Red Ken's Brass Neck And Red Ed's Regret

You've got to admire the brass neck of Labour's Mayoral candidate, Ken "do as I say not as I do" Livingstone.

As Everyone will be aware he was caught out arranging his financial affairs in the most tax efficient way possible, despite condemning others who did the same as evil, tax dodging "rich bastards".

Hypocrisy in Labour politicians being par for the course the issue probably would have blown over by now had it not been for Livingstone's accusations that Boris Johnson, the Tory candidate, had similar arrangements. Boris and Ken had previously covered this territory and Ken knew full well the accusations weren't true.

Red Ken's accusations inevitably led to calls for all the candidates to reveal their financial affairs for public scrutiny. His attempts to avoid disclosure then, when forced, the revelations that he (and to a lesser extent the Lib Dem candidate - they always have to be "equidistant", don't they?) had paid a significantly smaller proportion of their income in tax than Boris, have made all the headlines over the past few days.

Now, Ken is attempting to make out that it was the Tories who made everyone's tax affairs an issue, saying it's a distraction from the "real" issues facing Londoners. In reality it was him, by making false allegations that inflamed the whole topic. The fuss being made about individuals tax affairs has been a distraction, not least as it was only Ken that had a big problem with tax efficient arrangements. But the original revelation on Livingstone's tax arrangements was very much relevant as it showed him up as the hypocrite he is. His response also revealed him to be and out and out liar. Boris Johnson would have to be condemning, and proposing the jailing of, serial adulterers to reach the same levels of hypocrisy as dear old Ken.

Mayoral elections are very much about the individuals as well as their policies. How trustworthy are they? Can we trust them to do what they say they are going to do? etc. Ken, like many politicians on the left in this country, has shown himself not to be trustworthy. His chances of winning are now looking very slim.

After losing in Bradford, Ed Miliband really can't afford to lose in another Labour orientated city like London, especially during a mid-term Tory government. He will hope the inevitable gains Labour will see in the local elections (the Tories will be defending a very high water mark result from 2008) will overshadow his failure in London.

How Red Ed must be regretting going for his colour-sake, Red Ken, now.

OccupyLSX And Ed Miliband - A Match Made In Heaven

Awkward Ed Miliband has expressed his support for the campers, sorry, protesters outside St Paul's Cathedral. And why not? They present themselves in the media as a broad collective that are against a lot of things (most of which most people would also be against, such as greed, irresponsible banking, MPs on the take, big bonuses for poor performing executive etc etc). But they have nothing constructive to suggest as an alternative. Sounds like a perfect fit for Ed's New New Labour.

Of course, the image of the "occupiers" being moderate minded average Joes who are just frustrated with the failings of modern leaders and financiers is not wholly accurate. They are, in fact, a hotchpotch of left wing/eco-warrior/conspiracy fantasists who see the current financial crisis as an ideal opportunity to push their delusional political views out onto the wider population while they are living through uncertain and worrying times. Those who have actually spent time talking to the (at least daytime) tent dwellers report demented and/or vacuous conversations that the following YouTube video illustrates well...

These are Ed Miliband's people. They are certainly NOT the 99% and he is welcome to them.

Recommend read: Capitalists@Work: Miliband backs the protesters

The Inconsistency Of Being Ed

When you next hear Ed Miliband call for the News Corp/BSkyB deal to be halted due to the phone hacking scandal, bear in mind the details of a memo he circulated to the shadow cabinet via Tom Baldwin, Miliband’s media chief and ex-News International journo:

“Any frontbench spokespeople should use the following line when questioned on phone hacking, BSkyB bid and phone tapping ... these issues should not be linked. One is a competition issue, the other an allegation of criminal activity.”

Hypocrisy would be his middle name, if Inconsistency wasn't already.