POLITICS CORNER

[Stanley]

It looks as though the sprog Lyle Davy, Tory councillor for Coates, needs to re-adjust his sensitivity setting. He's evidently taken his model from PMQs in the House and thinks that politics is attacking the opposition. He has reported one Councillor David Whipp (Who he?) for saying that the tactics used by the Tories on the council remind him of Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany. The question that occurs to me is did he run this past his Tory colleagues first or has he just gone off at half-cock on his own account. If it's the former did older heads decide it wasn't a runner and send him off to toss the grenade? He needs to grow up quickly and realise that politics is not always smooth going, it can get rough. The fact that after David Whipp's comment the constitution of the committee in question was revised to include a non Tory councillor indicates that he may have had a valid point.
Local councillors aren't judged by how active and publicity seeking they are but by what they actually do for the community. (Next weeks BET article demonstrates this, young Lyle will not be pleased....) Further, has he read the history of Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany? Does he actually know where the simile originated?

[Bruff]

On the day the Foreign Secretary announced that in effect the EU is not fit for purpose and he would vote to leave quite irrespective of any renegotiation, a recent EU Law Analysis blog caught my eye, on the implications for the 2.3M British citizens living in the EU should we indeed vote to leave. It's quite good, and one of I guess many areas that folk should read about and consider very carefully when it comes to the referendum. The blog's here:

http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.de/2014/0 ... es-if.html

I don't think it a secret I'm very pro-European, essentially a Federalist, but I might as well put it on record.

Richard Broughton

[Stanley]

A good example of why (though I don't like federalism) I tend to the view we are better in than out. One thing I am certain of is that the question of in or out should not depend on party politics but should be decided on facts assessed by those qualified to judge. The lowest common denominator vote won't do.

[Tizer]

I would prefer all European countries including the UK to be in a union that helps trade and lowers the chances of war but not one that has become like a religion and exerts too much control and has too much bureaucracy.

[Bruff]

The European project has I'm afraid always been about more that simply free trade, or the 'Common Market'. You only have to read the founding 1957 Treaty of Rome. And you don't have to read very far. It's the first sentence, where the founding Heads of State 'DETERMINED to lay the foundations of an ever-closer union among the people's of Europe.' Those words exactly.

Richard Broughton

[Stanley]

According to Star Trek, the European Union was the start of the Federation of Planets...
Looking at John Redwood, the Vulcans are here already. I suspect the others are all clones.

[Stanley]

See LINK for an interesting slant on Cameron considering basing himself in Scotland for two weeks before the referendum vote. His LibDem colleagues reckon this would be a disaster for the 'NO' vote as he is such a negative figure in Scotland. I tend to agree with them but will Dave take any notice?
I heard an interesting discussion among Russia watchers on R4. They were discussing Putin's intransigence in the face of global accusations that Russia's actions in the Ukraine was crucial in the downing of the Malaysian Airlines flight. The explanation they favour is that because Putin has surrounded himself with his friends and yes-men that he is largely ignorant of the outside world and what is actually happening. Sounds far-fetched but it does fit the case. Putin is an old KGB man, steeped in yesterday's Russia and every decision he takes seems to be aimed at reversing the political clock. I think it deserves serious consideration....

[Stanley]

I see that the GDP figures due out today are going to prove that the recession is over... But! GDP per head is still down because of population increase and incomes are still falling as they are attacked by inflation higher than increase in wage rates. Inequality grows as the financial markets congratulate each other and assume that happy days are here again.

[Tizer]

...and the man who did so much reporting from the very beginning of the crunch, Robert Peston, said he was looking forward to a quieter time, but then said it wouldn't last for long!

I agree with the Putin assessment. As former KGB boss he's always been used to having his own way and making the world fit his view. He can still pull levers behind the scenes and make people disappear if they don't agree with him.

[Stanley]

Cameron and Osborn are milking the economic miracle for all it's worth. They will regret it, this is going to turn round and bite them in the bum and I suspect that's their biggest worry.... Remember 'boom and bust' being a thing of the past? Phooey! It's built into the system.

[Stanley]

Heard on R4. The Georgian president who is a big man used to refer to Putin who is much smaller as 'Liliputin'. Reports are that Putin didn't like it.
Cameron tries to gain the high ground in the immigration debate with UKIP by announcing restrictions on job-seekers allowances for European nationals. Estimates are that this will save relatively small amounts but it makes the Tories seem good on the surface.
Concerns are growing about the way NHS services are being taken over by foreign companies seeking a profit out of health care. This started under Blair and is reaching serious proportions. It has opened the door to US style health care where the poor go to the bottom of the heap. This is a tragedy in the making and it's driven by greed and lack of principle. Cameron abrogates responsibility by saying that under the new rules GPs control where the budget is spent. Typical result of outsourcing of all kinds, the government loses control but can turn round and say 'it wasn't me Guv'. Remember the effects of PFI and it is still being used to get capital expenditure off the books.

[Stanley]

Cameron caught out bending statistics in the name of spin yesterday. He referred to billions that could be saved by restricting payments to European nationals but never came clean that these were the projected savings from all of the measures, including those already in place. Even this is deeply suspect as the Home Office and Treasury admit they don't know the actual numbers. This is Mystic Meg statistics and illustrates the contempt with which politicians view voter's intelligence when political points have to be spun. In any other walk of life this would be attempted fraud.

[Bruff]

It comes to something when the Institute of Directors have to point out on this that the level of benefits these people receive are the lowest in Europe and so it's odd any would come here for the high life - and so why most do not receive any, they are net contributors (but that's one of those irritating facts we aren't too keen on these days).

It's also worth noting when folk bang on about 'Europeans' coming here, that the country that provides Europe's largest number of immigrants is good old Blighty. Two million of the beggars live in mainland Europe (part of the 10M that live the world over). Thankfully, rather than referring to these folk as immigrants we use the rather less loaded term 'expats'.

Richard Broughton

[Stanley]

Nice point Richard. This has been made crystal clear so often but the truth falls on deaf ears when bigots will not listen and politicians need lowest common denominator spin material. I'm still ploughing my way through the Crossman Cabinet diaries despite my current difficulties and it was ever the same. Crossman was continually badgering Wilson to come clean and tell the truth instead of obfuscating and spinning. It's no wonder that they tried to ban publication when Crossman died..... I get the impression that the system still works the same way, instead of concentrating on the principle the governing factor is 'how it plays with the electorate'.

[chinatyke]

Two million of the beggars live in mainland Europe (part of the 10M [from UK] that live the world over). Thankfully, rather than referring to these folk as immigrants we use the rather less loaded term 'expats'.

Richard Broughton

Never thought of myself as a beggar having worked for over 40 years without receiving unemployment or sickness benefit, but in essence you are right, I am now leeching on a cheap economy whilst still paying tax in UK. The other side of the coin is that I am a contributor to this economy by using money earned elsewhere. I pay taxes here also. So the only advantage I take is using cheap local labour and the workers are happy that I do.

Born with nowt and die a beggar, is that an improvement?

[Stanley]

Press reset on Irony alert China... I don't think Richard was getting at you...
Is it a good idea to appoint a man who is anti-vivisection as the man in charge of Crime Prevention at the Home Office? (LINK)

[David Whipp]

Agree with Stanley, China, Richard's post strong on irony. Sadly, culture in Britain (England?) is strongly xenophobic at the moment. Richard was highlighting the absurdity if everyone ceased to be an immigrant.

PS thanks for sending money home (whether willingly or not!). Much appreciated; am sure HM Government will put it to good use...

[Stanley]

I see Cameron is at it again. Recycling the news about the genome project even though it dates back to 2012.
Does anyone agree with me that we should clone Margaret Hodge and put them in charge of everything? She was attacking attitudes to whistle-blowers yesterday.

[David Whipp]

Catching up with the local news, I see that there's some coverage in the press of Pendle Council's financial predicament. Here's the link to the LT story LT article and a contribution to the discussion from me.

With a staffing cut of well over a third (36%), efficiency savings are running at well in excess of 5% pa. Some of these cuts have reduced the level of services provided to residents, but the vast majority of services have been kept going by using the council's savings; This year, the council budget assumes taking about £2 million out of the bank to keep things going.

Although the Conservative MP for Pendle would like to sweep everything under the carpet before next year's general election, it's getting to the point where drastic reductions will be inevitable as the savings run out.

I mention the MP, as he could have been more energetic fighting Pendle's corner; stopping the huge cuts in government grants which have hit Pendle harder than most (our borough is amongst a handful of authorities amongst the worst hit).

Concerted action by councillors and council chiefs has gained a 'temporary' £1 million 'Efficiency Support Grant' from the government. Though this is a fraction of the money lost to the area, it is helping to delay cuts and is welcome. Less welcome is that this pot of funding is being used as blackmail to prevent the borough council putting its council tax up. (To suit Tory election prospects.)

But that is a deceit; Pendle Council has pushed services (public toilets being just the start) onto parish and town councils. For many people in Pendle, the Conservative claim of 'no increase in Council Tax' is just a big lie.

Together with my colleagues, I will fight to keep services and facilities. For over a third of a century as a councillor I've fought to provide facilities and better services for the residents I represent. I'll do my utmost to keep them going now.

[Stanley]

I agree with you about Stephenson. He has deceived aver since he refused to admit that the Noble Lord was funding the Pendle CP and has continued ever since by reporting nothing but good news and official Tory spin. Not a word about all those getting left behind in the 'economic miracle'. He and his party have confused holding on to power with old fashioned principled politics. They have gone for the political tricks and the power. I have news for them, in the end it will fail but meanwhile the worst off suffer and slide further back as incomes continue to fall. Meanwhile, the top 10% amass even more riches.

[Stanley]

Could the flood of concern for the economic future of the North of England have anything to do with an election in 2015? (Surely not....)

[Stanley]

Six weeks until the Scottish referendum.....

[Bruff]

Yes, interesting times. I imagine the vote will be 'no'. I imagine other things too.

I imagine the election next year delivering a viciously right-wing Tory/UKIP coalition which, in 2017, secures a 'no' vote in a referendum and 'we' leave the EU. Prime Minister Johnson (MP for Thanet South), who replaced Mr Cameron following the failure again by the Tory party to secure a majority, hails the vote. However, Scotland reacts angrily having been in effect forced out of the EU by English voters, polling showing Scottish voters polled 6 to 1 in favour of staying within the EU (the Welsh voted 4 to 1 in favour). The Scottish elections deliver another SNP Government with an increased majority, which again provoked consternation among the architects of the devolution settlement given the electoral system was designed purposely to ensure no party could ever hold a majority in the Scottish Assembly. The new Government fast tracks an independence vote on the back of a now overwhelming electoral and increasingly public rejection of Westminster's legitimacy. The Scots vote 8 to 1 to leave. Pressure for a Welsh vote builds as Plaid Cymru make huge gains, and a referendum here is pledged within 3 years. Perhaps opportunistically, Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland call for informal negotiations with Dublin/Westminster on the unification of Ireland leading to huge tensions in Northern Ireland and warnings from the security services of increased Loyalist activity. In other news, Rolls Royce announced the transfer of its development work to Toulouse and that the Barnoldswick facility would close with immediate effect. In the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Indian, Canadian and Australian delegations noted that the Commonwealth never was intended as a trading block and never will be, and they resent the recent statements from Prime Minister Johnson and his deputy (Rotherham MP Mr Farage) to that effect, the Indian PM noting wryly and behalf of all the others, that the days of the English telling foreigners what to do are long over. As the implications of withdrawal became increasingly manifest during 2019, the Commission President Milliband (D), noted that any application for re-membership by England would likely be contingent on its acceptance of the Euro, the greater federalism that was underway and Schengen, and would anyway be at least a decade away. Thankfully, it was announced that the Duchess of Cambridge was expecting twins, due on the same day Prince Harry was due to marry Miley Cyrus, which ensured many of the English could continue to be lobotomised to the reality of their situation through their daily diet of tittle-tattle and pomp.



Boris Johnson notes today we have 'nothing to fear' from an EU exit. I think that is a glib statement. No one would deny there are not upsides but the downsides are many, and varied.

Richard Broughton

[Tripps]

" I imagine the vote will be 'no'"

Paddy Power was 1 to 6 to back a 'no' vote before the debate. After the debate they now go 1 to 8.

This talk of various coalitions puzzles me. It depends on the minority parties Libdems and UKIP getting enough seats to be able to hold the balance of power. I don't see that happening, but I'm wrong about nearly everything.

[David Whipp]

Thank you Richard!