Top of the Tree

John Pienar was wittering on Radio 5 Live on Thursday about Mr Blair's interview with the rozzers. John suggested that as Mr Blair was Top of the Tree he was bound to be interviewed, this was certainly not the great and horrendous event that some hackneyed Tory commentators would suggest. And to be honest it is hard to believe that no previous PM has been interviewed or spoken with in connection with some criminal investigation or other. Is the assertion that this is a _first_ reliable?

But anyway, JP hastily realised it was coming up for winter solstice and added that TB may be top of the tree but wasn't dealing in baubles, glass balls or other decorations. And it goes without saying that this top of the tree gag was not a dig at Mr Tony's virile heterosexuality as repeatedly covered by Minette Marrin of the "tabloid" Times.

Obviously baubles are the things which are not in any circumstances *sold* but which are inevitably recommended for party supporters who may or may not become working peers at some level. Why wouldn't they be under the existing system?

Millionaires can provide their millions to parties for fun, or for what they may think they'll get in kudos or access, but this certainly will not include baubles. I've heard this from a source close to the top of the tree. Root and branch we're opposed to baubles for loans and that's official. Unless they're really gifts.

The whole thing is obviously corrupt as fuck.

Let's see an end to the Lords like this perhaps. Particularly the heredi-tory peers with their superior blue blood and all. Let's have a real end to all this patronage.

Patronage which is in play in all the main parties, though far more Labour supporters appear to be refusing honours than any other group.