Egomaniacs are bred in secret asylums, and during adolescence are appointed with a flavour: brown, grey, rust or black. Most operate as harmless town councillors whilst the best worms are nurtured for a career in national politics.
Now that some time has passed since the result must admit - I'm not feeling really personally all that bothered by the idea of 5 more years of a conservative government. I, being largely self employed, might even come out better off than under a labour government. That is if I decide to stay in this country for the next 5 years, of course. I believe in the principles of Socialism, but I also believe (more importantly) in democracy. The vote has been counted, the decision has been made, the die is cast.
Well I'm back. (I was away from my computer since Thursday morning, up in Ullapool for the book festival.) What do I think of the election? Well of course I'm delighted that the SNP swept Scotland ...amazing. I've been a member of this party since the early 1990s, and nobody ever dreamed this would happen this soon. It happened because the Scottish electorate has finally awoken to the fact that the SNP is the party that actually represents the interests of ordinary people. All the scare stories that worked against us during the referendum have finally been seen through. However, it's hard to get too excited, because we're stuck with another Tory government, and Scotland doesn't have the means to outvote them. However, what the SNP plans to do is stick to their principles. This huge victory will give them a certain amount of clout at Westminster, including the right to sit on most important committees, introduce legislation, debate the issues they want to debate, etc. It gives left-of-centre ideals a platform, which have been sadly lacking lately in the right-leaning Labour Party and the LibDems who threw ALL their principles out the window in exchange for a seat with the big boys. Both parties lost their shirts because they let their own voters down. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. A party that sells out like Labour and the Lib Dems have done deserve to lose an election. Well, we live in interesting times, that's for sure. Scary thing is that UKIP got lots and lots of votes. Fortunately they weren't concentrated in enough places to win them more than one seat, but they are definitely a threat. And a very ugly one.
So there's a plan to replace the Human Rights Act with a new "British Bill of Rights" - I haven't read into it much but this seems, like, totally dodgy, man.
Well, the SNP has just gone on record as totally opposing this move. This piece of legislation sounds appalling, and can't be motivated by anything good. This is a Tory government, doing what Tories do. Dismantling all traces of socialist protection of the vulnerable people in society and promoting the interests of the rich over the poor and middle classes. Thatcher started it, and these guys plan to finish her work, now that they've got a 'mandate.'
Basically, the aim is to stop people going to Europe to sort out human rights grievances. The problem that the Tories haven't told anyone about is that the Human Rights Act enacts the European Convention on Human Rights in British law, so British courts can actually make decisions on the ECHR. Repealing the act actually takes this power away from British courts so the only course of action is to... erm... go to Europe. Which is what they want to stop. So they're going to (temporarily at least) force people to seek redress in the European Court of Human Rights because they want to uphold the sovereignty of British law. Also known as not having a fucking clue.
See that's the thing that weirds me out, 'cos these dudes are politicians, they obviously know a little bit about politics and shit - I just don't trust that they would make such a policy with out a clear and sensible reason, and the fact they haven't provided one just puts me on edge, I don't trust it.
David Cameron says: 'Quite patently these concerns are nonsense, and whilst I have a deep respect for the role of the European Court of Human Rights during the post-war era, a war which, along with the United States and the Soviet Union, we, and the subjects of the Commonwealth won, secured victory for the peoples of the continent, I need not remind you, I am not alone, in saying that of late the interference of the EUROPEAN court in British affairs, namely the imposition of voting rights for prisoners, for example, is frankly an offensive foray into what are essentially BRITISH issues of law. I feel this reform is a timely demonstration of our Westminster ascendancy in such matters, and a re-assurance, nay a patent indication of my own willingness to fight Britain's corner in Europe, thank you.' 'Exactly..' 'Tally-ho.' 'Cameron's got guts, eh?' 'I should cocoa...'
Well, this is how Britain voted. Lefties like me might not be happy about it, but its time to accept the result for what it is. Vox populi, vox dei.
I suspect most prisoners would vote Labour, and removing these Labour votes is the real reason behind the change proposed.
A prison population of around 84,000 (which I believe includes young offenders under the age of 18) wouldn't make a major - if any - difference to any given result even if every single prisoner voted for one party, assuming that they were allowed to vote based on their home rather than prison address. Assuming turnout rates equivalent to the turnout in the community, only around 55,000 would vote, and I would suspect it would be significantly fewer given the demographic involved.
In marginal constituencies, a small number of votes could make all the difference. I wouldn't be surprised if they expand the policy to include those on parole, doing community service, etc.
Just read up on this AMAZING man! I hope he gets his heart transplant, and that it gives him many years of a more comfortable life. And as PM? Fantastic. We so badly need somebody like him.
@Lemex, I actually, once, a couple of years ago, had the great opportunity to ask the man a question, as an audience member, or rather a member of something else, something I am no longer a member of... ...not proud, just a very interesting fact. He projects sincerity: intellect, eloquence and charisma - qualities rare in the political classes, [retains po-face]. (edited 'poo-face,' apols)
What I want to know is whether the Tory's proposed British Rights Act will protect nexus 6 models. #Replicantsarepeopletoo
I'm compelled to disagree. UKIP are a non-racist non-sectarian party whose sole purpose is to protect democracy in the UK. Given the conspicuous democratic deficit of the European Union, it is only to be expected that a party would arise to take on such a Euroskeptic position. There is nothing inherently dangerous about UKIP, indeed most of the British population agree that Europe either needs to be reformed or departed from. True - there are quite a few idiots within UKIP, but the same can be said for every other political party. The reason you don't focus on the loons in the Liberal Democrat, Tory or Labour Parties is because the media almost never reports these cases - meaning the spotlight is continuously focussed on UKIP nutjobs. When UKIP discovers such a nutjob, they're immediately kicked out of the party. Again, there is nothing inherently dangerous about this.
UKIP heads for wilderness as Cameron secures European compromise, a 'deal' and slick campaign on 'yes' agenda. The 'people' shall decide. Where to, then UKIP? Of course, the Isle of Wight seems about right. Kippers need to come in from the cold and re-join blue brothers, sisters, smurfs x
Ummm ...David Coburn? He's an MEP ...and as weird as an 8-day clock. Seriously weird. He's been banned from Wikipedia, but not from UKIP. But anyway....
I see the speaker, John Bercow has had to tell the SNP members to desist from clapping every two minutes! Can't take 'em anywhere. As any weathered Westminster politician will tell you, indecipherable grunts are the order of the day and in line with protocol. Fuck the destitution on the streets, get comfortable on the benches. Form your own arse groove (no metaphor to be found here) It's the British way, don't you know?
