We’ve always known the Tory party is an institution driven by greed and a lust for power. During its disastrous 17 years in power it gave the world a display of self-serving self-interest that will never be forgotten.
So it has been an unedifying spectacle watching Tory politicians cry about “freebies” for politicians when they made an art form out of such behaviour.
It is typical of this hypocritical Conservative Party that Kemi Badenoch spoke out against a new football regulator after taking concert tickets from the Premier League.
The Tory leadership contender was treated to tickets worth more than £1360 from the company that runs the top flight.
The Premier League is against a new football regulator which will have powers over clubs in England’s top five tiers and will keep an eye on club finances. Now it turns out Badenoch publicly smacked down the plans after receiving freebies from the Premier League.
It is surely a conflict of interest and she should not have taken the gift if she was going to comment on the regulator.
The Tory leadership contender’s colleagues have used the recent revelations about Keir Starmer receiving football and concert tickets to attack Labour and the new government.
The Conservatives are more than happy to have a go at the Prime Minister for using a box at Arsenal games or receiving tickets for Taylor Swift.
Sir Keir must do better on this issue and there’s no doubt the row over “freebies” has soured Labour’s first months in government. But now that the Tories are being exposed for such behaviour, we hope they will start to reflect on their own conduct.
Lorraine reigns
Lorraine Kelly is celebrating 40 years in TV today – and we couldn’t let that pass without expressing our own congratulations. After starting out as a journalist on our local sister title the East Kilbride News, Lorraine became a fixture of the daytime TV schedules.
And now there is no doubt she is the best in the business. From Prime Ministers and astronauts to ordinary people telling extraordinary stories, she puts everyone at ease.
She is always forthright but never seems to upset or offend. And in this age of extreme views and angry discourse Lorraine remains a breath of fresh air.
Well done, Lorraine, on four decades making all our daytimes that wee bit better. You’re the Queen of daytime TV –and long may you reign.
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