Harman Ducks The Question On Savings Guarantees

Oblivion

William Hague did his best on savers' behalf during Prime Ministers Question Time today .

Firstly he asked when we could expect the promised legislation to come forward to put into effect the increase to the savings guarantee. Harriet Harman fielding questions in Gordon's absence refused to address the question.

So, with his next question, he offered his party's full support in getting the legislation through in this summer session. Again, Harman refused to address the offer and instead embarked on an assault on the Tory party's record on the economy.

This blatant refusal to address this important issue speedily speaks volumes about the government's real attitude towards savers. It's a disgrace.

Dave.

LucyTheDwarf

"speaks volumes about the government's real attitude towards savers."


This government seems hell bent on eroding all that has traditionally been seen as good, or ideal. Savers, two parent families, police on the streets, quality education... I could go on. It's barely related to your thread, but all in the bigger picture.

Also, is it just me, or are women in politics just the most awful representation of females, generally? I'm all for female politicians, but the ones we have all seem so pointless... Harriet Harman I find very irritating, and her manner comes across as downright rude.

caveat_emptor

Oblivion wrote: »

Harriet Harman fielding questions in Gordon's absence refused to address the question.

That's what normally happens at PMQs because it's the PM or his representative asking the questions not providing the answers. A total waste of time and a pity MPs can't use the time more effectively. And yes HH did herself no favours at all today.

Oblivion

LucyTheDwarf wrote: »

"speaks volumes about the government's real attitude towards savers."

Also, is it just me, or are women in politics just the most awful representation of females, generally? I'm all for female politicians, but the ones we have all seem so pointless... Harriet Harman I find very irritating, and her manner comes across as downright rude.

Yes, and it seems that La Harman has set her sights on becoming the next PM when Gordon finally falls on his sword. Heaven help us all!

Dave.

Old_Slaphead

caveat_emptor wrote: »

And yes HH did herself no favours at all today.

Oh don't worry, all Labour ministers are equally adept at obfuscation - witness recent excellent examples of avoiding answering questions, claims that statistics are wrong etc etc from Caroline Flint, Hazal Blears, Yvette Cooper etc etc

LucyTheDwarf

Oblivion wrote: »

Yes, and it seems that La Harman has set her sights on becoming the next PM when Gordon finally falls on his sword. Heaven help us all!

I think I shall have to move abroad, if that day ever comes.

Masomnia

I doubt that'll happen. Leading the Labour party into the next election is a suicide mission, clearly none of them want to do it. Gordon believes he's the right man for the job, and for the time being they're all happy to agree with him.

Shame I don't like Cameron. I'd much prefer William Hague as the Tory leader, and (probably) next PM, I thought he was pretty good in PMQs.

Oblivion

Masomnia wrote: »

I doubt that'll happen. Leading the Labour party into the next election is a suicide mission, clearly none of them want to do it. Gordon believes he's the right man for the job, and for the time being they're all happy to agree with him.

Shame I don't like Cameron. I'd much prefer William Hague as the Tory leader, and (probably) next PM, I thought he was pretty good in PMQs.

I'm not really a political fan of any party but I have to say I was also quite impressed by WH's performance in PMQs. He seems to have made the transfer from horrible self-opinionated (Tory-boy) prat to a shrewd, eloquent and humorous person. I used to hate him, but I really look forward to his appearances on TV now. I think on his present form he'd make a great PM.

Dave.

Calchas

Oblivion wrote: »

William Hague did his best on savers' behalf during Prime Ministers Question Time today .

Firstly he asked when we could expect the promised legislation to come forward to put into effect the increase to the savings guarantee. Harriet Harman fielding questions in Gordon's absence refused to address the question.

So, with his next question, he offered his party's full support in getting the legislation through in this summer session. Again, Harman refused to address the offer and instead embarked on an assault on the Tory party's record on the economy.

This blatant refusal to address this important issue speedily speaks volumes about the government's real attitude towards savers. It's a disgrace.

Dave.

This offer was nothing more than a blatant attempt to wrongfoot Harmon. Hague knew she didn't have the authority to respond to his offer, however reasonable it was, thus giving the impression that has been readily taken up in this thread; that of not caring about savers!

The Conservative Party had many more logical ways of making this offer: with a pen, written on a piece of paper, addressed to the prime minister being one of them!

That, of course, would have denied the Conservatives the theatre of making Labour look like they were delaying the process while the tories were looking to speed it up.

Oblivion

Calchas wrote: »

This offer was nothing more than a blatant attempt to wrongfoot Harmon. Hague knew she didn't have the authority to respond to his offer, however reasonable it was, thus giving the impression that has been readily taken up in this thread; that of not caring about savers!

The Conservative Party had many more logical ways of making this offer: with a pen, written on a piece of paper, addressed to the prime minister being one of them!

That, of course, would have denied the Conservatives the theatre of making Labour look like they were delaying the process while the tories were looking to speed it up.

She may not have had the authority to respond to Hague's offer, but there was no excuse for completely ignoring the first simple question as to when the approriate legislation could be expected.

If she didn't know the answer or hadn't been briefed on it, she should not have been taking PMQs in the first place. It's not as if it's an obscure issue.

Dave.

Calchas

Oblivion wrote: »

It's not as if it's an obscure issue.

Dave.

An obscure issue, no. An issue that would have taken Harmon and her advisers by surprise? In my opinion, yes.