STRAW WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT ?

Tories 'resonating', admits Straw

Gordon Brown's fortunes have varied in 2007

The Conservative campaign is resonating with the public and the government must adapt in order to survive, a senior Cabinet minister has warned.

The admission by Justice Secretary Jack Straw comes as Gordon Brown used his New Year message to say 2008 will see "real and serious changes" in the UK.

The government would see through reforms in "vital areas" such as energy, pensions and health, he said.

In his message, Tory leader David Cameron pledged to set the 2008 agenda.

Past difficulties

Mr Straw, who is also Lord Chancellor and one of Mr Brown's closest cabinet colleagues, told the Sunday Times the prime minister had faced difficulties in recent months that must be put right.

And in a rare admission by a senior minister, he acknowledged Mr Cameron may have benefited from the government's recent woes and that his messages appear to be "resonating" with voters.

Ministers have previously sought to dismiss the Tory leader as lacking in substance.

We have got to make clear progress in the next year and everybody understands that Jack Straw Justice Secretary Byers offers olive branch Send us your comments

Mr Straw, who ran the prime minister's leadership campaign, said the key for Labour was showing the public that it was making "decisions that are relevant to their futures and not just resting on our laurels".

"All periods are crucial in government - and up to two-and-a-half years before the next election, which is a long time - but for sure we have got to make clear progress in the next year and everybody understands that," he added.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7164461.stm

NOW ALL OF YOU READ THIS IN FULL AT THE BBC

Brown's New Year message in full

The prime minister stressed that there would be changes in 2008

This is the full text of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's New Year message to the country.

For Britain, 2008 will be a year of real and serious changes.

With important legislation making long-term changes in energy, climate change, health, pensions, planning, housing, education and transport, 2008 will be a year of measurable changes in public services.

A year for stepping up major long-term reform to meet challenges ranging from globalisation and global warming to the great unfinished business of social reform in our country.

And we will continue to work with our international partners to counter the ongoing threat of global terrorism, most recently witnessed in the atrocities in Pakistan.

So we will not shirk but see through changes and reforms in the vital areafor our future - secure energy, pensions, transport, welfare, education, health and national security.

We will strengthen the democracy and unity of our country. Our priority at all times, our guiding purpose: One Britain of security and opportunity for all the British people.

The global credit problem that started in America is now the most immediate challenge for every economy and addressing it the most immediate priority

And through the publication of our national security strategy we will set out the scale of both the challenges we face and our response at home and overseas to counter the terror threat.

Our strong economy is the foundation. And with unbending determination, in 2008, we will steer a course of stability through global financial turbulence.

The global credit problem that started in America is now the most immediate challenge for every economy and addressing it the most immediate priority.

But just as we withstood the Asia crisis, the American recession, the end of the IT bubble and the trebling of oil prices and continued to grow, Britain will meet and master this new challenge by our determination to maintain stability and low inflation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7164575.stm

Oh No !!! More losses ,

Anger as NHS patient records lost

Computer discs containing patient details have gone missing.

The government has come under strong criticism after nine English NHS trusts admitted losing patient records in the latest public sector data lapse.

Hundreds of thousands of adults and children are thought to be affected.

Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley condemned the government for its "failure to protect the personal information which we provide".

The Department of Health says patients have been told and there is no evidence data has fallen into the wrong hands.

It follows losses of millions of child benefit claimant and driver details.

Archive records

The Sunday Mirror reports that one of the breaches was thought to involve the loss of names and addresses of 160,000 children by City and Hackney Primary Care Trust, after a disc failed to arrive at an east London hospital.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7158498.stm

Go home if you commit a crime as long as it's not serious !!

Memo sparks foreign prisoner row

Ministers have pledged to deport 4,000 foreign criminals this year

Gordon Brown is under fire over a prison service memo revealing officials have "no interest" in deporting foreign criminals jailed for less than a year.

The UK's head of immigration Lin Homer said staff were committed to sending home all overseas offenders, whether they are dangerous or not.

But the Tories say the memo, sent to prison governors, is at odds with the PM's pledge to expel foreign criminals.

More than 11,000 of the 81,000 prison population are foreign nationals.

The prime minister promised to strengthen measures to deport foreign national criminals in his speech to Labour's annual conference in September.

He told The Times newspaper he wanted a "far tougher line" on foreign offenders.

He said: "I want a message to go out - if you come here to work you learn the language; if you commit a crime you will deported from our country."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7155002.stm

The poor Saps will soon forget all about this !!

Crises will be forgotten - Brown

Mr Brown is hoping to regain the initiative in the New Year

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said recent scandals to have hit the government, such as data loss and proxy donations, will be "quickly forgotten".

He pledged to concentrate in the New Year on long-term goals and issues that really mattered to people such as housing, health and education.

He also rejected claims British troops had been driven out of Basra and said violence was decreasing in the region.

Mr Brown was speaking at his monthly press conference in Downing Street.

The government has seen its opinion poll ratings fall in recent weeks following a string of problems.

Asked about political donations and the loss of personal data, Mr Brown said: "I think people know that when a problem arises we will deal with it."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7151634.stm

Quickly forgotten , yes please !!!!!

Crises will be forgotten - Brown

Mr Brown is hoping to regain the initiative in the New Year

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said recent scandals to have hit the government, such as data loss and proxy donations, will be "quickly forgotten".

He pledged to concentrate in the New Year on long-term goals and issues that really mattered to people such as housing, health and education.

He also rejected claims British troops had been driven out of Basra and said violence was decreasing in the region.

Mr Brown was speaking at his monthly press conference in Downing Street.

The government has seen its opinion poll ratings fall in recent weeks following a string of problems.

Asked about political donations and the loss of personal data, Mr Brown said: "I think people know that when a problem arises we will deal with it."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7151634.stm

Lost again ,!! Oh my God , why can't we hide these losses !!!

Revenue loses 6,500 people's data

The data cartridge had been sent by courier to the offices in Cardiff

The personal details of 6,500 customers belonging to a pension firm have been lost at an office of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in Cardiff.

Names, addresses, date of births, national insurance numbers and pension contributions were included on a data cartridge which has been lost.

It had been sent by courier in September from Countrywide Assured.

The HMRC has apologised about its seventh such loss of data and has told the Information Commissioner.

A spokesman said it was "unlikely" the information could be accessed by anyone unauthorised and said it was treating the incident "extremely seriously".

It is understood that Countrywide Assured, which is based in Preston in Lancashire, has written letters to the 6,548 affected customers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7149767.stm

Sleaze , me never ever ever !!

Major accuses Labour of 'sleaze'

John Major wants Labour to apologise for its sleaze campaign John Major interview

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major has accused Labour of presiding over "systemic sleaze" during its 10 years in government.

Sir John said the government had become "institutionally careless", citing as examples the Bernie Ecclestone affair and the David Abrahams funding row.

He said Tories had misbehaved when he was PM as individuals not members of government.

Labour accused Sir John of "backward-looking mud-slinging

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7146744.stm

Lost , Lost , Lost Lost !! I'm Lost again !!

Millions of L-drivers' data lost

Ms Kelly apologised but said risks were not substantial

The details of three million candidates for the driving theory test have gone missing, Ruth Kelly has told MPs.

Names, addresses and phone numbers - but not financial data - were among details on a computer hard drive which went missing in the US in May.

It belonged to a contractor to the Driving Standards Agency, the transport secretary told MPs.

It is the latest in a series of data losses since discs with 25m people's details on were lost by HM Revenue.

Ms Kelly said the details of learner drivers had been formatted specifically for the contractor, Pearson's, and was not readily accessible or usable by third parties.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7147715.stm

I didn't go earlier because I don't like crowds !!

Brown belatedly signs EU treaty

Critics claim the treaty means Britain surrenders power to Brussels

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has belatedly signed the EU reform treaty, having missed a ceremony attended by leaders of the 26 other member states.

Mr Brown delayed his trip to Lisbon so he could appear before a Commons select committee scrutinising his government.

He promised the committee there would be a full debate in Parliament on the 250-page text but no referendum.

The Conservatives said Mr Brown's "diary clash" did not reflect well on him, making him appear "gutless".

"If he believes this treaty is the right thing for the country then he ought to have the guts to go to the actual signing ceremony," Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague told BBC News 24.

He's behaving rather childishly Kenneth Clarke Former Conservative chancellor EU leaders sign treaty

"We had this chronic indecision in Downing Street about what the prime minister would do. I don't think that's a very good advertisement for prime ministerial decision-making."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7141279.stm

When will this end !!! More lost discs !!!

Thousands of driver details lost

The drivers' details were on two discs

The Driver and Vehicle Agency in Northern Ireland has lost the personal details of 6,000 people.

The data was on two discs and went missing after being sent to the agency's headquarters in Swansea.

The DVA said the data was being provided in response to a safety recall by a number of manufacturers.

The head of the agency said the information was not encrypted. It included details of 7,685 vehicles and more than 6,000 vehicle keepers.

The data includes the keeper's name, address, registration mark of the vehicle, chassis number, make and colour.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7138408.stm

Hah ! Back in Basra this will help the poll ratings !! But why's no one smiling but me ?

Iraq to be given control of Basra

Gordon Brown has paid a surprise visit to Basra in Iraq

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that the Iraqi province of Basra is to be handed over to Iraqi control within two weeks.

Mr Brown flew into Basra city on Sunday for a surprise visit to British troops.

He broke the news as he addressed servicemen and women at Basra air station, after holding telephone talks with Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki.

The remaining 4,500 British troops in Iraq will now focus their efforts on training local Iraqi forces.

UK troop numbers are set to be reduced to 2,500 from the spring.

Mr Brown told the troops: "I have just talked to Prime Minister Maliki and he asked me to pass on his thanks to you for what you have done to help rebuild the democracy of Iraq.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7135666.stm

That's strange , I can't remember us receiving this money !!

Labour given donation rules grant

David Abrahams used other people to make donations

The Labour Party was paid £183,000 in public money to help officials understand new funding rules shortly before it accepted secret donations.

The Electoral Commission gave the party the start-up grant in 2001 and 2002 after the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 came in.

But since 2003 property developer David Abrahams has donated £663,975 to the party under other people's names.

The police are currently investigating these donations.

An Electoral Commission spokeswoman said the grants were given to all political parties.

A total of £700,000 was divided between all parties, proportionate to the number of votes they got in the 1997 general election and the 1999 European elections.

New staff

Labour was paid £165,000 in 2001 and £18,000 a year later, according to the Electoral Commission's accounts.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7134296.stm

A bear with a sore head ? Not me !!!!

Martha Kearney's week

By Martha Kearney Presenter, BBC Radio 4's The World at One

Mr Brown is most commonly likened to a bear

There has been a distinctly ursine flavour to the news this week.

There was the teddy bear called Muhammad, a man in a bear suit winning the Turner Prize, the prospect of bear markets in the City and I found myself watching duelling polar bears in the new Philip Pullman film last night.

The bear is also the most common animal simile applied to Gordon Brown by sketch writers who often describe him in the Commons as a wounded beast lashing out at his opponents.

There's certainly plenty to goad him at the moment. The donations scandal continues to provide ammunition for the Conservatives and cause disquiet on Labour backbenches.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7133034.stm

Oh No!!! Not Northern Ireland Now !!

Data of 60,000 on stolen computer

The data was stored on an advice bureau laptop

A laptop computer containing personal details of up to 60,000 people has been stolen from the Citizens Advice Bureau in Belfast.

The computer was taken from a staff member's car earlier this week.

It holds information on people who have sought advice but the bureau said the data was encrypted and it was highly unlikely that it could be accessed.

The details include bank account numbers, national insurance numbers, names, addresses and dates of birth.

Northern Ireland CAB spokesman Derek Alcorn has issued an apology and said the organisation would be writing to all the individuals concerned.

"We can say that the data on the computer is protected by three levels of security, including a high level of encryption," he said.

"It is highly unlikely that a criminal will be able to access the data, but people who have used Citizens Advice in the Belfast area should check for anything unusual.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7133194.stm

Please let us have them back !! Systemic failure ? NO NEVER

£20,000 reward offered for discs

Police say there is no evidence criminals have the discs

A reward of £20,000 is being offered for the return of two HM Revenue and Customs CDs containing the personal details of 25 million people.

It comes as the main searches end for the discs, lost after being sent from the HMRC to the National Audit Office.

Meanwhile, the acting head of the HMRC said there had been seven incidents of "some significance" involving data security breaches since April 2005.

These "may well" indicate systemic failure, David Hartnett added.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7128851.stm

Peter how could you !!!!!!!!!

Hain admits more donations errors

Mr Hain was one of six deputy leadership contenders

Cabinet minister Peter Hain has said more donations to his Labour deputy leadership campaign "were not registered as they should have been".

Mr Hain has already admitted one £5,000 donation was not registered, blaming an "administrative error".

Now he is reviewing all donations to his campaign and apologised for the "extremely regrettable" events.

Harriet Harman, who won the deputy leadership, has been criticised over a disguised donation for her campaign.

This is extremely regrettable and I apologise Peter Hain Hain declares deputy gift I acted within law - Harman

She said she did not know the money, donated under the name Janet Kidd, was actually from property developer David Abrahams who is at the centre of a wider row over donations to the Labour Party.

Police are investigating more than £650,000 he donated to the party over four years, under the names of four associates.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7125770.stm

Dysfunctional us ?

Cameron presses Labour on funds

Mr Cameron said it was 'incredible' Labour officials did not know the law David Cameron

Tory leader David Cameron says Labour has been either "utterly dysfunctional" over donations to the party or the whole truth has not come out.

He questioned Labour's chief fundraiser Jon Mendelsohn's claim he only knew of David Abrahams use of proxy donors in September but did not tell MPs.

Lib Dem Chris Huhne has spoken to Durham police to raise concerns about a planning deal involving Mr Abrahams.

Labour's Scotland leader is also under pressure over an unlawful donation.

During his last monthly media conference of the year, Mr Cameron queried the behaviour of Mr Mendelsohn in the row over Labour's donations.

I deeply regret the damage which recent publicity has brought to the Labour Party. However, I reject any suggestion of intentional wrongdoing on my part Wendy Alexander Scottish Labour leader Q&A: Donations row Row: Day-by-day

"We are being asked to believe that Mendelsohn was hired by Gordon Brown, that he found out about these secret donations," he told reporters.

"He somehow thought it was legal, but at the same time was deeply unhappy about it but told nobody.

"Either this organisation is utterly dysfunctional or we are not being given the whole truth."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7124266.stm

Hah

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/cartoon/

The Sunday Times claims up to 10 Labour officials knew about the donations. Never Never ever

Donorgate: 10 Labour bosses knew

Jonathan Calvert, Michael Gillard and Marie Woolf

THE property developer at the centre of Labour’s donor scandal has claimed that there are 10 party officials who were aware of his “illegal” arrangement to fund it secretly.

The details will be passed to the Metropolitan police, who are now investigating how more than £600,000 was paid by the developer to Labour through intermediaries.

The list includes two senior members of Gordon Brown’s party and government: David Triesman, the minister for intellectual property, and Jon Mendelsohn, Labour’s chief fundraiser.

Yesterday David Abrahams, the secret donor, issued a statement detailing precisely his claims that Mendelsohn knew about the arrangement eight months ago. It challenges Mendelsohn’s statement that he did not find out until September.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2975391.ece

Oh Not more discs !!!!

Benefit data lapse 'disturbing'

The discs containing the data were unencrypted

The Conservatives have described reports of a new government data security lapse as "disturbing".

An ex-contractor at the Department for Work and Pensions had two discs with thousands of benefit claimants' details for more than a year, it has emerged.

The unencrypted discs revealed the type of benefits paid, but a DWP spokesman said they did not contain bank details.

The woman told the News of the World she forgot to return them after she stopped working for the DWP a year ago.

It comes as the search for two missing child benefit discs containing the personal details of 25 million people continues
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7123415.stm