It is, it has to be said quite some claim. That is that there are less British born people in work in the private sector now than there were in 1997.
All those jobs that were created went to foreign born workers apparently.
Fraser Nelson of the Spectator has this preliminary article and this one with more detail.
The implications are of course staggering. I have always thought that the Brown boom was built on hideous amounts of debt and immigration. What is more of a concern is that worklessness amongst those born in the UK has stayed at around 5 million and is now set to climb. We simply have not addressed that issue for over 12 years.
Now we need to.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Local homes for local people?
Well, it is kind of what people expected from local housing policy, at least for the most part. That is, that housing provided out of local funding would be primarily for people who had a connection with the local area.
As an example, a house in say Mid Sussex would be prioritised for a family with a good local link, not a family from say, Arbroath. The reverse is also the case.
Of course, if a family in Arbroath want to swap with a family in Mid Sussex, then there are (and always have been) exchange schemes available.
So now this is what this government is proposing.
What is interesting is how they, and the ridiculous left wing media treated this issue 10 years ago when Conservative councillors in Hammersmith and Fulham were proposing exactly the same thing. Now of course Donal Blaney would like an apology. He will not get one though, as he is dealing with mendacity at its best.
As an example, a house in say Mid Sussex would be prioritised for a family with a good local link, not a family from say, Arbroath. The reverse is also the case.
Of course, if a family in Arbroath want to swap with a family in Mid Sussex, then there are (and always have been) exchange schemes available.
So now this is what this government is proposing.
What is interesting is how they, and the ridiculous left wing media treated this issue 10 years ago when Conservative councillors in Hammersmith and Fulham were proposing exactly the same thing. Now of course Donal Blaney would like an apology. He will not get one though, as he is dealing with mendacity at its best.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Labour promises 100,000 new teachers?
I heard this on a BBC Radio 4 on Friday, but could find no written information on it, but today the Daily Telegraph steps in.
In its article it suggest that Labour and in particular, Gordon Brown will try and spend his way back to number 10.
So, what about 100,000 new teachers? What will they do? Well apparently they are a part of a child's right to learn. So if they are not getting on well enough in English or Maths they get one to one tuition.
What will 100,000 teachers cost?
Well, if they cost £20,000 each a year that's £2 billion. If, as is likely they cost £30,000 a year (take into account paying them, employers national insurance, desk space and admin fees and that is a conservative estimate) then that makes £3 billion a year.
Where is this money supposed to come from? £3 billion, in terms of the amounts that has been thrown away by New labour over the years may seem like small beer, but it is still £3 billion that would need to be borrowed or printed by the Bank of England.
However, I personally doubt the veracity of the claim or its ability to achieve anything useful. For a start it looks like they are going to claim it is a right, which means only switched on parents will claim it, and those will have more successful children, and so the cost will be less.
Then again the idea is not wrong in itself. Had it been carefully proposed a number of years ago you could make a great tax saving case for it, but only if it was not a right of the pupil, but the duty of the state. (How are we going to work that out?)
Prisons are full to bursting with the thick, mentally ill and unemployable. If you could treat the failed education system, then surely that would reduce the cost of the prison estate and hey presto the scheme would over time pay for itself. However as we are talking about New Labour education, A level history students appear not to know what a despotic tyranny is, so it is somewhat doubtful what 1,000,000 new teachers would be able to achieve.
In its article it suggest that Labour and in particular, Gordon Brown will try and spend his way back to number 10.
So, what about 100,000 new teachers? What will they do? Well apparently they are a part of a child's right to learn. So if they are not getting on well enough in English or Maths they get one to one tuition.
What will 100,000 teachers cost?
Well, if they cost £20,000 each a year that's £2 billion. If, as is likely they cost £30,000 a year (take into account paying them, employers national insurance, desk space and admin fees and that is a conservative estimate) then that makes £3 billion a year.
Where is this money supposed to come from? £3 billion, in terms of the amounts that has been thrown away by New labour over the years may seem like small beer, but it is still £3 billion that would need to be borrowed or printed by the Bank of England.
However, I personally doubt the veracity of the claim or its ability to achieve anything useful. For a start it looks like they are going to claim it is a right, which means only switched on parents will claim it, and those will have more successful children, and so the cost will be less.
Then again the idea is not wrong in itself. Had it been carefully proposed a number of years ago you could make a great tax saving case for it, but only if it was not a right of the pupil, but the duty of the state. (How are we going to work that out?)
Prisons are full to bursting with the thick, mentally ill and unemployable. If you could treat the failed education system, then surely that would reduce the cost of the prison estate and hey presto the scheme would over time pay for itself. However as we are talking about New Labour education, A level history students appear not to know what a despotic tyranny is, so it is somewhat doubtful what 1,000,000 new teachers would be able to achieve.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Meanwhile in other news..
Whilst it is sad that Michael Jackson has died, it has to be said that the way 24 hour news organisations cover this sort of thing is ridiculous.
If you were hoping to tune into something like BBC News 24 for catch up on such trivia as the death of Farrah Fawcett, continued demonstrations in Iran or the collapse of the UK economy, forget it.
The only news in town is the death of Michael Jackson.
Ridiculous.
If you were hoping to tune into something like BBC News 24 for catch up on such trivia as the death of Farrah Fawcett, continued demonstrations in Iran or the collapse of the UK economy, forget it.
The only news in town is the death of Michael Jackson.
Ridiculous.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Michael Jackson is dead?
Rumours and reports are surfacing that Michael Jackson is died.
Confirmed reports indicate he was found not breathing, and was taken to hospital after having CPR administered.
This is very sad news. He may have been an oddball, but there is no doubt he was a great talent as well.
TMZ.com has this and the Los Angeles Times has this.
The BBC has this.
Confirmed reports indicate he was found not breathing, and was taken to hospital after having CPR administered.
This is very sad news. He may have been an oddball, but there is no doubt he was a great talent as well.
TMZ.com has this and the Los Angeles Times has this.
The BBC has this.
Bank of England Governor slams government borrowing!
The Governor of the Bank of England, Mervin King said today that the governments plans to reduce the governments deficit were not ambitious enough.
In other words, spend less or borrow more. Possibly both.
Considering that Labour's published plans, based on possibly optimistic growth forecasts are not fiscally tight enough. The problem is that the governments plans on spending are harsher than Thatchers as it is.
Meanwhile the OECD thinks we are going to have a deeper recession than they previously forecast and much worse than the governments own assumptions.
In short, there are grim times ahead.
The BBC has this.
In other words, spend less or borrow more. Possibly both.
Considering that Labour's published plans, based on possibly optimistic growth forecasts are not fiscally tight enough. The problem is that the governments plans on spending are harsher than Thatchers as it is.
Meanwhile the OECD thinks we are going to have a deeper recession than they previously forecast and much worse than the governments own assumptions.
In short, there are grim times ahead.
The BBC has this.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
MP's to get an easy ride for fraud?
One of this Labour governments great ideas for "reform" is to introduce a series of criminal offences specific to members of parliament the most notable of which is to "knowingly make a false claim", which if found guilty. could lead to a sentence of 1 year in prison.
This is reminiscent of section 112 of the 1992 Administration of Social Security act (possibly as amended) which supposedly deals with benefit cheats. These offences are mostly dealt with in a magistrates court on the assumption that the accused is also the guilty regardless of the facts, after all it keeps the proles in line.
This is a case of making laws to grab headlines. Fraud has been a criminal offence for a very long time, as has obtaining pecuniary advantage by deceit. Those sort of offences command a far higher sentence but no more intent.
So what is going on?
Well, as I have discussed at length (particularly with CaptainFF) it is a case of New Labour grabbing headlines with new laws making what was already illegal more illegal but with knobs on, though in this case, with a considerably reduced maximum sentence.
Not only that there will be a committee of the great and the good appointed to oversee MP's expenses.
Hold on, I thought we already had that, we the voters! All we need is the information, without all that black ink.
I do not want some patsy telling me that everything is OK. I will look at the raw data and make my own mind up.
The BBC has this, Guido has this.
This is reminiscent of section 112 of the 1992 Administration of Social Security act (possibly as amended) which supposedly deals with benefit cheats. These offences are mostly dealt with in a magistrates court on the assumption that the accused is also the guilty regardless of the facts, after all it keeps the proles in line.
This is a case of making laws to grab headlines. Fraud has been a criminal offence for a very long time, as has obtaining pecuniary advantage by deceit. Those sort of offences command a far higher sentence but no more intent.
So what is going on?
Well, as I have discussed at length (particularly with CaptainFF) it is a case of New Labour grabbing headlines with new laws making what was already illegal more illegal but with knobs on, though in this case, with a considerably reduced maximum sentence.
Not only that there will be a committee of the great and the good appointed to oversee MP's expenses.
Hold on, I thought we already had that, we the voters! All we need is the information, without all that black ink.
I do not want some patsy telling me that everything is OK. I will look at the raw data and make my own mind up.
The BBC has this, Guido has this.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
No prayers for Iran's Angel of Freedom?
Neda Agha Soltan was just someone in a crowd in Tehran, yet a sniper took her life. All this is now on Youtube.
She has become a symbol, and so the Iranian government dare not let her have a memorial service.
Are they that scared?
Apparently, yes they are.
Protests continue in Iran, and now even the Iranian government admit there were some "irregularities". Those include at least two districts with over 100% turnout (Impressive, but Saddam never managed that!) 4 at pver 90% and a level of switching between reform candidates and Ahmadinajad that is simply not plausable.
The Telegraph has this.
She has become a symbol, and so the Iranian government dare not let her have a memorial service.
Are they that scared?
Apparently, yes they are.
Protests continue in Iran, and now even the Iranian government admit there were some "irregularities". Those include at least two districts with over 100% turnout (Impressive, but Saddam never managed that!) 4 at pver 90% and a level of switching between reform candidates and Ahmadinajad that is simply not plausable.
The Telegraph has this.
Good luck to Speaker Bercow.
So John Bercow has become speaker of the House of Commons. I wish him luck. It looks as if he s going to need it as both the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph are attacking over his expenses already.
Still, he promises change. Lets see what he brings.
The BBC has this, Iain Dale has this. Apparently Quentin Letts is not impressed either.
Still, he promises change. Lets see what he brings.
The BBC has this, Iain Dale has this. Apparently Quentin Letts is not impressed either.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Vanessa George, Angela Allen, female paedophiles and denial
Something that irritates me is the way that people like Harriet Harman discuss issues like paedophilia and domestic violence as an issue of wicked evil men, for we men all are wicked and evil.
However as I have noted in the past domestic violence is a two way thing, carried out by women as well as men, though that is seldom talked about and seldom taken seriously.
Suddenly we have two cases of alleged female paedophiles, Vanessa George and Angela Allen, both aged 39. The police are investigating.
I would like to assure readers that unless there was clear and unequivocal photographic evidence, the police would not investigate. They simply don't because every one knows women don't do this kind of thing.
Except of course that they do. Paedophilia is an aberration, but it is one that affects men and women, just as domestic violence does.
Curiously before both cases cropped up there was an interesting magazine article on the BBC website about female paedophiles. To show how much in denial some women are I will quote one respondents comments.
However as I have noted in the past domestic violence is a two way thing, carried out by women as well as men, though that is seldom talked about and seldom taken seriously.
Suddenly we have two cases of alleged female paedophiles, Vanessa George and Angela Allen, both aged 39. The police are investigating.
I would like to assure readers that unless there was clear and unequivocal photographic evidence, the police would not investigate. They simply don't because every one knows women don't do this kind of thing.
Except of course that they do. Paedophilia is an aberration, but it is one that affects men and women, just as domestic violence does.
Curiously before both cases cropped up there was an interesting magazine article on the BBC website about female paedophiles. To show how much in denial some women are I will quote one respondents comments.
Hang on, I think we need to put this into perspective here. Female sexual abusers are very rare. I'm not saying we should ignore their existence and deny the victims but lets not whip up a media frenzy and start fearing every old lady on the bus who hands out sweets to kids.The problem here is this: Sally (for that is her name) seems to think female paedophiles are very rare, yet we have had two turn up in a matter of weeks. Perhaps they are very rare because people are not looking for them? Do we know if they are rarer than male paedophiles or not, and if so, by how much?
Iran: Another call for a general strike!
From the twitter feeds, it looks as if things are gearing up again.
Mir Hossein Mousavi has called for a general strike if he is arrested.
What is interesting is that there were demonstrations today, and the demonstrators are gearing up for more.
My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Mir Hossein Mousavi has called for a general strike if he is arrested.
What is interesting is that there were demonstrations today, and the demonstrators are gearing up for more.
My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Iran: Another day of protests?
So the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has decread that the elections were fair, that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won and protests must stop.
Well, today we find out if anyone is going to take any notice. It is clear that if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad busses in support he can muster quite a bit of it. On the other hand Mir Hossein Mousavi doesn't have to primarily because he has support in the big cities and his supporters are more motivated.
The Bassij are already about on the streets, but curiously there are not many reports of the Revolutionary Guard turning up. That said one of the defeated candidates was a senior commander in the Revolutionary Guard, and Mousavi was and still is quite well connected.
The odd thing though is that the twitter feeds seemed to have slowed down or dried up. We know that the regime in Iran is trying to arrest as many people as possible including bloggers. Perhaps they are getting to them or they have gone to ground a bit to avoid being captured.
My thoughts and prayers are with the protesters.
The BBC has this.
Well, today we find out if anyone is going to take any notice. It is clear that if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad busses in support he can muster quite a bit of it. On the other hand Mir Hossein Mousavi doesn't have to primarily because he has support in the big cities and his supporters are more motivated.
The Bassij are already about on the streets, but curiously there are not many reports of the Revolutionary Guard turning up. That said one of the defeated candidates was a senior commander in the Revolutionary Guard, and Mousavi was and still is quite well connected.
The odd thing though is that the twitter feeds seemed to have slowed down or dried up. We know that the regime in Iran is trying to arrest as many people as possible including bloggers. Perhaps they are getting to them or they have gone to ground a bit to avoid being captured.
My thoughts and prayers are with the protesters.
The BBC has this.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Police to investigate MP's!
I have to say that I was surprised that the police previously issued a statement saying that they would not investigate MP's expenses. As I wrote here there is clear evidence to suggest a very reasonable suspicion of fraud in some cases and they obviously should be investigated.
Well,now eventually, and far far far too late the police have decided to investigate, having given people the opportunity to get their stories and paperwork straight.
The BBC has this.
Well,now eventually, and far far far too late the police have decided to investigate, having given people the opportunity to get their stories and paperwork straight.
The BBC has this.
Expenses blackout!
I had a look at a few MP's expenses earlier, and frankly they were so "redacted" that you could not tell what was going on.
Obviously Ben Brogan now of the Telegraph points out that we would not have known about non existent mortgages and dry rot in Southampton from these publications.
You do have to ask why they were published in this way.
Sir Stuart Bell a senior Labour backbencher on the committee responsible said it was nothing to do with him or his colleagues and put it down to "officialdom".
Umm... Strange.
Who to believe.
The BBC has this.
(I may even get a free lunch!)
Obviously Ben Brogan now of the Telegraph points out that we would not have known about non existent mortgages and dry rot in Southampton from these publications.
You do have to ask why they were published in this way.
Sir Stuart Bell a senior Labour backbencher on the committee responsible said it was nothing to do with him or his colleagues and put it down to "officialdom".
Umm... Strange.
Who to believe.
The BBC has this.
(I may even get a free lunch!)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Iran:Why rig the election?
Protest over the rigged election continue in Iran. No surprise there, the rigging appears to have been obvious, inept and ridiculous.
However you do have to ask why it was rigged.
The thing is that the election was pre rigged. Only those candidates acceptable to the Guardian Council could stand. Mir Hussein Mousavi, as ManWiddicombe points out is no bleeding heart liberal human rights activist.
So if you have fixed the election by hand picking all the candidates, why not stop there?
Besides which, it is entirely possible that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may have won the election in a fair election.
Instead of which what they have got is a potential revolution and a weakened state.
The BBC has this.
However you do have to ask why it was rigged.
The thing is that the election was pre rigged. Only those candidates acceptable to the Guardian Council could stand. Mir Hussein Mousavi, as ManWiddicombe points out is no bleeding heart liberal human rights activist.
So if you have fixed the election by hand picking all the candidates, why not stop there?
Besides which, it is entirely possible that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may have won the election in a fair election.
Instead of which what they have got is a potential revolution and a weakened state.
The BBC has this.
Banking regulation
I was quite interested in the reports of the Mansion house speeches by Mervin King, the Governor of the Bank of England, and Alistair Darling the alleged Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The bottom line appears to be this:
Alistair says that his predecessor is not the bringer of doom, and there is nothing wrong with the current regime, though obviously the Bank of England has to take responsibility to make the system stable.
Mervin says that's all well and good, but if you want us to make the system stable, is there any chance we could have the powers back that the bringer of doom took away from us when he created the ridiculous tri partite system back in 1997.
Needless to say Alistair is in a difficult position, because his boss is Gordon Brown, the bringer of doom.
The BBC has this as a report and this from Robert Peston.
The bottom line appears to be this:
Alistair says that his predecessor is not the bringer of doom, and there is nothing wrong with the current regime, though obviously the Bank of England has to take responsibility to make the system stable.
Mervin says that's all well and good, but if you want us to make the system stable, is there any chance we could have the powers back that the bringer of doom took away from us when he created the ridiculous tri partite system back in 1997.
Needless to say Alistair is in a difficult position, because his boss is Gordon Brown, the bringer of doom.
The BBC has this as a report and this from Robert Peston.
Another one bites the dust: Kitty Usher resigns
You do have to ask how careless a government can get but it appears they have lost another minister over expenses.
The BBC has this.
The BBC has this.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Protests continue in Iran
Protests are continuing in Iran over the stolen election.
Perhaps that is not news. However what might be news is that Admiral Shamkhani was going to be arrested but wasn't because Iranian Marines told the police where to go.
This comes from this twitter feed from Iranian Student.
I did hear that the admiral had been arrested on other twitter feeds earlier in the day.
What is clear is that nothing is clear! It seems the "ruling class" are split on what is going on. The brighter want to continue the Islamic revolution and recognise it needs to move forward, the perpetually thick think they can hang on to Ahmadinejad.
The BBC have this.
Perhaps that is not news. However what might be news is that Admiral Shamkhani was going to be arrested but wasn't because Iranian Marines told the police where to go.
This comes from this twitter feed from Iranian Student.
I did hear that the admiral had been arrested on other twitter feeds earlier in the day.
What is clear is that nothing is clear! It seems the "ruling class" are split on what is going on. The brighter want to continue the Islamic revolution and recognise it needs to move forward, the perpetually thick think they can hang on to Ahmadinejad.
The BBC have this.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Mousavi rejects recount promise
According to sources in Iran, Mir Hossein Mousavi has rejected the offer of a recount. Good call. The ballot boxes will have been well and truly stuffed by now.
Iran is in turmoil right now, demonstrators have been killed and the government is doing what it can to crack down on protests against the rigged election.
There are also rumours that Mir Hossein Mousavi has called off a demonstration today because of fears of staged violence.
See my previous post for twitter news.
The BBC has this.
Iran is in turmoil right now, demonstrators have been killed and the government is doing what it can to crack down on protests against the rigged election.
There are also rumours that Mir Hossein Mousavi has called off a demonstration today because of fears of staged violence.
See my previous post for twitter news.
The BBC has this.
Updates on Iran
You can get updates on Iran in various places.
Some twitter feeds are:
Here, here, here and here.
There is also a useful blog here.
You can be part of a denial of service attack on pro Ahmadinejad websites by viewing this blog though it will CPU hog until you click stop.
Some twitter feeds are:
Here, here, here and here.
There is also a useful blog here.
You can be part of a denial of service attack on pro Ahmadinejad websites by viewing this blog though it will CPU hog until you click stop.
Twitter delays downtime to help in Iran
Twitter did have some downtime scheduled to happen around 9.45 AM Tehran time this morning. This was because their service provider needed to do some maintenance.
Thankfully they have had a rethink and recognised the importance of twitter in the Iranian election protests and have rescheduled the outage to occur in the night in Tehran.
Well done Twitter and well done NTT America Enterprise Hosting Services.
More here.
Thankfully they have had a rethink and recognised the importance of twitter in the Iranian election protests and have rescheduled the outage to occur in the night in Tehran.
Well done Twitter and well done NTT America Enterprise Hosting Services.
More here.
Hezbollah seen on the streets of Tehran?
Some twitter reports say that some of the security forces they are coming up against are Arabic speaking, presumed Lebanese and Hezbollah.
If true this is disturbing. It shows how desperate Ahmadinejad is getting for a start and desperate men do very bad things.
It is also quite startling. I had Sheik Hassan Nasrallah down as a clever politician who would therefore steer away from taking sides in such an issue. You can say what ever you like that is bad about him, but he knows how to play a power game, even if he does not always win. This strikes me as a lose lose, which makes Nasrallah a desperate man or a fool.
Looking on the bright side, if the protesters in Iran succeed, and Hezbollah are involved with Ahmadinejad then they will be badly damaged.
If true this is disturbing. It shows how desperate Ahmadinejad is getting for a start and desperate men do very bad things.
It is also quite startling. I had Sheik Hassan Nasrallah down as a clever politician who would therefore steer away from taking sides in such an issue. You can say what ever you like that is bad about him, but he knows how to play a power game, even if he does not always win. This strikes me as a lose lose, which makes Nasrallah a desperate man or a fool.
Looking on the bright side, if the protesters in Iran succeed, and Hezbollah are involved with Ahmadinejad then they will be badly damaged.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Iran Update: Iranian students launch massive DOS attack on pro Ahmadinejad websites!
They have set up a blog here:
If you go to this link it will "crash" your browser until you hit stop as it contantly reloads the same pro Ahmadinejad websites. This is quite a clever way of organising a massive denial of service attack without stealing peoples bandwidth.
Go on, you know it makes sense, if you are off for a cuppa, open the link in another page and get a cuppa for a while!
If you go to this link it will "crash" your browser until you hit stop as it contantly reloads the same pro Ahmadinejad websites. This is quite a clever way of organising a massive denial of service attack without stealing peoples bandwidth.
Go on, you know it makes sense, if you are off for a cuppa, open the link in another page and get a cuppa for a while!
Iran update: General Strike called for tomorrow!
Delving around on Twitter it seems that Moussavi has called a general strike called for tomorrow.
See here.
See here.
Iran is revolting!
And no, that is not a comment on Iran's people or indeed the country but the fact that so many people are in open revolt in the streets of Tehran and according to some reports other cities as well.
Estimates of the crowds in Tehran vary from the hundreds of thousands to 2 million. Reporters say that they have not seen anything like this since the revolution in 1979.
Protesters have, according to Channel 4 news have attacked a base of Bassij (militia) loyal to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, burning it down despite being shot at. Casualties have been reported.
The BBC has this, Channel 4 has this.
Estimates of the crowds in Tehran vary from the hundreds of thousands to 2 million. Reporters say that they have not seen anything like this since the revolution in 1979.
Protesters have, according to Channel 4 news have attacked a base of Bassij (militia) loyal to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, burning it down despite being shot at. Casualties have been reported.
The BBC has this, Channel 4 has this.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
First Swine flu death outside of the Americas is in Scotland
It is very sad to hear, but someone in Scotland has died of swine flu.
That said they did have "underlying health problems" apparently. We now nothing else about them.
Swine flu seems to be very easy to pass from person to person so almost impossible to contain but at this seems to be fairly mild killing relatively few. This will remain the case provided that it does not get mixed with more bird flu.
The BBC has this.
That said they did have "underlying health problems" apparently. We now nothing else about them.
Swine flu seems to be very easy to pass from person to person so almost impossible to contain but at this seems to be fairly mild killing relatively few. This will remain the case provided that it does not get mixed with more bird flu.
The BBC has this.
Andy Murray wins at the Queens club!
This is the first time since 1938 that a Britain has won the title and the first time a Scot has.
It bodes well for Wimbledon though obviously winning that is a massive task.
Well done Andy Murray!
The BBC has this.
It bodes well for Wimbledon though obviously winning that is a massive task.
Well done Andy Murray!
The BBC has this.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Is Iran about to have another revolution?
Iran held its presidential elections yesterday. They seemed to go well and people seemed to think things were a bit tight, and there would have to be a run off.
Now today we here that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has won a resounding victory.
I can't comment on whether he did or not, but what is now happening is there are many accusations of voting irregularities. A large number of Mir Hossein Mousavi supporters are young and feel stifled. In fact Iran is full of young people as it has been having a bit of a baby boom. If they get on the streets and protest about the result in large numbers then it will be interesting to see what happens.
The BBC has this.
Now today we here that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has won a resounding victory.
I can't comment on whether he did or not, but what is now happening is there are many accusations of voting irregularities. A large number of Mir Hossein Mousavi supporters are young and feel stifled. In fact Iran is full of young people as it has been having a bit of a baby boom. If they get on the streets and protest about the result in large numbers then it will be interesting to see what happens.
The BBC has this.
The Prince, the Architect and Chelsea Barracks
It is fascinating to hear the uproar in the world of architects because one Prince (the Prince of Wales) wrote to another about a building project and and got it canned.
The problem for the architects is that for the most part, it is they who are out of touch not the Prince.
There are many interesting new buildings about, some which fit well with their older neighbours and some which don't. However in an area of London like Chelsea barracks you want something to fit it. What Lord Rogers was proposing certainly did not fit that bill.
So well done to Prince Charles.
The BBC has this.
The problem for the architects is that for the most part, it is they who are out of touch not the Prince.
There are many interesting new buildings about, some which fit well with their older neighbours and some which don't. However in an area of London like Chelsea barracks you want something to fit it. What Lord Rogers was proposing certainly did not fit that bill.
So well done to Prince Charles.
The BBC has this.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Labour lies on Labour cuts
It is fascinating to watch Labour lying its head off on the spending cuts it is planning and has listed in the budget.
The thing is that the only time since the war that there was an actual spending cut in cash terms was under Labour in 1947.
I have already written about how Labour cuts will be worse that those under Margaret Thatcher.
Now Andrew Lansley has said that the Conservatives are committed to protecting spending on the NHS, schools and international development and that will mean cuts elsewhere of something like 10%.
Labour have been running around shouting "Tory cuts". The only problem is that journalists are questioning Labour over Labour cuts. That is making it harder for Labour to get away with its lying.
The BBC has this.
The thing is that the only time since the war that there was an actual spending cut in cash terms was under Labour in 1947.
I have already written about how Labour cuts will be worse that those under Margaret Thatcher.
Now Andrew Lansley has said that the Conservatives are committed to protecting spending on the NHS, schools and international development and that will mean cuts elsewhere of something like 10%.
Labour have been running around shouting "Tory cuts". The only problem is that journalists are questioning Labour over Labour cuts. That is making it harder for Labour to get away with its lying.
The BBC has this.
Gordon Brown proposes electoral reform!
To be fair it was in Labour's manifesto in 1997 (because Labour thought they could only just squeak in, and may even need the Liberal Democrats) and their 2001 manifesto (Well there was foot and mouth, the fuel protests and maybe they had forgotten to take it out).
But now we here that Gordon Brown, who could have forced it a long time ago is all in favour! And no, he has not looked at the polls!
Well it is such a transparent effort to rig the voting system it will never fly in the court of public opinion. Even Labour supporting unions are scratching their heads.
There is not enough time to get something through in this parliament. If there is a referendum on it (or even the possibility), then up will pop the Lisbon treaty referendum question.
This will achieve nothing for Brown other than make it look like he is trying to fix an election. That will drive Labour even lower in the polls.
The BBC has this.
But now we here that Gordon Brown, who could have forced it a long time ago is all in favour! And no, he has not looked at the polls!
Well it is such a transparent effort to rig the voting system it will never fly in the court of public opinion. Even Labour supporting unions are scratching their heads.
There is not enough time to get something through in this parliament. If there is a referendum on it (or even the possibility), then up will pop the Lisbon treaty referendum question.
This will achieve nothing for Brown other than make it look like he is trying to fix an election. That will drive Labour even lower in the polls.
The BBC has this.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Gordon Brown to survive until June 3rd 2010
Well, actually, given that the general election count may be the following day Gordon Brown may still be PM on June the 4th 2010.
That is when he will call an election, waiting for something like the Falklands war to turn up.
There are still some who laughably think Labour will topple Gordon Brown. They won't.
Firstly if they want to mount an official challenge then they have to get 72 MP's to agree on one candidate who also agrees to be nominated. That will be like herding cats, no matter how much damaging infighting goes on.
Secondly there is no way any number of resignations will get the message through. It just will not happen. He can appoint as many Lords and Ladies as he likes to fill in for the fact that there are few with talent on the Labour commons benches prepared to serve.
The only possible way that they may get a big enough hint across is to vote against Labour in the no confidence vote the SNP and Plaid Cymru have tabled, with the caveat that if they actually win Labour losses the general election a month or two later, so they need to vote against but make it close, and in doing so sacrifice their chances of staying on as MP's. No that is not going to happen either.
In short, Labour are headed for a meltdown, and no one or two quarters of growth before a general election even if that does happen will not save them because unemployment will still be growing.
All good stuff.
That is when he will call an election, waiting for something like the Falklands war to turn up.
There are still some who laughably think Labour will topple Gordon Brown. They won't.
Firstly if they want to mount an official challenge then they have to get 72 MP's to agree on one candidate who also agrees to be nominated. That will be like herding cats, no matter how much damaging infighting goes on.
Secondly there is no way any number of resignations will get the message through. It just will not happen. He can appoint as many Lords and Ladies as he likes to fill in for the fact that there are few with talent on the Labour commons benches prepared to serve.
The only possible way that they may get a big enough hint across is to vote against Labour in the no confidence vote the SNP and Plaid Cymru have tabled, with the caveat that if they actually win Labour losses the general election a month or two later, so they need to vote against but make it close, and in doing so sacrifice their chances of staying on as MP's. No that is not going to happen either.
In short, Labour are headed for a meltdown, and no one or two quarters of growth before a general election even if that does happen will not save them because unemployment will still be growing.
All good stuff.
Monday, June 08, 2009
March 14th movement beats Hezbollah coalition in Lebanese elections
Well, I am pleased that the group with Hezbollah lost, but I would not have commented on that before the election unlike the United States which seemed to want to interfere.
I can understand that the US would not treat the Lebanon quite the same way if Hezbollah won, I doubt many would, but to say so is troubling for democracy.
The BBC has this.
I can understand that the US would not treat the Lebanon quite the same way if Hezbollah won, I doubt many would, but to say so is troubling for democracy.
The BBC has this.
The Conservatives lead Labour in every area of England and Wales!
I just want to say that I am very pleased that the Conservative party has topped the vote in all areas of England and Wales!
Scotland is yet to come.
Fantastic result for us!
Scotland is yet to come.
Fantastic result for us!
BNP wins in the North West, Nick Griffin wins
However, the other big story is that the Conservatives lead in all areas of England and Wales.
Conservatives batter Liberal Democrat's into 3rd in the South West!
Fantastic result for the Conservatives in the South West!
And now the South East result!
And now the South East result!
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Conservatives beat Labour in Wales!
The Conservatives beat Labour in Wales and the Liberal Democrats lose their seat! Fantastic.
Wales a Liberal Democrat free zone! :)
Wales a Liberal Democrat free zone! :)
BNP gain seat in Yorkshire and Humber from Labour
Well, that is Labour for you. What is interesting is that the Conservatives got almost 3 times the vote but only twice the seats.
Are the BNP about to gain an MEP in the Euro elections?
The BBC are reporting that the BNP may be about to gain a seat in the EURO elections as indeed is politicalbetting.
This is not great but it is democracy. That said it is what I expect at the tail end of a Labour government, along with massive public debt, and racist strikes.
This is not great but it is democracy. That said it is what I expect at the tail end of a Labour government, along with massive public debt, and racist strikes.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
D Day, Operation Overlord beach landings begin
156 thousand allied troops land on Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches in Normandy.
A long bloody day is ahead of them. By the end of the day 10,000 will be killed or wounded.
We will remember them.
A long bloody day is ahead of them. By the end of the day 10,000 will be killed or wounded.
We will remember them.
Pegasus Bridge captured!
In 10 minutes, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry have captured Pegasus bridge with only 2 fatalities, Lieutenant Den Brotheridge and Lance-Corporal Fred Greenhalgh
Today is the 65th aniversary of the longest day.
Today is the 65th aniversary of the longest day.
The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry land at Pegasus Bridge
The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry land at Pegasus Bridge, as part of an operation by the 5th parachute bigade to take bridges over the Caen canal and the Orne river.
Friday, June 05, 2009
On Conservative vote share
There is much cobblers being talked about the Conservative vote share in these elections.
We had, according to media expectations, to gain 220 seats. We gained 217 and 7 councils.
Now, lets make this clear. Local government is currently run mostly by Conservatives who started the night with a historically high number of councillors.
If Labour wanted to lose by a cataclysmic landslide (in terms of changes of seats not majority, as in lose 170 seats) as John Major did in 1997, then they would have had to have gained seats this time around, instead of which they have lost even more.
It was in a great night for the Conservative party, and we met the expectations placed upon us. Well done to all the hard working activists out there.
We had, according to media expectations, to gain 220 seats. We gained 217 and 7 councils.
Now, lets make this clear. Local government is currently run mostly by Conservatives who started the night with a historically high number of councillors.
If Labour wanted to lose by a cataclysmic landslide (in terms of changes of seats not majority, as in lose 170 seats) as John Major did in 1997, then they would have had to have gained seats this time around, instead of which they have lost even more.
It was in a great night for the Conservative party, and we met the expectations placed upon us. Well done to all the hard working activists out there.
Caroline Flint and Tony McNulty resign!
And Caroline Flint criticised Gordon Brown for treating her like female window dressing!
Ouch.
Labour are clearly melting down here.
The BBC has this.
Ouch.
Labour are clearly melting down here.
The BBC has this.
Trouble at the ballot!
I have heard a rumour that in one polling station the presiding officer had a bit of trouble with a full ballot box.
He broke the seal, and put some of the ballots in another box and then sealed both.
He could have reported the problem to the returning officer, who would have considered the options, and then have called party agents to see what they would be happy with, and had the above action observed by a number of opposing and independent people. Instead of which he just went ahead and did it.
Oh dear.
He broke the seal, and put some of the ballots in another box and then sealed both.
He could have reported the problem to the returning officer, who would have considered the options, and then have called party agents to see what they would be happy with, and had the above action observed by a number of opposing and independent people. Instead of which he just went ahead and did it.
Oh dear.
Conservatives gain Lincolnshire?
Well, so far, Lincolnshire County Council reports 13 Conservative gains with 11 Labour and one Independent and Liberal Democrat loss each.
More here.
More here.
How the voting went in Mid Sussex
Well,I don't think I could be more non committal. Our safe seats are safe. In fact the Liberal democrats did not even bother.
The situation is more complex in for Brian Hall, (Liberal Democrat) as he has had some issues over his allowances and lack of turning up for meetings. His division was very marginal, and we ought to win it and may well have done.
However we have an issue of a potentially collapsing Labour vote.
The reception on the doorstep has been mostly good and friendly. We have run across the occasional hostile voter, and under the circumstances that is what you would expect.
The underlying feeling I have though is that turnout is OK to good, but we may have a bit of churn in who is actually voting.
The situation is more complex in for Brian Hall, (Liberal Democrat) as he has had some issues over his allowances and lack of turning up for meetings. His division was very marginal, and we ought to win it and may well have done.
However we have an issue of a potentially collapsing Labour vote.
The reception on the doorstep has been mostly good and friendly. We have run across the occasional hostile voter, and under the circumstances that is what you would expect.
The underlying feeling I have though is that turnout is OK to good, but we may have a bit of churn in who is actually voting.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
How will the voting go today?
Well, first of all, I will be out and about. I will be telling in my area, specifically the Dolphin leisure (now called the Olympus leisure Center) center between 2 PM and 3 PM, after which I will be "knocking up" and such other duties as required until the polls close at 10 PM.
So how will it go? Political betting covers a poll by Yougov in today's Telegraph which has headline certainty to vote figures at Conservative 26% Labour 16% Liberal Democrats 15% UKIP 18% Green 10% BNP 5%, but if you include the less certain the Conservative vote jumps to 37% and Labour to 21%.
Curious. It is all about getting out the vote.
Curiouser still is this by Iain Dale, which suggests that 15% more myspace users are going to vote today because of the expenses scandal.
I don't have myspace users down as great voters, so that is interesting, and good that they are engaging. The only question is will they break the same way as the extra figures in the Yougov poll show.
We live in interesting times. Reports of the telling experience will be posted.
So how will it go? Political betting covers a poll by Yougov in today's Telegraph which has headline certainty to vote figures at Conservative 26% Labour 16% Liberal Democrats 15% UKIP 18% Green 10% BNP 5%, but if you include the less certain the Conservative vote jumps to 37% and Labour to 21%.
Curious. It is all about getting out the vote.
Curiouser still is this by Iain Dale, which suggests that 15% more myspace users are going to vote today because of the expenses scandal.
I don't have myspace users down as great voters, so that is interesting, and good that they are engaging. The only question is will they break the same way as the extra figures in the Yougov poll show.
We live in interesting times. Reports of the telling experience will be posted.
How to get rid of Gordon Brown now!
if you want to get rid of Gordon Brown, you could sign the Number 10 petition, which currently has 64,901 signatures. (I wrote about it here and here)
The only other way is to vote Conservative and show that the Labour party has lost so much ground. The differential in the vote will show those in Labour that they must develop the spine to get rid of him. Voting for a minor party will only show that all main parties have been hit and so Labour are safe. Giving Labour a battering compared to the Conservatives will drive the message home.
The only other way is to vote Conservative and show that the Labour party has lost so much ground. The differential in the vote will show those in Labour that they must develop the spine to get rid of him. Voting for a minor party will only show that all main parties have been hit and so Labour are safe. Giving Labour a battering compared to the Conservatives will drive the message home.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Hazel Blears resigns from cabinet!
Hazel Blears resigned from the cabinet today, a couple of hours before Gordon Brown faces the House of Commons at Prime ministers questions.
After yesterday's resignations which led to headlines like this, things seem to have got worse for Labour. This looks like a co-ordinated attack on Brown.
The BBC has this, and politicalbetting has this.
After yesterday's resignations which led to headlines like this, things seem to have got worse for Labour. This looks like a co-ordinated attack on Brown.
The BBC has this, and politicalbetting has this.
Did accountants crash Air France flight 447?
There is much speculation about why Air France flight 447 crashed. Being near an international airport (Gatwick) you do meet and chat to a number of people experienced in flying and crewing international flights.
I have had a number of conversations which go like this:
We used to fly around these sorts of storms, which is easier now because of whether radar, but now because of the cost of delays crews are ordered to fly through them.
Make of that what you will.
I have had a number of conversations which go like this:
We used to fly around these sorts of storms, which is easier now because of whether radar, but now because of the cost of delays crews are ordered to fly through them.
Make of that what you will.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Jacqui Smith to stand down as Home Secretary!
Apparently there are strong rumours that Jacqui Smith is to stand down as Home Secretary!
This is amazing news, if not that surprising. Downing Street dismissed the rumours as speculation, whilst not denying it.
Also Whitehall sources are confirming this.
Apparently she is standing down to spend more time in her constituency of Redditch as it is a bit of a marginal. I think she is nuts if that is the case as she has lost her seat anyway.
This is amazing news, if not that surprising. Downing Street dismissed the rumours as speculation, whilst not denying it.
Also Whitehall sources are confirming this.
Apparently she is standing down to spend more time in her constituency of Redditch as it is a bit of a marginal. I think she is nuts if that is the case as she has lost her seat anyway.
Ed Balls to be Chancellor of the Exchequer?
Speculation is rife in the press that Alistair Darling is history as Chancellor, over expenses, rather than failing to turn Gordon Brown's disastrous years as Chancellor into some kind of mild failure or even success.
Darling is to be replaced by Balls apparently!
Gordon Brown as Prime minister and Ed Balls as chancellor is a dream team. Well it is for the Conservative party. We have a PM who smiles whilst talking about Susan Boyle being treated at the Priory, and Ed Balls who makes Gordon Brown shine as a communicator.
What is better though is that will seal the deal. No one in Labour (who counts) will move against either because frankly they have not got the balls. (After all, Yvette, Ed's wife has him). So the dastardly duo can carry on to the election in June 2010. (There is no actual mechanism to get rid of a sitting Labour PM in a shorter time frame).
Of course they are also Labour's dream team, but that is a nightmare.
Darling is to be replaced by Balls apparently!
Gordon Brown as Prime minister and Ed Balls as chancellor is a dream team. Well it is for the Conservative party. We have a PM who smiles whilst talking about Susan Boyle being treated at the Priory, and Ed Balls who makes Gordon Brown shine as a communicator.
What is better though is that will seal the deal. No one in Labour (who counts) will move against either because frankly they have not got the balls. (After all, Yvette, Ed's wife has him). So the dastardly duo can carry on to the election in June 2010. (There is no actual mechanism to get rid of a sitting Labour PM in a shorter time frame).
Of course they are also Labour's dream team, but that is a nightmare.
US President to get our Queen to D Day celebrations?
I do not intend and unkind tone towards our American friends, or their President, Barack Obama. In fact well done the Americans for trying to do the right thing. The shame is that they have to.
However, why was there any question of us as a country not remembering D Day? Which historically ignorant tit decided we would not turn up?
Gordon Brown.
Then he decided after pressure he could go.
This is seriously dangerous as everything he touches goes horribly wrong. Besides which our Queen served during the war and was the only head of state alive at the time.
How can Labour be just so out of touch? Then they seem to want to blame it on the Palace.
However, why was there any question of us as a country not remembering D Day? Which historically ignorant tit decided we would not turn up?
Gordon Brown.
Then he decided after pressure he could go.
This is seriously dangerous as everything he touches goes horribly wrong. Besides which our Queen served during the war and was the only head of state alive at the time.
How can Labour be just so out of touch? Then they seem to want to blame it on the Palace.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Susan Boyle sectioned?
That is what they said on Radio 4's Today program this morning.
Fortunately it is not quite true, Susan Boyle has voluntarily gone to the priory suffering from exhaustion albeit escorted by police.
She has had a very tough 7 weeks, catapulted from zero to superstar in the blink of an eye. Who would not be exhausted after that.
I wish her well for a speedy recovery. With a bit of luck the tabloid press will lay off her, though I doubt it.
The BBC has this.
Fortunately it is not quite true, Susan Boyle has voluntarily gone to the priory suffering from exhaustion albeit escorted by police.
She has had a very tough 7 weeks, catapulted from zero to superstar in the blink of an eye. Who would not be exhausted after that.
I wish her well for a speedy recovery. With a bit of luck the tabloid press will lay off her, though I doubt it.
The BBC has this.
MP's expenses and Constitutional reform
It appears that the primary solution of Labour and the Liberal democrats, and to a lesser extent my own party to the expenses scandal is to offer some form of constitutional reform.
Your right, I don't get it either. As one letter writer* to Radio 4's PM put it, its a bit like scrapping the Route master bus because someone has been caught fair dodging. There is no obvious causal connection.
It has even gone as far as suggesting House of Lords reform and a reform of the first past the post voting system. No one seems to suggest more honest MP's.
The thing is though, that the transparency brought by publishing MP's expenses pre redaction has in the main solved the problem. No one will again apply for a mortgage that does not exist or an island for ducks. If they do, they will be unseated.
Most of the public think constitutional reform is a load of old cobblers as well, apart from possibly the ability to recall an MP.
Personally I think that the fact that this is even being considered shows how parliament has abrogated its responsibility to manage itself, because it could have thrown out people like Derek Conway. The reason why it did not was because members of parliament felt they and he were underpaid, and perhaps his offence was being caught. That is a disgrace, and also why we need a general election so we can get a house full of people who understand that MP's are actually very well paid. Then perhaps they will be prepared to sack those who break their own rules.
*It may have been an email or voice message.
Your right, I don't get it either. As one letter writer* to Radio 4's PM put it, its a bit like scrapping the Route master bus because someone has been caught fair dodging. There is no obvious causal connection.
It has even gone as far as suggesting House of Lords reform and a reform of the first past the post voting system. No one seems to suggest more honest MP's.
The thing is though, that the transparency brought by publishing MP's expenses pre redaction has in the main solved the problem. No one will again apply for a mortgage that does not exist or an island for ducks. If they do, they will be unseated.
Most of the public think constitutional reform is a load of old cobblers as well, apart from possibly the ability to recall an MP.
Personally I think that the fact that this is even being considered shows how parliament has abrogated its responsibility to manage itself, because it could have thrown out people like Derek Conway. The reason why it did not was because members of parliament felt they and he were underpaid, and perhaps his offence was being caught. That is a disgrace, and also why we need a general election so we can get a house full of people who understand that MP's are actually very well paid. Then perhaps they will be prepared to sack those who break their own rules.
*It may have been an email or voice message.
NHS targets killing people
There is an interesting article in the Sunday Telegraph, about ambulances being kept waiting as various accident and emergency departments keep their doors closed to meet targets.
According to ambulance chiefs this is putting patients at risk.
In part this is blamed on the change to GP's contracts in 2005 allowing them to stop providing out of hours services which has meant a 30% increase in 999 calls.
The other things that does not help is the massive reduction in NHS beds since 1997. Yes you read that right. By 2001 Labour had slashed 10,000 beds. Since 2005 according to the article, it has slashed another 20,000.
Just how does Labour manage to spend such a vast amount on the NHS whilst cutting it so brutally? And why does anyone take them seriously when they accuse the Conservative party of wanting cuts?
Just to illustrate my point, I will mention a friend of mine, who went into hospital (not the Princess Royal) with a heart complaint. He spent 3 very difficult days there, but he remembers a heated conversation in the middle of the night. Accident and Emergency had called demanding that the head nurse in charge of the ward discharge someone so they could send another patient up. In the middle of the night. In a ward full of very sick people with heart problems.
New Labour will come knocking in the night, even if you are seriously ill, just to get a headline.
How sick is Labour.
According to ambulance chiefs this is putting patients at risk.
In part this is blamed on the change to GP's contracts in 2005 allowing them to stop providing out of hours services which has meant a 30% increase in 999 calls.
The other things that does not help is the massive reduction in NHS beds since 1997. Yes you read that right. By 2001 Labour had slashed 10,000 beds. Since 2005 according to the article, it has slashed another 20,000.
Just how does Labour manage to spend such a vast amount on the NHS whilst cutting it so brutally? And why does anyone take them seriously when they accuse the Conservative party of wanting cuts?
Just to illustrate my point, I will mention a friend of mine, who went into hospital (not the Princess Royal) with a heart complaint. He spent 3 very difficult days there, but he remembers a heated conversation in the middle of the night. Accident and Emergency had called demanding that the head nurse in charge of the ward discharge someone so they could send another patient up. In the middle of the night. In a ward full of very sick people with heart problems.
New Labour will come knocking in the night, even if you are seriously ill, just to get a headline.
How sick is Labour.
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