PA photo
By
Hazel Speed
The other day, whilst watching the television coverage in respect to the unveiling of the new Monument at Horseguards to honour the fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan, I noticed that at the end of the formal ceremony, whilst guests were mingling, there was a political ‘clutch’ of Mother Hens having a quiet, but incisive discussion, integral thereto being David Cameron.
At the time, I thought first of all that it was somewhat disrespectful to hold this unofficial quorum in public view, especially as they would be aware the cameras had them in their sights (though that may have been half the point).
Any political exchanges should have been convened indoors as it looked tasteless to me, after all they were there to honour the dead, and we must not forget a few former Prime Ministers present had some responsibility for our troops being despatched to the countries in question. A sombre enough thought in itself isn’t it, Mr Cameron.
Then, it came to mind that any lip reader worth their salt would be able to determine what Mr Cameron was saying.
He was lucky that anyone still wanted to be seen with him, given the mess of Brexit he caused by not triggering Article 50 ‘the next day’ as (crocodile tears equivalent) promised.
Then again, when he was elected to be Prime Minister there was one question he refused to answer, so he started and ended with the same lack of, shall we say – to be legally safe, integrity, for a suggested euphemism.
Andrew Neil’s BBC Daily Politics TV programme invited Tina Lannin, Forensic Lip Reader, to assess the pertinent clip of Mr Cameron speaking, and one can see the commonality in the papers already established beforehand as to what everyone else had also deduced. It was duly confirmed, to the satisfaction of what must be most people, as to the available evidence.
OK, so Mrs May got out of the Manifesto Breach neatly in the end by deferring until the Autumn Budget – on the issue in question relating to the self-employed.
Commentators came up with another point, one which, I must admit, eluded me, so I must try and think more deviously like a politician might in future.
The ‘bonding’ of the UK speech recently whilst Mrs May was in Scotland, some are saying, was heralding her early campaigning in respect of an inevitably forced Scottish Referendum.
Added to which, another European voice has initiated a concept that anyone who wishes to remain in Europe as ‘individuals’ residing in the UK could stay so attached with Europe as such, which is truly ridiculous and insulting, not to mention politically, deliberately, mischievous. Apparently letters have been sent to plead either asking/begging the support of the EU in this way. I wonder if they were all signed by Mrs N Sturgeon? No wonder she is presently portraying a new confidence as if ‘hiding a secret’ which she is bursting to declare.
Mrs May has to squelch (or “Scotch”) that pdq and remind Europe that the people of the UK have spoken by majority vote; also that the EU should keep their nose out of internal affairs of another country, or, in keeping with their new so-termed ‘space egg‘ building, they could end up having egg on their collective face !
This all places Mr Corbyn sitting comfortably for a head-on political attack with substance, no more flanking required, as now he can leave all that to the other ‘also rans’ with their respective agendas.
After all, he supported the Bill to trigger Brexit so has not impeded the majority of the referendum electorate. Now it is time for him to use his head and decide a game-plan.
Mrs May has disgruntled back benchers, following the Budget, and needs to deal with the Amendments to the Brexit Bill since the Other Place debated and voted on same.
Lord Heseltine was ‘formally’ chastised by going against the Party Line, so now we can see the chink emerging in Mrs May’s suit of armour.
Although she may be ‘temporarily’ vulnerable, The Prime Minister will, at the same time, be swift to defend her corner, and political family, with the prowess of a Lioness.
What Mr Corbyn needs is a military statistician – someone like Lord West!
He would be wise to capitalise on this rare moment but above all, be careful what he says to others if there is a camera around. Unless, of course, he wishes to plant a false, but helpful comment, and start a rumour or some well crafted fake news which may aid his endeavours, not easy for an honourable man though!
That said, the Bible is full of stories where effective subtlety has won the day against a great foe!
Hazel Speed
Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine
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