.
Most would agree that those who risk their lives to defend democracy should be the first in line to participate in it. However, the Labour government takes the opposite view. There was wide-scale electoral disenfranchisement of the Armed Forces in the 2005 general election and only a high-profile campaign forced the government into limited action.
Once more, there is a real danger that soldiers on operations will be denied the vote once more….and it is difficult not to conclude that this is a deliberate omission on the part of Labour ministers who realise their appalling treatment of the Armed Forces over the past five years – despite their sacrifices – will win them few votes.
This debacle stretches back to the last election, as reported in Total Politics in 2006.
The armed forces have a unique role in the British electorate. Given the same right to vote as the public, they are kept largely out of elections because of the risk of playing party politics yet they should be among the most motivated of our electorate. After all, how many other people would leave the comfort of normal daily and family life to give the ultimate sacrifice for their country?
There have been four Acts of Parliament in the 20th century that have changed the status of service voters and the methods they may use to cast their ballot. It was the furore over the late or non-arrival of registration information and postal ballots plus falling registration numbers for armed forces voters in the 2005 general election that put the media’s spotlight on the issue. This led to provisions in the 2006 Electoral Administration Act which extended the registration period from twelve months to three years. Since then, it has again slipped from the media’s radar but many of the issues remain.
The controversy around the armed forces voting in the 2005 general election began when Andrew Tyrie, Conservative MP for Chichester, who noticed low numbers of service registrations in 2003: “In most places it is very difficult to spot changes in registration numbers”, he says, “but it was a distinct constituency where I could see a dramatic fall in registration. The number of registered voters had halved”.
As the countdown to the 2005 general election began, it became clear that there were problems emerging for armed forces voting. On the 15 April 2005, less than a month before polling day, the Daily Telegraph reported: “up to 80% of military personnel would be unable to vote” because leaflets on how to register were sent too late for service personnel stationed overseas to vote and army websites were displaying out-of-date information.
Douglas Young, of the British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) says: “The run-up to the 2005 general election was an utter farce. There’s still anger about it”. His report ‘Silence in the Ranks’ detailed the problems faced by members of the armed forces including legislative changes in 2000, website information and postal voting problems.
Andrew Robathan MP for Blaby criticised the government for being dismissive: “I firmly believe the government didn’t want people in the armed forces voting because of the large numbers who wouldn’t vote Labour. The government dragged its heels deliberately”, he says.
That was 2006, this is 2009.
Some progress has been made - the appointment of electoral registration officers and the change in annual registration to three-year registration. This was only the result of a determined campaign by the Army Rumour Service and the then-embryonic British Armed Forces Federation, who brought this to the attention of Andrew Robatham and other MPs. Incidentally, Harriet Harman won some praise for focusing on the 2006 Electoral Registration Act, which modified the system.
However, it is likely that - even if registered - personnel overseas will be unable to vote. The current voting system allows only 11 days, inclusive of weekends, from the point at which candidates’ names are confirmed, to printing in the UK, delivery of papers and posting to the overseas destination and back to the chosen constituency. It simply does not work for those serving overseas.
The alternative proxy vote is exceptionally unpopular and unacceptable. While the system is under review by the Ministry of Justice it will not be in time for 20 per cent of army personnel serving overseas (even excluding those on operations) to vote in the next general election.
There is increasing evidence that few - if any - serving voters and their families were able to vote in the last series of local and European elections. Papers are simply not arriving in time for service personnel to vote and return them.
This is unacceptable in a democracy that owes so much to those who defend it.
No other modern democracy is so lax in ensuring its soldiers can vote....including our former Cold War opponent Russia.
The opposition parties must seize upon this issue and force the government to act. If politicians can be flown out to Camp Bastion for photocalls, then it should be possible to fly out ballot boxes from every constituency to allow the collection of postal votes, and fly them back in good time for inclusion in the postal vote count. Candidates are happy to bend over backwards to get out their core voters at election time – providing minibuses, gathering postal votes (and even filling them in for voters on some occasions) – so why are the Armed Forces serving overseas ignored.
This government has thrown insult after insult in the faces of Armed Forces. Removal of their right to vote is an insult beneath contempt and amounts to gerrymandering. The Conservative Party has shown imagination in embracing a primary-style selection process for local candidates. They must show the same initiative in putting maximum pressure on the government to ensure that Service voters matter after all. Perhaps they chould even charter an aircraft to fly into the various theatres and gather postal votes….in the same way as in a UK constituency. This would generate enormous publicity in support of Armed Forces voters.
Action is needed now to ensure the Armed Forces do not lose the right to vote.
Nicked in its entirety from here:
http://jess-the-dog.blogspot.com/2009/08/armed-forces-prevented-from-voting.html
I wonder why the Labour party would not want soldiers voting? Anyone got any ideas?
Morg
.
Monday, 8 February 2010
TURN OFF THE TV
.
Anyone who knows me knows I could have said this.
By thinking for yourself enough to be a BNPer, you're already half way there.
Quite proud to say I got my five-year badge today. But I've been without TV for fifteen years - and even before that I only had one because the wife wanted it ... and even then she used to give me a hard time because my "nose is always in a book".
Think for yourself! Don't think what ANYONE else tells you, not even me or Mr Griffin, (but ESPECIALLY the TV) - decide for yourself - THINK for yourself. You have a brain - USE it. BNP members are already half way there.
Morg
.
Anyone who knows me knows I could have said this.
By thinking for yourself enough to be a BNPer, you're already half way there.
Quite proud to say I got my five-year badge today. But I've been without TV for fifteen years - and even before that I only had one because the wife wanted it ... and even then she used to give me a hard time because my "nose is always in a book".
Think for yourself! Don't think what ANYONE else tells you, not even me or Mr Griffin, (but ESPECIALLY the TV) - decide for yourself - THINK for yourself. You have a brain - USE it. BNP members are already half way there.
Morg
.
OPERATION BLACK VOTE
OPERATION BLACK VOTE (Operation ANTI-WHITE?)
http://www.obv.org.uk/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
What voice do WE have ?
Who stands up for US ?
Who promotes OUR wellbeing ?
What RACE SPECIFIC organisations exist for US ?
Why is it RACIST to promote OUR ETHNIC IDENTITY and CULTURE ?
Where is the Black/Minority/Ethnic organisations standing up for OUR RIGHTS ?
What LAWS have been passed to PROTECT US from DISCRIMINATION (RACIAL, CULTURAL OR POSITIVE) ?
EHRC exists like, Operation Black Vote to benefit those not WHITE or INDIGENOUS in OUR HOMELAND.
But the EHRC sees OBV as a POSITIVE organisation.
It works positively for B/M/E but not for Whitey.
Discrimination is "POSITIVE" when it's DIRECTED AT WHITEY.
So should we have a look at the OVERTLY RACIST "Operation Black Vote" (OBV) ?
Now when I say OVERT RACISM I will give you some examples from the OBV site.
Such as...'OBV Exclusive: How white is our media industry?'
"When OBV did its commendable research into the all-pervasive WHITENESS of BBC Radio presenters last summer, it could have just as easily focused on the lack of racial minorities on national newspapers: and, in particular, on Fleet Street’s columnists."
Is that a RACIST STATEMENT or what ?
"The London Schools and the Black Child Annual Academic Achievement Awards "
"Do you know a Black student who has done exceptionally well in their exams this year?
As in previous years they will be held at the House of Commons in early October. In attendance will be Education Ministers, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and a host of black celebrities.
But it's an ok type of Racism because it's aimed at WHITEY. This article also has more than one type of Racism against WHITEY.
You know whats wrong with the BRITISH ?
THEY'RE ALWAYS TOO BLOODY WHITE.
"In an effort to break this cycle, the Guardian has launched a writers workshop for minority voices (NON-WHITE)it will teach participants how to come up with ideas, how to structure stories, and how to pitch them to editors. ...
At the same time, we are also taking applications for our annual programmes, the positive action (Anti-White) work-placement scheme, in which 12 minority writers (NON-WHITE) spend up to three weeks at the Guardian across a range of editorial departments, and the the Scott Trust bursary scheme, which funds students through a post-graduate journalism diploma."
British Jobs for anyone but the Indigenous British.
*
Councillor
*
Parole Board
*
Magistrate (Recruiting)
*
Welsh AM
*
Commissioner
*
MP (Recruiting now)
*
Understanding Power"
"Since we began our first shadowing scheme back in 1999 over 500 (NON-WHITE) individuals from all backgrounds and from all parts of the UK have taken part in projects that at their core empower individuals to understand and become civic decision makers. " (Common Purpose ?)
Now they want not just ALL WOMEN SHORTLISTS but also B/M/E SHORTLISTS (Non White shortlists)
"His comments come after a cross-party Speakers Conference of MPs recommended that the Government introduce “enabling legislation” to allow parties to use all-BME shortlists if they want to."
Again they are not content with promoting B/M/E, but are now actively seeking to place B/M/E in the decision making and running of our country, at local and national level.
All at the expense of the White Indigenous Population.
Is there a hue and cry about this ?
Of course there bloody isn't.
Operation Black Vote is RACIST and ANTI-WHITE.
Have a look at the OBVs Profile Page
http://www.obv.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=538&Itemid=122
A political mix. But with two things in common.
1) They are all Non-Ethnic British.
2)They all have the same aim.
The PROMOTION of B/M/E over US.
"OBV Profile: Ziauddin Sardar "
Ziauddin Sardar has established himself as one of the leading scholarly writers in Britain having penned over 40 books. OBV profiles the political writer who now stands as a commissioner for Britain’s equality (Anti-White) commission.
"OBV Profile: Kulveer Ranger"
"Kulveer Ranger is no ordinary politician. OBV profiles the former DJ looking at what he hopes to achieve in his political career as a Conservative Party member."
"REFT Meeting"
"The political campaigning for a general election is gathering pace, and we will have plenty of work to do over the next few weeks and months if we are to prevent the gains the far right are anticipating in them and in the local elections.
'Hope not hate' have set up an office in Dagenham to use as a base for campaigning in London, particularly the east and out to Thurrock. A great deal of the campaigning in Barking and Dagenham will be based on telephone canvassing, building up relationships with key groups of voters who can influence the outcome ward by ward and street by street. "
I can smell the HYPOCRISY.
The BNP are having to change it's rules on Membership.
We can't be an ALL WHITE PARTY.
How many groups exist to cater for the needs, wants and aspirations of Black, Minority or Ethnic ?
Hundreds.
How many groups exist to cater for the needs, wants and aspirations of the WHITE INDIGENOUS POPULATION ?
ONE.
But we do have hope.
Our voice is being heard.
Our needs, wants and aspirations will be catered for.
But you need to play your part for Change to happen.
YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND VOTE BNP AT THE GENERAL ELECTION.
EHRC..GET STARTED ON DISMANTLING THESE RACIST B/M/E GROUPS.
http://www.obv.org.uk/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
What voice do WE have ?
Who stands up for US ?
Who promotes OUR wellbeing ?
What RACE SPECIFIC organisations exist for US ?
Why is it RACIST to promote OUR ETHNIC IDENTITY and CULTURE ?
Where is the Black/Minority/Ethnic organisations standing up for OUR RIGHTS ?
What LAWS have been passed to PROTECT US from DISCRIMINATION (RACIAL, CULTURAL OR POSITIVE) ?
EHRC exists like, Operation Black Vote to benefit those not WHITE or INDIGENOUS in OUR HOMELAND.
But the EHRC sees OBV as a POSITIVE organisation.
It works positively for B/M/E but not for Whitey.
Discrimination is "POSITIVE" when it's DIRECTED AT WHITEY.
So should we have a look at the OVERTLY RACIST "Operation Black Vote" (OBV) ?
Now when I say OVERT RACISM I will give you some examples from the OBV site.
Such as...'OBV Exclusive: How white is our media industry?'
"When OBV did its commendable research into the all-pervasive WHITENESS of BBC Radio presenters last summer, it could have just as easily focused on the lack of racial minorities on national newspapers: and, in particular, on Fleet Street’s columnists."
Is that a RACIST STATEMENT or what ?
"The London Schools and the Black Child Annual Academic Achievement Awards "
"Do you know a Black student who has done exceptionally well in their exams this year?
As in previous years they will be held at the House of Commons in early October. In attendance will be Education Ministers, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and a host of black celebrities.
But it's an ok type of Racism because it's aimed at WHITEY. This article also has more than one type of Racism against WHITEY.
You know whats wrong with the BRITISH ?
THEY'RE ALWAYS TOO BLOODY WHITE.
"In an effort to break this cycle, the Guardian has launched a writers workshop for minority voices (NON-WHITE)it will teach participants how to come up with ideas, how to structure stories, and how to pitch them to editors. ...
At the same time, we are also taking applications for our annual programmes, the positive action (Anti-White) work-placement scheme, in which 12 minority writers (NON-WHITE) spend up to three weeks at the Guardian across a range of editorial departments, and the the Scott Trust bursary scheme, which funds students through a post-graduate journalism diploma."
British Jobs for anyone but the Indigenous British.
*
Councillor
*
Parole Board
*
Magistrate (Recruiting)
*
Welsh AM
*
Commissioner
*
MP (Recruiting now)
*
Understanding Power"
"Since we began our first shadowing scheme back in 1999 over 500 (NON-WHITE) individuals from all backgrounds and from all parts of the UK have taken part in projects that at their core empower individuals to understand and become civic decision makers. " (Common Purpose ?)
Now they want not just ALL WOMEN SHORTLISTS but also B/M/E SHORTLISTS (Non White shortlists)
"His comments come after a cross-party Speakers Conference of MPs recommended that the Government introduce “enabling legislation” to allow parties to use all-BME shortlists if they want to."
Again they are not content with promoting B/M/E, but are now actively seeking to place B/M/E in the decision making and running of our country, at local and national level.
All at the expense of the White Indigenous Population.
Is there a hue and cry about this ?
Of course there bloody isn't.
Operation Black Vote is RACIST and ANTI-WHITE.
Have a look at the OBVs Profile Page
http://www.obv.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=538&Itemid=122
A political mix. But with two things in common.
1) They are all Non-Ethnic British.
2)They all have the same aim.
The PROMOTION of B/M/E over US.
"OBV Profile: Ziauddin Sardar "
Ziauddin Sardar has established himself as one of the leading scholarly writers in Britain having penned over 40 books. OBV profiles the political writer who now stands as a commissioner for Britain’s equality (Anti-White) commission.
"OBV Profile: Kulveer Ranger"
"Kulveer Ranger is no ordinary politician. OBV profiles the former DJ looking at what he hopes to achieve in his political career as a Conservative Party member."
"REFT Meeting"
"The political campaigning for a general election is gathering pace, and we will have plenty of work to do over the next few weeks and months if we are to prevent the gains the far right are anticipating in them and in the local elections.
'Hope not hate' have set up an office in Dagenham to use as a base for campaigning in London, particularly the east and out to Thurrock. A great deal of the campaigning in Barking and Dagenham will be based on telephone canvassing, building up relationships with key groups of voters who can influence the outcome ward by ward and street by street. "
I can smell the HYPOCRISY.
The BNP are having to change it's rules on Membership.
We can't be an ALL WHITE PARTY.
How many groups exist to cater for the needs, wants and aspirations of Black, Minority or Ethnic ?
Hundreds.
How many groups exist to cater for the needs, wants and aspirations of the WHITE INDIGENOUS POPULATION ?
ONE.
But we do have hope.
Our voice is being heard.
Our needs, wants and aspirations will be catered for.
But you need to play your part for Change to happen.
YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND VOTE BNP AT THE GENERAL ELECTION.
EHRC..GET STARTED ON DISMANTLING THESE RACIST B/M/E GROUPS.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
THE LABOUR PARTY SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME VIEW OF WIGAN
.
Morg
.
If you trawl Liverpool FC’s unofficial fan forums, it won’t be long before you stumble upon a long thread lamenting the lack of scousers in the squad. Has the city’s talent pool really drained so badly that it’s producing players who aren’t even fit for the subs bench?
You can see shades of this frustration in the backlash over Luciana Berger’s selection as Labour’s candidate for Liverpool Wavertree. Ms Berger is hardly at fault for being young, for harbouring a desire for public service or for possessing qualities which have made her appealing to London’s Labour hierarchy. She may, indeed, prove to be an excellent MP.
But what I read in the exasperated responses to her selection is a refrain I’ve heard many times in & around the Shankly Gates: was there not a single person, in a city of over 400,000 people, who could’ve done as good a job? The city expects an Emlyn Hughes or a Jamie Carragher – someone who, at some level, can understand & relate to the culture & traditions of the people they serve.
In my experience, scousers are no more insular than the inhabitants of any other large town or city. But they do possess a distinctive history and culture which they are deeply proud of and enjoy sharing with the rest of the world. They deserve – like every constituency in the country deserves – an MP who can recall this rich history, revel in its traditions and understand the hopes and fears of the people they wish to represent.
Really, this post isn’t even about Luciana Berger; a similar piece could’ve been written about David or Ed Miliband, Ed Balls or Yvette Cooper.
But her selection will only increase the sense that Labour regards the role of MP as some glorified graduate trainee programme, and sees constituencies as regional call centres, expected to dilligently enact the faxed dictats from central office.
One argument made by opponents of proportional representation is that it would remove the link between an MP and his/her constituents, yet they never stop to recognise that, thanks to the centralising of political parties, this link is already reaching the end of its tether.
Perhaps the defeat of Ms Berger would send a symbolic – but important – message from Liverpool to London that the days of carpetbagging must end if Labour is to re-establish itself with what was once its heartlands.
http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/02/07/the-rise-of-labours-new-class/
I always thought that the M.P. of - for example - Wigan represented the people of Wigan to central government rather than, as seems to be current practice, representing central government to the people of Wigan. That the Labour party has selected a carpetbagger as the Labour election candidate demonstrates fully what THEIR attitude is.
... Sensing an ill wind a-blowin’, it seems our MPs are worriedly wondering “you don’t suppose there’s something wrong with us, do you?”
MPs are planning a year-long investigation into the complexion of the Commons amid worries that its members are seen as a narrow, self-serving elite who bear no relation to the population as a whole.
...take a hard look at the Cabinet and you’ll find an eye-watering number of people who have either nothing to do with their constituencies, have had no ‘real world’ work experience outside of politics, or are some spoilt combination of the two.
David & Ed Miliband have both spent most of their working lives as New Labour technocrats, and despite having no real bonds with those areas, were parachuted into the safe working class consituencies of South Shields & Doncaster North. I doubt Ed Balls could’ve found his Normanton constituency on a map before he became its MP, likewise James Purnell in Stalybridge or Yvette Cooper in Pontefract. Andy Burnham at least had a passing familiarity with the people of Leigh, but even he’s been a party apparatchik for all his working life.
Of course, it’s understandable that Labour would want those they consider their ‘brightest stars’ to be flown into extremely safe (and invariably working class) seats, but each time they do so, they take the job away from someone who maybe could’ve represented those constituencies better.
... constituents have to:
Make do with someone who doesn’t really know the area and can’t, with the best will in the world, relate to the needs, fears & aspirations of the people he represents. When this is reproduced on a large scale, all you’re left with is an incestuous, self-perpetuating political class that speaks in a language nobody else in the country can relate to, and that’s not going to re-connect the public with politics.
You can see shades of this frustration in the backlash over Luciana Berger’s selection as Labour’s candidate for Liverpool Wavertree. Ms Berger is hardly at fault for being young, for harbouring a desire for public service or for possessing qualities which have made her appealing to London’s Labour hierarchy. She may, indeed, prove to be an excellent MP.
But what I read in the exasperated responses to her selection is a refrain I’ve heard many times in & around the Shankly Gates: was there not a single person, in a city of over 400,000 people, who could’ve done as good a job? The city expects an Emlyn Hughes or a Jamie Carragher – someone who, at some level, can understand & relate to the culture & traditions of the people they serve.
In my experience, scousers are no more insular than the inhabitants of any other large town or city. But they do possess a distinctive history and culture which they are deeply proud of and enjoy sharing with the rest of the world. They deserve – like every constituency in the country deserves – an MP who can recall this rich history, revel in its traditions and understand the hopes and fears of the people they wish to represent.
Really, this post isn’t even about Luciana Berger; a similar piece could’ve been written about David or Ed Miliband, Ed Balls or Yvette Cooper.
But her selection will only increase the sense that Labour regards the role of MP as some glorified graduate trainee programme, and sees constituencies as regional call centres, expected to dilligently enact the faxed dictats from central office.
One argument made by opponents of proportional representation is that it would remove the link between an MP and his/her constituents, yet they never stop to recognise that, thanks to the centralising of political parties, this link is already reaching the end of its tether.
Perhaps the defeat of Ms Berger would send a symbolic – but important – message from Liverpool to London that the days of carpetbagging must end if Labour is to re-establish itself with what was once its heartlands.
http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/02/07/the-rise-of-labours-new-class/
I always thought that the M.P. of - for example - Wigan represented the people of Wigan to central government rather than, as seems to be current practice, representing central government to the people of Wigan. That the Labour party has selected a carpetbagger as the Labour election candidate demonstrates fully what THEIR attitude is.
... Sensing an ill wind a-blowin’, it seems our MPs are worriedly wondering “you don’t suppose there’s something wrong with us, do you?”
MPs are planning a year-long investigation into the complexion of the Commons amid worries that its members are seen as a narrow, self-serving elite who bear no relation to the population as a whole.
...take a hard look at the Cabinet and you’ll find an eye-watering number of people who have either nothing to do with their constituencies, have had no ‘real world’ work experience outside of politics, or are some spoilt combination of the two.
David & Ed Miliband have both spent most of their working lives as New Labour technocrats, and despite having no real bonds with those areas, were parachuted into the safe working class consituencies of South Shields & Doncaster North. I doubt Ed Balls could’ve found his Normanton constituency on a map before he became its MP, likewise James Purnell in Stalybridge or Yvette Cooper in Pontefract. Andy Burnham at least had a passing familiarity with the people of Leigh, but even he’s been a party apparatchik for all his working life.
Of course, it’s understandable that Labour would want those they consider their ‘brightest stars’ to be flown into extremely safe (and invariably working class) seats, but each time they do so, they take the job away from someone who maybe could’ve represented those constituencies better.
... constituents have to:
Make do with someone who doesn’t really know the area and can’t, with the best will in the world, relate to the needs, fears & aspirations of the people he represents. When this is reproduced on a large scale, all you’re left with is an incestuous, self-perpetuating political class that speaks in a language nobody else in the country can relate to, and that’s not going to re-connect the public with politics.
http://bleedingheartshow.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/harriet-harman-and-representation/
MORE (so much that I can't cover it all)
Harriet Harman was facing Labour fury last night over claims that she briefly suspended her support for all-women shortlists – so her husband can land a safe Commons seat.
Ms Harman, 59, who has led the party’s drive to swell the number of its female MPs, was mysteriously absent from a key meeting which decided not to impose an all-women list in Birmingham Erdington.
The seat, which had a Labour majority of nearly 10,000 at the last election, is being lined up for Ms Harman’s husband, union boss Jack Dromey.
Birmingham Erdington, the seat about to be vacated by none other than Sion Simon, who's girlfriend is none other than Luciana Berger. Now Luciana has not only been parachuted into Liverpool but she was lucky enough to land in an All Womans Shortlist as well.
... regarding the Lovely Luciana and she makes a quite interesting point -
How can a young woman who arrived with her carpetbag fresh from the metropolitan political elite begin to represent such a rich tapestry of history. I wrote recently of her boyfriend, Sion Simon’s attempts to fill the boots of the mayoral tradition, it seems the pair of them are on some ‘fast-track’ ministerial promotion programme, masterminded by the Nu-Labour, to bolster the ranks of the Balls and Milibands.
Over the past few days, Mr Dromey has joined protests in Birmingham over the controversial sale of Cadbury to the American company Kraft.
It led one union fixer involved in the Dromey campaign to comment: ‘Have you noticed Jack’s sudden interest in chocolate?’
Last night, a long-standing Labour critic of Ms Harman’s equality crusade said: ‘It stinks to high heaven. Harriet is obsessed with all-women candidate lists, insisting that winnable seats should go to the sisterhood, but suddenly she goes missing so that Jack can join her in the House.’
In the real world a stink is nothing but a bad smell. A bad smell tells you there is a problem. Smelling shit in your garden tells you your drains are blocked. Smelling burnt toast means your toaster is fucked. A smell is nothing more than an indicator that something deeper and more dangerous is going wrong.
In medicine a bad smell means something is rotten, diseased or dying. In medicine if someone smells something bad they look for the source of this smell. They will identify the source, and then attempt to treat it. If that fails they will do everything within their powers to remove the source of the infection.
Sadly, in politics, this is not the case. In politics people will produce air freshners and face masks to protect themselves from the stink. They will try to banish the smell without seeking it's source.
In the world of stocks, shares and finance this 'stink' would be classed as 'Insider Trading'. In the world of business this 'stink' would be classed as Nepotism. In the world of Westminster this 'stink' is classed as Politics.
MORE (so much that I can't cover it all)
Harriet Harman was facing Labour fury last night over claims that she briefly suspended her support for all-women shortlists – so her husband can land a safe Commons seat.
Ms Harman, 59, who has led the party’s drive to swell the number of its female MPs, was mysteriously absent from a key meeting which decided not to impose an all-women list in Birmingham Erdington.
The seat, which had a Labour majority of nearly 10,000 at the last election, is being lined up for Ms Harman’s husband, union boss Jack Dromey.
Birmingham Erdington, the seat about to be vacated by none other than Sion Simon, who's girlfriend is none other than Luciana Berger. Now Luciana has not only been parachuted into Liverpool but she was lucky enough to land in an All Womans Shortlist as well.
... regarding the Lovely Luciana and she makes a quite interesting point -
How can a young woman who arrived with her carpetbag fresh from the metropolitan political elite begin to represent such a rich tapestry of history. I wrote recently of her boyfriend, Sion Simon’s attempts to fill the boots of the mayoral tradition, it seems the pair of them are on some ‘fast-track’ ministerial promotion programme, masterminded by the Nu-Labour, to bolster the ranks of the Balls and Milibands.
Over the past few days, Mr Dromey has joined protests in Birmingham over the controversial sale of Cadbury to the American company Kraft.
It led one union fixer involved in the Dromey campaign to comment: ‘Have you noticed Jack’s sudden interest in chocolate?’
Last night, a long-standing Labour critic of Ms Harman’s equality crusade said: ‘It stinks to high heaven. Harriet is obsessed with all-women candidate lists, insisting that winnable seats should go to the sisterhood, but suddenly she goes missing so that Jack can join her in the House.’
In the real world a stink is nothing but a bad smell. A bad smell tells you there is a problem. Smelling shit in your garden tells you your drains are blocked. Smelling burnt toast means your toaster is fucked. A smell is nothing more than an indicator that something deeper and more dangerous is going wrong.
In medicine a bad smell means something is rotten, diseased or dying. In medicine if someone smells something bad they look for the source of this smell. They will identify the source, and then attempt to treat it. If that fails they will do everything within their powers to remove the source of the infection.
Sadly, in politics, this is not the case. In politics people will produce air freshners and face masks to protect themselves from the stink. They will try to banish the smell without seeking it's source.
In the world of stocks, shares and finance this 'stink' would be classed as 'Insider Trading'. In the world of business this 'stink' would be classed as Nepotism. In the world of Westminster this 'stink' is classed as Politics.
Morg
.
Saturday, 6 February 2010
THOUGHTS ON WIGAN CANDIDATES
The candidates named thus far to replace the useless thieving Neil Turner as Wigan's MP make interesting reading.
The first announced was the Tory candidate Mike Winstanley.
Now Mike is a decent sort of chap but his history betrays an ambition, not to represent Wigan but to continue up the greasy Tory pole to a safe seat.
He knows Wigan is a hopeless cause for him but he must stand in order to attain a safe Tory seat in the future.
He has stood in previous elections in two other areas, Blackpool and Bury.
This shows his allegience to the Tories before the people of any of these constituencies. Even if he were elected it is obvious he would toe the line and put party before constituency.
It must be hard for Mike to have to stake his future on a party which has not yet decided what its policies are.
Do they cut spending or not? What are their plans to resurrect British industry?
Is Cameron a Labour clone? He stated a few years ago he was "Tony Blair mark 2". Why does he not say this now?
His latest inspiration at a time when our country is going bankrupt (as predicted by Nick Griffin 4 years ago) is to allow thousands of homosexual Africans to come here to escape persecution in their own countries (and bring with them their AIDS to be treated at our expense). Why can they not go to other African countries where there lifestyle is tolerated?
Why did he renage on his promise of a referendum on the EU?. Why does he refuse to come out of Afganistan?
The Tories under this fool have no policies, and what few they have they change every few weeks.
The only thing in their favour is that they are not New Labour, but that is not reason enough to vote for them.
The Labour candidate is an attractive young woman and obviously considered on message and sharp enough to be useful to the Labour Party so that they parachuted her into this safe seat.
BUT SHE IS NOT A WIGANER.
She is a young inexperienced carpet bagger with no interest in Wigan other than as a ticket to the Westminster trough. She would be "lobby fodder" voting for the party line rather than the interests of our town.
Voting for her would be for a continuance of the disastrous fiscal and social policies New Labour have lumbered us with. She looks intelligent but if she were she would have no truck with a so incompetent and venal party which has comprehensively betrayed ite core vote. so she is not as clever as she might have led herself to believe.
Of course if you put a pig up for MP in Wigan with a red rosette they would be elected (they did last time) as changing voting habits is often difficult even when the policies of their party changes out of recognition.
The UKIP candidate Alan Freeman it seems is standing in two constituencies. Is UKIP so small?
perhaps it is an indication of the smallness of their policies which apart from a vague promise to distance itself from the EU and limit immigration to the numbers of people leaving this country are non existant.
This latter policy would indicate that they would be happy if the British population were replaced by foreign people and it would be OK if the population of the country stayed the same.
They will get the usual hype by the media as an alternative to our party in spite of their lack of policies.
I don't as yet know about other Wigan candidates so can't comment but the above, in standing for their chosen parties do not give me much confidence, but then there is only one party which would always put the interests of Wiganers first and that is the BNP.
The first announced was the Tory candidate Mike Winstanley.
Now Mike is a decent sort of chap but his history betrays an ambition, not to represent Wigan but to continue up the greasy Tory pole to a safe seat.
He knows Wigan is a hopeless cause for him but he must stand in order to attain a safe Tory seat in the future.
He has stood in previous elections in two other areas, Blackpool and Bury.
This shows his allegience to the Tories before the people of any of these constituencies. Even if he were elected it is obvious he would toe the line and put party before constituency.
It must be hard for Mike to have to stake his future on a party which has not yet decided what its policies are.
Do they cut spending or not? What are their plans to resurrect British industry?
Is Cameron a Labour clone? He stated a few years ago he was "Tony Blair mark 2". Why does he not say this now?
His latest inspiration at a time when our country is going bankrupt (as predicted by Nick Griffin 4 years ago) is to allow thousands of homosexual Africans to come here to escape persecution in their own countries (and bring with them their AIDS to be treated at our expense). Why can they not go to other African countries where there lifestyle is tolerated?
Why did he renage on his promise of a referendum on the EU?. Why does he refuse to come out of Afganistan?
The Tories under this fool have no policies, and what few they have they change every few weeks.
The only thing in their favour is that they are not New Labour, but that is not reason enough to vote for them.
The Labour candidate is an attractive young woman and obviously considered on message and sharp enough to be useful to the Labour Party so that they parachuted her into this safe seat.
BUT SHE IS NOT A WIGANER.
She is a young inexperienced carpet bagger with no interest in Wigan other than as a ticket to the Westminster trough. She would be "lobby fodder" voting for the party line rather than the interests of our town.
Voting for her would be for a continuance of the disastrous fiscal and social policies New Labour have lumbered us with. She looks intelligent but if she were she would have no truck with a so incompetent and venal party which has comprehensively betrayed ite core vote. so she is not as clever as she might have led herself to believe.
Of course if you put a pig up for MP in Wigan with a red rosette they would be elected (they did last time) as changing voting habits is often difficult even when the policies of their party changes out of recognition.
The UKIP candidate Alan Freeman it seems is standing in two constituencies. Is UKIP so small?
perhaps it is an indication of the smallness of their policies which apart from a vague promise to distance itself from the EU and limit immigration to the numbers of people leaving this country are non existant.
This latter policy would indicate that they would be happy if the British population were replaced by foreign people and it would be OK if the population of the country stayed the same.
They will get the usual hype by the media as an alternative to our party in spite of their lack of policies.
I don't as yet know about other Wigan candidates so can't comment but the above, in standing for their chosen parties do not give me much confidence, but then there is only one party which would always put the interests of Wiganers first and that is the BNP.
Voting Irregularities ?
This is a short clip of what looks like some very dodgy practices at the Irish Referendum Count at Cork City Hall.
Video taken at Cork City hall Ireland during Irish Referendum ballot box deliveries to the central ballot count center showing a man removing a ballot box from where they were to be stored to be ready for the referendum count next morning
Did the Irish Republic vote NO on the EU but still got a YES ?
If both the Local and General Elections happen on the same day, this could well happen here.
Video taken at Cork City hall Ireland during Irish Referendum ballot box deliveries to the central ballot count center showing a man removing a ballot box from where they were to be stored to be ready for the referendum count next morning
Did the Irish Republic vote NO on the EU but still got a YES ?
If both the Local and General Elections happen on the same day, this could well happen here.
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