Concentrating on the real enemy

An unseemly war has broken out between the UKIP and the Conservative groups in the London Assembly. The two leaders, our own Damian Hockney and the Conservatives’ Brian Coleman, who is also Chairman of the London Assembly and as such wears important insignia of rank and tries to control any attempt at a free discussion during plenary meetings and Mayor’s Question Time, do not see eye to eye.

As we know from previous postings, Mr Hockney does not stand up to that treatment well. He has insisted on raising awkward subjects like why does the Mayor’s office not answer perfectly reasonable requests. Mr Coleman has snarled imprecations.

What makes it worse that the two groups occupy adjoining segments of the glass egg that passes for the Greater London Authority building, situated, conveniently, across the river from the Tower of London.

A notice appeared on the Tory side of the glass partition between the two, which informed members and visitors to that group that on entering the UKIP section they “were leaving civilization”. A somewhat odd attitude for the Conservative Party to take but all is fair in love and war and, above all, local politics.

The UKIP wags reacted fast. Another notice went up, on the UKIP side but facing the Conservatives:

“And entering a Brian Coleman-free zone.”

A further notice was put up the following day, also on the UKIP side, also facing the Conservatives:

“Political asylum applicants welcome.”

Strangely, the Conservative leader, Brian Coleman, spent half an hour or so closeted with the UKIP leader this morning. Could he be applying for political asylum?