For the conspiracy theorists.....

[Oneeyedvic]

Why is Nathaniel Rothschild (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Philip_ Rothschild) trying to screw over his Bullingdon Club buddy George Osbourne?

[Gromit]

No conspiracy, Osborne is getting payback for making private conversations public.

You might remember that Osbourne revealed to the press that Mandelson had been spitting blood about Gordon Brown during the dinner. This story appeared in the press a few weeks ago.

This act of revealing a private dinner conversation to the press was perceived by Rothschild and Mandelson to be a severe break of public school 'ettiquette' apparently. Rothschild was said to be furious.

It would have put Rothchild in an embarrassing position with regard his relationship with his other friends, and all because of a betrayal by Osborne. You need friends you can depend on, and Rothchild clearly believes the Prince of Darkness is more descrete.

[Oneeyedvic]

You might remember that Osbourne revealed to the press that Mandelson had been spitting blood about Gordon Brown during the dinner. This story appeared in the press a few weeks ago.

I Missed that - makes more sense now.

[Gromit]

Here is the news item from 5th October.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/pol itics/labour/3140604/Peter-Mandelson-dripped-p ure-poison-about-Gordon-Brown-to-George-Osborn e.html

The telling paragraph reads...

"Mr Mandelson yesterday said that the leaking of the conversation was "straight out of a dirty tricks department".

Setting the stage for a public feud to erupt, Mr Mandelson also threatened to disclose details of what Mr Osborne had allegedly told him about the Conservatives. "We talked as much about his colleagues and the state of the Tory party," he warned."

[Oneeyedvic]

In which case I agree, Osbourne is a prat!

[jno]

not just a prat but a cad. Gentlemen don't spill the beans like that - which may sound like a joke, but in truth if you invite friends to dinner, whoever you are, you don't want them all talking to the papers next day. Why would you tell a friend something in private if you knew he'd be on the phone to the Sun next day?

[Gromit]

There is a conspiracy theory that it is all Cameron's doing. I don't believe it but it goes like this.

Osborne's only qualification for being Shadow Chancellor is that he was in the same class at school as Cameron. However, his performance lately has been woefully poor and there are many Conservatives calling for him to be replaced.

Problem is that Cameron is so close to Osborne on a personal basis, he finds it hard to sack his friend. What he needs is for Osborne to go of his own accord (to resign). Another close friend of Cameron,

Rothchild, has now put in motion events that could see Osborne having to resign, and the Conservative's having to appoint someone who knows what he is doing. Rothchild is a natural Tory who would put the party (and a Tory election victory) ahead of a personal friendship.

[Gromit]

The link above does not work, hopefully it does here.

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/torydiary/20 08/02/the-importance.html

[Oneeyedvic]

Gromit - what was Brown's qualifications before he entered office as Chancellor?

[jno]

History degree, Vic. Also lecturer in politics and TV journalist/current affairs editor. Daughter of the King of Romania was his girlfriend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_brown#Earl y_life_and_career_before_parliament

Not a wide range, and not much economics experience, but he spent several years as shadow chancellor and seems to have learned on the job. Osborne could in theory do the same but he hasn't actually shown much evidence of it yet (Vince Cable seems far better at it).