Why did the Osborne affair happen?

Why did the Osborne affair happen?

Allow me to advance the slightly eccentric view that it is because of this.

If you follow the link you will find a Conservative press release I received this weekend. It accuses officials in the local government department and "Labour ministers" of:

Living the high life at taxpayers' expense.

In what way were they living the high life? Well, here's one way - spending £444 at the Majestic Wine Warehouse.

Now this bill was incurred by an entire government department. Any organisation needs to spend a little money for a few glasses of wine after, say, a conference, or a meeting to which outside visitors have travelled.

It is absurd to suggest either that this is living the high life, or that it would not happen under a Conservative Government. It is irrelevant in terms of public spending. In fact, worse, it is a diversion from the much more painful debate that needs to take place about what government does.

What has all this got to do with George Osborne?

George Osborne did not take money or arrange to take money from an illegal donor. Even Nat Rothschild does not say that he did.

And Peter Mandelson did not distort aluminium tarrifs at the behest of anyone. Or at least no one has presented any evidence - not a bit - that he did. So what if he had a drink on a yacht?

These would have been, in years gone past, non scandals (even if their exotic location made them an irresistible and hilarious story). But the hurdle over which a good story has to jump before it becomes a serious scandal has been moved lower and lower.

And the Conservative Party has been as guilty of this as anyone. The wine scandal is an example.

Over the last few years, Labour has been the main victim but this was bound to change.

George Osborne happened to be holding the parcel when the music stopped. He is a person of integrity (I came to this view sharing an office with him for four years) and huge ability - it is not an exaggeration to say that he has been the big driver of Tory success in the last three years - and if this affair had taken him out it would have been a disaster for the Tory party.

The lesson is clear - exploiting these non scandals is tempting. It is also a self destructive thing to do.

Comments

[Joe]

The PM, boom & bust Brown, indicated at PMQ's on Wednesday 22nd October 2008 he wanted to see the authorities investigating the alleged incident involving George Osborne. Will he also be wanting to see the authorities taking similar action against Peter Mandelson and while we are at it the mendacious Tony Blair?

[Tomm]

I get the impression that there's something we've not been told about this affair. And it's not about money.
Something salacious, maybe?
Whatever it is, I can't escape the feeling that somebody's going to resign soon. But who?

[Les Gibson]

It's a non-story. Fair-minded journalists should go back to the Kelly affair and do some digging. That really is worth researching. The Osborne yacht story probably has more to do with diverting attention from the two proven instances of Bliar misleading the House. Let's not forget Mr Mandelson's link to the same Russian......I didn't hear the Beast of Bolsover mention the Lord of the Darkness in yesterday's rant!

[Ali Hassan]

All politicians are crooks, thieves, tyrants and dictators. They all feed us with their lies during election time so they can be voted in. Once there voted in they don't care about the public just exploit there money an claim loads of expenses and of course employ a family member who does nothing.

I think the public are in the wrong job, we all need to be a politician.

[Christopher Kimberley]

This is possibly the best article Ive read on the subject, sadly though unsupported speculation is the basis of %50(±) of a broadsheets wordcount and who knows how much of the tabloids is actually true. Especially when information has been filtered through agents like old ally campbell or max clifford. All this affair does is reenforce the impression that MPs and torries in particular, make their decisions in some secret Oxbridge old boys private function (along with the much loathed bankers and hedge fund managers). It implies that they have risen to their positions not because they are clever or altruistic- as Id like my MPs to be, but because they are well connected, rich and deceitful.

[mike jacobs]

Having spent time in europe building his empire can the prince of darkness now destroy anyone who dare question him?

[Ian Thorpe]

Why did it happen?

Three words. Mandelson is back.

[James Schneider]

Its a non scandal, should not be on the front pages, and doesn't stack up. However, it is still important as it says something about our politicians ethical blindness when meeting with the fabulously rich.

http://schneiderhome.blogspot.com/2008/10/george-osborne-and-aluminium-oligarch.html

[jon dee]

A piece of fresh air on the Osborne affair at last. But why is The Times pursuing him with such vigour and rancour? Is there more to come?
Either way Campbell,Mandelson et al must be laughing their socks off.

[John Miller]

Why have the BBC and the Times gone hell for leather after Osborne. Where was Murdoch - was he on the yacht too?

No-one can make a story out of a non-donation - unless there is a lot of co-operation behind the scenes. What Osborne did pales into insignifigance compared to Mandelson's. but Mandy got away Scott-free even though (or perhaps because?) he has previous.

There are some dark and dingy secrets that have not made the headlines.

[peter c]

simple- Osbourne was and is an eejit

[peter c]

do a close textual analysis of what Osbourne actually said he let slip one magic word"the" he talked about "the money"- what money was that we wonder?

[Teesbridge]

Not wishing to be unhelpful here, Danny, but the answer to the question "Why did the Osborne affair happen?" is simple.

Because The Times and its Proprietor chose not to spike a letter from a Rothschild.

OK. What's next?*

*TM Jed Bartlet/TWW all rights reserved

[Pedro]

Although £50k is not in the "Peerages-r-us" category the yachtgate affair should be investigated, by someone who knows about these things - such as "Lord" Levy.

[Jean Andrews]

The guilty in this are the media, who just love to make mountains out of molehills. Politicians beware! Do not use the media! Most of us dislike feeling manipulated by distorted facts and overblown non scandals.

[Tom Bertram]

This must be a plotched hatched between Boris Johnson and Nat Rosthchild! Boris has expressed great animosity towards Osborne in the past (especially over the latter’s interference in his journalism). With Osborne out of the way, Boris can only rise and rise!

[john andrew foley]

frankly a real let down of an article. I began to read the article hoping to find some hitherto unknown fact(s) but it was a shear waste of time. Not your best effort mr. Finkelstein.

[Louise]

Daniel, the Tories are not immune from scrutiny. The last year or so has seen them pour oil on troubled waters for Labour rather than put something coherent and sensible that resonates with most of the voters that you have alienated over the past month (like my father for instance - you never had me from the day you got rid of Michael Howard). Now that Labour are back together again the boot is on the other foot. If you can't take it, stop foaming at the mouth about Mandelson and come up with some sensible policy ideas to try and stop Labour walking home next time round.

Stop whining and start fixing the problems before it's too late. You - and the rest of the Tories who claim there is nothing to answer - should be thinking about strategy, not tactics.

[RON REECE]

Giddier and giddier Gidion, poor chap, so far removed from those who live real life.
Fine education, little common sense,ossie should have read the possible consequencies of dalliance with Mandy in advance.
His pasty performance has reinforced what so many of us ancient ones had suspected.

Massive ego, out of reach of reality.

[John P]

Mr Osborne has learned the hardway that there is much truth in the age old maxim "live by the sword, die by the sword." Or as they say in the army "big boys games, big boys rules.!

[Philip]

Landon Thomas Jr writing in the International Herald Tribune, Oct 23rd, says that the whole affair began at a 40th birthday party for Elizabeth Murdoch, the daughter of the press baron Rupert Murdoch, thrown by the Rothschilds this August - presumably in Corfu. Do we have the influence of Rupert to add to the poisonous mix and if so to what effect?

[ron hedstrom]

The most damning aspect in my view is the attendance along with Osborne of the Tory Party fund raising guru

[Gordon Campbell]

Deripaska,Rothschild,Murdoch, Mandelson and the BBC - VERSUS - Osbourne
A bit like MANU- V- Luton
George,you had no chance!
A great lesson for the Tories
though,to be better prepared, when up against such power,wealth and propaganda machines

[Jonathan Silver]

The view is not so eccentric but on the button. Lets support those that care about the UK. We need such people now more than ever.

[Alek Boyd]

Why did the Osborne affair happen?

Because journalists in this country, most unfortunately, have got nothing better to do.

There's a world out there, where truly corrupt businessmen have got entire governments on the take, but that is not news, Osborne is.

[Fiona]

I've really enjoyed seeing Osborne squirm this week. After months of having to endure the empty platitudes coming from him and his oleaginous friend, Cameron, two guys with no real life experience outside of politics and PR, it has been a real pleasure to see them hoist by their own petard. Long may it continue! Such good entertainment - even better than Mitchell and Webb for capturing the excruciating positions the self-righteous can get themselves into. The Conservative Party hasn't changed, it's just got a more slippery surface.

[Jon]

You do mean "The Mandelson Affair" don't you?

[Bruno]

Isn´t it wonderful how all these variations on the Osborne affair carefully, expertly avoid shedding light on the true motives of the accuser, Mr. Rotschild. Is it fear of litigation? What interesting stories do you have, dear journalists, and why do you not disclose them through other means in obedience to your pledge?

[Peter Hirsch]

Daniel Finkelstein, if you shared and office with Osbourne for four years, you might have taught him to be discreet. Why is he in trouble? Because he told of the Prince of Darkness "dripping pure poison" about Brown and told just when Mandleson had been brought back to work for Brown. Which shows assenine judgment. Retribution was inevitable - and easy. The damage is not so much to Osbourne but to the Cameroon project, which it has costg perhaps half a million votes. If ever this was an own goal..... Osbourn may be intelligent but he is not safe to let off the lead.

[G Force]

What is Nat Rothschild's problem with George Osborne? He's being really over the top and weird.
I smell a vendetta. Personal reasons, gotta be. What a bunch of children.

[Gervas Douglas]

"Huge ability" For what exactly? It can hardly be for his job as Shadow Chancellor.

[Martin]

I would just like to know; what is the hold that Mandelson appears to have over so many people. If it is true that George Osbourne was got back at for his earlier remark, do we really want spiteful, manipulative people in high office.
If I am able to read anybody's personality from their demeanour, then George Osbourne is a decent man.