There is no ‘progressive majority’ in the United Kingdom.

I fear the Liberal Democrats are destined to make the same mistake as Labour. Well, a minority in our party; mainly Vince Cable.

I’m worried by the Yes! campaign for AV; all the rhetoric is quite, potentially, catastrophic. Activists are assuming the population are automatically progressive and reformists. We’ve assumed ‘yes’ victory will be the obvious outcome, regardless of what the voting population might conclude on the day.

Peter Hain has once again been dipping poison into Ed Miliband’s ear because one keeps hearing the phrase ‘progressive majority’ entering the press (again). I have to ask: what majority?

Based on trends, voting patterns and stances once certain issues, Britain is far from a progressive country; after all, only 9% of Liberal Democrats were strongly against banning the Burkha in a recent opinion poll. Labour voters are more aligned to social conservatism than anything remotely left liberal or progressive. And it would be hilarious to assume the Conservative and Unionist party were even progressive.

We are anti-Europe, sceptical towards immigration, hostile to Islam, Monarchists, and far from liberal on issues on the legalisation of drugs or prostitution. And nor is there a slight majority who are sympathetic towards social justice – we’d rather leave it to charity, not government.

‘Progressive majority’ is a false concept clouded in the belief that the majority of voters despise the Tories with a burning passion and the country is naturally center left. Again, this is far from the truth. Britain is not connected to any ideology, which one group could claim a ‘majority.’

The reason I wrote this brief blog post because of the new alarming reason for supporting the Yes! campaign for the Alternative Vote. Vince Cable said we should adopt it to “keep the Tories out”….really Vince. We are meant to be preaching new politics….tut tut

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The EU has gone too far

Brussels is requesting British taxpayers give an extra £682 million after the Commission defied member states and accepted an increase in the budget. When European nations are implementing adequate austerity measures, we should not be financing the avaricious and greed of the European Union.

The EU needs to learn to live within her means and stop obstructing the aspirations and wishes of member states, and their citizens.

The additional payment would take Britain’s annual EU contribution to more than £10 billion in 2012.

Why should we continue to subsidise the grotesque corruption and clandestine accounts of the European Union? I never thought I’d reach this conclusion, but may be our coalition partners are right; regarding leaving the European Union.

The Liberal Democrats had a party policy on a referendum on European Union membership. If that ballot was carried out tomorrow, I’d vote no.

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Christopher Hitchens on organised religion

“Organised religion is violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to racism, tribalism, and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward children.” (From: God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything)

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A bizarre moment in Glasgow with Vince

I quite like Vince Cable – honestly, I really do. He prophetically warned against the boom in housing and the debt within the banking system, even when Balls and Brown laughed at any criticism of their economic model.

But still. Vince has been behavouring in a unprofessional manner recently and -personally- is not helping the party. Seriously. There is a way to maintain our identity without publicly criticising the Prime Minister or giving a nostalgic, mellifluous speech about a previous career in the Labour party. Creating the fraudulent ‘nuclear’ image creates political uncertainty surrounding the coalition – I’m sure Vince does not want to see a spike in our interest rates; that will happen if the government fails to deliver on austerity. And trust me, the voters will not reward us for ceasing the coalition for partisan interests.

I really do not understand the thinking behind last nights speech in Glasgow. Every opportunity he feels an urge to criticise the Prime Minister or government policy. Why? Even Ed Miliband managed to separate his personal and political opinions on Cameron during the Yes! campaign rally. Vince didn’t.

Some of the passages from his recent speech is quite discomforting and demoralising, as a Liberal Democrat member. He openly talks of a proud history in Scottish Labour for being “anti-Tory”, which borderlines on pandering to the left. Grotesquely, I find it deeply unsettling to those of us who believe in new politics. Political pluralism does not promote the Scottish Labour rhetoric that Tores are by nature, and I quote, “a bunch of barstards” and we should excluded them from the arena.

I’m honestly quite astonished by the tone and language; I very much doubt Nick Clegg even knew the content or signed it off.

It is very puerile to present an air of desperation by almost encouraging the Prime Minister to dismiss you from the cabinet. And informing the press about potential career moves and increasing your salary outside politics; tragically depicts a false image that Vince is another career politician. Which damages the Liberal Democrats.

As Simon Hughes recently noted, “we will finish what we started.” And I hope Vince Cable is there to the end, as well.

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Who owns the US debt?

Some of us might be quite nonchalant on the America debt situation – many probably  think it does not effect them or this nation. But the S&P warning on the US failure to deal with a $14 trillion (yes, with a T) debt and a budget deficit over a $1 trillion should be a wake up call to Congress. And, also, foreign investors; especially foreign governments. Like Britain. See this chart;

We are the third largest holder of American debt. Money which the Bank of England and Treasury ‘invested.’ In other words, OUR money has been taken to the international casino again and entirely placed on the United States.

That figure does not include the debt held in British banks or insurance companies, by the way.

I have one question:

Could Britain afford to write off a US default or debt crisis?

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Let’s be clear: Greece should default

There is nothing left to cut in Greece, but still the government continues austerity measures. €110 billion bailout scheme was forced onto the population by the European Central Bank and the IMF. But yet national debt has grown to over €300 billion. GDP for the final quarter of 2010 was near -7%

Zero growth and growing signs of a depression are settling over the Greek economy.

Greek membership of the Euro denies them any opportunity to devalue their currency. In fact, the country should’ve never been allowed to join the single currency; Brussels were either nonchalant or reckless in overlooking Greek tax evasion problems.

However, the Germans are closing the cheque book. Wolfgang Schäuble (German finance minister) revealed the worse kept secret in Brussels: Greece is effectively bankrupt. There is nothing left. The ECB and the IMF are refusing to even consider a plan for a potential debt reconstruction and are insisting the loans will be repaid. Regardless of the aspirations and wishes of the Greek population.

Other European nations -notably France and Germany- are reluctant to cough up any of their taxpayers hard earned wages on a lost cause. The bailout packages are delaying the inevitable, in the cases of Ireland and Greece; these countries will no doubt require a reconstruction of debt or defaulting on repayments in the next five years.

In order to retain any dignity (and sovereignty) Greece should embark on the actions of Argentina in 2001: default. And it was not disastrous, for the record. The Argentinian economy enjoys growth of 8-9% a year and is now a member of the G20. A successful reorganisation of the economy and a radical plan for growth led to massive expansion within 9 years.

Greek politicians should take note.

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Appearence on the Voice

I was kindly invited to take part in the ‘Bloggers’ takeover‘ at Liberal Democrat Voice today. You can read my opinion piece on arguing for Liberal Democrats to take up the defence of liberty

A huge thanks to Paul for the offer and Alex for arranging the project. It is always good to participate in helping the Voice.

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Long lost sisters?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strangely, Lily Munster and Theresa May look remarkably alike. Long lost sisters, perhaps?

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French Veil Ban Limits Freedom of Expression

I’ve always admired the French Republic and the principle of laïcité; a society based on the tradition of strict secularism and separation of religious affairs from actions of government policy. The United States could learn very well from France.

Alas, I find myself requiring a need to criticise the republic’s decision to interfere in religious affairs. Especially with its ‘dealings’ with Islam.

Prohibiting the wearing of the veil is illiberal and violates the principles of a secular society. The French government is restructuring Islam into a state-authorised perversion of the faith. Exhibiting the veil is an individual choice and the state has no justification, or requirement, in ordering how the individual should dress. Government is the most dangerous hierarchy of power created by man especially when it develops an authoritarian desire to influence the lifestyles of its citizens.

I fear France is entering a very dangerous political period.

And, for the record, I am an atheist by the way.

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A personal post

I tend not to do ‘bleeding heart’ blog posts about my personal life. My writing tends to be strictly political. Nothing else. But alas, I feel the need to exploit this medium to get a few issues off my chest.

Sadly, I was born with an “imperfect” bone structure. A painful combination of pectus excavatum (rib cage deformity) and bone distortion in both my knees. Either my days are peaceful, pleasant and enjoyable or I am in extreme agony. Due to this disorder, I am unable to work full time – the pain is literally too much at times. However, I do work though; sitting around and feeling sorry for myself does not appeal to me. I risk damaging and hindering myself though – potentially reducing the ability to walk or even crippling me.

Pectus excavatum adds pressure to my lungs, thus I am also a suffer of serve asthma. Your humble blogger is quite a tragic case :/ However, my situation does not sadden or even depress my mood. There is nothing I can do to alter my life, but I’ve managed to take advantage of it to explore potential avenues; such as talents or hobbies.

Financial, believe it or not, I’ve been quite lucky. I’ve refused state help or welfare – the government is not here to look after me. Careful saving and investments means money is no real worry for me.

Talking about it is still quite bizarre and uncomfortable; I have an old fashion view of not seeking attention or sympathy. But, however, seeing today is quite a bad day for me (pain wise) I felt the need to share it will my readers.

Thanks.

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