Interview of the year

[The Camel]

David Milliband has just announced he is standing down at the next election.

[TightEnd]

David Milliband has just announced he is standing down at the next election.

South Shields is the only constituency in the country never to have had a Tory MP since the Great Reform Act of 1832

Its so safe, UKIP didn't even field a candidate in the general election

Nice gig for someone, that seat

[Tal]

David Milliband has just announced he is standing down at the next election.

South Shields is the only constituency in the country never to have had a Tory MP since the Great Reform Act of 1832

Its so safe, UKIP didn't even field a candidate in the general election

Nice gig for someone, that seat

He's reportedly raking it in from his various jobs in the private sector.

[bobAlike]

Dismantling the NHS isn't necessary though.

It needs sorting out though.

[Acidmouse]

I would say they are fuking clueless esp. when it comes to running the country.

2010 was a nasty election to win

no money, have to cut, not likely to get better quick

not many options for any party to do anything different

100% agree, it was a thankless task to win it. I do however think not having a clue on how to set the budgets to promote spending post 2010 is key to their downfall, no real plan, or backup plan when its failing. Not saying Labour would have done better.

[tikay]

For a better understanding of Boris, & what goes in inside his head, I strongly recommend his book, "Have I got views for you".

Published by Harper Perennial, first published 2003, with several reprints since.

Tremendous read, & very insightful as to the real Boris.

Very funny, too.

[Tal]

I would say they are fuking clueless esp. when it comes to running the country.

2010 was a nasty election to win

no money, have to cut, not likely to get better quick

not many options for any party to do anything different

100% agree, it was a thankless task to win it. I do however think not having a clue on how to set the budgets to promote spending post 2010 is key to their downfall, no real plan, or backup plan when its failing. Not saying Labour would have done better.

In 2010, we had no idea just how awfully some of the other countries had been managing their accounts. European growth has been unable to get going since then, as Germany has been left with the bar bill so often.

It is difficult because I have such an unnatural dislike of Ed Balls who has a 1980s Tory level of smugness. It probably clouds my judgment.

There has to be logic in saying, if you owe a lot of money, you should not be borrowing more to pay for it, else HBOS would be being bought out by Wonga.com.

I can't pretend I understand macroeconomics as well as these chaps.

[technolog]

I Don't want to get you on a hobby horse so I will demur

It's not getting him on it that's the problem

[MANTIS01]

Ed Milliband strikes me as a wannabe politician who avidly watched prime minister's questions as a kid and is trying to replicate that same old style in modern politics. All I ever hear him do is chastise the government and hurl insults about failing this and downgraded that. People may say that's his job but I think politics is crying out for leaders who provide positive solutions in opposition. The reason Boris is so popular is because he has a freshness in his approach and indeed can provide a little feel good in what are trying times.

I never see Milliband embrace that fresh approach. He is not fresh, original or creative in opposition. The coalition are working together to try and clean up this tragic mess Labour left behind and it's a thankless task. If Milliband had a touch of humility about the situation and proposed positive solutions moving forward he could be a breath of fresh air and a force to be reckoned with. As it is he bores me to tears with his fake anger and disgust at every last word from a government faced with an impossible task. Pls realise it's 2013 Ed and people are tired of this same old bullshit. In fact pls don't realise.

[nirvana]

Dismantling the NHS isn't necessary though.

It needs sorting out though.

Fear not kids, I visited a hospital today, the NHS was still there, seemingly quite mantled. Got loadsa free (at the point of delivery) stuff too.

[TommyD]

David Milliband is to head the International Rescue Committee.

Well that's just FAB.

[redarmi]

David Milliband is to head the International Rescue Committee.

Well that's just FAB.

??

[DungBeetle]

The Tories have been beyond useless so far, but Miliband strikes me as a vote loser.  Just comes across robotic and weird.  Those speeches when he constantly repeats "One Nation" make me squirm.  Think Labour will win the next election despite him, as opposed to because of him.

[TommyD]

David Milliband is to head the International Rescue Committee.

Well that's just FAB.

??

Sigh

International Rescue was the fictional organisation from Thunderbirds (The International Rescue Committee is a real life charity).

David Milliband was nicknamed 'Brains' in the media due to looking like that character from Thunderbirds, who used to say F-A-B when ready to go.

Thought it was a bit of an open goal tbh but obviously not as well known a reference as I thought.

[DungBeetle]

I think F-A-B was used instead of "copy" or "roger"?