Prime Minister Doughty addresses party conference
08/08/04 | by
our Political Correspondent, Seamus O’Newall
The Prime Minister aimed to set aside recent criticism over his decision to invade Nottingham Forest and speculation about his future as he gave his key-note address to members of the
party today at their annual conference. He told a delighted audience that they needed to become “the party of the people” and pledged to support the continued effort to restore peace and order in the troubled Middle
Eastlands region.
“I’m a man of the people,” he explained to the packed auditorium at the
seaside resort of Skegness. “Just because I happen to have millions of pounds, does not mean I do not share the same hopes, dreams and aspirations as the common man. I just happen to live my life at a slightly larger scale than most folk.”
He continued: “When I buy a house, while your average working class family buys a house for £100,000, I will spend £3.5million on my home, but we both want the same things – to feel safe, secure and comfortable.
“So, while the average punter may spend £400 a year on his season ticket, which is a lot of money for them, I spend £6million a year on mine, but we still want the same things for the club – financial stability and success on the field.”
The Prime Minister then took the brave step of tackling the tricky issue of taxes head-on. “People have criticised me for my tax increases,” he began, “but in the current economic climate, these increases are necessary in order to support the many public service initiatives my government has brought through. What would they rather me do? Hand over control to the opposition and have them put the club into ruins?”
This remark prompted rapturous applause from the on-lookers. However, many commentators have speculated that Mr Doughty only raised the issue as a guarded attack on his former friend, Chancellor Arthur, who it is rumoured has recently fallen out with the Minister over an alleged agreement that Mr Arthur would take control of the club after a period of time, where it now seems the Prime Minister is taking even more control himself.
Mr Doughty continued: “We have implemented five-year plans, and you know, if people actually go back and look at what we said, they’ll see we didn’t actually say anything about promotion. This has all been media spin and opposition propaganda.”
The subject of his invasion of Nottingham Forest had cast a shadow over the whole conference and Mr Doughty attempted to put the record straight once and for all. However, as he defended himself against accusations that he misled the public about his reasons for taking over, a protester began heckling him from the seats.
“Just be glad you are free to make your protest,” he told the demonstrator as he was dragged outside and beaten severely by the nearest steward. “Under the evil dictator Saddam Scholar, you would not have been permitted to show such dissent.”
This riposte brought rippled applause from the party members, who are still divided over the decision to invade and the methods used. Prime Minister Doughty continued: “I can apologise for the intelligence that was used to justify the invasion, and I can also apologise for what was said to the fans at the time… but I cannot apologise for removing Scholar.
“The people of Forest are infinitely better off now than they were under his rule, weapons of mass promotion or not.”
As the Primer Minister ended his speech to thunderous cheers from the party, he was joined on stage by his wife and good friend and colleague Peter Mandlehanson – one of his few remaining trusted friends in the party at the moment. The address was
a clear statement of his desire to continue to serve as leader, despite recent threats of funding cut-backs and doubts over his trustworthiness. As he said: “Nothing will change, but I intend to go on and on and on (about it).”