http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/2009/04/23/labour-demand-major-transport-improvements-across-scotland-86908-21300351/
Labour demand major transport improvements across Scotland
Apr 23 2009
LABOUR today called for wide-ranging transport improvements across the west of Scotland, despite claims it should be "wary of the credibility gap" on the issue.
The party said key rail and road projects were either not identified or given sufficient priority in the Scottish Government's recently published transport review.
But Tories said the main opposition had failed to act when it was in power in the first eight years of devolution.
Labour MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie Des McNulty told Parliament: "Glasgow and its adjoining towns have wrestled with the economic legacy they were left from manufacturing industry and risen to new challenges.
"But much of the infrastructure in the conurbation is outdated. Major new infrastructure investment is needed."
He welcomed moves to extend the M74 but said the A82 from Glasgow to Fort William had "never been brought up to standard".
Mr McNulty said the apparent exclusion from Government plans for Glasgow Crossrail and Clyde Fastlink scheme is "unjustifiable".
He conceded that his former administration was no "better or worse" than the SNP Government on transport priorities.
"I hope members of other parties will join Labour members now in speaking up louder for the west of Scotland, putting the case strongly for key infrastructure projects that are vital for the economic and social well-being of the region we represent," he added.
Tory MSP Gavin Brown criticised Labour for its record in power during the Holyrood debate.
He welcomed much of Mr McNulty's speech, but added: "On the issue of transport projects, I do think the Labour Party have to be very wary of the credibility gap."
Labour was "synonymous" with delays during its two terms in power, he said.
Mr Brown told MSPs that previous Labour transport debates had failed to mention the new priorities.
He added: "What their priorities are today, did not seem to be their priorities when they were in government, weren't even their priorities when they were debating several months ago."
Mr Brown said the M8 and rail link between Edinburgh and Glasgow should be updated and called on the Government to list its transport schemes in order of priority.
Green MSP Patrick Harvie spoke about the need for "transformational change" to encourage more people out of their cars.
He argued: "What's needed is not incremental improvements to the existing system, but transformational change. A dramatic shift to walking, cycling and public transport leading to far lower levels of car traffic."
And he added: "Of course to create transformational change like that we would require substantial investment."
The Glasgow MSP also hit out the "absurdity of sinking hundreds of millions even billions into pounds" into building new roads.
"It is an appallingly damaging example of 1960s thinking and an utter waste of money," Mr Harvie said.
33rd year AADHIKAR
0225 GMT Thursday 06 June 2013
AADHIKAR Media Foundation Editor © Muhammad Haque
Founding News Editor
Shah M Azizul Haque
AADHIKAR Media Foundation established with the publication of AADHIKAR the weekly on Monday 19 December 1980 from London E1 UK.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
KHOODEELAAR! contextual action commentary on the crass stupidity as exhibited by the London Daily Telegraph, typifying crassness and ignorance ...
1225 Hrs GMT London Thursday 23 April 2009
KHOODEELAAR! contextual action commentary on the crass stupidity as exhibited by the London Daily Telegraph, typifying the crassness and ignorance of the rest of the ‘British’ ‘mainstream’ ‘media’ about democracy and accountability via, about and in the ‘British’ ‘Parliament’-1
This commentary is about John Whittingdale.
And about Michael Grade
And about ITV
and about the status each has been given in a piece today by the London daily telegraph.
First and foremost is the role ascribed to John Whittingdale. His most ‘glorious’; achievement is linked with his role as one of the political bag carriers for Maggie Thatcher before he got into Parliament following her departure from the address in Downing Street.
Whittingdale has held all the Right wing bag carrier positions that could be found in the occupation camps set up during Thatcher's years in office. The one we are focussing on is a comparatively minor one. Yet it should have been the more important in truth. But truth and objective far less universal criteria do not apply either to the UK Parliament or to the media. Hence the lack of accountability. And the absence of democracy. And the zero presence of justice or fairness.
Whittingdale features in a piece devoted to the further promotion of the image of Michael Grade in the Telegraph.
Whittingdale appears in that reference to have been a fan of Michael Grade’s.
That would not be surprising, given that he has been a fan of anyone with any exhibited authoritarian streak and holding any position of power.
He is reported as follows by the TELEGRAPH today:
“
"It is an extraordinary blow," said John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture Committee, at the time.”
The allegedly extraordinary blow was about Michael Grade’s leaving his then latest BBC post in favour of the ITV company.
How was it a blow at all?
The Telegraph does not say.
[To be continued]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/5206668/Michael-Grade-at-ITV-it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time.html
Michael Grade at ITV: it seemed like a good idea at the time
When Michael Grade returned to his roots at ITV two years ago, it was widely seen as a coup for the commercial broadcaster to have stolen such a charismatic and powerful force from the BBC.
By Rowena Mason
Last Updated: 11:34AM BST 23 Apr 2009
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade
"It is an extraordinary blow," said John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture Committee, at the time.
But even this veteran media executive has struggled to turn around the sick man of broadcasting, ITV. He may have successfully brought big shows with big audiences such as X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, as well as developing the company's
Related Articles
ITV's Michael Grade finally takes note of critical reviews
ITV chairman Michael Grade to give up day-to-day role
Ten Years on, the man who reinvented TV talent shows
ITV launches first advertising campaign for ITV1
ITV in talks over cash call
However, the broadcaster has been bogged down with colossal debts and a burdensome pension fund deficit, leading many to question whether the Mr Grade – a programming man at heart – has made bold enough business decisions.
The industry expected him to work miracles when he arrived at ITV in January 2007, as arguably the most experienced television executive and brilliant editorial director in the country.
He was born in London in 1943, the son of the Jewish theatrical agent Leslie Grade – a booker of stars such as Bob Hope and Doris Day – and a nephew of the great impresarios Lew Grade and Bernard Delfont.
It was clear that Mr Grade was destined for a life in the entertainment business, but on leaving Stowe School, he opted instead to train as a journalist, becoming a sports reporter on the Daily Mirror in 1964.
A decade later, Mr Grade became deputy controller of entertainment at London Weekend Television, where he developed his trademark eccentricities: big cigars, red socks, fluorescent braces. He also became friends with John Birt and Greg Dyke, both later to become BBC director-general and fellow high-flyers with whom he later fell out.
As director of programmes, Mr Grade commissioned the series Mind Your Language, The Professionals and the long-running arts programme The South Bank Show.
After a stint at the BBC, first as controller of BBC1 and then director of programmes in the heyday of Doctor Who and Blackadder, he returned to commercial television with a move to Channel 4 as chief executive in 1988.
There he cemented his reputation as a razzle-dazzle entertainment man, building the new station's audience and earning a name for broadcasting low-brow shows.
He made a surprise move to the BBC in 2004, in the wake of the Hutton inquiry, taking his "dream job" as the chairman of the board of governors.
Two years later, he shocked his employers by making a return to ITV as both chairman and chief executive, replacing Sir Peter Burt and Charles Allen, with the aim of restoring some of the commercial channel's faded entertainment glory.
The title of Mr Grade's autobiography, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, has never seemed more appropriate for his tough tenure at the helm of ITV.
KHOODEELAAR! contextual action commentary on the crass stupidity as exhibited by the London Daily Telegraph, typifying the crassness and ignorance of the rest of the ‘British’ ‘mainstream’ ‘media’ about democracy and accountability via, about and in the ‘British’ ‘Parliament’-1
This commentary is about John Whittingdale.
And about Michael Grade
And about ITV
and about the status each has been given in a piece today by the London daily telegraph.
First and foremost is the role ascribed to John Whittingdale. His most ‘glorious’; achievement is linked with his role as one of the political bag carriers for Maggie Thatcher before he got into Parliament following her departure from the address in Downing Street.
Whittingdale has held all the Right wing bag carrier positions that could be found in the occupation camps set up during Thatcher's years in office. The one we are focussing on is a comparatively minor one. Yet it should have been the more important in truth. But truth and objective far less universal criteria do not apply either to the UK Parliament or to the media. Hence the lack of accountability. And the absence of democracy. And the zero presence of justice or fairness.
Whittingdale features in a piece devoted to the further promotion of the image of Michael Grade in the Telegraph.
Whittingdale appears in that reference to have been a fan of Michael Grade’s.
That would not be surprising, given that he has been a fan of anyone with any exhibited authoritarian streak and holding any position of power.
He is reported as follows by the TELEGRAPH today:
“
"It is an extraordinary blow," said John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture Committee, at the time.”
The allegedly extraordinary blow was about Michael Grade’s leaving his then latest BBC post in favour of the ITV company.
How was it a blow at all?
The Telegraph does not say.
[To be continued]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/5206668/Michael-Grade-at-ITV-it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time.html
Michael Grade at ITV: it seemed like a good idea at the time
When Michael Grade returned to his roots at ITV two years ago, it was widely seen as a coup for the commercial broadcaster to have stolen such a charismatic and powerful force from the BBC.
By Rowena Mason
Last Updated: 11:34AM BST 23 Apr 2009
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade
"It is an extraordinary blow," said John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture Committee, at the time.
But even this veteran media executive has struggled to turn around the sick man of broadcasting, ITV. He may have successfully brought big shows with big audiences such as X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, as well as developing the company's
Related Articles
ITV's Michael Grade finally takes note of critical reviews
ITV chairman Michael Grade to give up day-to-day role
Ten Years on, the man who reinvented TV talent shows
ITV launches first advertising campaign for ITV1
ITV in talks over cash call
However, the broadcaster has been bogged down with colossal debts and a burdensome pension fund deficit, leading many to question whether the Mr Grade – a programming man at heart – has made bold enough business decisions.
The industry expected him to work miracles when he arrived at ITV in January 2007, as arguably the most experienced television executive and brilliant editorial director in the country.
He was born in London in 1943, the son of the Jewish theatrical agent Leslie Grade – a booker of stars such as Bob Hope and Doris Day – and a nephew of the great impresarios Lew Grade and Bernard Delfont.
It was clear that Mr Grade was destined for a life in the entertainment business, but on leaving Stowe School, he opted instead to train as a journalist, becoming a sports reporter on the Daily Mirror in 1964.
A decade later, Mr Grade became deputy controller of entertainment at London Weekend Television, where he developed his trademark eccentricities: big cigars, red socks, fluorescent braces. He also became friends with John Birt and Greg Dyke, both later to become BBC director-general and fellow high-flyers with whom he later fell out.
As director of programmes, Mr Grade commissioned the series Mind Your Language, The Professionals and the long-running arts programme The South Bank Show.
After a stint at the BBC, first as controller of BBC1 and then director of programmes in the heyday of Doctor Who and Blackadder, he returned to commercial television with a move to Channel 4 as chief executive in 1988.
There he cemented his reputation as a razzle-dazzle entertainment man, building the new station's audience and earning a name for broadcasting low-brow shows.
He made a surprise move to the BBC in 2004, in the wake of the Hutton inquiry, taking his "dream job" as the chairman of the board of governors.
Two years later, he shocked his employers by making a return to ITV as both chairman and chief executive, replacing Sir Peter Burt and Charles Allen, with the aim of restoring some of the commercial channel's faded entertainment glory.
The title of Mr Grade's autobiography, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, has never seemed more appropriate for his tough tenure at the helm of ITV.
KHOODEELAAR! commentary follows about the shamelessness of some MPs occupying positions in allegedly auditing select Committees-1
Michael Grade at ITV: it seemed like a good idea at the time
When Michael Grade returned to his roots at ITV two years ago, it was widely seen as a coup for the commercial broadcaster to have stolen such a charismatic and powerful force from the BBC.
By Rowena Mason
Last Updated: 11:34AM BST 23 Apr 2009
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade
"It is an extraordinary blow," said John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture Committee, at the time.
But even this veteran media executive has struggled to turn around the sick man of broadcasting, ITV. He may have successfully brought big shows with big audiences such as X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, as well as developing the company's
Related Articles
ITV struggles to make the Grade as cost cuts unveiled
Michael Grade might have more fun in Hell's Kitchen after his ITV horror show
ITV suffers placement blow
ITV proposes merger with Channel 4 and Five
BBC governors to be stripped of their powers
However, the broadcaster has been bogged down with colossal debts and a burdensome pension fund deficit, leading many to question whether the Mr Grade – a programming man at heart – has made bold enough business decisions.
The industry expected him to work miracles when he arrived at ITV in January 2007, as arguably the most experienced television executive and brilliant editorial director in the country.
He was born in London in 1943, the son of the Jewish theatrical agent Leslie Grade – a booker of stars such as Bob Hope and Doris Day – and a nephew of the great impresarios Lew Grade and Bernard Delfont.
It was clear that Mr Grade was destined for a life in the entertainment business, but on leaving Stowe School, he opted instead to train as a journalist, becoming a sports reporter on the Daily Mirror in 1964.
A decade later, Mr Grade became deputy controller of entertainment at London Weekend Television, where he developed his trademark eccentricities: big cigars, red socks, fluorescent braces. He also became friends with John Birt and Greg Dyke, both later to become BBC director-general and fellow high-flyers with whom he later fell out.
As director of programmes, Mr Grade commissioned the series Mind Your Language, The Professionals and the long-running arts programme The South Bank Show.
After a stint at the BBC, first as controller of BBC1 and then director of programmes in the heyday of Doctor Who and Blackadder, he returned to commercial television with a move to Channel 4 as chief executive in 1988.
There he cemented his reputation as a razzle-dazzle entertainment man, building the new station's audience and earning a name for broadcasting low-brow shows.
He made a surprise move to the BBC in 2004, in the wake of the Hutton inquiry, taking his "dream job" as the chairman of the board of governors.
Two years later, he shocked his employers by making a return to ITV as both chairman and chief executive, replacing Sir Peter Burt and Charles Allen, with the aim of restoring some of the commercial channel's faded entertainment glory.
The title of Mr Grade's autobiography, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, has never seemed more appropriate for his tough tenure at the helm of ITV.
When Michael Grade returned to his roots at ITV two years ago, it was widely seen as a coup for the commercial broadcaster to have stolen such a charismatic and powerful force from the BBC.
By Rowena Mason
Last Updated: 11:34AM BST 23 Apr 2009
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade
"It is an extraordinary blow," said John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture Committee, at the time.
But even this veteran media executive has struggled to turn around the sick man of broadcasting, ITV. He may have successfully brought big shows with big audiences such as X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, as well as developing the company's
Related Articles
ITV struggles to make the Grade as cost cuts unveiled
Michael Grade might have more fun in Hell's Kitchen after his ITV horror show
ITV suffers placement blow
ITV proposes merger with Channel 4 and Five
BBC governors to be stripped of their powers
However, the broadcaster has been bogged down with colossal debts and a burdensome pension fund deficit, leading many to question whether the Mr Grade – a programming man at heart – has made bold enough business decisions.
The industry expected him to work miracles when he arrived at ITV in January 2007, as arguably the most experienced television executive and brilliant editorial director in the country.
He was born in London in 1943, the son of the Jewish theatrical agent Leslie Grade – a booker of stars such as Bob Hope and Doris Day – and a nephew of the great impresarios Lew Grade and Bernard Delfont.
It was clear that Mr Grade was destined for a life in the entertainment business, but on leaving Stowe School, he opted instead to train as a journalist, becoming a sports reporter on the Daily Mirror in 1964.
A decade later, Mr Grade became deputy controller of entertainment at London Weekend Television, where he developed his trademark eccentricities: big cigars, red socks, fluorescent braces. He also became friends with John Birt and Greg Dyke, both later to become BBC director-general and fellow high-flyers with whom he later fell out.
As director of programmes, Mr Grade commissioned the series Mind Your Language, The Professionals and the long-running arts programme The South Bank Show.
After a stint at the BBC, first as controller of BBC1 and then director of programmes in the heyday of Doctor Who and Blackadder, he returned to commercial television with a move to Channel 4 as chief executive in 1988.
There he cemented his reputation as a razzle-dazzle entertainment man, building the new station's audience and earning a name for broadcasting low-brow shows.
He made a surprise move to the BBC in 2004, in the wake of the Hutton inquiry, taking his "dream job" as the chairman of the board of governors.
Two years later, he shocked his employers by making a return to ITV as both chairman and chief executive, replacing Sir Peter Burt and Charles Allen, with the aim of restoring some of the commercial channel's faded entertainment glory.
The title of Mr Grade's autobiography, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, has never seemed more appropriate for his tough tenure at the helm of ITV.
KHOODEELAAR! evidential comment on the Rupert Murdoch SKY role in suppressing the truth about UK politics..[1]
2350 Hrs GMT London Wednesday 22 Aproil 2009:
KHOODEELAAR! evidential comment on the Rupert Murdoch SKY role in suppressing the truth about UK politics..[1]
Dragon Paphitis: I'd Fire Alistair Darling
9:29pm UK, Wednesday April 22, 2009
Leading retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis has said he would sack Alistair Darling if he worked for him.
Dragons' Den Star: You're fired Mr Chancellor
In response to one of the bleakest Budgets in living memory the Dragons' Den star told Sky's Jeff Randall that he would fire the chancellor for getting his financial predictions so badly wrong:
"If Alistair Darling was my Finance Director and made those sort of predictions and got every single one wrong every time. Would he still be in a job?
O'Neill backs Treasury forecasts
"He would not. You've got to get close to your predictions. He's got every single one wrong. So why should we start believing him now?"
But the outspoken chief economist of banking giant Goldman Sachs has backed Mr Darling.
Jim O'Neill said he thinks the Treasury's forecasts are credible.
"We think the growth side of it is fine actually. I'm very much in the 'green shoots' camp and I wouldn't be surprised if the near-term economic outlook isn't as bad as the government's now assuming.
Theo Paphitis: 'I'd Sack Darling'
"We wouldn't have any real quibble with the path of their forecasts over the next couple of years."
The comments came after a stark Budget statement in which the Chancellor confirmed that the UK was in the grip of the deepest recession since the Second World War.
He was forced to admit that the economy is set to shrink by 3.5% in 2009 - more than double his previous forecast.
At the same time the International Monetary Fund's forecast for the current year was even more pessimistic estimating a 4.1% contraction.
BookmarkCommentPrint
Register/Log-in to track story
MORE ON THIS STORY: BUDGET 2009
GALLERY
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: The Key Points
VIDEO
3:55
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Darling's £700bn Debt
VIDEO
2:28
Apr 22,2009
How Does The Budget Affect You?
VIDEO
2:42
Apr 22,2009
Budget: Nothing Like It For 60 Years
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Help For Housing Market?
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Tax Rise 'Good For Switzerland'
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Boozers Targeted?
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Scrap Bonus Tempting?
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Small Business Measures
Apr 22,2009
VIDEO: Budget 2009: Darling Up Against IMF
Apr 22,2009
Labour Breaks Manifesto Promise
Apr 22,2009
VIDEO: Budget 2009: Mandelson Comments
Apr 22,2009
VIDEO: Rich Taxed To Pay Off Debt
Apr 22,2009
VIDEO: 'Government Of The Living Dead'
Apr 22,2009
KHOODEELAAR! evidential comment on the Rupert Murdoch SKY role in suppressing the truth about UK politics..[1]
Dragon Paphitis: I'd Fire Alistair Darling
9:29pm UK, Wednesday April 22, 2009
Leading retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis has said he would sack Alistair Darling if he worked for him.
Dragons' Den Star: You're fired Mr Chancellor
In response to one of the bleakest Budgets in living memory the Dragons' Den star told Sky's Jeff Randall that he would fire the chancellor for getting his financial predictions so badly wrong:
"If Alistair Darling was my Finance Director and made those sort of predictions and got every single one wrong every time. Would he still be in a job?
O'Neill backs Treasury forecasts
"He would not. You've got to get close to your predictions. He's got every single one wrong. So why should we start believing him now?"
But the outspoken chief economist of banking giant Goldman Sachs has backed Mr Darling.
Jim O'Neill said he thinks the Treasury's forecasts are credible.
"We think the growth side of it is fine actually. I'm very much in the 'green shoots' camp and I wouldn't be surprised if the near-term economic outlook isn't as bad as the government's now assuming.
Theo Paphitis: 'I'd Sack Darling'
"We wouldn't have any real quibble with the path of their forecasts over the next couple of years."
The comments came after a stark Budget statement in which the Chancellor confirmed that the UK was in the grip of the deepest recession since the Second World War.
He was forced to admit that the economy is set to shrink by 3.5% in 2009 - more than double his previous forecast.
At the same time the International Monetary Fund's forecast for the current year was even more pessimistic estimating a 4.1% contraction.
BookmarkCommentPrint
Register/Log-in to track story
MORE ON THIS STORY: BUDGET 2009
GALLERY
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: The Key Points
VIDEO
3:55
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Darling's £700bn Debt
VIDEO
2:28
Apr 22,2009
How Does The Budget Affect You?
VIDEO
2:42
Apr 22,2009
Budget: Nothing Like It For 60 Years
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Help For Housing Market?
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Tax Rise 'Good For Switzerland'
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Boozers Targeted?
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Scrap Bonus Tempting?
VIDEO
Apr 22,2009
Budget 2009: Small Business Measures
Apr 22,2009
VIDEO: Budget 2009: Darling Up Against IMF
Apr 22,2009
Labour Breaks Manifesto Promise
Apr 22,2009
VIDEO: Budget 2009: Mandelson Comments
Apr 22,2009
VIDEO: Rich Taxed To Pay Off Debt
Apr 22,2009
VIDEO: 'Government Of The Living Dead'
Apr 22,2009