As I make my way toward Portcullis House, I spot three armed guards standing outside a revolving door that isn’t revolving. There’s a door to the left and I walk through it, unloading my bag and everything in my pockets onto a plastic tray before walking through a security gate.

In complete contrast to everything happening around me, looking pretty much like a scene from the ‘The Thick of It’, a man walks to the final security door, beaming. His name is Andy Burnham and he’s standing as a candidate for the Labour Leadership.

We shook hands, we greeted each other and instead of going into a stuffy office, he took me to a nearby table outside a cafe, where his press secretary and aides were sitting. His hair was brushed to the side, he was clean shaven and he seemed relaxed, if not understandably tired. After a few minutes of light conversation, it turned to politics and I asked him a pretty unusual question. ‘I’ve heard a lot of people asking how are you are different from the other candidates but what I want to know is what strengths do you all have in common?’ I’m not sure if he expected it but he replied quickly. ‘Experience’. It struck me as obvious but he went on and said that they are ‘all people motivated from the same kind of ideas and the society [they] want to see’.

So I sat there and wondered what could be different. To me, it was pretty clear that it was his personality. There was no doubt that Andy Burnham was a decent person. Perhaps he was too nice to be a leader. In 2009, the swine flu pandemic hit the country and although it worked out as less dangerous than first thought, it was probably due to the man in ‘the hot seat’ that it turned out that way. He has had to make some tough decisions in the post he’s held but later I found myself thinking about whether that could transfer into huge decisions that a Prime Minister has to face on a day to basis.

On the train over to Westminster, thick, moving globules of flesh were pasted everywhere and George Osborne’s face was on them, delivering a budget he himself seemed terrified of. Was it the same for Andy Burnham? If I’m honest, when I asked how the budget affected him personally, he seemed to waver. He wasn’t entirely sure about how it did but I suppose he was just finding his feet because he took real issue with what they were doing to the schools, especially considering he is a father to three children. He ‘went to secondary school under the Conservatives and it wasn’t a particularly enjoyable experience. And [he's] worried now that going to secondary schools under the Tories and schools are going to be very badly hit by this budget.’

So we speak fluidly for a while and then I think about what he says about his children before I ask another question. It’s got to be hard for both sides of a family to be away from one another for such a long period of time. I thought it’d be better to put down exactly what he said to that.

‘Yes. In a word, yeah. That’s the hardest side of my job. Um.. You know, when I pick up the phone to my kids at seven o’ clock.. You know, it’s just.. quite hard. And my son’s ten, you know, he really misses me now.. And um.. particularly with the World Cup on now as well, you know.. you kind of.. want to watch it together and um.. You know, that all is quite hard actually and if I go further up, it’ll get harder as well. I am quite disciplined about making sure that I do get home and I do have family time. Politics.. Politics and family life are not a good mix. It’s always a cliché that minister resigns to spend more time with him family but.. There is actually something in that. You’re in politics and living in Westminster can often keep you away from you family for long, long days on end.’

I wasn’t sure on what to ask after that. I thought about it for a while and then considered that I was going to be voting, come the next election. So I asked, without any inhibition or tactic, why I should vote for Labour if the coalition do a fine job. His answer, admittedly, wasn’t immediate but it was pretty good when it came. The question for him was really ‘IF they’ve done a good job’. Already, he said, Labour is proving ‘to be a more effective opposition’ but that’s not to say that they should rest on their laurels and, in a responsible air, Andy Burnham admits it. ‘So Labour needs to be careful that it doesn’t just assume that it’s all going to fall apart – it might not… we need to look like.. Not like we’re in denial, you know, kind of like, opposing everything and so.. Labour’s got to be quite careful to pick its fights. So, where things are going too far or, you know, where things are unacceptable, then speaking up for that but not opposing everything.’ It was a good answer and I liked the way we finished up.

Andy Burnham, a name not very well known to me beforehand, for me, had demonstrated and answered that perpetual question asked continually and monotonously over and over again by jouranlists and reporters desperate for a grilling. ‘How are you different from the other candidates?’

We shook hands, we said goodbye to each other and as I went outside, I glanced sideways to three armed guards standing outside a revolving door that wasn’t revolving.

Have Britain and America fallen out ‘big time’?

The fact that one of our largest companies, BP, has covered America’s beaches and nature reserves in oil has apparently driven a rift between the two countries the size of the Atlantic Ocean.

The turmoil began on the 20^th April, when BP’s ‘Deepwater Horizon’ oil rig blew up, killing 11 crew member. The US Government are angry because the rig did not have proper measures installed, and had malfunctioning equipment that was not repaired, so  thousands of barrels per day have since leaked from the snapped pipe beneath the destroyed oil rig. What the USA are also annoyed about is the fact that the rig did not have a cut off valve on the pipe, so that when the pipe to the rig snapped, oil was free to pump out into the Gulf of Mexico, even though US law does not say that such equipment is necessary, which is the case in all European oil drilling nations. The two nations, which for the past century have been about as separable, in the immortal words of Edward Blackadder, as “a Frenchman living next to a brothel”, have fallen out hugely over the disaster. It seems that somehow, us giving America a ‘thousand barrels per day’ of black gold, is wrong! I suppose it is quite like a homeless man throwing an oil drum full of pound coins at Bill Gates!

Barack Obama, saviour of the world, has even likened the spill to 9/11. Okay America, so why don’t you invade France over their “weapons of mass destruction” , steal their oil, and then come after us when Tony Hayward, the ‘most hated man in America’ has already gone to hide in some cave in Scotland.

Having said all that, I don’t even dislike America.

Some of their ideas, such as the cheeseburger, Television dramas, and Sarah Palin are not all bad.

But still, can Obama not see that torturing BP is really not doing any good for anyone? BP, as David Cameron so valiantly praised it, is the provider of millions of British pensions. At a time when the world is only just emerging from the largest recession for 70 years, is it really a good thing to prod one of the most fragile and major economies in the world? It is very irresponsible of America. If anything, they should be to blame, for the lack of legislation in their laws that states that oil rigs must have a ‘Blowout Preventer’, as the laws of nearly every other major drilling nation says there must be. BP didn’t really do anything wrong, they did not go against US law any more than any of the US oil companies drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. A US public servant hired to look at the rest of the oil rigs in the bay said that every single other company was not prepared for if such a horrific event happened on any of their rigs. All of them had just the same faults as BP did, and any such accidents on any other rig would result in the same catastrophe as is currently happening.

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that the Gulf of Mexico spill is a horrific incident, and the company involved should have to pay, but it is the fault of not just BP, but of the US government, of all of the companies drilling oil in the Gulf of Mexico, and especially of human nature. So BP shouldn’t be the only one to pay. One thing is for certain, America should get out their buckets and scoop up the oil floating around in their bay, ‘cause BP certainly aren’t going to give them any more.

The Oil Slick

I’m probably going to be hunted down by MI5′s tame ninja for breaking this news to you, but David Cameron is not the man who runs our country… it’s Andrew Marr. Have you ever noticed how every political interview that anyone, apart from the person being interviewed (is a politician a person?),that is actually paid attention to, is a snippet from his show! Every Sunday night on BBC news there is a section about how some minister muddled his words during his interview on ‘The Andrew Marr show’ that morning. It shows a great deal about the state of our country’s leadership that a BBC interviewer could openly mock our ex-prime minister straight to his face, on national television!

During the 15 minutes that make up his main interview, Andrew Marr has more power to change some of our leading politician’s reputation than a bigoted women. Marr has the power to make even Stephen Hawking kick himself for the way he put something. On Sunday, our new Chancellor of the Exchequer somehow managed to say that the Conservative party would handle the economy ‘irresponsibly after 13 years of irresponsibility’, Marr was quick to point out that he must have meant ‘responsibly’. This just shows the level to which the people who rule us are being mocked by incredibly high brow chat show hosts, so high-brow that it’s above his non-existent hair line! Seriously, what would have happened to him in Soviet Russia?

All thoughts of an impaled man with a terrible comb-over aside, he actually holds real power. He is the most senior political interviewer in this country. An interview with him must be the biggest lie-filled event in a politicians calendar. It’s make or break time for them. I doubt that anyone not from Norfolk could count on one hand how many time Gordon Brown was humiliated time and time again on Andrew Marr’s Sunday morning show. Not content with controlling just today’s politics, Marr has branched out into controlling our history as well. with his recently published book, ‘a History of Modern Britain’ he can alter our political and cultural past, bending it to his will and feelings.

To be honest though, I’m personally happy to let him rule our country. Politicians have had their turn to steer Great Britain for the past 300 years and look where that got us. We should give the chat show hosts a turn. I also genuinely like the guy, he lies a lot less than politicians (is it possible to lie when answer questions?). He actually has a persona and human emotions unlike the rest. Sorry gotta go now … a red dot seems to have appeared on my forehead.

Marr's television studio

“The press and politicians would have you think that David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s arrival at 10 Downing Street means the big questions of how we do politics have been settled. No more rallies, no more protests, no more calls for fair votes now.

They couldn’t be more wrong.

There will be a referendum on changing the voting system – and you helped make this happen. AV may be a small step in the right direction, but it’s not a fair, proportional system. The politicians need to understand that we demand more. We want fair votes. And on Saturday they’ll hear us. Our voices still matter. We still have time, and we still have the power, to send a deafening message to the new government demanding a fair electoral system.” – Pam Giddy, Take Back Parliament.

Current estimates suggest that AV would result in only around one in every 75 seats switching hands, which is only around 8. It has become abundantly clear that our own system FPTP no longer works, with AV now the consensus option. But it’s far from reform. It doesn’t even attempt to ensure that everyone’s views are represented, just that the MPs elected are okay with a majority of the votership in each seat. That leaves us with at least 40% of votes uncounted in that seat, and of the 50% many in marginal constituencies may still be reasonably unhappy with that vote despite having ‘OKed’ it.

In a few months, perhaps a few years, we will be able to judge the success of this coalition government. But the clear message now is that it can be done, and that we will be able to do it again. All the problems that once arose from Proportional Representation have now been dismissed, and with AV +, the MP remains responsible to his constituents, whilst a proper and fair system of proportional representation is still in place.

If you’re interested in protesting, or would just like to sign the petition head on over to Take Back Parliament. Also comment below and/or follow us on twitter!

In short, Cameron is offering fixed-term parliaments and a referendum on Alternate Vote which he has just phoned Nick Clegg to discuss. Labour on the other hand offer on fuller proportional representation and a bill on the Alternate Vote scheme. It remains to be seen whether without a leader of the party how cast-iron Labour’s offer will be. Alistair Darling seems to hold little hope insisting that they are necessary but that he’s unsure if anything will come of it. At 10 o’clock the Liberal Democrats will meet to discuss the offer once more.

Michael Gove, the shadow minister for education would have us think that there is “unanimous” support among Tory MPs and peers for offering the Lib Dems a referendum on electoral reform, but all his comments are really showing is the Conservative desire to sign the deal and get into parliament. Most of Labour have given up, despite the talks, as the pact is unworkable, as it fails to secure them a majority, even despite the fact that Sinn Fein have never sat in on parliament. Labour MP Diane Abbott says that “tragically, the numbers mean that a Lib-Lab pact would be least stable”.

Harriet Harman, the deputy leader of the labour party is also set to make a speech at some point, outlining the future of the party. We’ll have news tomorrow on the speech and all the events as soon as they unfold. For now comment below, or contact us on twitter.

Amid emerging news that Liberal Democrat negotiators met with Labour, alongside this is the new developing story that at 5pm today Liberal Democrats will meet to once and for all decide just how important fair votes are, not just for themselves but for the people of this country. Anyone who feels strongly on this matter should join the waiting crowd outside The Work Foundation, at 21 Palmer Street wearing purple.

On a broader note, an increasing number of Liberal Democrats have been debating the renewed possibility of Lib-Lab time-limited coalition, though the obvious objection regarding the sacrifices that would have to be made to the nationalist parties has once again been raised. Dr Richard Grayson, former Lib Dem policy director said that “Any deal with Labour would have to be time-limited. I think, for example, if a deal could be done for two years that would allow emergency measures to be taken on the public finances, that would allow a referendum on electoral reform and some re-drawing of boundaries, the people would know that they’re going to get a chance to vote [after that].” But many of the Labour MPs have unfortunately been quoted as thinking that Gordon Brown has ‘blown’ his chance of forming a parliament, by simply sitting there waiting.

The obvious question to ask now is simply, what would Tony Blair do? As ex-prime minister, despite dropping lower and lower in the polls and in parliament before he resigned, has never failed to be dynamic and charming. He was truly a love-hate character in a way that the PM never was, and it was clear that had he stood for election once more, he would either have been thumpingly beaten on account of the two wars, or he would have been heralded from the roof tops, and perhaps even increased his majority. But even if he had not managed either of those two things, considering his relationship with the Liberal Democrats he certainly would have been first to be approached by them, and would never have suffered the humiliation that Brown must now face as he waits in Parliament for the phone call that will tell him his fate.

As always comments below, or you can check out our twitter!

I’ve been waiting to put my two cents in. Nick Clegg’s just headed into the Liberal Democrats headquarters so we’ll see what happens there. For now, you’ll have to abide with me (well, if you want.)

Naturally, I’m a labour supporter. I tend to side with Labour because I want my vote to be helping others not just myself. This is the way I see Labour’s principle of redistributing wealth, that it is necessary to spread this burden in a way that helps the poorest because everyone deserves a certain Quality of Life.

Labour have diverged a lot from that principle. I’m ashamed to say that I think Labour have failed us, on more counts than one. There have been good things in the past few years but crucially there has been a huge split between where we were meant to be going, to where we ended up. Gordon Brown has not been radical, he’s not been elected, and he hasn’t been a driving force in any way. That’s not to say Brown doesn’t have his plus points, as I’m sure he does, as rarely reported as they are.

But the Conservatives have always illustrated selfishness to me. They favour lower taxes, and less government, which means less job creation in the public sector and less money for the poor. You don’t have to agree with this. In fact I hope you don’t, so long as your reason not to is solid.

I’ve been flip flopping all day about how I think this will go. Labour and the Liberal Democrats seem less and less likely to sign a pact, but then more and more Liberal Democrats are beginning to question their party on the basis that it might join the right-wing Conservatives who are far away from its principles. Some of the Tories support proportional representation, but a huge majority hate the very idea because it won’t result in them holding power very often, and it will result in so-called ‘weak government’. So in theory a Lib Dem-Tory pact should be off the cards, but now more than ever it seems well and truly on the cards, though whether this is all just for show remains to be seen.

It’s also important to note that the Conservatives received ONLY 36% of the vote. That has never been, until now, sufficient to form a government. They can tell you how many seats they’ve won, how they’re the only party who can legally govern but their share of the vote would not be sufficient anywhere else to govern. I apologise for how biased that may appear, but I wanted to make the fact clear.

Will there be the new kind of politics that the Liberal Democrats used to want? Or will we just see a quick election and a Conservative majority?
I don’t know. And nor does anyone else. So register your comments below and we’ll see if you can beat the experts.

Reminder : Everything’s happening on the BBC

Some New links :

Tory Teenager : Self-explanatory really, a blog.
Labour List : Labour themed Discussion
Lib Dem Blogs : A whole list of Liberal Democrat posts. My personal favourite.

David Cameron’s speech is leaving much to be desired so far.  It’s filled with rhetoric about a strong government, and about the importance of stability in a war, and essentially trying to place himself in Thatcher’s shoes, with constant references to her. The Conservatives have gained more seats than at anyone time since Margaret Thatcher.

Crucially he offers his hand to the Liberal Democrats, promising negotiation on Education policy, and a low carbon economy. It appears proportional representation is also on the cards, though whether we can count an all party inquiry has proper reform remains to be seen. It sounds like it will be just enough of a promise to get through the Queen’s speech and then call another election without giving anything away.

A further critique of the Labour government as leaving the worst inheritance in 60 years leaves Cameron to go out on a powerful note, as their remain only 9 seats to be divided. According to the BBC, the question now is, whether he was talking of a coalition, or a minority government, but with Brown on fighting form after an address at 10 Downing Street earlier, it looks like a coalition will be the only way to halt him seeking a pact with the Liberal Democrats.

Widespread support for Proportional representation is increasingly the message in response to Cameron’s speech. We may well see a Conservative Government pay its ultimate price to form a coalition.

For Clegg’s speech and instant reactions head over to the BBC‘s coverage, otherwise we’ll be updating you at 5.00.

Hung Parliament. The poll puts the Conservatives on 307 seats, Labour on 255, the Liberal Democrats on 59 and others on 29.
Can this poll be trusted?
Lib Dems into negative numbers, and a hung parliament. Unlikely scenario I think. Down to the results now.
Still queues in the polling stations, and people will now be unable to vote!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/liveevent/

Ronald Reagan Chopping Wood

The final 35 minutes are about to start. In all likelihood most votes have already been cast, and signs from around the country, particularly in Barking, show that there have been high turnouts. Twitter is reporting huge queues for polling in the Newington area, and general signs are good. The Anti-BNP voters have turned out in force, accompanied by police.

There are two new rumors spreading. One is of a 39% Conservative, with Labour and Liberal Democrats fighting for second. The other is Conservatives 37%, and Labour and the Lib Dems on 26% each. It’s important to note that these are only rumors, and that exit polls are notoriously unreliable, though it’s not quite clear whether these are exit polls. Also, between 12% and a quarter of all votes were cast by post before Cleggmania happened.

10.45 is the official timing of  Sunderland Central, and the rest of Sunderland should soon follow. It’s a safe labour seat, notionally so the initial results will seemed skewed towards Labour, but overall impressions are heading the opposite way.

Latest News : Gordon sleeping after Lamb stew, Dave chopping wood.