David Cameron has just denounced Peers of being composed of the unelected and unelectable.
(understandably missing out the criticism usually levelled that they are major party donors and cronies)
Cameron has appointed 246 Peers since becoming Prime Minister - that's more than any other Prime Minister and almost 1/3 of current peers.
Here's a guide for the PM, your elbow is the bit you don't talk out of.
Wednesday 28 October 2015
Monday 19 October 2015
where have all the scroungers gone ?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3279222/How-13BILLION-benefits-not-claimed-year-including-half-people-dole.html
More shocking evidence, yes I know its the daily Mail but it is from an official Government reply, huge numbers of people not claiming the benefits to which they are entitled. From people I talk too, claiming job seekers allowance is made particularly unpleasant. Lets not pretend that most of this is because people can afford to go without the money.
Benefits worth more than £13billion are going unclaimed every year, including almost half of jobless people missing out on the dole.
The vast amount in unpaid income support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, housing benefit and pension credit is more than the entire sum George Osborne is trying to cut from the welfare budget.
More shocking evidence, yes I know its the daily Mail but it is from an official Government reply, huge numbers of people not claiming the benefits to which they are entitled. From people I talk too, claiming job seekers allowance is made particularly unpleasant. Lets not pretend that most of this is because people can afford to go without the money.
Friday 16 October 2015
Liberal leaders - Book Review
http://www.progressonline.org.uk/2015/10/16/british-liberal-leaders/
A thoughtful article by Roger Liddle
A thoughtful article by Roger Liddle
Monday 12 October 2015
Wednesday 7 October 2015
Will good luck help Faron relaunch the Lib Dems ?
The SNP is facing the prospect of a by-election in Edinburgh West. If you could pick a seat where the Lib Dems would be well placed to win a by-election, they don't come better than Edinburgh West. With Labour and Conservatives having no chance of winning, there vote could be squeezed, the new Corbyn Labour party might win back some votes from the SNP, and the Lib Dems just 3210 votes behind in 2015 could win.
http://beta.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-prepare-for-tough-by-election-in-thomson-s-seat-1-3906662
2015 Result:Conservative: 6732 (12.3%)
Labour: 6425 (11.7%)
Lib Dem: 18168 (33.1%)
SNP: 21378 (39%)
Green: 1140 (2.1%)
UKIP: 1015 (1.9%)
MAJORITY: 3210 (5.9%
Before getting too excited though, the Lib Dems have to remember that their membership in Scotland is pathetic and they will be easily overwhelmed by SNP activist and money.
The SNP have risen further in the polls since the general election, and if the have sense, they will call the by-election as soon as possible. Better to accept their MP has done wrong and choose someone else than hang on until it starts to irritate people into not voting or switching to other parties.
One of the features of Nick Cleggs leadership was the Lib Dems awful performance in by-elections. The stakes for the Lib Dems are high, if there is a by-election and the Lib Dems don't improve on 2015, then it is another nail in the coffin.
http://beta.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-prepare-for-tough-by-election-in-thomson-s-seat-1-3906662
2015 Result:Conservative: 6732 (12.3%)
Labour: 6425 (11.7%)
Lib Dem: 18168 (33.1%)
SNP: 21378 (39%)
Green: 1140 (2.1%)
UKIP: 1015 (1.9%)
MAJORITY: 3210 (5.9%
Before getting too excited though, the Lib Dems have to remember that their membership in Scotland is pathetic and they will be easily overwhelmed by SNP activist and money.
The SNP have risen further in the polls since the general election, and if the have sense, they will call the by-election as soon as possible. Better to accept their MP has done wrong and choose someone else than hang on until it starts to irritate people into not voting or switching to other parties.
One of the features of Nick Cleggs leadership was the Lib Dems awful performance in by-elections. The stakes for the Lib Dems are high, if there is a by-election and the Lib Dems don't improve on 2015, then it is another nail in the coffin.
Thursday 1 October 2015
Military Madness
Why does anyone want the UK to replace the Trident Nuclear Missiles ?
During the cold war, at least the bit I was alive for, I supported the idea of deterrence and Nato having nuclear weapons - I didn't see the point of the UK having it own nuclear weapons. I couldn't for see anytime when we'd need a British nuclear strike as opposed to a Nato one.
Now the number of MPs lining up to say how vital replacing Trident is quite staggering. Partly I think it is people reliving their early political battles and partly its shear stupidity and inability to think of current and future needs.
History is full of people who prepared for the last conflict, not the next one. Trident is like the Maginot Line, a Dreadnaught in the time of mines and aircraft carriers, a medieval castle in the age of cannon.
During the cold war, at least the bit I was alive for, I supported the idea of deterrence and Nato having nuclear weapons - I didn't see the point of the UK having it own nuclear weapons. I couldn't for see anytime when we'd need a British nuclear strike as opposed to a Nato one.
Now the number of MPs lining up to say how vital replacing Trident is quite staggering. Partly I think it is people reliving their early political battles and partly its shear stupidity and inability to think of current and future needs.
History is full of people who prepared for the last conflict, not the next one. Trident is like the Maginot Line, a Dreadnaught in the time of mines and aircraft carriers, a medieval castle in the age of cannon.
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