What to do with Ms Hodge?

Loz Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 08:59:10 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

In light of her comments, so pathetically denied, I would certainly favour her being sacked, but we all know its a few years too late for that to be a real possibility.

She should however, do the right thing and resign.
Those happy enough to prop their anti war arguements with her, should ask themselves where she was back in 2003 - 'following the leader'.

Why do people say such stupid things?




"Earlier, Ms Hodge had told a private dinner organised by the Fabian Society that she had doubted Mr Blair's approach to foreign affairs as far back as 1998, because of his belief in imposing British values and ideas on other countries. According to the Islington Tribune, she said she had accepted Mr Blair's arguments on the threat posed by Iraq because "he was our leader and I trusted him" - before adding: "I hope this isn't being reported."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1951266,00.html


tags: , , (all tags)

Display: Sort:
What to do with Ms Hodge? | 13 comments (13 topical)

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#1)

by swatantra on Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 09:10:32 PM GMT

Search me. Yet more crisis management.


Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#2)

by AJScobbie on Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 09:10:50 PM GMT

She only said what many of us feel. Not just in the party but througout the country.

If we end up with a relentless defence of Iraq at every opportunity we only serve to remind the electorate of the whole debacle.

Lets just leave Iraq to one side. It cannot define the party and our relationship with the public for us to win a fourth term.


Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#3)

by MM on Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 09:12:52 PM GMT

I agree she should be sacked, but it says more about the PM's power that she still remains in her post likewise the head of the army who should have been sacked for his outburst.  This is the problem with Blair having announced his departure, power starts to ebb away, in theory it should not matter.  Other countries manage with fixed term Parliaments and elections etc, but we seem rather immature about it in this country.

However having said that, even when Blair was at the height of his power he was never very good at sacking Ministers.  One only has to remember the various botched jobs he did with Mandelson etc.


Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#4)

by Loz on Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 09:17:40 PM GMT

That is true, but with regards his decision to announce his departure, can anyone not remember what it was like BEFORE this happened?

I'll remind you, people were speculating every damn day about when he might go, and if gordon will try and oust him.

And lets not also forget, it was labour mps that led to him further specifying when he would go.

It was always a lose lose situation, nobody ever expected even before the last election that he would go on to fight a fourth election.

His power and authority not to mention his continued leadership would be just as much under the microscope had he not announce his intention to stand down.


[ Parent ]

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#5)

by MM on Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 09:27:37 PM GMT

I'm sure Blair regrets giving Brown so much power at the Treasury.  In hindsight I'm sure Blair wishes he had moved Brown out of the Treasury to the Foreign Office after the 2001 election (i.e in the same way Howe was moved by Thatcher).  At least then Blair would not have been undermined at every turn, also the Iraq war decision would have been a joint decision between them both.

Perhaps when Blair announced his was not going to fight a fourth term to Andrew Marr, he should have said that he intended to stand down as PM in say 2008 if he won the election.  Rather than just saying a full term.  That way it would have been near impossible for Brown to have forced him out, as the electorate would have given him a mandate to stay until 2008.  Also US Presidents, French Presidents etc stay upto certain dates, so why could Blair not have given a exact date before the election?  That way it would have been impossible for Brown to have forced him out.


[ Parent ]

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#6)

by swatantra on Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 09:40:43 PM GMT

What you are asking for is fixed term Parliaments and I'd go along with that. So, the power the PM has to call an election at a time favourable to his own party, is taken out of his hands. That way the electorate  also know when to expect the next election and are not taken unawares. We might even find that turnout is up, particularly if we introduce PR. Note no mention of this in the Queens Speech, A big mistake because the next Parliament will be hung and potential coalition partners will be just the usual suspects, the present anti Labour Alliance.


[ Parent ]

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#12)

by MM on Wed Nov 29, 2006 at 04:03:41 PM GMT

Yes a fixed term Parliament would be most agreeable along with a change in the voting system, I guess these could along with various other changes such as reducing the voting age to say 16.  

Perhaps this flys in the face of liberty etc but what about compulsory voting?  They have it in Belgium, Luxuemborg and Greece it would certainly boost turnout.  Perhaps for every person that did not vote they could be fined and the money re-invested into a fund for community projects.  But maybe that's a slighty wacky idea.

I think Blair made a big mistake dumping the Jenkins Report.  Perhaps Brown will look again at PR.  I'm sure GB will look at a serious of steps to improve the reputation of the body of politics.  One keeps hearing that he holds Parliament in higher regard than Blair, personally I find this rather laughable when Brown has leaked various Budgets and Statements before he has delievered them.  If he is committed to Parliament he will announce that he will appear before the heads of the Select Committee's once a month instead of every 6 months like Blair.  He should make sure reform of select and standing committees is top of things to do list i.e give them more powers and more financal resources.  Reform of the House of Lords should be made a urgent priority.  Above all else when reforms are done to Parliament etc to make it easier for Parliament to hold the Executive to account or the Government has given up power, then Labour should shout it from the rooftops!  One of the problems in the past it has been too timed in shouting about constitutional reforms, especially reforms in Parliament.


[ Parent ]

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#7)

by liz on Tue Nov 21, 2006 at 09:54:44 AM GMT

It would have been difficult to sack the Army Chief given the views on all the military blogs at that time.  However, I am sure he will be removed from his post once a period of time has elapsed.  I blame Des Brown for agreeing to the interview and for a military press officer being present - not a civilian.  I think  many Ministers become too arrogant once they have been in post for a few years and it is a no win situation for the PM.  If he sacks her - he cannot stand criticism, if he keeps her in post he is weak and is allowing the media to determine who is in the cabinet.  I would definitely sack her regardless of the consequences.


[ Parent ]

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#8)

by Anonymous on Tue Nov 21, 2006 at 11:12:20 AM GMT

I would mainly sack her because she is useless. In this instance she seems to be talking sense for once. ironic really


[ Parent ]

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#9)

by grimupnorth on Tue Nov 21, 2006 at 04:27:34 PM GMT

How true - next thing we know  Hazel will be re-canting. Rumour has it she could be de-selected  in Salford.......tee hee.


[ Parent ]

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#10)

by pipesmoke on Wed Nov 22, 2006 at 06:47:20 PM GMT

There's an opposite rumour; that there is no-one within old or new boundaries that does not give her 100% support. Ok I admit it I just made that one up. Now will you do the same with yours.


[ Parent ]

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#11)

by Andrea on Wed Nov 22, 2006 at 11:02:19 PM GMT

I think the "rumour" comes from the Kevin Maguire's column in the NewStatesman. He claims that Ian Stewart's supporters got all key posts in the redrawn Salford and Eccles CLP and so TPTB ordered that Stewart/Barbara Keeley runoff for Worsley and Eccles South will take place first. So if Stewart defeats Keeley, Blears will get Salford and Eccles without a fight.


[ Parent ]

Re: What to do with Ms Hodge? (#13)

by MM on Wed Nov 29, 2006 at 04:10:42 PM GMT

Since when have blogs dictated Government policy?  I think i'm rare in Britian in that I do'nt think the British Army is above criticism.  Blair and Browne lack of guts over the Army Chief was shameful in my view.  Hopefully when Brown becomes PM, the Army Chief's days will be over, if he wants to hold political views then he should stand for election I also found his comments on religion rather offensive to be honest.  The constant moaning in the right wing press about the lack of equipment etc for the Army is remarkable, when it these various Army chiefs who advised Ministers to invest in big defence contracts.  If Mr Darnatt thinks things will be better in terms of finances under Cameron, he should just remember who was advising Lamont at the Treasury in the 90s.


[ Parent ]

What to do with Ms Hodge? | 13 comments (13 topical)