Drax and double drax. A book describing his kith and kin and the MP didn't show
? It seems that Tory MP Richard Drax is unlikely to want to appear on the popular BBC series Who Do You Think You Are? any time soon. The honourable member for South Dorset declined the chance to attend this week's launch of a book that features extraordinary details of his family's Barbadian history. The Sugar Barons, by Matthew Parker, includes the story of James Drax, whose new model of slave-worked sugar plantations transformed the wealth of England and of his family, but led to miserable slavery for very many. Richard is a direct descendent and heir to the very same Barbados plantation. Perhaps Richard was tied up on launch night, which was a shame for he might surely have provided valuable insights. Especially as the scion of one of the other major West Indian slave-owning families of the time did make an appearance. On the other hand, it's not the ideal background for someone trying to make an impression in Big Dave's not-so-nasty Tory party. So if Richard had somewhere else to go, maybe it's just as well.
? Gaddafi is hiding out in his bunker. In Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo is cowering in his. Could either make room for Nick Griffin? Because things are getting pretty bad for the BNP: money worries, legal problems, and now the threat of criminal prosecution. The latest problem arises from the fact that the party appears to have broken election law after Nick's attempt to oust Margaret Hodge from Barking. It said there were no debts, as all candidates are obliged to do under the Representation of the People Act. In fact there was an outstanding printer's bill of �10,000 for election literature. Fearful of prosecution, Griffin's agent, Richard Barnbrook, went to the high court seeking a declaration that he was not to blame. Events have been closely followed by Dominic Carman, Griffin's Lib Dem competitor in Barking; and we learn that at the recent hearing, Mr Justice Tugendhat accepted that Barnbrook probably acted in good faith. That could shift the problem to Griffin, who may himself have to seek legal absolution at the high court if he is not to be prosecuted. But it's worse than that. For Mr Justice Tugendhat also referred the whole thing to the director of public prosecutions. This electoral transgression can bring a one-year prison sentence or unlimited fines. Have a care Nick. A warm bunker beats a drafty cell any day.
? Oh yes it's open season on local councils. Eric Pickles has unleashed the dogs of war. Prepare for hostilities unceasing. But it won't necessarily be a fair fight, as we see from this week's report by Big Brother Watch, which takes councils to task for using bailiffs to collect in lieu of unpaid parking fines and council tax. Spotting a corpse to kick, local government minister Grant Shapps embraced the report, despite describing the non-collection of council tax as an example of "breathtaking incompetence" just two weeks ago. And what can we say about the accuracy of this report. Well on page 7, where the methodology is explained, it states there are 36 London boroughs, when there are, in fact, 33 (32 plus the Corporation of London). It says there are 26 English metropolitan councils: there are 36. And it refers to 26 Welsh unitary authorities ? in fact there are 22. And the rest? Who can tell?
? Royal wedding news now, and wasn't it kind of Alton Towers to give the Duchess of Fergie the chance to compere its wedding coverage on April 29, especially as pointedly, and poignantly, she hasn't been invited to the much awaited love-in? Wasn't it churlish of her to turn the offer down, harrumphing that she will be abroad. The gig would have been worth �10,000. And goodness knows, she needs the money. But what price reputation?
? Finally, we hoped to be an influence for good concerning Godfrey Bloom, the constantly embattled Ukip MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Others jumped ship when he referred to a German MEP as a Nazi. But he has got no better, and has now been reported to the Equalities Commission for calling Robert Mugabe "a homicidal baboon". Seems impossible to criticise Mugabe and yet cede the moral high ground? But then, that's Godfrey.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/apr/08/hugh-muir-diary-richard-drax
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