standard.co.uk - Politics Blog

Is DCMS set for the chop?

Here's a curious one. In an article for today's Standard (link later), Harriet Harman raises fears that Jeremy Hunt's Department for Culture, Media and Sport is set to be axed after the Olympics.

Citing “well-sourced rumours in Westminster and the arts world”, the shadow culture secretary says David Cameron is poised to shut it down once the Games are over.

The suggestion is apparently that arts functions will be hived off to the Arts Council, media put in Vince Cable's Business Department and sport split between local councils and the Department of Health - making it more like the department of public health the Tories used to trumpet. That certainly fits with the Hunt-to-replace-Lansley rumours which flew around Westminster when the Health Secretary was at his lowest ebb over the NHS reforms.

The Standard understands that the idea has been floated in some Government circles but is not likely to happen. For one thing, it won't save as much money as might seem possible on paper. Secondly - and most critically - it would remove a seat around the Cabinet table when David Cameron carries out his first major reshuffle.

A Number 10 source described Harman's suggestions as "nonsense" and insisted there were "no such plans".

Other insiders had great fun rebutting the claims. "If Harriet Harman believes every rumour she hears in Westminster and the arts world - two of the most rumour-filled places around - then she really is in trouble," said one.

"Not exactly authoritative for an opposition spokesperson" said another, in a thinly-veiled reference to the former equality minister's "Harperson" tag.

Craig Woodhouse
Follow me on Twitter @craigawoodhouse

Sports Personality row reaches Parliament

The anger over the all-male shortlist for this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year has been widespread, and MPs are not immune.

Labour's Geraint Davies has tabled an EDM on the issue, signed by 14 colleagues so far, which reads:

That this House is disappointed that there are no women in this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist; notes the lack of women in previous year's shortlists; further notes that high profile women in sport play an important role in encouraging women and girls to participate in sports; and calls on the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport to do more to involve and promote women in sport.

Shadow culture secretary (and long time equality campaigner) Harriet Harman has also weighed in, declaring it "wrong" that no women are on the shortlist and demanding immediate action from the BBC. After the news that representatives from men's magazines were on the judging panel, she also asks whether the selectors were all-male. And she adds: “This shortlist highlights the failure over many years to give women’s sport the media coverage it deserves. There must be action to change that.”

Craig Woodhouse
Follow me on Twitter @craigawoodhouse

MPs seize on football racism claims

With John Terry and Luis Suarez embroiled in racism rows, MPs have seized on the opportunity to promote anti-discrimination drives.

Home affairs select committee chairman Keith Vaz has tabled an early day motion (weirdly not yet online), which has attracted the backing of a handful of MPs.

It reads: "That this House condemns any incidents of racism in sport; notes that there are currently two ongoing investigations into alleged incidents of racism by high-profile football players; commends the work of the Kick It Out campaign, Show Racism the Red Card and other charities which provide an inspiring service campaigning to ensure football is free from discrimination; and urges the Government to support these organisations in their excellent work."

The question is, will any MP be brave enough to speak out against the England captain as he faces a police probe?

Craig Woodhouse
Follow me on Twitter @craigawoodhouse

Football, the Oscar winner and Parliamentary privilege

Here's a strange one.

Glenda Jackson, the Oscar-winning actress turned Labour MP, has come out fighting against the Football Association because female MPs are banned from the House of Commons football team.

Not that 75-year-old Glenda wants to play, mind you. She is upset that colleagues (Tory MP Tracey Crouch being the most high-profile example) can't play because of their gender, claiming it is a "gross intrusion into the privileges" of the Commons.

Her argument, in this Early Day Motion, is that the privileges guarantee all MPs are equal regardless of gender. What she brilliantly describes as "lady Members" should therefore be allowed to play.

And Glenda has been pushing her point on the radio.

“For me, it’s another indication of what century those in charge of the FA seem to be living in. It could be 1811 instead of 2011,” she said.

Pushed on whether the FA ban, which stops mixed teams once girls reach 13, should be scrapped altogether, the Hampstead and Kilburn MP was a little nonplussed. Her "main concern" was the situation at Westminster.

She said: "You're taking me into an area about which I know very little. I must be entirely honest, I’m not a football fan, it’s not a game I watch. But when you have women, for example, on the front line in our armed services – when you have women in situations across the whole of our society where they are there because they are capable of proving that capability, it seems to me to be utterly absurd that this kind of embargo should still run."

Craig Woodhouse
Follow me on Twitter @craigawoodhouse

Lampard and Bleakley congratulated in Parliament

There's a touch of celebrity stardust among today's Early Day Motions (or Parliamentary graffiti, as they have been dubbed).

Northern Irish politicians Jim Shannon and Nigel Dodds (of the DUP) are paying tribute to one of their countrywomen and offering their congratulations that Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard have got engaged.

In praise of the Daybreak presenter and Chelsea footballer, EDM 1971 reads:

That this House recognises the contribution that Christine Bleakley makes to the entertainment industry; further notes the contribution that Frank Lampard makes to the sports industry; offers congratulations to them both on the news of their recent engagement; and sends them both its warmest wishes for their future together.

Not exactly the most pressing issue on their plates, you'd have thought - particularly with violence flaring up on the streets of Northern Ireland again. But it's the Commons version of the "births, deaths and marriages" column in so many local papers.

Incidentally, EDMs cost an average of £290.

Craig Woodhouse
Follow me on Twitter @craigawoodhouse

Lampard and Bleakley congratulated in Parliament

There's a touch of celebrity stardust among today's Early Day Motions (or Parliamentary graffiti, as they have been dubbed).

Northern Irish politicians Jim Shannon and Nigel Dodds (of the DUP) are paying tribute to one of their countrywomen and offering their congratulations that Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard have got engaged.

In praise of the Daybreak presenter and Chelsea footballer, EDM 1971 reads:

That this House recognises the contribution that Christine Bleakley makes to the entertainment industry; further notes the contribution that Frank Lampard makes to the sports industry; offers congratulations to them both on the news of their recent engagement; and sends them both its warmest wishes for their future together.

Not exactly the most pressing issue on their plates, you'd have thought - particularly with violence flaring up on the streets of Northern Ireland again. But it's the Commons version of the "births, deaths and marriages" column in so many local papers.

Incidentally, EDMs cost an average of £290.

Craig Woodhouse
Follow me on Twitter @craigawoodhouse

Poll: Olympics great for London but not so good for Londoners

Concerns of Londoners over travel disruption during the 2012 Olympics, and possibly disappointement at not getting tickets, have emerged in a new poll.

The YouGov study shows that 57 per cent of Londoners believe the 2012 Games will be good for London. Just 29 per cent disagree.

But 50 per cent do not back the statement: "Taking everything into account, the Olympic Games will be good for people like me." Just 28 per cent agree.

People are also becoming more sceptical over whether the Games will leave lasting good sporting facilities for years beyond 2012, improve the public transport system and encourage more British people to take up sport so as to improve the health of the nation.

No doubt, once the Olympics finally arrive, spirits, enjoyment and optimism over their legacy will be lifted by the sheer excitement of the Games.

Nicholas Cecil

 

 

Jeremy Hunt's golf gaffe

Not good going this, from the Culture Media and SPORT Secretary. Jeremy Hunt has hailed Rory McIlroy's "amazing" win - but in the wrong golf tournament.

On Twitter, Hunt said the Northern Irishman had become the “youngest 2 win US Masters since 1923”. In fact McIlroy imploded at the Masters in April when he threw away a final-day lead, in contrast to his commanding performance at the US Open yesterday.

Twitter is a great forum for pointing out when you're wrong, and Hunt quickly corrected himself. Here are the screengrabs.

 

Craig Woodhouse
Follow me on Twitter @craigawoodhouse