The elusive pimpernel
Posted on
November 17, 2013 by
Chris Cairns
ADDENDUM
An alert reader has in fact found where Anas was this week.
(The speech appears to have been yesterday, but you can’t expect him to just deliver it straight off the plane, can you? He’d need a good three or four days to take in some atmosphere first, get over the jetlag, etc etc.)
I’m sure we all agree that promoting entrepreneurship in Pakistan is what we’re paying Anas Sarwar’s wages and expenses for, rather than silly trivialities like trying to end the bedroom tax for his constituents. Let’s speak of it no more.
Interesting to hear Dr Gerry Hassan on RS this morning explain that Douglas Alexander had a legitimate reason for missing the bedroom tax vote – but – nary a whisper about the Anas Sarwar’s situation. I accept that he may have had a legitimate reason to be absent, but it’s still a significant news item given his treatment of Nicola Sturgeon in a public debate over the issue.
Sighs of relief in some quarters!
Anus is not elusive. He is under his bed.
To think that Sarwar is held up as a Labour stalwart!
Who paid for his flights to spend a holiday in his dads humble abode?
This man is a disgrace, pure and simple.
It beggars belief that he can actually command respect from within the Labour Party and from the media. What on earth are his constituents thinking of when they vote him in?
I genuinely despair for some people.
He will go and take over from his Dad
Anas is a ship jumper in waiting, just like his dad dumped his UK citizenship
Craig M says:
“It beggars belief that he can actually command respect from within the Labour Party and from the media.”
I don’t think it beggars belief, Craig. After all, who are we talking about here, Johann Lamont, Margaret Curran, Ian Davidson, Jim Murphy, Jackie Baillie, George Foulkes and all the rest. I’m sure they all respect each other (although maybe not the case if you are an Alexander :)). The consequence of that is that in their very respectful little bubble they probably all think that the rest of us respect them as well.
The fact that they (like the rest of us) are getting a completely skewed view of things from the “Scottish” media will only reinforce that belief. They’re all sitting on deck chairs having a jolly time of it. What they don’t realise is that they’re on the Titanic.
How does a millionaire get to be a labour mp anyway?
A couple of thoughts:
If this was official parliamentary business, he will have claimed his expenses… I’m nosey, did he fly 1st/business/cheapo… and who was he travelling for? Surely it should/would be a ConDem who should have gone if it was official WM business?
If this wasn’t an official Govt Business trip, what on earth was he doing there when his constituents needed him to be fighting their corner in WM?
As a friend of mine is prone to say: “The plot thins…”
Gerry make a fairly strong point that a number of Labour MPs were absent without good pairing reason and that they have shot themselves in the foot. He said Labour is storing up trouble for itself. He also touched on the increasing unhappiness of ordinary Labour activists having to work with Coalition people in Better Together when they are politically diametrically opposites. Yes has an easier ride because SNP/SSP/Green/Labour for Indy all share a lot of common ground.
An investigative journalist confirming Sarwar claimed a trip to Pakistan to see his dad instead of fighting the bedroom tax would have a field day.
An investigative journalist confirming Sarwar claimed a trip to Pakistan to see his dad instead of fighting the bedroom tax would have a field day
watch this space
Right! Just taking a break from the painting, and I’ve just seen the link that Stuart has posted.
I don’t know about anybody else, but this sticks in my craw …big time!!!
Why is Anas doing speeches in Hajvery University, when he was needed here to participate in a major vote; not just any old vote, but literally, the main policy in Labour’s manifesto.
He’s a ‘British’ politician, raised in Glasgow. Why is he doing speeches in Pakistan?
‘…and give advice on how students can start their own business‘ …What? What?? Seriously, what is he doing in Pakistan giving advice on how to start a business? What is he going to tell them? What the **** does Anas know about the laws and banking system of Pakistan? Why is he there in the first place???
To me, this was an excuse, as well as a freebie jaunt at the expense of the tax payer. The Labour Party have bitched time and again, about Salmond going to golfing tournaments, or how much was the First Minister spent for a couple of nights at the Gleneagles hotel when he was hosting the SNP conference.
First, we have the Labour Scottish Leader going MIA when Grangemouth and Govan were on the ropes, and now we have Anas Sarwar at it too! He should have been HERE! IN THE UK!
He had a duty to participate in repealing the most hated tax in Britain, but instead, was being feted as some sort of celebrity because his father is the Governor General of a district in Pakistan.
He could have postponed his trip until this week. There is no excuse for not being in the UK Parliament! The only excuse that springs to mind, is that he did this trip deliberately, so he had an excuse as to the reason why, he had NO intention of voting. In my book, Anas Sarwar has made it perfectly clear, as to where he stands on the Bedroom Tax. He WANTS to KEEP IT!
Disgrace! That is all I can say to Anas’s attitude. He has let, not only himself down, but the poorest and infirm people of the United Kingdom. Utter …disgrace!
Seriously! At every opportunity, this should be thrown in Sarwar’s face. By Christ, when I get back to work, I’m letting everyone; including my Unionist pals, know the truth. They are already aware of Lamont’s ability to become the Invisible Woman; wait till they here that Sarwar is playing the game, ‘Where’s Wally?’
May have been more than one lecture but this one seems to have been delivered on the 13th, Wednesday, at Hajver University, Pakistan.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hupk/10881955065/
Get on the site Albalha has linked to and leave a comment about Sarwar!
Anas Sarwar is a public servant. Before that, he was an NHS dentist, having had an expensive private education, paid for by daddy’s cash. He has never had a job in his life that was not paid for out of public taxation, and he didn’t even get his current job on his own initiative, getting it handed to him hy his dad instead.
In what way does Anas Sarwar have even the slightest clue about being an “entrepreneur”, except as one of those insufferable rich kids that think starting multiple failed businesses using daddy’s millions is the same as starting a business up from scratch?
“Hello kids, I’m a millionaire’s son who started off as an NHS dentist before becoming an MP, and I’m here to tell you how to make money from your own initiative.”
Although I suppose he could argue his approach to claiming expenses shows initiative and entrepreneurial spirit…
THE Scottish National party has raised concerns over an adviser to the Better Together campaign, following claims that he paid for people’s party membership in Falkirk in return for votes.
Gregor Poynton, a former Labour party election strategy manager, is political director of Blue State Digital, a media strategy firm working for the No campaign.
Last week it emerged that two new Labour members in Falkirk reportedly said their joining fees were paid for by Poynton — a potential Labour candidate for the seat — and that in return they were expected to vote for him at a future selection meeting.
Poynton has reportedly admitted paying for 11 members to join the party with a single cheque.He told a newspaper last week that he did not recruit the members to vote for him and is sure they all repaid their membership fees in cash.He said he had behaved properly at all times and been frank with the party about the use of a single cheque to pay for new members.
Labour are deeply corrupt, voters MUST be seeing it, end of.
msean says:
How does a millionaire get to be a labour mp anyway? Because the socialist lefties righties will take anyone’s money, what is more interesting is
how does a labour MP become a millionaire?
@JohnD
As Harold said Expenses dear boy expenses
Chris,
Your headline …’the elusive pimpernel’
To be honest, I think you got that wrong! It really should be ‘… the Scarlet Pimpernel…’ because that’s the colour that Sarwar’s face should be …in utter shame …now that his secret is out!!
O/T SOS running non story about MSPs office rentals deliberately targetted at SNP.
http://archive.is/UmEaG
However see interesting comment from Fletcher of Saltoun regarding Labour MP Ian Murray’s expenses
Doug,
Sarwar isn’t an entrepreneur he’s an “entrougheneur”. As are most of his Westminster chums.
Tried to post this a couple of times on The Herald. Guess what? Bzzzzz …no chance! Can’t have the truth coming out about the real reasons as to why a certain Glasgow Labour MP wasn’t in Parliament this week. We can’t have the masses knowing the real truth, oh no, no, no …can’t have that!
JLT, ( whats he doing in Pakistan, ) ( Punjab ) as with his heireditary seat in the commons warmed up by his Father , s again a introduction to the Punjab media you dont think he would have got into the commons under his own steam Daddy pulled the gravitas muppets strings // next stop for An u s the bolt Hole of Punjab legislature ah daddys wee lamb
So while those hardy souls were protesting on a cold winters day in Glasgow outside Sarwars office friday past, re his no show at the HoC over the bedroom tax, Sarwar was already winging his way to Pakistan to give a speech about Business entrepeneurs. I heard it said that a couple of his constituents were turned away from his surgery on friday. Didnt he even not have the decency to cancel his surgery letting his constituents know he wouldnt be able to make it? After all they took time out of their day to go. What a shameful disregard he has for the people of Glasgow and Scotland. This hypocrite should be kept on the rack and made to answer. All his constituents deserve to know this story and then let them have their day to judge him.
Both The Sun on Sunday and the Sunday Mail report Alex Mosson, ex Labour Provost of Glasgow declaring for YES. Sir Charles Gray is far from alone and the Labour Party is splitting on the constitution.
In the final analysis many in the Labour party will find it much more comfortable to walk with the SNP or with the broader YES movement than to walk with the Tories.
This is the big story
Doug Daniel , Shushh man dont mention the Warehouse Fires in the early 70s , his faither should be geein lectures ownn firefighting lol
Nice one, Ronnie – and the VAT free cases of voda etc etc etc?
Another excellent Sunday Herald, especially Macwhirter. Have you all bought a copy? It needs our support.
Actually its a good read throughout. The editor is to be complimented
There is something of the ‘smoke and mirrors’ with the Sarwar family and it seems like the younger is clearly following the lead of the elder.
Priorities dear boy !
Lets not let the word charlatan & the name Sarwar ever be parted long after this episode.
Perhaps Scotland tonight should get him back on to discuss thius episode and the claims made during the debate with Ms Sturgeion ?
Chances ??
JTL, Ah see you cawin An u s the Scalet pimp Ah hud it in mind fur Chris Cairns hud he put THE TARTAN PIMPERNEL Ah wuld hay been oot fur blood ( The Very REV Donald Caskie ) wiz ma mithers cousin Great Man
Interesting stuff here from Swinney. Squeals of anger from the usual suspects!
A UK government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government claims to want to cut business tax but fails to explain how their proposals would be funded. They cannot keep dodging basic questions about the economics of independence.”
http://archive.is/iEeW8
I think the strings unravelling on the ‘better together’ package.
XSticks says
The fact that they (like the rest of us) are getting a completely skewed view of things from the “Scottish” media will only reinforce that belief. They’re all sitting on deck chairs having a jolly time of it. What they don’t realise is that they’re on the Titanic.
Yes but who’s getting in the lifeboats? Who’s manning or womanning the ship?
O/T
there is a talk about Scotland’s ‘first referendum’, at Adam House, Edinburgh Wednesday 18th at 5.30.
http://www.historyfest.co.uk/events/20
Its a fiver a ticket, here’s who’s speaking…in case anyone is interested in going.
‘What happened? Was it the moment when the SNP used its leverage to bring down a Labour government and usher in Margaret Thatcher? Or did the Labour party renege on its promises and fail to honour Scotland’s ‘Yes’. A pivotal moment in post-war UK politics, full of drama, intrigue and conspiracy. Listen to some key players of the day: Labour’s Tam Dalyell; former SNP leader Gordon Wilson; SNP strategist Isobel Lindsay and journalists Harry Reid and Julie Davidson remember. Chaired by Jackie Kemp.’
£5 Book online.
Dav Mc Ewan Hill , ah wiz market trading in spare time then , I wiz buyin remote control toys / ceramic dolls cheap cheap box loads fur christmas pres we in one day st shut aff warehoose burned tae the grun It wiz his faither warehoose jist anither name the ither warehoose owners near his were gonna murder Mohammed he hud tae pay them of
gordoz says:
“Lets not let the word charlatan & the name Sarwar ever be parted long after this episode.”
Sarlatan then gordoz?
Millionaire politicians who claim to be for the people?
Millionaire politicians who are in a position of power through nepotism? (that would make the Martin family Sarlatans)
Millionaire politicians who only have their own best interests at heart? (that might not work as the vast majority of politicians would be Sarlatans)
Call e Dave , Nick Clegg reasin the income Tax threshold 2015 kin they afford it / kin they F— alltogether now seperate one by one Promises we live by Nick Nick Jim Davidson diz the jokes
“It really should be ‘… the Scarlet Pimpernel…’”
Let’s not be implying there’s anything red about Mr Sarwar.
Hetty, Am towing the Iceberg , latatude / longitude please / Rad Call sign Nae Doggerin
Have a nice holiday with your dad Anas. Send us a postcard.
Headlines Programme this morning..
BBC Radio Scotland worth a listen later on playback.
Some good comments for us and some pelters for labour. Wee changes afoot!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03hxmvb/Headlines_17_11_2013/
37mins. 50sec in the best from there on.
Well at least we know where Pamela ‘Buzz’ Nash was when she missed the vote. She was at a Conference at the European Space Policy Institute in Vienna giving a 20 minute speech at the Space against Youth Unemployment event.
I can’t really call it a conference as according to these pics there were only around 30 people in attendance. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.553884911359411.1073741827.378872655527305&type=1
Moreover Buzz Nash was speaking at lunchtime on 11 November; the Bedroom Tax vote was up until 19:00 on 12 November.
Mr Sarwar is a right Percy!
Nothing like the real McCoy: Sir Percy Blakeney
aka . Pimpernell.
TV in the good old days Marius Goring I watched all the episodes.
Film (before my time) but enjoyed it Lesley Howard. He allegedly was a real spy Missing on a flight to Spain in WWII .
OK nostalgia over. 🙂
He must have been in Pakistan for the interview, or should that be inheritance, for his next job.
Let’s face it he’s going to need one very soon regardless of what happens in September 2014.
X_sticks, Gordoz :
Sarwarlatan, surely?
X_Sticks says:
I like it !
A ‘Sarlatan’ = “Any politition displaying a dereliction of duty; offering discussion around a ‘Nothing for Something’ society”; very likely to be from the Labour party in Scotland. Also known as a Sarwar.
mmars_attacks says:
“Sarwarlatan, surely?”
Bit of a mouthful mmars_attacks. Maybe we could just leave out the ‘arwarl’ bit.
X_sticks
mmars_attacks
Or ‘pulling a Sarwar ‘ ?
EdinScot
So while those hardy souls were protesting on a cold winters day in Glasgow outside Sarwars office friday past, re his no show at the HoC over the bedroom tax, Sarwar was already winging his way to Pakistan to give a speech about Business entrepreneurs.
So who called the Police out and wasted their time and why did they respond to a non event?
So who called the Police out and wasted their time and why did they respond to a non event?
Makes you wonder Seasick Dave eh…
I’m guessing that we won’t hear a peep from the Labour Party about this. I’m guessing that, like Mrs Lamont’s bizarre disappearance acts during the Falkirk row, Grangemouth and Govan, that this is another episode, that ‘the people really shouldn’t worry themselves about‘.
I’m guessing that this will be the line that Labour will take if the issue is raised.
SAWAR the ’Nothing for Something’ politician
According to Wiki, there are 203 universities in Pakistan. From the list given I make it that 72 are private (the rest are mainly public, a few ‘military’) –
Hajvery University is one of the private ones.
It appears that the comments on the Flickr link have disappeared.
What a surprise.
aw puir wee snus he’s just having a bombay fast
Seasick Dave
Think they are still there, managed to capture the page with comments on 😉
http://archive.is/u6iBp
It will be interesting to see if the BBC have Sarwar on the panel for Question Time from Falkirk on November 28th.
If he is slated for the panel then there should be a concerted effort to make him as unwelcome as possible
You’re correct Chris, how the hell can flying off to Pakistan be more important than, supporting, the abolition of the bedroom tax, which has made many peoples lives a misery.
Mr Sarawar, and SLAB for that matter have shown their TRUE colours,towards the Scottish people.
I just hope common sense prevails, and SLAB supports vote YES to independence, and the rebirth of SLAB can begin.
I’m puzzled. It’s plain as a pikestaff that Labour’s motion to repeal the so-called bedroom tax could never succeed – the Government whips would have seen to that.
So I’m not quite sure why the Labour MPs who didn’t attend the vote should be so reviled on this site. The “debate” and the “vote” were pure Westminster grandstanding of a sort which (I’d previously thought) this blog and its commenters generally disapprove.
Am I missing something?
@JLT I really suspect Sarwar was giving a speech on how to set up a business in Scotland explaining how they can all jump on the gravy train here? Come on in lads the water’s fine and here’s the way to do it. Probably got paid for it too while he should’ve been here doing his job that we pay him for! Makes the blood boil.
Weedeochandorris
Only God knows. Maybe a transcript of what he actually said while there, will turn up as some point.
Personally, I think he is preparing the lifeboat for a life outside Scotland should we vote ‘Yes’. His father, no doubt, will find him a position somewhere there.
Churm Rincewind
We all know that. Turning up and voting is the issue here they have made an agreement to represent their constituents. Not only that but Sarwar and Curran have been on radio and tv debates beating their chests that it was their priority to ditch tax and the SG should do the decent thing and mitigate the effects of the spare room subsidy by coughing up the money shortage.
Sarwar, within a few days of this, immediately reneges on his opportunity to deliver his vote, Curran ,not so dumb, makes sure she does.
Outrage follows and shit hits fan. Stain on labour and shooting itself in foot.
Result, people affected no better off and opposition parties like SNP + LFI score a hit.
Chum Rincewood
Of course it was all completely cynical Labour posturing which is why were having such delight blowing it up in their faces.
Churmrincewind, addition to Call me Dave He held up Bedroon Tax petition asking Nicola Sturgeon to sign it onn T V debate not a man to be trusted
Churm Rincewind,
The guy’s a labour politician, so he doesn’t have government business to be dealing with, and his party only has a few opportunities to call debates, which is their chance to tell us what they think is important.
They took at least 6-8 months to decide the bedroom tax was wrong (took them that long to consult the focus groups) when most of us in Scotland instinctively knew it was within minutes of learning about it.
The guy then goes on a TV debate (where he behaved ridiculously) and pulls out a fake parliamentary bill repealing the tax and demands his opponent sign it in an embarrassingly staged stunt, inferring that of course he would – and whaddya know, when he has the chance to vote for it (no matter how futile), he is not even in the country.
Are you seriously saying we should accept having politicians like that?!
glasgow labour socialist avoids voting to abolish the bedroom tax by giving a speech advocating capitalism in Pakistan
Hmm, has anyone seen Anas Sarwar and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the same room together? Could they be one and the same?!
“The Running Man”; “I’ll be back”; “Your clothes. Give them to me. Now.”
(Well, two out of three ain’t bad.)
Gordoz: ‘the nothing for something politician’
i like that!
Noshow Sarwar is right up there with Ba’heid Davidson in my book, heading the ever expanding list of unionist politicians I would like to see picking up their P45’s in a couple of years.
Noshow is in a near tie with Ba’heid now. Berating Nicola Sturgeon demanding she support their bedroom tax vote then not bothering to turn up for it himself; that’s just incredible. Did he think no one would notice? His old man might have been as dodgy as the boy, but he was also a much sharper operator; I don’t think old Mohammad would have made a screw up like that, somehow.
Ba’heid is just a thug in a suit, but what sets him apart is his assertion that BAe contracts should include a clause which would mean all work at Govan and Scotstoun would revert to an English yard (God alone knows which one he thinks is capable) if we vote yes next September. The MP for Govan actually came out and said that work should be removed from his constituency if we vote yes. That makes him, so far as I’m concerned, a really, really special kind of idiot.
He is quite a case our Sarwar Jr. I recall the video from Clydebank where he was one of the platform speakers. It was an eerie sight, watching him (because you couldn’t hear him) talk on against a barrage of hostile noise. He just kept on, giving his whole speech, in the midst of a din from an angry crowd.
Is this what it takes to be a Labour MP – complete detachment from reality and a surreal belief in yourself? It only matters to keep talking, it doesn’t matter what you say. Hence his performance against Nicola Sturgeon, I suppose.
“Songs for Sarwar”, Volume 1, now available from K-TEL Records…
1: Running on Empty – Jackson Browne
2: Running with the Night – Lionel Ritchie
3: Run for Home – Lindisfarne
4: Keep on Running – Spencer Davis Group
5: Run Run Run – The Who
6: Run to the Hills – Iron Maiden
7: You Run Away – Barenaked Ladies
8: Run Runaway – Slade
9: Run Like Hell – Pink Floyd
10: Leaving on a Jet Plane – John Denver
Just a short note of thanks to all those who took the trouble to respond to my post.