tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58474442011-04-22T02:45:31.903+01:00A shelf full of Penguin Classics, chocolate digestives and Captain Kirk figures in an MP's office ...Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comBlogger281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1094082585556861022004-09-02T00:48:00.000+01:002004-09-02T00:49:45.556+01:00

I'm over here now too, where I'm slightly more serious. Come one, come all!

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1092050916995588482004-08-09T12:17:00.000+01:002004-08-09T12:29:16.293+01:00

I've been gently admonished by a fellow MP's gopher for not keeping my blog up-to-date. When I told him I'd update it just for him, he asked if he was the only reader. This would be side-splittingly funny if only it were not true. (That's not a bitter statement, by the way, just an accurate one!) The last time I posted was after the June 10 wipe-out, and things have moved on a little since then,

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1086956078599242912004-06-11T13:12:00.000+01:002004-06-11T13:14:38.600+01:00

As my home town heads to the Tories after years of being under no overall control, I am clutching at the straw of amusement which is the Daily Mail-o-matic. A friend of mine sent me the link to this ages ago and I've neglected to blog it. Still, here is is. I'm also quite fond of Michael Howard saying which Smiths lyrics he "believes" in.

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1085500927291262632004-05-25T16:58:00.000+01:002004-05-25T17:02:07.290+01:00

After a horrendous week news-wise, and all sorts of voting-related fracas, plus the purple powder last Wednesday, it's a quiet week in the House and the boss is pleased about it. A couple of Tory MPs are making stupid noises about the Gender Recognition Bill on the TV, and there's the odd division where Andrew Selous tries to make sure that "litiginous" transsexuals don't hurt his precious

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1085058703668333722004-05-20T14:07:00.000+01:002004-05-20T14:11:43.670+01:00

Thanks to everyone who commented yesterday on the purple powder "attack" (read: irresponsible stage-strutting). Jake will doubtless be pleased that I am coming around to his point of view re: security. His calling me "thoughtful and intelligent" may have helped with this process. Jake's site has a link to the Guardian's sketch today, which in Simon Hoggart's usual way is quietly funny. The

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1084974401357140882004-05-19T14:37:00.000+01:002004-05-19T14:46:41.356+01:00

If anyone, anywhere, can shed some light on the actions of Fathers 4 Justice today, then I will be very pleased to hear from you. What is going on in the minds of these idiots that makes them think a protest simulating a chemical weapons attack on the House will engender support in the wider population for their cause? Worse, did they think it would be funny? There are serious concerns about

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1084194612497738532004-05-10T13:55:00.000+01:002004-05-10T14:10:12.496+01:00

In what will probably be an unprecedented move given my choice of career, I am now going to issue a categoric denial. It has been suggested to me by a colleague of mine with questionable taste in employers (just kidding, SD) that, during my attempt to gain employment with a certain PPS some weeks ago (remember my pleading to the Almighty, which He roundly ignored, thus disproving His own

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1083684977860676662004-05-04T16:36:00.000+01:002004-05-04T16:40:10.873+01:00

This morning I stood where Thatcher had stood the night before. Well, not literally, obviously; but on BBC Parliament last night Thatcher gave her final oration from the Despatch Box as Prime Minister, 22 November 1990. This morning I got to step on the Floor of the House for the first time, and stood in the exact same place. Do you have any idea how strong the urge to sit on those green benches

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1083245311131040802004-04-29T14:28:00.000+01:002004-04-29T14:32:47.966+01:00

My attempts at self-improvement have borne fruit. For two days a week, from next week, you can spot me flouncing around the Palace of Westminster in my suit and brogues, looking, no doubt, rather smug. That's right, folks, I am joining the ranks of those kindly referred to as "admin slaves" — interns. Bless my MP, for she is giving me every chance to get as much experience as I can get in as

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1082725004789941562004-04-23T13:56:00.000+01:002004-04-23T14:00:52.950+01:00

Consternation as MPs vote by just seven to retrospectively approve what I am assured is a montrosity of a "security screen" in the Chamber, separating the Strangers Gallery from the Stranger's representatives. Peter Hain gave a chilling description of what could happen if terrorists got into the gallery and decided to cause some chemical mayhem: "If an al Qaeda group managed to throw a vial of

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1082639489291564702004-04-22T14:11:00.000+01:002004-04-22T14:15:36.716+01:00

Amusement as I browse the Conservative Future website. My favourite part is their current poll, which asks bitterly: "Which of these taxes do you find most annoying?", and lists, among others, national insurance and the congestion charge. Most fun is their "Why can't politicians keep their promises to students?" section, wherein they fake concern that people will have to contribute towards the

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1082625399484764452004-04-22T10:16:00.000+01:002004-04-22T10:20:46.686+01:00

I return, not entirely refreshed (23rd birthday = week-long, rolling hangover) and not a little confused. What, we're having a referendum now? After all the "we don't need a plebiscite, you pleb" shouting I've done for the past year? S***! *Cranks into U-turn* Good job you don't need a reverse gear for one of these. So various responses from different Ministers and riled constituents have piled

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1081852215734931582004-04-13T11:30:00.000+01:002004-04-13T11:34:10.483+01:00

Holidays! I've managed to wrangle a week or so off from the dubious pleasures of the constituency office, so I shall be heading back home (I don't work in the same place as I originated, you see) for the time being. During my absence, I shall turn the ripe old age of 23. Unfortunately, I have reached that age where a) birthdays cease to mean anything other than the addition of another year onto

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1081524319859096702004-04-09T16:25:00.000+01:002004-04-09T16:29:09.450+01:00

Gneurgh. In my current mood, I could do without "error" messages occurring on my webpages. For some inexplicable reason, the comments box on my last entry (you know, the one where I struggle with my perpetual inability to gain any sort of meaningful employment and send out a general distress call?) refuses to open. So you can write in it, and what you write may well be fantastically erudite, but

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1081454770150196632004-04-08T21:06:00.000+01:002004-04-08T21:09:58.810+01:00

Astute readers may guess from the above title that Mr MP did not exactly tell me what I wanted to hear this evening. I would make evil comments about him — but I don't want to, because, true to form, he was so exceedingly nice to me that I physically cannot be angry with him. I gave an excellent interview; if there is ever anything he can do for me, I'm to give him a call; he's sure our paths

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1081276556521433702004-04-06T19:35:00.000+01:002004-04-06T19:39:41.950+01:00

Thanks to Tim for adding me to his links and mentioning me in his blog — as well as thanks to the inimitable Recess Monkey! Spending five hours in total travelling for a half-hour interview may sound like the sort of madness which only our insane, ultra-modern society can deliver, but such are the lengths to which I am prepared to go to parachute myself into Westminster. Being all tooled up and

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1081163565818649522004-04-05T12:12:00.000+01:002004-04-05T12:16:29.793+01:00

Much horror in the office as the Yale lock on the front door throws its toys out of its pram and refuses to co-operate, exposing the staff to the decidedly unfriendly elements. Questions abound: has the door been forced? Has that irate constituent moved beyond peeing up the front entrance to using a battering ram on it? The rampant speculation isn't helped by the fact that the locksmith can

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1080927246750212262004-04-02T18:34:00.000+01:002004-04-02T18:37:46.606+01:00

My poor employer is cream crackered (as they probably say in Cockney-speak). Apparently, many MPs comment that this is the worst time of the year for events/invitations/nasty pieces of legislation that they have serious problems with, and so it has proved for my MP. I think she could do with a holiday. I find it quite ridiculous that the news networks insist on calling the recess "Easter holiday

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1080926618836097932004-04-02T18:23:00.000+01:002004-04-02T18:27:18.826+01:00

Thanks to the nice man who runs CommentThis!, you can now feel free to abuse me via the "comments" links at the end of each post. Isn't modern technology wonderful?

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1080850422467790362004-04-01T21:13:00.000+01:002004-04-01T21:17:21.373+01:00

Well, Bev Hughes has shown the rest of her Parliamentary colleagues exactly how an honourable Member lives up to their title. Unlike certain other former Ministers one could mention (ahemClare Shortahem), Beverley has acted with utter integrity. She came to the House this afternoon and told the Chamber that she'd come across correspondence which made her answers in a "Newsnight" interview

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1080842626698167312004-04-01T19:03:00.000+01:002004-04-01T19:07:25.623+01:00

Crikey. I really ought to keep up with this thing, oughtn't I? By some miracle, my contract, which originally only extended to 1 January, has been extended kind-of indefinetly, so I am still beavering away in the MP's constituency office, while struggling (so far in vain) to get some mad Commons Member to take me on in London. My latest target is a particularly Blairite, youthful MP who is an

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1068222873706400772003-11-07T16:34:00.000Z2003-11-07T16:34:37.270Z

"It's been a while," as Staind are wont to say. I'm three weeks into my job in the constituency office of the MP whom I cannot name, as that would give away who I am and probably incriminate them in all sorts of bad goings-on with which I will doubtless become incriminated in the near future. So what's it like? Well, forget all of your snide little preconceptions about how little work MPs do and

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1065976180659740852003-10-12T17:29:00.000+01:002003-10-12T17:29:40.563+01:00

My housemates and I spent yesterday evening getting sweaty palms and yelling at Emile Heskey as England pulled off a 0-0 draw in Istanbul. Off to Portugal for Euro 2004, then. One of my live-in chums thinks we should all go. I'm inclined to agree. What riled me the most watching the game were a couple of cheating Turks. One fell over so gracefully in the penalty area he should have been awarded

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-106573176861501842003-10-09T21:36:00.000+01:002003-10-09T21:36:08.300+01:00

It's the little things, isn't it? We've just got Sky Digital in our house of five. At home, my parents have Sky too. We never, ever switch the little digibox thing off. So when my housemates insist on switching it off every time they switch the TV off, I get narked. Does this make me a) obsessive compulsive; b) set in my ways; c) mad? Isn't it funny how you get used to a certain household

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1065126175948236532003-10-02T21:22:00.000+01:002003-10-02T21:27:41.140+01:00

All right, I know I said that I wouldn't talk about the 'p' word for three paragraphs. But I've just returned from Bournemouth and Labour Party Conference. So. I'm going. To cheat. There, three paragraphs. First things first. Tony. Tony, Tony, Tony. You god among men. We went into Conference week with the media predicting all kinds of horror: walkouts, heckling, protests. Despite the fact that

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1064349893410438042003-09-23T21:44:00.000+01:002003-10-02T21:03:15.830+01:00

OK. Just so we know where we stand: "Osama bin Laden's attack on New York... denoted a new and dangerous chapter in the story of mankind. [...] This is the new reality from which there is no escape. The old world of international politics is dead, and with it some of its institutions... "The United States alone possesses the resources and technology to bring force to bear anywhere in the world,

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1064348456021470062003-09-23T21:20:00.000+01:002003-10-09T02:00:04.116+01:00

"The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time." — Abraham Lincoln

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847444.post-1064269285011911662003-09-22T23:21:00.000+01:002003-09-22T23:24:23.286+01:00

This blog is for John, who's out there somewhere.

Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833728492733398101noreply@blogger.com