For Christ's sake, don't cock it up!
Friday, April 27, 2007
The Tories are polling badly. But it’s OK. Priority marginals like Clwyd West are going well. Just make sure the candidate doesn’t say anything stupid…. Damn!Up steps Darren 'my evangelicalism won’t effect my campaign' Millar with a couple of gems at a hustings last night.
According to the Labour party (so we only have one side of the story so far), the Conservative candidate for Clwyd West said that "creationism should be taught in Welsh science lessons" and "homosexuality is a sin".
In the interests of proper journalism, I’ve checked the manifesto. But I can’t seem to find the 'in God’s name we shall purify' section.
David Cameron, renowned for taking a hard line on the politically incorrect, will not be best pleased.
UPDATE: The Tories say the remarks about homosexuality were not Mr Millar's own and that he merely referred to texts which said that homosexuality was a sin. His comments about creationism being taught in schools were (apparently) in the context of faith schools. My understanding, however, is that faith schools are as obliged as any other to follow the national curriculum. Even the Archibishop of Canterbury is against teaching creationism in schools!
UPDATE: Some people may have mistaken this as a place where you can post anonymous comments about people's private lives. It's not. I have absolutely no time for anyone who insults/smears another person while themselves remaining comfortably anonymous. It is gutless and callous. If you'd like to email me with your name and telephone number, I'd be more than happy to discuss this personally with you:)
UPDATE: Jane Davidson has entered the row, calling Darren Millar a 'mad evangelist'.
Labels: Clwyd West, Conservative party, Darren Millar, Welsh Assembly Election 2007
posted by Blamerbell @ 10:55 am,
26 Comments:
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At 11:20 am,
said...
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Blamer - are you going to be interviewing Dave Cameron today.
Please can one of the journos ask him whether he thinks Millar should resign?
The BBC are so excited about Labour doing badly that they won't want to rock the boat. -
At 11:32 am,
Blamerbell said...
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I shan't be there. But I'm sure the question will be asked. The question is whether or not it will be answered!
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At 11:42 am,
Marcusian said...
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Cameron cannot dodge this, he was swift on Patrick Mercer and has to be on Millar.
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At 12:06 pm,
said...
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Oh my God! Nobody expects the Labour inquisition!!! fiendish laughter oops that should be the "Spanish" !!
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At 12:09 pm,
said...
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blamerbell - storm in an eggcup.
I would be quite happy to bet with you that Cameron will not be asking this guy to resign anytime soon.
Why ? The creationism thing - well Peter Vardy's 'academies' have form in this area, and I haven't seen TB giving them back money because it is 'tainted'.
The 'homosexuality' thing - well the Cameron team were happy to try and help the Catholic adoption agencies look for an opt-out to the ridiculous legislation passed recently about gay adoption. -
At 3:55 pm,
said...
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This comment has been removed by the author.
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At 4:43 pm,
said...
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Obviously Mr. Cridland living in the USA doesn't know about the activities of certain right of centre politicians in good old Wales. What did the Bible say about 'those without sin casting the first stone'. Millar need look no further than closer to home to see the devil's work.
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At 5:05 pm,
said...
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I wonder what the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives thinks about this story?
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At 7:14 pm,
said...
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I wonder what Martin Shipton of the Western Mail thinks of this story...especially after pushing this guy to win in Clwyd West...
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At 8:33 pm,
said...
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I wonder why alan pugh thinks we don't know he's posting here. is he paying for his own notepaper yet?
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At 8:48 pm,
said...
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Anonymous saith!
[b]Obviously Mr. Cridland living in the USA doesn't know about the activities of certain right of centre politicians in good old Wales. [b/]
well Mr Cridland won't be living there for long! What Labour politician are you talking about? ;) -
At 9:45 pm,
said...
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All parties have people who say the odd bizarre and frankly indefensible things in elections hustings.
In 2003 the LibDem Candidate in Swansea West, the born again evangelist Cllr Mike Day, made the assertion that "we all know that homsexuality is a sin" much to the general derision of the audience (and this was a hustings taking place in a Baptist Church!).
I don't think any parties can take the moral highground in terms of comments made by individual (and not very politically bright) candidates, but it all makes good sport, I suppose. -
At 8:50 am,
said...
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I was at the meeting in Ruthin the other evening and I thought I'd give my recollection of what was said.
1. re. Creationism
DM claimed that Creationism was a valid scientific theory on a par scientifically with evolution. He did not say that it should be on the national curriculum but that governors of a school should be allowed to add this as a scientific subject.
What shocked people most at the meeting was that he argued strongly that creationism was true science.
2. Homosexuality
The question seemed to have been a 'planted question' designed to trap an evangelical chrisitian candidate.
His response was along the lines of (and I paraphrase from memory) - "Christian teaching is clear on this topic, homosexuality is a sin. I am a chrisitian and my beliefs are guided by these texts. I do not however - believe that in discriminating against people based on their sex, race, religion, age or sexual orientation".
He was pressed several times - "so you're saying it is a sin" and he repeated the same oblique acknowledgement each time. He did not say directly that homosexuality is a sin but implied it very strongly.
In summary:
What got the strongest reaction at the meeting was his comments about creationism as opposed to homosexuality -
At 10:11 am,
said...
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For a key marginal the quality of the candidates in Clwyd West seems to leave a lot to be desired.
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At 10:26 am,
said...
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There are enough idiots in the Assembly already, without the addition of a swivel-eyed medievalist loon. Creationists should be barred from public office.
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At 10:28 am,
said...
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Iain Dale's comment on is blog site really shows how gay members of the Tory party really get their knickers in a twist when it comes to defending the loony evangelical right which has infiltrated some tory associations. For Mr. Dale the Millar affair is all the fault of the media and the nasty Labour party which leaked it. The fact that it is clear that ordinary voters in the audience at Ruthin were shocked by the comments is arrogantly dismissed. The Tory party will never be elcted until it sorts out individuals who are more at home in Alabama than Abergele.
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At 10:39 am,
said...
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Why should creationists be denied public office? The only people I'd ban from public office are those who oppose free speech.
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At 12:46 pm,
said...
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Alan Pugh! Wasn't he the guy that sent Christmas cards using public money?
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At 12:59 pm,
said...
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Darren Millar- isnt that the homophobic creationist?
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At 10:45 pm,
said...
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The Daily Post's Chief Reporter, Tom Bodden, has reported it as it is AND PROVED MILLAR IS HOMOPHOBIC.
The link below is from an article from the North Wales newspaper the The Daily Post.
Check it yourself at www.icnorthwales.co.uk
or click on this link:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_-cFL_l6IKZE/RjOomCZzUPI/AAAAAAAAAJg/UwdBhpUsYJI/s1600-h/post.jpg -
At 11:10 pm,
said...
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thank goodness Jane Davidson didn't say 'mad muslim'
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At 10:51 am,
said...
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That's the trouble with politicians and media folk who tend to live in their own little intellectual bubble. Jane Davidson probably doesn't realise that there are far more evangelists out there than gays. So a vote loser for Labour.
What if Millar had said "mad gays" the BBC would have a field day. -
At 1:54 pm,
said...
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Jane Davidson must have meant "mad evangelical" not evangelist? That does not make sense.
May be she could not spell it. (frightening for a minister of education).
Disclaimer
just a comment. I do not agree with Millar's point of view on creationism or homosexuality just his freedom to express them. I would leave it up to the voters on which deadbeat seems better for them.
Millar's a moderate compared to the lot that were demonstrating across the street from my house in Dodge City, Kansas.
Pity Marshal Dillon was not around to tell them "Get the heck outta Dodge"
Well Free Speech has its price!
Mike -
At 9:28 pm,
said...
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I think Jane Davidsons comments are terrible and show her lack of understanding and respect for other faiths.
Despite what may or may not have been said it is disgusting that she is refering to someone as mad because of their religion.
Surely we teach tolerance and understanding in our society, not demeaning someone as mad because of thier faith.
What worries me more is that her comments are on myspace which is regularly used by young people, what does this teach? Lack of understanding??
Maybe we would all be a bit more up in arms if she called a muslin mad or a jew, but in reality thats what she has done to another faith!
Its disgusting and Wales has no place for people like this. -
At 6:53 am,
said...
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yeah, but jane davidson is mad herself. also very vain. and knows another person who is very vain too.
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At 9:33 am,
said...
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People these days can have their own views yes, but when it comes to saying some one elses life style is a sin, sorry that is wrong.
God said that everyone is born equal, not all straight people are more superior than the rest. Homosexuals are not second rate citizens they are the same.
Peoples personal or religious views should stay personal, they should not shove it down other peoples throats or even make people feel as if they are not welcome in society. This goes to all groups in the community from gays, ethnic minority, disabled, or even religious people should be discriminated against.
This Tory up north has showed how stuck in the past and how nast they Tory party still is. If he did win that seat or even now the Tories should chuck him out of the party.
