Monday
21st
May 2012
Writing in The Times, George Osborne told of his unbridled joy at watching Chelsea win the Champions League final. The Chancellor, who says he is "proud to be a true blue", maintained it was the “refusal to give up that was brilliant". Dot reckons his front row seat was quite nice too.
Anyhow, the Chancellor is not the only senior MP to have enjoyed Saturday evening. Another MP in a good mood this week is Jack Dromey, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government, who is known to be a big Chelsea fan.
But will he be still be rejoicing when Labour’s communities and local government team meets up this week?
We only ask because Dromey’s boss is Hillary Benn, who just happens to be a lifelong fan of arch-rival Spurs. Could be awkward…
Sunday
20th
May 2012
Not wanting to be outdone by George Osborne's fraternity with the common man, David Cameron took a break from last night's G8 meeting to follow Chelsea's progress in the Champions League final, although Dot wonders whether the result might have strained the already tricky relationship between the PM and Angela Merkel.
Official pictures show a very happy Cameron and steely-eyed Merkel, but Dot is a big fan of the photo mash-up between the PM's victory celebrations and the White House reaction to the death of Osama bin Laden (very well done @matthewchampion).
Sunday
20th
May 2012
Despite the eurozone's economic troubles, the double-dip recession and the G8, the Chancellor has a front row seat in the crowd at the Champions League final last night.
At least one Labour spinner took the opportunity to make a dig at the Osborne's presence, coming as it is did while David Cameron was talking to another Chancellor (of the Merkel variety) at the G8 summit in the US...
And the ever-combative Prezza thought it might be a good time to make a quip about the pasty tax:
But the banter seemed to upset Chelsea MP Greg Hands, with a brief Twitter spat breaking out over Ossy's attendence at his local constituency's team's games:
Dot has looked it up for Mr Hands: Ossy’s constituency of Tatton includes 17 wards from the borough of Macclesfield, though central Macclesfield itself does remain inside the imaginatively named “Macclesfield” constituency.
...Don't say Dot never teaches you anything.
Saturday
19th
May 2012
Here's a novel way of cracking down on fat cats in local government: weigh them in front of a crowd of jeering locals each year to discover whether they have gained weight at the taxpayer's expense. The Buckinghamshire town of High Wycombe is (surprisingly) the only place in the world to carry out this ritual, and even has a special chair to ensure that its public dignitaries have not been enjoying too many cakes and ale from the public purse.
If the mayor or the MP or any other councillor has gained weight, the town crier bellows "and some MORE!" and is joined by loud boos from the impressively large crowd of townsfolk. Those who have managed to stay trim in spite of the strains of public office are heralded with the cry "and NO more!" Makes complete sense, doesn't it?
So how did this year's Mayor of High Wycombe, Chaudhary Ditta, and Wycombe MP Steve Baker fare when they took their place in the historic chair today?
The Mayor hasn't snaffled too many municipal vol-au-vents in the past 12 months, and delighted his townsfolk by losing weight.
But unfortunately for Mr Baker, Parliamentary life has taken its toll, and he has in fact gained weight while in office.
Once he'd recovered from the boos and jeers Mr Baker told Dot he won't be recommending that the ceremony be introduced in Parliament to test his colleagues' resolve in the face of the delightful cuisine on offer in The Debate. What a shame.
Saturday
19th
May 2012
It can't be easy being PM at the moment, what with the euro crisis, falling polls and double dips, it is little wonder David Cameron likes to switch off at the end of a stressful week. A new book reveals, however, exactly what Mr Cameron likes to do to relax, including karaoke, snooker and wine on Sundays.
The press seem to think Cameron spends too much time relaxing but aides have assured everyone that the PM does do work. Phew. And although he loves it, the Fruit Ninja high-scores on his Ipad are apparently down to his six year old son.
He also likes to play tennis against a machine, nicknamed “the Clegger”, apparently due to the close election run between himself the Lib Dem leader. Dot imagines it's usually Cameron who wins the matches.
