In the Loop

Time to learn to breath through your laughter, else you aren’t going to get through this film alive.

I haven’t laughed this much since Jacqui Smith’s husband was revealed as getting porn courtesy of the tax payer.

In The Loop is a spin off film from The Thick Of It, the successful BBC drama about the modern political system, and includes a lot of the same actors found in its TV forerunner.

The story is based around the American and British political manoeuvrings and blunderings surrounding a possible war in an unspecified country.

I don’t know where they get their ideas from…

In the Loop is a brilliant mix of intelligent and base humour.

So neither so far up it’s own arse that it loses its audience, nor so puerile as to be dismissed by an audience with some brain cells going spare.

Equally you don’t need to be an avid politico to follow it, but familiarity with the political game does add to your appreciation of the story that unfolds.

Peter Capaldi is brilliant as Malcolm Tucker, the policy co-ordinator who rules his minister with an iron fist.

The sheer pace and imagination of his insults are amazing enough in themselves without the dedication of a solid performance of pure venom.

The rest of the cast put in equally sterling performances, as this is a true ensemble piece, backed up by excellent writing.

There isn’t a weak moment and the actors make all the action seem frighteningly believable in the midst of pure political farce.

This isn’t the kind of film where you can leave your brain at the door, so if you want an easy life affirming comedy steer well clear.

If you want a comedy with a little less of the Adam Sandler touch and a crate more witty bite then you’ll come out ready to buy it on DVD.

The Mystery of Polly Tommey

I missed the last tube on Saturday and found myself bussing it back to South London.

On the way I encountered a strange advert, in the form of a letter written to Gordon Brown to say that they could save the PM £508m a year.

It was signed by Polly Tommey.

I'm a curious soul, so finding myself with some free time today I googled the woman in question.

I discovered that the poster campaign had made it into a clutch of local papers.

Polly thinks that she can save the government all this money by getting more autistic people into work.

Her poster campaign is certainly effective, because it caught my attention and I spend my life ignoring or getting annyoed at adverts and this one genuinely made me curious.

I wish her well.

So long as she isn't wishing to railroad people into jobs that essentially they are unable to do.

Since when did being fat make you a bad parent?

You're too fat to adopt, Damien Hall has been told.

This news story appalled me.

I would be the first to agree that parents that adopt should be vetted, so children aren't moved from one unstable situation to another.

But just how dangerous is a fat Dad!

I know we are living in the midst of an obesity crisis, but given the chance wouldn't a child prefer to have a parent that may feed them a few too many calories than no parent at all!

In the instance of the Halls it is only Mr. Hall that has been deemed to be too heavy, suggesting that his problems with his weight may not simply down to the food he consumes.

Social services wouldn't take a child away from their parents if their parents were overweight, because that doesn't make them unfit to bring up their child.

So why shouldn't they be allowed to adopt a child that isn't theirs.

I know there are far more terrible things going on in the world, but I feel this one that mere reason can change.

Bankrupt yourself going to university...

The chancellor of Oxford University, Lord Patten, thinks the cap on fees should be lifted.

He's arguing that if people are willing to pay exorbitant amount on private education then universities, especially his university, should be allowed to charge more.

In my mind what he is asking that we have an even more privatised higher education system.

I'd rather see the government put more money into higher education rather than see Oxford lumber its students with even greater debts.

He acknowledges that this is "deeply controversial".

No shit.

Sure there are those from upper middle class backgrounds that plough thousands into their primary and secondary education.

But what about those that can't afford that but aren't poor enough to qualify for a grant?

People will start only going to university if they envisage themselves having jet setter lifestyles in the future.

What about those who want a good education but then want to go on and teach or police the streets.

Not everyone wants to be a manager, that doesn't mean they don't want to be well educated if they are capable of it.

Education in itself is precious that doesn't mean it should be personally expensive.

Pinocchio

So George Osborn is talking tough on city fat cats: is it just me that feels it doesn’t ring true?

I am not a fan of New Labour and the party may have lost a great deal of the faith in them I had in 1997 but I still trust them more to steer us through this financial crisis.

The Conservatives have always been the party of power.

And by that I mean that all they are interested in is power.

I was not surprised in my university years when I was told a certain campus Tory had a timeline on his wall leading him to Number 10.

They will say anything that they think will be popular but when the chips are down they are the party of aggressive capitalism.

Most of them still idolise Thatcher and her era and when they attack big bonuses I find it hard to believe them.

I’m biased I know but I don’t think the Conservatives have suddenly become the party to safe guard the Welfare State or any of the institutions and beliefs that I hold dear to my heart.

Sorry George I think your nose is growing.

Ruth Kelly's departure speech

Ruth Kelly really got my attention with her comments on going out late at night.

Now again I am left with a funny feeling reading a phrase from her speech from Wednesday:

"I've relied on the support of my family and friends and I now think it's time to take a step back and repay them for the support that they have given me" courtesy of the BBC.

I don't want to criticise what she is saying, it has the warm sincerity of the thank yous of the best of Oscar acceptance speeches, I'm just intrigued that she is being so open.

I can't help but think: would a male politician say these words?

Would they stand up and admit that part of their success was built on depending on other people?

Would they give this as a reason for stepping down?

Would they mean it?

I have no answers only questions but I can't remember a male MP stepping down for these reasons.

Though the jaded side of me mutters at this point that she can cite any reason, it doesn't make it true.

Standon Calling

For the first time in literally years I got myself off to a proper (as opposed to a one or two dayer) festival, with tried and tested festival buddies.

The festival in question was Standon Calling.

On arrival at the station there were some initial concerns that the shuttle bus was the people carrier sitting outside the station, but to our relief it turned out to be a taxi.

The first shock on arriving to the festival was just how small the festival was.

I've never before been to a paid for festival so tiny.

In fact, Rise, which is a free one day music and anti-racism (screw you Boris) in London is easily twice the size!

The second slightly unwelcome surprise was how carefully they were searching for booze.

We found space to pitch our tents, after half pitching them somewhere else and then changing our minds.

Then we pottered off to find some music.

The range of music on offer during the day and early evening was really good, but the sets were often disappointingly short and there were quite a few "double-barreled arse holes on coke" in attendance as one sign proclaimed.

Our merry band kept things fun, but Standon is no Glastonbury, so if you go make sure you're with your best mates.

The dress up day on the Saturday is good fun, there were some really nice efforts: the wasabi pea man, the kamikaze pilots complete with planes and the ninjas - the theme if you hadn't guessed was Japanese.

The food options were lovely, however not great for the skint as there are really no cheap dodgy burger or chips options.

So bring your own food if you're hard up.

There was a lovely little funky tent that played DJ sets in the day and a voluntary contribution one hour yoga session at 12.

Favourite bands of the event were: Florence and the Machine, Los Campensinos, They Came From The Stars, I Saw Them, Johnny Flynn and of course the beautiful indomitable Super Furry Animals.

Johnny Flynn I watched on my own on the Sunday, as no one else felt like braving the rain, it was worth it.

The sun came out for Los Campensinos and after them the Furries who were painfully short but threw us lots of carrots to eat...

Mmm carrots...

Then on a gloriously sunny Monday we packed up and went home.

And one last thing, for those of you that hate festival loos the Standon one's were practically luxurious.

Think mirrors, think animal pictures, think soap and hand cream.

Ok the taps stopped working quite quick, but any regular festival goer would revel in them.

There is something to be said for going to a Toffee festival.

Oh and they even have special recycling bins.