Vince Cable – Player or Prima Donna ?
The accusation of Anne Widdicombe pre-Strictly-Come Dancing …was that she would lose herself to the giddy world of fame (and presumably fortune) and be led like a donkey down the route of becoming some mad media tart.. She didn’t… She consistently and eloquently explained that she understood perfectly the difference between being a serious politician in her hey day – and a dancing anachronism in her twilight years.
With really heavy heart (witness my tribute to him ), I have to say that it looks like Vince seems unable to do the same.Vince is acting out the role of the love-child of Nick Clegg and Pamela Stephenson. Bright-Politician-come-OAP-media-ballroom-star.
Well my friend – You are not . And it’s time for your to choose. You are either a serious politician who is signed up to the coalition..playing by the coalition rules – as the Tory boys have to -and is willing to take on the responsibilities of that job….
Or you are a retired old has-been looking for a way to fund your retirement years with a bit of a reputation, a couple of books – and a nearly successful Strictly-Come-Dancing career.
Which is it ? A player ? or a Prima Donna ?
You are one man – who apparently thinks he is so big and so clever – that YOU can bring down the government… Is that really the Vince Cable I saw in action just a few years ago ? Has power really gone to your head that much ?…
… Put another way. In footballing terms… Are you a Beckham – rooting for the team that you are playing for and the country that you love … or you are Tevez /Rooney – looking for the next big chance for yourself?
If I were Nick I would tell you to sling your hook. I doubt he will. Not because he is weak. But because I think he knows your value. Do you ? Or have your forgotten ? I am guessing that Nick will tell you that this is your “AABF” ( absolutely absolutely bloody final) warning.
On balance he may be right, but it is “too close to call”. Your Ego seems to be taking hold.
If Mr Ego hasn’t seized control ..and you simply can’t stomach the necessary cuts that you yourself said were necessary… then retire gracefully – with your dignity intact. Write your books, do your cruises and Waltz your way around the country.
If you are are not yet ready for the sell out. Prove it. Stand by your colleagues and the Coalition Agreement.
December 21st, 2010 at 1:39 am
The problem is two fold:
1. What was he doing talking to two constituents in such a way?
2. Surely someone who was clever enough would realise that the way to assert influence on the Government is NOT to say what he said. Keep it as your own little secret to get your way to be used smartly.
The one thing we have in our favour is the sheer incompetence of Labour. They have a leader that says he’s going to `under-promise and over-deliver`. If he was really smart he would just DO THAT by behaviour and not by saying it.
December 21st, 2010 at 4:14 am
So they could walk into any MP or Minister’s surgery, posing as a constituent and hear the pangs of government decisions! And indeed any previous Labour minister’s surgery.
This is low for the Telegraph, and many will think who’s next? And what next? Bugging MP’s phones? Paying prostitutes to act as enamoured girlfriends, or just bugging MP’s bedside lamps?
December 21st, 2010 at 8:46 am
Vince has made a complete fool of himself this time. He is looking to be an unreliable Cabinet Team Member and he deserves to be scolded.
What on earth is he doing dancing on TV ? He is already dancing on ice!
December 21st, 2010 at 11:35 am
Amazing how a cabinet minister of some maturity ,well or so we may have thought, has not yet learned the art of keeping your mouth shut.
December 21st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
The DT have some serious ethical questions to answer.
January 2nd, 2011 at 5:05 am
The accusation of Anne Widdicombe pre-Strictly-Come Dancing