CAROLYN QUINN GETS HER MAN

*
Carolyn Quinn is beyond a joke.

Tonight's Westminster Hour saw the final politicians' panel before the general election, with Janet Anderson for Labour, Charles Walker for the Conservatives and Elfyn Llwyd for Plaid Cymru. It provided a last chance for Carolyn to stage a Tory ambush.
*
With so much to discuss, she spent a surprising amount of time early on discussing the 1992 election when the party that was expected to win the election failed to win the election. (I wonder what the point of that was!) It was all very jokey in tone.
*
This is Westminster Hour, however, so Tory-baiting just had to come and the topic that took up most time was Chris Grayling remarks about gays, faith and B&Bs; indeed it took up over 5 minutes (far longer than the time spent on the economy).
*
Carolyn began by outlining the story then asked Elfyn Llwyd "What do you think of that?" As you might guess, he didn't think much of that and said so at some length. An odd decision that, not to go to Mr Walker first, don't you think? Typical of Carolyn Quinn though.
*
What had been a lighthearted discussion had turned serious. In a sorrowful tone, Carolyn then said "Charles?" Mr Walker tried to defend Chris Grayling but no defence was going to stop Carolyn's next question, which could have been anticipated even before the programme even began: "But you know that people within the Labour Party, within the Liberal Democrat Party have been saying, and Elfyn Llwyd as well, you just heard him say, it shows that the Conservatives haven't really changed, that they say one thing when the cameras are on and then they say something else when they don't think anybody's watching."
*
Carolyn then brought Janet Anderson in to join Mr Llwyd in the anti-Tory attack. After she had made her point, Carolyn said "Charles?", again in a sorrowful voice, rather like a headmistress talking to a schoolboy whose friends have behaved very, very badly.
*
Mr Walker's next defence was followed by another attack from Mr Llwyd.
*
What happened next? Carolyn Quinn said this: "And the last couple of seconds to you Janet." Janet used those last couple of seconds (actually somewhat longer than that) to stick the boot into the Tories one last time. With a sigh (doubtless at the wickedness of the Conservatives), the presenter then recited the names of her guests and thanked them all very, very much.
*
So, no final right to reply for the defendant in this mini-show trial!
*
This was one of Carolyn Quinn's finest Tory ambushes, staged perfectly.
*
The woman is beyond a joke.
*