Political sliming

Baron Greenback

Politicians ought to be used to having things hurled at them by now. Purple powder at Blair, shoes at Bush, an egg at John Prescott. This week, Lord Mandelson became the latest victim of wordless but eloquent protest – and was drenched in green gunge.

Leila Deen was angry at Mandelson’s support for the Heathrow expansion, according to Plane Stupid’s Richard, whose blog documents some of the other stunts that the anti-aviation group has pulled.

Labour loyalist Chris Paul quipped that it was reminiscent of a “bird strike over Heathrow” – and noted that Derek Draper had Twittered about how “frightening” it was. Come on Derek, it looks about as scary as Noel Edmond’s gunge tank.

While focused on Heathrow, the incident highlights wider unhappiness at what is perceived by some as amounting to a muddle-headed approach to building a low carbon economy. Brown has now begun to speak of the “green new deal,” called for by both the TUC and the Lib Dems – yet many like the The Daily (Maybe) feel that it smacks more of “pompous sounding PR” than a commitment to rebuilding the economy on green lines.

SNP Tactical Voting presented an alternative view of the protest. Annoyed by the press attention garnered by direct action, Jeff wrote:

“Why are the BBC giving her an interview, why is she getting so much air time? I really want to see Free School Meals for kids in Scotland, should I go out and throw some mashed potato at Rhona Brankin? Don’t think so.”

But support for Ms Deen came from Ian Bone. “Keep the Kustard flowing comrades,” he implored.

What have we learned this week?

Despite recent redundancies, CCHQ seems to have no shortage of staffers with too much time on their hands. As Guido reported, just a day after the Democrats launched their quite amusing I’m sorry, Rush mini-site, the Conservatives launched the rather more basic Sorry from Gordon. It’s a bit Times New Roman, but the graphic has some merit.

Around the World

Drima Abu Hamdan Ibn Zandaqa is a Sudanese blogger currently living in South East Asia. Launching a lively open thread to discuss the ICC warrant issued for the arrest of president Omar al-Bashir, Drima points us to an earlier post questioning the value of an indictment and scotching the possibility of a unilateral US intervention. Meanwhile, George Clooney blogs on Darfur, calling the Bashir indictment a “tiny window of hope”.

Videos of the Week

It was 29 years ago this week that Robert Mugabe became the new Zimbabwe’s first leader. Who among those who cast those ballots could have known that nearly three decades on, he would still be ruling the country? Footage from his recent birthday celebration will sicken many.

Quote of the Week

“This morning she was on the electric radio. “The only thing green about Mandelson is the slime coursing through his veins”, she said. I doubt whether this was a comment made up off the cuff (cuff – geddit?), but I was enchanted by it. It set the slime that is in my veins racing, and warmed the outer edges of my heart.”

Vicus Scurra titillates.