Tag Archives: ed vaizey

Government consider Alan Partridge approach to internet censorship

12:04pm Sat April 2nd

Internet Service Providers already screen the web for child pornography, but Minister of Culture Ed Vaizey is in talks to set up a great national firewall. It would mean that ISPs would automatically filter out “inappropriate” content and users would be required to contact their provider to turn off the filter.

Scrapbook wonder if people will be required to reproduce Alan Partridge’s lonely phone-call to his hotel reception:

“Can you make pornography come on my telly?”

Jacqui Smith’s household will presumably be pre-approved.

Put it down, minister! Ed Vaizey scolded for wearing 3,000 year-old bracelet

1:20pm Wed November 24th

22 comments

The images above depict the moment when culture minister Ed Vaizey – presumably fancying a bit of bling – tries on a £95,000 Bronze Age bracelet only to be scolded by British Museum staff. Assistant treasure registrar Caroline Barton explained to the gaffe-prone MP that he should wear gloves. Vaizey was at the museum to announce 15% cuts to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which manages treasures found by amateurs.

The Elgin Marbles have long been the subject of a lengthy dispute with Greece, with the British Museum having argued the sculptures could only be properly protected in London.

Perhaps County Tyrone will now seek to repatriate the bracelet to protect it from wayward government ministers?

A ska song even Ed Vaizey can understand

1:43pm Wed October 27th

11 comments

In the best traditions of British ska, Liberal Conspiracy have posted this music video attacking the Tories (and Liberals). The visuals may be helpful to Ed Vaizey’s understanding of the song, as John Robb of punk band Goldblade explains:

In the late seventies the 2-Tone movement combined ska and punk with a celebration of left wing idealogy that culminated in The Beat’s ‘Stand Down Margaret’, a song that was hilariously misunderstood by top Tory Ed Vaizey who could not believe that anyone would diss his idol Maggie and presumed the song must be about Princess Margaret – and these people want to run our country!

That was written in June 2009. How times have changed:

“He’s a liar, liar!”

Sky reveals top-10 hottest MPs in 'poll of polls'

1:32pm Fri February 12th

26 comments

It must be Friday: Sky have published their top-10 “hottest MPs” based on polling from the previous four years (alas without pictures). Burnham and Flint fly the flag for Labour but the eleven finalists (including tied placed) include six Tories and three Lib Dems.

A former council leader’s description of John Prescott as “divinely sexy” impressed upon Scrapbook that politico crushes are a most subjective matter indeed. Has your favourite MP been missed off or otherwise underappreciated? Whose appearance in a Westminster Hall debate would leave you glued to BBC Parliament way past your bedtime?

Reveal your guilty secrets in the comments!