Friday's caption competition

With Gord and Nic now not speaking, it seems as good a time as any to look back on the past...

Depressed? Try being burguled.

An interesting, but nonetheless revealing, comment from our dear leader this week.

"We should agree as a world on a monetary and fiscal stimulus that will take the world out of r... depression".

Downing Street has tonight claimed this was a slip. Just like Gordon saving the world was a slip...




With ever more telling signs that the economic downturn is indeed heading towards that dreaded political term, depression, it seems apt for people to be concerned. It seems particularly pertinent that the Icelandic group behind several well-known high street brands has filed for bankruptcy - perhaps one of the most public examples of the downturn.

That, in itself, would not be the sensational story. But the government also used today, when union tensions again erupted, to announce their action-plan on crime.

The Home Secretary announced with her usual gusto that a rise in crime was not necessarily an outcome of the economic downturn. (This is the same Home Secretary that warned, only a few months ago in a leaked memo, that crime would rise in any recession). Perhaps tellingly this was announced on the breakfast bulletins and the phrase 'selling ice cream in the winter' springs to mind!

And yet, historically there is a correlation between crime statistics and economic performance - seeing peaks in 'acquisition crime' during the late 1980s and mid 1990s (both times of economic downturn). It also seems telling that for the first time in a decade burglary rates rose in late 2008.

With ever more telling signs that the economic downturn is likely to develop into a deeper and harder depression now is perhaps the time to invest in that padlock...

More testcard

Owing to my fellow conspirator, Mr Games, I feel I ought to apologise for the recent drought of post.

Usual excuses apply - uni work, washing and occasionally dusting.

I will write more soon.

First for bullshit.

So, after an commons' motion criticising the BBC and Skys position, it is finally clear. Sky will also not run the DEC appeal. After spending the weekend lampooning the BBC they've decided to do... exactly the same as the BBC.

Now, I do not criticise Burley and Co for their journalistic reasoning for not running the appeal. It is one I have referred to as being immensely difficult but ultimate in the public duty not to air due to the broadcasters claims of impartiality being open to criticism.

What I do criticise is this. After a weekend of petty point scoring (making it their lead story for most of Sunday) they decide -- and were probably planning to all weekend -- to support the BBC's impartiality claim and do exactly the same.

Now that's what those protesters should be appalled by. You listening Tony?

BBC right to refuse DEC request

***Image: Beau Bo D'Or***

As Beau demonstrates, there has emerged an immense anti-BBC feeling towards the refusal to broadcast a D.E.C. appeal for aid to Gaza.

It is perhaps fair to comment that the aid-situation in Gaza, following the Israeli offensive, is in dire need. The likes of the UN's Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, have articulated this awful situation in recent days and weeks extremely well. Indeed, the efforts of the Disasters Emergency Committee is indeed commendable. This I do not challenge. Moreover, the advertising campaign recently run in national newspapers demonstrated the urgent need for humanitarian aid to Gaza.

However, it is worthy of comment that the BBC's position has now come under an immense amount of criticism, not least from the likes of Tony Benn and the 'Stop the War Coalition'. This is wrong.

Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General, recently commented:

Inevitably an appeal would use pictures which are the same or similar to those we would be using in our news programmes but would do so with the objective of encouraging public donations.

The danger for the BBC is that this could be interpreted as taking a political stance on an ongoing story."

This seems the most reasonable stance the BBC could possibly take - not least because the inevitable reporting of the BBC would be called into question if appeals of this nature are seen to run directly before news programs (as happen after the Asian Tsunami).

For this reason, it perhaps seems unfair (and lacking in understanding) for the likes of Dr. John Sentamu to openly criticise the BBC. Indeed, tonight the Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, has himself said the BBC is in an awkward position.

However, and perhaps most importantly, in this debate one crucial aspect must not be overlooked. The time for cries of retribution and unfairness are not at hand when thousands face the most pressing man-made humanitarian crisis at the moment.

Surely that should be the focus and not whether or not an impartial broadcaster should be forced to broadcast an intentionally biased campaign?

Mandy to the rescue but not quite.

Well, Mr Relations could help but laugh at the week Gordon's had. Whilst Obama has been sworn in (and sworn in again, for good measure) things have not been so good on this side of the pond.

Let's first start with some context. David Miliband decided it'd be a great week to visit India. Now, whilst he was out there he said a few things which, as Indian news agencies were quick to note, have caused offence.

David's comments on Kashmir came at a time of heightened tensions in India, an issue the Indian's themselves regard to be internal. It perhaps wasn't the wisest of things to do, especially considering the fact that, if reports are to be believed, the Indian PM is now ignoring British diplomatic moves.

So, in comes the Minister for Dark Arts, Peter Mandelson. He's believed to have been sorting out the 'work' of the boy-wonder and if reports from Guido et al are to be believed he isn't making much headway.

So, Pete's away for a week and what happens? The shit hits the fan, that's what. First - there's a monumental cock-up over MPs expenses. Initially it appeared, from Downing Street, that it'd be a whipped issue. Now, this appears to have changed over the course of PMQs to a free vote. Harriet Harman is being blamed for this balls up.

Incidentally, seeing Margaret Beckett attempt to explain this whole situation is well-worth a catch-up.

Then, remember those deputy leadership campaigns? Ahh, Mr Relations fondly remembers seeing Alan Johnston pipped to the post and that awfully arkward moment of Harriet and Gordon standing on the same platform.

Well, as I write more news is emerging but, in essense, both Jack Straw and Peter Hain have been found to be corrupt (for want of a better word) in their dealings, nominally not declaring donations which should have been.

Oops.

So, all in all, it's not been a good week. Chin up.

Obama's inauguration

Tomorrow will make history. That is a simply and uneqifical fact. Obama, undoutedly, faces a mountain to climb in the coming days, weeks and months but before the work of the new president can begin he faces his signing on and Mr Relations, for one, is extremely looking forward to that moment.

BBC Radio 4 have been running an excellent series by David Reynolds. Well worth a catch-up for a broader perspective on presidents and America in general.

Back to tomorrow though news hounds, coverage starts from 4pm on the BBC. See you there.