Gordon Brown - just a big baby?

Cristina Odone writes in The Telegraph of the time that Frank Field actually managed to sneak an audience with Gordon Brown when Frank Field was still tasked with 'thinking the unthinkable':

'Field began to articulate his vision, but before he could plead for the funds to implement it, Brown stuck his fingers in his ears, shook his head vehemently, and whimpered.

No wonder Field was fired soon after. He later, publicly, compared Brown to Mrs Rochester, ranting and raving in the attic. No wonder.'

And yet Gordon Brown stayed as Chancellor of the Exchequer and became Prime Minister, despite all the well known stories about his oddness and temper - what a country!

Is Frank Field considering a move to the Conservatives?

Frank Field continues his slow move to the Conservatives with The Mail reporting that:

'MP Frank Field accuses Gordon Brown of destroying economy

A former Labour Minister has accused Gordon Brown of ‘Alice In Wonderland politics’ which have left Britain facing ‘destruction’ by an economic catastrophe in the summer.

The doom-laden prediction came in a ferocious personal attack on the ‘abnormal’ Prime Minister by senior Labour MP Frank Field.

Ignoring pleas by Labour chiefs not to rock the boat in the run up to the Election, Mr Field savaged the Prime Minister’s economic record and said Britain might never recover unless swift action is taken to save the nation from bankruptcy.

‘Our country is in such a state,’ said Birkenhead MP Mr Field.

‘We’ve printed money to buy our own debt. It’s real Alice In Wonderland politics.

'We have to ask the world if they want to lend us money. If we can’t shift the debt we’re finished.’

Frank Field is one of the few honest Labour MPs and so really should do the decent thing and move away from a party lead by liars, cheats and crooks.

Has Frank Field really offered himself as a Minister to David Cameron?

It's a rumour that is spreading but the Iain Dale page that I was referred to seems not to exist now!

For what it's worth I see Frank Field as a Labour MP who I would be glad to see join the Conservative party, he has a lot to offer.

Catchup post

Too many articles have held my interest over the past few days but I have not had the time to post so here's a catchup:

1) Events Dear Boy Evens warns us that despite everything seemingly pointing to a set budget and 6 May as the date of the general election that we should be careful:

"But wait. We have to consider the mind of short-term tactical Brown.

It's not like him to walk down the path of the all-so-obvious. He will want to wrong-foot the Tories with some trumped-up dividing lines on Budget Day, as well as sending us voters a few morsels to chew on. Furthermore, there is no better way of throwing the Tories and LibDems election plans into disarray by seeking the dissolution when its least expected.

Be prepared. Brown will pull a few rabbits out of the hat in the coming weeks."

2) The Mail reports yet another story of a victim of crime being arrested as when a

"restaurant owner found two teenage yobs raiding his beer cellar, he chased them and held them while his staff dialled 999.

Sal Miah assumed police would commend him for catching the young criminals.

But when officers arrived they arrested 35-year-old Mr Miah on suspicion of assault and battery."

As is becoming normal the police don't apologise but instead

"Sussex police said Mr Miah should have 'observed from a safe distance' before dialling 999.

The spokesman said: 'On no account should any attempt at aggression be made as this could easily escalate into violence.'"

3) A Tangled Web reports that:

"non-white children born this year will form a majority of the country's newborns for the very first time. By 2050 it will not so much be a case of Uncle Sam as Uncle José.

...

As Hispanics overwhelmingly endorse the Democrats (Obama received 67% of their vote in 2008), what does it say about the chances of the GOP maintaining its dominant hold on the White House in the 21st Century? The 20th Century saw 10 Republicans and only 7 Democrats in the Oval Office. Will America's emerging status as a white minority country reverse that trend? Moreover, what of foreign relations? Will, for example, a future US President anxious to placate an ever-increasing Hispanic voter base look less to Europe for traditional allies?"

4) Trixy reports on the woeful Baroness Ashton's latest appearance in front of the EU Parliament:

"Addressing the Parliament for the first time in the 100 days since she's been appointed the job of EU Foreign Minister, she spoke about the need to, well, remove any concept of nation states within the European Union.

She's the highest paid female politician in the world. I like the way she earns that money with her little school ground impression at the end of the speech."

Here's the video of Mr Paul Nuttall's speech and the always unelected Cathy Ashton's immature response to some much deserved ridicule.


5) The Mail has an interesting article about Frank Field headlined

"The only politician with the guts to speak out about immigration: Frank Field reveals his candid opinion on the future of Britain"

6) Anna Raccoon has a long piece mostly about the power of the people/blogosphere and specifically about Nick Hogan, it includes this rather chilling note

"In the meantime, Russia’s main television channel is flying into Manchester to interview Nick Hogan as part of a special investigation* into the totalitarian regime that they see emerging in Europe – Oh! The irony! Post Perestroika Russia sees Britain as an oppressive regime! Was it only yesterday that we were lecturing them on Freedom?"

7) The BBC seem shocked that the month after the stamp duty holiday ended that

"Mortgages agreed with house buyers fell by 49% from December, after buyers rushed to beat the reintroduction of the old stamp duty thresholds.

There were just 32,000 loans approved for house buyers in January.

The number of loans for first-time buyers fell by 54% in January to 11,300."

Of course no blame is ascribed to Gordon Brown, although they were happy to give kudos to Gordon Brown for the uplift in the economy in the last few months of 2009.

Jack Straw met with anti-Brown plotters

I am so shocked at The Mail story that

"Jack Straw was forced yesterday to admit having met MPs plotting to oust Gordon Brown amid damaging claims that he told colleagues the Prime Minister 'had to go'.

The Justice Secretary, who ran Mr Brown's leadership campaign in 2007, was accused of giving up on him by the middle of 2008 and of sounding out MPs about his own chances of seizing the top job.

According to Andrew Rawnsley's book, the veteran Cabinet minister held a series of talks with rebels planning a putsch against Mr Brown.

In a statement, 63-year- old Mr Straw said he was surprised that the claims had not been put to him in advance, given their seriousness, but admitted holding meetings with colleagues trying to force Mr Brown out."

Claims that Jack Straw has been devious and plotting; I am shocked. However I was also amused that Jack Straw claimed that

"In this period, unsurprisingly, a number of people came to me to talk about their concerns for the party... Some of these people wished to see a change of leadership. They have not made a secret of this, then or now. But it is untrue that I was " plotting to oust Gordon Brown" as The Observer has alleged.

So Jack Straw met Charles Clarke and Frank Field but wasn't canvassing for votes; well it's a possibility I suppose. However Andrew Rawnsley claims that

"over lunch with Charles Clarke, a long-standing critic of the Prime Minister, Mr Straw is alleged to have declared that Mr Brown 'had to go' and promised that 'something will be done'.

The Justice Secretary also gave a strong indication to former welfare minister Frank Field, another thorn in Mr Brown's side, that the Cabinet was preparing a coup.

The book adds that, in one private meeting, Mr Straw spent much of the time 'trying to find out whether Field would back him for the top job'."

Who to believe; Jack Straw or Andrew Rawnsley?

All collapsing around his ears?

The heat is being turned up on the dreadful Gordon Brown; Geoff Hoon (Gordon Brown's first Chief Whip) and Patricia Hewitt are contacting all Labour MPs by email (and letter) and therefore the media, calling for a secret ballot of Labour MPs to resolve the issue of Gordon Brown's leadership "once and for all". All the predictable arguments are being made by supporters and opponents of Gordon Brown and the Number 10 spin machine and attack dogs are on manoeuvres.

Meanwhile Charles Clarke and Frank Field are publicly supporting the call for a secret ballot whilst Geraldine Smith is attacking the calls and Kevin Maguire is doing his usual act of defending Labour, attacking the Tories and Geoff Hoon & Patricia Hewitt and of course ignoring the destabilising of Tony Blair that Gordon Brown indulged in for well over five years.

Here's the text of the email/letter:

"Dear Colleague,

As we move towards a General Election it remains the case that the Parliamentary Labour Party is deeply divided over the question of the leadership. Many colleagues have expressed their frustration at the way in which this question is affecting our political performance. We have therefore come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this issue would be to allow every member to express their view in a secret ballot.

This could be done quickly and with minimum disruption to the work of MPs and the Government. Whatever the outcome the whole of the party could then go forward, knowing that this matter had been sorted out once and for all.

Strong supporters of the Prime Minister should have no difficulty in backing this approach. There is a risk otherwise that the persistent background briefing and grumbling could continue up to and possibly through the election campaign, affecting our ability to concentrate all of our energies on getting our real message across.

Equally those who want change, should they lose such a vote, would be expected by the majority of the PLP to devote all of their efforts to winning the election. The implications of such a vote would be clear – everyone would be bound to support the result.

This is a clear opportunity to finally lay this matter to rest. The continued speculation and uncertainty is allowing our opponents to portray us as dispirited and disunited. It is damaging our ability to set out our strong case to the electorate. It is giving our political opponents an easy target.

In what will inevitably be a difficult and demanding election campaign, we must have a determined and united parliamentary party. It is our job to lead the fight against our political opponents. We can only do that if we resolve these distractions. We hope that you will support this proposal.

Yours fraternally,

Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt"

I wonder if we are now witnessing the death of this Labour government as whenever they get some positive news it is overshadowed by another piece of negative news.

Another example of Gordon Brown just not getting it

The news faithfully reported by the BBC that

"Gordon Brown has promised to "tighten" the UK's immigration rules by reducing the number of professions which can recruit from outside Europe."

misses the problem by a mile. I, and I believe most others, have few problems with French Quants, Indian Systems Analysts or German T&M people working here and paying taxes. The problem, as Gordon Brown well knows, that I and others have is with the hordes of immigrants who are not working, earning decent money and paying tax but are on either low incomes or benefits.

It is only at the very end of the BBC piece that the real issue is discussed:

"Sir Andrew Green, chairman of the Migrationwatch campaign group, said the prime minister's measures were "trivial" and that Mr Brown was "in deep denial" on the issue of immigration.

The co-chairmen of Parliament's cross-party group for balanced migration, Labour MP Frank Field and Conservative MP Nicholas Soames, said: "While the government is right to split economic migration from permanent settlement, it is clear that the prime minister misses the big picture.

"The points-based system has no limit, affects just 20% of immigration and will not stop the UK's population hitting 70 million in 2029." "

Gordon Brown is trying to shore up the white working class vote, a sector that he has previously ignored as the Labour party nationwide seemingly tried to create a majority of the minorities, rather as Ken Livingstone seemed to do in London. Just as Boris Johnson made a mockery of this in London, so hopefully will David Cameron nationwide.

Split loyalties?

I read in Paul Waugh's column that

"Speaker Bercow's wife Sally was last night selected as one of the three Labour candidates for Westminster council."

More ammunition for those who used to call John Bercow a CINO - Conservative In Name Only. Are John Bercow's political antenna that badly attuned that he cannot see how this will look? I wonder if an incoming Conservative government might insist on a new Speaker as they don't want a Conservative one and so vote in a Labour one - Frank Field?

Come on Frank, nearly there...

Back in April I blogged twice about the possibility of Frank Field crossing the chamber of the House of Commons and joining the Conservative party. Here I blogged about a blog of entry of his where he wrote

"Harold Wilson asserted that the Labour party was a moral crusade or it was nothing. The McBride affair has left Labour members looking at nothing. That is the reality check that McBride has wrought on the party.

The whole of the government's energy should be spent on governing now and building a programme from which, within and year, we will be seeking permission to rule for another five years.

Far from helping sketch out a new roadmap, the McBride activities shine a searchlight on the paucity of the government's programme.

Week after week MPs have been turning up but with almost no serious work to do. There is the odd bill to be sure. But there is no legislative programme to speak of. Even the debates that are put on to fill in time are ones that deny MPs a vote. The whole exercise is vacuous.

...

We have lived through an age of record public expenditure provision, but are now entering one of increasing cuts. There have been some beneficial results from this huge tax-payer largesse, but they in no way match up to what radicals predicted would be the outcome.

...

A necessary government information machine has been corrupted by a spin that seeks not to inform but control and, if needs be destroy. And it has been in existence for over a decade.

McBride sat on the Prime Minister's political War Cabinet. If this is the war the Prime Minister thinks the country wants he is in for a very rude awakening. In the meantime, Labour supporters are left bewildered and wondering what happened to the moral crusading side of our mission.

Poor old Labour party."

Whilst the next day I blogged that Frank Field had just discussed the economic crisis facing the UK

" The 30 per cent fall in sterling over the past year is cheerfully presented as opening up huge new export opportunities. While these opportunities seem somewhat delayed in registering in the balance of payments, its inflationary stimulus is already all too apparent. Despite the ever-present predictions of deflation, three of the four official price measurements are now on an upward path. The first signs of difficulty in raising any of the new walloping tranches of debt will not only result in long-term interest rates rising, no matter what the Bank of England gets up to in printing money, but will push sterling into yet another nosedive. Rising long-term interest rates and a collapse in sterling will place a firm grip around the government’s throat...

The government not only has a moral duty now to cut public expenditure, but may be forced to do so by its inability to borrow on the scale necessary. The price demanded for a continual and adequate supply of credit will be to begin now — and not after the next election — the Herculean task of bringing government spending nearer to what it can raise in taxes.

...

The threat to the country’s solvency is now so serious that both opposition and government need to use next week’s Budget on what needs to be done this year to begin rebuilding the country’s solvency."

So I was interested to read this article in The Guardian. The piece is entitled "Cameron, Mr Audacious" with a subheading of "The Conservative leader could be accused of stealing Labour's clothes, but this is certainly not a man we should ridicule". The article itself is well worth a read and ends thus:

"This thinking needs to be taken much further, but it is a wonderfully bold beginning and Labour must rise to the challenge.

Labour's normal stock response of trying to ridicule him simply will not do. Cameron's aim is clear. It is to turn traditional party politics upside down. The time for jeering at Cameron is over. Labour's survival will now entail outmatching his programme."

Certainly many of the comments after the piece are of the opinion that Frank Field will/should move to a position in the Conservative party. Albaba thinks that "A place in Cameron's cabinet?" is his for the asking. Tony Blair asked Frank Field to think the unthinkable on social security reform and resigned rather than be moved to another department.

Here's a few other facts about Frank Field that may ease his move to the Conservative party, from Wikipedia,

"Two nights before the Conservative Party leadership election in November 1990, he visited then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street. He advised her that her time as Prime Minister was drawing to a close and that she should back John Major to take over the role. His reason for doing so was that he felt that her Conservative colleagues would not tell her straight that she could not win a leadership contest. Following this meeting, he was smuggled out of Downing Street's back door. Two days later Margaret Thatcher supported John Major for the post, and he would go on to be Prime Minister."

"Field's political stance has been somewhat at odds with the rest of the Parliamentary Labour Party in recent years.[citation needed] He is a member of the advisory board of the free-market think tank Reform, and of the new conservative magazine Standpoint. In May 2008, he said that Margaret Thatcher "is certainly a hero" and that "I still see Mrs T from time to time – I always call her 'Mrs T', when I talk to her." Although there have been attempts to get him to defect to the Conservatives, they have been without success. In 2008, Frank Field was named as the 100th most-influential right-winger in the United Kingdom by the Telegraph. Field supports the return of National service to tackle growing unemployment and instil “a sense of order and patriotism” in Britain’s young men and women.

...

Field is a practising Anglican, and is chairman of the Churches Conservation Trust, and a member of the Church of England General Synod."

So what are you going to do Frank? David Cameron and the Conservatives would love a big Labour name to defect in the run up to the general election and Frank Field would be top of their want list.

An interesting article on immigration

The Telegraph have a piece entitled:

"
Cowardice on immigration has allowed the BNP to flourish - Frank Field and Nicholas Soames argue that both Labour and the Tories have failed to address the voters' fears."

Do read it all.

The next Speaker of the House of Commons

Now that Michael Martin has finally noticed that he is about as popular as his mate Gordon Brown and announced his resignation for just over a month's time, the race is on the be the new Speaker. What could be finer than luxurious Westminster apartments, a large entertainment budget and lots of foreign jaunts.

Already the just about Conservative MP, John Bercow, who seems to have spent much of the last few years buttering up Labour MPs, possibly for just this opportunity, looks like jumping into the fray and the BBC seem like they might look favourably upon him. He would meet the "fairness" doctrine of being a Conservative but so loosely that the Labour/BBC alliance could support him.

Other possible candidates include Sir Alan Haselhurst, one of the deputy Speakers, who the BBC carefully talk down in their "Speaker: Runners and riders". In fact the whole BBC list is a fine example of how the BBC try and set the agenda, so here it is with my comments:

"ALAN BEITH - CONFIRMED CANDIDATE

Veteran Lib Dem MP, with more than 30 years experience. Former party leadership contender. Chairman of the constitutional affairs committee. Respected figure who was in the running for the job in 2000. Has told his local newspaper, the Newcastle Journal, he plans to stand again this time: "This is a crucial time for the House of Commons and if I have enough support across the parties, I am willing to take on the task of leading reform as Speaker. But it is a matter for the House to decide.""
Lib Dem and therefore preferable, in the BBC's mind, to a Tory


SIR GEORGE YOUNG - YET TO CONFIRM

Conservative grandee and widely-respected chairman of the Standards and Privileges Committee. One of the bookmakers' favourites to land the job of Speaker after missing out in 2000. But Eton-educated background may count against him in the eyes of Labour MPs. Ladbrokes make him 8/1.
After all the "class war" accusations made by and on behalf of Michael Martin, the BBC have to try and start another one. I presume if the BBC can get it out there that having gone to Eton disbars one from becoming Speaker then maybe they could do the same for putative Prime Ministers. Is there a Labour equivalent of "Conservative Grandee"? There must be a phrase to describe the sort of long-serving Labour MP who is part of the Labour establishment...


SIR ALAN HASELHURST -YET TO CONFIRM

Conservative MP and deputy speaker. Widely-respected figure who also served as deputy to former Speaker Betty Boothroyd. Another favourite at the bookmakers but being singled out by The Daily Telegraph for claiming £142,119 in second homes allowances since 2001, despite having no mortgage on the property, will not help his chances. Joint favourite at 4/1 with Frank Field, according to Ladbrokes.
"Widely-respected" at the moment but let's see if the BBC can change that with mention of his expenses.


SIR MENZIES CAMPBELL - YET TO CONFIRM

Former Liberal Democrat leader. Respected for his integrity on all sides of the house and was one of the favourites to land the job last time. But chances may be hampered by criticism of his second home allowance claim.
A real BBC favourite and not a Tory... Odd how Alan Hazelhursts second home allowance figure is detailed but Sir Menzies' is just alluded to.


FRANK FIELD -YET TO CONFIRM

Maverick former Labour minister who sometimes seem more respected on Opposition side of the house - which may count against him if he decides to run. Led successful campaign to reverse 10p tax band cut. Has also led calls for wholesale reform of the Commons.
Nice choice of words here; "maverick" I presume because he did "think the unthinkable" and not back down. I also like the fact that the sucessful candidate must be acceptable to Labour which seems to mean be a loyal Labour MP, do the BBC understand the history of the Speaker's role?


JOHN BERCOW - YET TO CONFIRM

Backbench Tory MP. Former right winger, who has moved towards the centre in recent years. Thought to have the backing of several Labour MPs for the Speaker's job but may not be popular enough with his own side to stand a realistic chance. Ladbrokes have him at 8/1.
"Moved towards the centre", surely moved right through the centre and heading left. No mention of Jhn Bercow's expenses, why?


SIR PATRICK CORMACK -YET TO CONFIRM

Veteran Tory backbencher who was in the running for the job last time. Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Expert on constitutional affairs but may be seen as too much of a traditionalist to lead changes demanded by most MPs.
I wouldn't disagree but again a Conservative MP with negative points.


CHRIS MULLIN - YET TO CONFIRM

Former Labour minister and diarist, with an independent-minded streak. Standing down at the next election but has been talked of as a possible interim candidate for Speaker, who might gain the necessary cross-party support.
An interesting choice, again positively spoken of as he is a Labour MP.


TONY WRIGHT - YET TO CONFIRM

Widely-respected chairman of the public administration committee, who has led a number of investigations into the conduct of MPs and civil servants. Has been talked of by some as a possible contender from the Labour benches.
More positive coverage of a Labour candidate.


VINCE CABLE -YET TO CONFIRM

Well-known figure with the public who would also be respected on all sides of the house. May wish to stick with the Lib Dem Treasury brief with which he has made his name.
The BBC's favourite economics expert, often the only opposition MP allowed to voice his opinions on the BBC. The BBC would be loathe to lose him as then they might have to interview a Tory.


SYLVIA HEAL - YET TO CONFIRM

Labour MP and deputy speaker. Sister of Labour MP Ann Keen, who organised Michael Martin's successful campaign for the Speakership in 2000.
No mention of Ann Keen's troughing exploits?


RICHARD SHEPHERD - YET TO CONFIRM

Independent-minded veteran Tory MP, first elected in 1979. Has led criticism of Speaker Martin. Stood unsuccessfully for the Speakership in October 2000. Ladbrokes makes him 14/1.
I think the BBC are unsure about this one as this one is in note form, maybe still waiting for No 10's steer.


ANN WIDDECOMBE - RULED HERSELF OUT

The former shadow home secretary is one of Parliament's best-known and most respected figures. Has said she is definitely standing down at the next general election and appeared to pour cold water on the idea of doing the Speaker's job on an interim basis in a BBC interview, after allies on the Tory benches talked up her chances of landing it.
The BBC don't agree with much of Ann Widecombe's views and would hate to see her as Speaker, hence the talking down of the chances of her standing as an interim candidate. Of course an interim candidate is the Labour/BBC's nightmare scenario as that means that the new Parliament, a Parliament likely to have a large Conservative majority, might elect as Speaker someone who the opposition benches might think unsuitable, rather as the 1997 Labour Party did. This is not how the Speaker should be elected but by deviating from the convention of alternating Speakers (in 1997) the Labour party have likely brought this into happening.

Frank Field continues his move towards the Conservative Party

Frank Field says:

" The 30 per cent fall in sterling over the past year is cheerfully presented as opening up huge new export opportunities. While these opportunities seem somewhat delayed in registering in the balance of payments, its inflationary stimulus is already all too apparent. Despite the ever-present predictions of deflation, three of the four official price measurements are now on an upward path. The first signs of difficulty in raising any of the new walloping tranches of debt will not only result in long-term interest rates rising, no matter what the Bank of England gets up to in printing money, but will push sterling into yet another nosedive. Rising long-term interest rates and a collapse in sterling will place a firm grip around the government’s throat...

The government not only has a moral duty now to cut public expenditure, but may be forced to do so by its inability to borrow on the scale necessary. The price demanded for a continual and adequate supply of credit will be to begin now — and not after the next election — the Herculean task of bringing government spending nearer to what it can raise in taxes.

...

The threat to the country’s solvency is now so serious that both opposition and government need to use next week’s Budget on what needs to be done this year to begin rebuilding the country’s solvency."

As I wrote the other day

"Come on Frank, take courage and make the move. A move now could also guarantee a junior ministerial role under David Cameron and when he asks you to "think the unthinkable", unlike Tony Blair and Gordon Brown he might actually be prepared to take note of your findings. "

"Come over to the light"

I have thought for some years now that Frank Field was too honourable a man to stay in the cesspit that is the Labour Party. His blog entry today entitled: "Darkness at the Heart of the Labour Party" does nothing to dispel this feeling. Here's a few extracts:

"Harold Wilson asserted that the Labour party was a moral crusade or it was nothing. The McBride affair has left Labour members looking at nothing. That is the reality check that McBride has wrought on the party.

The whole of the government's energy should be spent on governing now and building a programme from which, within and year, we will be seeking permission to rule for another five years.

Far from helping sketch out a new roadmap, the McBride activities shine a searchlight on the paucity of the government's programme.

Week after week MPs have been turning up but with almost no serious work to do. There is the odd bill to be sure. But there is no legislative programme to speak of. Even the debates that are put on to fill in time are ones that deny MPs a vote. The whole exercise is vacuous.

...

We have lived through an age of record public expenditure provision, but are now entering one of increasing cuts. There have been some beneficial results from this huge tax-payer largesse, but they in no way match up to what radicals predicted would be the outcome.

...

A necessary government information machine has been corrupted by a spin that seeks not to inform but control and, if needs be destroy. And it has been in existence for over a decade.

McBride sat on the Prime Minister's political War Cabinet. If this is the war the Prime Minister thinks the country wants he is in for a very rude awakening. In the meantime, Labour supporters are left bewildered and wondering what happened to the moral crusading side of our mission.

Poor old Labour party."

Come on Frank, take courage and make the move. A move now could also guarantee a junior ministerial role under David Cameron and when he asks you to "think the unthinkable", unlike Tony Blair and Gordon Brown he might actually be prepared to take note of your findings.