Tag Archive: NIck Clegg

2013
01/10

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Not another lie?

Richard North, EUReferendum, has posted on the subject of Nick Clegg’s “phone-in” on LBC in which Clegg repeated the oft-made claim:

“that about three million, one in ten jobs in this country are dependent now, one way or the other, on our membership of the world’s largest borderless single market”.

Let us rewind to 31st October 2011 and Nick Clegg, Today on BBC Radio Four:

“There are three million of our fellow citizens, men and women, in this country whose jobs rely directly on our participation and role and place in what is after all the world’s largest borderless single market with 500 million consumers right on our doorstep… isolation costs jobs, costs growth, costs people’s livelihood.”

This figure of three million jobs has been quoted since 2000, here by Stephen Byers (Trade and Industry Secretary) and here by Tony Blair. In the same year a report was issued by the South Bank University in which the figure of three million is mentioned. Yet another report was published in 2000 by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research in which it is stated that: “detailed estimates from input-output tables suggest that up to 3.2 million UK jobs are now associated directly with exports of goods and services to other EU countries” and went on to state that: “there is no reason to suppose that many of these [jobs], if any, would be lost permanently if Britain were to leave the EU”.

From Hansard of 2011 a figure of 3.5 million was mentioned during a BIS debate in the HoC about overseas investment, based on an analysis apparently conducted in 2006. Further, a BIS report from February 2011, on the UK Government Response to the European Commission Consultation on the Single Market Act, stated that “the single market has also contributed to increased growth of at least 1.85 per cent and the creation of 2.75 million new jobs across the EU since 1992.”

There was a further report in 2008, by the predecessor to BIS namely the BERR, which found that: “approximately 3 – 3.5 million British jobs are linked (both directly and indirectly) with exports to the EU”.

An extensive search of the EU website has failed to produce one report by the Commission about any UK-specific estimates of the number of jobs created as a consequence of EU membership.

Another interesting fact is that, if this figure of three million can be traced back to 2000, it seems a tad strange that current estimates are the same as those made twelve years ago – not least because we have seen a significant recession during this period.

With all the instances of politicians being economical with the actualité, it is becoming obvious that they have no intention of promoting accuracy in any public debate – which is a surprise (not)!

 

 

2012
10/02

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The deep-seated problem in the Labour Party (or any other party come to that)

To which picture the caption is one of two parts: “There but for the grace of God would I be” and “Make the most of it Ed, your days are numbered.*”

And to illustrate the careerist/ambitionist aspect of our present system of democracy one could change the picture to one of George Osborne or Vince Cable and the sentiments of the caption would be just as pertinent where the object of loathing was, respectively, Cameron or Clegg.

I’m reminded of a section of the lyrics to a Sandie Shaw song, one entitled “Puppet On A String”:

“I may win on the roundabout
Then I’ll lose on the swings
In or out, there is never a doubt
Just who’s pulling the strings
I’m all tied up to you
But where’s it leading me to?”

The answer to the question posed, unless we act now and change our system of democracy, is one of political servitude.

Which, in turn, begs the question where, in our present system of democracy, is the “demos” (people) and “kratos” (power), or people power?

Just saying/asking…………….. (again)

*Where Umunna is concerned, the captions apply to both Eds!

2012
07/22

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Another ‘stitch-up’ for 2015?

Nick Clegg is reported to have said that if there is yet another hung parliament as a result of the 2015 election, he would be open to forming a coalition with the Labour Party. Setting to one side the question of whether there would be sufficient Liberal Democrat MPs* to even make the question of a coalition possible, what I find interesting is this quote:

“If the British people said that was the only combination which could work would be those two parties…….”

This can only be taken to mean that the British people would be given the opportunity of agreeing to another coalition government by means of a referendum, or similar (or has Clegg once again failed to synchronize brain and voice box).

Where coalitions and the present relationship twixt Cameron and Clegg are concerned, there appears to be a rather telling expression on Clegg’s face in the picture that has been used – but I digress……

Anyway, methinks that Master Clegg is getting a little too big for his boots and that he is counting his chickens before they have hatched. In any case, where current opinion polls are concerned, Clegg might not be an MP and it might then be necessary to ‘commission’ a post for him in sprout-land Brussels.

*Afterthought: the way things are going Clegg might not be the only party leader who only just scrapes into double figures where the number of seats obtained is concerned – eh, Mr. Cameron?

 

2012
07/17

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There’s choice – and there’s choice

So, we read that Cameron is more committed to the Coalition than when he and Clegg made the initial decision following the stalemate at the general election back in May  2010; a point with which NIck Clegg seemed to concur when playing down talk of them being ‘at war’. It can be the cause of no surprise that both speak as they do because the alternative, being in opposition, is not that attractive – at least not when they have both had a taste of the ‘good life’.

It is important to note that both men are planning a new ‘slimmed-down’ agreement setting out the Coalition’s plans for the remainder of this parliamentary term. So for the second time within a period of less than three years the British electorate are to be presented with a document/manifesto on which they have not been given the opportunity of expressing an opinion. Such a document has no place in a democracy, in fact it is more akin to an edict produced by a dictatorship. Oh, wait………

The majority of the electorate will no doubt let the planned ‘slimmed-down’ agreement pass them by, while shrugging their shoulders in resignation and one can understand such a reaction; although conversely one can but be amazed that they have allowed their democracy and political process to be highjacked by those they have elected without raising their voices in dissent. On the other hand, in fairness it could be argued that they have never been informed that besides representative democracy there are other systems in being which would allow them to control political excess and emasculation of democracy.

It is that which the Harrogate Agenda hopes to produce for the approval of the electorate, the opportunity to debate a number of proposals for change; because, as Cameron once famously said, we cannot continue as we are. The final proposals that are put to the electorate will either be accepted, amended, or dismissed outright – but the important point is that it will be the people deciding their own future and not two self-centred, career politicians telling them what they must do and how they must behave. For this one reason alone it is of paramount importance that people become engaged with the Harrogate Agenda and partake in its deliberations and the discussions being held. My one plea to those that read this and other like-minded blogs is that they will engage family, friends and neighbours, urging them to become involved.

Just asking………..

 

2012
07/13

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Comments prior to heading to Harrogate

Richard North, EUReferendum, comments on the Guardian article which informs us Nick Clegg is mounting a challenge to David Cameron over the timing of negations to repatriate powers. As an aside to this the Express is reporting that Ed Miliband is ruling out any referendum for the time being as he feels the issue was “not a priority” and that most people were more worried about living standards than a vote on our links with Brussels. Membership of the EU has no effect on living standards? FHS!

In his penultimate post leading up to the ‘Harrogate Meet’ Richard North also tackles the subject of ‘people power‘ where unwanted laws are concerned. Where the introduction of law is concerned, perhaps one idea is to delay ‘Assent’ for 28 days which would allow the people to organise a referendum before any possible ‘damage’ could be done – at present a Bill receives ‘Assent’ within days. Where I disagree slightly with Richard North is in his assertion that allowing the public to make law could be abused – methinks I shall have to ‘bend his ear some more’.

The Guardian carries a report on government plans for ‘swift justice’, commenting that it could resolve court cases within hours. If the Guardian – and the media in general – reported actual news then they would know that justice is already meted out within hours - Roger Hayes?

Anyway, understandably, posting today will not occur again until the evening as it is about a four-hour drive to Harrogate (with a stop on the way). No doubt a great deal of the journey time will be spent debating representative democracy with The Boiling Frog………

 

2012
06/27

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The Deputy “Reichsführer” has spoken

Politics Home reports that Nick Clegg ‘expects’ ”everybody” in the Government to abide by the Coalition Agreement and get behind House of Lords reform. 

“We’ve had a discussion within government about what the shape of this legislation would look like, and we’ve agreed it collectively.”

Really? And when was the Coalition Agreement put to the people for their approval? Consequently, where is the mandate for the Coalition to implement this policy? To whom does the constitution of our nation belong – the people, or the political elite?

When will any member of the Coalition admit that, in effect, what they carried out following the general election of 2010 was but to impose on the electorate of this nation, a dictatorship?

Those in the Coalition may have decided on what House of Lords reform should look like and may have collectively agreed it, but the people haven’t. If the United Kingdom is a democracy, should not the people have so agreed – and if so, when did they so do?

And representative democracy is of the people, for the people, by the people?

Just asking……….

 

 

 

 

2012
06/26

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What is good for the Goose is also good for the Gander

The BBC is reporting that the Prime Minister has refused to answer questions from a Labour MP until he apologises for accusing him of misleading parliament. But David Cameron has mislead Parliament, has he not – along with Osborne, MilibandE, the Coalition, DEFRA and the DfT? That Bryant is so concerned about matters internal and, one could say, personal – ie, phone hacking – when the matter of misleading of Parliament should be more concerned with who actually governs our country, is ‘telling’ in the extreme – but then what more should one expect from an MP who is an advocate for EU governance? Mind you, perhaps, until the electorate receive an apology from the aforementioned, the electorate should stop voting for those mentioned previously, including the Secretaries of State and Ministers of those departments?

The Evening Standard is reporting that Nick Clegg today changed his blueprint for House of Lords reform by adding an extra 150 seats for “part-time” senators. In a last-minute move to win over critics, he told Cabinet he would increase the size of the proposed chamber from 300 to 450 members, while also proposing that new senators will no longer be paid a salary but will claim £300 a day expenses that will be taxed. Now, if Nick Clegg can decide, without recourse to those who will be providing said funding, what those in the House of Lords should be paid, perhaps on the same basis the electorate should decide what Nick Clegg and his colleagues in the world of politics should be paid – without recourse to them. After all I can but repeat the question posed in the heading to this post, namely is not that which is good for the Gander also good for the Goose.

All things considered are not those questions fair, considering who it is who is continually screwing the Goose?

 

2012
06/20

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Cameron considering changing his Carr

So it appears that a comedian (I use the word loosely) by the name of Jimmy Carr has discovered a (at the moment) perfectly legal method to minimize his tax liability – at which point cue outrage from politicians, commentators et all, with Cameron reportedly describing Carr’s ‘tax avoidance’ as morally wrong.

Who, among us, has not attempted to minimize their tax bill? It is reasonable to assume that Cameron’s parents did so attempt and that, indirectly or otherwise, Cameron gained some benefit from their actions – likewise MilibandE. Does not Nick Clegg’s wife attempt to minimize her tax liability? There are those among us who have the capability to be ‘captains of industry’, who are blessed with the gift of earning ‘mega wonga’ due to a natural ability at, for example, sport or in the field of entertainment – but the majority of us are not so blessed. I have never been sufficiently wealthy that I was able to save £thousands, or £hundred of thousands, in tax liability (thanks Littlewoods Pools in my early years; and latterly, Camelot) however I have never begrudged those that have been wealthy. As Spike Milligan reportedly said: “Money can’t buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery”; and it may well have been nice to have found out whether he was right or not.

The policy of the political elite at the moment would appear to be that those earning ‘mega wonga’ should pay more tax to which I have to ask why? Why should some individuals be penalized for making use of an ability that the rest of us do not have? Cameron may bleat that people who pay their ‘fare share’ of tax pay good money to go and see Carr perform. That is their choice, it is their money and no-one forces them to attend Carr’s shows – unlike us who are forced to fund and watch Cameron et all perform – and who are decidedly unfunny. On the basis that if they have nothing to fear then they have nothing to hide, perhaps all politicians should have their tax affairs (unredacted) available on line?

Instead of bleating about something being morally wrong (pot/kettle?) perhaps Cameron and the rest of the political elite might look at lowering the rates of taxation so that those who are wealthy do not need to find loopholes in the tax system? How about a flat tax system so that people have an incentive to work hard, knowing that the more they earn the wealthier they will become – and the wealthier the country will become? Simplistic that argument may be, but I have yet to hear an acceptable argument proving the idea wrong.

 

 

 

2012
06/11

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CarelessnessRCamerons

“To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”

Nancy, indignant at the suggestion her being abandoned was her fault, is reputed to have commented we should remember that her Daddy does have a lot on his mind: he has lost his country, has probably lost the next election and try as he might he can’t lose Nick Clegg. She also wondered whether temporarily losing her was a trial run by her father in his attempts to lose Nick Clegg and his party. On the bright side – she added, smiling – at least he doesn’t have any Balls to lose.

On questioning by the Press, Samantha Cameron maintained a tight-lipped silence although your correspondent understands that oats, porridge or otherwise, are most definitely not on the breakfast, nor supper, menu – neither is she playing “Chequers” for a few weeks. When the latter was put to David Cameron, he smiled and shrugged his shoulders while commenting that he had an app for that.

 

2012
06/09

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Self-preservation & self-importance to the fore – natch!

Politics Home is reporting that the Times has an article in which one senior Conservative is stating that an in-out referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union would leave his party “split down the middle” and that only a “tiny” number of Cabinet members would back a vote on the issue at the current time. Apropos to the Times article, Simon Heffer writing in the Mail advocates such an in-out referendum, while a ‘leading article’ in the Independent criticizes those who do.

It may well be for the reasons suggested by the Independent that politicians are loath to grant any referendum but knowing our political elite as we do it is probably fairer to state that their reasons are far more likely to be related to their self-preservation and misplaced self-importance, coupled of course with overriding loyalty to their party.

From the Daily Telegraph we are informed that David Cameron has dismissed as “nonsense” a suggestion from Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, that the European Union should eventually have a single national identity and described as “nonsense” the idea of loyalty to a common European flag – yet is not that which he is wishing for other Member States? This begs the question whether Cameron – in common with politicians in general – knows that on which he pontificates? While on the question about knowledge of brief, we have been informed that the Treasury, under George Osborne, are preparing to safeguard our economy in the event of a euro collapse. One can but wonder what these plans are; presumably plans in which the man, who admitted making errors in the presentation of the last budget, had input – which does not auger well.

It is worth repeating that it is in the hands of incompetents such as Cameron and Osborne – not forgetting MilibandE and Clegg – that we place not only our own future but that of our country. It is becoming even more important that the movement to be born on 14th of next month is able, in the days and months which follow, to educate the people about democracy.

 

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