Luciana Berger - Labour candidate in Liverpool

Political scandal in Liverpool is brewing up with the naming of a candidate who doesn't even know the name and history of Bill Shankly. Does she know who The Beatles are I hear you cry? What about the River Mersey? Or even the crossing ferry?

Well, in true Liverpudlian style, Ricky Tomlinson has offered his services to the Socialist Labour Party to stand as a potential candidate. If you were wondering what all the fuss is about, read some of the comments in this article, or even the criticism from various political blogs, regional newspapers and, of course, other local candidates.

It certainly makes for an interesting debate about selecting candidates - a problem all parties seem to have. It is incredibly difficult to select individuals who have no affiliation to the area, and sounds like a centralised selection policy. Well, if Tomlinson does indeed stand, it should make for a popular campaign. The central-order-of-folks who made this decision will maybe think twice next time? Or buy them a book of local history and culture, with the instructions, 'read this from front to back -twice'.

Tower Block of Commons - Series 1 Episode 2 - Comment

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/tower-block-of-commons/episode-guide/series-1/episode-2

(Watch this is you already haven't.)

Last week George wrote a small article on the first episode, made into the largest article in the history of Watching With George by other comments taken from the channel four website.

Shocked, ashamed, reflective, sometimes individually, sometimes all at the same time, readers (if I have any), these are a brief snippet of emotions you will feel if you have watched this series so far. At first, with my anti-Tory, anti-establishment, anti-politicians-if-I'm-honest, attitude; I expected to be laughing with anger at the Tories, who would obviously fail to empathise with any of the commoners, introducing to the watching audience their bigoted perceptions, free market economic ideas about how to solve the 'council estate problems', and undoubtedly look down upon the 'scratter's and chav's' with disdain. How I was wrong. How my judgement and own bigoted views were highlighted.

The Tory, Tim Loughton, was astounding. Honestly; was so impressed by his attitude, his level of understanding, his empathy. Not that Tory-ism is the answer, but if this guy was prime minister, it wouldn't be all bad.

The Labour MP, on the other hand, was a wanker (my own bigoted views re-surfacing). He has no clue about his own real-life, it seems, never mind anyone else's. He takes his own wife for granted, he thinks the 'women's' place is in the home, he assumes that being a mum is an easy job and refuses to take any real part in the idea behind the show. Keeping his little affluent perk's, refusing to take part in the show in the first place without being allowed to bring along his wife, and then (some would say to his credit*) paying for a meal for his 'guests' to discuss politics.

Mark Oaten was somewhat accosted by the women he was staying with for suggesting she was wrong to spend £42 on cigarettes, when she later found out he had (aside from the money for interest re-payments) spent £110 on three irons on his expenses forms. He then claimed that the situation was 'awkward' when asked about his own affluent lifestyle, belongings, property and earnings. Really? That must be really hard, that feeling 'awkward' thingy.

I am going to save the other MP involved, Nadine Dorries, till the next episode, in the interest of fair and balanced bullshit. Although check this out, because I cannot write a political article without criticising the Tories in some way, it goes against my religion.

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/02/04/nadine-dorries-latest-expenses-raise-more-questions/

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/02/08/special-investigation-tory-mp-claimed-70k-for-pr-company-services-in-2½-years/

*This would have had far more effect if he had managed to do this on a budget, without the ongoing help of his wife.

**Will hopefully add some comments from the channel four website tomorrow, they do not appear to be allowing any at the time of writing. You have to love the freedom of spontaneous speech and vented, raging anger, that I am sure some would have felt after watching it.

***In the spirit of 'good' Tories - Here is what appears to be the other one.

http://watchingwithgeorge.blogspot.com/2010/01/rory-stewart-good-tory-mp.html

SPANISH RESIDENT on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 12:05

I thoroughly enjoyed the Tower Block of Commons last night- a very well balanced documentary, I thought. I watched in awe as the residents whined about how little money thet had to live on despite the fact they bought cigarettes and marijuana, kept pets and had their nails done!! I live in a tiny traditional Catalan village and have done so for ten years now. Here there is no benefit system- if you hit hard times you can take out what you put in. If you dont work, you dont eat- it really is that simple.The expectation is for families to help through troubled times- if they cannot the governemt has various schemes to help. My friend is a single mother who has joined the army where she is given free accommodation and child care and has a sense of pride and hope as well as studying and training for her future. We are facing a crisis here in Spain as unemployment levels rise-our tiny village creates posts for people suffering hardship- they are given a broom and sweep the streets for their pay and they do so with pride. I am appalled at the decline in values and standards in UK now and could not or would not return to live in Britain. When will the benefit system be addressed? I hope the MPs who endured the hardships of living as these people do as well as having to be criticised for actually working, are allowed to give the viewers an open and honest evaluation of what they relly feel- this could be a very interesting ptrogramme. Come on Britain, find your spirit again. Create job opportunities for everyone on benefits- community work would be a start- the welfare system was created to offer a helping hand and should not be a way of life-and in my opinion benefits should not be paid to feed pets and buy cigarettes. I grew up in a council estate as did many of my friends- our parents worked and did whatever was needed to provide for us. We had very little in terms of posessions though I did notice most of the homes on the programme had flat screen televisions. I pray some MP finds the strength to address this abuse and get Britain back to being GREAT again. Until then, I am staying here, thank you.

JENNA MAC on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 13:46

Havn't the two ladies who Nadine Dorries stayed with heard of contraception? Why bring more children into poverty (they had eight between them). These people can afford fags, dogs and gameboys but don't have beds. The Jeremy Kyle generation are alive and well.

PENNY on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 00:27

Plse dont vote tory just coz new labour are bad, tories will be worse than maggie thatcher if they get in. that means things will only get worse. benefits are too low to live on. it should be a basic human right to be able to feed yourself and keep warm without having to choose between the two. even working people cant afford to live on minimum slave wages. no one should be paid less than £15 per hour. greedy bankers get bailed out, MP's fiddle their expenses. this system sucks. people should start rebelling more. we want a true democracy ie of by and for the people. not for corporations banks and m.p's. wish i had the money to go live in an eco village and be self sufficient. its the only way i can see that you can get freedom in this police state poverty ridden britain. politicians have sold us down the river. the rih get richer and the poor get poorer. they want us all to die off. to die a slow death of malnutrition and hypothermia coz we cant afford a decent meal or to heat our homes. dorry but i think its going to get worse not better. modern life is crap unless youre well off. WHERES THE HELP FOR US POOR IN BRITAIN? WHY CANT WE GET FOOD AID?

ROBYN MCKENZIE on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 00:07

MPs you should try living on benefits for at least 6months. Some of us are too sick to work. key or card meters for electricity and gas. sit in a cold unheated flat unable to feel well coz youre cold and hungry coz you cant afford the bills. Try walking up the stairs whilst junkies are shooting up leaving their human waste, blood urine faeces, remnants of junk food and bear cans that you have to step over to get to your door. you MPs make me sick. you do nothing to help us you just tell us we're scroungers when you put your hand in the coffers and get away with it. Forcing us to live in poverty is a crime against our human rights. no one should have to live on less than £130 per week. benfits are too low. its a pittance. i wish the british public would rebel like the french. no one should go hungry in britain we're supposed to be a rich country, but therse people who miss meals every day coz they cant afford it. We need more progs like this. EXPOSE THE POVERTY IN BRITAIN - when is oxfam going to give us food parcels?

JOANNIE on Monday, February 08, 2010 at 23:29

As a (54 year young)life-long resident of Newham, I find this series very watchable. Bad housing, indifferent councils and out-of-touch MP's have always been with us (check the records Channel4!). The scary fact is that in East London, much of the pre-war slums were destroyed not by Government initiatives, but by WAR!! Better housing conditions and greater social awareness came about, again as the result of, you've guessed it, WAR! In short, politicians of all parties were faced with a choice - social upheaval or social anarchy. Homeless people were initially housed in prefabs, some of which still exist today until better housing was built. It is a sad, sad day for the UK when our Right Honourable members are unable to learn from recent history. Even more important, the Ronan Point disaster in Canning Town (May 1968) should have sent out a stark message that Tower Blocks were not the answer for social housing, any more than the old tenements they replaced, yet still they build them. Greater onus should be placed on councils to maintain their housing stock, and stricter tenancy agreements would strike the balance between tenant and council rights & responsibilities. Councils need to have the machinery in place for tenants who are suddenly affected by financial hardship, without making them jump through impossible hoops. Equally, tenants must agree to keep their properties clean, tidy and not sub-let them out. These 4 MP's are to be applauded because to a greater or lesser extent, they have become involved. They are doing something every MP, every councillor, and social worker should do - go and live at the sharp end of the societies they work among and represent for at least a month. Make them survive on the benefits, make them jump through the hoops, make them queue up at council offices and jobcentres. Whilst I am not holding my breath as to the extent this series will change lives on these estates, it might just make the 3 major parties rething their coming manifestos

The best comment, in the humble opinion of George, is the one directly above. Please read it. MPs and Council estate tenants alike.

Terry takes the sting out of the expenses?

So the press is covered from front to back with the England ex-captain. A whole week of sensationalism, speculation and scandal. Who slipped under the radar? The MPs. Yes, they did get a days worth of coverage, yes it was the head story for the BBC and The Times, but seriously, the whole investigation cost more than was paid back. That is by far a more socially relevant story than John Terry having an affair. How did the investigation cost so much? Furthermore we are now hearing there is a little known loophole called parliamentary privilege. It beggars belief.

Politicians have urged the MPs facing charges over their expense claims not to use Parliamentary privilege to try to avoid court proceedings.

Lawyers for Labour MPs Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine have raised the issue of privilege.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the public would be outraged by the use of the principle - which normally protects MPs from civil actions.

The three MPs all deny charges which they face under the Theft Act.

So does a fourth politician who faces charges - the Tory peer Lord Hanningfield.

The politicians face charges of false accounting under section 17 of the Theft Act 1968. If found guilty they face a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8502026.stm

"Lawyers representing those who have been charged have raised with us the question of parliamentary privilege," Starmer said. "We have considered that question and concluded that the applicability and extent of any parliamentary privilege claimed should be tested in court."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/feb/05/mps-expenses-criminal-charges-jail

Lord Hanningfield, who is charged with six counts of false accounting between March 2006 and May 2009, said he was "extremely disappointed" and insisted all his expenses claims had been made in good faith. He resigned as frontbench business spokesman in the Lords and from his post as leader of Essex county council, and was suspended from the parliamentary Conservative party.

The three MPs have engaged the same legal firm, Steel and Shamash, who also act as the Labour party's solicitors.

The MPs said in a joint statement: "We are clearly extremely disappointed that the DPP has decided to instigate proceedings against us. We totally refute any charges that we have committed an offence and we will defend our position robustly."

They added that they believed their cases should have been dealt with by the parliamentary standards commissioner, adding: "We are confident of our position and have been advised by eminent QCs."

Some MPs and legal experts questioned whether a defence of parliamentary privilege could be sustained. David Heath, the Liberal Democrats' constitutional affairs spokesman MP, said: "If there is any question about whether parliamentary privilege gives protection against prosecution for fraud, then parliament should make it very clear by passing a resolution to say that it does not."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/feb/05/mps-expenses-criminal-charges-jail

George wonders that if £1.1 million was paid back, then how can only four MPs be charged with theft? This is one of the biggest, scandals in history and John Terry, bless his little cotton blue socks, has taken the sting out of the expenses story. That is a reason to take the armband off him, not his private life.

Tower Block of Commons - Needs to be seen to be believed

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/tower-block-of-commons/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1

In this new four-part series the MPs leave Westminster and their comfortable homes to live for eight days and nights in tower blocks on different council estates in some of Britain's most deprived neighbourhoods. They will be living alongside and meeting a wide range of residents on the estates and coming face-to-face with issues that affect their lives: including gangs, immigration, drug addiction, poverty, crime, housing and unemployment.

This really is an appalling example of why our politicians seem to have no concept of the world they constantly argue about.

Liberal Democrat Mark Oaten experiences the dire housing conditions of Goresbrook Village in Barking and meets the residents disenchanted with mainstream politicians who have turned to the BNP. But he's upset when verbally attacked by local youths.Conservative Tim Loughton finds out first-hand what some residents really think of politicians on the gang-divided Newtown estate in Birmingham.Austin Mitchell and his wife Linda are shocked by poor living conditions and a drug problem on the Orchard Park estate in Hull.And former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith learns a thing or two on the Carpenters estate in Stratford, East London.

George was going to write an article reviewing each of the individual MPs involved, their reactions to the estates they found themselves on, and whether this would have any real effect on the policies they would subsequently look to promote. Upon reading the comments board of the Channel Four programme, and some of the reactions of the general public, George has decided to pick out a few of the diverse reactions, compliments, criticisms and at times moving responses made by the 'Have Your Sayers'. It will hopefully do it more justice than George's own, somewhat biased, political opinion.

STEVE on Tuesday, February 02, 2010 at 18:55 Austin Mitchell; hang your head in shame, retire at the next election, but please do not continue to embarrass yourself and your party. If Gordon was watching he should have been hiding behind a cushion before he got on the phone and gave you the almightiest rollicking you've ever had. You made the Tory and the Lib Dem look half credible you muppet.

PIERSKNOWEREIVER on Tuesday, February 02, 2010 at 17:53 Rarely do I feel moved to comment so publically on a mere TV show - this, however, just couldn't be ignored. It is high time that our political representatives (increasingly career ones) were exposed to real life. I believe that this show is fairly well intentioned, although it is obvious that a commercial TV company needs to highlight controversy in order to generate ratings. To my mind the participants in episode 1 deserve credit for their willingness to attempt to engage with a lifestyle clearly alien to them - EXCEPT AUSTIN MITCHELL - I can't remember why, but I had always associated his name with the small list of politicians that seemed to deserve respect - NO LONGER!!! I truly suspect that any chances of re-election have now been blown out of the water, unless his constituents have been unable to see this series.

MARK W on Wednesday, February 03, 2010 at 16:00 i enjoyed this programme. out of all of them only mark oaten came across as caring. the others were going through the motions and thinking about their paycheck from channel 4. i was moved by the young girl who asked them what they were doing.

CMILLY on Tuesday, February 02, 2010 at 01:49 The concept of this programme is brilliant, I love it. Things/programs like this expose people for what they REALLY are {of course there are those that needs to be pressed a bit harder to show their true colours}. Austin Mitchell- I felt his behaviour was insulting to the audience and a shameful reflection on his party and constituent Grimsby. He came across narrow minded, lazy, self centred and ignorant. They lacked the discipline to even participate in the program fully. His purpose there is merely, to take up space. He demonstrated that ignorance is not a 'class' thing but an individuality thing - MP or council tenant. Igorance is a poverty issue, i.e lacking knowledge. You can be an MP, Prime Minister or King and still have a poverty/ignorant problem. I love the fact that he shows clearly that stupidity is not a council tenant issue, as many people assume. Too many people assume that council tenants are stupid, lazy and ignorant, when Mitchell is a clear example that it isn't a council tenant thing. Iain Duncan Smith %u2013 I pray that his wife recovers fully. Mark Oaten %u2013 I loved seeing his struggles as it is a huge reality shock and psychological adjustment MP or no MP. Seeing his struggles made the experience real, which I believe anyone needs to experience to make a persisting difference. I believe that he has contributed the most thus far, due to the petition and time he invested into getting this off the ground. Mark %u2013 whether or not you did what they claim you did, forgive yourself and let go of the past, stop beating yourself up and move forward. You CAN make a positive difference in people’s lives. Live, Love and Forgive... Tim Loughton - Appears to be down to earth. His zeal and enthusiasm is nice. Tim going out and partying illustrated a level of strategic ‘normality%u2019. I hope he makes a positive difference in Sheree’s life.

NEIL GILMOUR on Tuesday, February 02, 2010 at 00:10 I'm not into blogging and don't even facebook but feel i have to shout my words out - I congratulate the programme makers to some extent in trying to highlight issues but it is really just a sensationalise to grab some ratings, politicians who have taken part my hat off to all of you except austin mitchell - you sir should feel ashamed of yourself for ever claiming to have a career in politics, you have a disgusting display of arrogance and could never represent the public when you simply cannot appreciate any other class of people other than your preferred selection - your own. I am not into the belief that all fault lies with the government or the people, the faults we have in our society lies in all of us, an apathetic society and a selfish society of which I too am guilty, trouble is at nearly 40 now what can i do to effect any change ?? what can the politicians do to effect any change ?? In essence the tower block and the no go areas of many of our cities and towns are now into their 2nd and 3rd generations of ill educated and immoral classes of people that our social benefits system promotes continued downward spiral rather than to promote change in people and raise aspirations, our policing, courts and prison system is completely FAILED not failing, there is no deterent to crime when perpitrators have to live in these conditions and worse when of course our prisons are so well equipped, comfortable and clean. Without going into the relms of boring the ass off anyone interested in reading this - nothing will change when we have mp's that are too frightened to effect the change needed for a great country and a great population because to attempt to make the real changes means they will lose their jobs - unpopular choices need to be made and the mp's are too busy pandering to the minorities of society as they are the only ones who seem to get a voice - poor criminals if they don't get what they want, poor young single mothers and multiple absent fathers because they can't have a house, poor never worked a day in their lives claimants - what about poor majority of society that work, struggle, pay their bills, keep a roof, educate their kids and disipline them when necessary - Listen up all politicians - watch the programme and learn from it - the tower blocks will show a mixture of people, some beyond help I am sure but on the whole people who deserve to live better - simple suggestion is this - lets have a social benefits system that instead of giving away free money, how about every claimant capable of working does work, for the state, and is paid benefits according to the hours worked each week, minimum no of hours applicable, say 16 hrs a week, otherwise no payments of any money at all will be made to the claimant, give people some ability to earn a living wage whilst on benefits and looking for a job, employers would be able to see that claimants are capable of working and at the same time the work done by claimants could be cleaning the streets of all the broken glass, needles, grafitti, repairing damage etc - maybe it will also promote a reluctance to cause the damage in the first place if they are then having to clean it up or clean up the mess made by their mates, this would I am sure also pose an interesting debate amongst them !! Finally - maybe the purpose of this sort of programming is to dissolve the apathy we all seem to have, give a voice back to the people where it should be and not to leave the MP's in total control and to screw it up any further !!!

DEB on Monday, February 01, 2010 at 23:56 Make no mistake,the solutions to the many and varied problems this series highlights are unlikely to be found quickly. I remember seeing World in Action and Panorama programmes from 40 years ago and where tower block living is concerned I see little change:same damp and mould, same excuses by Councils,same lack of recreational facilities and community involvement,same petitions that raise hopes and smash them when nothing happens. Most of those MP's have been in Westminster for many years,how come they still lack understanding of constituents daily lives? Why so surprised? They were all scared,as well they might be, at being cut off from the comfort of their own little world. The one who shocked me the most was the Labour MP Austin Mitchell. He's been around the block and he's obviously grown used to ignoring the underbelly of UK life. Why go on the programme if he can't do what's required? He was fixated more on a bloody newspaper than his hosts difficult circumstances. His wife in trying to empathise with Selina, at least had the humility and honesty to share her personal understanding of addiction ,albeit to a legal drug, was shut up by Mitchell's completely selfish and brutal rebuke about his reputation as an MP now being shattered by her public admission. So we all know where his true interests lie! Will be watching with interest.

SIMO on Monday, February 01, 2010 at 22:19 Mmmmmmmm........not a nice place to live....i would hate it........i wouldn't do it........i would rather sleep rough in a farmers field and be surrounded by creepy crawlies ........my heart went out to the little children......poor things..........its a vicious cycle that needs breaking.....and that means demolishing them. As for the MP's....well.......it's not a fair test for starters.........ok they get to see the other side of life for a short time and all the knockers say you should try it for a year or five years ..........but get real....these are high achieving people who would WORK themselves out of the situation in no time...........and that's THE major difference between them and a lot of the residents....going on what was shown...they wouldn't accept the situation and would get themselves out of it instead of expecting handouts and benefits. A lot of them seem incapable of doing anything for themselves.......come on.....if i lived in that flat the shower wall would not look like it did and be all mouldy and flaky.........i would clean it and buy some paint......even if i had to do it once a month to keep on top of it.........And drugs are not compulsary........everyone can say no! And to fags too. It's all about choices and what you are prepared to accept as an individual.

LILLIAN MAY on Monday, February 01, 2010 at 22:14 Typical, harping on about poverty and how hard their life is living on benefits but sat there watching a 42" flat screen television. Right at the end summed it up perfectly...MP struggled to keep within the weekly shopping budget and then the mother spent ?42 on cigerettes (compliments of the British Tax Payer)...what a joke!!

ELIZABETH on Monday, February 01, 2010 at 22:12 I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MY LOCAL MP FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS, EMAILING HIM ABOUT THE SAME SORT OF ISSUES, HE HASN'T HELPED AT ALL AND IT MAKES ME LAUGH AS ABOUT A MONTH AGO I EMAILED HIM TELLING HIM MAYBE HE SHOULD MOVE INTO MY BLOCK AND FIND OUT WHAT ITS REALLY LIKE, HE WOULDN'T LAST A WEEK, SO UNLIKE MY MP WHO ISN'T INTERESTED AT LEAST THESE MPS OFF THE PROGRAM HAVE AT LEAST BOTHERED TO EXPERIENCE LIVING LIFE IN A RUN DOWN BLOCK OF FLATS.

CHILLI71 on Monday, February 01, 2010 at 22:11 Found the programme fascinating, was a shame that Ian DS had to leave as he seemed to really grasp the challenge though he had no alternative - family life has to come first. I think both the Tim Loughton and Mark Oaten tried to understand the lives of the people they were living with but the labour guy Austin Mitchell- what a total idiot. He wouldnt even live with his host, his wife complained about the accommodation they were going to stay in for a few days, they didnt appear to spend much time with their host and even when she came round with lunch and discussed her drug programme he sat and read the paper, totally disinterested in her story, they also left the tower block for a nice cosy supper with friends!! Am looking forward to what the rest of the series shows us about our MP's. Good start to what could be an interesting series.

George too was appalled by the behaviour of Austin Mitchell, truly a self-obsessed, pampered, champagne socialist. But enough has been said about him above. George truly hopes Iain Duncan Smiths wife is on her way back to health and a full recovery. The shock to the system was the attitude and behaviour of the Tory MP Tim Laughton, he tried to empathise, and was willing to 'muck' in and be involved, even though his attempt at dancing was hilarious, at least he gave it a go (take note Mitchell). The same has to be said about Mark Oaten, compassionate, showed real emotions, and tried to actively do something - pointless maybe, but he tried, again, unlike Mitchell.

Looking forward to the second episode.