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Though Today had both David Cameron, who was given the fully Monty treatment of relentless interruptions (at least in the later stages of the interview, I.C. of 1.3), and Liam Byrne to discuss the letter to the Telegraph supporting the Conservatives on NI, The World at One had only Lord Digby Jones, who served as a GOAT in Brown's government, and Liam Byrne again. Why was there no Conservative? That said, at least Lord Digby did say some critical things about Peter Mandelson.
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Similarly PM had Labour supporter (and party member) Tim Waterstone, who described the letter as 'strange' and Lord Mandelson's remarks as 'dead right' as regards his attacks on Mr Cameron. None of the businessmen who backed the Conservatives agreed to appear on the programme, but still 'Why no Conservatives?'
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Nor did any of those 23 signatories agree to appear on Newsnight, which meant that all we got was Tim Waterstone again - for no Conservatives were invited to appear on this programme either. Surely they didn't refuse too?
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This meant that from noon onwards Labour and its supporters pretty much had the run of the BBC airwaves on this story.
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Let's see what happens tomorrow, as not all of this was the BBC's fault (or, to put it another way, they had a ready excuse for indulging just one side of the story).
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The story should continue to be covered tomorrow as more top businessmen have added their support tonight to the Conservatives' NI proposal, as the Daily Telegraph is to make clear overnight. Hopefully some of them will consent to a grilling by the biased BBC. Labour will doubtless be cobbling together a few names (as is their way) to write an opposing letter. How the BBC covers all of this will be well worth studying.
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Saturday 7-Up
1 hour ago
I was horrified that Eddie Mair showed such a lack of his normal balance, and gave a very pro-Nulabor programme. Has his recent award gone to his head?
ReplyDeleteTim Waterstone's comments were breathtaking in their total lack of reason and logic, but I was interested in that the current letter was compared to the letter he signed in 1997, with other business leaders, in support of Blair.
Lord Mandy shot himself in both feet, as the only NuLabor minister that has any understanding of business his actions reveal how desperate NuLabor is.
bbc keep putting his ridiculous comment on business leaders being deceived on radio 4 news. This can only antagonise more major business leaders on a government action that is a no-brainer.
Even the bbc are getting cold feet as it begins to realise that the public do not believe them and their hung parliament wheeze, and want Super Gordo sent to hell.
Anon. Good points, but I am not sure about Mandy's business credentials, unless you mean the mortgage business !
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