Euro Tat, Resignation and Peerages - Saturday Night In!

Like most Liberals I am passionately pro European but I draw the line at Euro vision. As I write this the Azerbaijani entry has finished performing and the Spanish entry has just taken the stage. I am about to switch over but out of the corner of my eye I see the rather inanimate singer surrounded by as yet static dancers dressed like toys. I have the sound off - always the best way to take this tat!

David Laws has just announced his resignation. He was caught up in an expenses story this morning in the Telegraph. At just 3 weeks this must be one of the shortest ministerial careers in history. His will be a hard felt loss to the government as he was one of the very brightest ministers. Danny Alexander is to replace him.

I was fascinated to read the list of those ennobled in the Dissolution Honours list. John  Prescott for one has  led to more than a few raised eyebrows. He apparently said "never" in the past but has changed his mind.

Others ennobled include Floella Benjamin - a blast from my childhood when she starred alongside people like Jeremy Irons on Play school and Play away - the UK's answer in the 70's to Sesame St. None of the presenters as I recall could sing in tune, a pity as all of them seemed to be appearing in Godspell, Hair or Jesus Christ Superstar at the time! God that dates me. They all also has very big hair! I'm sure she will be a useful addition to the Lib Dem Glee Club at Federal Conference.

Ian Paisley completes the set of Peerage, MEP, MP, Assembly Member and Councillor. I also think he was in Stormont before it was put into limbo in 1974 so must be the the only British politcian to serve at all of these levels.

 
Jack McConnell has been made a Peer also. The Bill Boards to day for the Scotsman screamed "Anger at McConnell Peerage."

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/Anger-as-Jack-McConnell-is.6328455.jp

I find this mystifying. He was a very able First Minister. The beef came from an unheard off SNP MSP who was ratty about McConnell still being an MSP. He forgot to say that First Minister Salmond did not resign his Westminster seat when he was elected in 1999 or in 2007 to the Scottish Parliament. Indeed he only finally ended his dual mandate 3 weeks ago. A wee bit of hypocrisy there but "Politician is hypocrite" is a Dog Bites Man story!