Today's Observations

Today Gordon Brown made a speech to outline the achievements of the labour party in taking control of immigration and migration and new steps which could be taken going forwards. Once again, the policies are aimed at non EU migrants and asylum seekers without any real mention of EU migration in a tangible way. It’s not just Labour as the Conservatives have been reticent in speaking up clearly in respect of how they might respond to people’s real concerns over these issues.

Having once again looked at a broad spectrum of public response that has been articulated on media sites from all persuasions, it’s clear that the big issue is the least discussed by the three main political parties in the UK. The problem stems from Labour’s total failure to negotiate in respect of capping EU migration when agreeing the terms under which they signed the Lisbon treaty and made the UK a more integral part of the European super state. This does not appear to be the case for other countries which has led to a disproportionate number of EU migrants arriving in the UK which has already put greater pressure on services and housing. Labour have now acknowledged; this is an actuality but will not associate the issue with EU migration for the fear of actually admitting what many moderate people are thinking.

There is absolutely no place for racism in UK society and on the whole it is not a great issue. But let’s not be complacent as parties like the BNP are beginning to capitalise on people’s utter despair at the main parties and their inability to even discuss EU migration. Personally I’m hoping that UKIP will in the coming weeks bring these issues out in the open along with the broader debate in respect of EU membership in general. David Cameron has blown it and has no backbone to deal with any fundamental issues that relate to the UK’s EU membership. To be fair there will be such complete financial mess for an incoming Conservative government to try to get to grips with a battle with the powers in Brussels is not something he would want to become embroiled in early on.

To govern with authority an incoming change of prime minister will need their party to win a general election convincingly. The biggest danger facing UK politics in the coming year is the possibility of a hung parliament or a new government having too few seats to push policies through in a concise way. People will vote BNP and they will in larger numbers vote for UKIP because they feel badly let down by the mainstream alternatives. Many people want to see the back of the current government but unless they get totally annihilated in the general election the mandate for a future government will not be a convincing one.

I will certainly be raising these issues with my local candidates and hope that many people take the opportunity to do likewise. If David Cameron were to announce a tangible policy in respect of EU migration, a time frame for untangling ourselves from an unpopular war in Afghanistan and a fiscal policy that recognises the obscene debt built up by the current shower who seem intent on ruining our economy on their way out; he would overnight transform the nature of the imminent general election and refresh the UK’s vision in respect of looking forwards to positive change. I strongly urge anyone who reads this to put pressure on their local MPs and state clearly their opinions on the issues that matter to them. There are several months remaining until we actually get to vote for a prime minister for a change. If we use this time to state very clearly to our politicians the things that we want to be able to vote upon and shape future policy, there might still be enough time in which the people can actually have their wishes taken account of by those who aspire to govern.

A message for Gordon Brown

Widening Debate

Having started this site with the issues arising from UK immigration policy, I have decided that my initial approach is simply too narrow. My logic in coming to this conclusion, is the staggering number of issues that expose our politicians in the UK. I can see that a multifaceted approach is likely to have more success in ridding UK politics of individuals who are not willing to represent the genuine wishes of the voters on whom they depend for their jobs. To apply pressure that will ultimately influence decisions in politics, the voters must first make sure the politicians know it is the UK electorate that have the final say. Thus far it is very plain, they either don't get it, or they do but don't give a damn. Perhaps when they get voted out, the scent of coffee will be some small comfort to them. At the moment, the best opportunity for a long, long time has arisen in the shape of the expenses outrage. People from all walks of life and political persuasions are justifiably disgusted by the conduct of many MPs who have abused their position of trust. Personally I'd like to see an interim government put in place that excludes any person who has acted without integrity, then have fresh submissions for candidates in a process lasting for six months, during which time they can become elected MPs. Then it would be time for a period of time where each party could state its case for government, followed by a general election. I can see no other way that will result in the confidence of the UK electorate being restored. I have no personal agenda other than wanting to feel that real democracy can thrive in UK politics which represents the wishes of the people, and not some other unexplainable set of ideals like we currently have. I don't know all there is to know about UK politics and openly invite others to contribute here; by posting replies. All opinions are welcome, but there is no place here for personal attacks of any kind in respect of any one who participates and has a view that can be debated. I don't see any need for obscenities or descriptions of politicians or any other person beyond simply naming them in a factual way and mentioning subjects that are not relevant to real subject matter. This site will be run in an open minded way, but obvious, needless insulting material can and will be removed if it oversteps the line of common decency. I am not prepared to associate myself with anything that goes beyond proper debate and will delete posts that are unfit. Other than that, go for it, enjoy some sharing of opinion and debate.

My Media Comment Sat 31/10/2009

After becoming a little more optimistic that an unelected PM is likely to lose a general election, I'm now looking at what's likely to replace the current regime. My optimism is fading fast like Cameron's promises and it's all beginning to sound like a Bliar manifesto all over again. Mr Cameron did in some way seem to offer a little light at the end of the tunnel for a while, but any U turn on a position of allowing the electorate to have a real say in respect of the Lisbon treaty and other EU policies that directly influence the UK would certainly increase voter apathy. I along with possibly very many people in the UK feel that politicians have distanced themselves from the voters to embark upon their own separate agendas. From what I've read, it appears that a say in respect of the Lisbon treaty and matters arising, is a real desire that has been very well communicated in much of the media. Other areas of foreign policy like Afghanistan and Immigration have also attracted huge debate, and yet Mr Cameron has failed woefully to offer us concrete alternative answers in respect of these issues. I suspect that the conservatives will win the general election simply because many people find the current government disgraceful and deceitful. It seems very sad that the result of a general election might come down to the fact that people dislike Gordon Brown with a passion, rather than being passionate that David Cameron is the best person to take us forwards. We are certainly heading for far tougher times than we have already experienced during this recession. The issues with alcohol, crime, drug abuse, are likely to escalate as people lose hope in the face of knowing that their votes and hopes are not going to materialise to allow our nation to pull together and rise up from the tattered ruins of total mismanagement by one or more previous governments. Let's be realistic, it is not going to be a minority party in power after the election, it will be one of the main two. David Cameron appears to be resting on that fact and seems satisfied to possibly take over from Gordon Brown on the strength of people's anger with the current government. Listen up Mr Cameron, coming to power because Labour lose an election is not enough, you have to talk loud and often and clearly about your position on the EU, immigration, and the war we are currently involved in and offer us an alternative set of ideas to support and take forwards. If your hands are tied, as they appear to be, tell us why so we can understand how it is our country is simply blown along on some ill fated breeze, I'm sure we can cope with knowing a few home truths. Perhaps that's it, the truth is no longer a valid currency and eventually the pound will share its fate along with hope for a future that will inspire our children to strive towards a future that offers them hope instead of denying them a decent outlook and a reason to be engaged.

The BNP

As most of us are aware, the leader of the BNP has now appeared on a well known TV debate. I think everyone should be able to air their views as denying them a platform goes against the democratic principles that exist in the UK. A fundamental failure of our government to seriously debate immigration policy seems to be a big factor in creating interest in the views of the BNP. So what is the right approach?

From personal experience and reading a large amount of opinion that has been put up on various news web sites by the general public, I take the view we are overall a tolerant society. I don’t think as a nation we have any aspirations towards excluding the diversity of cultures that have enriched the UK. It looks to be more a case of the limited resources of a small country causing concern within our population in respect of it being unsustainable to have migration continue at the current rate.

“Indigenous people” was a point raised recently by the leader of the BNP and is worthy of exploration to actually decide what that means. What is being British?

I don’t personally have a definitive answer and doubt there actually is one.

Even in relatively recent history our country has been invaded by other cultures with the Vikings being one that springs to mind. All of these cultures from other countries have indeed at some point contributed to the gene pool that exists today. And looking back to when mankind first began to wander the planet, there are some very convincing arguments that favour a theory of us all originating on the continent of Africa before evolving into what we are today.

The burning issue at this time of recession and high unemployment combined with a real strain on all resources seems to be based around the number of people coming here. The issue of who those people are does not seem to be as prominent as we already have a diverse range of ethnicity present. Again having taken a spread of public opinion there seems to be little evidence that supports the idea that there are particular races that are unwelcome. Since we opened our borders and enabled unhindered migration to occur, it’s plain to see that government predictions have in reality been far from the reality of what has occurred.

The people targeted and used as propaganda via the media have been those wishing to come here from outside the EU. It’s now far harder to have a spouse come to the UK and other reasons for coming here of a similar nature have also been targeted. In fact it seems that most people from outside the EU who follow due process in an effort to relocate to the UK have large financial hurdles as well as the bureaucracy to overcome in an effort to have us all believe something is being done to control our borders. If the same approach were to be put in place for all wishing to come here and each applicant were to be given a fair hearing within a constraint of what is a practical number; we wouldn’t have the concerns that now exist.

An even handed approach might be one way to proceed where there are limits set which are subject to review in respect of all countries that have people wishing to migrate to the UK. I don’t believe cherry picking the talent from any country is a fair approach either, as that can lead to a shortage of the brightest in society in a country where the person originated. That method of allowing people to come, is to my mind also discrimination.