Evan Davis really gave Chuka Umunna a tough going-over on this morning’s Today programme, if by tough going-over one imagines being soothed with the soft gentle strokes of giant cotton wool balls for ten minutes. Davis’s line was basically, “You get on with it and I’ll chip in every now and again to concur with everything you’re saying and help clarify the message.” When they’d finished agreeing about executive pay, Davis then asked Umunna (adviser: Diane Coyle, vice chair BBC Trust, wife of BBC tech correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones) why poor Ed Miliband is getting such a tough time when it seems clear that he’s actually pretty awesome:
Just before we finish I do want to ask you about the leadership. It’s sort of been in the news this week, this feeling that it’s been a difficult week for Ed Miliband – he’s given an interview in The Guardian this morning. Why do you think it is, because he’s given a fairly clear analysis of the country very much along the lines of the one you’ve talked about – about irresponsible capitalism that needs dealing with – why do you think it is that question marks have been raised about him given the clarity of his message?
Amazing as it seems, poor Chuka somehow managed to survive that blistering line of attack.
Your article criticises both Evan Davis and Chuka Umunna are you mad? This is clear proof that you are both racist and homophobic…
Don’t forget the leading news item concerning this (on Radio 4 news at 8:00 anyway) was spun as Ed defending his position plus being cheered on by Chuka: the actual criticism (which is the genuine news) didn’t get a look-in. Again, lousy reporting compounded by bias. Then again, I suppose were one to complain to the BBC the response would probably be that they got it “about right” or, in this case – as in so many others – “about left”.
Miliband clearly thinks he’s good, and intends hanging on. That is excellent news, n’est pas?
Tempting to say so, but at the end of the day it’s better for democracy if the Opposition has a viable leader.
Jim Murphy seems it to me.
Jim Murphy? Are you kidding?
Radio 5 were at it as well, Peter Hain was the goto guy for some bollocks about South Africa, then the male beeboid (some stand in) asked him about Red Ed.
Hain gave us 5 minutes of uninterrupted bollocks ranging from “it all started in America” (never gets old that one does it?) to Red Ed is a genius.
The beeboid didn’t stop him once.
Big thumbs up from Radio 5, the “Save Ed” campaign is in full flow at the BBC.
Martin: The beeboid did not say anything because he could not read his Labour party provided script. That in turn was because he was wearing dark glasses to protect his eyes from the glow of hain’s skin.
Mr Hain should have been deported decades ago; back to whichever african hellhole from which he sprung. He’s so much in love with ethnics that he doesn’t actually want to live amongst them.
I noted Hain getting dusted off the multikulti shelf to hold forth on life under the ANC.
Wasn`t he the one digging up cricket pitches and ,so: denying dear old Dolly his chance to turn apartheid over?
How much would the Tango man from Neath( were certain Welsh valleys part of the bantustans then?) know about necklace killings and gangs of Durban then?
Has Winnie Mandela got any retrospective due this glorious year I wonder?
In fairness, Hain was born Africa, only coming the UK at the end of a very privileged upbringing in S Africa, so it’s natural for him to have a special interest in its affairs.
Nevertheless, he’s still a complete posturing permatanned twat, which seems to have been one of the key requirements for anyone expecting advancement in NuLab, or its subsidiary, the BBC.
In fact Hain misses the African sun so much that he has claimed heating oil on expenses (wonder if OAPs can do this?).-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5389867/MPs-expenses-Peter-Hains-new-wife-new-home-and-new-shed-roof.html
And he is such a good boy to his 83-year-old mummy that he employs her as his secretary, also courtesy of the taxpayer of course –
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/1577416/Peter-Hains-mother-80-is-on-his-payroll.html
Listening to Davis on the Chuka item, within 30 seconds it was quite clear from listening to the fawning intro what the narrative was going to be. I gave it another 30 seconds then switched off. The BBC apparatchiks are utterly shameless.
I had the exact same reaction. Hit the pause button and closed the tab right after Davis’ first loud, “MMmm!” of approval.
Chuka Umunna is the BBC’s new found expert on everything ranging from race relations to capitalist neo-liberal economics. He will probably be their favoured Labour spokesperson on NASA rocket science too. He might be a great guy for all I know but the only reason he pops up on the BBC every second news bullitin is because he fits in perfectly with new left wing multicultural narrative.
Chuka is the black Vince Cable in the beeboid world.
You mean an utter fake who couldn’t hold down a proper job in the real world?
Point of order: Chuka did have a day job, they like to tout him as a ‘city lawyer’ which sounds grandiose, he was an employment solicitor giving advice, so at least he’s educated (and not a PPE, Oxford!)
He might have had a decent day job but his previous position does not entitle him to pontificate on economic matters. I suppose he relies on his civicl servants who we all know are only in their jobs because they graduated with a classics degree from Oxford or Cambridge.
I agree entirely Merlin, mine was merely a point of order in reply to John. Chama is a typical smooth smarmy acting brown skinned version of Tony Blair, he is being used in precisely the same way Obama is. he goes along with it for money and power. End of.
Yep!
Ah bless-gay bloke with a Prince Albert shares a latte only to gossip about the Boss with the metropolitan man of perceived shading that is as close to Obama as we can get without a Dulux chart.
I would say Obama-lite, but I can`t be sure!
Anyway-I imagine Evan wasn`t as “wired” this Saturday morning as he was when he “interviewed” Lord Young-let alone, that posh Bullingdon boy he harrassed the other day.
He`d have stayed clean last night so he could do justice to the coming man…Radio Guardians ideal cartoon dream for the next Leader of National Salvation that Common Purpose continue to beg for around Brussels.
I`ll not bother with listening…both Roy Jenkins and Dick Tavernes books are in audio format now…so why the hell listen to Evan and Justin singing “Children of the Revolution” glammed up in Sarahs boa-with Burnhams particlar mascara too I`d imagine.
Lifes too short..
ROBERT BROWN; Try as i might, i cannot shake this image of Davis dressed as a gimp, prostrate and begging for more. The BBC sure employ some strange creatures.
Just watching the mid-day BBC news which started with a five minute blatant advert for Ed Miliband’s leadership. Completely one sided and totally biased.
I was wondering why Tuscany Polly wasn’t on defending him
but then I realised why-her sour old mug was on sky news,calling red ed “a thoroughly decent man” who was way ahead in the yougov polls
idiot
I simply cannot stand that snooty cow Polly Toynbee! She irritates the hell out of me.
She irritates the hell out of any intelligent person, really intelligent that is, non-left and able to see clearly, with regard to an understanding of human nature, unlike herself, who failed the 11+, was booted out of university because she was not bright enough, should not have been admitted anyway save for the intervention of an ‘influential’ relative, probably ashamed of her dimness and it’s effect on the, wealthy, family name. If you wonder what has happened to all the bright, and future leaders of government, the civil service, industry, medicine, science and academia, cast your eyes upon the lists of the fallen of 1914-18 and 1939-45 that line the cloisters of Oxford and Cambridge colleges and all the other universities that lost such promise and talent and weep for England. Then look at Toynbees sour, bitter countenance. What has she done for this country? Nothing but carp and moan and gripe. Please bombard her with such sentiments and hope she leaves this country for Italy for good, they deserve her.
Why does the news that the BBC is attempting to claim Millipede’s had a storming first year as Labour leader remind me of the futility of trying to polish a turd?
Nice one, DB. 🙂
I really think the editors of the Today programme should be sent recordings of the Cameron and Umunna interviews and asked for their comments. The contrast between the two interview ‘styles’ adopted by Evan Davis could not be more stark and I am not a Cameron groupie by any means.
I have never had a problem with Evan, either. Give me him and Sarah over Jim and John any day.
Maybe prime ministers are held to a higher standard than mere Shadow spokesmen and consequently are given a harder time?
“Maybe prime ministers are held to a higher standard than mere Shadow spokesmen and consequently are given a harder time?”
LOL! NOT!! Yes, Blair and Brown compared to say, Hague? Or anyone from the Conservative party.
“Maybe prime ministers are held to a higher standard than mere Shadow spokesmen and consequently are given a harder time?”
It’s certainly worth contemplating but frankly, I simply could not imagine a Tory being given such a free rein and such friendly questions.
While Jim and John are screamingly bent (haven’t heard enough of Evan Davis to say so) at least they’ere capable broadcasters, to me, Davis is over-promoted on the TODAY programme. He’s simply they’re because he’s a leftie, and in all probability I would guess because he’s homosexual as well.
How awesome TODAY would be if it had serious quality journalists like Andrew Neil, although I guess it wouldn’t be up for the early mornings!
Its called cross fertilization between two ideologically identical groups, the interview was the usual mutual masturbation for which the BBC toady show is famous. Yet I have rarely heard such a soft loving interview before even on the BBC. Its clear that Millitwat is a disaster as leader yet he was the union barons choice so Labour and its mdias arm the BBC have to promote him come what may, its a bit like trying to sell mutton dressed as lamb or in his case a dog turd dressed as fillet mignon.
It was vote labour, please vote labour, during this time when the BBC has smeared and villified the Tories AND during the economic crisis, the fact is the BBC are doing their best to help him and labour through this difficult time. Now remember you peasants, labour is great and labour high commanders are wonderful, get it?
That complaint by Labour that the BBC isn’t being biased enough seems to have worked. It’s got their stooges at the BBC jumping to attention again. No slacking there Gramscians, ‘Big Brother expects’ ..
Yes, I know it wasn’t the body of the complaint, but its what they meant.
With all that mutual masturbation and cross-fertilisation that Cassandra depicts they could spawn a clutch of littleToynbee inbreds, all grating and moaning their way into Labour Party, BBC and Guardian jobs, when they get to 18.
Chukka UMMHA is he an old Pink Floyd album ???
A nice moment on BBC News 24 with Gavin Esler. The diverse team of BBC pundits around the Dateline London table discuss the idea Jamaica may ditch the Queen as head of state.
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown is so excited that she blurts out ‘If they do this, I will move there!’
Oh promises, promises.
Alibhai-Brown was wanking on about the nasty Police locking up those poor Muslim boys without trial.
Well actually it’s not the Police that locks them up but the state and for good reasons.
I noted that deformed jaw Essler didn’t bother to correct her. In MUSLIM Countries it is the Police who decide what to do with you.
if she doesn’t like having her maj as head of state,what’s she doing still living here,the old harradin that she is?
The Yazzmonster moving out of Blighty? If only Jamaica would have her ..
No doubt she`ll think its a re-enactment of the Windrush or some slave trade thing…so will be able to sue us all for racism as soon as she lands in Kingston town.
Still…worth the risk if we can lose the likes of her,Polly and Bonnie.
Would save on the carbon footprint if they all shard the same boat-is that Conquereor type sub still available for hire?
Beeboid to Beeboid chat on New 24 about Ed Miliband. Apparently it’s been a ‘difficult week‘ for the Labour leader. A difficult year surely? I smell damage limitation from the left.
Careful. You’ll have the pedant police swooping down to point out that, as of today, the week and year are the same thing, in their latest ‘gotcha’ moment. 🙂
Suffice to say that, outside a very odd bubble, it’s hard to recall any period since his election to Labour Leader when Mr. Miliband has had anything other than ‘difficulties’. Usually of his own making.
Hackgate and for a spell the riots were good spells for him, but only because the BBC was blatantly acting as his Press Officer.
Labour are faced with a very unseemly ‘blood on the carpet job’ in removing him that could do more harm than good, or pull out all their bias stops at the BBC to see if the BBC can brainwash the public he has been borne down on wings from Mount Olympus to lead Britain to salvation.
The BBC would have to push the boat so far out to do that that it might even risk this Government taking action to restore impartiality.
When talking about the Labour Party the BBC ALWAYS assume that the listener is a Labour Party voter. How are we doing? Are we Left enough? Which side ought we to take on this internal debate?
If a Labour Party supporter (although rarely identified as such) is interviewed the assumption is always “Hello you nice person” tell us your wisdom.
When talking about the Conservative Party the BBC ALWAYS adopts the stance of a prosecution barrister. You say this but what about this – a report by the Left Wing think tank (not identified as such) proves you are wrong! An article in The Guardian (not identified as such) tells us that you personally hacked Milly Dowler’s phone. How do you sleep at night? Let me interrupt you before you say your second word, because really you ought not be given any airtime.
If a Conservative Party supporter (nearly always identified as such) is interviewed the assumption is always “Since you are an evil person let me in a morally outraged and sneering tone of voice explain why I hate you.
From now until the election, every programme, every interview, every package, is going to be VOTE LABOUR VOTE LABOUR VOTE LABOUR. It is an absolutely blatent abuse of power. They are a national disgrace. They are working class hating middle class Leftists on the take from the taxpayer – which they helpfully identify for us as “Sun” [sneer] and “Daily Mail” [double sneer] readers.
In a free society they would be gently lifted off the public teat. They are the Lord Haw Haw of the England hating classes. Class hustlers on behalf of the privileged.
Post of the week!
The main Lord Haw haw, Wiliam Joyce was actually very popular (well, his broadcasts were) with many millions of listeners, which considering the situation, is incredible.
What modern equivalent is there…a popular broadcaster with millions of UK listeners, giving false information and continually putting down England and telling them to surrender to a greater foreign influence?
Cicero
A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself.
For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims,
he wears their face and their arguments, and he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men.
He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist.
A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague.
The BBC types such as Evan Davies lack the ability to see themselves as others see them. It simply does not cross his mind that anyone could think that the left wing of politics is wrong in any way. He’s a wealthy gay man working in the media, living in London, the nearest thing to a Conservative he would ever meet socially would be Tracey Emin. It simply would not have crossed his mind to give Chukka a hard time, why would he, they probably see each other regularly socially. I expect he thinks that a social event involving anyone of conservative views involves clubbing foxes to death whilst singing the Horst Wessel song.
High salaries for mediocre performance is “the wrong kind of Capitalism”? Since when does that have anything to do with Capitalism? Capitalists do stupid things, but that’s not the same thing at all. Did a child write this? I suppose high salaries for mediocre performance is cool for union workers, right? But then, that’s not any kind of Capitalism. Any other jobs for which the government ought to decided pay limits? This silly argument wouldn’t have lasted two minutes in my high school economics class.
This “wrong kind of Capitalism” leads to high salaries the company can’t sustain? What a load of nonsense. Again, this apparently doesn’t apply to public sector unions.
And there’s Davis, someone with an actual economics background who can do math, still humming along with the tune.
The Labour theory of value, indeed.