The unsung coalition hero, Jeremy Browne

In his recent opinion, in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Browne is not just proving to be an articulate and capable minister, but a potential future leader. Dare I even say, Prime Ministerial.

Like Danny Alexander, Jeremy operates in one of the most influential and prestiges offices in the country; this enables him to experience the full potential and limitations of government. Foreign affairs are among one of the weakest areas of policy for the Liberal Democrats, and something I’ve been rather critical on. In recent months Browne has become a euro-realist, understanding-from first hand experiences-the inability and somewhat inept behaviour of the European Union. He is certainly not afraid to highlight the party’s vulnerability and blind loyalty on the subject of Europe.

Unlike majority of his colleagues, the Foreign Office provides Jeremy with a wider reaching brief – foreign affairs covers many areas; trade, the economy, military, business, culture, terrorism and security.

If Jeremy Browne was to throw his hat in for the leadership, after Clegg, it is very difficult for any candidate to match his potential experience. Tim Farron may have grassroot support, but would lack any governmental experience. Truth be told, Danny Alexander is probably his only rival, along with Sarah Teather.

But, we should applaud this man more; he is probably one of the most underrated government ministers who deserves a Cabinet position. And I meant what I said, Jeremy Browne is the closet Liberal Democrat at looking Prime Ministerial.

Read Full Post »

Q: Why are we giving Argentina £452 million in aid?

The Argentinian government threatens the sovereignty of a British overseas territory and, yet, still receives £452 million from Her Majesty’s Government. May I ask why?

Even the United States is refusing to send aid to Buenos Aires, who [Argentina] are still refusing to pay back £40 billion loans from the economic crisis several years ago. Argentina does have the finance, in its reserves, to pay back the loans and sustain itself.

I find it odd that a nation can threaten the United Kingdom, but still be entitled to foreign aid.

Read Full Post »

Paranormal Activity compared to a real haunting

I’m unfortunate enough to be employed in one of the most haunted buildings in Canterbury; what was once an Elizabethan inn, where three children died in a fire in the late 1500s. During interior renovations, in the early 2000s, workmen started to report eerily activity throughout the building – mostly on the stairs and a certain room on the third floor, where remains of hair and fingernails were found. Supposedly belonging to children.

In the Hollywood movie series, Paranormal Activity, it usually begins with random and innocent knocks, footsteps and whispers. This is true for my working environment; I tend to be on my own for at least an hour or so, and occasionally hear the sound of footsteps following me; running, whispers and the sound of children laughing or playing. Noises will immediately halt if I go to investigate the source of the occurrence,  and start again, if I stop paying attention to it/them.

And this is where the similarities stop. Of course, there are different types of hauntings and activity, but Hollywood depicts a reality of carnage and legions of demons. There have been some major frights for me; having my name called, when alone, and doors slam on the third floor. Again, when I’m alone. But, alas, no demons are entertaining me.

I’m almost certain (and I swear on my own life) there have been two occasions, in which I am positive, I saw a child or figures. My scepticism was pushed to the extreme with those incidents. But, unlike the movies, I was not pulled, pushed or dragged down the stairs. People tend to ask me, routinely, how I can work in a reputedly haunted building and the answer is quite simplistic. 99% of the time, nothing happens. There tends to be short and precious moments of activity, followed by tranquility for many months.

Like the protagonists in Paranormal Activity, we don’t gather round and discuss the haunting; only if something occurs. As much as I enjoyed the movie series, especially the third installment, I have to confess a real haunted building is quite tedious.

Sorry, Hollywood

Read Full Post »

Lib Dem peers rebel – over an elected Senate.

Unsurprisingly, up to twenty Liberal Democrat peers could-potentially-oppose an elected Senate, reported by the Independent today. Turkey’s do not vote for Christmas; especially since half of them, if not all, would be voting to end their careers. I was surprised by Lord Carlile remarks, who said Clegg had “perilously little” understanding on the functioning of the Lords.

The whole policy has become a hideous car crash on the motorway. The Prime Minister favours a minority of elected ‘Senators’ in 2015, in order to give the new smaller ‘Senate’ time to grow and new members to understand its’ constitutional requirements (upper chamber is not their to oppose the Commons, but ‘fix’ legislation). Clegg, however, wants the whole Senate elected in 2015, with 330 new Senators and, Lord Steel, only wants the Lords to have the power to expel or retire members. Three separate policies on the table; partially or wholly elected, or none at all.

The Parliament Act is being waved around, with threats of forcing an elected Senate through the legislative program. Lords have countermanded and threatened to block key legislation. Lord Oakeshott insanely believes the coalition will break up if the Lords are not reformed; I’d like to see us justifying a potential market panic to voters, after we abandon government on a matter, in which the majority of them do not truly care about.

Worth noting, the Prime Minister seems committed to achieving some sought of democratic reform to the Lords. This is a positive and welcome addition.

Constitutional reform is vital, and healthy, for a democracy – but a significant alteration to a historical body might have to be a gradual process. Cameron’s partially elected might be the only, and realistic, hope left.

For the record, I support an elected Senate but recommend 200 Senators.

Read Full Post »

The hypocrisy of Sean penn

I wonder when Sean Penn will hand his real estate, in Malibu, back to the Chumash people – the Native Americans who inhabit California. Observing his left wing political activism, I am unable to find anything related to the indigenous population of North America. Yet, he condemns Britain to colonialism over the Falklands.

Oh dear. But, yes, it gets even better..

Worth nothing: Mr Penn stood next to Latin American dictator, Hugo Chavez, when he gave support to the Syrian regime (you know, the one currently massacring its own people). He [Sean Penn] is a stereotypical left wing activist intoxicated with the hideous moral equivalence mentality of the 1980s; unable, or unwilling, to comment on the civil and human rights abuses throughout Latin America, but will happily condemn the United States and the United Kingdom to cries of “imperialism!”…

tut, tut.

Read Full Post »

Too lib·er·al [adj.] has earned a nomination for 2012 Fascination Awards

Me and Soph are currently celebrating, as we (or me) writes. Fame awaits us…

Hi there,

An article you wrote in 2011 titled Globalisation and responsibility has earned your blog a nomination for a Fascination Award: 2012′s Most Fascinating Librarian blog.

The comments posted in response to your post prove that your content not only inspires your audience, but it also creates discussion around your posts, both of which are requirements for the nomination of a Fascination award.

As a nominee of this award, you have full permission to display the “Nominated” emblem on your website. To learn more about the contest, the rules, or the prizes, click here: 2012 Fascination Awards Rules & Prizes.

To get started:

1. Accept your nomination by replying to this email by Thursday February 24th (11:59 PM EST).
2. Claim your “Nominated” badge to display on your blog: Nominated Badge

Voting begins February 27th at 12:01 AM (EST). The blog with the most votes by March 5th at 11:59 PM (EST) will win the grand prize, a $200 restaurant gift card.

Good luck and thank you for your participation!

Matthew Pelletier
Director of Public Relations

Read Full Post »

Occupy toilets? Well, it’s happening in China

As an admirer, and proud support of Occupy Wall Street (not the Marxist rent-a-mob in London, though), I was slightly startled and amused by this story in Telegraph today;

Fed up with long queues for ladies, Li Tingting led 20 women into a men’s public bathroom in the southern city of Guangzhou carrying colourful placards calling for equal waiting times for both sexes.

“We want senior officials to pay attention to this issue,” she told AFP. “It is a big issue for many women. During the protest in Guangzhou, we conducted random surveys and found that the majority of people supported us.”

“Occupy Mens Toilet movement” was/is the slogan for Li Tingting struggle for equality of waiting times. In all seriousness, Miss Tingting is planning to take her protest to Beijing, during the annual meeting of the Chinese ‘Parliament’. Her innocent, somewhat facetious protest, could attract other dissenting voices – if she creates a political storm.

This is, potentially, a huge protest in the making.

Read Full Post »

“An extra £60 in your wages each month”

I usually don’t post party propaganda, but this is probably one of the most coherent and worthwhile political broadcast in a long time. Plus, I like anything that involves tax cuts.

However, I advocate a threshold of £15,000 for Income Tax because the median salary should be taken out of tax completely – not just low incomes. It would be a significant stimulus for the economy and lead to greater levels of productivity; along with the abolishment of the higher rate of tax, too.

In reality, I desire to see the reintroduction of cutting the 20% tax rate down to 16% policy, which was abandoned after the economic crash of 2008. The sole premise of any liberal government should be lowering the overall amount of taxation on the individual and the economy, as a whole.

Read Full Post »

Bad YouGov findings for LibDems….

Read Full Post »

Obama a Liberal Democrat? God, I hope not

This caught my eye in The Spectator;

An allege liberal President is, some what, influenced by economic liberalism. And this, apparently, makes ‘Obama the Lib Dem’.  Pardon my scepticism, but is Obama advocating his own Protection of Freedom Bill?

No, this is the ‘liberal’ President who signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which allows indefinite detention of American citizens and militarisation of domestic security. Completely contradicts the principles of liberalism and a liberal government.

Tut, tut.

Read Full Post »