A word on the exchange between John Humphrys and Alistair Darling on this morning's Today programme, in which the Chancellor of the Exchequer was accused of having either said or agreed that nationalisation would be 'lingering death' for Northern Rock. It seemed odd that Darling would ever say anything so interesting, having built his career on never expressing a controversial opinion. The record shows that, much as we all admire the great Humphrys, on this occasion he was being unfair.
He was referring to an exchange in the House of Commons on 19 November, in which the Labour MP Jim Cousins, said: "The whole House will have noted that the Liberal Democrats have as much regard for the 5,500 employees of Northern Rock in the north-east—and the 6,500 nationally—as they had for the job of their former leader. Two or three faces in public, 10 in private—that is the policy of the Liberal Democrats."
Cousins added: "Does my right hon. Friend accept that the policy of nationalisation would lead to a slow lingering death for the jobs of the Northern Rock workers, its assets and Britain's reputation as a major financial services centre, with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor cast in the role of undertaker—and that only by finding a successor business to grow on those jobs, assets and reputations can we offer any real prospect of the taxpayers getting their money back?"
Darling replied: "I agree with my hon. Friend. It is regrettable and surprising that the Liberal Democrats never seemed to support our earlier proposals to keep Northern Rock open. It would also, however, be a mistake to shut off all other options and simply go for one at this stage; that does not seem to me to make any sense at all."
In context, it is clear that Darling was agreeing with Cousins's attack on the Liberal Democrats and not, as Humphrys inferred, with his warning about nationalisation.
Yes - Today took its lead from a rather over-excited and inaccurate Nick Robinson post on his BBC blog.
And Robinson took his lead from...where, I wonder?
Posted by: Stefan Stern | Monday, 18 February 2008 at 11:35 AM
Humphrys was completely in the wrong this morning, and the damage he did by misleading the listeners cannot be undone. It made me wonder how useful his aggressive interview technique is if he is prepared to manipulate the truth just to make his subjects squirm. Moreover, if Darling himself, or any politician had done the same, they would be crucified by the press. Shame on Humphrys.
Posted by: H.Aylmer | Monday, 18 February 2008 at 11:52 AM
Yet the fact remains, the Lib Dems in the form of Vince Cable have been proved right. Having scorned the Lib Dems in the North East for calling for nationalisation, Cousins is now in the embarrassing position of opposing his own Government's policy. Meanwhile, the neighbouring MP for Newcastle North Doug Henderson, having opposed nationalisation alongside Cousins, has now performed a smart U turn to back the decision. Who's two-faced now?
Posted by: Greg Stone | Monday, 18 February 2008 at 03:37 PM
I agree that John Humphreys was way over the top this morning.
Fair enough to be tough on why it's taken so long for the Government to arrive at this decision but let's not forget the Northern Rock debacle was not a crisis of Darling's making. John Humphrey's over-aggressive and excitable questioning was gratuitous sensationalism.
Posted by: Alastair Thomson | Monday, 18 February 2008 at 10:07 PM
Andy my friend, the"N" word should have been used years ago with all the railways in this country and everything the "Maggot" privatised for her money grabbing greedy turds in the City,quite frankly you make me puke with your total lack of concern for the welfare of the great majority of the British public who are RIPPED OFF by cretins like you who practice glib talk
The Grumpy old Git
Posted by: Peter Wicks | Tuesday, 19 February 2008 at 05:39 PM