Norman Smith was positively jumping with excitement this morning while reporting what David Cameron allegedly said last night about members opposed to bombing DAESH in Syria.
According to the Guardian he was: “warning them against voting alongside “Jeremy Corbyn and a bunch of terrorist sympathisers”.
Norman’s theory was that Cameron had dropped his own bombshell and had blown his Syria pitch altogether. The thought of such a thing obviously made Norman’s day. He earnestly suggested that those Labour MPs who had been teetering on the edge of voting with the government would now plump for the opposite position.
Can you imagine what sort of MP would abandon their principles on such an important issue over a childish, if hard to take, home-truth? What sort of mentality is that? kindergarten? (Well, Alex Salmond seems a bit that way inclined)
In any case, there’s little justification for any Corbynite being affronted by what is after all a mere statement of fact. Corbyn openly sympathises with Hamas and Hezbollah and the shadow chancellor (!) with the IRA. What could be clearer than that?
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The Telegraph has this:
“David Cameron describing those opposed to air strikes as "terrorist sympathisers" has actually hardened support amonh (sic) Labour MPs for military action, a Labour source has said. It was thought that the comments, which the source described as "crass", would deter Labour MPs from backing the Prime Minister.”
I wonder who that Labour source was? Did Norman Smith plant the idea, or perhaps he was the source. Who knows.
"But it now appears that it has had the opposite effect with Labour MPs wanting to show they will make up their own mind regardless of bullying by anti-war activists or the controversial comments by Mr Cameron.
It could prove to be a disastrous night for Jeremy Corbyn who is trying to persuade his MPs to back his opposition to air strikes.”
Anyway, it seems Norman’s theory didn’t exactly stack up.
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I couldn't find a suitably animated image of Norm, so I'm posting an example of the BBC spelling Frank Gardner's name wrong instead (for your entertainment.)
"I wonder who that Labour source was? Did Norman Smith plant the idea, or perhaps he was the source. Who knows."
ReplyDeleteAnd who will ever know? Especially with the BBC. And quotes. And BBc quotes...
Maybe Norm needs to recycle Stuart Hughes' skills as idea planter, for he, is without peer. Or fear. Or censure.
Speaking of quotes, you'll never guess...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/305000/response/741222/attach/html/3/RFI20152030%20Response.pdf.html
"The information you have requested is excluded from the Act because it is held for the purposes of ‘journalism, art or literature.’ The BBC is therefore not obliged to provide this information to you and will not be doing so on this occasion."
No huge surprise, but I am building up a fair body of proof that the BBC can make up what it wants, from who it wants, and publish it.... free of any check or balance that it is actually true or not.
Which is pretty unique, on a variety of levels.
More on quotes, H/T BBBC, this was posted recently on FaceBook:
ReplyDeleteNewsbeat
Scott Garriock and his wife, who are from Lincoln, were caught up in June’s terror attacks in Tunisia
‘I’m pleased that they have decided to bomb’ IS targets in Syria
The decision to drop bombs on Syria has not only divided MPs, it’s divided the UK.
Seems they are happy to quote with gay abandon on other occasions.
Hope the BBC have not made things tricky for these folk, as they can do when they feature those not toeing various lines.
To be fair to Smith, he wasn't exactly alone in being convinced that Cameron had messed up. Even some of the Speccie kids were saying the same thing.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine what sort of MP would abandon their principles on such an important issue over a childish, if hard to take, home-truth?
Principles? Most of them figure being tough on terrorism plays well in the home counties and they all know Corbyn is a terrorist sympathizer and don't want to have that albatross tied around their necks come selection time. Some may end up paying for it, but it's a safe bet most won't. Iraq didn't cost them their seats, so why would this?
I wonder if Smith doesn't think it's actually wrong to say Corbyn is a terrorist sympathizer, and is a Stop the War supporter.