THE "SINGLE MARKET" IS DEAD AND BURIED - and there's more....

I'll be frank. I'm sick of Remoaners prattling on about needing to know what a post-Brexit UK will look like. Well let me tell you; we know only one thing for certain. It will be a damn sight better than remaining !! 

But a quivering EU, the namby-pamby Liberals, much of the House of Lords, the Establishment and the rest of the Remoaners still cling to the vain hope that somehow the UK will change its direction and remain. Dream on.......  

Refresh yourselves by contemplating what might have happened to the UK if its people had decided to remain.

(1) "The Single Market." 

Well, much to the annoyance of many traditional economists, it's finished. It's yesterday's concept. Inward looking, protectionist, and unfit for purpose in a modern trading world. The UK can now leap forward building its future on new and better trade deals in the much wider world market.

The UK would have been held back, disadvantaged and imprisoned by the restrictions of the archaic European single market.

(2)  "The Euro." 

The Euro has forced many EU countries to the brink of currency-insolvency and absolute dependency on the EU.  For example the Greeks were brought to their economic knees simply because they no longer had the balancing effect of their own currency; their exports were crippled. The same applies to others: Italy, Spain, Portugal. The list goes on. The EU appears to welcome the absolute dependency of its member countries.  

Make no mistake - to have remained in a collapsing EU would  have dragged the UK into the Euro with disastrous economic and social consequences.

(3) "The Law." 

Listen carefully Remoaners.   The ability to make and implement our own UK law is about to be reclaimed. Staying in the EU would have simply produced even more inappropriate law. More law resembling a horses ****.

To have remained in the EU would let go for ever the right to have a say through Parliament in the laws of your land. 

(4) "Sovereignty." 

Let's face it. If you are a Remoaner then, by definition, its difficult to be a convincing patriot. The EU has fewer and fewer countries with high levels of patriotism - but there are exceptions. The French, for example, are fiercely patriotic. Maybe no wonder then that extensive French anti-EU feeling runs so high. They reasonably expect  to retain supreme power in their own country. Power to control their borders; power to make final appeal to their own country's supreme court; generally power to control their own country's destiny. Watch that space !

Remaining in the EU would for ever have surrendered sovereignty.

Finally however beware! The fuss being created by the rather sore Remoaners is, however, just what the Brussels doctor ordered. It eclipses the deep-rooted economic and social problems of the EU; eclipses the looming clouds of economic and social despair - precursors to the the eventual collapse of the EU.

If I had to recall one person to sum up the overall character of the rather sore Remoaners I think it would have to be Violet Elizabeth of Richmal Crompton's "Just William" fame. When she didn't get her own way her behaviour regressed and she threatened to vomit !! Bless her. 

BEWARE BEYOND THE REFERENDUM

The recent Euro election has shaken the old U.K. political parties to their roots. The #liberals are comatose, new #labour is wobbling, and the #conservatives are looking to Boris for comfort.

When the majority voted #UKIP in this Euro election, what else could it have been but a clear vote to get out of Europe?  What better #Referendum could you have?  

But, Cameron is happy to interpret the result as simply a need to renegotiate with Brussels! He just doesn't seem to get it !  The people don't want a renegotiation, Dave; THEY WANT OUT!

Keeping his promise to hold an In-Out referendum Cameron will do so facing the inevitability  of an "Out" result. Some unfortunate fellow is probably drafting the speech right now.....

" The people have spoken. They've made their views known. They want to get out of the European Union. And I respect their view.  My renegotiation with Brussels was not sufficient to convince the electorate.  I'm not too proud to say I have failed " ...( like hell )... "I give you my pledge; I will enter into further negotiations.  I will get a better deal for the U.K.  And then I will put that deal to the public in a Referendum so they can say whether, on the basis of that renegotiation, they would prefer to stay in or out of the European Union. " In other words back to square one, and then off again in an endless loop hoping that one day the result will be in his favour.

In case you missed it, Dave "PEOPLE DON'T WANT A RENEGOTIATION THEY WANT OUT!!"  That is why, in droves, people voted for UKIP in the Euro elections. 

 And so my message from abroad to all #Eurosceptics, and to #UKIP, and to the man on the street, is simply this: "Beware!".  The only way to get out of the #E.U., the only sure way to take back control of your country, is to work for a UKIP majority in the U.K. parliament.  Your vote for UKIP at a General Election is a powerful force towards that end. 

HOW TO PUT THE "GREAT" BACK IN BRITAIN ?

Whatever happened to Great Britain?

In varying degrees its Health Service, Universities, Schools, Energy policy, #Immigration management, and the Benefit and Transport systems, appear to be broken. If that wasn't enough it pursues questionable "green" policies and subscribes to the view that not only is the climate changing ( of course its bloody changing ! ) but the changes are quite definitely man-made, and ultimately catastrophic. 

Frank discussions are no more.  Political correctness stifles the expression of true feelings and "#Human Rights" allow almost anyone to get away with almost anything! Mention the word "blame" at your peril. The #European Union daily imposes ridiculous restrictions on the British lifestyle, its industry its commerce and its population. And the #UK sits happily back and takes it?

It's about time they woke up to the fact that a succession of incompetent governments are to blame.  Governments which have dragged an uncertain population into a #European Union, governments which have failed to put in place a managed immigration policy, failed to properly organise schools, universities and health and social services. 

For example thirty years or so ago the #teaching community were not discouraged from wandering down liberal (small "l")  pathways. They did so happily accompanied, as it happens, by soul mates the #BBC and the #Guardian newspaper.  Now this was a real climate change and chances are it contributed hugely to the UK we observe from mainland Europe today. 

But the blame is not limited to a succession of incompetent governments; there are incompetent individuals out there who also carry much of the blame. Politicians, #doctors, #nurses, #teachers, #journalists, #industrialists and so on and so on. Sometimes they made mistakes; sometimes they were simply incompetent.  The anti-blame culture has been their biggest ally. 

Now's the time for the U.K. to sort things out before it's too late.  Time to get real, to be honest about its predicament, to be courageous and above all learn to act with common sense. 

It's time to elect a government capable of getting a grip, capable of being honest and fair. It's time to elect a government capable of doing what makes sense for the U.K. however unpopular it might seem: a government of common sense.

The question is "Do the U.K. electorate care?"  I wonder.......

   

HOW TO LEAVE THE EU - WITH CONSERVATIVES OR UKIP?

Objectivity is not easy if you are a politician. Personal views and feelings get in the way of the party line. 

They tell me many members of the UK #Conservative party are defecting to burgeoning #UKIP. I've no evidence to suport the fact.  What's certain however is that while I was in the U.K. I met many long-standing Conservatives disappointed with the Conservative approach to Europe.  

These dissatisfied Conservatives want to get away from Europe; they don't want Europe imposing its views and laws on everything from a light bulb to energy policy. They are sick and tired of the ever increasing burden of barmy health and safety laws, green policies, perverse human rights decisions, and disgraceful wastes of money. They worry about giving control of UK energy industries to outside interests - including European interests. There's a lot more. In short they want sovereignty back.

Accordingly I can see why, not just many Conservatives, but many members of the Labour and Liberal Parties, might decide to defect to UKIP. 

How to leave the EU? Be objective. Put aside Party doctrine and question which Party offers the best opportunity to regain sovereignty. 

Would it be the Conservative Party with its leader's promise of a referendum on the subject? Or maybe it's UKIP; but is that a Party ready for Government? It's unlikely to be the Labour Party which yet has to decide what policies to follow.  As things stand it would never be the namby-pamby Liberals with their sycophantic European agenda.

Politics will always be influenced by diverse vested interests. The political dimensions of quitting the #E.U. are no exception. So beware! 

Politicians should not underestimate these issues and the importance of adapting so that objectivity and honesty become a major part of their political creeds.

If the Conservative Party wishes to regain lost ground maybe it should take a deep breath and question whether it achieves absolute objectivity? For example should it have the courage to respond to what it knows Conservative supporters actually want? Or does it know better? Should it start by having the courage to ditch the Liberals and end the pernicious Coalition? Should it tell the electorate the Conservatives will quit Europe; explain how, and explain why?  

As for UKIP? For sure it hopes to continue its meteoric growth. But should it also take a deep breath and question how it can convince the electorate it would be ready for Government?  If so, then would it help to explain how its political objectives will be achieved?  Is its biggest challenge to morph into rather more than just an influential catalyst? 

UKIP, CAMERON, AND DITCHING THE LIBERALS

Why doesn't #Cameron ditch the #Liberals? Easy question eh?  Most everyone would say "He needs them!" 

Well does he? #Clegg and his party appear to be going down the drain.  But for teachers and "right wing" elements in the #BBC, support would probably collapse completely.  But of course without Clegg and his fellows the #U.K. Coalition government is finished. And if Cameron thought he could win a General Election then certainly he would ditch the Liberals. But he doesn't; so he won't.

So what is the opposition?  #Milliband and ..oh yes...#UNITE (representing workers across the U.K??).  No opposition there surely!? UNITE's recent rather windy Scottish excursion left it blushing with kilt above the head and very little of any significance below. As for Milliband, bless him,  he still tags along in the shadow of his equally competent brother.

So what is the opposition?  It has to be #UKIP. There simply is no other contender.

But is #UKIP just a force for change? Or could it really serve the U.K. in majority government?  

All depends on the courage and perception of the U.K. electorate.  What's crucial is not how they perceive UKIP. It's how they perceive the preparedness of UKIP for government. And that's the crunch.

UNIVERSAL BENEFIT CUTS

Pensioners could face universal benefit cuts after the next U.K. General Election according to the current Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan-Smith.

Oh dear, Smithy!  How skilfully you turn a small victory into certain defeat!  Now you've gone and put your good old ex-military foot right in it on something else.

Based on their current abysmal performance alongside of the namby pamby Liberals it's most unlikely the Tories will be returned to any form of power for a very long time.  But even assuming the unlikely, (more unlikely now as Pensioners see what the Tories promise) why would anyone in their right political mind threaten to deprive Pensioners of anything !!

"Right you 'orrible, 'orrible lot of old skiving conniving gits. Let's be 'aving your bus passes, winter fuel allowances and TV licence fees - AT THE DOUBLE NOW!"  

Smithy, bullying Pensioners is probably not a good choice.  Bullying - that will be the perception. Who could believe such a thing from you? 

Smithy is alleged to have said "Pensioners need a much longer time if you are going to make changes to their income......They are arguably the most difficult group to make short- term change because.......they can't suddenly say I'll take on more hours of work."  So what are they going to do, Smithy?  How will they replace what you plan to take away? Write blogs and hope someone clicks on the ads? 

We can only guess what evil adviser was behind this proposal.  Maybe working on the assumption that a load of these Pensioners will have snuffed it by the time means testing comes along; and that their replacements won't miss what they never had?

In fairness the fellow has the right idea when it comes to the general need for austerity measures. But to be perceived as knocking Pensioners about is not clever. Probably  a confused hangover from a military past? 

On the other hand, in the right context, why should anything be wrong with a bit of prudent "bullying"? In the hands of a skilled practitioner who knows what might be achieved with some metaphoric water-boarding? 

Could it be the fellow is just in the wrong job? Perhaps, bless him, our Smithy should be given the go-ahead to use strong-arm tactics and get rid of obscenely wasteful Quangos? I'll wager the resultant saving would far outweigh potential Pensioner savings.

Here surely is a man whose integrity is such he would have no qualms if it happened to involve "bullying" one's friends and colleagues? 

UK DOMESTIC PRODUCT SHRINKS, OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS

The U.K. Office for National Statistics (ONS) reckons the U.K. domestic product has shrunk by 0.7% in the second quarter of 2012. Consequently, and at last, it looks like the gloves are off .The Conservatives and the Liberals have a nice little punch-up in the offing!  I'm going to say the big boy will win!

I'm a bit confused though.  Back to the ONS. Can they be trusted?  For example, who collects and presents the statistics?  

Well I think I may have the answer to the first question. Currently ONS is looking to employ researchers at Bristol Airport and the Port of Holyhead.  Hmm....... They'll be part-time employees, paid at an annualised rate of £15,601 (based on 37 hours per week) but required to work only 6 hours per week. Budding Public and Commercial Service Union members. (see my blog on Striking Border clerks on the eve of Olympics). Plenty of takers there then,  interviewing passengers.    And of course we can rely upon these well-motivated part-timers to collect data in a most diligent way given the in-depth training offered.  

Nevertheless I can't help wondering what useful statistics (i.e statistics benefiting the economy) will be extracted from hurrying travellers intercepted at the ports; and to what extent would  the statistics be reliable?

Mind you think about it. Deduct the time these part-timers could be required to comply with Union orders to withdraw labour, and they probably wont have any time to collect themselves  let alone statistics! Is it safe to assume that similar arrangements are in place to collect a broader spectrum of economic statistics? Statistics which now indicate, as presented, that the U.K. domestic product has shrunk in the second quarter.

Well I'm an optimist. Who cares about the statistics anyway?  We know what you can do with them. I'm more worried about the bizarre suggestion that dear old @Vince Cable is up to being Chancellor. And bless him, when asked, he thought that he "probably would". Such a nice chap eh?

With luck this expected Liberal Conservative punch up (behind closed doors no doubt) will soon be over and @Nick Clegg, @Vince Cable and....and.... (well most people can only think of two of them) will lie low for a bit while they lick their wounds. Will they have learned to be more careful in future?  Will they have the sense to let the Conservatives get on with things? If not they may end up in the trash: there's currently no way @Ed Milliband and his mates would need to let these lads in!!

  

TORIES, THE PUBLIC SCHOOL IMAGE, AND THE OLD BOY NETWORK

Why are so many people shy of voting Conservative?  And why are so many Conservative supporters defecting to UKIP?

I reckon it's down to two things. First a disastrous impact caused by forced collaboration with the Liberals in Coalition.  Liberals many view with embarrassment as politically correct,  namby pamby members of a decrepit Party comfortable only in opposition. Second a mistrust many voters have of the Public School set, its natural association with the aristocracy, tricky Bankers and other City types.

There's very little doubt in the writer's mind that a good Public School education is second to none. It should be no surprise that many excellent politicians, bankers, lawyers,City entrepreneurs and so on have a Public School background. Why should such a good education be seen as a threat?   The U.K should welcome such expertise. 

Unfortunately the Conservative's have an image of unhealthy association with the "Old Boy" network; a network many perceive as somehow evil(I'm sure they're mis-informed), and having Public School roots. Believing that image, and disliking it, they search for a more old fashioned, in your face, firm but fair, UK-first, undiluted conservative approach, and defect to UKIP. A party where the image is more Grammar School than Public School.

The Conservative Party must deal with the unfortunate perception if ever they want to get voters back. (N.B. The Labour Party has an equal number of members of the aristocracy and old boys from Public School but a completely different image!) 

The Conservatives must also deal with their very unfortunate association with the watery Liberals.  I recently blogged that Liberals are involved in government only to make up the numbers - and I'm sure we're all pleased for them.  They are all such nice people.  But @David Cameron is fast getting tarred with the same brush!!  It's losing him votes.  

As I've said before it's time to invite Cleggy to Assembly and, before prayers, to give him a damn good public whacking  !!  On your Barracuda Bike !!

LIBERAL PARTY AND LOYALTY

I've blogged before about the Liberals apparent lack of understanding of things like Cabinet responsibility, loyalty and so on. Their philosophy of never seeming to make a decision unless everyone has "bought in" to a particular viewpoint is typical Liberal behaviour.  Great approach if you run a company's Human Resource Department, but hopeless if you run the company. Futile if you run a country.

Shame really because we might have had an effective Coalition if all parties to the Coalition had been prepared to make courageous decisions, to show absolute loyalty to the Coalition, and to upset more than a few people here and there along the way.  Ever met a Liberal who could do even one of those things?

The mass Liberal abstention this week will probably cause their party no end of trouble. Had they really thought through the consequences? Even the Opposition were moved, but delighted of course, by such treachery.  Could this be the beginning of the end for the Liberal Party? It's getting to the point where the damage caused by such behaviour (I've even heard it called childish behaviour) may take them beyond the point of no political return.  

So what can the Liberals do to stop the rot? It's a tough one.  But for sure there's no point in trying to put lipstick on a pig. And perhaps that says it all.  Let's face it Liberals are just jolly nice people. Far too nice to get involved in government.  Think +Vince Cable.  Bless him.

CABINET LEAKS AND THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

A few days ago I commented on the leaks coming out of the Cabinet.  Now leaks from committee-participating-"also ran"-parliamentarians are one thing; leaks from the Cabinet quite another.

I get the definite impression that our Liberal representatives are getting far too big for their tiny  boots. Cast your minds back to the recent budget.  How many leaks ?  It doesn't take long to deduce that leaks came from Liberal, not Conservative sources.  Any suggestion that such leaks emanated from the Civil Service are preposterous of course. No it looks as if it was someone of Liberal persuasion.

The Liberal character came out again this morning as I listened to a Liberal fellow interviewed by the lefty BBC.  Words to the effect that you can't blame the Liberals for preventing the Conservatives achieving  Conservative manifesto pledges.  Well of course you can't.! But what was the point in saying that?  The Conservative manifesto, and the liberal manifesto, have nothing to do with what's going on just now.  What should matter is in the coalition agreement.  But this particular Liberal fellow was still hung up on political differences between the parties.

Well maybe that's understandable.  But let's get back to the Cabinet and leaks.  When honour  certainly meant something in politics Cabinet discussions, decisions, responsibility, confidentiality and above all loyalty, were things absolutely respected by the participants. Labour and Conservative governments understood what loyalty was required for the benefit of good governance and to benefit of the country overall.  Maybe Liberals, bless them, have been out of  any serious loop for so long they don't really get what Cabinet responsibility is all about; it's as if they have no real idea how to behave.   Or maybe Liberal Cabinet members feel their overall responsibility is still to their party and not to the coalition government?   If so, like the school snitch, it means  they are not to be trusted. 

Watch out David Cameron!! If my furtive imagination is correct you need to sideline such fellows.  At the very least invite them for a discussion in the headmaster's study;  maybe give them a bloody good caning.  If you don't they will drag you down and perhaps even destroy your party.  It's not worth taking such risks.