Gordon Brown image

If you have any political banners that you'd like us to host here the please contact us. This one made me laugh a lot - even though it is a little cheeky!

Northern Rock - why Gordon's gone underground...

I'm so amazed at the moment that the Government has taken so little flack over Northern Rock. When a major financial incident happens in a country then surely it's the fault of the government - especially one that's been in power for a decade. Governments - especially in the UK - have the freedom to influence nearly all policies and regulations, particularly financial regulations. The regulations they created have failed in their first major test and this needs to be stressed.

On top of this the government also has the power to influence the running of the economy. Their running of the economy to date has been fairly good on the face of it but they've been storing up problems which are starting to creep to the surface. High consumer debt and the massive increase in house prices has stretched household budgets and encouraged the growth of risky mortgage lending. As a result as interest rates have risen and the US economy slowed the ramifications for the wider economy are far more pronounced and are likely to result in job loses, economic slowdown and greater financial instability.

I just hope that if Gordon calls a snap October people are well aware of the part he has played in the Northern Rock crisis and the wider economic slowdown that we are about to face. However, if the crisis continues then don't expect to see much of Gordon - he'll be hiding away again not doing his job!

Boris using our lines

I have noticed at the opening of his campaign for Mayor of London Boris has been using lines about Ken being Caracas. I'm glad to see that his research team is reading the material release by his (former) rivals. If you look back to one of my recent posts you will see this masterful use of word play.

You can have this one Boris - and frankly you can have many more because we love you!

Boris Johnson pulling ahead

It looks like Boris is set to become the Tory candidate for Mayor of London. In a survey conducted by ConservativeHome.com it found that 70 per cent of party supporters in London support Boris. His nearest rival has only 10 per cent. It seems that unless Boris turns round and says something silly he'll be facing Ken Livingstone with little opposition.

As far as this web site is concerned this is excellent news. Boris is the only credible opposition and the only man that can remove Ken.

We'll never forget the grand plan to get Derek Laud to run for some sort of public office but for now its all about Boris.

Derek Laud - Racism article in The Times

There is a nice piece written by Andrew Anthony in The Times today which I think shows Derek in a good light.

The article is about race and racism both to and within the black community. The author interviewed Derek a number of years ago before he had gone on Big Brother when he was running for election. The author asked him about the contradictions between his day-to-day life and the fact he was black. Derek dismissed this in a way that I at least hope race could one day be seen (although this is highly unlikely to happen).

He does not see himself principally as a black man. He sees himself as a man, a Tory, a fox hunter etc etc and the black part falls way down the list. Just like a white man is not likely to identify himself as white first off - I am British, an Englishman, an economist, a Salopian and I would name many many more things before I would say white.

I believe it is that sort of response that would make Derek Laud a great politician. He has been able to move beyond the petty and the exterior.

I highly recommend this article : - Question to blacks: what’s so wrong with coconuts?

Boris goes to Los Angeles, whilst Ken goes Caracas

I find it truly amazing that Ken Livingston had the nerve to turn round and criticise Boris for going to LA to discuss policing policy with Lee Baca. Fair enough Lee Baca has been too celebrity friendly but if a place is going to be celebrity friendly it's going to be LA.

Surely the more important part of the equation is that Lee Baca has started to have an impact upon the gun, drug and gang problems in the city. Given that London shares these problems Boris is absolutely right to seek Lee Baca's council.

But still Ken turns round and has a go at Boris. This is the guy who goes off to discuss policy with Hugo Chavez - a leader who may not be friendly with celebrities but does love brutality, corruption, cronyism and autocracy. Then again I guess has a lot in common with this approach to government.

So carry on Boris! You're clearly doing very well and the Ken camp in clutching at straws!

First post

This is the first post of the http://www.dereklaud.com/ blog.

So Derek didn't run for as Mayor of London this time round. Well when it comes down to it no-one has a chance of beating old Boris Johnson. He really is the heavy weight that can challenge Ken and Ken seems rattled!

This web site is putting its full backing behind Boris.

Therefore we must move on to our next campaign, getting Derek to run for something else. I'm suggesting an MP in London. David Cameron needs a boost at the moment and could do with another character to lift the Conservatives' spirits.