Theology Ramblings: January 2012

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Silly Six

According to the English Passport blog I am one of the 'Silly Six'. Yes, we do encourage as many people as possible to visit the blog - after all people enjoy a good laugh, escapism and knockabout from a blog which, although it has pretensions to seriousness, is harmful to the cause of English nationalism.

For a much better standard visit:

http://www.wonkosworld.co.uk/wordpress/

http://morleypatriot.blogspot.com/2011/12/english-democrats-beat-ukip-and-greens.html

http://toque.co.uk/

http://eddybutler.blogspot.com/

Cameron under the cosh?

As I surmised yesterday, David Cameron will come under fire for his surrender on the fiscal pact. I await with interest his statement and response to questions in the House of Commons later this afternoon. From hero to zero is a month as far as the Tory euro-sceptic MPs are concerned. A betrayal really, giving in to the euro-fanatic Clegg.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9050918/Eurozone-leaders-sign-up-to-budget-controls.html

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that although Cameron had shown no sign of relenting in his opposition to treaty change, the new pact could be easily slotted into EU law at a later date and she expected it would be within five years.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9050404/David-Cameron-accused-of-appeasing-Nick-Clegg-over-EU-veto-as-Conservative-MPs-start-to-plot.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16807226
Tory backlash

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9051504/Ed-Miliband-David-Cameron-has-sold-Britain-down-the-river-in-Europe.html

Meanwhile, away from the domestic politics:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,812398,00.html
EU summit marred by fears of German domination.

I was taken by a comment that the idea of the European project was to make Germany more European and that what is happening is precisely the opposite.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,812299,00.html
Austrian take on the fiscal pact.

UPDATE:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16807226
Cameron defends stance over EU institutions

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/9052230/David-Cameron-we-will-take-legal-action-against-European-countries-to-protect-British-interests.html

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jeremywarner/100014524/germany-has-every-right-to-impose-a-gauleiter-on-greece/

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,812565,00.html
ESM plus EFSF plus IMF combined firewall.

See also:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16822171

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16808120

Monday, 30 January 2012

Peter Crawford RIP

Peter Crawford, who died recently, was a Liberal Democrat councillor representing Broadwater on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. He was a fixture at the railway station in the weeks prior to Remembrance Day, selling poppies to commuters.

I have reason to be grateful to Peter for his support of the Number One Community Trust. It owns and manages a community centre in Peter's ward and Peter could be relied upon to represent the interests of the Trust.

Sunday, 29 January 2012

Playing Bowls

Watching the Indoor Bowls Championship today on television reminded me of the days when I played the game. Not flat green but crown green. The two games are as different as rugby league and rugby union. Flat green bowls is played in lanes with a jack which has no bias. Each player has four woods.

Crown green bowls, as the name suggests, is played on a green with a pronounced hump in the centre, a biased jack is used and each player has two woods.

Crown green bowls is not played in lanes.

My experience of playing crown green bowls was gained on a green behind a pub.

The lead off player would always show the position of the jack's bias. Some players sent the jack over the crown, others would play down the sides, either with the bias facing the hump (going straight-peg) or facing the edge of the green (going round-peg).

One character we played often was Mr Wilmott, who was of venerable age, contrived to win the toss and would set the jack off round-peg on his favoured piece of 'land', along one side of the green.. This was known as 'Wilmotts's Alley'. Opponents had to play with patience, it was known that Wilmott would tire, make a mistake and lose control of the jack. When this happened Wilmott's opponents would hurl the jack over the crown from one corner to the other. Cue for Mr Wilmott to take the hump and stalk off the green.

Euro poker continues

The tension is euroland is palpable. Will Germany blink first? Will Greece default?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16780448
Greeks reject 'impossible' German plan for budget veto

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9046820/IMF-pushes-Greece-over-budget.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9046600/Davos-2012-Euro-divisions-set-to-continue-during-EU-summit.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/9047851/Mario-Draghi-the-Latin-Blocs-monetarist-avenger.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16761087
Blame the Germans?

How to damage a cause in one easy lesson

http://kentcommunityactivist.blogspot.com/2012/01/more-asinine-tripe-from-english.html

More asinine tripe from English Passport

Beggars belief:

Saturday, 28 January 2012

Tunbridge Wells on the up?

Yesterday I had a walk round Royal Victoria Place, a shopping mall, which when it opened was a classy spot. It had broad walkways, now encroached upon by stalls from which retail staff accost people. Cafes have proliferated where once it was possible to stroll. The open aspect has been destroyed by building floors above the ground floor. What struck me today was the number of empty units.

However, it is not all doom and gloom. Work is proceeding on the re-opening of Morrison's supermarket and it may be the case that at long last the former Odeon cinema will be demolished.

http://www.yourtunbridgewells.co.uk/news/cinema_demolition_could_be_in_weeks_1_1187672

Now all we need is a theatre of the quality of the Marlowe in Canterbury.

More on Euroland

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Euroland snippets

Another two days of unfolding stories in the Euroland tragedy.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,811155,00.html
Fiscal Pact a 'waste of time and energy

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9038548/Davos-2012-George-Soros-says-debt-crisis-could-destroy-European-political-union.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16720460
Merkel says: Big rethink needed.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/davos/9039570/Angela-Merkel-calls-for-more-Europe-to-end-crisis.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,811335,00.html
The EU will pay even if Greece fails to deliver.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,811295,00.html
Hedge funds bet on Greek profits

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,811607,00.html
Merkel refuses role of rescuer in euro crisis.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9041927/More-public-money-could-be-needed-for-Greek-bailout-warns-EUs-Olli-Rehn.html

Eddy Butler

Eddy Butler was a leading member of the British National Party, but has transferred his political allegiance to the English Democrats. He secured a mention in the recently published IPPR report:

'To the extent that one agrees that ‘English interests’ require championing, it is hard to dissemble from the view that they are not sufficiently well represented in the current political system. Unlike Scotland and Wales, there is no significant political party promoting England as a locus and focus of political life. That the tiny English Democrats are currently absorbing members from a disintegrating British National Party makes clear that they will not plug that particular gap.' (12)

12 For example, two very prominent former BNP activists – Chris Beverley and Eddy Butler – are now members of the English Democrats, the latter following an unsuccessful leadership bid against the BNP’ s Nick Griffin in 2010. Despite their membership of the English Democrats, Beverley and Butler continue to work for BNP MEP , Andrew Brons. See http://andrewbrons.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=120 (accessed 5 January 2012)

Mr Butler has his own blog, the most recent post is an attack on UKIP, a passion he shares with Steve Uncles. The following is from his latest post:

'I have heard many people say that if the ‘civic’ nationalist option is the correct path to follow, then people should opt for UKIP rather than the English Democrats.

I will examine this proposition.

Firstly, I will again reject the tag ‘civic’. I do not think any descriptive terms are necessary other than ‘nationalist’.

I do not and have never referred to myself as a civic nationalist, a racial nationalist, a cultural nationalist or a ethno nationalist. What is important is that we are nationalists and share common feelings and can unite around a common manifesto.'

From: http://eddybutler.blogspot.com/2012/01/ukip-option.html

So, if I understand correctly, what is being articulated by Mr Butler is that civic, racist, cultural and ethno nationalists share common ground.

I have difficulty in defining what cultural nationalism means in England today, for some it is a nostaligic yearning for a golden age which of course never existed except in the imagination.

I support the concept of symmetric devolution within a federal structure as a solution to the West Lothian Question. Beyond that I would not consider myself to be a nationalist. We live in the postmodern age, which I assume is anathema to cultural, racist and ethno nationalists.

I came across the following link recently. Interesting reading in the context of this post.

http://thebritishresistance.co.uk/guest-writers/1200-the-english-democrats-betrayal-and-real-nationalism

See also:

http://kentcommunityactivist.blogspot.com/2011/09/civic-v-racist-nationalism.html

Laughing stock

Not content with inventing comments attributed to John Redwood MP, the English Passport site surpassed itself by claiming the existence of the 'UKIP Black-Ops' group which plans to destabilise the English Democrats.

'Members' of this group have been outed on the English Passport site. The latest outpouring from the English Passport blog is below:

However, the English Passport page has failed to quote the Bloggers4UKIP post in full. It may be found here:

http://bloggers4ukip.blogspot.com/2012/01/we-are-ukip-black-ops.html

It doesn't need 'UKIP Black-Ops' to play havoc with the English Democrats. The English Passport blog does that quite nicely, but in so doing is damaging the cause of English civic nationalism.

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Euroland crises continue

Whilst domestic issues in the UK dominate the news the problems in the EU and the eurozone continue unabated. The underlying problems of recession, austerity and failure to come to grips with resolving the issues of how to make economies in the eurozone converge continue.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9037008/EU-ratchets-up-pressure-with-Greek-default-threat.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9034429/Eurozone-finance-ministers-reject-Greek-debt-offer.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,811053,00.html
Permanent bailout fund agreement

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9036199/Tainted-former-EC-president-Jacques-Santer-to-raise-money-for-EU-bail-outs.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,810863,00.html
Hungary.

Monday, 23 January 2012

English Passport Blog Delusion

The English Passport blog carries the following heading:

http://englishpassport.org/2012/01/23/ippr-report-delivers-big-boast-to-english-democrats-from-a-labour-party-think-tank/

Big boast to English Democrats?? Should that be boost?

The report states the following about the English Democrats:

'To the extent that one agrees that ‘English interests’ require championing, it is hard to dissemble from the view that they are not sufficiently well represented in the current political system. Unlike Scotland and Wales, there is no significant political party promoting England as a locus and focus of political life. That the tiny English Democrats are currently absorbing members from a disintegrating British National Party makes clear that they will not plug that particular gap. 12'

12 For example, two very prominent former BNP activists – Chris Beverley and Eddy Butler – ar e now members of the English Democrats, the latter following an unsuccessful leadership bid against the BNP’ s Nick Griffin in 2010. Despite their membership of the English Democrats, Beverley and Butler continue to work for BNP MEP , Andrew Brons. See http://andrewbrons.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=120 (accessed 5 January 2012)

If this is a 'big boost' , sorry 'boast' for the English Democrats, I shudder to think what form a setback might take.

IPPR Report delivers body blow to English Democrats.

An interesting report on attitudes to 'Englishness' and an English parliament.

http://www.ippr.org/images/media/files/publication/2012/01/dog-that-finally-barked_englishness_Jan2012_8542.pdf

At page 34 of the PDF is the following:

Even more significant was the response to a question that asked respondents which political party in their view ‘best stands up for the inter ests of England’. As is made clear in table 6.2, a (narrow) plurality supported the view that no party does this.

To the extent that one agrees that ‘English interests’ require championing, it is hard to dissemble from the view that they are not sufficiently well represented in the current political system. Unlike Scotland and Wales, there is no significant political party promoting England as a locus and focus of political life. That the tiny English Democrats are currently absorbing members from a disintegrating British National Party makes clear that they will not plug that particular gap. 12 UKIP’s recent conversion to the cause of an

12 For example, two very prominent former BNP activists – Chris Beverley and Eddy Butler – ar e now members of the English Democrats, the latter following an unsuccessful leadership bid against the BNP’ s Nick Griffin in 2010. Despite their membership of the English Democrats, Beverley and Butler continue to work for BNP MEP , Andrew Brons. See http://andrewbrons.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=120 (accessed 5 January 2012)

English parliament suggests they hope to broaden their appeal in England, but they can draw little encouragement from table 6.2.

Party
British National Party	4
Conservatives	20
English Democrats	2
Green Party	2
Labour	21
Liberal Democrats	4
UK Independence Party	9
‘I do not think that any party stands up for the inter ests of England’	23
Don’t know	15
N

The full report is well worth a read.

See also: http://www.ippr.org/publications/55/8542/the-dog-that-finally-barked-england-as-an-emerging-political-community

Latest from EU land.

Croatia will join the EU in July 2013 following a 'yes' vote in a referendum. Hungary comes in for further criticism, Greek debt 'haircut' unresolved, Germany says 'nein' to expansion of the eurozone bailout fund and more....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/croatia/9033052/European-Commission-President-welcomes-Croatia-to-the-EU.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,810743,00.html
Hungary

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9032277/Greek-debt-deal-Banks-say-weve-made-our-best-offer-its-up-to-EU-and-IMF-bailout-providers-now.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9030988/Mario-Monti-calls-for-doubling-of-eurozone-bail-out-fund.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9032965/Germany-rejects-calls-for-bigger-eurozone-bail-out-fund.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/liamhalligan/9030025/Eurozone-burns-money-while-the-banks-fiddle-their-balance-sheets.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,810769,00.html
Europe must not just focus on austerity.

Uckfield-Lewes railway re-opening campaign

Link to the latest article on the Wealden Line campaign website.

http://www.wealdenline.co.uk/the-news/181-transport-minister-re-opening-lewesuckfield-makes-good-railway-sense.html

The major obstacle to progress is the attitude of East Sussex Council.

It's Fantasy Time folks..........................

Let me give you the key to enter a world of political make-believe, the English Passport blog, owned by Diamond & Associates Ltd. The company has two directors, both with the surname 'Uncles'.

A recent post:

The idea that the Prime Minister has reacted to a letter from the English Democrats in the way suggested is the stuff of fantasy.

But we should not be surprised. The English Democrat blog published fictitious quotes attributed to John Redwood MP which give the impression that the MP supports the English Democrats.

Note this sentence from the above:

Scottish nationalism is becoming more popular in England, as more English think they could be better off without the UK, due to the campaigning since 2002 of the English Democrats, the only credible English Nationalist party.

A visit to John Redwood's blog elicited the following:

http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2012/01/10/scottish-and-english-nationalism/

No sign of the sentence quoted in italics above.

I wonder if John Redwood knows he is being portrayed as commending the English Democrats?

UPDATE:

From: REDWOOD, John [john.redwood.mp@parliament.uk]

Sent: 15 January 2012 17:15

To: John Hopkinson; LARRINGTON, Myles

Subject: RE: English Passport

No I have not. As it puts entirely false words into what I did say in order to promote another party I will naturally ask them to remove it and apologise.

From: John Hopkinson
Sent: 15 January 2012 16:09
To: REDWOOD, John
Subject: English Passport

I trust you have seen this:

http://englishpassport.org/2012/01/15/english-nationalism-on-the-rise-in-conservative-ranks/

Sunday, 22 January 2012

Draft EU Fiscal Treaty, IMF and Greece

Fiscal Treaty:

This will cause some excitement in the weeks ahead.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9026142/The-EU-fiscal-draft-treaty-in-full.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9026209/EU-fiscal-treaty-draft-key-issues.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9026038/EU-treaty-draft-Bailouts-only-offered-to-countries-that-ratify-budget-pact.html

IMF: woes and gloom:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/currency/9025245/The-IMF-is-no-longer-serving-its-purpose.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9026408/IMF-slashes-global-forecast-on-eurozone-crisis-with-drastic-falls-in-Italy-and-Spain.html
Real concerns over Spain and Italy. Urgent action required to kickstart the economies of these two nations.

Greece:

The clock is ticking......

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9029612/What-happens-if-Greece-defaults.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9030163/Greek-debt-deal-hits-setback-as-talks-suspended.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,810331,00.html

The excitement of Red Hot Pawn

What a site. Strategy, tactics, combinations and the thrill of mating.

http://www.redhotpawn.com/

Mayor's Quiz

A night out yesterday to participate in the Mayor's Quiz in Tunbridge Wells. Our team did not trouble the leaders, but not a bad score as we settled for a mid-table place.

The good and the great (and the not so good and great) were out in force, including some of the people I have sparred against on this blog.

Saturday, 21 January 2012

Excitement soon wears off

There is not going to be a by-election to fill the vacancy on Rusthall Parish Council. After all the gushing comments at the election last May about the excitement of the election, the number of candidates etc, now we have no-one in Rusthall willing to collect ten signatures to call an election.

The next step is to co-opt a new member. Interested residents have to write to the interim clerk and prospective counillors will be interviewed.

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Hungary

Hungary has a chequered history. As part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire it entered the Great War on the side of Germany. Hungary entered the Second World War by sending troops to fight alongside Germany against Russia. Following the war Hungary became a puppet state controlled by the USSR. With the collapse of the USSR's client governments in eastern Europe Hungary gained independence and eventually membership of the European Union. One saving grace, the country is not in the eurozone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16593827
EC opens legal action against Hungary.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16613934
Hungary's PM on the attack at the European Parliament.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809799,00.html
Hungarian Leader 'Infected with Bonaparte Virus'.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809827,00.html
Eastern Europe swings Right.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809669,00.html
Hungary accused of breaching EU treaties.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809434,00.html
Nosedive in Budapest.

Other news:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/ambroseevans-pritchard/100014296/the-euro-is-pushing-italy-into-depression/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9022588/IMF-push-for-1-trillon-rescue-fund-to-cost-UK-15bn.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9023791/Doubt-over-IMFs-eurozone-lifeline.html

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

More from the Uncles stable

Want a good laugh........see:

http://englishpassport.org/2012/01/16/nick-robinson-chief-bbc-political-editor-and-the-english-democrats/#comments

I have posted earlier on the English Passport blog making up comments by John Redwood MP. The blog is at it again:

Complete fabrication and confirmed as such by Redwood's office.

West Lothian Question

The members of the West Lothian Question commission have been announced:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16594976

For me, it is simply a matter of democracy. When legislation is passed which applies only to England, why should MPs from other nations have a vote? MPs of other nations are not answerable to the English electorate. It has nothing to do with 'identity' or 'culture', it has everything to do with representation. the argument that the House of Lords in non-elected is a red herring as the Lords is always subject to the primacy of the House of Commons.

One possible solution is that on legislation which apples only to England, MPs from non-English constituencies should be barred from voting. Some advocate the formation of an English Parliament, distinct from Westminster, and an English government.

The growing clamour for an independent Scotland would, should such a nation come about, lead to a major upheaval in constitutional arrangements, not simply between England and Scotland, but also Wales and Northern Ireland in view of the devolution arrangements in place currently for these latter nations.

Should a federal structure replace the current structure?

See:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/9017866/Amid-the-talk-of-Scottish-independence-its-now-time-to-answer-the-English-Question.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/9018567/Independent-Scotland-would-have-270bn-debt-pile.html

Monday, 16 January 2012

Parish Pump

Rusthall Parish Council has set its precept for 2012-13. The detail can be found on the following link:

http://rusthallparishcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/1212111.pdf

Total expenditure is £35,622 of which £18,822 (52.8%) is on administration. The democratic process costs, so no complaints.

However, three points:

1. When the Parish Council circulated its Budget Questionnaire it included the following statement:

Rusthall Parish Council will be preparing its first annual budget this October for the year 2012/13. Key to this preparation is identifying what needs improving and what is most important. This is where you can help, and make a real difference to how services are shaped in the village by providing your thoughts. Your response will then be used to identify areas where funding will need to be directed.

To what extent did the responses received shape the budget?

2. When will the survey results be published?

3. When will dates of planning committee meetings be published?

Euro woes continue

English Passport Blog

The new logo:

John Redwood MP said of a post on the English Passport blog:

As it puts entirely false words into what I did say in order to promote another party I will naturally ask them to remove it and apologise.

Sunday, 15 January 2012

More dross from the Uncles stable.

http://kentcommunityactivist.blogspot.com/2012/01/english-passport-site-sinks-to-new-low.html

English Passport site sinks to new low

The English Passport site is controlled by Steve Uncles who is on the National Council of the English Democrats and chairman of the South-East region.

Recently, English Passport published the following:

From: REDWOOD, John [john.redwood.mp@parliament.uk]

Sent: 15 January 2012 17:15

To: John Hopkinson; LARRINGTON, Myles

Subject: RE: English Passport

No I have not. As it puts entirely false words into what I did say in order to promote another party I will naturally ask them to remove it and apologise.

From: John Hopkinson [mailto:johnhopkinson@blueyonder.co.uk]
Sent: 15 January 2012 16:09
To: REDWOOD, John
Subject: English Passport

I trust you have seen this:

http://englishpassport.org/2012/01/15/english-nationalism-on-the-rise-in-conservative-ranks/

Friday, 13 January 2012

Thousands of envelopes

See:

http://kentcommunityactivist.blogspot.com/2012/01/gone-stuffing.html

Gone stuffing

Political parties rely for their survival on enthusiastic bands of volunteer supporters at local level. The Conservative Party in Tunbridge Wells is no exception. And so it was that I joined many other volunteers to engage in stuffing envelopes, or packing if you are of a more sensitive disposition.

A veritable swarm of us came together to pack envelopes with a residents' survey, which even as I write is being delivered by more volunteers to homes across the borough. It is important for the party to know what residents think, to break down the misconception that politicians are only interested at election time in what people think and also to ensure that people have every opportunity to engage with their councillors.

Civic engagement, localism, call it what you will, but parties do have to be responsive to the electorate. However, it is important that citizens themselves are prepared to engage, not simply by voting at elections but by participating in ongoing dialogue with councillors, candidates and the parties.

Eurozone woes continue

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Scottish independence

Alex Salmond, the Leader of the Scottish National Party, is a canny politician. He knows he would lose a referendum vote on independence for Scotland if it was held now. However, in two years time the political landscape may have changed and Scots may then be more supportive of independence. Unionists wish the referendum to be held before Salmond has had time to work on the Scottish electorate.

Some dimwits are suggesting that the English should have a vote on the issue. Look at it another way. In the event of the UK holding a referendum on membership of the EU, should the ballot be thrown open to all the citizens of Europe?

One reason given sometimes for demolition of the United Kingdom is that Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland leech on the English taxpayer. Unfair, the proponents of this argument shout. Well, take it one step further. Why should richer parts of England subsidise poorer parts?

I see the war of ideas has started:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/9007878/Scotland-warned-it-could-lose-the-pound-and-be-forced-to-join-Euro-as-price-of-independence.html

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jeremywarner/100014229/scotlands-sterling-issue-makes-independence-highly-problematic/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/9013541/A-question-not-just-for-the-Scots-but-for-everyone-in-Britain.html

HS2 a step closer

The government's announcement that HS2 is to go ahead will be followed by legislation and doubtless numerous actions for judicial review.

I am not a supporter of HS2 but I acknowledge that two elements in the proposed project are sensible. The decision to build a station at Old Oak Common will enable interchange with Crossrail. The plan to construct a link between Old Oak Common and St Pancras will furnish a link between HS1 and HS2. These two measures will take some pressure off Euston which is not linked in well with the Underground network.

See:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9004721/High-speed-rail-just-1.2-miles-of-railway-in-Chilterns-will-be-above-ground.html

http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/government-to-go-ahead-with-high-speed-2-plans.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16478954

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16485263

Detailed maps: http://assets.dft.gov.uk/hs2-maps-20120110.htm

A German view:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,808747,00.html

The worry is that this project will suck in finance for desperately needed improvements elsewhere. As an example, see:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/dec/30/worst-train-reading-london-paddington

And, finally, something more light-hearted:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/article-24026833-euston-calling-with-hs2.do

UPDATE:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9015127/High-speed-rail-Boris-Johnson-says-that-HS2-is-not-right-and-doesnt-work-properly.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/9015342/The-continent-is-the-final-destination-for-HS2.html

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Euroland

Euroland...the stuff of nightmares, but worse. The nightmares continue even when one is awake. A few articles to depress you.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,807900,00.html
Doubts grow over Greek debt restructuring

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,807945,00.html
New worries about Greece

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16466135
Greek debt

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9001941/Cameron-risks-anger-over-more-funds-for-IMF-report.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9002623/David-Cameron-German-power-threatens-future-of-euro.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9002956/Nick-Clegg-Britain-should-sign-eurozone-treaty.html
Calamity Clegg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9003618/Germanys-stance-on-financial-transaction-tax-risks-French-rift.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/jeremy-warner/9003511/Can-the-euro-survive-another-year.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,808248,00.html
In a nutshell: the problem of non-convergent economies within the eurozone.

Sunday, 8 January 2012

Form should follow function

It is a simple concept, but sadly lost on some people. A recent manifestation of the concept is in a report by a group of councillors in Tunbridge Wells seeking to re-home the art gallery and museum in more suitable premises. The councillors are correct: the current premises are inadequate. Nevertheless it has not stopped some people claiming that there should be no re-location as to do so would threaten the retention of the civic complex.

In other words, make do with inadequate buildings, as it is more important to retain the buildings than improve the functions current housed there. To their credit, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats and a leading member of the Civic Society, expressed support for re-location.

The Assembly Hall is no longer fit for purpose, the police station lost the magistrates court function years ago and the Town Hall is under-utilised. A good case can be made for transferring all the functions undertaken in these buildings to purpose built accommodation.

Tunbridge Wells is stagnating, no doubt good news as far as the Aspic Brigade is concerned, but bad news for businesses and the local population. The increase in out- of -town supermarkets and the expansion of the retail park has drawn people away from the town centre. We must recover the vitality of the town centre.

Saturday, 7 January 2012

A cornucopia of problems

Syria, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Turkey and Egypt will feature large in the news in 2012.

Closer to home, the travails of the eurozone will continue; along with the problems in Hungary.
For the UK government the relationship of the UK with the EU will be a high priority. Will the 26 other nations seek to exclude the UK from any meaningful negotiations on the future of the single market? Is Cameron's 'veto' in Brussels, to use a modern phrase. a 'tipping point' in our relationship with the EU? Many hope it is the first small step in a withdrawal from the EU. Cameron has to tread a tightrope to keep the europhile Liberal Democrats on board. In view of the increasingly eurosceptic stance of the Labour Party and public opinion now predominantly anti-EU, Cameron should have no qualms in telling the Liberal Democrats to take a running jump.

See:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/8996981/Cameron-warns-EU-over-tampering-with-single-market.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8999468/Cameron-set-for-new-row-with-Europe-over-closer-harmonisation.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/8997665/Fiscal-Compact-Draft-2.html
An interesting read.

UPDATE: 08.01.2012:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/9000702/David-Cameron-I-will-veto-financial-transaction-tax.html

Poverty is the issue, not culture or colour

I commend this article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8995295/Poverty-not-colour-is-the-real-dividing-line-in-modern-Britain.html

My avid reader will recall that I have argued on this blog that poverty is the issue which is far more important to tackle than racism. See: http://kentcommunityactivist.blogspot.com/2010/02/rise-of-barmy-nasty-party.html

One of the more insidious elements in politics today is the claim by some parties that they are seeking to preserve English culture and identity. In the postmodern world what is it that they are seeking to preserve?

HS2 go-ahead?

Reports today that the government is set to approve HS2 next week.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16453869
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/8999154/High-speed-rail-line-is-given-the-green-light.html

The proposed route (includes detailed maps):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12514475

My concern is that a vast amount will be expended on the project to the detriment of incremental improvements and additions to the existing rail network. One example of current problems:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/dec/30/worst-train-reading-london-paddington

At the Birmingham end of HS2 the terminus will be close to Moor Street station, but some distance from New Street.

At the London end passengers on HS2 from Birmingham will alight at Euston, so no change in terminus from the current route and when HS2 is extended to Manchester, Euston will remain the terminus for Manchester passengers. However, passengers from Leeds and Newcastle will terminate at Euston using HS2, rather than Kings Cross which is the current terminus.

At the London end there will not be a link between HS1 (St Pancras) and HS2.

Farringdon will become an important interchange, the only one between the Underground, Thameslink and Crossrail. One stop from St Pancras, but the only through route to the Euston area is to Euston Square. The effect of all this will be that no improvements will be made to the link between Euston and the rest of the rail network.

See also:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9000166/High-speed-rail-A-250m-lesson-for-Britains-rail-enthusiasts.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9000156/David-Cameron-to-face-revolt-over-high-speed-rail-green-light.html

Dead sheep and truth!

http://kentcommunityactivist.blogspot.com/2011/12/savaged-by-dead-sheep.html

http://kentcommunityactivist.blogspot.com/2012/01/economical-with-truth.html

Economical with the truth?

Just before the end of 2011 I published the following:

The accusation was that I am being economic with the truth.

Not a shred of evidence to support the assertion.

In 2011 the English Passport blog published this:

The British Social Attitudes survey link takes you to a document that does not have a Table 2. However, I have been supplied with a Table 2 from another source:

http://toque.co.uk/sites/default/files/EngParlTimeSeries.pdf

Note the discrepancy in the figure in the bottom right hand box. 57 is the figure quoted by the English Passport Blog, 23 in the Table provided on the Toque blog.

For a detailed analysis of the English Passport article I commend:

http://www.toque.co.uk/british-social-attitudes-survey-shows-decline-support-english-parliament

Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Much to ponder

Greece, Hungary, France, Italy, Spain, wherever one looks, problems. A few articles to read.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jeremywarner/100014024/a-depressingly-familiar-story-of-denial-from-the-eurozone/
(Includes a 'must watch' video.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8990067/The-Eurofanatics-should-join-the-Marxists-in-the-dustbin-of-history.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,806457,00.html
Britain must be aware of its importance to the EU.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,806728,00.html
Bridging euro differences.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,806999,00.html
Time running our for Greece?

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100127295/will-greece-leave-the-euro/

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,806933,00.html
Destroying democracy in Hungary.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,807138,00.html
More on Hungary

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/normantebbit/100127126/the-euro-is-nothing-more-than-a-sacred-cow-it-is-time-to-take-it-to-the-abattoir/

Tuesday, 3 January 2012

Dinner for One: Freddie Frinton

Down memory lane.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,806784,00.html
Euro crisis spoof video.

The following link has an English translation.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jeremywarner/100014024/a-depressingly-familiar-story-of-denial-from-the-eurozone/

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,418781,00.html
Dinner for who?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1v4BYV-YvA
Original version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=GD8k1CnVeAQ
Longer version - in colour.

Monday, 2 January 2012

Dire predictions for the eurozone

The causes of the problems for the eurozone countries and the political failure to remedy them have been well-documented on this blog.

There is little point in covering the same ground again. The following articles may be of interest:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,806469,00.html
Delusions of the eurozone.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/8987886/Eurozone-collapse-starts-this-year-says-CEBR.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/rogerbootle/8987830/With-the-crisis-close-to-its-worst-point-2012-will-be-the-critical-year-for-the-eurozone.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/8987846/Ambrose-Evans-Pritchard-2012-could-be-the-year-Germany-lets-the-euro-die.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/damianreece/8987974/2012-will-be-another-year-of-crisis-bail-outs-and-emergency-summits-in-Europe.html

Sunday, 1 January 2012

Happy New Year

May I wish all my readers of this blog, my circles on Google+ and my Facebook friends and subscribers a happy New Year. The reality is that many of my readers will be touched by the effects of austerity measures and recession. I wish you well in the hard times ahead.

2012 is a very busy year. The Olympic Games may offer some respite from the enveloping gloom, and I can but hope that Sheffield United are promoted and Wharfedale RFU are not relegated. Sadly, Westcombe Park RFC look doomed to be relegated, but I live in hopes of a revival. Will Yorkshire CCC secure promotion to Division One?

The eurozone crisis will fester, the USA elect its' President, as will France. Will the Coalition disintegrate? How will the campaign for Scottish independence develop? Locally we have an interesting election in May . The Leader of the Council is defending his seat against a challenge by UKIP. UKIP won the seat last May. The seat has been held in the past by the Liberal Democrats, so it will be an interesting campaign, in which I intend to be involved.

I am hoping the food bank project I am involved with will launch early in 2012. See:

http://communitiesfoodcic.blogspot.com/