Hal (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
libertango) wrote2005-12-03 08:22 pm
libertango) wrote2005-12-03 08:22 pm
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It's a barn burner
I was watching the streaming video of Questions for the Prime Minister in Parliament (as you do). The set for 30 Nov. is a fair amount of fun -- Michael Howard is bowing out as leader of the Tories, and much fun was had at his expense.
But the line that sticks out for me -- almost Sorkinesque, really -- was the last line of this reply by Blair to Charles Kennedy of the Liberal Democrats. Here's how Hansard transcribed it:
"...I have to say again to the right hon. Gentleman that whatever proposals any party comes up with have to be properly costed and affordable. For example, I have looked at the Lib Dems' pension policy and it is true that in terms of its commitments everyone would cheer, but when we come to how they would pay for it they say that they want to shift public spending priorities. I do not know what that means, so at least that is one thing we have in common."
It's a shame you don't see the pauses. They're what made it, and Blair is very good at waiting for his audience to laugh all the way through.
But the line that sticks out for me -- almost Sorkinesque, really -- was the last line of this reply by Blair to Charles Kennedy of the Liberal Democrats. Here's how Hansard transcribed it:
"...I have to say again to the right hon. Gentleman that whatever proposals any party comes up with have to be properly costed and affordable. For example, I have looked at the Lib Dems' pension policy and it is true that in terms of its commitments everyone would cheer, but when we come to how they would pay for it they say that they want to shift public spending priorities. I do not know what that means, so at least that is one thing we have in common."
It's a shame you don't see the pauses. They're what made it, and Blair is very good at waiting for his audience to laugh all the way through.