The place for politics

My time in Westminster...an overview

2009-03-30T18:18:00.003+01:00

Apologies that I haven't updated the story for a while. Time has ever more quickly consumed life lately. Still, it has given me time to reflect. The fortnight with Douglas was one of the best experiences I've had and I have taken a lot out of it. My views on the political world lay very little unchanged as a whole. The motives of most politicians I really believe to be genuine, but the system they work in I believe needs to be updated. It is not quite the well oiled machine I was expecting. It may be slick in the way it responds to constituents and issues of the day but there is very little 'real' contact now between the peoploe and the politicians. This needs to return. If any of you are new readers you may like to read the post below this as it gives a glimpse to my first week. My second week led me to be sending out more 'propaganda' and letters of 'persuasion' to constituents. I believe that Douglas himself was and is a very genuine man and I urge you to visit his website: http://www.douglascarswell.com and his blog: http://www.talkcarswell.com.

My time inside Westminster: end of week 1

2009-02-27T14:11:00.005Z

Well it's come to the end of a rather extraordinary week inside the political world. I have to say it didn't end that well but for different reasons (I wielded a flat tyre in Clacton!). However I'm back now and the car's fine! I got back from London at about 7:30 last night after a very busy commuter line.

However, that is one thing to note. The 'city lifestyle' that I have in the past condemned for myself and never thought it was something that would entice me, has I think, been quite enjoyable and I rather liked the buzz of city lifestyle for a short period. However that does not mean that I am fully converted! I still prefer it outside of the city lines.

The week in general has been very enlightening and although I can't and won't go into too much detail I will say that I have been amazed at some of the things that go on and the way the system works. It is currently a well oiled machine certainly and things flow very easily. I would only suggest that perhaps things could flow a little better and we should not be afraid to challenge it.

On a personal note I have been fully won over by Douglas Carswell and truly believe that he a very genuine man who says what he thinks and does what he says. I won't go into too much praise but I think that Harwich and Clacton constituency is lucky to have him. Not all politicians live the same way, so to speak! I believe he has some very good ideas, some drastic yes, but mostly very rounded and well thought through. You may think I'm being pushed to promote this but I would honestly recommend reading his book - 'The Plan' - which is available on Amazon or through Douglas personally.

Getting back to the system as a whole though. I believe that there are indeed a lot of genuine people in there, like Douglas, who are trying to get things done and to move forward for the better. I only ask, does the current system best provide the opportunities for this to happen? I believe we could make serious changes and furthermore, should make changes. We need to restore the trust that has been lacking for many years between the politicians and those who elect them. Before you cast your next vote though stop and think. Your vote really does matter. I'm telling you now. Democracy can be a dangerous thing sometimes. Look at the options. Assess them and then, cast your vote. I personally believe that the system is still too much party bound. However, it is nonsense to think that we cannot have a party system. We need governance and we need leadership. Political parties are, I think, currently the best way of allowing this. We must however allow all to have a voice. We seem somehow to have lost the linkage in the fundamentals of democracy in Britain. Politics should be something that the people do, not something that we 'employ' others to go away and do 'on our behalf' in their own little Westminster world.

It has been a fantastic week and I look forward to the next. Britain is a great country. However, we need a power system that reflects this.

Westminster

2009-02-25T07:39:00.002Z

As you may or may not know, I am currently at Westminster on work experience and it is being thoroughly enlightening to know about the real world of national politics from a first hand viewpoint. My work is a mix of behind the scenes, shadowing Douglas Carswell MP (my employer) and attending conferences and debates in the Chamber. Today is Wednesday and I am lucky enough to attend PMQs from a fantastic viewpoint. I shall update you as the fortnight goes on.

Lord Mandelson: sense and then nonsense

2009-02-20T23:25:00.007Z

Our deputy 'great leader' and business secretary Lord Mandelson today vowed to keep fighting the economic "doomsters", as he explained his vision to make the UK a world leader in the low-carbon economy.

Mandelson seems absolutely determined to tell the Great British public that the British economy is not spiralling downwards but is under 'control'.

As I read in the Guardian today: "...There has been a lot of talking Britain down lately, and not only from coffee-shop owners. I understand the severity of our economic circumstances as well as anyone, believe me," Mandelson told business leaders in north-west England.

"...But as of today, I'm going to take on the doomsters and only talk Britain up. I do not underestimate the economic difficulties we face in this country. But the UK's open and dynamic economy is a huge asset. We have some of the best-growing small firms in the world and some of the smartest and most skilled workers. Our regulatory environment is efficient and business friendly."

He insisted that "the government can't stand back, it has an essential role to play."

This I actually agree with. Mandelson may be to some people a bit high and mighty for himself but here I believe he is actually talking some sense. If we want to get over this downturn we have to start somewhere otherwise it will simply prolong the economic agony that is gripping the nation. We have had enough of journalism slamming the doors down. We need to look for optimism.

Mandelson went on to say '...the development of Britain's industrial base was even more important in the light of what had happened in the financial services sector.'

"The banks will recover and restore their international standing and the City of London will reclaim its international role but equally we have to rebalance the economy and diversify.

"Britain is the sixth biggest manufacturing economy. We have to maintain our position in international markets ... identifying new technology drivers and emerging markets that will give us a strong industrial future."

Again, excellent stuff. At last we have somebody at the top who is not fannying down to the 'high and mighty' city financial sector. We NEED balance in our economy if we don't want to suffer economically to this effect again.

He said Britain would face increasing competition from emerging economies, but could also thrive in that larger global economy. "We have to prepare for that, we have to prepare more actively."

However, here he began to switch me off praising him: Responding to concerns about the level of public borrowing, Mandelson said Britain was starting from a relatively low base compared to the US or other European countries of a similar size to the UK. This is not something to take lightly. Public borrowing is a major, major issue.

He went on, "The borrowing does not worry me … '(!!! excuse me!) "...as long as we have made proper provision for what we are spending; as long as we have medium-term plans in place to rebalance public finances and reduce this borrowing over time."

I'm sorry m'Lord but your Labour government has squandered anything it had in the good times and has not layed provisions for the current climate. He makes it sound as if it is merely trivial. Of course Lord Mandelson when you leave your job and the decades roll on it won't really be your problem but for my generation and for the generation after, your government has led us to a long-term of financial disaster.

So. You never quite know with politicians. One minute you like what they're saying. It's making sense. You support them for once. But then the lights turn out. The 'politics' start up again and the ego kicks in. Government, please just realise what has happened in the past, accept that you didn't sufficiently provide for your electorate for the bad times and move on to get us out of this mess. You'll certainly get a shock once the little thing called a General Election brews up.

Jacqui Smith v. taxpayer

2009-02-19T11:48:00.004Z

Politics seems never to be rid of scandal and problems at the heart of government and this week we have seen yet another example of it. The Home Secretary has been claiming at least £116,000 in second-home allowances on her constituency home in Redditch, Worcestershire, since becoming an MP. This is due to the fact that, although it is the home of her husband and children, she personally does not spend the majority of her time there.

Now, she is perfectly within the rules to do this and, on a personal note, this is not what angers me. The mere fact that MPs even have the ability and opportunity to 'play the system' as it were with regards to allowance payments, simply does not seem right. We sometimes forget that this is 'our money' we are talking about. I do not believe that Jacqui Smith should be hit down upon in this instance even though, at her level of office, it is unacceptable that such a story should have even arisen. I believe that it is a fault in the system. It should be recognised, acted upon and nullified. End of story.

A new year

2009-02-17T16:14:00.003Z

Firstly, apologies that I haven't entered anything for a while. Time hasn't exactly been on my side but I look now to hopefully be more consistent in my approach.

2009 seems to have brought a new world with it. Businesses shutting on what seems like a constant basis, interest rates at their lowest ever and the city bonus schemes falling apart. It is not all doom and gloom - in fact for some businesses recession means opportunity and I'm sure that some are actually relishing the downfall. However, it is not fair to say that this stands for everyone. For the average man and woman this is a time of serious struggle. From paying the bills to paying for the next meal. Unemployment is rising steadily - will we surpass levels of the early 90s? What is for sure is that the next few years are going to be seriously difficult to cope with. We will come out of it afresh, true, and hopefully more responsible financially both as a nation and as individuals.

There is of course also the question of an election! Will Brown give us one in 2009? My guess is no. I can't quite see how he or his government will benefit by holding one now. The Conservatives would almost certainly triumph or so say the polls and it may even result in a hung parliament - something that nobody wants in a time when action and decision has to be the policy. In times like this the only thing I can use is that good old cliché...time will tell.

Cabinet reshuffle

2008-10-04T10:03:00.004+01:00

"For serious times we need serious people".

These were the words of 'our great leader' as he referred to the appointment (yet again!) of a one Peter, soon to be Lord, Mandelson. It is true that he has completely unrivalled experience in terms of global trade. However, what is Mr Brown's real reason for appointing him? It is well known that Mandelson was an avid Blairite and was by his side all of the time. Could this be therefore an attempt by Brown to send out a message to the Blairites sitting behind him in the Commons? Brown is determined that of all the people remaining in the Labour party he is the best option for leadership both of the party and the country. This, certainly for the former, is almost definitely correct.

Former home secretary David Blunkett described his appointment as a "masterstroke" and told the BBC it would unite the government.

"It is embracing someone who, in the past, had been seen as being very close to Tony Blair, so it's an inclusive measure," he said.

But left wing Labour MP John McDonnell said he was "absolutely gobsmacked": "This is an extraordinary step backwards into the worst elements of the Blair era, to reinstate possibly the most divisive figure in Labour's recent history."

For the Conservatives, William Hague said it was a "stunning failure of judgement" by Mr Brown: "In bringing back Peter Mandelson - the man who created Labour spin - he has broken his promise to govern in an honest and open way."

For the Liberal Democrats, Danny Alexander said: "Resurrecting ex-ministers from the political graveyard is not going to breathe new life into Gordon Brown's zombie government."

So, a completely mixed picture of a glimpse into the future of what Mr Mandelson might bring to us, the British people, in his new role. Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Ashton, will replace him in Brussels with Baroness Royall of Blaisdon moving into Ashton's former role , going from Labour Chief Whip in the Lords to Leader of the Lords.

In other news regarding the reshuffle, the dreadful Mrs Beckett has returned to us as the Housing Minister replacing Caroline Flint. What is it that they see in her? That's the million dollar question. I have provided a full list of the reshuffle below...

At a glance

Peter Mandelson EU Trade Commissioner becomes Secretary for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Margaret Beckett Backbencher becomes Housing Minister

Stephen Carter Prime Minister’s aide becomes Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting in the Lords

Paul Myners Chairman of Guardian Media Group becomes Minister for the City in the Lords

Out

Ruth Kelly (former Transport Secretary)

Lord Jones of Birmingham (former Trade Minister)

Des Browne (former Scotland and Defence Secretary)

Baroness Ashton of Upholland (former Leader of the Lords. Replaces Mr Mandelson)

Moved

John Hutton From Business Secretary to Defence Secretary

Ed Miliband From Cabinet Office Minister to Energy and Climate Change Secretary

Geoff Hoon From Chief Whip to Transport Secretary

Liam Byrne From Immigration Minister to Cabinet Office Minister

Jim Murphy From Europe Minister to Scotland Secretary

Caroline Flint From Housing Minister to Europe Minister

Tony McNulty From Home Office Minister to Pensions Minister

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon From Chief Whip in the Lords to Leader of the Lords

The next question will be of course...when will they give 'us' the chance to 'reshuffle' Parliament?

How many more times do we need reminding?

2008-09-10T11:45:00.003+01:00

We have it drummed into our heads several times a weeks through various mediums. So, how is it that most of us are still ignoring the warnings of climate change. Yes, we are moulding to it slowly but is this progress too slow? The Arctic ice is melting. Full stop. We are told by scientists that if we do not change our habits soon we could enter a phase whereby it is impossible to halt the changes that will come.

You may have been following the journey of Lewis Pugh and the Polar Defense Fund as they attempted to paddle by kayak from Europe to the North Pole. Although it ended in failure, Pugh was adament that we should not relax in our cause to slow down climatic change. He had wanted to demonstrate in as dramatic a way as possible, just how climate change has been affecting the Arctic sea ice. What he has shown is that it is still not possible to kayak to the Pole - at least not yet at any rate. Despite being the Summer, there was too much ice to get through. However, on returning, Pugh and the PDF explained how pleased they were of what they had 'achieved'. They didn't mean by this the great physical feat, although it most certainly was. They also did incredibly well in terms of raising funds for climatic change research and raising awareness through press publicity. However, the main thing that stood out was a quote from Pugh upon his return:

"On this trip I am delighted with many things - the fact that we got as far north as we did, further north than anyone has ever kayaked before."

This should really wake us up to the fact that there is no doubt that the ice is retreating. Yes, they were unable to reach the Pole but Pugh still went further than anyone has before. Upon leaving he had said what his hopes were:

"There is one side of me that really hopes I get there. That I can kayak all the way from Europe to the North Pole. Because if I am able to do that then I hope I am able to show world leaders just how much the Arctic has melted and just how much it is going to affect each and everyone one of us.

But then there is the other side of me which says, I really hope I do not get there. I hope I fail. I hope I do not succeed. Because if I am successful, then it is a very worrying situation because it should not be possible to kayak right the way across what used to be a frozen ocean."

Thankfully in terms of the rate of climate change, the latter was true. However, the question is now how will the world see this. Will it wake people up or will it do the opposite and make people think that the rate of climate change is not in fact problematic - 'he failed to get to the Pole so it can't be a problem'. I would take the opposite view. Pugh has shown just how much the sea ice is retreating. I only hope that the rest of the world wakes up to this fact soon.

The Demise of Gordon

2008-09-06T11:19:00.004+01:00

Yes, ok, he's not in power yet, but as each day goes past it is looking ever likely that David Cameron and his Conservative chums will triumph at the next election (whenever it is?!). In fact, when this period of political history is reviewed, historians will find it incredible how such a presumably competent Chancellor made such a flop when he got the top job.

One of the things Mr Brown has to cope with are the crumbling walls in his own ranks. There is a sense within the Labour crowd that the Brown/Cameron battle is a battle lost even before it's been engaged. There are of course the more optimistic Labour figureheads (mostly because they have to be optimistic to keep their posts) but they are diminishing and the Charles Clarke and old Labour crowd are growing in strength to topple the party even before it's attempted the battle it will have to endure. In fact, the period can almost be compared to the slow-motion fall apart of the Tories in the Major years. There is of course that 'wonderful' legacy that Mr Blair handed down for Brown to inherit - Iraq. Where the Conservatives had Europe in the '90s, Labour have Iraq and the people of Britain will not forget this.

Some of the latest polls indicate that, come the next election, the Tories will end up with a 200 seat majority. The other thing to take into account of course as well is that whereas the Tories fought in 1997 in an economic boom period, Brown will be fighting at the time of a recession. Optimists in the Labour camp try to point out that Mr Major fought 1992 in similar circumstances and won. But there is a crucial difference - then, the Cons were still trusted on running the economy. Not wanting to cause any offence to Alistair Darling but Labour no longer holds that upper hand. The polls are suggesting that, in almost every area, including the economy, Brown is down on Cameron and the Conservatives. There are of course possibly 2 more years until the PM calls a general election but honestly, can Mr Brown honestly still believe that he can bring his Labour colleagues, who have sat proud on the government side of the Commons for 10 years now, to victory in 2010. If he does he is certainly a far more optimistic man than me.

Welcome

2008-09-05T10:11:00.004+01:00

Welcome to my new political blog. In it I shall be discussing exactly how I feel on a variety of issues both in the news as well as more moral/general issues regarding the way we live. I hope you will follow my progress and please feel free to leave your comments on a particular issue by commenting on a particular story. Thank you.