David Laws - A Victim of Circumstances ?

In my last post The Big Dollop called for the resignation David Laws the Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury – a call which was purely based on the fact that he had broken certain rules concerning an alleged exploitation of the expenses system afforded to MP’s who have constituencies out with the city of London.

In light of the previous public furore concerning the expenses fiasco which enveloped the last session of parliament Mr Laws to his credit has adopted a pragmatic view and realised that his position was untenable and quite rightly tendered his resignation from his post in David Cameron’s cabinet.

One aspect of this sorry saga has been the manner in which those who are in support of the present coalition government have tried to engender a point of view that Mr Laws was somehow hounded out of office just because he happens to be a homosexual and as such, a victim of circumstances which would not have occurred if his lover was female.

There has even been a school of thought presented in the blogosphere that he somehow saved the tax payer a considerable amount of money by renting a room from his supposed landlord instead of purchasing a house and getting the tax payer to pay the full second home allowance.

It is the humble opinion of the Big Dollop that these people are deliberately trying to divert attention away from the simple fact that Mr Laws broke the rules concerning expenses for which he was eligible as an MP from out with the city of London and are trying to portray it as a homophobic attack on his person.

Indeed the consensus which has been put forward is that Mr Laws has been punished simply because he tried to keep his sexuality a private matter, however what I find difficult to comprehend is that if I was in his position and wanted to keep a measure of confidentiality concerning my lifestyle out of the public domain, the last thing I would have done was to have used tax payers money to pay the rent to my lover.

It would be truculent of the Big Dollop if I did not recognise Mr Laws was totally sincere in his explanation concerning the circumstances pertaining to his living arrangements whilst working in London on parliamentary business.

By resigning  as speedily as he has done, he has demonstrated he is a man with a social conscience  and one with  more than  a modicum of integrity, however I just cannot go along with the notion that concerns for his privacy can somehow mitigate his inappropriate actions regarding what is in essence - a fraudulent claim for expenses.

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Statesmen or Procrastinators ?

Roughly three weeks ago the country went to the polls in a general election which for the first time in living memory a coalition government was formed when no individual party won a mandate to govern on a UK wide basis.

The new coalition government came about after the Lib Dems decided to enter in to an agreement with the Conservative Party with a promise of an adherence to a new era of politics when the two party leaders promised the UK Public that any abuse concerning MPs expenses would not be tolerated and would result in the concerned individual facing the consequences for his wrong doing. 

 David Laws

A Minister Without Portfolio ?

This morning, just three weeks into this new session of parliament a situation has arisen where the UK electorate will get to see if the promise given by Mr. Cameron and Mr. Clegg will be seen as being politicians of merit worth or if they somehow fudge the issue – as a couple of procrastinators for failing to act on their word.

Reported in a number of media outlets this morning was a story featuring the Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury - David Laws who has misguidedly claimed the best part of £40,000 for renting a room in a house owned by his long time lover for a three year period between 2004 and 2007.

Mr Laws in an attempt to justify his apparent misdemeanour has taken the stance that his relationship with his lover was not as formal as people think it was - owing to the fact that they did not have a civil partnership, participated in separate social lives or bizarrely - share a bank account.

In the interests of regularity, although totally irrelevant to the situation I must state that Mr Laws lover was also Male in gender which may explain the reason for his reluctance to disclose the exact nature of his relationship and in the process spare  his family from any unnecessary embarrassment.

The Big Dollop in unconcerned with the sleeping arrangements relating to Mr Laws and his companion in so far as what ever they do behind closed doors is none of my - or for that matter - anyone else’s business, however when I as tax paying citizen of the UK is asked to fork out the best part of £950 a month to effectively keep the roof over the house where that door is located, then I do consider it as my business.

Mr Laws in a statement argued that his motivation throughout had not been to maximise profit but to simply protect his privacy in order not to reveal his sexuality - very plausible I suppose but in the real world where I reside the UK tax payer was effectively paying the mortgage on his lovers property and as such he is no better than anyone who through circumstances of misfortune, have found themselves in  a state of  helpless indigence where by reason of illegal  co-habitation have sought to fraudulently claim for benefits for which they have little or no entitlement.

However I digress slightly, three weeks ago, this new government promised a new era where the shenanigans of the previous Parliament would not be tolerated, if this coalition government is to win the support of those people who didn’t vote for its conception then it has to fill its boots where its spoken word is a matter of public record, both Mr Cameron’s and Mr Clegg’s political credibility are on the line if they do not act with one accord.

Quite simply put? They have little or no choice but to relieve Mr Laws of his position within the cabinet, failing that - Mr Laws has to fall on his sword otherwise this government will be tarnished with the same brush as the last one was. SLEASY ! 

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The Labour Party Still Don't Get It

Reading the Scotsman newspaper this morning an article which caught the eye of the Big Dollop featured proposals by the Labour Party in Scotland to implement an agenda whereby Joe Public would be subject to further draconian conditions concerning the purchase of alcohol from the likes of pubs, restaurants and off license shops.

In what can only be seen as a crude attempt to further change the nation's drinking culture, the Labour Party have a desire to introduce a mandatory "Challenge 25" scheme which will force retailers to challenge youthful looking citizens to prove they are at least 18 years of age before they are allowed to purchase any alcohol from off-sales or to enjoy a social drink in pubs and restaurants.

The Amber Nectar

Being 51 years of age perhaps this legislation does not affect the Big Dollop directly, however I can see the merits whereby the ease by which many youngsters somehow manage to attain their carry outs can perhaps be curtailed by the need to produce obligatory proof of “age” accountability.

Unless the lawful age for drinking alcohol is raised to 21 across the board The Big Dollop does not see any legitimate reason for the compliance of young adults to produce mandatory identification when wanting to purchase the “poison” of their choice, Teenagers – YES / Young Adults – NO.

Given that the labour party have until very recently ruled the roost on a UK basis for the last 13 years why are they once again intent on placing unpopular proposals on the table for the Scottish Parliament to legislate for. 

The imposition of laws similar to those like the No Smoking Ban will in all probability further alienate their chances of soliciting the vote of any like minded people like the Big Dollop in any future elections.

Working the nightshift as I do, I am already cheesed off at being denied the right to purchase a six pack of my favourite brew any time before 10 am - I am sure I am not the only Scotsman with the opinion that the Labour Party are just “Grand Standing” to the Scottish electorate on this issue.

These Two Cretins Actions Should Have Similar Consequencies

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The Big Dollop was disgusted to read in one of this morning’s newspapers that two worthless pieces of human excrement had been granted bail after being arrested on charges of criminal damage relating to an incident in which they interfered with an air ambulance crew on a mercy mission to render assistance to a badly  injured infant who was severely burned and in need of immediate treatment in hospital.

The two idiots decided to lark about the helicopter and when told to clear off took it upon themselves to assault the pilot thus bring about a situation whereby the injured child was subjected to a painstaking journey which lasted four times as long as it should have done.

Why in the name of friar tuck were these two cretins let out on bail? – they should have been locked up on remand 23 hours a day with just a pot to piss in as their only luxury – banged up until such time as the relevant authorities can deal with them in a manner which will appease the concerns of Joe Public, rather than those of the do- gooders and PC brigade who always put the right’s of the criminal first -  long before those of any poor victim.

If natural justice was to prevail in this situation, then these two fcukers should be tied to a post and a blow torch applied to their bare arses for the same amount of time that small infant was delayed in getting the treatment which was denied as a result of their loutish behaviour, thus giving them an idea of the contempt that ordinary people in society hold for them and their reprehensible  ilk .

I realise some people may think I am a tad to radical in my thought process and whilst some people may not agree with my method of enacting justice they just might agree with my sentiments.
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The Proposed Cuts In Public Expenditure

An article which featured in a number of the nations newspapers this morning inadvertently passed a satirical comment prior to the Con-Dem government’s proposal to implement a £6 billion reduction in public expenditure at an emergency budget which I believe is to be presented before the present session of parliament on or about the 22nd of June.

The article which featured a photograph of a spoof police car under the headline of “The budget cuts are starting to bite” would have been quite funny if the implications of the proposed budget cuts were not so serious for the likes of the NHS, Education and of course Policing.

A sign of the proposed cuts in public expenditure ? 

Let's Hope Not !

The prospect of budgetary cuts on policing may not be a bad thing in the long run; it may just be the fulcrum which decrees that as a society we have more police constables on the beat (on bi-cycles as opposed to the Go Cart as pictured) fighting crime instead of sitting in their panda cars stuffing their faces with doughnuts just waiting on some hapless motorist travelling past at something like 5 mph over the speed limit to “harass” as a means of passing their time at work.
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Political Correctness Gone Mad - Again

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Anyone who has had the misfortune good grace to have read through my humble blog will have come to the conclusion that the Big Dollop has often asked that those in a position of authority within the judicial system in the UK to grow a pair of testicles and to try and exercise some common sense when handing down sentences which were at least commensurate with the seriousness of the nature of their particular misdemeanour perpetrated against members of the great British public.

It is a very rare occasion indeed where the Big Dollop has offered unconditional support towards those individuals within the judicial system who are charged with the task of implementing the law, be it the ordinary police constable on the beat or the most senior judge sitting in the high court.

An article - one of many in various newspapers this morning offered such an occasion whereby a member of the judiciary actually conducted himself in a manner which totally resonates with the thought process of yours truly in so far as the political correctness which these two defendants would normally have expected to be given was somehow cast aside when they found themselves on the receiving end of a severe ear bashing which I am fairly certain Joe Public would only too well agree was thoroughly merited.

The magistrate in question, Austin Malloy (pictured) found himself in hot water when he referred to two toe rags who had vandalised a Cathedral in Blackburn as being “Absolute Scum” an expression which unfortunately resulted in him being relieved of his duties as chairman on the bench.

A Court Clerk claiming his choice of expression was ‘inappropriate’ apparently took offence and objected to the language used to describe the two defendants - Is it me or does that last statement sound like a sorry excuse for some retard working above their pay scale?

This Clerk should have been told to sit on her arse and button her lip - Since when does the opinion of a Court Clerk have precedence over that of a Magistrate?

It is simply inconceivable that the powers at be should have acted on her obtuse opinion regarding what she thought was an inappropriate statement regarding two low life bawbags who when all is said and done - have absolutely no leg to stand on - most people in UK society would have no problem in branding them as Scum – “Absolute or Otherwise”

Mr Malloy in summing up told the two cretins in the dock: ‘This court is disgusted by the mindless destruction you have caused-  normal people would consider you absolute scum.’

Having read what one of the boy's own father's  has since said -  in all sincerity who can logically argue with his  assessment regarding the outcome of this sorry debacle?  I can’t.

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Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's Has Apparently Got Her Knickers In a Twist.

An article in this morning’s Daily Star newspaper left the Big Dollop slightly bemused as to the reason behind why international singing star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has apparently got her knickers in a twist after being compared to Susan Boyle  from the  TV reality show - Britain’s Got Talent.(BGT)

When asked about 49 year old Ms. Boyle, Dame Kiri was less than complementary about the public profile of the Scottish singing sensation by stating she was insulted by the notion that someone from a talent show could somehow be compared to her own successful career.

OK so Ms. Boyle may have led a sheltered life in looking after her mother for much of her adulthood, publicly she comes across as be a tad slow on the uptake and perhaps not so well versed in the ways of the world, that however does not give Ms. Kanawa the moral high ground when it comes to who is possibly the more respected singing artist.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

In all sincerity I am of the opinion there is no worthwhile comparison between Dame Kiri and SuBo, singing wise they are both very talented artist's in their own right, as human beings however Dame Kiri comes across as being somewhat pompous while the Ms. Boyle for all her obvious problems is probably the most humble artist in recent years to grace our television screens.

I do concede that Ms Kanawa may have some valid points regarding the longevity of the winners in such television programs as the X factor and BGT, however her personal attack on the talented Ms’ Boyle just smacks of jealousy - Susan Boyle may not have come from a privileged background but Dame Kiri is just plain wrong to say she does not possess the necessary talent required to be a worldwide singing artist.

The 2010 World Cup - The Hype Begins

During the course of the next 8 weeks or so our television screens are going to be bombarded with the sort of hype as shown in this short video.

It features a “Call To Arms” encouraging the England football team ahead of this year’s (soccer) world cup which is to be played in the Republic of South Africa, a tournament which my own country (Scotland) once again failed miserably to qualify for.

Lets be honest, We  Scots tend to have  a propensity for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in order that we can wallow in the glow of another glorious failure - such is the Scottish psyche when it comes to a critique of their national football team.

Based on the fact that 44 years ago England  were crowned world champions when they won the Jules Remit trophy when they hosted the world cup in 1966, many of the pundits employed by the English media appear to have an opinion where they think England have a divine right to win every tournament they enter.

There is every likelihood I won't be able stand the pompous shower of conceited arrogant shysters masquerading as  BBC commentators  spouting their nationalistic fervour about all things English shown on British Television  during the world cup in South Africa, however it would be churlish of The Big Dollop  if I was not to wish our neighbours south of the border some element of good fortune - indeed as a Scotsman it hurts me to say I that I think England will have a fairly successful competition, I certainly think they are good enough to get to the semi – finals.

Although I would like to express some element of good luck regarding their campaign in South Africa next month - I would be lying if I said I was indifferent as to whether or not they to won it outright - like the product featured sponsoring the video presentation  - it would PROBABLY stick in my craw if they did.

Its Five O'clock Some Where

The Big Dollop it has to be said is a fan of the American Country  genere of music, bearing this in mind I would just like to kick back and share this music video with you guys.

Its excelent IMHO  -  enjoy.

The Luckiest Man In The UK

The Big Dollop came across this video which features an individual who must be the luckiest man in the UK and who can count himself very lucky indeed that he was not killed by a momentarily lapse in concentration when perhaps he should have been more aware of his surroundings.

The man who is obviously an avid train spotter was filming a steam train as it passed through a rural train station oblivious to the danger speeding towards him in the shape of an Inter City express train coming the opposite way narrowly missing him by no more than an inch.

Apparently the police want to trace this “Anorak” with a view to offering him some sound advice on the dangers associated with his hobby – dangers which I am fairly certain he will only be too well aware off after his amazing brush with death.
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The Con - Dem Coalition Government

The election is well and truly over - done and dusted and has now resulted in a hastily arranged shot gun marriage Tory- Lib Dem coalition government which leaves the Big Dollop a little more than convinced, that in all probability the country will have to go back to the polling booths in order to elect a government which can govern with a working majority in its own right.

Once the initial joy of Mr Brown and his labour party being kicked out of office has subsided, the chit will inevitably hit the fan when the various policies necessary to address the economic problems the country faces come home to roost and people start realising that it’s not just the long term unemployed, and single mothers who are being asked to fill their boots, but they themselves who are being asked to take the brunt of the enforced cuts in relation to their earnings and pensions - cuts which will undoubtedly result in higher taxes and lower living standards for everyone.

I have a sneaky feeling when that scenario comes about - the underlying differences which both the Conservatives and Liberals campaigned on during the run up to last Thursday’s election will bubble to the surface and the finger of blame will be pointed in the general direction of Nick Clegg and his party.

Anyone who has read my blog on a fairly consistent basis will realise that I have never proclaimed any sort of political bias within my humble pages; this is because I prefer to vote for a candidate on his own merit rather than to go along with the obtuse dogma that the four main parties (in Scotland) engender in their individual election manifesto’s.

If I am honest my intention was not to vote for Labour this time round mainly because I was strongly at variance with Mr Brown for his mismanagement and under funding of our military personnel in the war currently being fought in Afghanistan, therefore in my wisdom I voted for Mr Clegg’s Liberal party – after yesterday I will never vote for them again.

In all sincerity my individual vote didn’t make one ounce of difference to the result of the constituency where I reside, the Liberal candidate came third.

I voted along the lines I did, not I may add, because I wanted a liberal MP, although I was of the opinion the Labour government had had its day - I just didn’t want the Conservative one.

Such is the price we all pay for having the luxury of living in a parliamentary democracy, sometimes you win – sometimes you lose, perhaps we ( the blogosphere) can now get down to debating the issues that effect us all and leave the vitriolic personal attacks in the gutter where they belong.

Sometime within the next 50 days or so George Osborne will hold an emergency budget after which I may offer some critique by way of expressing my differences (or indifferences for that matter) with the newly formed Con Dem coalition government.

That critique will be purely along political lines and will in no way shape or form make reference to his privileged background, private education or country of birth.

The Big Dollop being a concerned tax paying citizen of the UK intends to exercise my democratic right to freely express my opinions on the veracity of the premiership of Mr Cameron, much in the same forthright manner in which I criticised Mr Brown during his tenure in Downing Street.

I implore you to do the same.

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

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It has to be said that a fair percentage of the country will be upset that  the country is now being run by a coalition government comprising the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Look on the bright side -  at least we don't have to suffer this individual on our television screens any more.

Remembering The Bradford Disaster

Saturday the 11th of May 1985 – unless it was your birthday or perhaps the day you got married or something way out of the usual, I have a sneaky suspicion the date in question may very well be - pretty meaningless to you.

That weekend  25 years ago I was in the middle of a three day golfing break with three of my friends up in the Montrose area of the north of Scotland.

That particular day we played the course at Edzell which for a relatively new golfer as I was at the time was like playing the old course at St Andrew’s in my then naïve eyes.

We played two rounds that beautiful sunny day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon, on our return to Montrose we stopped off at the Royal Arch public house in the town centre.

On entering the premises we were met by a sea of faces right inside the door all intent on watching the television which at that time was showing the evening news.

In the light hearted manner that prevailed and dying for a small libation we didn’t spend too much attention to what had caused this intense interest, to tell you the truth we were desperate for a beer or two having endured the toils of carrying a set of golf clubs round a golf course twice that day .

Whilst one of my friends made haste to the wee boy’s room, my other two friends went to the bar to order up the necessary refreshments leaving me to look after our equipment sitting at a table at the back of the bar.

To amuse myself I decided to play some music on the juke box and selected a few of the then popular songs of the day – first song up was the Thompson twins singing “doctor doctor – can't you see I’m burning burning” which to my utter astonishment was met with howls of derision from the regulars who frequented that particular public house.

The Bradford Disaster  - May 1985

I was on the receiving end of a torrent of abuse and it was only when I actually looked up at the TV screen above the entrance door that I noticed the television was showing an incident which was to be known afterwards as the Bradford Disaster.

I could not have been more mortified when to my horror I saw on the TV screen a football stadium had caught fire and was fully ablaze with people scrambling over the walls in order to escape the carnage which ultimately claimed the lives of 56 football fans.

After apologising profusely for my inappropriate actions we decided it might be prudent to finish our refreshments in rather sharp order and make our stay in that public house rather short!

Each year since, on the 11th of May I have often found myself apologising for my apparent lack of sensitively when ever I think of the people who perished that afternoon whilst I was out playing golf.

The following month, I, along with my three friends who were present with me that day in Montrose, took part in a sponsored walk – we walked from Ibrox stadium to Love Street in Paisley- the then home of St Mirren Football club raising almost £ 300 in aid of the Bradford Disaster fund.

Today I apologise once again !

Adam Boulton and Alastair Campbell Go Head To Head

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Watching sky news this afternoon the Big Dollop was amazed to see this dramatic encounter interview between Adam Boulton and Alastair Campbell concerning Gordon Brown's decision to resign as the labour party leader.

Boulton, the Sky News pundit displayed his angst when he effectively lost the plot when he fell foul to the "spin" engendered by Tony Blair's former spin doctor -  Mr Campbell.

Indeed for one scary moment it  looked like Campbell and Boulton were going to come  to blows as their heated exchange looked like reaching boiling point.

Tempers flared when Mr Campbell said: "Adam, you're obviously upset that David Cameron's not Prime Minister."

Mr Boulton replied: "I'm not upset."

But Mr Campbell insisted: "You are, you are."

Mr Boulton then hit back, saying: "I'm fed up with you telling me what to think - Don't keep casting aspersions over what I think. I am commenting."

Campbell said: "Calm down, this is live on television -  dignity, dignity."

To watch Mr Boulton vent his spleen on what he obviously sees as a ploy to keep David Cameron out of Downing Street - made the money we pay for the television licence almost worthwhile - It was Priceless Television.

Andrew Leech - An Accidental Hero

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The Big Dollop came across this Shocking video footage which featured the moment a father and his baby son were caught up in a terrifying incident when they were both pinned to a shop front by a car which had careered off the road after its elderly driver had suffered a heart attack.

The Big Dollop has previously stated in the pages of his humble blog that heroes come in many forms , I would like to add Mr Andrew Leech to that roll of honour for the steadfast manner in which he put himself at risk to save the life of his infant son.

Much Respect Sir.

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3 Rifles and 1 Scots on Parade in Edinburgh

Hundreds of soldiers from the 3 Rifles and 1 Scots have marched in Edinburgh after returning from a six month tour of Afghanistan during which time they sadly suffered the  loss of  thirty members of their battle group.

The Edinburgh-based troops who were deployed to Helmand in October 2009 were taking part in a homecoming parade on the Royal Mile to thank the public for their support, before being presented with their service medals in a ceremony at Redford barracks in front of their no doubt - very proud families.

The troops marched from the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood house, past some bereaved families and injured colleagues who were unable to march.

The 650 soldiers paraded down the Royal Mile, accompanied by pipes and drums where Princess Alexandra received a royal salute outside the city chambers.

God Bless each and everyone of them, Welcome home boys.

The Outcome Of The General Election

With all but a few seats still to be accounted for, it is very apparent that neither the Conservative nor the Labour party have managed to accrue the necessary number of MP's to attain a working majority to form a government in its own right.

This afternoon we have had statements from both Gordon Brown and David Cameron inviting the Liberal Democrats to enter into negotiations in order to facilitate an accord whereby a coalition government could be formed under the banner of being in the “national interest” which could be sold to the electorate as a viable feasibility.

Regardless of whomever Mr Clegg climbs into bed with, there every likelihood  the people of the UK will have to go back to the polls when (as in the past) certain differences in their working relationship become untenable and inevitably lead to collapse.

Mr Clegg would be a fool to enter in to any agreement with labour whereby Mr. Brown was allowed to remain as PM; he knows full well the English segment of the UK electorate would never forgive him for keeping Gordy Boy in office.
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One way or another the Big Dollop is of the opinion that Mr Brown’s tenure as PM is coming to an end for no matter what transpires his goose is truly cooked, it is simply unacceptable for Mr Brown to remain in office given that in simple layman’s terms he received a right good kick in the ballots with his party losing 90 plus seats in last night’s general election.

It is my humble opinion that Mr. Brown no longer has a mandate or the moral authority to remain resident in No 10 and as such should tender his resignation to Her Majesty at his earliest convenience.

Mr. Browns conduct in trying to cling to office has been somewhat unedifying, he reminds me of a tin pot dictator along the lines of North Korea’s Kim Jong-il - such is his arrogance that it would not surprise me in the slightest if he just decided to brass it out and elect to remain in power albeit with a minority government.

If Mr Brown thinks for one moment he can survive a vote of confidence in a new session of parliament then he is obviously smoking some serious tobacco substitute in his pipe.

The Election Results

Although the fat lady is silent for now the results (thus far)  of the general election can be found here

Get Out And Vote

In a little under six hours the polling stations will open for the general election offering the people of the UK an opportunity a change of  government  for only the second time since 1979. (The last time being in 1997)

It would be a fair comment to say the country is at the cross roads, with the economy going down the tubes there has been much speculation both within the media and blogosphere that a policy of change is needed, how that change manifest’s itself will be revealed sometime within the next 24 hours or so .

The Big Dollop even at this late stage is still undecided on who is going to receive his cross on the ballot paper, in the long run my individual vote won't mater a jot as the MP for my area will be re elected as sure as tomorrow is Friday.

The under lying factor for the Big Dollop is whether he stays loyal to his political beliefs or whether he takes a leap of faith and votes for a party which in the past has continually promoted a certain agenda which I have fundamentally disagreed with.

Sometime later on today the Big Dollop will enter the polling booth and will have to make a choice as to vote for the candidate who may be best qualified to ensure the well being of my pocket book or for the candidate who’s party manifesto may be better for the greater good of the country and as such be adversarial in the long run to me on a personal basis.

Therein I suppose, is the dilemma which I suspect will be in the thought process of a significant number of the electorate even at this late stage - just what is the underlying consideration which will dictate exactly who do I vote for?

Anyone reading the pages of the Big Dollop blog will have noticed that I have been less than complementary to the policies of the present government which I have been at odds with.

In some instances I have criticised the PM Gordon Brown for what I consider his inept administration of the economy and his gross negligence of the prosecution of the war in Afghanistan, - I stand by every word I have written on him.

However regardless of who ever gains the keys to No 10 in the forthcoming election I have to state that if I am of the opinion he is being errant in the discharge of his duty as PM or his Government is making a pigs ear out of running the country then I reserve the right to say so without the fear of being labelled as an individual with more faces than the town hall clock.

Just because I have been critical of the present government does not mean for one moment I won’t be of the next one (regardless of who holds the reins of power)

The Big Dollop has never once told his readers who they should vote for- so I won’t be starting now, that is between you and your conscience – all I would ask of you is to take 5 minutes and get your ar$e down to the polling station and exercise your right to vote for the candidate of your choice.

Just be grateful that you live in a country where you can have an overnight change of government without the spectre of violence against your person for exercising you democratic right to express your political viewpoint regardless if the government of your choice is elected or not .

That’s the joy of living in a democracy – don’t abuse it – get out and vote! 

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Labour and Lib Dem Policy Towards Page 3

During the course of the run up to tomorrow’s general election there have been many scare stories printed in the media regarding the so called policy ideas by the political party for whom the newspaper concerned has publically stated it holds no sense of allegiance towards.

With just one day’s campaigning to go before the polls open tomorrow morning I thought I had seen them all - not hardly it would seem.

Reason Enough  For Voting Conservative ? 

The Scottish edition of the Sun reported that if either Labour or the Lib Dems were to somehow come to power then the law could be changed in such a manner that the institution we have come to know as page 3 could be banned from our newspapers.

The Big Dollop not being a rocket scientist cannot help but think the Sun may have a hidden agenda other than obviously trying to deter people from voting for any other party than Conservative with this nonsense. 

I have very little doubt that the Economy, the NHS, Education, Trident, Europe and the Euro, Immigration, the war in Afghanistan and a host of other subjects will be at the forefront of any legislation to be placed before the next session of parliament long before any bimbo gets banned from getting her trupeney bits out in page three of any of our newspapers. 

Then again enough is enough – I’m voting for the Tories.

Dogging In The Cotswolds

Given that this photograph has the propensity to cause all sorts of grief, the Big Dollop had a wee chuckle to himself this evening when I saw this photograph in today’s Daily Mail.

Someone obviously has something akin to the wicked a sense of humour as I profess to have, that aside I can readily understand why some residents in the locality  might see it differently.

For those readers of the Big Dollop blog who may not be worldly wise - the term “dogging” refers to the act of public sexual activity, often between complete strangers, in outdoor places and in public view.

There is not a snowballs chance in hell a sign of this nature would ever feature in the official Cotswolds tourism guide, however that would not have stopped the “curious” nature of any person who happened to come across the sign to follow its directions in the vague hope of viewing something more memorable than the scenery at this popular tourist destination.

Today the brown and white sign, designed to replicate official signs to places of public interest, had been torn down from the Cirencester bypass at Birdlip after some justifiable complaints by local residents whose bank holiday weekend was ruined by an influx to the area of numerous people  with a  strange indulgence for participating in public proclivities of a sexual nature.

I guess I’ll just have to cross out the Cotswolds as a holiday destination this year.
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Obama Kills Them At The White House Correspondents Dinner

Well if his day job doesn’t end up working out President Barack Obama may have a comedy career to fall back on.

Mr Obama addressed a star-studded crowd (for Washington, anyway) at the White House Correspondents dinner last night and from some accounts he stole the show.

Judge for yourselves.

Jon Stewart'sThoughts on BigotGate

The Big Dollop has long been a fan of Jon Stewart and his daily show for longer than I care to remember, it is a very rare occasion  indeed that UK politics would ever feature in his excellent programme, however because we in the UK are in the midst of having a General Election I suppose it was inevitable given the recent Bigot Gate scandal, the erudite Mr Stewart would have his two cents to say on the matter.

His thoughts on the debacle Mr Brown has found himself immersed in is very funny indeed  - enjoy the video .. I did

Tohseef Shah and The CPS

This morning the Big Dollop had occasion to read a story in the Daily Mail which left him boiling mad with anger, it featured an odious individual by the name of Tohseef Shah who can count himself lucky he is not facing a spot of hospitality care of HM’s Prison Service after admitting charge of criminal damage concerning graffiti he daubed onto a war memorial in the Staffordshire town of Burton – upon- Trent.

Shah, a 21 year old Muslim who daubed the memorial with various slogans including one which  threatened to kill the Prime Minister and another one proclaiming a statement that "Islam Would Dominate the World "escaped with only a two-year conditional discharge and an order to pay the council £500 compensation  - a sentence which begs the question ... What The Fcuk?

This odious piece of human excrement should have been jailed for a period of time which would have allowed him adequate time to reflect on the error of his ways, it is simply inconceivable that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) could possibly believe his actions were not inspired by his self evident religious hatred of people out with the Islamic faith.

 Seriously - look at the photograph of the memorial after his handy work , the people employed by the CPS must have went to a finishing school for  brain dead cretins if they honestly came to the conclusion his actions were not inspired by religious hatred.

The CPS, in what can only be described as a crude attempt to “Jack” Joe Public off released a statement which said Shah's offence could not be charged as a hate crime because the law requires that damage must target a particular religious or racial group.

It said:

'While it was appreciated that what was sprayed on the memorial may have been perceived by some to be part of a racial or religious incident, no racial or religious group can be shown to have been targeted.'

The above statement by the CPS may be politically correct in the eyes of the law - in my opinion however - totally irrelevant, Quite simply put- the CPS Bottled it.

The Big Dollop has the perfect solution to resolve this unsavoury incident - Just cut his fricking hand’s off , I guarantee he won’t be defacing anything else in the UK.