Corsets a good appointment
In the wake of the Lord Sewel scandal, there is a chance that David Cameron has taken the call for more ‘model peers’ a little too literally.
Michelle Mone OBE, an entrepreneur and former model, has been appointed by David Cameron to head up a review into how best to encourage new independent businesses in areas of high unemployment. Indeed, rumour has it that her new role as ‘start up czar’ may well pave the way to her becoming Lady Mone in the not too distant future.
However, the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint the Ultimo Lingerie founder has been met with a considerable amount of objection. Glasgow independent business representative, Douglas Anderson, has accused Mone of being “a small time businesswoman with PR exposure far in excess of any success.”
Some have even gone so far as to suggest that Mone is simply being rewarded for her support of the no campaign in the recent independence referendum. Of course - we at the SSR would never be so cynical...
Straight to DVD
The ballot papers for the Labour leadership vote are now being distributed. Two of the four candidates will be hoping that their “leadership adverts” have won them much needed votes. But, if one was still undecided, then Mr Burnham and Ms Kendall might not have necessarily made it any easier for you.
Ms Kendall’s video has been called by some “Americanised,” you half expect her to say at the end of it “I’m Liz Kendall, and I approve this message.” Others on social media have, understandably, mistaken it for a ‘no-win-no-fee’ legal advert, or a PPI warning.
Mr Burnham’s video consists of members of his family telling us how great he is at being a brother, father, friend etc. This is all well and good, but one would be forgiven for assuming it was his re-election video given its local focus, it pays little lip-service to national politics, or the fact he was once on the front bench (it’s almost like he was trying to forget).
Jeremy Corbyn has not released a video as such, and this may be down to the fact that he can’t find a VHS player anymore. And Yvette Cooper? Well given her recent propensity to indecicivness, perhaps she still hasn’t made up her mind yet on whether to make one.
Don’t expect to see either trending on Netflix (other video streaming websites are available) any time soon.
Why are we waiting?
The Chilcot Inquiry, which was completed in 2011, but is yet to be published, was again in the news this week. Relatives of servicemen and women killed in during the Iraq War have expressed their frustration with the delays in the publication of the report by threatening to take legal action against Sir John Chilcot, the leader of the inquiry. They claim that Sir John acted unlawfully by refusing to a set deadline for the report’s publication.
The foundation of the delays lies in the ‘Maxwellisation Process’ which allows those who are criticised to see extracts and respond if they wish. Rey Keys, whose son was killed in the conflict, argues that “the process has now been running for two years” and “some haven't even bothered to respond to the criticism.”
Sir John came under fire earlier this year, and was asked to appear before the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee to explain delays to the publication. There was widespread consternation to Sir John’s announcement that the report would not be ready before the election in May. Tick-tock Sir John.
Bercow applauds SNP parliamentarians
John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, has praised the SNP’s 56 members of parliament as “already proving to be good parliamentarians”. It is a considerably different view to the criticism they received in the months after the May election. The party was blasted by more established colleagues in the House of Commons for their clapping, posing for photos at the despatch box, ‘hijacking’ the Labour benches, and other general disregard for convention.
The Speaker, at an event at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, said he commended the way the SNP’s MPs consistently turn up in large numbers to support each other in the chamber. However, despite the respect they deserved, he claimed he did not believe the party had yet changed Parliament.
Mr Bercow admitted they had caused some people to reconsider the conventions of Parliament. Applause in the chamber in the future? "I think my attitude to that is if the House wants to change its procedures, it can, if they vote to do so."
If you’re interested in reading more about the SNP in Westminster, JBP has produced a comprehensive briefing that can be found here.