Walaa's Weekly Wrap-Up ~ December 14, 2013

That selfie, you know the one where Cameron and Obama were posing with Kinnock’s daughter in-law, though inappropriate by western standards, it reflected the mood of the occasion.

The world represented by its former and current leaders was celebrating and giving thanks to the life of Madiba. The life of a peaceful, fun loving and casual man; who had no airs and graces and enjoyed having people around for a party. I don’t think he would have minded them marking the occasion.

Rest in peace Nelson Mandela!

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The leaders’ wrath over IPSA is a sad example of our modern media run politics.

IPSA is the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. It is, supposedly, the independent body formed in the wake of the 2009 expenses’ scandal to introduce independent regulation of MPs’ business costs, expenses plus their pay and pensions.

So when this week IPSA ‘independently’ decided MPs were due a raise of 11% in 2015, party leaders, all three of them, were tripping over each other to tell anyone who’d listen how appalling was that recommendation!

It might be so. However, when you form a body to ‘independently’ review and recommend, logic dictates, you listen and even discuss its findings, not call it names and threaten it with closure!

I think the expenses’ scandal has scarred our parliament maybe even forever.

Forget wanting honest MPs who don’t charge 80p bath plugs to the public, I miss having gutsy stand by their word and not whimper to media pressure MPs, and I am positive many voters do too.

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This week I had the shocker of all shocks. I actually agreed with Ed Miliband. Apparently he is open to discussing the possibility of expanding London Heathrow (LHR) and he would have my blessings on that one.

Of course the party I support, in 2010 ran on a No Expansion to Heathrow promise. But, London is the heart of the world and the centre of the universe. It is the place where West meets East and the financial capital of the world. London deserves an Airport that fits and reflects that, pure and simple. Plus we did not win the 2010 election, that was then and this is now.

Some will say expand Gatwick I’d say do that too but LHR needs expansion.

I think Cameron and the Tories need to reconsider our 2010 pledge even if it means losing Zac Goldsmith.

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Politics to me is like a sport; I will support my team as much as humanly possible and will wind up the opposition in every possible opportunity. Unlike some I respect my opponents’ different opinion, never demand people are sacked and/or deselected because they were stupid or wrong. But will enjoy teasing my opponents when the occasion presents itself.

Such occasion presented itself this week.

Jack Dormey hubby of PC obsessed equalities champion Harriet Harman landing himself in hot water – for calling a postman “the pikey” is just what a common sense Conservative needs to end this week on.

Stew Jack and Hattie, stew in that one

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