The fact that I'm thinking now that you probably have a beard and wear women's clothing when you type your posts has taken the sting out of your barbs ...but, hey, that's just the way I deal with difficulties so don't take it personally, please.....
Anyway, back to the point.
And you prove my point very well.
First of all, if the Chairman of the Treasury Select Committee (or any of the Committee's MP's) called, he (they) would be put through to Hester.
If the Chairman of the TSC asked what Hester's intentions were with regards to the LFC loan, he probably say that he didn't know but he'd find out. Then he'd ask why was the Chairman of the TSC so interested in this particular loan.
The answer, to anyone working with politicians, would be obvious:
1. Internationally renowned UK brand (us) goes into adminstration. The humiliation would be widespread and NOT confined to Liverpool fans;
2. As the Bank funding the club is owned by the UK government (people) that is a RISK that it could rebound onto the Government. Ministers are Risk Managers;
3. Some of the Merseyside constituencies are 'borderline' and could swing either way at an election. The incumbent Government MIGHT lose seats on Merseyside if they're perceived to have done nothing to help. The opposition could WIN seats if they're seen to help (in the Wirral maybe). We're talking about 'hung parliments' now so we're talking about power;
4. The club is owned by Americans and they could be (albeit small scale) collateral damage on the relationship between the two countries, particularly with the high profile 'anti US' propoganda going on down the East Lancs. This is something to be avoided, no matter what the catalyst, particularly with the relationship strained already post High Court ruling on CIA interrogation techniques;
5. This is a 'difficulty' that can still be avoided if RBS do the right thing
6. RBS have the power to do something (we need to decide here what we want) and the Chairman will want to know what RBS's intentions are.
7. Oh, yes, it mightn't make RBS look that good either which, as its owned by the Government, wouldn't be nice.
And so on. I could expand on all the aforementioned points til the cows come home.
Politicians are shit scared of adverse publicity and Hester works for politicians. All you need is the right type of subtle pressure (not threats, definitely not threats - but expressing 'concerns' is OK) and major 'problems' can disappear.
I know its trendy to be cynical about politicians but there are some decent ones out there who, I believe, would love to pick up the gauntlet for us. If we played David v the H&G 'Goliath', it wouldn't be far from the truth and some MP's love that sort of challenge (Frank Field etc - although he's a blue I believe).
Even if I'm wrong, even if they tell us to feck off (although contemporaneous notes would be kept of all meetings and released to the press if warranted), what have we got to lose, apart from a bit of time?
But this is not fanciful, this is the real world and its used on a daily basis by major corporations and organisations (Gurka's won their rights by political lobbying). Our challenge is much easier.
We need an MP with clout (and one keen to win votes e.g. all of them) to lean on a Bank (with not many friends at present) to ensure that they fight for the Liverpool community that supports LFC.
But, with the election probably on the 6th May, purdah will start at the end of March, so we will have to be quick.
Gosh, I wish all my lobbying challenges were as simple and straightforward!
(PS - only joking about the beard bit, sorry
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