Okay people, in the wake of Nannygate yesterday, here's a little comparison of how the Tories viewed Hain's spot of bother earlier this year ("burn him!") with their reaction to the news that their own dear Caroline Spelman has been paying the French governess - or whoever Tories tend to employ to look after young Rupert and Jocasta - out of Parliamentary allowances ("awwww, leave her alone.")
Remember: Hain was done for not declaring correctly donations received to his campaign for Deputy Leader from private individuals - there was no suggestion that he was personally enriching himself at the taxpayers' expense. Unlike, it might be added:
Of Peter Hain, the Boy David said in January:
"I think it's no good when all these questions are being asked just to sort of come out and read out a statement and then scurry back indoors again ... If I was in the prime minister's shoes I would say to Peter Hain: 'Look, you've got to get out there, you've got to explain yourself; you've got to answer all of the questions and if you can do that, then maybe your job is safe but if you can't you will have to go.'"
How unlike the response of the Tories and their party chairman (la Spelman, for those who can't keep up) who, er, failed to respond to Newsnight's queries last night and, at a time when all these questions are being asked appears to have read out a statement and scurried back indoors again. Now, obviously you'd think that if you were Spelman you've got to get out there, you've got to explain yourself; you've got to answer all of the questions and if you can do that, then maybe your job is safe but if you can't you will have to go, right?
Wrong!
Happily, George Osborne has come on the airwaves to inform us - the hoi polloi - that he "know[s] Caroline personally and she is literally the last person in Parliament who would want to do something wrong." Furthermore:
"Caroline Spelman is someone of enormous integrity and honesty, so I think her statement speaks for itself and her character speaks for itself. "
Oh right. So it's only Labour politicians - who haven't actually been accused of misappropriating taxpayers' money - who have to do the sackcloth-and-ashes business whereas Conservatives caught with their hands in the public till have no obligation to follow their own advice but think we should be satisfied with Osborne telling us not to worry our pretty heads?
One rule for them; another for everyone else. 'Twas ever thus.
Incidentally - and don't ask me how I know this - but does anybody else have a dirty chuckle at "Den Dover"?
Saturday, 7 June 2008
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