Ken Clarkes Take On Tory EU Policy

James Kirkup describes Ken Clarke as "a walking gift to journalism if there ever was one" and then quotes Ken Clarke from the Commons Press Gallery on David Cameron's new EU policy.

Mr Clarke’s words:

“We’re going to have a go at repatriating, going back to the old opt-out on the social chapter. People want to be reassured on criminal justice.

“I think it’s largely reassurance, myself.

“But I do think we will not be alone. We will have allies.

“So long as you don’t over-dramatise it, done properly, there’s a serious negotiation to be had.

“I look forward to getting the debate back to a bit of calmness and common sense on both sides of the argument.”

I wrote down my thoughts after hearing Cameron's speech last week, I have not heard or read anything to make me change my mind. Many Conservatives reaction was supportive of David Cameron, but laced with a not so subtle bitterness which betrayed what was in their hearts, that they were again gambling on the Conservatives coming through for them later on; lying back and thinking of England so to speak.

There is talk of a civil war brewing; this may be the case but I suspect this may take some time to happen. The Conservatives can handle lively debate under the roof of their broad church, even if it is no longer encouraged actively. But the real dilemma is not between the factions but in the hearts and minds of potential and loyal Conservative voters. To many, the question is different. What is the lesser of two evils... Five more years of Labour or acceptance of the Lisbon Treaty and accepting Britain as a province in the new EUslavia? Neither play well in the minds of many.

The return of Ken Clarke the front benches prompted much comment at the time. I reluctantly tried to find some positives in the decision myself. I made the point that Clarke needed to land a scalp and live up to the image of the Big Beast. However, what has he achieved since? Lord Mandy loves having Ken Clarke as a Shadow, he has failed to land any big blows and Mandy even joked at the Labour Conference that Ken Clarke privately agrees with all Mandy has said and is doing. What else could be expected from two paid up EU loving foot soldiers?

It's not like Ken Clarke is doing his homework and trying to hold Labour to account. In a recent exchange in the Commons Clarke proclaimed that British businesses were struggling under the burden of over regulation. His designated chaperone retorted with a simple request for Clarke to name three regulations that he would dismantle... Clarke had no answer. Not one. Perhaps Ken Clarke could find some time to have a read of this or even this - He is going through the motions and not trying very hard. It will be a seamless transition when he takes over from Peter Mandelson.

As I was listening to David Cameron last week on his new EU policy, it did not sound like a speech that had been written by Ken Clarke; it sounded like a speech written for Ken Clarke. Ken Clarke is not someone I would pick out as a good representative what Conservative voters want, or how they think.

The new EU policy has only one unarguable plus point so far as I can see...

David Cameron cannot be accused any time soon of being a popularist when writing up policy.

All of this got me thinking that maybe Clarke was not brought back because he is a big beast, but maybe he just knows where the bodies are buried and convinced Cameron to let him back in. After a not very convincing start to his role, he does not appear to be under any pressure to claim any scalps. Just maybe Clarke has the dirt on Cameron already.

After removing the Conservatives from the EPP in the EU Parliament, one could be forgiven for having expected a more robust line when Lisbon was finally ratified from Cameron; he had certianly convinced the likes on Dan Hannan and William Hague convinced that there were some serious intentions there. Yet instead of looking to the Party and to what they want to see, Cameron looked to Clarke and the supporters of the EU and wrote up another chapter in the Conservative EU play book. Was this a reversal or an attempt at Blairesque triangulation?

Agree with me or not; agree with Cameron or don't. But his EU policy is going to define Cameron and the Conservative Party for a generation and the more it is discussed, and the closer we get to Cameron as PM the greater that split will be felt by those who have to chose which side of the line they want to be on.

David Camerons New EU Policy - My Verdict

So there it is, straight from the horse’s mouth, a Cameron Conservative Government:

- Will accept Lisbon and will not hold a referendum.

- Will attempt to repatriate some Social and Employment laws, (which remain unspecified).

- Will seek an opt-out on the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

- Will offer a referendum guarantee on future power transfers to Brussels.

-  Will pass a British Sovereignty Act stating that the will of Parliament is supreme to that of the EU.

So let's look through this; calmly I hope.

The Conservative Party will accept Lisbon, and only seek repatriation of certain laws laid out as above. So the EU President is in, as is the High Representative, and the EU wide ID Card scheme, control of the police and of our economy. No word though on whether the EURO is now an option. If it is not under the next Conservatives it definitely will be the next time Labour or the Liberals get in. But the bottom line from Cameron is that it was Labour that screwed us and that we should blame Labour, but the Conservatives will not attempt to reverse or take the UK out of the EU or force any retrospective vote on Lisbon.

Initial reaction to this can be read over on the Daily Telegraph, where a group called the "European Movement" could not be happier with David Cameron speech, in fact they are positively thrilled.

The European Movement welcomes the statement by David Cameron today that a future Conservative government would not seek to hold a referendum on the Lisbon treaty.

Peter Luff, Chairman of the European Movement, said:

“The Lisbon treaty is not in force yet, so it is premature for the Conservatives to say that it is not working and needs to be changed. That would be to put ideology above practicality, which is not the right thing to do. Better to give the new treaty a chance.

“There is a large and far-reaching agenda ahead of Europe at the moment, including economic recovery, fighting climate change, helping Afghanistan attain stability, and improving Europe’s relations with China, Russia and America. The Lisbon treaty will help Europe deal with these important issues.

“Any attempt to renegotiate the treaty will be difficult, time-consuming and counter-productive. It makes more sense to deal with the real issues facing Europe right now than to pick an unnecessary and distracting argument with our European partners.”

There is more, but I think you get the point.

Secondly we have the previously mooted repatriation of powers is limited to some Social and Employment laws. David Cameron acknowledged that he would need the support of all 27 member states and probably only when attached to a new accession treaty could this be achieved. So, if the EU does not expand there can be now repatriation. If the EU offers no new treaties, as it does not need to do now that Lisbon grants self amending powers there will be no repatriation of powers. And if the 27 member states do not agree, there can be no repatriation of powers. Let me spare the guff, this cannot happen, there will be no repatriation on this basis. This is nothing more than wishful thinking. How do I know? Because the working time directive was rammed through the EU Parliament this year with the support of Labour MEPs overriding our previous so called “red line”.

There was nothing, absolutely nothing Gordon Brown as PM could do to reverse it. That was the PM’s position in relation to an EU Directive where the UK had achieved a “red line” BEFORE Lisbon.

There is not a conceivable situation whereby 27 council members or a majority in the EU Parliament will grant this power back to the UK, and Cameron should and I assume does know this. But, he is setting himself up for a fight he will not win or another climb down later on.

As someone who wants out of the EU, the repatriation argument was going to be the key today for me, and how far the Conservatives would be prepared to reach and how hard they were prepared to fight was going to be the key to how badly support would leak away. The answer I take from the speech is not very deep, not very hard and allowing themselves 4 to 5 years to do some pretty undefined and uninspiring stuff. It has not brought me closer to voting Tory; I wonder how many wavering Tories will feel that this is simply not good enough?

The third point is an opt-out on the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Now my understanding is that this is a document that was agreed at Ministerial level about 20 years ago and has been bouncing around ever since. It is not in itself a treaty or laws but a proclamation of statements about Human Rights. There is obvious concern about how this will be interpreted by Judges and how it will affect legal practices throughout the EU. However, I think there is a little misleading going on here.

Human Rights Laws are subject to great debate in the UK, but the fact is, most of these do not stem from the EU, but from the 47 Member Council of Europe and the European Convention of Human Rights which the Council passed. This is not a part of the EU; it has nothing to do with Lisbon. The inclusion of the Charter to Lisbon will not really change the debate in the UK on how Human Rights laws are implemented, and really most of the argument boils down to Judges Interpretation both in the UK and in the ECHR Courts in Strasbourg. The Tabloids will still have plenty to write about on this score. I can’t help thinking this point is a smoke screen from the Conservative Leadership, and the misplacing of laws enacted from the Council of Europe rather than the EU (a mistake frequently made) was often publically seized upon by Ken Clarke to ridicule those who complained about the EU but did not really know what it does. So I wonder if Ken prompted this to be included?

The next point was that the UK Parliament would offer a law to guarantee power of referendum on any future transfers of powers. This I think is an interesting pledge, one which some people will buy into, but here is my thinking. EU law is superior to our own laws on areas where the EU decides it is, and up until now, the EU has required treaties to change the balance of those powers.

The EU now only needs, say 10% control, and without much more than a snap of the fingers, it can assume at will up to 100% of control from the nation-state. That’s the deal that is what we are signed up to. So, by going back to the first point, that generally the Conservatives are accepting Lisbon it is hard to see how any transfer in this sense, the 10% to 100% grab will be possible, in fact I would say it is impossible to achieve and would again require unanimity from 26 other nations who have nothing to gain from an UK opt-out here. I return to the point that an amendment would be required at EU Law, which would never be passed in the council or the EU Parliament and potentially a treaty, of which there may not be another one. If this is not the case I hope someone can link to some supporting evidence, because this is certainly the case now.

But what of that small pool of laws that we have retained, well The Conservatives could pass a law in the UK Parliament guaranteeing that a referendum must be held before any more powers be passed. What is left to be passed? The EU will now control us, our education, our police, our local councils, they can impose ID cards, and control environmental policies, employment laws, and they will soon control our economy and increasingly are merging the lines between the national defence and security initiatives of different nations. Seriously, what is there left to want a referendum on? But even with this law, it is subject to British Law and as such can be reversed by a future Labour or Liberal Government. It is only good for as long as the Conservatives hold power in Westminster. I am not filled with confidence this pledge will serve us in the way it was being sold.

It is in fact very much a symbolic bolting of the barn door when the horse is long gone, only the barn is derelict and the bolt is rusty, so what’s the point? Poor horsies.

Maybe I am wrong, I fail to see how any security can be gained or felt from this pledge.

The final point is the Conservative promise of a British Sovereignty Bill asserting that UK Law is supreme to that of the EU. It is an Interesting notion. However, this is another smokescreen.

During what could laughably be referred to as the debating of the Lisbon Treaty in Parliament, Bill Cash introduced Clause 9 as an attempt by the UK to assert Parliaments supremacy over that of EU Law. The Clause read

“Notwithstanding any provision of the European Communities Act 1972, nothing in this Act shall affect or be construed by any court in the UK as affecting the supremacy of Parliament"

The idea being that UK Courts would not feel obliged to ignore UK Laws where these were contradicted by EU law which no matter how you cut it is considered to be superior to UK law. If a vote in favour of the clause had of been accepted the passing of Lisbon could not have happened, as the text has to be adopted by each country in exactly the form it arrives. The vote for clause 9 was defeated, but that is not the point I am trying to make. It is that it had a chance of passing, however, the night of the vote, the Conservative Whip sent Conservatives the all clear to go home, which they did as the Whips word is as good as the Party Leaders word. Just 7 minutes after the texts were sent, the vote went to the lobbies. Only 48 MP’s were present or able to make it to the vote which was then easily defeated.

If David Cameron views the Supremacy of UK law, why did he have the Whip send everyone home? If David Cameron was serious about not wanting Lisbon, Clause 9 was about the best chance of scuppering it in Parliament, so why not try to do so?

These are questions I do not have the answers to, you will have to draw your own conclusions there, but for the record here are the 48 who deserve a mention for defying the whip and voting for what David Cameron now wants you to believe is his aim to.

Ancram, rh Mr. Michael
Bacon, Mr. Richard
Binley, Mr. Brian
Butterfill, Sir John
Campbell, Mr. Gregory
Carswell, Mr. Douglas
Cash, Mr. William

Chope, Mr. Christopher

Conway, Derek

Davies, Mr. Dai

Davies, David T.C. (Monmouth)
Davies, Philip
Dodds, Mr. Nigel
Duncan Smith, rh Mr. Iain

Dunne, Mr. Philip

Evans, Mr. Nigel
Fraser, Christopher
Gale, Mr. Roger
Gray, Mr. James
Hancock, Mr. Mike
Heathcoat-Amory, rh Mr. David
Hogg, rh Mr. Douglas
Holloway, Mr. Adam
Jenkin, Mr. Bernard
Knight, rh Mr. Greg
Leigh, Mr. Edward
Lilley, rh Mr. Peter
Main, Anne
Malins, Mr. Humfrey
McCrea, Dr. William
Pritchard, Mark
Redwood, rh Mr. John
Robinson, rh Mr. Peter
Scott, Mr. Lee
Shepherd, Mr. Richard
Simpson, David
Spink, Bob
Stuart, Mr. Graham
Tapsell, Sir Peter
Taylor, Dr. Richard
Turner, Mr. Andrew
Walker, Mr. Charles
Whittingdale, Mr. John
Widdecombe, rh Miss Ann
Wilshire, Mr. David
Wilson, Sammy
Winterton, Ann
Winterton, Sir Nicholas

Even if The Conservative Leadership now believes that there should be a protection written at UK Level, it is entirely pointless trying to argue in an EU court that a UK Law supersedes it. It does not, and only someone who does not understand this or a person who hopes that others do not understand this would try something so utterly pointless.

If you are in the EU, you are in the EU 100%. The Conservative will be laughed at all across Europe for even trying to get control back, it ain’t gonna happen and certainly not in the ways they envision. Frankly it shows how little this has been researched because the lawyers will all say the same.

There is a case for a retrospective referendum, but if recognised by the EU it would also have to dismantle the structures of Lisbon (which have all been erected before it became law, so you can be sure this will not happen) and there is a case for an “In or Out” referendum, which will obviously be a vote on whether to leave the EU or not. Such a referendum is the only way of achieving the desired relationship so many of us in the UK want; that of EFTA Membership and full trading rights and access, whilst none of the statehood that comes about by being in the EU. Best of all, we would write our own laws again and govern ourselves again. This is not on the table from the Conservatives; they are tabling acceptance of the EU and nothing stronger than the hint of inclusion of a referendum in a second Conservative Parliament. Sorry but this is not good enough. We all know, thanks to Stuart Wheelers legal challenge that an actual manifesto pledge is not considered sufficient for the courts to act upon, let alone a line in a press conference a whole Parliament before.

So, after today’s speech I can see absolutely no reason to vote Conservative given my strong feelings on the EU, though I now welcome that the Tories can finally admit that we are enthralled to the EU’s wishes, and I think can no longer claim to be an EUsceptic Party. Though I do for some reason still think of David Cameron as a good man, a measure not easily attained in my estimations, I can see no serious policy attempts to make all of our lives better by wresting control away from the EU juggernaut. In fact, I really felt like David Cameron did not fully appreciate exactly how enthralled this country is to the EU. Until the Conservatives really open their eyes to the extent of damage being done to our country by membership of the EU and until Conservative voters are prepared to hold their votes until stronger EU Policy is drafted it is simply more of the same merry-go-round that has led us squarely to where we are today.

Because of my personal feelings I think there will still be a few exits, and possibly a defection or something of that ilk. However, where as Ithink I have a pretty good measure on the Eurosceptic feelings of the country, I have misestimated the level of actions proportionate to certain events, so I am really guessing as to the voter and potential reactionary response here. I am interested in hearing others opinions both on what I have written, but also on their take from Cameron’s speech and how they are feeling about the Conservatives right now. So, feel free to let rip in the comments.

Recommended Reading - Conservatives, Lisbon And Referendums Special Edition - 04-Nov-09

Why go churning around the Internet when all of the best links are already here?

Here is a special Recommended Reading where the texts are proboably only valid until 4pm today, and is focused on The Conservatives, Lisbon and the referendum that never was.

Daniel Hannan says a referendum now on Lisbon may well no longer be the most logical option, but a broad repatriation of powers is essential.

Roger Helmer says that David Cameron gave a pledge without ifs, buts or conditions and that there should still be one.

Iain Martin says that this is the week British Euroskepticism was defeated.

Doug Carswell says we need a referendum on Europe to give people a say.

David Davis writes for the Daily Mail today and says that Cameron can still have a referendum.

ConservativeHome says 66% of people responded in their poll that Cameron should still hold a referendum, and that David Davis, John Redwood and Michael Howard are the most trusted people to spearhead any negotiations with the EU.

Gerald Warner thinks Cameron is the first British leader to have ratted on his commitments BEFORE taking office, and that Conservatives should consider forefeiting their votes.

Danny Finkelstein says get it straight, Cameron is a real Euroskeptic; just a different kind of Euroskeptic to what we might be used to.

Stuart Sharpe thinks it's a bit rich that Labour and Lib Dems are crowing over the Conservative position, when they were the ones that did the dirty on the electorate in the first place.

James Cleverly says wait and see what David Cameron has to say before going "off on one".

Have a nice day yol,

Cameron, Conservatives And The EU

It appears that today a few people in the Conservative Party have woken up to the fact that David Cameron is not going to be offering a referendum on Lisbon if it is already ratified when the Conservatives come to power. However, we have long known this as there was never any promise, cast-iron or otherwise to do so. There seems to have been no real rage or rebellion from any MPs or MEPs, and in a stroke a veil has been lifted and the often remarked “settled view” of the party leadership though still foggy, is a little clearer.

Let’s recall the pledge made a little over two years ago, but David Cameron in the Sun Newspaper.

Today, I will give this cast-iron guarantee: If I become PM a Conservative government will hold a referendum on any EU treaty that emerges from these negotiations.


No treaty should be ratified without consulting the British people in a referendum.

There is no, and never has been anything coming close to any pledge for a referendum post ratification. The above pledge is of course is for a pre-ratification situation.

The Conservative line seems to be to hold referendums on any future treaties handed down from the EU and secondly to “repatriate” some social justice powers. So far the only real commitment on Lisbon is to “not let matters rest”.

The first point is completely and utterly useless to us as The Lisbon Treaty is self amending, meaning that the EU never again has to go to the member states and ask for additional powers. It has the legal identity and essentially federal powers to control whatever it likes. The second point seems to me to be nothing more than an attempt to stop the Conservatives EU Sceptics from jumping ship. And it has worked. There are no specific details of what will be sought to be repatriated, or even how this can be achieved. At the moment, the Treaties guarantee the EU the rights to govern on particular aspects, but after Lisbon I do not see how anything can be codified. If repatriation requires approval from the EU Parliament, then any promises are simply empty as the EU Parliament would vote overwhelmingly against such moves.

Now, I may have voted Conservative in the last two general elections, but based on the lack of clarity and conviction from the Conservative Party leadership I shall not be doing so next year, this is not a change of position, it is what I thought the outcome of Lisbon would be and in line with what I have written before. It gives me no pleasure to be in the wilderness from the Conservative Party who on most other issues I agree, at least in principle on and if not for their stance on the EU I would quite probably be a Party Member.

We will be locked into the EU with the full powers of Lisbon probably by the end of the year. In case you missed it, that includes the flags and anthems that were dropped from the original constitution which are now recognised having been adopted via a different route. Ode to Joy will be played at all official functions, (as it was to celebrate Hitler’s birthdays) and the EU Flag will be displayed as widely as possible. These were adopted to convey the emotion of the EU where the flag is on display and when Ode to Joy is heard.

Let’s face some more facts. From next year now that Lisbon will be in effect there will be a renewed effort for the non-EURO countries to adopt the EURO to be in line with the rest of the EU, and there will be efforts to get the UK to join the Schengen zone. There will soon be moves for an EU wide ID Card scheme (yes, that’s why the UK one was eventually dropped). Lisbon provides for the “harmonisation” of Civil Law and Law Enforcement – they already have the EGF ready to roll out, and the EU can now take control of civil policing.

If the Conservative Party will not offer a referendum on Lisbon, any they will not offer a referendum on the wider issue of membership everyone who votes for the Conservatives at the next election is voting to formalise acceptance of our current situation. I do not believe there will be any significant repatriation of powers after a Conservative victory, because there is no mechanism by which this could happen. But even if I am wrong and even if this is what David Cameron seeks to do, what then? The UK will forever be tied to the EU and subservient to it decision making. This is the very best case situation that can occur by voting Conservative.

So I will not do it.

I will not vote for any party that accepts that power be taken away from voters and put irreversibly in the hands of unelected bureaucrats, technocrats and so called experts. What about what happens in 8 or 12 years when the Conservatives can’t poll enough to secure another majority? Any future Labour or Liberal Government could just dissolve Parliament forever as it will be inconsequential. The hollowing out of Parliament will have been completed, and the balkanisation of the whole of the EU will dictate that the regional assemblies that are already in place see to any business deemed not important enough to be dealt with in Brussels.

Pic Credit: Sue

For a very long time now the Conservative Party has allowed through its broad-church approach the notion that you can be a sceptic. But the real truth is, that Conservative Scepticism is just about taking a slower approach and being more visible and vocal about absorption into the EU state. I was once a part of this thinking, and the notion of “in Europe but not ruled by Europe. It was and remains a fallacy. There is no third way, it is a binary set of positions; you either support continued UK membership of the EU or you do not. Everything in-between is false and serves those who support greater integration.

The EU Phobes in the Party are the ones who split the Conservative party, they were in the minority but refused to cede to the majority opinions, they are the betrayers of real conservative opinions and ideals, of rule of law and power enshrined in Parliament by people who were subject to elections and public scrutiny. There is not one policy, and not one idea being put forward by the Conservative Leadership that will fundamentally change the relationship between the UK and the EU. It is so vague in fact I would find it an insulting if it were me who was a member. So, I would say to Conservative voters reading this, who I know overwhelmingly dislike and distrust the EU, are you really happy with this position? What, if anything are you going to do about changing it? And crucially, do you really want to vote for a party that is essentially in favour of continuing as members, as units of the European Superstate? This may be the last General Election in the UK when your vote can make a difference to how and by whom we are governed. Whoever our next PM is really will be the last PM with a significant role in our lives, because more and more the tools of control are going to be transferred from London to Brussels. President Blair is indeed unappealing, but there are many, many others who would be worse and just a heartbeat and closed meeting away from that position.

For thirty years the idea that Conservatives should ignore certain things about the EC, EEC and now the EU whilst concentrating on others has washed; but look where we are today. Where will we be in another eight or ten years? This thinking must stop.

Tell me I am wrong. But show me why. Behind every nudge towards supporting the Conservatives and being quiet on the EU is the implication that down the line something will be done, that the EU is just as disliked, and that at some point in time the Conservatives will reform it, or change our relationship in such a way as to be acceptable to the UK. But it never happened before and there is nothing tangible on the table to suggest this is actually what will be done. Voter disdain grows more and more as decisions are taken further and further away from their control.

What is additionally infuriating is the notion that we would be in a position of weakness if we were to attempt to change things. We are not. We are not (yet) tied to the EURO, the EU sells too much to the UK to every want to risk that stopping. We can withdraw monetarily, economically and politically. And for our slightly removed position we pay a lot of money into the project, and are second highest net contributors, we are not “bad Europeans” we have been suckers. Membership of EFTA guarantees us a trading relationship with the EU, do we need or want anything more than this? Do Conservatives want more than this? If not, say so because it could be within our grasp just so long as our representatives in Westminster know the veracity of our feelings.

So I guess my point is this. The Conservative Party will not withdraw from the EU, ever. I believe the number is at approximately 40% of Party members who want out of the EU and a further 30% who want at least some reduction in EU influence. So approx. 70% of Conservatives would probably say that the current position is not one they favour. To the 40% I put it to you that your party is not a party that will do this, and I think you should now give real consideration to switching your votes. To the 30%, I say that post-Lisbon I would wager your position and feeling will harden and you also should look to switch your votes. This, or you have to start pushing internally and pushing hard to get a reversal on this position. Or is one email from Bill Cash all that can be mustered?

There are plenty of us on the outside who would consider coming back if a solid reversal was attained. I suspect that if an in or out referendum were promised in return for a Conservative vote, the Tories could top 50% at the polls. I really do think this. You may lose some votes from EU-philes, but you will gain many, many more and you would truly be the party that broadly represents the centre-right feelings of this country, and that would be a truly great achievement in itself.

Whatcha Gonna Do?

So Peers can sell their influence on an open market to lobbyists, the Government can't see that it is their very existance and size that is bankrupting the nation, The Irish will be asked to vote for something they have already voted against, the Greeks are rioting, the people of Iceland are rioting, Sterling is crashing, and tax payers are covering bankers wild international splurges.

The BNP seems close to getting elected in Bexley, Lib/Lab/Con all love the EU even though two-thirds of the people they represent dislike the EU, and MPs were prepared to vote to reduce their accountability to tax payers by covering up their expense details.

Our history has placed us with a position of global responsibilities that a great number of people take great pride in, others see this as a great sin, and a stain on our nation. Our armed forces are asked to serve to defend the very principles that this country has been abandoning for a generation. They are sent into battle with insufficient supplies and armour. An experienced squaddie knows that he must even ensure that a sufficient supply of toilet roll is packed as we are often unable to provide such basic provisions.

Our schools maintain a continued decline in standards, with Maths and English coming second to social studies and humanities. They are taught to pass exams, not provided the tools and skills to succeed in life. And what is the point anyway, their parents will have told them that if they can not get a job they can sign on and earn a living by fulfilling some small requirements that ensure that government targets are met. Don't rock the boat and the benefits will keep on coming.

After ten years of proclaiming that schools and hospitals are over stretched, this government has overseen that poor immigrants have entered the UK, en masse for over a decade. Stretching the those services further and further. A whole underclass of poverty stricken immigrants in place to ensure Labour Support for another 25 years is secured. The Labour Party, creating Poverty in the UK to further its own interests.

The Liberals have abandoned any pretence of true Liberal thinking and share no resemblance with the party was founded to oppose the Corn Laws, and now gloriously urinate on the principles of Gladstone, Asquith and Lloyd George. The Liberal Democrats in their present form would not recognise a principle if they tripped over one.

The Conservatives are the only mainstream party whose views countenance to the problems of the nation, but only in terms that slow the progressive visions of the insane and righteous; not to reverse it and set forward a new independent mantra of individual and collective responsibilities, freedom of individuals, especially freedom from state interference, and trust in the free market... which by the way, has lifted more people out of poverty and released more people from the yolk of tyranny than any charity, institution or international law ever conceived.

I really feel that 2009 could be the most radical for a very long time for setting out a shift in the direction of political parties ever... As politicians listen less, the louder we must shout. You may not answer our questions directly and offer soundbites when we need solutions, but we will not go away, and we will not be ignored forever.

When the EU meets to discuss civil unrest in nation states it demonstrates exactly how important the EU considers itself in the governing of Europe. Did anybody actually vote for this? Do we have Democracy and true Civil representation today? I could only answer yes if I could afford to buy a Peer, (and I can't).

There is something fundamentally rotten in our Constitution that the opinions and wishes of so many people can be ignored, and where the tactical application of smear and innuendo has replaced the presentation of facts in our media. We need to change the way politician's are able to govern from above. More accountability, less cost, less intrusion, and these and other rights enshrined and guaranteed. Thomas Jefferson said, "When the people fear the Government there is Tyranny; when the Government fears the people there is Liberty." Which do you think we have in the UK today? Are we moving towards or away from Tyranny?

Do we wish to form a more perfect country for the betterment of ourselves and mankind? or shall we hand ourselves, and our minds over, as requested, to the people who dictate that the way you live is killing the planet, the way you think is the cause of oppression, that you should be subject to laws that they should not? I have my voice now, here in blogosphere. Is your voice, and are your wishes being heard?

Last Year of Labour Government??

In the next year, it is inevitable that Gordon Brown is going to be looking to define himself and his Labour Party for a general election, probably in 2010, but possibly late in 2009.

I am not sure that there is much to the rumour that Gordon Brown is courting the Lib Dems for a coalition government. Although I would not be surprised at all to see Ming Campbell appointed as speaker before this Government leaves power. Only so it is that much longer before a Conservative Speaker can then be appointed.


It has got me thinking about what we might expect from the Government this year. Despite the possible admission to themselves that they can not win an overall majority, I do not expect this fact will get in the way of the Labour Machine. So if they are thinking that they will not win, I suspect that we will see a Labour Government that is setting itself up for opposition. I suspect that we will a lot of legislation passed through parliament, despite a policy-light Queens speech this year.


We will also see a lot of Gordon Brown travelling the world to meet world leaders and attend summits. It is of course the year of Obama, so there will already be summits for every conceivable world issue, and The PM will be there grinning as only he can and trying to look like a Statesman.


I think what we will see is a co-ordinated assault. We will see positive discrimination laws enacted, we will see a last ditched and hurried changes to the constitution process, probably Lords reforms, but possibly Jack Straws Bill of Rights. All designed in a manner that will best suit the Leftie parties. Possibly the promise of Proportional Representation in a wholly elected Lords. We will see un-affordable increases in the state promised to schools, hospitals and local government.


We will also likely see pressure applied on Ireland to ratify the EU Constitutional Treaty, the Conservatives will make overtures that they oppose this, and the fact that Ireland will vote twice when the UK has not had the chance to vote at all. But it will be a luke-warm protest. There will also be an increase in state dependency for income, both through increased unemployment, but also widening of the criteria on incapacity benefits.


After the eventual election, the Conservative Government will need to cut these additional spending splurges, repeal legislation and talk about the EU. They will need to get Parliament working and accountable again - and they should do so in a manner that it is fair and balanced; not as Labour has done to suit the party in power as the public will forever be subjected to uneven Government. They may need to also ask people that are able bodied to go to work.


My point is, that the Conservative Party right now, is not making a strong enough case for smaller Government. They are not explaining that it is possible to spend less on the NHS, whilst not increasing waiting times for operations. The Conservatives may be talking about this Government borrowing excessively, but they have not set out strongly enough what they would be doing differently. And of course, they dare not speak about the EU, just in case anybody is listening. And as such, they are potentially handing themselves some limitations when they do return to power. They will likely spend the first two years being attacked if class sizes increase or if they fail to cut, what could potentially be very high levels of unemployment right away.


The Labour Party and the PM and Peter Mandleson will be Bold in 2009, they need to be if they are to have any chance in winning an election. Nick Clegg will need to be smart and decisive to see that the Lib Dems don't get smashed in an election and absorbed into the Labour Party. So David Cameron will need to be bolder, determined and more dashing than ever. Right now, in my humble opinion, what the Conservative message lacks the most is the conviction of Hope that they can turn this country around and make things permanently better for families.

Conservatives in the EPP

I was thinking about posting something about the Conservative Party pledge on leaving the EPP to form a new alliance within the EU Parliament. However, as usual Daniel Hannan has summed the situation up nicely... so I will be lazy today and reccomend you read what he has said here.

I feel quite strongly that the Conservative should leave the EPP, but perhaps I will save this debate for when I have a few more regular visitors and nearer the EU elections next year.