In Praise of MPs

It's even trickier to keep track of British politics than British football (see below for some stats from the weekend and Monday). Still, in this political season here in the US, I have to envy the UK and other countries that have parliamentary systems.

I know the Knesset, for example, make Israelis bonkers, as it always seems hopelessly intractable. But this vestige of the British mandate does have one advantage: You don't have to pretend you're something you're not. You may have to form a coalition with some pack of nutters, but you don't have to actually claim that you have the extreme views yourself. In other words, if Barack Obama was running for PM instead of president, he wouldn't have to claim to be in favor drilling for oil. He would just have to join forces with another party that does.

Sometimes it seems like England (and now Scotland and Wales with their own parliaments) has fallen into a two-party system with Labour and Conservative in a deadlock for decades. But I was shocked to learn than the Liberal Democrats routinely get a quarter of the votes. The halls in Westminster are lousy with Lib Dems and they're a great party -- proud to be left of centre. Sure, they'd form a coalition with Labour if push came to shove, but because it's a parliamentary system, they don't have to say they're something they're not.

I heard a great interview with their former leader, Sir Menzies Campbell and he's brilliant. Their current leader is another unabashed liberal, Nick Clegg ... I hear he has a bright future.

They too have a shadow government, just like the Torries. Don't you have to love a system that includes something as cool sounding "shadow government"?

QUICK FOOTBALL RESULTS
Man U won this time, but so did Chelsea and Liverpool again, so they're still on top. Could we be looking at the end of an era with Manchester?

Condolences to my friend, Edward. His lads of Tottenham lost again. They're now ranked 17 out of 20. Then again, there are a lot of weekends between now and championship time.

Another Fine Mess

It's all pretty complicated, but suffice it to say that the Prime Minster of Great Britain has got himself, to use an Americanism, up s**t's creek without a paddle.

It would take more space than we have here to explain what going on (not that I even fully understand what's going on). Apparently there are Blair holdovers in the cabinet either plotting to oust Gordon Brown (or not, depending on whom you believe), polls calling him the worst PM in 60 years (and that includes John Major!), a missive from Tony Blair lambasting Brownie's performance ...

It's amazing that just a year ago, Brown was getting excellent notices on his handling those dreadful floods last summer and the bus and train terror attacks -- but it just goes to show you, on either side of the Atlantic, it's the economy, stupid. Labour have to start listening to all of the fancy campaign experts they import from Washington.

In an interesting sidebar: it looks like the David Miliband is set to take over Labour, but there is a chance that one Harriet Harman could take over as well (both are seen in the beginning of the clip below). With Tsipi Livni possibly taking over Kadima in Israel and with Hillary Clinton coming so close to success here, there could have been a estrogen trifecta. Then again, if it wasn't for the tragedy in Pakistan, there may have been a female PM there too.

Back in Westminster: When was the moment the applecart tipped over? This session (see below) of Parliament, held at the end of 2007, could have been that very moment. Everyone loves Questions for the Prime Minister ... If you listen carefully, can you hear something cracking, just before Brownie answers that second question from the Tory leader, David Cameron?

Obama for PM

It makes sense that Barack Obama wrapped up his hugely successful trip abroad with a visit to London. He met with both Labour's Gordy and David Cameron (he of the loyal opposition ... and who many, many people feel with be the next PM, since Labour is having a spot of bother of late).

In fact, it was the Tory leader who seemed to get on best with the presumptive nominee/messiah, suggesting that he go on holiday and not let anyone muck around with his diary when he does become the leader of the free world.

Obama also "met" with adoring crowds -- which is why I suggest that he could be elected PM in addition to president.

Interestingly, he avoided the usual talk of the "special relationship," favouring the phrase "transatlantic alliance." But the main thrust was well anglophiliac. Here's a quote from the man of whom the Guardian said, "He came, he saw, he sprinkled us with stardust."

"We just like the people [of the UK]! There is a deep and abiding affection for the British people in America and a fascination with all things British that's not going to go away any time soon."

You had me at "transatlantic alliance," Mr O, you had me at "transatlantic alliance."