Will this week ever end? It’s dragging on a bit isn’t it, I’ve still got 40 minutes before I’m technically allowed to leave. What better way to spend forty minutes than having a look at what the political parties have been up to and then gently mocking them?
First out of the gate is Labour bean counter Alistair Darling, the “second most powerful man in UK politics.” He has been oop north to visit Dundee Studio ‘Real Time Worlds’ where he gawped uncomprehendingly at some games and then read his carefully worded statement,
“I’m very pleased to visit Realtime Worlds and see the development of new games and products,” said Darling, “Scotland and the UK can lead the world in creative industries and computer games technology and the commitments from Labour in our manifesto make clear the help we will offer.”
Darling is referring to the U-turn in the last budget when he announced tax relief support for games developers. What a nice chap he is although I bet he couldn’t name the three main consoles if his life depended on it.
The Conservatives have been pretty quiet when it comes to gaming but that will change next week when they will publish their ‘mini manifesto’ for the video game industry which will outline their ideas on tax breaks for developers as well as a ban for ‘On Disk’ DLC. Maybe.
Ed Vaizey, gaming champion, was also at the “Portland Video Games Dinner”. I’ve googled and all I can find is one reference which is email Ed sent out so I have no details as to what this was. If I had to guess I would say it was a dinner hosted by a company called Portland and most of the guests were from the video games industry…or perhaps Ed was in the town of Portland and had Assassins Creed ‘n’ Chips for his dinner.
Last and certainly not least after last nights live TV debates are Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats. He did rather well on the TV debates, did you watch? No, me neither but apparently he came out trumps and it’s a double whammy for the Cleggster today because.. good grief.. he’s been listening to public opinion!
Remember that nasty Digital Economy Bill that got rushed through without any consultation? Well Mr Clegg thinks it is unfair:
“It badly needed more debate and amendment,” he said, “We are extremely worried that it will now lead to completely innocent people having their internet connections cut off.”
“It was far too heavily weighted in favour of the big corporations and those who are worried about too much information becoming available. It badly needs to be repealed, and the issues revisited.”
That’s the end of this weeks election special, perhaps I can persuade Peter to get me a swing-o-meter for next week.