I was a little taken aback on Sunday, while watching the Politics Show, when Shadow Chancellor George Osbourne insisted that there is no prospect of Lord Archer becoming a Conservative politician under a David Cameron leadership.
Let’s get this straight.
Lord Archer
Not the father of Andrew Rosindell MP
Broke the law (perjury)
Got caught
Can’t be a Tory politician.
David Cameron
Not the father of Andrew Rosindell MP
Broke the law (took Class A drugs)
Didn’t get caught
Can be a Tory politician.
Anyone care to spot the difference?
recessmonkey@gmail.com
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Norman Tebbitt said about Archer, “After all, he is far from being the worst perjurer in the world.” Precisely. Unfortunately for him, he thought he was close to being the best perjurer. Here’s to Aitken and Archer - AA - Arseholes Anonymous, although they are known as disgraced politicians and arseholes
PP said this on November 28th, 2005 at 2:39 pm
A crime is a crime is a crime, no matter what the nature of the crime is?
Sounds very Nu Labour to me!
Alastair said this on November 28th, 2005 at 2:39 pm
Archer should stay on the cross benches, next to Baroness Stern. As a former director of the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders she could help him go straight, perhaps even lead a useful life. Though, as the old saying goes, ‘miracles take longer…’
islingtonian said this on November 28th, 2005 at 8:16 pm
Don’t you think its a bit of a cheek to say something like that and dare DC to sue you, Monkey Boy?
That’s not funny and its not clever. Its the humour of a twelve year old.
George Carman QC (deceased) said this on November 28th, 2005 at 8:18 pm
What can I be sued for here?
He’s admitted being a coke feind hasn’t he?
I was just highlighting that the only crime, as far as a potential Tory Leader is concerned, is getting caught.
Recess Monkey
Recess Monkey said this on November 28th, 2005 at 8:27 pm
He hasn’t admitted it - and he hasn’t been accused in court/tried/convicted or all those other fine things that we like to see in a civilised democracy. Unlike Archer. Fortunately you’re so far off his political radar that it’s unlikely to come back to bite you - but it might. Perhaps if you’d been one of The Guardian’s major political blogs then things would be different, of course… shame about that
Bill said this on November 28th, 2005 at 8:34 pm
There is consolation in not being an influential blogger after all.
Recess Monkey
Recess Monkey said this on November 28th, 2005 at 9:26 pm
Islingtonian, Archer isn’t actually a cross-bencher though is he? He’s “non-aligend” which I suppose means the cross-benchers don’t let him in their little club…
dynamite said this on November 29th, 2005 at 10:45 pm
Terrible shame.
Guido Fawkes said this on November 29th, 2005 at 11:05 pm
Actually, DC has admitted it, when he was interviewed by Paxman.
However, as has been pointed out, he hasn’t been accused in court/tried/convicted. A key point, in my opinion.
John Smith said this on November 30th, 2005 at 1:21 pm
It seems to me that Archer is the best of the two of them. Yes the man perjered himself and was caught but I always thought someone taking Coke was SLIGHTLEY more of an issue for a politician, especially one who wants to rule the country.
That is not to say that other leaders have not done hard drugs whilst acually being in office - Winston Churchill is a good start on that list - but the point is he cant say “Well he got caught so he isnt aloud back in the club, I didnt get caught so we should just brush my mistakes under the carpet” It all smells suspiciously of Kaiser Blair tactics to me.
If Cameron had been charged and convicted what would his line be then? “Oh well I made a mistake and have now paid for the crime.” ??
Zoso said this on November 30th, 2005 at 9:02 pm
Er, no.
DC has not been convicted of anything. Ok, he has admitted to prior indiscretions, but so has Charles Clarke (smoking pot) and i have no doubt that a whole host of MPs have done something illegal yet unproven in their (pre-public) life.
Archer has been caught out and been convicted. Plus, this has happened while in the public eye, riding roughshod over standards of public life.
And it is not as if he’s just fallen foul of indiscriminate or unclear laws. Does anyone really doubt that Archer lacks integrity and should not hold public office again?
I personally think that if someone had been convicted of a crime in their non-public past and had not hidden the fact to their party or constituency then it should not be an over-riding factor in whether they can hold higher levels of office.
Anyway, i reckon we should all leave DC alone on this matter
John Smith said this on December 1st, 2005 at 11:15 am
I have a criminal past hanging over my political career, though I intend to be open and honest about it and let the public decide whether that makes me unsuitable for office. My brush with the law happened before I was in the public eye and I was a very different person in those days.
Nevertheless, that caution for dangerous cycling will follow me for my whole career. It’s humbling and gives me a great deal of empathy with David Cameron.
Recess Monkey
Recess Monkey said this on December 1st, 2005 at 11:39 am
Wow, with perceptive comments like that, it really does amaze me why you’re not seen as being a leading political blogger.
John Smith said this on December 1st, 2005 at 4:59 pm
Good Lock%
Den said this on November 4th, 2007 at 6:07 am