Blair says don't tour

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by ernest

Jack Straw made it clear in talks with the ECB,the government would not intervene in this row.he went on to say,the government is in no position to cancel the tour,and that the government was in no position to dictate to the ECB.

Ernest

The key words here in your last paragraph is 'would not' not 'could not'. Important distinction.

As I've said in my previous posts, this government can pretty much do what it likes, when it likes, if it want's to. What is clear to me from what Mani is saying is, Blair does not want to 'interfere' and in doing so jeopardise London's hopes of hosting the Olympics - this is the real issue here.

The sooner Tony Blair and his cronies get booted out of government the better, not that next lot will be much better.

Scott

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Ernest

The key words here in your last paragraph is 'would not' not 'could not'. Important distinction.


Scott

Scott,
The government said it was in no possition to cancel the tour.
Jack Straw the FS,and Tessa Jowel the CS said,although the government didn`t agree with Robert magabwe`s regine im Zimbabwe,it was in no possition to dictate to the ECB what to do,and coudacree who could and who could not ld not ,leave the country.Straw added the players should have a choice in whether to go.

The british gevernment has no such power to prevent England from touring Zimbabwe.This is the part of the interview I was sumerising from,and you should decide yourself if I have done so correctly.

The full facts can be found http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_database...004/MAY/140211_

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by ernest

The british gevernment has no such power to prevent England from touring Zimbabwe.This is the part of the interview I was sumerising from,and you should decide yourself if I have done so correctly.

Ernest

As I indicated in my last post to OF, this government can pretty much do what it likes, when it likes, if it likes. The real facts here are that Tony Blair is far more concerned with ensuring an easy passage for the London Olympic bid being staged in London (I don't agree with that either, but that's a different dicussion) than he is in taking a stance against Zimbabwe. He does not want to jeopardise that Olympic bid in any way. The government is saying they can't do anything about stopping the tour to Zimbabwe because they don't want to do anything about Zimbabwe.

Do you think that if this government can go against a UN rulling, lie to the population of this country and unlawfully seize control of a foriegn country by the use of force it can't stop our Cricketers touring a county run by a ruthless dictator, where it is clearly unsafe for British people to travel to? Ernest please point out to me - exactly which British law gives us the legal right to seize a foriegn country by force? This government is happy to operate outside the law when it wants to but is happy to hide behind it when it suits them - are you getting my point?

If you really want to beleive what politicians tell you - thats your prerogative - personally I rarely beleive a word any of them say because there are always other factors operating in the background influencing their decisions they don't want you to know about. In the Iraq situation is was oil, in the Zimbabwe situation it's the Olympic bid for London.

Scott

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

The government is saying they can't do anything about stopping the tour to Zimbabwe because they don't want to do anything about Zimbabwe.

Do you think that if this government can go against a UN rulling, lie to the population of this country and unlawfully seize control of a foriegn country by the use of force it can't stop our Cricketers touring a county run by a ruthless dictator, where it is clearly unsafe for British people to travel to?

Yes I agree with you all the way,i sent the link to make sure I had quoted correct from his statement to you,yes I get your point ,because it is the same as mine.

I have said all along that we should not tour Zimbabwe on the grounds of safety,more so than political grounds.When Robert magabe has stirred up so much hatred against the British,and all we stand for,it cannot be safe for the team,or fans to travel there.

This government will not give in on this matter,more shame on them,the ECB are spineless,and the ICC are reveling in Englands predicument.

Groups opposed to magabe will use the limelight of the England cricket tour,to there advantage,making a bad situation for Enlands team,and fans even worse,there may even be deaths.

No Scott I dont believe what Blair or Straw says,polatics these days are a dirty business,time for a change.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Ernest

As I indicated in my last post to OF, this government can pretty much do what it likes,

Try http://www.teletext.com/news/polls.asp?intSiteSubsectionID=115&intArchivePoll=2 030

Scott,the above link is typical of the way this government spits in the face of public opinion,and it is only one of many.

Ernest

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by ernest

Scott,the above link is typical of the way this government spits in the face of public opinion,and it is only one of many.

Ernest

Since when has popular public opinion ever made any difference to the policies and decisions this government makes? As politicians are so fond of saying - Why have a national referendum? You voted for us to represent you! They then wonder why every 5 or 10 years we have a change of government.

Scott

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Ernest

Since when has popular public opinion ever made any difference to the policies and decisions this government makes?

Scott

You are not quite right on this one,the government is going to do nothing to help Englands problem with the ICC,because there is nothing in it for them(no votes)

If it was football on the other hand,the govenment would show outrage,because football is our national game,with a lot more supporters than cricket,,and by acting on our soccer teams behalf,and if need be taking a tough stance,there would be votes to be had. Government by inaction unless it suits them.

They take no heed of the fact that on a regular basis,polls are showing that over 80%of people dont want the England cricket team to tour Zimbabwe.

Mr Blair may have made a big mistake though,democracy is really no more than mob rule,the party with the biggest mob rules.

Mr Blair may have read this situation wrong,because those giving an opinian in that 80% or so,may not even like cricket,but can see the political implications,he may therefore find his mob shrinking more than it already is.

Ernest,

[R W S]

I guess the way the Sri Lankan PM has jumped to Murali's defence illistrates your point nicely!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

I should really change the title of this thread to Blair says "dont tour" but also says "not that I'll pay up any fines until you win a world cup"

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by R W S

I guess the way the Sri Lankan PM has jumped to Murali's defence illistrates your point nicely!

R W S

The ICC have made it clear,they would listen to Tony Blair asking then for a dispensation to allow England not to tour this late this year,why is he so silent,why has he,or a goverment minister not approached the ICC,to even discuss the matter,where has all his,and his governments passion gone since the Cricket World Cup,whats changed,has Mr Magabe done a u turn,are the Zimbabwe people at last being given even the rudiments of human rights.

No he has not! could it just be that mr Blair,and Jack Sraw dont care any more,could it upset an economical apple cart. never mentioned Mr Brown.

The ICC waits,the ECB has given up,Mr Blair hopes it will go away,but the president of the ICC put the blame squarely on Mr Bairs shoulders,he said they will listen,but no one is talking.

Thanks for the tip RWS cracked it