Saturday 24 January 2009

EDM on BBC's refusal to air Gaza appeal

"That this House is astonished by the refusal of the BBC and other broadcasters not to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza Crisis Appeal; notes the unconvincing and incoherent explanations given by BBC spokespeople for the decision; and draws attention to the fact that people wishing to contribute to the Gaza appeal can contact the DEC by calling 0370 60 60 900, writing to DEC Gaza Crisis, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA or visiting www.dec.org.uk."

This is being tabled by the Labour MP Richard Burden on Monday. Good stuff. (I can't sign it, but still - well done).

14 comments:

Andy said...

I'm amazed - the BBC, Labour's propaganda machine, has been publishing your party line for a decade, why should they stop now - could they see a tory administration on the way?

Steven_L said...

Why can't you sign it?

LDN said...

Just like the BBC did with the Iraq dossiers?

Or when the BBC's economics correspondent Robert Peston - son of Conservative Peer Lord Peston - has been claiming that we're in a recession a LONG time before we were?

Kerry said...

Most PPSs don't sign EDMs, because you're kind of 'of' the Government whilst not quite being 'in' the Government. In theory you could sign ones which aren't direct calls on the Govt, but then that just confuses people as to why you've signed some and not others.

In any event because this is a DFID issue I wouldn't be able to do it anyway as I'm part of the DFID team - parliamentary protocol means I can't ask DFID Qs, or speak in DFID debates either. And FCO is almost off limits but not quite - depends on the DFID overlap. EU questions/ debates are fine.

On the plus side, I get to talk to the Sec of State rather more than most MPs!

Kerry said...

And Andy - this is an appeal by leading aid organisations for a humanitarian relief effort. Explain to me what that's got to do with a 'party line'?

timbone said...

Kerry darling, you mentioned parliamentary protocol, then asked Andy about what humanitarian relief effort has to do with the party line...

Old Holborn said...

Kerry, could you let us know how much the UK taxpayer has been forced to give Israel in aid in say, the last eleven years?

Many thanks

Kerry said...

Timbone, please stop referring to me as 'darling', it makes me feel ill. And if you try it again, no matter what the comment is, you'll be blocked. As for your question, I don't know what you're getting at - the parliamentary protocol response referred to an EDM, the party line question referred to an appeal being put out by 13 aid agencies which is nothing to do with party politics. So what's your point?

OH, if you really want the answer to that question, get your MP to submit it.

timbone said...

"Timbone, please stop referring to me as 'darling',"

Kerry, that is the first time I have done it!! Sorry, just slipped out, us theatrical types do it all the time.

Anonymous said...

"Kerry, could you let us know how much the UK taxpayer has been forced to give Israel in aid in say, the last eleven years?"

How are the government being 'forced' OH. Is it one of them Jewish conspiracies?

Friend of Carlotta said...

Bristol Blogger

He didn't say Government, he said taxpayer.

As you will be aware, there is a massive gap between the two. The government has not one penny of it's own. The taxpayer funds EVERYTHING.

Anonymous said...

Whoops! Apologies.

That's what comes of reading things on the internet first thing in the morning while trying to do three other things at the same time.

mary said...

Maybe the government should change the law so that we do not have to pay a tv licence to keep the very obviously impartial BBC in operation. They should be renamed ZBC.

Unknown said...

There have now have been 199 signatures, this is outstanding, very few EDMs are supported by 200 signatures. I hope you can persuade someone to make it reach this magical milestone.