Lobbydog...

Tuesday 5 May 2009

Labour = outdoor exercise. Tories = doing nothing in your bedroom.

This exchange took place after Harriet Harman produced a list of community groups, scout branches and sports clubs from around the country at a briefing this morning.

She said their funding would be at risk if the Tories got in at this summer’s local elections – the final answer verges on the bizarre.

Hack: So all these groups would have funding under Labour? Everybody who represents these groups here (holding up the list), if they vote Labour they are going to be safe and funding is guaranteed. Is that correct?

Harman: Erm (looking down at document in front of her) it says [under the Tories] ‘these groups and groups like them would see funding put at risk’.

Hack: You’re saying this is what the Tories would do, but people – from that message that you’re putting out there – would glean that…'under Labour we’d be safe, the funding for our groups would be safe' – and that’s what you’re saying is it – that their funding would be guaranteed?

Harman: (Looking at the document again) it says [under the Tories] 'small grants awarded to local groups could be almost wiped out'. Our budget figures stand along side and in contrast to what the Tories are suggesting. It’s basically important for people that have had funding in the past that has come through Labour investment – because, you know the Tories have said we didn’t mend the roof when the sun shone – well actually we did invest in the local community…

…we would give as much support as possible to local groups, local health services and local education services and the Tories would just give help to millionaires basically.

Another hack: So what are you guaranteeing? These [groups] would also possibly be at risk under a Labour Government as well, given the economic situation.

Harman: Well I can’t add to what is in this report. If you look at what we say, (pause) look at our record, at what we’ve done and look at what the Tories’ budget figures would do compared to our budget figures (pause). So I think really, just look at all these documents and if you want further detail on the Cabinet Office stuff, you can get it from the Cabinet Office or from the Treasury…

A third hack: Is there a concern that you’re playing politics with these people? I mean (reading from a list) the Calder Canoe Centre – do they know that today the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party is saying that their funding is at risk? There’s an argument over the validity of your argument, but is there also concern that these are pretty small, little groups that may not appreciate being thrown into the middle of a very bitterly fought election campaign?

Harman: They’ve had public funding in the past and it’s like when I went to Lancashire, and went to Pendle Leisure Centre. You know, this is about young people being able to have activities in the school holidays and after school. Their parents are working and they can be doing something which is healthy and something they can enjoy and is good for them as opposed to hanging around. So – healthy physical outdoors exercise contrasted with hanging about with their friends with nothing to do or sitting in their room with nothing to do which is what they said they would be doing – that’s what the young people said to me they would be doing when they are not in the Pendle Leisure Centre.

14 comments:

subrosa said...

Erm LD, what was the answer to whether their funding is threatened or are they even funded now. Don't tell me - you didn't find out.

She should have stayed in her room a bit longer last night and studied her press release more carefully.

Null said...

Harmon is beneath contempt.

Bill Quango MP said...

When she said she would never stand for the leadership was she being a sly little minx and giving us old boys the No means yes, cheeky wink.
Or, did she really mean no?
Its so confusing..But she is just the girl to bring in legislation for it.

JPT said...

Would anyone notice (really) any changes?

Lola said...

Listen Harman, the 'government' hasn't funded these groups, we, the taxpayers have. You, the government haven chosen where to spend our money. Who says that we couldn't decide to fund them ourselves without you intermediating the deal at all? So basically you're out of a job whatever.

Anonymous said...

Paul Pinfield said...

"Harmon is beneath contempt"

Those 4 words just says it all! In fact, so is the whole of the labour government.

Anonymous said...

"We can't have kids sitting around doing nothing" So why did your f***ing government sell off all the school playing fields and ban organised school sport under 'elf n safety.

Under ZaNu Labour your Scout group, football team and rugby club will all be saved...hurrah but under the new equality rules all the boy scouts and team players must be one armed black lesbians...boo

Anonymous said...

Anonymous (22:25):

Which sports has ZaNEU Liebore banned?

Martin S said...

Harriet Harmperson.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous

At my local junior school they banned the whole of sports day as they didn't want any of the kids to suffer the "trauma" of not winning.

They no longer play team sports ie football, cricket, netball.

On a different note they wrecked our olympic shooting team with yet another nanny state knee jerk law that had unintended consequences

Gareth said...

The Cabinet Office seems remarkably Partisan these days.

Anonymous said...

Black Lesbian's do not join the Boy Scouts! They get their grants elsewhere,one armed or not.

Anonymous said...

She should discuss Bristol City Council - under the 'non-Tory' world there, scout groups and canoe clubs are fucked, as they don't tick any of the 'minority' boxes deemed to be excluded and thus require a leg-up to level the playing field.

She is talking bollocks - although the fact that the Tories aren't willing to counter her argument by being in favour of public funding for arts and communities groups does rather hand her 'lawyerly tongue' an open goal.

simonsays said...

And do remember, Harperson, that it was labour that removed the funding from adult education. So now I have to sit around in my bedroom with nuffink to do.

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