Politics - poles apart

I don’t understand the fuss over the whole cash-for-peerages ‘scandal’. I'm not saying I don't hink it's wrong, but I'm certainly not surprised by it. If political parties in Britain can appoint Lords to the House of Lords, and they can also take donations from individuals, then any fool could have seen that parties would appoint donors to the upper house. Until the House of Lords is democratically elected, this sort of thing will continue to happen. It was slightly bizarre to hear (hereditary peer) Lord Strathclyde saying this affair somehow taints the House of Lords. So getting into the upper house because you were born into the right family or are a bishop is ok, but it’s not if it’s because you have money? Oh, I see now……

It will be interested to see if 'Teflon Tony' can survive this - the latest in a long run of 'worst week(s) ever' for him.

And the good people of Tasmania and South Australia have returned Labour governments. Hurrah! I can’t really understand why a Labour government is running every state in Australia, but no-one seems prepared to vote little Johnny Howard out. Well I can really. While Chain and India’s growth keeps the Australian economy roaring along thanks to mineral exports, and the opposition Labour Party tears itself apart over pre-selection, I can’t see Labour being in government federally in the near future. I just wish the Victorian Labour Government would be a bit more adventurous legislatively regarding gay unions, and take the fight to the federal Liberals who 'tolerate' homosexuality (note to non-australians - the Liberal party is the conservative party in Austalian politics).