliband is a fucking clown. The torys have this place booming again.
Interesting photo of Nigel Farage which is apparently on the cover of tomorrow’s Times. Is this to herald a radical move to the right of the paper’s editorial stance, given that it was already fairly far to the right?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BVcPt-4CUAAO43W.jpg:large
