Terrorizing by Heckle

Via BBC, watch security eject an 82-year-old man, Jerry Springer style, from a Labour Party conference for shouting phrases like "nonsense!" at foreign secretary Jack Straw. The man, who was pretty upset about the whole Iraq thing, was apparently refused reentry under the Terrorism Act. Explains Labour Party Chairman Ian McCartney:

"He was asked to calm down and be quiet, he could have taken that opportunity and watched and listened to the debate but he chose to continually disturb the event and so we removed him."

Comments

[thoreau]

If he wants to heckle a member of the British Cabinet the correct way to do it is become and MP and then shout insults during the PM's questions.

[joe]

harumph harumph harumph harumph! Bully!

[Akira MacKenzie]

harumph harumph harumph harumph! Bully!

I didn't get a "harumph" out of you!

[cdunlea]

[best blue-collar Midlands accent]

Number Three, Mister Speaker.

(I shall be attending meetings with other ministers for the remainder of the day.)

Is my Right Honorable Friend aware of the rarity of the use of the word "bully" in sessions of this House, in which he is a member of, and can he explain why that is so to my constituents in the West Riding?

[Abel]

"I didn't get a "harumph" out of you!"

You better watch your ass!

[cdunlea]

Actually, though, when you read the article, it makes it clear the guy's removal caused enough of an uproar so he was allowed in the next day, and the article called it an "insuspicious start" to what could be Blair's last party conference. He's already getting enough pressure from party heavies to resign in favor of Gordon Brown soon.

Compare that to getting ejected from a George Bush rally here is the USA and what you can do about it, and it seem that the Country Without A Constitution still has a better sense of liberties in political life.

[htimsh]

I do admire the British in the way they treat their elected offficals, like the scum they are. It is great seeing citizens and parliament lambaste Blair for his mistakes. if only our "leaders" weren't cut off from society and audiences hand selected as to not give hostile atmospheres.

[joe]

Second htimsh.

This goes for the built environment, as well as the activities of the officials and their security.

To be blunt, maintaining an open society, one in which the government is close to the people, is worth losing a president every once in a while. Someone running for high public office, like someone joining the military, should be aware of the inherent risk in the job, and should be willing to accept it as part of the job.

[Jeff P.]

I would love to see Bush (or any recent president) do a few rounds in front of Parliament.
"Perhaps the distinguished President would care to inform us if he had been partaking of some of his famously potent potables while he was reading the Iraqi intelligence report."
"If the antics of his daughters is any indication of the way he runs his household, can we assume that his administration is subject to some discord?"
"Would the president consider moving Ann Coulter from the editorial section to Page Four of the Sun, where she rightfully belongs?!"
He wouldn't last a minute.
I love the British Parliament.

[the "evil" doctor thoreau]

The British also seem to recognize that their government serves an entertainment role: Hence they keep the Royal Family for tourists to gawk at, and have the PM come in once a week for a good heckling. And although I don't watch the PM's questions regularly, when I do watch there always seems to be at least one question pertaining to sports, and when it comes up the House of Commons goes to the brink of rioting.

I wonder what the PM's questions would be like the week after the British defeat the French in a major sporting event. After some fierce partisan bickering over policy, the Tories and Labour would probably put all that aside for a unanimous display of hooliganism.

We, on the other hand, like to pretend that our leaders serve some sort of higher purpose.

[dhex]

"I do admire the British in the way they treat their elected offficals, like the scum they are."

quote ofthe day.

[Twba]

We, on the other hand, like to pretend that our leaders serve some sort of higher purpose.

Our leaders are responsible for the postSuperbowl congratulatory phone call. That's a heavy burden to carry.

[Grummun]

"Would the president consider moving Ann Coulter from the editorial section to Page Four of the Sun, where she rightfully belongs?!"

I thought it was Page 3? In any case, her hooters aren't big enough, and her teeth are too straight.

The universal advice for communicating with our (US) elected cretins is to 'be polite.' Whatever for? I say start every letter with, "Dear Zipperhead."

[Douglas Fletcher]

To be blunt, maintaining an open society, one in which the government is close to the people, is worth losing a president every once in a while.

That's funny, I have the same feelings about urban planners & architects. Whaddya know.

[raymond]

I caught the end of the follow-up. He was allowed back in the next day and got a standing ovation and an apology from Blair.