Ms Harman said in an interview over the weekend, Sir Fred "Should not count on being £650,000 a year better off, because it's not going to happen".
However, Gordon Brown in an interview with TalkSport has refused to state that the money will definitely be recovered. This will be because his legal team are saying this cannot be done, and the government is legally powerless to stop Sir Fred drawing his pension.
The Telegraph claims that their sources tell them that the PM has been infuriated by Harman's attempts to seize the limelight and posturing towards a challenge for the leadership. All is not well, me thinks.
As a lawyer, Harriet Harman should be aware that there is no legal recourse to reclaiming this money and has herself been unable to comment on how this can legally be done.
As I said last week, none of us are happy that such a massive amount of taxpayer money is going towards this reward of failure, but Sir Fred has done nothing wrong in having a pension. It is the government that failed to look at the books and committed tax payer cash before any conditions on it's use towards bonuses and pensions could be guaranteed.
Members of government are more and more frequently lining up in a vanity contest to position themselves in a future leadership role. If it wasn't costing us so much it might be quite entertaining.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
February Stats
As promised, here are my Stats for February.
As I had hoped February traffic was up on January as people are still discovering my blog, and as more people are returning and providing links to here.
In February I have had 1,472 visits which is an 82% increase. Of these 876 were absolutely unique visitors, up 96%. Page views were 2,512 which is an increase of 83%.
As I had hoped February traffic was up on January as people are still discovering my blog, and as more people are returning and providing links to here.
In February I have had 1,472 visits which is an 82% increase. Of these 876 were absolutely unique visitors, up 96%. Page views were 2,512 which is an increase of 83%.
I need to make a small caveat as yesterday when I changed template at around 11am, the Google Analytics code was not carried over. Despite my thinking I had re-installed it at around 7pm last night, this was not successful but has been re-re-installed at 11.30am today. No traffic was recorded during this time, and those numbers are lost forever.
I have had a fantastic increase in referring sites and would like to say thank you to all of you that do refer to my blog and/or provide back links.
Here is my top ten for February:
1. (New) Daily Referendum 109 visits
2. (New) Cato's About 65 visits
3. (New) Behind Blue Eyes 48 visits
4. (-3) SNP Tactical Voting 41 visits
5. (+2) Letters from a Tory 39 visits
6. (New) John M Ward 33 visits
7. (New) Twitter 32 visits
8. (New) Digg 26 visits
9. (-3) Iain Dale's Diary 25 visits
10. (-2) Unenlightened Commentary 22 visits
I got 139 visits from Google Searches. Here are some of the search terms that I was a little surprised that led to here.
30daystodeath.com
egonanquigg
pic of egon quigg and jls x factor
seven jewish children royal court
boris johnson extend bakerloo to lewisham feb 2009
christopher - what'cha gonna do
hugo rifkind
lembit opik
Thanks to everyone who has visited, and who provided links. In February a number of new sites have started to refer to me, and I expect my Top Ten to change again by the end of March.
Brown vs Harman
The political story of the week could be from another little nugget carried in the Mail on Sunday, here.
The MoS say that Brown has threatened to sack Harriet Harman over claims that she is plotting to succeed him as Labour Leader. The Spectator has also picked up on their report, here.
This could be the leadership battle that David Miliband did not have the stomach for, as Harman seemingly has the will and ambition to front the Labour Party. The reporting of this may now back Gordon into a corner. He had been planning a mini reshuffle after the EU elections, but if he acts now it will be a sign he considers Harman a threat. If he does not, the rumours may gain ground, and a bad result in the local and EU elections could prompt calls for Brown to go and an early election.
The MoS say that Brown has threatened to sack Harriet Harman over claims that she is plotting to succeed him as Labour Leader. The Spectator has also picked up on their report, here.
This could be the leadership battle that David Miliband did not have the stomach for, as Harman seemingly has the will and ambition to front the Labour Party. The reporting of this may now back Gordon into a corner. He had been planning a mini reshuffle after the EU elections, but if he acts now it will be a sign he considers Harman a threat. If he does not, the rumours may gain ground, and a bad result in the local and EU elections could prompt calls for Brown to go and an early election.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Unite's Leader Staying In Waldorf Despite Grace And Favour House
The Mail has the story that Derek Simpson, leader of the union Unite has been staying in a £399 per night suite at the Waldorf despite having a £800,000 grace and favour house just 35 minutes away.
The full story is here.
I wonder what Unites members will make of their money being spent in such a way?
Simpson, along with other union leaders has been very vocal about bankers large salaries and bonuses. But the Sunday Mail lists a number what they call Fat Cat Perks that Simpson enjoys from the union, including a chauffeur-driven-car.
The full story is here.
I wonder what Unites members will make of their money being spent in such a way?
Simpson, along with other union leaders has been very vocal about bankers large salaries and bonuses. But the Sunday Mail lists a number what they call Fat Cat Perks that Simpson enjoys from the union, including a chauffeur-driven-car.
South Park Me
Well, this is about as close as I could get to me, the hairline is not quite that bad yet, but is only a matter of time now.
Hat tip: John M Ward
Make your own here.
Recommended Reading
Daniel1979 Recommends:
I do not necessarily agree with all of these, however, I felt they are all interesting enough to recommend.
His Grace asks if Parliament is institutionally racist, here.
Brits at their Best talk about the difference between the England and Europe here. They also publish some frank correspondence between the Queen and the Head of Constitutional policy, here.
American Rachel Lucas is adjusting to life in England, and talks about Amnesty Internationals Clipboard brigade, here.
LFAT writes to Alan Campbell of the Home Office about the need for state intervention in removing Child Porn sites from the Internet, here.
The Independent asked how peoples opinions have changed of Mrs Thatcher since she was PM, here.
Iain Dale asked where you were when you heard Mrs Thatcher had resigned, here.
Iain was told off by DK, here. But acknowledged DK's post here.
Cato reveals he watches University Challenge, here.
Roger Helmer tells us why Vaclav Klaus is magnificent, here.
ChelseaSW3 Girl ridicules Jack Straw after his email was hacked, here.
Behind Blue Eyes says that Alistair Darling should be fired, here.
Ted Foan asks if we are seeing the end of The White Van Man, here.
Chris Doidge asks if Jack Bauer is now a shadow of his former self, here.
And for something a with less reading, Daily Referendum has a video which visualised the credit crisis, here.
I do not necessarily agree with all of these, however, I felt they are all interesting enough to recommend.
His Grace asks if Parliament is institutionally racist, here.
Brits at their Best talk about the difference between the England and Europe here. They also publish some frank correspondence between the Queen and the Head of Constitutional policy, here.
American Rachel Lucas is adjusting to life in England, and talks about Amnesty Internationals Clipboard brigade, here.
LFAT writes to Alan Campbell of the Home Office about the need for state intervention in removing Child Porn sites from the Internet, here.
The Independent asked how peoples opinions have changed of Mrs Thatcher since she was PM, here.
Iain Dale asked where you were when you heard Mrs Thatcher had resigned, here.
Iain was told off by DK, here. But acknowledged DK's post here.
Cato reveals he watches University Challenge, here.
Roger Helmer tells us why Vaclav Klaus is magnificent, here.
ChelseaSW3 Girl ridicules Jack Straw after his email was hacked, here.
Behind Blue Eyes says that Alistair Darling should be fired, here.
Ted Foan asks if we are seeing the end of The White Van Man, here.
Chris Doidge asks if Jack Bauer is now a shadow of his former self, here.
And for something a with less reading, Daily Referendum has a video which visualised the credit crisis, here.
New Format Selected
It really was as simple as was suggested... I hope you all like the new format, but please let me know if there are any issues.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Irish Inflation
Must be bad, Ryanair are going to charge £1, for cargo, (sorry, passengers) to "spend a penny".
As seen here.
As seen here.
Is The Euro In Crisis?
There is some good debate going on over at the DT from Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, who asks if the Germans are ready to give up on the EURO here; and from Daniel Hannan who asks if the EURO will survive here.
The crux of the argument is that the Germans will have to make a financial commitment to prop up the EURO if it is to survive... this is of course not solely an economic argument with the politics and Maastrict laws being big factors.
Go read, all good stuff.
Ultimately, I feel the EU will put politics before the economics or existing treaties and laws. We know this, because this is exactly what it has always done in the past. So in my mind it is more a question of how long the Irish, Portuguese, the Greeks and the Spanish can hold on. To my knowledge none of these national governments is looking seriously at alternatives to the EURO. Italy seems to be making up the new acronym of PIIGS.
I really doubt that Spain, Portugal or Italy will be allowed to default on any debts or succeed from the financial union. I don't know enough about Greece to comment, but there has been public uprisings there so it will not be a straight forward fix. Greece, I feel will be better suited to recovery by taking national decisions, rather than trying to fit in to the EU's decisions. Ireland has friends in the UK and the US, so if they go first the EU might pass the buck to the IMF. I must however confess as I have done so before, don't bet the farm on my economic outlook.
I want to see an end to the EU integrationalism and the EURO crashing has long been the best hope for this; though I really do not want to see allied countries in financial dire straits. I got married in Ireland last year and I am sad to think of how this might affect the fantastic people there.
The UK economy is in trouble, but those of us who fought hard to retain economic independence are being proven right. It was the right decision because the economics were put before politics... let's hope the EU does the same.
The crux of the argument is that the Germans will have to make a financial commitment to prop up the EURO if it is to survive... this is of course not solely an economic argument with the politics and Maastrict laws being big factors.
Go read, all good stuff.
Ultimately, I feel the EU will put politics before the economics or existing treaties and laws. We know this, because this is exactly what it has always done in the past. So in my mind it is more a question of how long the Irish, Portuguese, the Greeks and the Spanish can hold on. To my knowledge none of these national governments is looking seriously at alternatives to the EURO. Italy seems to be making up the new acronym of PIIGS.
I really doubt that Spain, Portugal or Italy will be allowed to default on any debts or succeed from the financial union. I don't know enough about Greece to comment, but there has been public uprisings there so it will not be a straight forward fix. Greece, I feel will be better suited to recovery by taking national decisions, rather than trying to fit in to the EU's decisions. Ireland has friends in the UK and the US, so if they go first the EU might pass the buck to the IMF. I must however confess as I have done so before, don't bet the farm on my economic outlook.
I want to see an end to the EU integrationalism and the EURO crashing has long been the best hope for this; though I really do not want to see allied countries in financial dire straits. I got married in Ireland last year and I am sad to think of how this might affect the fantastic people there.
The UK economy is in trouble, but those of us who fought hard to retain economic independence are being proven right. It was the right decision because the economics were put before politics... let's hope the EU does the same.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Blog Changes
I have decided to change the layout of the blog, so I thought I would open it up to my readers.
I no longer like the format I have, and having scouted around my contemporaries sites, I am a little jealous.
So, I will be looking into the technicalities on Saturday, though it would appear to be as easy as clicking on the new format and save. So, these are the formats that I have short listed. Which do you like or dislike? Has anyone come across anything that makes any of them good or not so good? Any advice?
Option 2: ThisAway Blue
Option 3: Sand Dollar
Option 4: Rounders4
Option 5: Minima
I no longer like the format I have, and having scouted around my contemporaries sites, I am a little jealous.
So, I will be looking into the technicalities on Saturday, though it would appear to be as easy as clicking on the new format and save. So, these are the formats that I have short listed. Which do you like or dislike? Has anyone come across anything that makes any of them good or not so good? Any advice?
Feel free to let me know.
Option 2: ThisAway Blue
Option 3: Sand Dollar
Option 4: Rounders4
Option 5: Minima
Sir Fred Goodwins Pension
I have not got a lot to say really, except that it is no good chasing Sir Fred down now asking for our money back.
The fault for all RBS expenditure now lies at the feet of Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling. They rushed headfirst into the deal with RBS and never stopped to consider the full extent of what they were committing the tax payer to take on.
They should have taken a good look at the books, and put legislation in place to cap bonuses, and if possible they could surely have capped extravagant pension contributions. This should have all been in place before the commitment of tax payer funds was made, before the cash went in and before anything was signed.
This was not done, and you and I will no have to pay for it. Remember that next time you go to vote.
The fault for all RBS expenditure now lies at the feet of Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling. They rushed headfirst into the deal with RBS and never stopped to consider the full extent of what they were committing the tax payer to take on.
They should have taken a good look at the books, and put legislation in place to cap bonuses, and if possible they could surely have capped extravagant pension contributions. This should have all been in place before the commitment of tax payer funds was made, before the cash went in and before anything was signed.
This was not done, and you and I will no have to pay for it. Remember that next time you go to vote.
Bank Bonuses Poll
The poll closed yesterday, and it is another clear divide.
The question was: Did the government make a mistake by failing to legislate that public money should not be used to pay bank bonuses BEFORE the re-capitalisation using taxpayer funds started?
Yes: 86% (13)
No: 14% (2)
The question was: Did the government make a mistake by failing to legislate that public money should not be used to pay bank bonuses BEFORE the re-capitalisation using taxpayer funds started?
Yes: 86% (13)
No: 14% (2)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Cameron Family Have My Sympathy
And I think that is all I would like to post on this blog today.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Jack Says No
The [so called] Justice Minister has today decreed that the minutes of two meetings held in March 2003 when the legality of invading Iraq was discussed. He has signed a certificate under section 53 of the Freedom Of Information Act to prevent the contents being revealed. This is the first time since the FOI act was passed that this has been done.
I am quite frankly shocked and appalled.
In normal circumstances I would agree that Cabinet Meeting Minutes should be released in the normal way and in the appropriate time. This would also include meetings where decisions are taken that maybe deeply unpopular.
Where the decision in 2003 to invade Iraq is concerned though, the premise upon which we were publicly told that the invasion was taking place has been proven erroneous already, proven when the weapons of mass destruction that we were supposedly there to seize failed to materialise. Our government put the lives of our brave Armed Services and that of Iraq's civilian population into jeopardy for reasons that later turned out to be untrue.
This is not about if you think the invasion was right or wrong, moral or immoral. What were were told was untrue, and these minutes give the details of what was discussed and recorded in the room whilst this decision was being made. That decision was wrong. The people who made such a massive decision were wrong. They now need to be held to account.
It is outrageous that Jack Straw who was in the room as Foreign Secretary in those 2003 meeting can be allowed to block the publication today as Justice Secretary. It stinks.
Mr Straws has said that allowing the publication to go ahead would cause "serious damage to Cabinet Government, an essential principle of British democracy." I think you got your words wrong there Jack; in my opinion your decision causes damage to the members of the cabinet and seems designed to conceal your personal contribution and embarrassment in the decision to go to war.
Democracy relies upon accountability. Mistakes can be made in democracies, and in healthy democracies mistakes are published, analysed and learned from. When individuals put themselves above such concerns, the people suffer. Publishing these minutes would not put anybodies life in jeopardy; but how many people have died as a result of the decision that was reached?
They were brave enough to take the decision to commit human lives for a cause they deemed noble and necessary. We should be able today to look back and assess the sum of lives lost against the virtue of the decision, and the benefits achieved. Mr Straw prevents this. I ask myself why? Please ask yourself the same.
Unsurprisingly the Conservative Shadow Justice Spokesperson Dominic Grieve has backed Jack Straws decision. Perhaps Mr Warner was right today, maybe it is time we swept the Labour and Conservative parties aside, for both have lost all sense of philosophy and purpose.
I am quite frankly shocked and appalled.
In normal circumstances I would agree that Cabinet Meeting Minutes should be released in the normal way and in the appropriate time. This would also include meetings where decisions are taken that maybe deeply unpopular.
Where the decision in 2003 to invade Iraq is concerned though, the premise upon which we were publicly told that the invasion was taking place has been proven erroneous already, proven when the weapons of mass destruction that we were supposedly there to seize failed to materialise. Our government put the lives of our brave Armed Services and that of Iraq's civilian population into jeopardy for reasons that later turned out to be untrue.
This is not about if you think the invasion was right or wrong, moral or immoral. What were were told was untrue, and these minutes give the details of what was discussed and recorded in the room whilst this decision was being made. That decision was wrong. The people who made such a massive decision were wrong. They now need to be held to account.
It is outrageous that Jack Straw who was in the room as Foreign Secretary in those 2003 meeting can be allowed to block the publication today as Justice Secretary. It stinks.
Mr Straws has said that allowing the publication to go ahead would cause "serious damage to Cabinet Government, an essential principle of British democracy." I think you got your words wrong there Jack; in my opinion your decision causes damage to the members of the cabinet and seems designed to conceal your personal contribution and embarrassment in the decision to go to war.
Democracy relies upon accountability. Mistakes can be made in democracies, and in healthy democracies mistakes are published, analysed and learned from. When individuals put themselves above such concerns, the people suffer. Publishing these minutes would not put anybodies life in jeopardy; but how many people have died as a result of the decision that was reached?
They were brave enough to take the decision to commit human lives for a cause they deemed noble and necessary. We should be able today to look back and assess the sum of lives lost against the virtue of the decision, and the benefits achieved. Mr Straw prevents this. I ask myself why? Please ask yourself the same.
Unsurprisingly the Conservative Shadow Justice Spokesperson Dominic Grieve has backed Jack Straws decision. Perhaps Mr Warner was right today, maybe it is time we swept the Labour and Conservative parties aside, for both have lost all sense of philosophy and purpose.
Monday, February 23, 2009
New Poll - What Is The Best Political T.V. Programme
Thought it was maybe time for a less serious poll on the blog, so let me know which you rate as the Best Political (fictional) T.V. Programme.
If you want to elaborate on your choice, or tell me why I should have included a different programme feel free to do so in the comments field.
If you want to elaborate on your choice, or tell me why I should have included a different programme feel free to do so in the comments field.
Morning Star Strike - Update
For those who have been following the story here, today's proposed strikes were postponed as an act of good faith whilst wage negotiations continue, so say the Press Gazette, here.
NUJ Deputy General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet is reported as saying:
"I'm pleased to report that we've had constructive negotiations with management.
"As a sign of good faith, the chapel has called off the industrial action planned for Monday.
"Our members don't want to go on strike - they just want management to address their concerns about low pay."
Tellingly Political editor John Haylett of the Morning Star is then quoted as saying:
"Wages are low at our paper for the same reason that they are so at every other socialist paper,"
"We have low circulation and no access to the big business advertising that keeps every capitalist daily paper in being.
"All socialist papers are sustained on the basis of sacrifice by staff and supporters.
"The Morning Star, as the world's only English-language daily broad-left socialist newspaper, is no different.
"To present this committee as akin to boards of fat-cat directors who trouser dividends and bonuses is a travesty.
"Every Morning Star staff member is told bluntly at interview: The wages are crap. We work at the paper because we are politically committed to its aims.
"Socialists of any stripe should not be applauding the actions of a group of workers who are putting their own interests before those of our class as a whole."
Make of that as you will, but clearly Mr Haylett is not in the Marketing department (should the Star have such a department) and all would seem not to be well still at the newspaper.
The management offer of a 4% rise and 4% lump sum still stands, but journalists are hoping for more.
I will try to keep up to date and bring you any updates, as and when I hear of them.
NUJ Deputy General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet is reported as saying:
"I'm pleased to report that we've had constructive negotiations with management.
"As a sign of good faith, the chapel has called off the industrial action planned for Monday.
"Our members don't want to go on strike - they just want management to address their concerns about low pay."
Tellingly Political editor John Haylett of the Morning Star is then quoted as saying:
"Wages are low at our paper for the same reason that they are so at every other socialist paper,"
"We have low circulation and no access to the big business advertising that keeps every capitalist daily paper in being.
"All socialist papers are sustained on the basis of sacrifice by staff and supporters.
"The Morning Star, as the world's only English-language daily broad-left socialist newspaper, is no different.
"To present this committee as akin to boards of fat-cat directors who trouser dividends and bonuses is a travesty.
"Every Morning Star staff member is told bluntly at interview: The wages are crap. We work at the paper because we are politically committed to its aims.
"Socialists of any stripe should not be applauding the actions of a group of workers who are putting their own interests before those of our class as a whole."
Make of that as you will, but clearly Mr Haylett is not in the Marketing department (should the Star have such a department) and all would seem not to be well still at the newspaper.
The management offer of a 4% rise and 4% lump sum still stands, but journalists are hoping for more.
I will try to keep up to date and bring you any updates, as and when I hear of them.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Why I Think The BNP Is Winning Votes And Why I think You Should Not Vote For Them
The BNP has won a council seat in Sevenoaks, Kent and with that victory it has brought about more free media coverage then it could possibly have afforded.
I am not a BNP supporter, but I have to say that my position on Freedom of Speech means that I have to accept that in return for that freedom, opinions that I disagree with must also be heard.
It is my opinion that just covering our ears and shouting "la la la" at the top of voice is not going to make them go away; The BNP, and their views have to be defeated by hearing their arguments and proving them wrong. It is not through the BNP educating people that they are winning votes; it is through a lack of education and lack of interaction from the political classes. The BNP is winning votes by listening to people that mainstream parties only pretend to listen to when they need their votes.
Mainstream politicians are failing, and in a free, democratic society their failures allow for other people to stand up and have their say. Not so long ago UKIP came along, and snatched a lot of disgruntled Tory votes away. They have held many of those votes.
The BNP has been around longer than UKIP but is doing the same with the Labour Party. Labour has never before had 12 years in power to become so universally disliked, now that they have there is plenty of areas of disenfranchise for new voices to be heard on. I am told that on people’s doorsteps the BNP line is that "We are the Labour Party your parents voted for." You can't tell me that they can get away with that in Labour districts without a total lack of engagement from the Labour Party and a total lack of hope and respect in the Labour leadership.
I drew the analogy with UKIP. I am likely to give UKIP my vote at the upcoming European elections. The presence of UKIP has over a period of time kept me from joining the Conservative Party. The Conservative Party is wrong in its support for the EU. I largely support the Conservative Party's ideals but support for the EU is completely incompatible with conservative values of democracy and individual freedom.
If UKIP did not exist we would have to invent it because the Conservative viewpoint is wrong. Every time someone votes for UKIP they are also voting against The Conservative Party. David Cameron could win back thousands of UKIP supporters by promising a referendum on Lisbon regardless of what stage it is along the route to ratification, and by doing as he promised to pull the Conservatives out of the EPP-ED. It is disenfranchisement on this point that has people moving to, or at least lending their votes to UKIP. It is easier to understand this than it is when the BNP wins votes from Labour.
The BNP is hoovering up votes from Labour supporters. Labour grass roots are looking at their communities and the see political failures. They have heard the sound bites from their Labour Party on TV and in the Newspapers and they do not see the delivery on the ground. They hear the promises over and over again, and each time is a fresh failure. Labour has failed. They will not vote Conservative, because they do not think that will help, and because Labour has drilled the message of Conservatives being an enemy, rather than an alternative. So when the BNP turns up and talks about their concerns being the same an accord is struck. They are speaking to Labours forgotten electorate, and they are doing it with a native tongue. Their parents voted Labour because Labour was putting workers first; the BNP has tweaked the message. Consider this, who would seem more at home in a working man’s club, David Milliband? Peter Mandleson? Jack Straw? or Nick Griffin? Labour is seen by many as no longer putting the Working Class first.
The Lib Dems should have gratefully hoovered up Labour protest votes, but their message is too confused. Largely Lib Dems do not know how to speak to the working class, and by being the third party for so long all big left minded thinkers have long since joined the bigger, Labour Party.
Consider this, if Lib/Lab/Con wants to raise £100,000 they hold a glitzy dinner, or speak to one donor, or one union. If you or me or the BNP or UKIP or anyone else wants to raise £100,000 for political purposes it is likely we would have to garner the support of approx 10,000 people all paying approx £10 each. Lib/Lab/Con speak to a few people, everyone else would have to speak to masses of people. In doing so, we would have to talk to a lot of people about what we would like to do with their money, and we would have to listen to what they would like done as well. If they don’t like it, they won’t hand over their hard earned cash. Such practices only encourage minority, but well funded people and organisations to be truly influential.
The trend to move away from the big parties will continue, unless they make changes in the way that the parties operate. The way to beat the BNP is to defeat them and their arguments and to listen and act on people’s concerns. It needs to be done on the doorstep. Lib/Lab/Con need to actually start listening and delivering to the people that vote, not to lobbyists, and definitely not to the EU. People know what they want, so politicians should stop dismissing them.
The BNP wants to "Stem the tide on non-white immigration." I say that policies that apply to people based on the colour of people’s skins are stupid. I believe the inference is that White People are better than non-whites, and thus there should be fewer non-whites in Britain. I disagree.
I think that people are individuals and should be judged by their achievements, not their appearance. India produces more Doctors than any other country, and the training and education is of a high standard. If the UK is short of Doctors and The UK needs Doctors to come from abroad to address a shortage, (which is also a failure at home to educate enough students to the required levels and/or a failure to make being a doctor attractive enough to get sufficient levels of people to want to be doctors...) I would prefer we got the best Doctors available and look at their training and abilities to heal people, rather than striking of exceptional professionals on the grounds of their skin colour. To me, the BNP position does not make sense, unless you value the colour of skin above the content of a person’s mind.
I do think that our current immigration policy is failing, but this is because of combined Labour and EU policies that allow people in without jobs in place first, and a steadfast refusal to kick people out who are here illegally. We cannot help people by allowing them in to the UK to live in poverty. The issue is one of maths, not skin colour.
If you condone policies based on people’s skin colours why stop there? Why not hair colour, or eye colour. Why people with turbans and burka's, but not Burberry jackets or the wrong brand of trainer shoe? If appearance is it, then why not a beautiful people’s party and kick all the ugly people out.
What if people refused to go, what extent are you prepared to let your policies be enforced? Should law abiding people then be rounded up and put in prison because you and your government don’t like the way they look or the way they talk? Please, don't jump on board this particular band wagon, as when the people in power suddenly turn their attentions on you, there may be no one left to fight for you. Elected officials and governments always use the powers that are granted to them, they very often abuse them. People should not be afraid of their Governments, for there in lies tyranny. Governments should be afraid of its people for there in lies Democracy.
If you don’t like what the mainstream parties are doing, then shout and scream until they start acting better, or change parties (you are allowed to.) If that doesn’t work, start your own party or stand as an independent. But do it on principles and values that can work, not by using race or the politics of hatred. For a start, it’s not nice, secondly because if you purport such methods, then be prepared for them to also be used against you, and thirdly because we can all do better, and we can all expect more from our government, but we have to be prepared to hold our politicians to account. Because if we don’t and they think they can get away with something, they will always disappoint. Let us all ask for more substance and fewer soundbites.
All of which is just my view and my opinions. I do not want people to vote BNP, but people need theor voices and concerns to be heard. I am sure you will let me know where you feel I have gone wrong.
10 Downing Street Petitions - 22nd February 2009
If you want to have a look at the petitions on the 10 Downing Street Website, you can do so, here.
I am just having a look through and thought I would again highlight some that might be of interest. I do not necessarily endorse all of these, but I did think that all were of interest. Click on the link if you want to sign, or find out more about the petitions aims.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Re-introduce the zero-rate corporation tax band for the first £10,000 of company profit. Here. Deadline 14th April 2009, signatures 397.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to scrap ID cards. Here. Deadline 15th December 2009, signatures 135.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to resign. Here. Deadline 31st March 2009, signatures 130.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to allow the people of England a referendum on English independence. Here. Deadline 9th June 2009, signatures 115.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give British people the view to decide if the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland should withdraw out of the European Union. Here. Deadline 31st October 2009, signatures 31.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give the United Kingdom public a vote on the Lisbon Treaty. Here. Deadline 2nd September 2009, signatures 62.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to repeal the law which stops protesting within one mile of Parliament. Here. Deadline 29th December 2009, signatures 49.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to not allow the "Made in the United Kingdom" mark to be replaced by "Made in the EU". Here. Deadline 17th March 2009, signatures 131.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Save Woolworths from Closure and Create a People's Woolies. Here. (Started by George Galloway) Deadline 15th March 2009, signatures 524.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Scrap Sunday trading laws allowing all shops to open normal hours on Sundays. Here. Deadline 20th May 2009, signatures 58.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ban the practice of restaurant-owners applying service charges to bills. Here. Deadline 23rd April 2009, signatures 34.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to push the EU to break the connection between gas price and oil price. Here. Deadline 17th April 2009, signatures 31.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ban the import of pork products that do not meet the same welfare standards expected of British farmers. Here. Deadline 3rd August 2009, signatures 26.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ban door to door salespeople. Here. Deadline 4th June 2009, signatures 23.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to reintroduce the ten pence tax band urgently, in order to prevent low paid workers facing a painful increase in the tax they pay on their income. Here. Deadline 4th April 2009, signatures 5,077.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Open and reveal court papers for UK Savers & Tax payers to view. Here. Deadline 16th April 2009, signatures 1,121.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give serving and ex armed forces personnel tax relief. Here. Deadline 18th June 2009, signatures 481.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to enforce Northern Rock to pass on the interest rate cut to its customers SVR. Here. Deadline 16th April 2009, signatures 277.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop the taxation on income from pensions under £25000 per annum. Here. Deadline 24th November 2009, signatures 106.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Abolish inheritance tax. Here. Deadline 2nd June 2009, signatures 87.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Reduce MPs' salaries to 4000 GBP per annum per MP. Here. Deadline 12th March 2009, signatures 32.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Reduce single occupany council tax to 50%.
Here. Deadline 8th September 2009, signatures 31.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to reverse the demonstrable decline in school science examination standards that is destroying our competitiveness. Here. Deadline 24th April 2009, signatures 5,752.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to resist the proposed changes from the EU in relation to Recreational Sea Angling (RSA). Here. Deadline 16th December 2009, signatures 3,124.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Return Bin Collections To A Weekly Pick Up and the Placement of a proper Recycling Initiative. Here. Deadline 1st March 2009, signatures 107.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to call a general election immediately. Here. Deadline 27th June 2009, signatures 1,253.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Save Bletchley Park. Here. Deadline 28th May 2009, signed 18,991.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Raise the National Speed Limit from 70mph to 80mph. Here. Deadline 3rd June 2009, signatures 214.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Protect the RNLI from paying licence fees for using Maritime radio frequencies. Here. Deadline 8th October 2009, signatures 26,977.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to make it a criminal offence for a pregnant woman to smoke. Here. Deadline 25th March 2009, signatures 26.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Sack Jacqui Smith for gross incompetence. Here. Deadline 29th May 2009, signatures 351.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to scrap the t.v licence and force the bbc to fund itself!. Here. Deadline 2nd March 2009, signatures 413.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Stop 0845 & 0870 Numbers in Government Departments. Here. Deadline 2nd April 2009, signatures 970.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to scrap the current legislation that forces every lockable room in a student house to have its own TV licence. Here. Deadline 25th April 2009, signatures 96.
I am just having a look through and thought I would again highlight some that might be of interest. I do not necessarily endorse all of these, but I did think that all were of interest. Click on the link if you want to sign, or find out more about the petitions aims.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Re-introduce the zero-rate corporation tax band for the first £10,000 of company profit. Here. Deadline 14th April 2009, signatures 397.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to scrap ID cards. Here. Deadline 15th December 2009, signatures 135.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to resign. Here. Deadline 31st March 2009, signatures 130.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to allow the people of England a referendum on English independence. Here. Deadline 9th June 2009, signatures 115.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give British people the view to decide if the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland should withdraw out of the European Union. Here. Deadline 31st October 2009, signatures 31.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give the United Kingdom public a vote on the Lisbon Treaty. Here. Deadline 2nd September 2009, signatures 62.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to repeal the law which stops protesting within one mile of Parliament. Here. Deadline 29th December 2009, signatures 49.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to not allow the "Made in the United Kingdom" mark to be replaced by "Made in the EU". Here. Deadline 17th March 2009, signatures 131.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Save Woolworths from Closure and Create a People's Woolies. Here. (Started by George Galloway) Deadline 15th March 2009, signatures 524.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Scrap Sunday trading laws allowing all shops to open normal hours on Sundays. Here. Deadline 20th May 2009, signatures 58.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ban the practice of restaurant-owners applying service charges to bills. Here. Deadline 23rd April 2009, signatures 34.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to push the EU to break the connection between gas price and oil price. Here. Deadline 17th April 2009, signatures 31.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ban the import of pork products that do not meet the same welfare standards expected of British farmers. Here. Deadline 3rd August 2009, signatures 26.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ban door to door salespeople. Here. Deadline 4th June 2009, signatures 23.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to reintroduce the ten pence tax band urgently, in order to prevent low paid workers facing a painful increase in the tax they pay on their income. Here. Deadline 4th April 2009, signatures 5,077.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Open and reveal court papers for UK Savers & Tax payers to view. Here. Deadline 16th April 2009, signatures 1,121.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give serving and ex armed forces personnel tax relief. Here. Deadline 18th June 2009, signatures 481.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to enforce Northern Rock to pass on the interest rate cut to its customers SVR. Here. Deadline 16th April 2009, signatures 277.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop the taxation on income from pensions under £25000 per annum. Here. Deadline 24th November 2009, signatures 106.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Abolish inheritance tax. Here. Deadline 2nd June 2009, signatures 87.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Reduce MPs' salaries to 4000 GBP per annum per MP. Here. Deadline 12th March 2009, signatures 32.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Reduce single occupany council tax to 50%.
Here. Deadline 8th September 2009, signatures 31.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to reverse the demonstrable decline in school science examination standards that is destroying our competitiveness. Here. Deadline 24th April 2009, signatures 5,752.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to resist the proposed changes from the EU in relation to Recreational Sea Angling (RSA). Here. Deadline 16th December 2009, signatures 3,124.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Return Bin Collections To A Weekly Pick Up and the Placement of a proper Recycling Initiative. Here. Deadline 1st March 2009, signatures 107.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to call a general election immediately. Here. Deadline 27th June 2009, signatures 1,253.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Save Bletchley Park. Here. Deadline 28th May 2009, signed 18,991.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Raise the National Speed Limit from 70mph to 80mph. Here. Deadline 3rd June 2009, signatures 214.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Protect the RNLI from paying licence fees for using Maritime radio frequencies. Here. Deadline 8th October 2009, signatures 26,977.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to make it a criminal offence for a pregnant woman to smoke. Here. Deadline 25th March 2009, signatures 26.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Sack Jacqui Smith for gross incompetence. Here. Deadline 29th May 2009, signatures 351.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to scrap the t.v licence and force the bbc to fund itself!. Here. Deadline 2nd March 2009, signatures 413.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Stop 0845 & 0870 Numbers in Government Departments. Here. Deadline 2nd April 2009, signatures 970.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to scrap the current legislation that forces every lockable room in a student house to have its own TV licence. Here. Deadline 25th April 2009, signatures 96.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Recommended Reading
Daniel1979 Recommends:
The Mail has another expenses story, this time it is none other than Gordon Brown who is facing a ticking off, here.
Raedwald talks about disparages in our electoral representation, here.
Dizzy has a pie chart, here.
Prodicus makes a compelling argument that the English Language is being hijacked, here.
Steve over at Daily Referendum has put up some videos about how banks make money, here.
John M Ward talks about how national debt is 300% of GDP, here.
Bruno Waterfield asks if the writing is on the wall for the EU? Here.
Frank Field says that Labours New Deal isn't working, here.
Tim Carpenter at LPUK blog offer an explanation of quantitative easing, here.
Brits at their Best look at The EU and the Gibbon's Roman Empire, here.
David Vance talks about the Spanish Annoyance over Princess Anne's visit to The Rock, here.
And for something a little lighter, Lord Elvis posted something especially interesting to SciFi Fans, here.
The Mail has another expenses story, this time it is none other than Gordon Brown who is facing a ticking off, here.
Raedwald talks about disparages in our electoral representation, here.
Dizzy has a pie chart, here.
Prodicus makes a compelling argument that the English Language is being hijacked, here.
Steve over at Daily Referendum has put up some videos about how banks make money, here.
John M Ward talks about how national debt is 300% of GDP, here.
Bruno Waterfield asks if the writing is on the wall for the EU? Here.
Frank Field says that Labours New Deal isn't working, here.
Tim Carpenter at LPUK blog offer an explanation of quantitative easing, here.
Brits at their Best look at The EU and the Gibbon's Roman Empire, here.
David Vance talks about the Spanish Annoyance over Princess Anne's visit to The Rock, here.
And for something a little lighter, Lord Elvis posted something especially interesting to SciFi Fans, here.
Friday, February 20, 2009
If The System Is Broke, Why Don't We Fix It?
Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has finally decided that there will now be an investigation into Jacqui Smith's expenses. This has only come about because neighbours at the questionable South London residence have spoken up and claimed that the 'Second Home Secretary' was spending two to three nights a week there, and not every week of the year.
I won't hold my breath, but at least due process is finally in effect.
It is worth remembering that there is a so called grace and favour house that is in place and would have been free for Jacqui Smith to use in her position as Home Secretary. But in doing what she has done, she has claimed £116k from the Tax Payer to put towards her "other" home in Redditch.
My question is this. Clearly the system is broken, so why is there not a clear and deafening call to clean up the rules and wipe the slate from after the next General Election? Any wrong doing should still of course still need to be investigated, and punished. But surely we should draw a line in the sand AND get the reform that is desperately needed. Such abuses, in the public mind at least warrant a prison term. Not a slap on the wrist.
Second Question, who amongst the Conservative ranks do we trust to draw up the new rules? My vote, Mr Carswell.
I won't hold my breath, but at least due process is finally in effect.
It is worth remembering that there is a so called grace and favour house that is in place and would have been free for Jacqui Smith to use in her position as Home Secretary. But in doing what she has done, she has claimed £116k from the Tax Payer to put towards her "other" home in Redditch.
My question is this. Clearly the system is broken, so why is there not a clear and deafening call to clean up the rules and wipe the slate from after the next General Election? Any wrong doing should still of course still need to be investigated, and punished. But surely we should draw a line in the sand AND get the reform that is desperately needed. Such abuses, in the public mind at least warrant a prison term. Not a slap on the wrist.
Second Question, who amongst the Conservative ranks do we trust to draw up the new rules? My vote, Mr Carswell.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Klaus Video, The Jeers, The Walk Out
Here is the video from the EU Parliament today. It is in Czech language, but hopefully there will be an English Language version available soon.
The key bits:
4:40 - Some boo's
5:18 - MEP's jeer President Klaus
5:50 - Lots of Jeering
6:57 - Some claps, some jeers
7:37 - more Jeers, camera reveals empty seats
7:51 - MEPs visually walking out en masse
This second video shows something else that was revealed today. Independent think tanks have been advising on how much of our laws are actually passed down from the EU. These numbers are usually in the region of 60-90% depending on the study. This, of course is always hotly denied, The Major government made denials, both Blair & Brown have rubbished reports too. Labour MEPs claim it is around 10%.
This video, in an uncharacteristic slip from Hans-Gert Potterings reveals that the EU Parliament puts the number at 75%.
So, today we have again seen that the EU not only has contempt for you and me, they have contempt for anybody daring to voice an opinion in favour of democratic principles such as the need for government to have an opposition. President Klaus and many in the Czech Republic lived many years under the yolk of communist rule. People who have lived in oppression value their freedoms, they bear the scars of totalitarianism in their hearts. It seems they are more willing to speak out as well.
Such a speech should serve as a reminder to those who have power of the costs and responsibilities that that power yields, especially when misused.
The EU though is set up, as Peter Mandleson would describe in the post-democratic form. Power and decision making is not truly linked to the will of the people. Power emanates from the centre. There is no effective checks & balances. There is no opposition voice, dissenting opinions are not allowed.
This is not Democracy!
If 75% of our laws, and all of our courts rulings are subject to their decisions, Britain can no longer describe itself as a democratic nation.
Don't bother writing to your MP, there isn't a damn thing they can do about it.
Update: 22:14. Full English Text of President Klaus's speech, here. Hat Tip, Bloggers for UKIP
The key bits:
4:40 - Some boo's
5:18 - MEP's jeer President Klaus
5:50 - Lots of Jeering
6:57 - Some claps, some jeers
7:37 - more Jeers, camera reveals empty seats
7:51 - MEPs visually walking out en masse
This second video shows something else that was revealed today. Independent think tanks have been advising on how much of our laws are actually passed down from the EU. These numbers are usually in the region of 60-90% depending on the study. This, of course is always hotly denied, The Major government made denials, both Blair & Brown have rubbished reports too. Labour MEPs claim it is around 10%.
This video, in an uncharacteristic slip from Hans-Gert Potterings reveals that the EU Parliament puts the number at 75%.
So, today we have again seen that the EU not only has contempt for you and me, they have contempt for anybody daring to voice an opinion in favour of democratic principles such as the need for government to have an opposition. President Klaus and many in the Czech Republic lived many years under the yolk of communist rule. People who have lived in oppression value their freedoms, they bear the scars of totalitarianism in their hearts. It seems they are more willing to speak out as well.
Such a speech should serve as a reminder to those who have power of the costs and responsibilities that that power yields, especially when misused.
The EU though is set up, as Peter Mandleson would describe in the post-democratic form. Power and decision making is not truly linked to the will of the people. Power emanates from the centre. There is no effective checks & balances. There is no opposition voice, dissenting opinions are not allowed.
This is not Democracy!
If 75% of our laws, and all of our courts rulings are subject to their decisions, Britain can no longer describe itself as a democratic nation.
Don't bother writing to your MP, there isn't a damn thing they can do about it.
Update: 22:14. Full English Text of President Klaus's speech, here. Hat Tip, Bloggers for UKIP
Klaus Video
I just checked You Tube to see if Presidents Klaus speech was on there, hoping to be able to stream it to here. The speech is on there, but it is in Czech and cuts out before the walk out. I will check back as hopefully this will get posted at some point as this needs to be widely broadcast.
I did however find this video from Nigel Farage on what happened today.
I did however find this video from Nigel Farage on what happened today.
Dando Cover Up?
I have just seen this on The Tap Blog spot, he is appealing for some coverage. The crux of the article is that one of the Taps readers has emailed regarding some rather suspicious events, the emailer has himself been arrested.
Please take a moment to have a read.
Please take a moment to have a read.
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