This is not so much a goodbye as it is more an au revoir as this is intended to be the last post here and I am taking a self-imposed blogging break. Governmentitus (fka: Daniel1979 Blog) will no longer be updated.
I got into blogs and blogging when my interest in politics had led me into the habit of reading the papers online and being active in the commenting of those, and from there I found the MSM blogs and in time from there I discovered some of the more well known blogs who sit independent from the major publications. My interest in politics seems to have grown proportionately with my dismay at the way things work in this country. I loathe(d) the Labour Government and I despise the EU even more. The more I look at life and how things don’t work properly the more I have found about Labour and the EU that I don’t like. The Newspaper forums and then the blog comments allowed me an outlet both to vent, but also to mull over my own beliefs and the opportunity to occasionally pontificate.
After a time it was not enough to simply answer the points of others and I became frustrated not just at the points being made, but in the very manner in which it was being put across. I was no longer content in providing my points in response to others and answering their questions I now wanted to put my points across and ask my own questions. So I took my time and gave it some thought and after my wedding in 2008 I went on the internet to see if it was possible to start my own blog, and crikey it was easy! There I was, with a blog, and completely shocked that I had not until then realised that there were literally hundreds, if not thousands who have done the same thing.
It did not take too long before an important realisation dawned, I had come to this blog thing a few years too late to be ground breaking in any way, there were and are already loads and loads of blogs and bloggers out there saying what I am thinking, usually in a more informative and/or entertaining way. It also became immediately apparent that if I actually wanted anyone to read my scribblings, I was very much going to have to be updating the blog regularly to keep people coming back for frequently updated content. When time did not allow me to post for a few days my small readership frequently becomes a lot smaller. Away from the blog I am blessed to have managed to keep my full time job and to have found a loving wife. These two worlds do not sit next to each other easily and I have had to make a few sacrifices, and take a few risks to keep things going.
And so, at the end of 2009 having blogged for a year I took a look back and decided yhen that I cannot warrant the time and effort for me to try to keep this blog running. The truth of the matter is, it is becoming harder and harder to justify to myself that it is OK to spend time writing or researching posts at the cost of not spending time with my beautiful and wonderful wife. It has been a risk pushing out those lunch breaks or sneaking online during the work day for the benefit of the blog. I need my job to pay me money and being with my wife is without question the best thing that ever has or ever will happen to me. At that point I decided that after the General Election would probably be the right time for me to pack things in here, and decided to keep that in mind.
At that point of reflection in late 2009 that I told my wife what I was thinking of doing and she, as always said she would be supportive and encouraging of my decision no matter what I chose to do. However, it was in March when I told her that my mind was made up and that I was going to put this to bed that she turned to me and with a tear in her eye said ‘thank you for doing this, I want my husband back.’ And in that moment I knew I had definitely and unequivocally made the correct decision and that I would not change my mind.
And so, I hope that you too dear reader will also understand.
My readership has been fantastic; you have always supported me and prompted me. I have never had a single problem with trolls or terribly abusive behaviour and it has been a real and delightful pleasure to have put this blog together and to have shared it with the world. But, alas it would seem that only a small pocket of the world has agreed sufficiently or found regular entertainment here. That has always been enough for me and I have found the whole exercise as therapeutic as I have found it rewarding; but it is now time for me to look to other things.
Looking back at what I am proud of, I think I made some good points and some good arguments before other people even considered them. I am proud that I rallied against the Lisbon treaty and have spent at least a part of my life helping people see that the UK is not the free country it claims to be. I am proud that I helped further the EU-Sceptic argument, I am proud that I added my voice to those who denounce the BBC, I am proud that being sceptical of the Global Warming movement is no longer something that cannot be spoken about openly, I am proud that I have made some effort in my life to defend the notion of free speech and I am proud that along the way I have been in touch with, and occasionally met up with other champions of the same spirit.
There was also a moment I shall remember fondly for the rest of my life when my jaw hit the floor after I took a peak at the Total Politics Centre-Right bloggers poll and found that despite my thinking that I would not really figure I was absolutely astonished to find I had made the top 50. I resolved then to try harder and do better for this year, but alas, that will not now be the case now.
So, what now for me?
The blog will remain but and just will not be updated. Looking through the archive I think there were a few good posts that went largely unread except by a small handful of people and just knowing it is still out there on the Internet is preferential to me that for it to disappear and also helps me to rationalise that the time spent writing them was worthwhile. The comment moderation will go on in a few days time.
I will almost certainly return to blogging in the future but it will be on a much reduced basis and elsewhere, probably on the Voice of the Resistance blog, or maybe as a guest elsewhere if I can find a new home. At least there I can just post and then go back to the rest of my day. At the very least I will pop along to my favourite blogs (of which there are many!) and try to be a bit more active in the comments elsewhere.
Away from the heady world of blogging I have an absolute mountain of books crying out to be read which I am going to start to work my way through, and I am going to grow up a little bit on the health side which is perhaps overdue. I am going to take a good long look at how I earn my living because god knows I did not grow up wanting to prepare maintenance renewals on software – though the real problem there was more that I have never known what I want to do with my life. One of my few evolved aims is to get myself published on paper somewhere and somehow. I think that I can finally put to bed the notion that I have some great work of fiction in me, because I have given myself long enough for some of those half decent ideas to ferment in the brain and these have ended up nowhere. I may really test myself and start putting down my own particular views and ideas and see if I can go Print on Demand and publish some thoughts and ideas. On that score, I only need about a dozen devotees to take my ideas seriously enough to know there will be hope for them in the future, even if that time line is a rather drawn out one. Again I suspect the therapeutic benefits of doing this will be the most rewarding aspect.
But mostly seeing as I am the happiest man in the world, I would like to make sure I give more time to ensuring that my wife can be as happy as I can possibly make her.
Politically I really want to see someone fill the new void of British politics, because I not only sense the opportunity but feel a little disenfranchised. If someone comes up with a sensible and decent alternative then I am interested and would want to support those efforts. I said the other day that there is a vacuum and an opportunity and I have already sensed from elsewhere there is talk of the same.
I don’t want to lose touch with the few of you I did make contact with, so please keep hold of my email address like almost everyone else I am on Facebook.
I hope that those of you who have been visitors have found something that you have wanted to here and that those of you who are bloggers go on and continue to fight the good fight. There is much wrong with the UK today and we are marching in the wrong direction; the road map is not a good one.
The blogosphere is still in reality in its embryo phase, there is so much more that will be achieved by blogs and bloggers. One day people will look back and see how crucially important the impending explosion of these blogs will have been in defending and expanding the rights of the people. It can be hard work and it can be lonely, but I bet I am not the only blogger who looks back and knows that on the whole it was worth every minute of it.
Take care everybody and thanks for being a part of this experience with me.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Enough
There has been much ink spilt over this already and I have no desire to rehash the arguments; despite which the events of recent days were why 24 hour rolling news was developed for and my words might be out dated before I smash 'enter'.
Lets me get the key points clear as I see them.
One. Gordon Brown has not resigned. He said he had no desire to stay on any longer than needed. He is still in number 10, I am not rejoicing. Like the horror movies, dead does not actually mean dead once the film rolls on a bit. Until he is actually gone, there is no cause for celebration. Remember this is the man who fell for Blair’s offer of a later resignation only to have Blair go back on it; if Brown can pull off a rainbow coalition with himself at the helm, you can be guaranteed that the come the time he is expected to go he will find some crisis or other in which to justify a u-turn. To be honest though I do not believe any such Rainbow coalition has any legs.
Two. Thankfully some Labour stalwarts actually did care to listen to the electorate and they know that Brown, Mandelson et al are putting themselves above the Labour Party and the electorate in trying to stay on for a bit. The only explicit message the electorate delivered was that Brown had to go.
Three. The Tories put too much on the table and built up the idea of a stable long term option in the minds of the electorate and now they look like they have been done. That was for the Lib Dems to offer. They have demonstrated a degree of naivety that the Lib Dems predictable are attempting to maximise for their own advantage.
Four. If a Queens speech cannot be agreed on or if we go back to the polls again this year the Tories will get their majority. Certainly Labour appear desperate and underhanded, the Lib Dems duplicitous and opportunistic; but more than that, ask any candidate who just lost their deposits and spent a fortune on posters and campaign materials if they want to do it all over again in a few weeks or months and it will soon become clear that there will be lot of areas where there will be much shorter ballot papers.
Elections are like balance sheets and MOT’s, they are a snap shot of a particular moment. If there is another election to follow with uncertainty over who would lead Labour (for which there may not be time this side of an election to get sorted) and with the events of recent days and with a reduced field and a nearly bankrupted Labour Party, there will only be one winner.
So, come on Cameron, this is the time to show your mettle. Call Clegg, remind him he came third and lost seats tell him that time’s up; dare him to try a rainbow coalition – he and Brown can share a Pickford’s van when moving out of their London homes for the journey north. The rainbow coalition will fall short of votes because there are a good few Labour MPs that have and will openly not back it.
Lets me get the key points clear as I see them.
One. Gordon Brown has not resigned. He said he had no desire to stay on any longer than needed. He is still in number 10, I am not rejoicing. Like the horror movies, dead does not actually mean dead once the film rolls on a bit. Until he is actually gone, there is no cause for celebration. Remember this is the man who fell for Blair’s offer of a later resignation only to have Blair go back on it; if Brown can pull off a rainbow coalition with himself at the helm, you can be guaranteed that the come the time he is expected to go he will find some crisis or other in which to justify a u-turn. To be honest though I do not believe any such Rainbow coalition has any legs.
Two. Thankfully some Labour stalwarts actually did care to listen to the electorate and they know that Brown, Mandelson et al are putting themselves above the Labour Party and the electorate in trying to stay on for a bit. The only explicit message the electorate delivered was that Brown had to go.
Three. The Tories put too much on the table and built up the idea of a stable long term option in the minds of the electorate and now they look like they have been done. That was for the Lib Dems to offer. They have demonstrated a degree of naivety that the Lib Dems predictable are attempting to maximise for their own advantage.
Four. If a Queens speech cannot be agreed on or if we go back to the polls again this year the Tories will get their majority. Certainly Labour appear desperate and underhanded, the Lib Dems duplicitous and opportunistic; but more than that, ask any candidate who just lost their deposits and spent a fortune on posters and campaign materials if they want to do it all over again in a few weeks or months and it will soon become clear that there will be lot of areas where there will be much shorter ballot papers.
Elections are like balance sheets and MOT’s, they are a snap shot of a particular moment. If there is another election to follow with uncertainty over who would lead Labour (for which there may not be time this side of an election to get sorted) and with the events of recent days and with a reduced field and a nearly bankrupted Labour Party, there will only be one winner.
So, come on Cameron, this is the time to show your mettle. Call Clegg, remind him he came third and lost seats tell him that time’s up; dare him to try a rainbow coalition – he and Brown can share a Pickford’s van when moving out of their London homes for the journey north. The rainbow coalition will fall short of votes because there are a good few Labour MPs that have and will openly not back it.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Where To Go Now?
Well it’s all over and done with and we are stuck with a hung Parliament. It seems the only way to break the deadlock is to win the Lib Dems over with a promise to change the voting system to one that will almost always ensure a coalition is needed. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are similar enough that they could probably find enough common ground to govern for a time.
I hope that FPTP can be preserved for the Commons, but there needs to be an urgent review of the constituency sizes and perhaps even boundaries which have benefitted Labour so greatly. This is not this first election in recent history where Labour has benefitted from the status quo. Cameron has got about the same share of the vote as Blair in 2005 and has fallen short in term seats; all parties and candidates should be on a level playing field; the electoral commission has some questions to answer on why it has not moved to take more corrective action. We only need to look to this election where the third party is now dictating to the winner about what they want for there to be a functioning government to get a sense of how all future governments under PR would be formed.
For Cameron perhaps a wholly elected Lords using PR will allow him to seal the deal with the Lib Dems?
I am left wondering where I personally should go now? As regulars will know I am one of those disgruntled Tories who no longer wishes to support them because of the direction Mr Cameron is taking them. My objection is mostly on the Conservative position on continued membership of the EU. I do not believe the UK is benefitting from membership, in my heart I loathe the fact that 85% of our laws are made in a fashion I believe to be undemocratic. Furthermore I am tired of more and more powers being handed over.
I describe the EU as undemocratic but the truth is it is more anti-democratic in nature. One only has to look at how the EU is set up to be undemocratic despite the presence of a “parliament” which is unable to propose or initiate laws; it is a facade conceived so as to give the appearance of a democratic centre. The ruthless pursuit of it’s agenda and it’s willingness to break it’s own laws when it suits the Euro project makes the EU project a dangerous one for freedom loving democrats like myself. It is a totalitarian construct. It has achieved, or is still working to achieve every single aim it has set out for; you cannot defeat the will of the EU ruling classes; rare defeats in the past has been temporary as the EU ALWAYS eventually gets it way.
So which party does somebody of a right wing political agenda but it dead set in the idea that we must no longer participate in the EU but leave amicably but with great expedience? Well realistically the Conservatives are not an option. David Cameron will never give us a referendum on the EU, and he will likely re-ratify the Lisbon Treaty this year; he see’s Britain’s future in the EU but like all the others will not give that direction the democratic legitimacy and extend to us the voters a referendum. Had David Cameron not gone back on his Lisbon Referendum pledge last year he would likely have a majority today. A commenter on the DT Site has helpfully compiled this list showing what Dr North would describe as the UKIP effect. That is, these are the seats the Conservatives lost, where the UKIP vote is greater than the Tory losing margin.
Telford
Somerton and Frome
Plymouth Moor View
Morley & Outward
Newcastle-Under-Lyme
Bolton West
Great Grimsby
Walsall North
Walsall South
Southampton Itchen
Dorset Mid & Poole North
Wirral South
Solihull
Wells (LD gain from Con)
St Austell & Newquay
Derby North
Middlesbrough South & Cleveland East
St Ives
Dudley North
( Note: Most of this post was written yesterday, Dr North today lists 41 seats where the anti-EU vote cost the Tories )
I was one of those voices on the internet that warned that that the UKIP vote would in some seats cost the Conservatives; and it has done more it has denied them an Parliamentary majority. UKIP stood down in seats where the incumbent candidates were sufficiently vocal about the need for an EU referendum; I believe that with a commitment to a referendum on EU membership UKIP would have stood down in many more seats. When most Conservatives when polled tend to agree to either a referendum on membership or a degree of return of powers (unclear how that would happen) why have Cameron, Clarke and Osborne denied us this option?
So, I voted UKIP, but it would seem that I am one of only 3% or so that did. I have no regrets as I voted with my conscience and on the issues that I most care about; UKIP was the only option for me; in this election at least.
However, it is a little disappointing that UKIP were fairly disorganised in some areas; it seems there is little central help and candidates were left to fend for themselves – or at least that would be my assessment. Financially this is a big commitment to take on for UKIP candidates, if it were me I simply could not afford to stand. Despite some good policies and a compelling line that the three big parties are conspiring not to discuss openly how bad our debt crisis really is, it was clear that UKIP are really still a single issue party and that if only the blue team would accept that UKIP are right about EU membership they and the Tories could go back down the pub and get along together again. UKIP would probably disband if the EU membership question was finally settled. The entire UKIP campaign really came down to Buckingham with Nigel Farage being their star performer on TV not really coming close in the end to unseating the Speaker.
In my opinion, I hope UKIP do a little bit of soul searching and maybe take a look at a few things. There is a very real vacuum now on the right of the modern Conservative Party. And though the formula has clearly worked for them in terms of the EU elections, the UKIP formula does not work for UK elections; and a bigger presence in Westminster is exactly what they need to achieve their ultimate aim. I must also declare that I think their £ sign logo makes their literature and sites look dated, and reinforces the idea that they are a single issue party.
I want a party to fill this vacuum and I want that party to be able to win seats in Westminster. If UKIP in their hearts only see themselves as existing until the Conservatives change their point of view then I say we need another party in that void to cater for disenchanted Tories. If UKIP can recognise that for some they now represent more than they initially set themselves up to deliver and recognise that some minor tweaks would help sell them as an alternative to the conservatives on so much more than just Europe then I really truly believe that there is success to be had, and many, many more votes to be won.
Where exactly is my party of the right? In the next five years which party is going to raise the debate and fight for an end to the BBC tax? How about cutting welfare and socialist payments which create dependency and arguing that work should always be more rewarding than welfare? Who will speak out against the encroachment upon our civil liberties? Who on the right is advocating personal tax cuts for the coping classes? Who is going to cut through the bureaucracy and health and safety regulations which are stiffling small business start ups? Who is advocating Parliamentary oversight of judges? Where is the opposition to the new Supreme Court for the UK which cannot rule on devolved matters? Where on the right is advocating more Private Schools and Grammar schools which would allow more kids to get a better standard of education? Who is pointing out how illiberal it is to be a member of the CAP or to tell people how many hours they may work in a week? Who on the right dare question if we should continue as the United Kingdom or separate back to the component nations? Who is going to cut the cost and reach of the state? Who is arguing to an end to QUANGO’s and a minister in Parliament responsible for every penny that is spent of taxpayer’s money? I want a party who agree that life in prison means life in prison for people who commit the most vicious and serious of crimes.
The next few days it will be interesting and I will cheer from the very moment Gordon Brown is finally dragged out of Downing Street. However I am completely disenfranchised now by the major parties and struggling to find a political home and I don’t think I am alone. So what are we going to do?
I hope that FPTP can be preserved for the Commons, but there needs to be an urgent review of the constituency sizes and perhaps even boundaries which have benefitted Labour so greatly. This is not this first election in recent history where Labour has benefitted from the status quo. Cameron has got about the same share of the vote as Blair in 2005 and has fallen short in term seats; all parties and candidates should be on a level playing field; the electoral commission has some questions to answer on why it has not moved to take more corrective action. We only need to look to this election where the third party is now dictating to the winner about what they want for there to be a functioning government to get a sense of how all future governments under PR would be formed.
For Cameron perhaps a wholly elected Lords using PR will allow him to seal the deal with the Lib Dems?
I am left wondering where I personally should go now? As regulars will know I am one of those disgruntled Tories who no longer wishes to support them because of the direction Mr Cameron is taking them. My objection is mostly on the Conservative position on continued membership of the EU. I do not believe the UK is benefitting from membership, in my heart I loathe the fact that 85% of our laws are made in a fashion I believe to be undemocratic. Furthermore I am tired of more and more powers being handed over.
I describe the EU as undemocratic but the truth is it is more anti-democratic in nature. One only has to look at how the EU is set up to be undemocratic despite the presence of a “parliament” which is unable to propose or initiate laws; it is a facade conceived so as to give the appearance of a democratic centre. The ruthless pursuit of it’s agenda and it’s willingness to break it’s own laws when it suits the Euro project makes the EU project a dangerous one for freedom loving democrats like myself. It is a totalitarian construct. It has achieved, or is still working to achieve every single aim it has set out for; you cannot defeat the will of the EU ruling classes; rare defeats in the past has been temporary as the EU ALWAYS eventually gets it way.
So which party does somebody of a right wing political agenda but it dead set in the idea that we must no longer participate in the EU but leave amicably but with great expedience? Well realistically the Conservatives are not an option. David Cameron will never give us a referendum on the EU, and he will likely re-ratify the Lisbon Treaty this year; he see’s Britain’s future in the EU but like all the others will not give that direction the democratic legitimacy and extend to us the voters a referendum. Had David Cameron not gone back on his Lisbon Referendum pledge last year he would likely have a majority today. A commenter on the DT Site has helpfully compiled this list showing what Dr North would describe as the UKIP effect. That is, these are the seats the Conservatives lost, where the UKIP vote is greater than the Tory losing margin.
Telford
Somerton and Frome
Plymouth Moor View
Morley & Outward
Newcastle-Under-Lyme
Bolton West
Great Grimsby
Walsall North
Walsall South
Southampton Itchen
Dorset Mid & Poole North
Wirral South
Solihull
Wells (LD gain from Con)
St Austell & Newquay
Derby North
Middlesbrough South & Cleveland East
St Ives
Dudley North
( Note: Most of this post was written yesterday, Dr North today lists 41 seats where the anti-EU vote cost the Tories )
I was one of those voices on the internet that warned that that the UKIP vote would in some seats cost the Conservatives; and it has done more it has denied them an Parliamentary majority. UKIP stood down in seats where the incumbent candidates were sufficiently vocal about the need for an EU referendum; I believe that with a commitment to a referendum on EU membership UKIP would have stood down in many more seats. When most Conservatives when polled tend to agree to either a referendum on membership or a degree of return of powers (unclear how that would happen) why have Cameron, Clarke and Osborne denied us this option?
So, I voted UKIP, but it would seem that I am one of only 3% or so that did. I have no regrets as I voted with my conscience and on the issues that I most care about; UKIP was the only option for me; in this election at least.
However, it is a little disappointing that UKIP were fairly disorganised in some areas; it seems there is little central help and candidates were left to fend for themselves – or at least that would be my assessment. Financially this is a big commitment to take on for UKIP candidates, if it were me I simply could not afford to stand. Despite some good policies and a compelling line that the three big parties are conspiring not to discuss openly how bad our debt crisis really is, it was clear that UKIP are really still a single issue party and that if only the blue team would accept that UKIP are right about EU membership they and the Tories could go back down the pub and get along together again. UKIP would probably disband if the EU membership question was finally settled. The entire UKIP campaign really came down to Buckingham with Nigel Farage being their star performer on TV not really coming close in the end to unseating the Speaker.
In my opinion, I hope UKIP do a little bit of soul searching and maybe take a look at a few things. There is a very real vacuum now on the right of the modern Conservative Party. And though the formula has clearly worked for them in terms of the EU elections, the UKIP formula does not work for UK elections; and a bigger presence in Westminster is exactly what they need to achieve their ultimate aim. I must also declare that I think their £ sign logo makes their literature and sites look dated, and reinforces the idea that they are a single issue party.
I want a party to fill this vacuum and I want that party to be able to win seats in Westminster. If UKIP in their hearts only see themselves as existing until the Conservatives change their point of view then I say we need another party in that void to cater for disenchanted Tories. If UKIP can recognise that for some they now represent more than they initially set themselves up to deliver and recognise that some minor tweaks would help sell them as an alternative to the conservatives on so much more than just Europe then I really truly believe that there is success to be had, and many, many more votes to be won.
Where exactly is my party of the right? In the next five years which party is going to raise the debate and fight for an end to the BBC tax? How about cutting welfare and socialist payments which create dependency and arguing that work should always be more rewarding than welfare? Who will speak out against the encroachment upon our civil liberties? Who on the right is advocating personal tax cuts for the coping classes? Who is going to cut through the bureaucracy and health and safety regulations which are stiffling small business start ups? Who is advocating Parliamentary oversight of judges? Where is the opposition to the new Supreme Court for the UK which cannot rule on devolved matters? Where on the right is advocating more Private Schools and Grammar schools which would allow more kids to get a better standard of education? Who is pointing out how illiberal it is to be a member of the CAP or to tell people how many hours they may work in a week? Who on the right dare question if we should continue as the United Kingdom or separate back to the component nations? Who is going to cut the cost and reach of the state? Who is arguing to an end to QUANGO’s and a minister in Parliament responsible for every penny that is spent of taxpayer’s money? I want a party who agree that life in prison means life in prison for people who commit the most vicious and serious of crimes.
The next few days it will be interesting and I will cheer from the very moment Gordon Brown is finally dragged out of Downing Street. However I am completely disenfranchised now by the major parties and struggling to find a political home and I don’t think I am alone. So what are we going to do?
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Referral
I have not done a "recommended reading" for a while, but I would like to draw people's attention to a post by Witterings from Witney entitled The End Of Our Democracy As We Knew It?
Off you go.
Off you go.
Pre Election Feelings
If it were me, my poster would say, "People of Europe, WAKE UP!"
Doomsday beckons, the Germans know it. The Greeks ran up debts which they could not afford by creating a State that demands massively more money than it can raise in taxes.
So it borrowed from the markets until they said enough.
Now they are now borrowing from the EU, in the form of tax payer loans. We bailed out the Rock and RBS, the Germans are about to bail our Greece. At present there is no real plan to cut the Greeks budget deficit sufficiently so as to bring them into a sustainable budget cycle; they are essentially on welfare now.
Through this Greek tragedy has been locked into the Eurozone rules so has not been able to take preemptive corrective actions to limit its problems and worse still is unable to reduce the cost of the state because protesters will set fire to anyone who dares. Greece, in short, is economically f****d.
Today Angela Merkel has signalled that the success of the EURO and the Greek recovery are intrinsically linked both to the future of the EU and in particular Germany's role within the EU. The same is true of the UK.
The UK rightly stayed out of the EURO, but once the ink is dry on this Greek loan and once we know how Parliament will look next week the agenda is going to have to turn to matters European. It is my belief that very soon (perhaps days if not weeks) Germany and France will demand that the UK will need to begin proceedings to join the EURO; it is the currency of the European Union to which we are members. They will argue that in the meantime we in the UK will need to meet the cost of supporting Greece and it's bloated public sector. It looks like we will have to endure another round of the Lisbon Treaty. Were they not content with rubbing our noses in it once?
Germany is still feeling the heavy financial costs of reunification to a single nation; Germans will instinctively know that the cost of uniting a continent will run massively deeper. The project will need to be sown up with a single federal government or abandoned; with national governments replaced with the regional assemblies already in place to help balance the books. Too much effort has been invested from the Federalists to simply give up and they will argue too much of our tax payer money. We have been defecated on from a great height before by the EU's cheerleaders; and it is coming again.
It was said at the 2005 election that we were not voting on Europe. The truth is we should have and could have. All of the parties said there would be a referendum on the Constitutional Treaty through Westminster collusion and dramatics we were denied that vote. We gave LIB/LAB/CON our votes because they collectively promised to do what was in our best interests; and they fooled us all in spectacular fashion. The EU costs us more than ever before and makes more of our laws than ever before. Soon we will lose our embassy's, our currency, our national identity. England is already broken into regions ready to be split forever.
Now in 2010 do you really believe that your Westminster vote will have no affect on Europe as well? That who we put in Parliament will not affect our relationship and absorption into the EU Federal Superstate?
So, it is vital that today and tomorrow we think about our role in the EU; that we look at the real economic problem ahead for the UK and how unaffordable it is going to be for us not only to prop up our own economically initiative; but those of Southern Europe also. We don't really get too much of a say on matters as citizens here in the UK and really the best say we do get is when a General Election comes around twice a decade. The political leaders may not be talking about what REALLY lies ahead but here on the blogosphere we have spelt out what we can see; and the MSM have made similar, but less audible grumbles.
We need a government on Friday that is going to cut the debt, and we need MP's who are prepared to put the United Kingdoms interests ahead of Party Politics and their whips. We need democratic discourse, through debate and through the ballot box. This might be the last chance for you to tie your vote to Lisbon and to EU membership; so please bare this in mind when considering who to vote for. For what it is worth, once again here is the link to the Albion Alliance where you can find the list of candidates who have been willing to say up front that they will pledge to work in your interests and for a referendum on your behalf regardless of what their party leadership, the whips and the EU have to say. There is UKIP, there are many independents who would work in your interests and really listen to what you want rather than dolling out what the EU has dictated to them needs to be done.
Election Night Live Blog - Advanced Notice
At 10pm tomorrow night within minutes of the polls closing the most anticipated exit polls in UK Polling history will be announced. You will probably be glued to the TV or to your computer screens so why not join in our now famous live-chat collaborations? With polling companies set up for a two horse race, the time between 10pm and 11pm could be the most interesting on TV all year.
Be here at just before 10pm for the opening and the chat will run as long as there is the moderators are awake and there are people online and taking part (so this will probably still run quite late). Please be aware, there are only 25 unmoderated slots available with the current technology; however things will probably be less manic tomorrow as opposed to previous sessions when a few hundred people were collectively shouting at three leaders who participated in the debates; and comments should be published quickly.
As before, the session will be a team effort and hosted by:
All Seeing Eye, Barking Spider, Biased-BBC, Corrugated Soundbite, Dick Puddlecote, Governmentitus (here), GrumpyOldTwat, Man Widdicombe, Subrosa and Red Rag Online. All of these blogs come recommended and if are worth checking them out if you have not done so before. As it is a collaboration, you can be on any of the above blogs and participate in the same live chat session.
It is unfortunately unlikely I will be joining in tomorrow as I have volunteered to count votes at my local counting centre and I don't anticipate being home before 4am. However I will look in on the chat when I get in and if it is still rolling will say hello. I will be hosting the chat still here on my blog thanks to the advanced posting feature in blogger.
Thanks must go to the All Seeing Eye for organising and to G.O.T. for another superb graphic.
DON'T. VOTE. LABOUR.
After 13 years the mood of the nation I think is clear, and I believe that tomorrow we will all have the opportunity to go cast that ballot and finally kick Labour into the long grass. This blog came about for two reasons, firstly as my voice of opposition to the EU and secondly to voice my opposition to this Labour Government.
I have pleaded for voters to look to the Albion Alliance for a list of candidates who can be trusted to work in our best interests on the question of EU membership, but I will add a new plea today. Please, don't vote Labour. I will personally be voting with my conscience tomorrow; I am voting on my issues and I will not regret doing so for it will be a vote which most closely aligns to my politics and beliefs. I am also proud that I will be upholding my own Albion Alliance Voters Pledge and voting for a candidate who has said that he will put country before party.
William Hague sent me the below email and no doubt the blogs run by Conservative voters and party members will be carrying this today.
I say again. Don't. Vote. Labour.
I posted the below in February - there was too much to bring it up-to-date, but here was Feb's output.
I have pleaded for voters to look to the Albion Alliance for a list of candidates who can be trusted to work in our best interests on the question of EU membership, but I will add a new plea today. Please, don't vote Labour. I will personally be voting with my conscience tomorrow; I am voting on my issues and I will not regret doing so for it will be a vote which most closely aligns to my politics and beliefs. I am also proud that I will be upholding my own Albion Alliance Voters Pledge and voting for a candidate who has said that he will put country before party.
William Hague sent me the below email and no doubt the blogs run by Conservative voters and party members will be carrying this today.
I say again. Don't. Vote. Labour.
I posted the below in February - there was too much to bring it up-to-date, but here was Feb's output.
Jaw Smacking, Holiday Scrounging, Election Bribing, Access Selling, Passport Flogging, Tax Avoiding, Twitter Abusing, Enron Loving, Bad News Burying, Granny Bashing, Rent Boy Hiring, Doctor Killing, Jew Hating, Fire Starting, Badger Watching,
Dodgy Financing, Naked Picture Taking, Company Destroying, Monarchy Hating, Embarrassing, Hairdressing, Hospital Closing, Frequently Resigning, Lobby Bribing, Visa Scamming, Secretary Throwing, Paternity Testing, Expenses Shredding,
Iffy Trading, Completely Bungling, Over Eating, Peerage Selling, Mortgage Faking, Air Miles Scamming, Consequence Dodging, Slime Dripping Allowance Fiddling, War Mongering, Charity Charging Legislation Selling, Double Dipping, Triple Dipping
Window Licking, Emotionally Blackmailing, Truth Hiding, Bile Inducing, Coup Messing, Principle Abandoning, Eugenics Considering, Ghurkha Oppressing, Secretly Thieving, History Making, Porn Claiming, Economy Destroying, Procrastinating, Terrorist Appeasing, Tax Hiking, Slush Fund Building, Disappointing,
Voucher Totting, Law Dodging, Social Engineering, Criminalising, Gnome Humping, Border Seeping Future Stealing, Election Dodging, Lip Trembling Gerrymandering, Back Handed Ball Juggling, Book Cooking, Pension Raiding, Frequently Offending, Carpet bagging, Vote Rigging, Addicted To Smearing, Non-Declaring, Dictating, Wall Papering, Luvvie Exempting, Spouse Cheating Defrauding, Troop Failing, Camera Chasing, Sexually Harassing, Unreined Spending, Back Stabbing, Capitulating Secretary Shagging, Dossier Enhancing...
Lisbon Revisited
Exciting news from the Tax Payers Alliance yesterday that the EU is set to make all of its members vote once again on Lisbon.
This would likely mean that in this Autumn the UK Parliament will need to re-ratify the document, which this time will allow for the additional 18 MEP's who are in attendance and on the pay roll to be able to actually vote in the EU's mock Parliament.
This of course opens a question today, in the last day of the campaign before an election of how each party if returned with a majority would react to what will be a very unpopular vote.
I think we could be certain that the Labour position would be to just ram it through Parliament; after all they did so the first time round despite their manifesto pledge.
The Liberal Democrats would certainly follow suit, and would argue it is a technicality and in keeping with the initial vote. They would not give us a referendum on this or the wider EU vote they have talked of.
But what would David Cameron and the Conservatives do? Would a second vote on Lisbon qualify in their "referendum lock" policy? Would the supposedly more EU Sceptic swath of new Conservative MP's kick up a fuss and demand a that the referendum were were once denied now be granted.
I would genuinely like to know, and I hope if any of my readers are within shouting distance of any candidates today they try and get an answer - because a commitment on THIS SIDE of the election is what is needed.
My guess is that the Conservatives would not give the referendum vote and would push Lisbon through with the support of the Lib Dems and Labour.
I don't need to guess which MP's would work for a referendum on Lisbon, or in fact on a referendum on the wider issue of EU Membership because there are at the time of writing 99 candidates nationally who have taken the Albion Alliance pledge and declared:
If the question of EU membership is your election hot spot and if you are one of the awakening masses that knows that our ailing country cannot be repaired whilst we are subject to EU diktat then we have one day to increase this 99 number and we have one day in which to prod and probe the three factions of the Westminster Cartel on what they are and are not prepared to do for us. If the LIB/LAB/CON candidates want your vote, get them to pledge before the election to the Albion Alliance pledge so that you can be certain they will do what they say and so that others locally can be informed too.
I hope the 5th May is a busy day on the politics blogs, and I hope that people read and realise that getting out of the EU is the very best thing the UK could do.
This would likely mean that in this Autumn the UK Parliament will need to re-ratify the document, which this time will allow for the additional 18 MEP's who are in attendance and on the pay roll to be able to actually vote in the EU's mock Parliament.
This of course opens a question today, in the last day of the campaign before an election of how each party if returned with a majority would react to what will be a very unpopular vote.
I think we could be certain that the Labour position would be to just ram it through Parliament; after all they did so the first time round despite their manifesto pledge.
The Liberal Democrats would certainly follow suit, and would argue it is a technicality and in keeping with the initial vote. They would not give us a referendum on this or the wider EU vote they have talked of.
But what would David Cameron and the Conservatives do? Would a second vote on Lisbon qualify in their "referendum lock" policy? Would the supposedly more EU Sceptic swath of new Conservative MP's kick up a fuss and demand a that the referendum were were once denied now be granted.
I would genuinely like to know, and I hope if any of my readers are within shouting distance of any candidates today they try and get an answer - because a commitment on THIS SIDE of the election is what is needed.
My guess is that the Conservatives would not give the referendum vote and would push Lisbon through with the support of the Lib Dems and Labour.
I don't need to guess which MP's would work for a referendum on Lisbon, or in fact on a referendum on the wider issue of EU Membership because there are at the time of writing 99 candidates nationally who have taken the Albion Alliance pledge and declared:
I pledge to work tirelessly to give the voters of my constituency a democratic and direct voice in the United Kingdom’s continued relationship with the EU.
I pledge that I will sponsor a Private Members Bill, written in clear concise terms, calling for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union – and/or support any motion for such a referendum – and to vote positively for any Bill that may call for such a referendum, irrespective of Party Whip, with a view to the successful outcome of this pledge within 1 year of a new Parliament or sooner.
If the question of EU membership is your election hot spot and if you are one of the awakening masses that knows that our ailing country cannot be repaired whilst we are subject to EU diktat then we have one day to increase this 99 number and we have one day in which to prod and probe the three factions of the Westminster Cartel on what they are and are not prepared to do for us. If the LIB/LAB/CON candidates want your vote, get them to pledge before the election to the Albion Alliance pledge so that you can be certain they will do what they say and so that others locally can be informed too.
I hope the 5th May is a busy day on the politics blogs, and I hope that people read and realise that getting out of the EU is the very best thing the UK could do.
Predictions?
One day to go. Does anyone care to make any electoral predictions, or revise previous predictions?
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Worst PM Ever
So says Manish Sood, a Labour PPC to an article in Lynn News.
Here's the highlights:
He later declared to Sky News that he thinks he would be interested in leading the Labour Party.
To Mr Sood I would agree with his sentiments and in my opinion also Gordon Brown has been the worst PM ever. Is Mr Sood alone in the Labour Party?
The Labour Party elevated Gordon Brown to the highest office of the land, and people will never forgive the Labour Party for that mistake.
Here's the highlights:
"Immigration has gone up which is creating friction within communities. The country is getting bigger and messier.
"The role of ministers has gone bureaucratic and the action of ministers has gone downhill – it is corrupt.
"The loss of social values is the basic problem and this is not what the Labour Party is about.
"I believe Gordon Brown has been the worst Prime Minister we have had in this country.
"It is a disgrace and he owes an apology to the people and the Queen.
"We have to get back to basics where people can leave their money outside for the milkman without it being stolen."
He later declared to Sky News that he thinks he would be interested in leading the Labour Party.
To Mr Sood I would agree with his sentiments and in my opinion also Gordon Brown has been the worst PM ever. Is Mr Sood alone in the Labour Party?
The Labour Party elevated Gordon Brown to the highest office of the land, and people will never forgive the Labour Party for that mistake.
I'm With Cartman
Yet again freedom of speech is under attack.
You may not agree with South Park, but the fact that it is broadcast is a good indicator that television programme makers are free to make and broadcast programmes saying whatever they like.
Let's not sit quiet when the freedoms we love and cherish and which form the foundations of our society come under attack. If we sit quiet we know it will be taken from us. Freedom's are not free, they come with a cost; but the price people pay when freedoms are removed is always greater.
This is a snippet of the episode in question:
Video H/T: Calling England
You may not agree with South Park, but the fact that it is broadcast is a good indicator that television programme makers are free to make and broadcast programmes saying whatever they like.
Let's not sit quiet when the freedoms we love and cherish and which form the foundations of our society come under attack. If we sit quiet we know it will be taken from us. Freedom's are not free, they come with a cost; but the price people pay when freedoms are removed is always greater.
This is a snippet of the episode in question:
Video H/T: Calling England
Promise Versus Reality
Some election humour:
While walking down the street one day a Member of Parliament is tragically hit by a truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
'Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter.
'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you.'
'No problem, just let me in,' says the man.
'Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.'
'Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the MP.
'I'm sorry, but we have our rules.'
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises....
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
'Now it's time to visit heaven.'
So, 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
'Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.'
The MP reflects for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.'
So St. Peter escorts him to the lift and he goes down, down, down to hell.
Now the doors of the lift open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and rubbish.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. ' I don't understand,' stammers the MP.
'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of rubbish and my friends look miserable.
What happened? '
The devil looks at him, smiles and says, ' Yesterday we were campaigning.. ...
Today you voted.
--
For a look quick look at how far Gordon's metaphorical golf course is from the pretty real rubbish tip he is leaving behind, might I recommend this excellent guide from Anna Raccoon.
While walking down the street one day a Member of Parliament is tragically hit by a truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
'Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter.
'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you.'
'No problem, just let me in,' says the man.
'Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.'
'Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the MP.
'I'm sorry, but we have our rules.'
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises....
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
'Now it's time to visit heaven.'
So, 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
'Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.'
The MP reflects for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.'
So St. Peter escorts him to the lift and he goes down, down, down to hell.
Now the doors of the lift open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and rubbish.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. ' I don't understand,' stammers the MP.
'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of rubbish and my friends look miserable.
What happened? '
The devil looks at him, smiles and says, ' Yesterday we were campaigning.. ...
Today you voted.
--
For a look quick look at how far Gordon's metaphorical golf course is from the pretty real rubbish tip he is leaving behind, might I recommend this excellent guide from Anna Raccoon.
The Truth About Ed Balls
Like most people in the UK I am not a fan of Ed Balls, here is a video listing some of the reasons why he is not easy to like.
As seen at Old Holborn
As seen at Old Holborn
Monday, May 03, 2010
Deja Vu All Over Again
It's May bank holiday, I am hung over, the lawn looks like a jungle, there is a mountain of clothes that need ironing and there is nothing on the telly....
If I can summon the neurons to put anything down of interest I will be back later, if not that's probably it until right before polling.
Have fun everyone!
If I can summon the neurons to put anything down of interest I will be back later, if not that's probably it until right before polling.
Have fun everyone!
Saturday, May 01, 2010
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