| I note from your published letters and on-line comments that anti-EU campaigners are already preparing to ignore the results of the European Elections to be held on June 4. They have been demanding the right to vote for Britain to leave the EU for years, and they now have the opportunity to do so by voting for Ukip, the English Democrats or one of the other irrelevant fringe parties. Unlike them, I do believe in the ballot box. I am confident that the Pro-EU parties (Conservative, Labour and Lib-Dem) will be in the majority, which is in line with most opinion polls taken on the specific question. "should Britain leave the EU?" As the EU is currently running without the Lisbon Treaty, I have no objection to it being rejected by Eire or anyone else; it is merely the rule book which we all agree needs changing. The real issue is should we leave the EU. Will Ukip accept their defeat on June 4? |
| The first opinion poll on the European Elections has just been published in the Times: Conservative 34 per cent, Labour 25 per cent, Lib-Dems 20 per cent, UKIP six per cent, Greens five per cent, Others two per cent. It means that the pro-EU parties have 79 per cent, anti-EU eight per cent, and I am not sure where the Greens stand on EU membership. I have included the Tories as pro-EU as their manifesto is quite clear that they will not take Britain out. So, despite Norman Tebbit's intervention, it looks as though the British Public will vote overwhelmingly again to stay in the EU |
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Galileo to the rescue Todays' news report that US government officials are concerned that the quality of the Global Positioning System (GPS) could begin to deteriorate next year, resulting in regular blackouts and failures is very worrying. As well as millions of motorists that rely on this technology to move around, it is also widely used to manage and track our emergency service vehicles, and to locate lost or stolen objects. Fortunately the EU and the European Space Agency are well advanced on deploying the Euroepan Galileo alternative. Yet this project was bitterly opposed by East Midlands Conservatives, who's leading elected MEP Roegr Helmer said “it has no economic and no technical justification. It is unnecessary; it is redundant; it is already becoming obsolescent.”. Thankfully policy makers took notice of his Luddite views. Galileo is one of the best examples of how working with our allies brings real benefits to the citizens of Europe – isolationism is the road to nowhere. |
| Russ Ball, and other correspondents to these columns, seem unaware of the EU's peace keeping role. The European Union Military Staff, led by Britain's Lieutenant General David Leakey , is responsible for coordinating peace-keeping actions that require military input. They are required to work with NATO, from a Joint Operational Headquarters, one of which is located at Northwood. They have been operational in Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Congo & Chad – currently there are discussions that could result in action in Georgia. These European Union Forces (EUFOR) are not permanent, but temporary deployments calling on available military resources. In all cases they have played a solely Peace-Keeping role, and all are jointly supervised with NATO. EUFOR should not be confused with Eurocorps, which is a European rapid reaction force currently run by 6 European Countries, but with the support of a further 6 countries including the USA. It acts at the request of legitimate multi-national bodies such as the the EU & UN; and has seen action in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. It was also for much of 2006 part of NATO Response Force 7. I hope that demonstrates the EU and European combined forces play a major role in today's peace-keeping arenas, working jointly with NATO. The other way that the EU has maintained the peace in Europe for 60 years is by the creation of an environment that supports co-operation at economic, social and cultural levels across Europe's borders. So successful is the peace keeping role that not a single war has been fought on the soil of a single member state of the European Union since it's creation – this must be one of the longest periods of peace that Europe has ever known. |
| I continue to be amazed by Conservative politicians who claim they are against the EU. We are talking about the Conservative Party of Ted Heath who took us into the EU. The Conservative Party of Thatcher who condemned the use of referenda, and, despite her views, did not take Britain out. Tories are the architects of Britain's membership of the EU. The Conservatives of John Major, who signed the Masstricht Treaty. The Conservatives of David Cameron who has appointed leading Europhile Ken Clarke to his front bench, and has a manifesto commitment to stay in the EU. It is time the Tories stopped trying to con the electorate that they are against the EU. NEP 3rd April 2009 |
| My family and I visited the Polish city of Lublin a few years ago. In an
act of memoriam we walked the 5 miles from the old city centre, not far
from the doors of the Jewish orphanage, to the Madjanek Concentration
Camp – where all of the children and their carers were shot in the name
of Nationalism. In the centre of that death camp is a huge mausoleum,
about 20 metres diameter, within which you can see the ashes of 250,000
victims. People from all of Europe can be found there, united in death.
The camp then came under control of the NKVD (KGB), and more decades of
oppression followed. Not far from here you can also see a brand new
motorway, financed by the EU, that links Warsaw with the Ukraine. Thus
you stand at the turning point of modern European history. With one eye
you can look back to the images of Old Europe, with the horrors of left
& right for all to see. With the other you can see the future, a Europe
united, built on trade and commerce, working together for our common
good. The victorious WW2 allies created a set of European treaty
organisation, for the sole purpose of ensuring that Europe never again
slips back into barbarism. NATO, which prevents war; The European Court
of Human Rights, which protects the freedom of the individual from an
oppressive state; and the EU which maintains the peace and ensures our
prosperity. Next June you have a choice – moving forward arm-in-arm with
our Allies to a Europe that works together for the common good – or
looking back to a Europe of Nationalism, Protectionism, and war.
Leicester Mercury 30th March 2009 |
| The decision by multi-millionaire Conservative party donor Stuart Wheeler, who gave them £5 million in 2001, to switch his support to UKIP comes as no surprise. The Conservatives are the architects of British Membership of the European Union, for which I am most grateful. A vote for Roger Helmer at this June's European Elections is a vote to stay in the EU. |
| Dorothy Wilson conveniently ignores the economic value to the UK of EU membership, in terms of exports, standardisation, common action on environmental protection, and the money the EU invests back in to the UK economy. I know that she will not be convinced, but what I do not understand is why she so often supports the Conservative Candidate, Roger Helmer. The Tories are committed to Britain remaining a member of the EU. If she really wanted to leave then she should not be voting Conservative next June. NEP 28th Feb 2009 |
| Winston Churchill was one of the brains behind the European Court of Human Rights. Established after the Second World War, its purpose is to protect the individual citizen from oppressive state legislation. I am shocked that Mr Askew should attack an institution that was in part created by our great war-time leader, and has helped protect our freedoms ever since. How he then links our freedom to light bulbs is bizarre, he is always free to use LED lighting if he wishes. It offers even more low power, and much better brightness than traditional low power bulbs; perhaps it could light his way to a more reasoned of our European Allies and the treaties that we have freely signed up to. NEP 27th Feb 2009 |
| Danny Stowell's party, UKIP, is committed to Britain leaving the EU; in contrast to Roger Helmer who's Conservative Party wants to stay in. I therefore welcome the opportunity to challenge the views of a genuine anti-EU representative. Danny has been predicting the death of the Euro since its' inception, yet it is still here. It is replacing the US $ as a world-wide reserve currency, and as a means to value commodities. Countries continue to join (Malta, Cyprus & Slovakia) or apply to join (Montenegro & Kosova), even the UK admininistered sovereign bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia have adopted the single currency. 9 East European states have either pegged their currencies to the Euro or have applied to join in the future. Iceland see it as means to rescue their ailing economy, and intend to apply to join the EU as well. It is an incredible success story, and to continue to deny that fact is pointless. The only valid reason to keep the pound is the belief that by doing so we can retain better control of our own economy; yet the current world economic crisis proves that that is nonsense. We live in a world economy, with huge global shifts of capital and Sterling (derived from the phrase Easterling Silver being the Slovak coinage that was originally used for 'Sterling') is not immune form the world. By all means keep the pound if that gives you comfort, but it is daft to claim that the Euro is a failure. |
| I am delighted that both Roger Helmer and Jeff Middleton have highlighted the latest YouGov poll which showed that only a mere 16% of respondents want Britain to leave the EU. The return of Ken Clarke to the Conservatives front bench underlines the fact that a vote for the Conservative List next June is a vote to stay in the EU. As for the phrase 'a looser arrangement' from Roger Helmer who is standing as a candidate for the pro-EU Conservative Party, I too support a 'looser arrangement' with less power held by the Commission. I want National Parliaments to have the power to amend and reject EU Commission proposals. I want more power to be given to the directly elected European Parliament. I want 1/3 of the Commissioners abolished. All these proposals are in the Lisbon Treaty. I am willing to debate other rule changes – we need rules whilst we remain a member of the EU. The real issue at stake is should we stay in or get out of the EU, and the Conservative Party will never take Britain out of the EU. If you want to leave the EU only a vote for UKIP or the English Democrats will achieve that objective, and then we would not have to talk about rule changes, looser arrangements or anything else, as we would not be members of the EU. |
| George West's demand that the electorate should be given the opportunity to vote to leave the EU will be granted. In June we will have the direct elections to the European Parliament; which is the world's only directly elected trans-national Parliament. This offers everyone the opportunity to express their view on Britain's membership of the EU without having to take account of how they would normally vote in a General Election. The latest opinion poll gives the pro-EU parties (Conservative, Labour and Lib-Dem) 83% of the vote, well ahead of the anti-EU parties (UKIP and the English Democrats). And, before anyone claims the Tories are anti-EU I suggest that they read their manifesto which does not commit them to pull Britain out of the EU. A vote for Roger Helmer is a vote to stay in. Finally, I challenge George to put his views to the test personally by standing against me in Charnwood at the next General Election. |
| The first opinion poll on voting intentions for the European Elections show the pro-EU parties are substantially in the lead. The YouGov Poll conducted between the 6th & 8th January, has European Election voting intention figures of CON 35%(+8), LAB 29%(+6), LDEM 15%(nc), UKIP 7%(-9), GRN 5%(-1), BNP 4%(-1), SNP/PC 4%. The total Pro-EU votes (Conservative, Labour, Lib-Dem, SNP & PC) is 83% which is an improvement on 5 years ago. The anti-EU vote is predicted to be well down, with UKIP losing nearly half their seats and the BNP losing ground as well. We will have to wait for the real results to be sure, but this is a clear expression of the wish of the British electorate to stay in the EU. |
| The European Court of Human Rights was established after WW2, thanks to Winston Churchill; and pre-dates the EU by nearly 10 years. The legislation was mainly drafted by British Lawyers. Its' purpose is to protect people from oppression by the state; thus it draws heavily on what would today be classed as 'libertarian' principles - in effect it provides a legal redress for Europeans who wish to express their personal freedoms and rights. The EU was established far later to provide a common economic framework for Europe - the purpose being that by creating economic interdependency Nationalism (the cause of WW2) could never again flourish. We now have a perfect balance, with an an International Treaty Organisation - the EU - which is run in the same way as NATO with ambassadors appointed by the member states - with the addition of a Directly Elected and wholly democratic European Parliament to scrutinise the EU's operations. It is a brilliant organisation, wholly open and democratic, that has maintained the Peace in Europe for decades, enabled the former fascist dictatorships of Spain, Portugal and Greece to develop their National identities and Freedom and providing a safe haven for the newly freed states of Eastern Europe. Member states maintain control of their key national affairs, and identities whilst pooling sovereignty to ensure a more prosperous and safer Europe. Let us never forget that before the EU millions of people died in the most horrific war the world has ever known, the victorious allies created a set of European Structures that have ensured that Nationalism will never destroy Europe again - NATO which prevent was, The European Courts which protect the rights and freedoms of the individual, and the EU which maintains the peace and makes us prosperous. That is why I consider it my Patriotic Duty to campaign for the EU, in memory of the millions who died to give me the freedoms that I enjoy today and are maintained by our common European Institutions. Or would the EU's opponents rather have the East Midlands represented by UKIP's former MEP Robert Kilroy Silk ? |
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Barack Obama's intention to act on man-made global warming is a welcome policy change. Two of the Western World's major economic powerhouses, the USA and the EU are now committed to take action and can co-ordinate activity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Let us hope that the East Midlands Conservative Party now put their weight behind these international efforts, and come in to line with David Cameron's policies. To date their most senior elected representative, Roger Helmer MEP, has refused to accept that man made global warming exists. We must act responsibly for the sake of our childrens future, so I urge you to reject the Conservative List at the next European Elections until they change their policy on climate change. |
| May I welcome UKIP's Derek Clark's contribution (Mailbox, November 3) to the European debate which has been dominated by the pro-EU parties for too long. I was not calling for the euro to be the currency of the UK, but for more euro ATMs to be installed to assist travellers using Eurostar, which is just over an hour from Leicester Station. His claim that this represents a threat to our independence is paranoia; every UK post office sells euros over the counter! All recent national opinion polls on EU membership have given the result of 2:1 in favour of staying in. Only UKIP and the English Democrats offer voters the opportunity to leave the EU, and they are unlikely to improve on the 20 per cent they achieved in the last elections. |
| Todays announcement that 6000 Mega Watts of offshore wind farm capacity is to be developed jointly by Scottish Power Renewables in partnership with Sweden's Vattenfall, proves that wind energy is good for the environment, and good for the British economy. This investment in renewable energy was achieved without subsidies, and they will pay the UK Government a ump sum for the offshore generation licence. The expected capacity of this new investment is 6000 MW, this contrasts with the total capacity of 1940 GW that will be achieved by the Kingsnorth Coal fired plant. Vatenfall have also paid £35m for the Thanet Offshore Wind Project based , which will have an installed capacity of 300MW. One wonders if the East Midlands Conservative Party, through their senior elected representative Roger Helmer, will finally admit that they are wrong. Or will the East Midlands Conservative Party continue to claim that the worlds climate is cooling! Renewable energy, and in particular offshore wind energy generation, will contribute to Britain's International commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is good for business and jobs. |
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Tory Threat to UKIP |
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Totally disproved by a poll of Tory parliamentary hopefuls just published, in which 80% said that membership of the EU has been a good thing for Britain. Leaving the EU will represent a catastrophe for the UK, which has protected working people with a raft of legislation that Cameron opposes – including limits on the working week, an end to discrimination on ground of sex and age, an end to unscrupulous exploitation of people by keeping them on 'part-time' contracts for years, international action on pollution, and consumer protection. The EU's essential role of peace-keeping in Europe has been highlighted by the proposal that the EU will monitor the withdrawal of the Russian troops from Georgia. So if you want an end to the EU's role in ensuring a better life for all, economically and environmentally as well as its peace-keeping achievements – vote UKIP or ED. If you want to stay in the EU but moan about its benefits vote for Roger Helmer. If you support working with our Allies to promote individual freedom, prosperity, a clean environment and European peace then Labour has to be your choice. NEP 13th Oct 2008 |
| An End to Gas Guzzlers Welcomed by Eric Goodyer, Labour's Prospective
MP for Charnwood The decision by the European parliament to require all European Car Manufacturers to develop low fuel cars has been welcomed by Eric Goodyer, Labour's Prospective MP for Charnwood. The European Parliament’s Environment committee has voted through a strong package to reduce emissions from cars. Under the new proposals average fleet emissions from new cars, which are currently around 158 grams, must be reduced to 130 grams/km by 2012, then they must fall further to 95 grams by 2020. For every gram over the average a manufacturer will face fines of 95 euro per car. Many well known petrol brands already meet this target, such as the Honda Civic 1.4, Toyota Prius 1.5, as well as a large range of Diesel cars. Many other brands are just above the threshold, and will benefit from the new technology that this ruling will lead to. As well as helping to reduce carbon emissions, the expected new range of low fuel vehicles will help reduce the motoring costs of millions of European drivers. It is also hoped that the race to produce these new low fuel cars will will result in an intensive programme of research and development that will boost Europe's car industry and technology centers. The proposal was opposed by the Conservative Party, demonstrating their lack of commitment to environmental policies, and the car industry. Eric Goodyer said “Everyone will be a winner. Universities and independent research centres will receive a major cash boost as they are engaged to develop new, and greener technologies. Motorists will see the cost of driving fall, as they benefit from the availability of more efficient cars. These new low fuel European cars will also be a source of valuable exports to gas guzzling countries like the USA”. |
| I am sure that Tory MEP Roger Helmer will be pleased to know that the average wind speed at his offices in Northamptonshire are 5.1m/s at a height of only 10m from ground level. Using a quality off the shelf turbine such as the Rutland Furlmatic FM910-3 Windcharger, which are made in the same county, he could be generating a mean 40W for free. That's enough to power all the energy saving light bulbs his staff could ever need if he allowed them to be used. The UK's offshore wind reserve are vast, and are awaiting exploitation. With 40% of Europe's wind power reserves within reach of our shores it would be foolish not to harness it. We must diversify our energy sources, to ensure continuity and security of supply, and to meet our commitments to the environment. Renewables must form part of that diversification, with clean coal providing the base load as our energy market transforms. We must stop relying of importing and burning fossil fuels in an unsustainable manner. Next June you have the opportunity to vote for a clean energy policy by rejecting the Tory MEP list headed by arch climate change denier Roger Helmer. |
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B J Hunt is correct in that very few opinion polls have been taken on British attitudes to EU membership. One of the most recent was run by Mori on the 12th May 2008, who asked the simple question - "I support closer co-operation between the countries of the European Union with Britain playing a leading role." The response was 57% for with 18% against. You Gov have not asked a simple in or out question for years. The ICM poll published on the 16th Jan 2008 asked the question “Is the EU a Good Thing or a Bad Thing”, with 58% saying Good and 35% saying Bad. These positive results for the European Movement are mirrored at real elections. I accept the strong argument that UK elections are not a fair reflection of attitudes to Europe; however the same cannot be said for the European Parliamentary Elections. The only credible national parties committed to leaving the EU are UKIP and the English Democrats. The Tory Party took Britain in and it is becoming increasingly absurd for any Tory to claim they will take Britain out again; only last week a poll of Tory Parliamentary Candidates confirmed that 80% thought the the Uks membership of the EU is a 'good thing'. The highest vote ever achieved by UKIP is 19%. We have another chance next year to gauge British attitudes to Europe when we have the next European Parliamentary elections. I am confident that the Pro-EU alliance of Tories, Labour & Lib-Dems will gain achieve an overwhelming majority over UKIP and the English Democrats |
| The Tories
environmental credentials are in tatters Yet again leading local Tory, Roger Helmer MEP, has blown a hole in David Cameron's Green Credentials. I though that his campaign against energy saving light-bulbs represented the height of folly, but he has now turned his sights on to Wind Farms. His alternative is that we should develop 'conventional power', i.e. to continue importing fossil fuels from unstable parts of the globe, and ship in fissile materials to expand nuclear energy. I wonder if his contempt for environmental protection will stretch to supporting the now long lost proposal to develop open-cast mining in the Vale of Belvoir (or maybe too many Tory votes are at stake to allow that to happen!). His decision to robustly reject David Cameron's professed green policies is more in tune with our Tory controlled County Council, who whilst professing to be defenders of our countryside are in fact hell-bent on a programming of trashing the County. Recent County Hall decision include 1) Lifting the ban on quarrying in Charnwood Forest 2) Progressing a waste incinerator without commissioning an independent Environmental Risk Assessment Study 3) selling off Country Parks 4) allowing sand and gravel extraction from Green Wedge land 5) Failing to progress the National Forest Rail Line 6) Pricing school buses off of the road. However, this comes as no surprise as David Cameron has to have a car following his bike-ride to work. |
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Like much of the Caucasus, South Ossetia has no historical links to Russia other than being ruthlessly conquered during the 19th C. The territory of Ossetia, along with Georgia were finally annexed in 1801. The nations were merged into the modern Republic of Georgia around 1911/12, the reason often given being that the Ossetians favored a Menshevich approach to the Russian revolution, whilst Georgia was overwhelmingly Bolshevik. Ossetians (North & South) are most certainly not Russian, and can legitimately claim a right to self-determination. Resolution of Caucasian rights for independence remain a major problem for the stability of Europe. When the people of Eastern Europe liberated themselves many new states re-emerged in the West, and they underpinned their fragile freedom by joining the great European Institutions (The EU & NATO). The collapse of the USSR also enabled the former Soviet States to declare independence (e.g. the Ukraine and Kazakhstan) , but the Russian Federation failed to recognise the national rights of the many nations that had been absorbed by that super state, mainly during the 18th &19thC. The most prominent state in this position being Chechnya, who were also conquered by Russia following the collapse of Persian & Ottoman rule in the region. I personally would like to see all these nations, whether they be within the Russian Federation, or were part of the the former USSR, enabled to develop their own national identities. The same applies to the former Yugoslavia, an artificial state formed in 1929 after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following their defeat in WW1. This country was always governed as a Federation, and its' collapse after the death of war-time liberator Marshal Tito was inevitable. Like the Caucasus the people of this region have the right to self-determination, which they are now free to exercise. Unlike the Caucasus they also have the the opportunity to join NATO and the EU, which will enable them to both preserve their national identities, whilst also pooling their sovereignty for the common good. |
| The EU has an outstanding record of maintaining the peace. Europe was the theatre for the bloodiest war known in history, who's root cause was nationalism. WW2 was just one of many wars that has plagued Europe for 100s of years. Out of the ashes of WW2 the Allies created a suite of European Institutions designed to prevent such horrors occurring again. NATO was set up to prevent war, the EU was created to build trade and maintain the peace, and the European Courts were set up to protect the freedom of the individual. Since its' creation not a single drop of blood has been spilt in a single war anywhere within the boundaries of the EU - it has been an outstanding success. Mr Mann asks about Yugoslavia, where NATO played a major role in stopping the war, and the EU has rebuilt the new nations. Today it is an EU force that has been deployed to Kosova, the most recent region to benefit from EU intervention. Slovenia and Croatia are already in the EU, and are thriving, and the new Government of Serbia has made absolutely clear that it sees the EU as its' future. The EU stands proud on its' record of achievement, and I challenge Mr Mann to find any other period of European History when there has not been a major war for 60 years! That is why it is my patriotic duty to support Britain's membership of the EU. |
| Ben Hallam is trying to continue the myth that the Tory Party is anti-EU. Totally disproved by a poll of Tory parliamentary hopefuls just published, in which 80% said that membership of the EU has been a good thing for Britain. Leaving the EU will represent a catastrophe for the UK, which has protected working people with a raft of legislation that Cameron opposes – including limits on the working week, an end discrimination on ground of sex and age, an end to unscrupulous exploitation of people by keeping them on 'part-time' contract for years, international action on pollution, and consumer protection. The EU's essential role of peace-keeping in Europe has been highlighted by the proposal that EU will monitor the withdrawal of the Russian troops from Georgia. So if you want an end to the EU's role in ensuring a better life for all, economically and environmentally as well as its' peace-keeping achievements – vote UKIP or ED. If you want to stay in the EU but moan about it's benefits vote for Roger Helmer. If you support working with our Allies to promote individual freedom, prosperity, a clean environment and European peace then Labour has to be your choice. |
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David Milliband's act of solidarity with Georgia, in defence of their right to join the EU and NATO has been supported by Conservative leader David Cameron. The West's diplomatic strategy, essential for our freedom and Democracy is being undermined by those in Britain who seek to destroy these essential European Institutions. The role that NATO plays in preventing war, and the EU plays in maintaining peace has the full support of all major political parties in Britain. Next June the electorate will have the opportunity to express their support for the EU by voting for one of the Pro-EU parties (Conservative, Labour or Lib-Dem). A vote for any of the anti-EU parties (English Democrats or UKIP) would seriously undermine Britain's security and prosperity. |
| David Milliband's visit to the Ukraine to support their desire to join NATO and the EU is an important act of solidarity that I trust everyone will support. In living memory Europe was the theatre for the bloodiest war known in history, and out of the carnage the democratic Allies created a number of Pan-European organisations designed to ensure that Europe never again fell under the spell of Nationalism. Theses institutions included NATO, which prevents war, the EU which creates a stable framework for prosperity, trade and peace, and the various European Courts that protect the rights and freedoms of the individual. Our nation's security and future prosperity is put at peril by UKIP, and the English Democrats, who seek to undermine these European Institutions. Next June you will have an opportunity to support a full list of Labour candidates at the European Elections who are committed to Europe's future, not its' past. |
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May I welcome Geoffrey Littlejohns robust rebuttal of my recent submission relating to the racist policies of the BNP. As UKIP are discredited, and a vote for the Conservative Party is a vote for the EU, the existence of a strong and credible anti-EU party is essential for our Democracy. What Geoffrey fails to understand is that I am as proud of my English & British heritage as he is. Where we differ is that I know our history better than he does. Britain has been absorbing immigrants for millennia, and it is that rich cultural heritage that makes us what we are today. Our language is spoken worldwide because it has roots in so many other tongues, testimony to our rich cultural history (in chronological order) of Celts, Romans, Germans, Danes, Roma, French, Jews, Black Africans, Chinese, Dutch and more recent arrivals that have enriched our heritage and culture. We are what we are today because of our past, multi-cultural, multi-racial and diverse united under the Union Flag. |
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40 years on and the Czech & Slovak
Republics are free |
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Vote for Europe's future not it's past
The capture of indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic is great news. The parallels between WW2 and Yugoslavia are stark. 20th Century Europe was the theatre
for the bloodiest conflict known in history, who's roots were buried
deep in Nationalism. Racial intolerance and 'purity' resulted in mass
genocide of Jews, Roma, Gays the handicapped and others. Civil war in
Yugoslavia was the last outbreak of Nationalism, which also led to mass
murder and genocide of Muslims. At the end of WW2 the allies
established a number of pan-European organisations, open only to
Democracies; created to ensure that the future of Europe would be based
on co-operation not conflict. The common theme being the pooling of
sovereignty for the common good; and today they are the pillars of our
fundamental freedom and democracy that we too often take for granted.
The most important of these are NATO a military alliance, the EU an
economic and social alliance, the European Court of Human Rights that
protects individual freedom, and the International Court in the Hague.
They have all played a role stabilising the former Yugoslavia. NATO
stopped the wars in Bosnia and Kosova. The EU has rebuilt the shattered
economies, and integrated the successor states into Europe's democratic
family of free and independent states, and the International Court will
now deliver justice for the dead. Next year we will all have an
opportunity to give our verdict on Europe's Institutions when elections
are held for the European Parliament. Glenis Willmot, Roy Kennedy and
the rest of the Labour list are committed to maintaining Europe's
Institutions intact, and thus the peace, prosperity and freedom that
they have delivered. Use the opportunity to vote for the future and not
the past.
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Helmer's Carbon based Energy Policy is costly and dangerous |
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It is well known that Roger Helmer opposes all European organisations that seek to foster co-operation apart from NATO. However, for him to argue that NATO is governed differently from the EU, and other essential European pillars of our freedom is absurd. NATO and the EU are both International Treaty Organisations open only to Democracies. Both are based on the principal of pooling sovereignty in specific areas for the common good, NATO is a military alliance, the EU is a commercial and social alliance. Both are governed by ambassadors appointed by the member states. Where the EU goes further is that in addition the executive is accountable to a directly elected European Parliament. Which leads to a far more important question, is Roger going to be allowed to stand as a Conservative Candidate at the next European elections? He has consistently opposed the Tories strong pro-EU policies; after all it was the Tories who took us in, the Tories who campaigned for a yes vote in the 1975 referendum, and the Tories who signed up to the Masstricht Treaty. Will Roger be publishing his expenses as required by David Cameron? Will he rejoin the Tory Group in Brussels and sit with with European People's Party (Christian Democrats) Group like the rest of his Tory colleagues? Or will he finally do the decent thing and stand as a UKIP supporter? |
THE FUTURE FOR EUROPE IS
BRIGHT - NEP FEATURE 11TH JULY 2008
Pictured here is my
Russian great-grandfather in uniform, my grandfather served in the
trenches, my father in the RAF. I am the first male member of my
family in 100 years that has not had to fight, and I never want my
son to have to serve either. At the end of the bloodiest war the
world has known the Allies set-up a suite of organisations to create
a new Europe where Nationalism, Envy, Racism and Genocide could never
again arise. Thus were born, NATO preventing war by pooling
sovereignty in a unified command structure, The European Court of
Human Rights protecting individual freedom against oppressive states,
and the EEC/EU which has created the economic and social environment
that has maintained the peace for 60 years. Today the EU continues to
play a major world-wide peace keeping role, diplomacy with Iran, the
International Quartet seeking solutions for the Middle East, and
supporting Kosovo.Like war, pollution does not respect borders. Filth in the Vistula, Rhine or Danube crosses many borders before reaching the sea. Are British fish loyal? Do they know that they can only swim in to British nets? The EU has led the way to improve Europe's health & environment, through co-operation not conflict. I have just been asked to join a French/German medical research consortium seeking to restore the ability to speak to patients who have damaged 'voice-boxes' . Our hard working MEP Glenis Wilmot is a member of the important Environmental, Public Health & Food Safety committee; charged with combating climate change and implementing environmental measures that must be co-ordinated at the European level; because environmental protection is an international problem, that needs international solutions. Simply removing trade barriers is not enough; to be truly free & fair requires a level playing field. Why should great British companies go bust from paying decent wages and making quality products. How can they compete with cheap goods sweated from poor working conditions, using dodgy materials, like lead based paint on kids toys. We need a framework for fair trade and fair work, with people paid decent wages, working sensible working hours, and not discriminated against. EU directives ensure that products are safe, and workers & consumers are protected. That's why the EU is the world's largest trading block, supported by the world's leading currency, The Euro. So where next for Europe? The EU is run like NATO, each country appointing ambassadors (Commissioners), uniquely supported by the democratically elected European Parliament. However, these rules were created for a club of 6 members, not 27. The European Constitution was consigned to the dustbin of history when it was rejected by 2 members. Lisbon sought to save the most important aspects - abolition of a 1/3 of the commission, and the right for National Parliaments to amend and reject commission proposals. Eire did not vote to leave the EU. Today's Tory Party demands for a referendum are hypocritical - they are the architects of Britain's membership of the EU, and will never take us out. Thatcher (quoting Clement Atlee) said referendums are the "refuge of dictators and demagogues". The EU can and will continue to operate under it's current rules. The way forward is to select reforms that we all agree on, and present them in bite-size chunks to be properly debated; enabling the EU to reduce costs and bureaucracy, and to implement the Lisbon Treaty's plans to return power to member states. The future for Europe is bright. Over 2 million Brits now work and live on the Continent – once the preserve of the rich. We are successfully co-coordinating international action on pollution, environmental & consumer protection, crime and border security. The more we work together the more secure and prosperous we become. |
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Whilst I often enjoy Dorothy Wilson's contributions she does have a tendency to mix up wishful thinking with claims of factual accuracy. Very few opinion polls have been taken on British attitudes to EU membership. One of the most recent was run by Mori on the 12th May 2008, who asked the simple question - "I support closer co-operation between the countries of the European Union with Britain playing a leading role." The response was 57% for with 18% against. You Gov have not asked a simple in or out question for years. The ICM poll published on the 16th Jan 2008 asked the question “Is the EU a Good Thing or a Bad Thing”, with 58% saying Good and 35% saying Bad. These positive results for the European Movement are mirrored at real elections. I accept the strong argument that UK elections are not a fair reflection of attitudes to Europe; however the same cannot be said for the European Parliamentary Elections. The only credible national party committed to leaving the EU is UKIP (The Tory Party took Britain in and it is becoming increasingly absurd for any Tory to claim they will take Britain out again). The highest vote ever achieved by UKIP is 18%. We have another chance next year to gauge British attitudes to Europe when we have the next European Parliamentary elections. I am confident that the Pro-EU alliance of Tories, Labour & Lib-Dems will gain achieve an overwhelming majority over UKIP. |
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The recent victory by the pro-EU Party is Serbia is most welcome. The defeat of the Serbian Nationalists by their own people through the ballot box hopefully marks the end of bloodshed in the Former Yugoslavia. We must be grateful that we have two European Organisations that have helped this to come about, NATO who prevent war and the EU that keeps the peace. I find it odd that Euro sceptics moan about the EU Commission being unelected, yet they never same the same about NATO . Both are governed by committees appointed in exactly the same way, by democratically elected European Governments. In addition the EU has a directly elected Parliament, and once the Lisbon Treaty is ratified all EU Commission proposals will be subject to amendment and rejection by a majority of National Parliaments. The Euro continues to go from strength to strength, with Slovakia set to join and majority of Danes in favour of joining. It is hardly surprising that support for Britain remaining a member of the EU is running at 2:1 in our favour. |
| A. Birch's claim that immigrants take 70% of new
housing is fantasy. As we now know more than 500,000 East Europeans
have now returned home, thanks to the rapid growth of their home
economies due to their membership of the EU. This trend will continue,
and British industry will suffer, especially the agricultural sector
which had to leave around 20% of last year's soft fruit crop rotting in
British fields due to lack of labour. Even if every immigrant was forced to leave the country it would not change the underlying fact the average household has fallen from three people to two over the last 30 years. It is this massive growth in households that is the driver for more housing. The choice is clear: build more homes or force the growing number of older people, who quite rightly wish to remain independent, to move into residential care homes. NEP 5th MAY 2008 |
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May I be the first to congratulate UKIP on gaining their first MP, with the announcement that former Tory Bob Spink has joined their ranks. According to all recent opinion polls support for Britain's membership of the EU is running at 2:1 in favour; and all major political parties support the EU. The presence of a UKIP MP means that the minority of Britons who wish to leave this incredibly successful organisation now have a Parliamentary voice; though it is doubtful that he could retain it at the next General Election. |
| EURO SCEPTICS ARE DRIVING ME QUACKERS NEP 23rd April 2008 Though I doubt if I will ever be referring to G L Robinson as 'Mi Duck' his paranoia is sending me quackers. The EC regulations that he claims could send him to prison read as follows - “The purpose of this Directive is to put into effect in the Member States the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, including promotion, and to vocational training and as regards working conditions and, on the conditions referred to in paragraph 2, social security. This principle is herinafter referred to as "the principle of equal treatment." “Member States shall actively take into account the objective of equality between men and women when formulating and implementing laws, regulations, administrative provisions, policies and activities in the areas referred to in paragraph 1"; “For the purposes of the following provisions, the principle of equal treatment shall mean that there shall be no discrimination whatsoever on grounds of sex either directly or indirectly by reference in particular to marital or family status.” Is Mr Robinson advocating that we should not be allowing women the same access to employment as men? This directive was approved by the EU Commission which is appointed by Europe's elected Governments. It is subject to scrutiny by the democratically elected European Parliament. Once the Lisbon treaty is ratified all future Directives will also be subject to approval, amendment and and rejection by National Parliaments. This is a very reasonable directive, which has been devised and approved by a wholly democratic process. The final stage of which is to pass suitable legislation in our own Parliament. |
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The EUs Bonfire of Regulations I will shortly be leaving for the USA to work on a medical research project to evaluate the effectiveness of a new tissue engineering therapy, which if successful could result in a treatment for people who have lost the ability to speak due to vocal 'cord' scarring. I have shipped out a lot of expensive, and delicate, apparatus to help with this study. Because the USA is not a member of the European Union this has triggered an avalanche of paperwork and bureaucracy. To bring my own tools back home without paying import duties I have had to apply for C88 Controlled Export handling. To allow my tools to enter the US free of duties I have had to issue an invoice for £0.0p, as well as the usual bundle of declarations (harmonised code number, statement of country of manufacture, size, weight, description, airway bills etc etc). Both the US and UK customs will be charging me for the privilege of moving my own tools around, and there will be delays and other costs. When I ship the same apparatus to medical teams in Sweden and Germany, thanks to the EU's bonfire of regulations no paperwork is required at all, other than an address label and a postage stamp. It is time that Roger Helmer, UKIP and all the other anti-EU brigade told the truth – if we pulled out of the EU all this bureaucracy, costs and delays would hit all British exports to the 26 member states of the EU. It would cripple British industry, and cost British jobs. Thankfully all major Political Parties, including Roger Helmer's Conservatives, are committed to the UK remaining in the EU. |
| Mr Woodward is correct that the BNP and UKIP agree on Britain leaving the EU. His further claim that the BNP has more support is pure fantasy, and has no more credibility than the rest of the BNP's bigoted outlook on life. In the last European Elections UKIP polled 17%, with the BNP trailing behind with a miserable 1%. What this proves is that when faced with a real election the vast majority of the British Public support Britain's membership of the EU, as ALL major parties including Cameron's Tories support the EU. It also shows that the British public took the opportunity to reject the BNP and all it stand for (bigotry, racism and division). I am proud of my English, British and European Heritage. The Union Flag belongs to all British, Black, White and Asian and I am proud to proclaim that it is our multi-cultural heritage that makes Britain Great. |
| Roger Helmer's claim that Mexican's can ignore EU directives is rubbish. The vast majority of EU legislation is related to consumer protection and product safety. If a product does not comply with EU product directives it can't be sold in the EU. Thus Switzerland, Norway and even Mexico are obliged to comply with EU directives, but as they are not members they have no say in what they are. Thankfully the EU has built a bonfire of regulations, replacing 27 different sets of national requirement with a single framework of requirements, available from the British Standards Institute. Unlike Roger I still work in industry. I know that when I design a new product that complies with British regulations I can sell it throughout the EU without hinderance; a fact that has saved European companies millions and is the ket reason for the EUs commercial success. [NEP 19th Feb 2008] |
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Laying the
foundations for freedom - Guardian March 27th 2007 |
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Guardian June 7
2006 |
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Guardian
May 1st 2004 |
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Guardian
Dec 8th 2001 |
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The Lisbon Treaty Delivers What the British Public Want
Harold Wright's (7th Feb) claim that the Euro is 'weaker' than the pound, is simply untrue. Sterling has devalued against the Euro by about 15% in the last year. The Euro now represents 29% of the world's currency reserves, TESCO and the Royal Bank of Scotland have both opened chains of ATMs to issue the notes in the UK, all British Banks offer Euro accounts, over 6% of all monetary transactions in the UK between UK citizens and companies was in Euros in 2006 and that figure is growing. It is a very successful currency which can be used throughout the Eurozone, and the many countries who have pegged their currency to the Euro. However the UK has chosen not to join the Euro, so all this is irrelevant, apart form the fact that it is clear evidence that the UK is a sovereign state within the EU. The Lisbon Treaty represents the biggest transfer of power from the Commission to member states since the creation of the EEC/EU. Once ratified all EU Commission proposals will be subject to review, amendment and even rejection by National Parliaments. I do not understand why Mr Wright opposes this key reform, or why he thinks such a change is a 'Constitution'. 1/3 of the Commission is to be abolished, with many departments merged. This will speed up decision taking, reduce costs and improve efficiency that does not sound like a Constitution to me either. Even Malcolm Rifkind said today on Radio 4 that the new position of Presiding Officer has no real power. The majority of the British Public support Britain remaining a member of the EU (see latest MORI Poll), but want decision taking made closer to home, and want it to cost less. That is exactly what the Lisbon Treaty delivers. [Submitted to Derby Telegraph 7th Feb 2008] |
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Are British Fish Loyal? Roger Helmer's claim that pulling out of international agreements will help control fish stocks are ridiculous, unless he is planning to establish a network of underwater border controls to prevent British fish swimming into foreign waters! Fish stocks can only be protected by International Agreement; managed by democratically accountable organisations such as the EU and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Or perhaps Roger is planning to hand out ID cards to British cod? [Submittted NEP 5th Feb 2008] |
| B J Morrison is absolutely correct, the Lisbon Treaty devolves substantial power from the EU commission back to member states; and I am sure we all welcome this move. The EU is changing from being a traditional International Alliance between independent nations, to recognising the important role it is now playing in giving freedom to individual citizens. In future all EU Commission proposals will be subject to debate, amendment and even rejection by National Parliaments. 1/3 of the Commission is to be abolished, which will save costs and improve efficiency. A charter of Citizen's Rights will be recognised, thus ensuring that the EU has to recognise the existing personal rights of everyone - this includes the new Children's Charter which has been widely applauded by many organisations. All in all it is a great Treaty, which reforms, simplifies and streamlines this outstanding organisation -making it fit to continue to serve us well in to the 21st C. [Submittted NEP 5th Feb 2008] |
| John Williams continues to make absurd claims about the Governance of the EU which must be challenged. The EU is unique amongst International Organisations in being governed by an executive appointed by Democratically Elected Governments, which is accountable to a Directly Elected Parliament. If John Williams wants more Democracy then the Lisbon Treaty gives him that as well, as once it is ratified then all future EU Commission proposal will be subject to scrutiny, revision and rejection by National Parliaments. This represents the biggest shift of power back from the EU commission to National Governments since the creation of this incredibly successful organisation. Incidentally 1/3 of the Commission will be abolished by the Lisbon treaty, which will reduce costs, which in any case are about the same as a typical mid-size British Local Authority. The EU has given us the longest period of peace and prosperity that Europe has known for millenia. It has sheltered to the former Fascist Dictatorships of Spain, Portugal and Greece, underpinning their fledgling democracies. When the people of eastern Europe liberated themselves from Communist Dictatorships every one them joined the EU. Can he also answer the question as to where the refugees will go if we were to leave the EU. By this I mean the estimated 2.5 Million Britons who have used their new freedom to live, work and retire in the Algarve, Costa Del Sol, Tuscany and elsewhere in Europe. All of them would lose their resident rights overnight! Submitted to Scunthorpe Telegraph 2nd Feb 2008 |
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Josephine White's claim that the EU will cost the UK £20 Billion is simply untrue. The cost to the UK is currently £4.7 Billion per annum, rising to an estimated £6 billion. This works out to about £100 per person per annum. In return the UK's GDP has grown by around 2.5% per annum directly as a result of increased trade, which is currently worth around £25 Billion per annum, a good investment if there was one. The EU has given us the longest period of peace and prosperity that Europe has known for millenia. It is unique amongst International Organisations in being governed by an executive appointed by Democratically Elected Governments, which is accountable to a Directly Elected Parliament. If Josephine White wants more Democracy then the Lisbon Treaty gives her that as well, as once it is ratified then all future EU Commission proposal will be subject to scrutiny, revision and rejection by National Parliaments. This represents the biggest shift of power back from the EU commission to National Governments since the creation of this incredibly successful organisation. Incidentally 1/3 of the Commission will be abolished by the Lisbon treaty, which will reduce costs, which in any case are about the same as a typical mid-size British Local Authority. Can she also answer the question as to where the refugees will go if we were to leave the EU. By this I mean the estimated 2.5 Million Britons who have used their new freedom to live, work and retire in the Algarve, Costa Del Sol, Tuscany and elsewhere in Europe. All of them would lose their residence rights overnight! Her reference to health care is most appropriate. Over the last 5 years £186 Million Euro has been invested by the EU into health research projects engaging UK based Universities and companies. Submitted to Grimbsy Telegraph 2nd Feb 2008 |
| Secret EU Lovers! Nottigham Evening Press 31st Jan 2008. One of the reforms that will arise from the Lisbon Treaty is that all future EU Commission proposals will be discussed by national parliaments. It also gives our Parliament the power to request amendments to, and even reject EU proposals. This represents the most important return of power from the EU to Britain in decades. So why is Bruce Laughton, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Gedling opposing it? He has either has not read the Lisbon Treaty, or does not understand it. The problem is that the Conservatives like to pretend that they are Euro-sceptics for transparent electoral gain, but in truth they are committed to Britain remaining in Europe. Ukip are the only genuine national party who would take Britain out of the EU. |
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Peter Blake's paranoia about the EU (letters 15th Jan) in which he accuses it of being both a left wing plot and a Nazi plot at the same time is closely matched by John Williams dance into fantasy on the 29th Jan. The EEC/EU was founded by the victorious allies out of the ashes of the most horrific war known in history to ensure that a new Europe would work together, and co-operate instead of tearing itself apart. It is an incredibly effective organisation that has delivered the longest period of peace known in the history of our continent, as well as economic growth, jobs and prosperity. The EU is now playing a major role in promoting a peaceful solution in Kosovo, and is a key player in negotiations with Iran. We are more effective when we work together. The EU is one of the largest economies in the world. The Euro is incredibly successful, representing 29% of the world's currency reserves, is becoming the preferred currency for commodity exchange, and is growing stronger as more countries join the single currency. The EU is unique amongst International Organisations in being accountable to a democratically directed elected parliament. Finally individual citizens have been given freedoms undreamed of in the past, with the right to live, work and travel unhindered throughout the EU (once the preserve of the wealthy); and the regulatory protection of the EU Directive system which is overwhelmingly concerned with giving us individual rights and freedoms, and protecting us from shoddy goods and dangerous manufacturing processes. It is hardly surprising that the most recent Mori Poll which asked the question 'Is the EU a Good Thing or a Bad thing?' the result was nearly 2:1 in favour of the EU. The Lisbon Treaty extends Democracy by giving National Parliaments the right to scrutinise and reject all EU Commission proposals. As your correspondents want more power to be returned to the UK I trust they will be wholeheartedly supporting the Lisbon Treaty, which also gets rid of a third of the EU Commissioners. [Submitted to Scunthorpe Telegraph 30th Jan 2008] |
| At last we are able to have a proper debate on the Lisbon Treaty. The most
important reform is that it gives National Parliaments a direct voice in
making European laws for the first time ever. Every National Parliament will
now be able to review new EU proposals directly; if 1/3 of National Parliaments
object to the proposal then it is sent back to the Commission to revise. If a
majority of National Parliaments oppose a Commission proposal, and National
Governments or MEPs agree, then it is rejected. This major reform, together with
the dramatic reduction of the size of the European Commission by
1/3rd represents the biggest transfer of power BACK to National
Governments since the creation of the EEC/EU. I would like to see these reforms
go further, with more power being given to the directly elected European
Parliament to scrutinise and amend Commission proposals. However, the
Euro-sceptics are determined to block the Lisbon Treaty and thus the return of
power to the UK from the EU. Their sole interest is to prevent proper debate in
pursuit of their dream of the destruction of the EU, despite the fact that the
overwhelming majority of British People support the EU and want it to work
better. [submitted throughout the East Midlands Region] |
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The EU has Maintained the Peace I am grateful to Ivor Johns (21st Jan) for his detailed critique of the potential and actual wars that took place in Europe post 1945. He has confirmed what we in the European Movement have been saying, there have been no wars between any two member states of the EEC or EU since it was created. NATO is a military partnership established to deter war with the former Soviet Union. The EU is a an economic partnership that has maintained the Peace in the rest of Europe. The EU is now playing a major role in promoting a peaceful solution in Kosovo, and is a key player in negotiations with Iran. We are more effective when we work together. His final comment about democracy is most strange. The EU is unique amongst International Organisations in being accountable to a directly elected Parliament (unlike NATO). The New Lisbon Treaty extends Democracy by giving National Parliaments the right to scrutinise and reject all EU Commission proposals. As Ivor wants more Democracy and more power to be returned to the UK and I trust he will be wholeheartedly supporting the Lisbon Treaty, which also gets rid of a third of the EU Commissioners. |
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Gordon Brown has delievered the strongest economy for 100 years -
Nottingham Evening Post 18th Jan 2008 |
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Happy New Year - Nottingham Evening
Post Jan 7th 2008 |
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Happy New Year - |
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The majority
support the EU - Nottighma Evening Post 10th Dec
2007 If I may add my support to Sam Boote (letters
6th Dec), I too have no fear of a referendum on EU membership, as a majority
of European and |
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The EU's
Bonfire of regulations - Nottighma Evening Post
24th Dec 2007 |
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EU Promotion is
Welcomed |
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The EU Still Commands Majority Support
and is Great Value For Money - Mr Knightons
claim that the EU is unpopular is wishful thinking,
and in line with the other anti-Europeans he cites (Helmer, Morrison & Robinsion) he fails to give give
any reasons why the |
EU
Spares us New
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When will Helmer
resign from the Tory Party? |
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Nottingham Eveing Post 10th Nov 2007 |
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M1 Widening or
Rail Link - Derby Telegraph 6th Nov 2007 |
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Tories pose as
Euro-Sceptics - |
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Migration is a 2-Way Process - Nottigham Eveing Post 2nd Nov
2007 |
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Defeat the BNP - |
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Gordon Brown has
done what he is paid to do - Loughborough
Echo 26th Oct 2007 |
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What do Nottighamshire's Tories Believe? Nottigham
Evening Post 25th Oct 2007 I would be grateful
if a representative of Nottinghamshire's Conservative Party could tell us if
they are for or against the European Union. Roger Helmer signs himself off as
Nottinghamshire’s Conservative MEP, but has always
professed a dislike for the EU that at some times appears messianic. Yet, it was Ted Heath who took us in to the organisation.
Margaret Thatcher subsequently asserted the |
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Belarus Sees EU As Symbol Of Freedom - Nottigham
Eveing Post 19th Oct 2007 |
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The EU has built
a bonfire of regulations |
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The Electorate
Must Have the Chance to oppose the EU - Nottingham Post 12th Oct 2007 |
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Party Line is Similar on EU - Derby Telegraph 11th Oct William
Hague, interviewed by Andrew Neil during the Tory conference, said that the
Conservatives would campaign for British membership of the European Union if
it went to a referendum. This confirms that all the major political parties are
committed to |
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Your mailbox on
Monday had a large number of contributions from the minority of the British
population who wish to leave the EU. I certainly welcome the debate, but none
of them offered anything of substance other than emotional objections. One
aspect that did annoy me was the claim that EU membership was tantamount to
accepting a Nazi victory. Nationalism in |
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The recent deluge of letters for Conservative
Politicians, calling for a referendum of the revised EU Treaty have nothing
to do with |
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The EU Has Helped to Overthrow Tyranny I am pleased that Ronald & Sybil
Chimes enjoy our debate on the benefits of |
Poll Tax on Gaz Guzzlers AND Eco-Friendly Cars -
Loughborough Echo 24th May 2007
The Tory Party now controls the unelected Regional
Assembly, the County Council and Charnwood Borough Council. If the Loughborough
Echo is correct they are already planning to make our
lives worse. First the front page story tells us that
they intend to tackle transport with a Congestion Charge. No
mention of better public transport, universal school buses, enhancing the
Ivanhoe railway line, increasing bus regularity along the A6, reinstating the
Shepshed-Hathern bus route, or anything else that would give us an alternative.
Just a flat rate Poll Tax on cars that everyone has to pay
regardless of income. So a gas guzzling 4x4
with one passenger will pay the same as a hybrid electric car on a car sharing
scheme. Then they say ‘let’s wait and see where we are going to build’. No commitment to reuse brownfield sites, no requirement for mixed
development with social housing for rent, no need for low cost housing so kids
can get on the housing ladder. No thoughts at all
apart from ‘let’s wait and see’. No idea, no imagination, nothing
to offer, but I am sure that worse is to come. Hardly ‘Blue & Green’ is it?
We need a credible Anti-EU Party
For Democracy to work there must be a credible opposition.
UKIP are the only party that has consistently campaigned in all major elections
for
What makes
Immigrants have been coming here for millennia, and I
am as proud of our English, British & European heritage as much as I am
proud of our Black and Asian heritage. John Ryde’s ridiculous claim on behalf of the BNP that only the
descendants of the immediate post ice-age population are entitled to the right
to live here is so daft that I do not know whether to laugh or cry. I am
sure that the facts will not affect his prejudices, but unless he is a direct
descendant of Neanderthal man, the first recorded culture in these
The EU Safeguards our Sovereignty
I applaud Brian Trevelyn’s
praise for the bravery of British troops, who with our allies defeated the
forces of Nationalism in World War 2. I have just returned from
The most serious news item this week is extreme weather conditions, heightened
by man-made global warming, that has affected so
many. We look to our elected representatives for leadership, action, and
long-term planning to prevent future disasters. The Government has
delivered, and our emergency services have been fantastic. What is needed now is International action to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. It is therefore beyond my comprehension why the
Could one of the opponents of our membership of the EU please tell me where
will the refugees go? By that I mean, the estimated 3 million Britons, who now
live, work or have retired to other member states of the EU. All these
people will automatically lose their right to live in these countries, and will
have to return to the
Helmer - Thank you - edited version Leicester Mercury 13th July 2007
May I first thank you for continuing to publish Roger Helmer s correspondence,
as it is widely held amongst my colleagues in the European Movement that he
does us no end of good with every letter that is published.
However his latest campaign for the rights of
Europeans to enjoy bovine flatulence, without bureaucratic interference by the
EU must mark the crowning glory of his career. Perhaps only
second to his opposition to energy saving lightbulbs.
However there is a serious side that a serial Global
Warming denier will fail to appreciate. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced, and latest figures show that the farming
community is achieving year on year reductions in emissions. A major source of
emission reductions, from farm slurry and landfill is methane extraction for
use in combined heat and power plants. Slurry. when mixed with bio-degradable by-products, such as brewing
yeast, is a valuable source of renewable energy. There are a small but growing
number of energy self sufficient farms that recycle
methane output into local fuel cells; another valuable contribution from the
farming community to reduce global warming. Well done farmers, I will praise
your efforts even though our leading Tory MEP ridicules your
contribution.
The majority want an EU Treaty
Fifteen countries accepted the European Constitution
(
Regional Assemblies -
As a member of the European Movement
I would like to warmly endorse Grenville Green’s
complaint that the
The European Movement is a Voluntary Organisation
Mr West's claim, (Mercury Online Comment 26th
June) that I and Peter Valentine are paid to support the European Union is
total and utter rubbish. The European Movement is a cross party organisation which relies on subscription income from its
members and donations. I am a supporter of the EU because it has brought peace
and prosperity to this country, and it is my patriotic duty to continue to
support
Much of
The Eurozone is Booming -
Leicester Mercury 12th June 2007
Like Mr Collins I too travel
extensively in Europe to work, and the
Geoffrey Knighton clearly wants
to leave the EU, and all he has to do is to vote for it. Every 4 or 5 years we have a General Election, and two parties
UKIP and the BNP put themselves up for election with a manifesto pledge to
leave the EU. Since neither party have ever managed to secure a majority at any
general election, or even a single MP, the clear democratic choice of the
British people is that they want to remain in the EU. His other claim that the
EU is unelected is also nonsense, as all EU directives have to be approved by the democratically elected European
parliament. If he wants the European Parliament to stop approving Directives then again he has the right to vote for a UKIP or
BNP Member of the European Parliament.
The argument as to whether or not we consider ourselves
English, British or European is absurd, because these are not alternatives. I
AM English, AND British AND European. If your other
correspondents wish to define themselves as only English, or British then that
is their right. Anyone would think that they are afraid of losing their
identity, but the tone of their letters is evidence that they know exactly who
and what they are. In the meantime I would be grateful
if they could let the rest of us enjoy the longest period of Peace that Europe
has ever known, take advantage of our right to retire in the South of Spain or
work in
The Eurozone Steams Ahead
The economic outlook for the Eurozone is bright. This
week-ends Wall Street Journal. has
published the latest OECD assessment for
Global Warming is for Real
Roger Helmer proudly denounces Global Warming as
false science. He also announced in these columns his intention to use the
Channel 4 film The Great Global Warning Swindle in support of his claim. We now
discover thanks to the Steve Connor, Science Editor of the Independent (08 May
2007), that the film has been referred to the regulatory watchdog Ofcom to consider a complaint that the programme breached
the broadcasting code on the misrepresentation of views and facts. Steve Connor
also says that the filmmakers have been accused of fabricating data by one of
the scientists who participated in the film,( Eigil Friis-Christensen, director
of the Danish National Space Centre ). My thoughts go to King Cnut, a Norwegian immigrant who ruled this country once
upon a time, who allegedly stood before the tide commanding it to go away. Fortunately those of us who are in the real world support
our Governments and EU efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
I totally agree with George West (letters 11th
May) that we should be allowed to use any measurement system
that we wish for retail purposes, as long as it is understandable, comparable
and transparent. The decision to metricate was taken by the UK Government independent of the EU, who
advised against the proposal. So George West and the
EU are in agreement. I am aged 53 and was therefore taught
the metric system at school long before we joined either the EU or even the
EEC. I see no reason to legislate for metrication. Those of us who were brought
with the metric system now form the majority of the population, and in the due
course of time the mediaeval French system of weights
and measures, that we know as pounds and ounces, but is more correctly called
avoirdupois will cease to be in common usage.
I am proud of my English, British & European heritage. I
have no doubt that EU membership is in
Well done to EU Nottingham Evening Post 14th May 2007
The Eurozone economy continues to
perform well, with growth for 2007 now at 2.7%, and predicted growth of 2.6%
for 2008; low inflation of 1.9% and low interest rates of only 3.75%. What this
proves is that absorbing the former Communist states of
Proud of our
Jeff Middleton's imagination seems to stop at
The Euro means Lower Housing Costs -
Roger Helmer dismisses the Euro claiming that lower interest rates would be bad
for us (Mercury 26th April). Try telling that to all the people in
The Euro's Popularity Grows
Loughborough Echo 10th May 2007
I would like to join ranks with the Euro-sceptics and argue
that there is no need for the UK Government to legislate to introduce the Euro
into
The EU Has given Us 60 years of Peace - Lincolnshire Echo 10th April 2007
To
visit the memorial to the dead at Lublin, Poland, one
of the horrors of the old Europe, is to fully understand the motivation of the
victorious allies when they laid the foundations of the European Union. In
contrast to this there is a new motorway linking
The .EU Domain -
Profitable businesses are those that take advantage of
every opportunity, and using the Internet to present your companies image and
boost sales is a necessity in today’s global markets. It is significant that
the new European .EU Domain has registered in excess of 2.5 million new URLs since
its’ launch less than 1 year ago. This is concrete
evidence that an overwhelming number of today’s entrepreneurs have realised
that having a European image is essential for commercial success. The EU has
removed all barriers to trade within the EU and ditched swathes of pointless
red-tape that used to hold business back; the
Euro has abolished currency risks and reduced financial transactions costs; the
spectacular growth of .EU Internet domain has enabled businesses to trade goods
and services electronically. In an international market
we need international organisations to make it all work.
International Research defeats 21st Century disease
Dorothy Wilson clearly resents
the 375 Million invested by the EU into Research & Development activities
in the
The Pint Mark
It seems that the only argument left to those who wish to leave the EU is
trivia about the Crown Pint Mark (Jeff Middleton NEP
17th March). I am most pleased as it means that they have given up arguing
against the outstanding benefits that EU membership has brought to
The Euro goes from Strength to Strength - Leicester
Mercury 13th March 2007, Loughborough Echo 23rd March
2007
The decisions taken independently by the Royal Bank of Scotland and Tesco to start operating cash machines that dispense Euros
in the UK is the first concrete evidence that dual currencies are now freely
circulating in Britain. Even one of our local cafes in Loughborough
High Street has a sign saying Euros Welcome here. With interest rates of only
3.75% and inflation below 2% it is hardly surprising that the Euro is the
currency of choice for business, and is becoming more popular with British
people as well.
The EU is advancing the frontiers of Science
I am grateful to Roger Helmer for clarifying his role in
the EU and accepting that he is responsible for drafting EU Directives (mailbox
5th Mar). I am also very grateful for the investment that the EU has made into
Medical Research. Over the last 5 years £120 Million has been
given by the EU to medical research teams that included a
The Comings And Goings Of The
Great Immigration Argument -
Conservative shadow home secretary David Davis's
populist call (March 3) to halt immigration into
1) Many businesses in the county, especially in the agricultural sector, rely
on migrant workers.
2) 250,000 Britons leave the
If we put up barriers to incomers seeking work, then
Singing Praises of EU Directive Lincolnshire
Echo 3rd March 2007
The EU Directive that stopped waste fridges (February
27) being dumped in landfill sites has been an overwhelming success. Toxic
waste will no longer be released into the environment.
Scrap metal will be recycled. New jobs and industries have
been created. This is another example of how the EU works for us, cleaning up the environment, improving our living
conditions and creating new jobs.
The EU has improved all our lives
Mr Freeman is correct (letters 28th Feb) the EU’s remit certainly extends beyond the mundane. The EU has
given us the right to request a maximum 48 hour
working week, the right for part-time workers to be have the same benefits as
full time staff, and the right to parental leave for men and women. The EU has
cleaned up the environment, stopped dumping of hazardous waste and encouraged
recycling. The EU has enabled thousands of British citizens to retire to the
Gordon Brown & The EU are
Good for Business
The Office of National Statistics has recently
released the GDP figures for 2006, and it has been another success for Gordon
Brown, with 10 years of steady economic growth. The other significant underlying
trend is the effect of
UKIP is Essential for Democracy
News that UKIP are in financial difficulties following a request that they
refund 360k of apparently illegal donations, and the fraud investigation into
the expenses drawn by one of their MEPs (Sunday Times 25th Feb) is very
worrying. The EU is an outstanding organisation that has brought stability,
peace & prosperity to
The European Research Council Takes Off - Loughborough
Echo 8th March 2007
The European Research Council will be
launched this Tuesday. The ERC is
The EU Has Abolished Red Tape
On Tuesday I will be visiting my
medical colleagues in
The EU is a Democratic Organisation
The
EU Directives are for our Safety - Leicester Mercury
15th Feb 2007
M G Freeman’s absurd claim that the EU makes 80% of
The EU has brought Peace & Stability to Europe
Two years ago I and my family
visited the City of
The EU act on Global Warming
This week the UN has highlighted to need to take action
over Global Warming. The EU has responded with an audacious plan to bypass US
Federal intransigence by inviting individual States to join the European Carbon
trading mechanism. Only internationally co-ordinated action can save the
planet. The EU has successfully acted on other environmental issues, including
the compulsory recycling of electrical goods, disposal of hazardous materials
such as PCBs and CFCs and reducing the use of harmful products via the REACH
directive. Let us all hope that by working together as European team, instead
of pursuing selfish national objectives, the EU can
play a major role in Carbon Emissions reductions.
Bring back
No one is forcing John Askew to take advantage of the
economic, social and cultural benefits of the EU. He does not have to employ a
Polish Plumber, or retire to the
EU Funds Medical Research
The European Union’s ‘Framework 7’ is now underway and is the
largest international research programme the world has ever known. Top of the
list is health research, highlighting biotechnology, fundamental knowledge,
ensuring basic discoveries lead to new treatments, and optimising delivery of
health care to all European Citizens. Total EU funding available for health
research is 6 Billion Euro, and any company or research organisation can apply,
with high priority given to small businesses. By working together with our
European partners we achieve more than working in
isolation. Just one more reason to be glad of the EU.
Only UKIP can take the UK our of the EU
May I congratulate the integrity of Lord Pearson of Rannoch and Lord Willoughby de Broke, who have both
defected from the Tory party to UKIP. UKIP and the BNP
are the only truly national parties who will take
The EU has brought Decades of Peace
What fun Dorothy Wilson’s letters are.
I really did wish I was paid to write in support of
the EU. The truth is that I do it to protect what is an outstanding institution
that has given us the longest period of peace that
EU membership should be debated
I have great pleasure in supporting Mr Robinsons request
for more debate on
The EU Allows us to Travel and Live Anywhere in Europe
Cash in the Attic is one of the many light entertainment
shows devoted to raising money for a personal cause. This week featured a
couple who raised £1700 towards their relocation costs to the South of Spain.
They are not alone as an estimated 380 thousand Briton left
What Legislation?
Mr G L Robinson repeats the unsubstantiated
claim that the EU is responsible for ‘an avalanche of legislation’ yet cannot
give us any examples of these mythical rules. All major political parties,
including Roger Helmer’s Tory Party are in favour of
continued membership of the EU. Only a vote for the BNP, Socialist Workers Party
or UKIP could get us out. If the EU is so unpopular, as he would like us
to believe, can he explain why the BNP, SWP and UKIP
failed to win a single seat in the last General Election.
EU Benefits Leicester Mercury 11th Jan 2007
Millionaire UKIP benefactor Bruce Robertson has
followed the example of Roger Knapman leader of UKIP
by employing Polish staff in his West Country Supermarket group. It seems
that the economic benefits of East European migrant workers
has reached the heart of UKIP. Even Migration Watch, the anti immigrant
campaign group stated that the economic benefits to the
The European Human Rights Convention
The European Convention on Human Rights
was introduced by the victorious Allies after the 2nd World War to
protect the individual citizen from oppression by the State. It guarantees
freedom of expression, religion and political activity. It has never had
anything to do with the EU. It seems that B J Morrison now wishes to discard
these fundamental freedoms won by the blood and sacrifice of our parents,
simply to be allowed to reintroduce hanging into the
The EU's Golden Anniversary NEP 3rd January 2007
Happy New Year to you and your readers. 2007 will be the 50th
Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome and the birth of the EU.
It also represents the longest period of continuous peace and prosperity in
MEPs Create EU Directives
Unless my memory is poor I am sure
that Roger Helmer is an elected member of the European Parliament, as a
representative of a political party that is in favour of
EU Parliament stops dangerous chemicals Loughborough
Echo 29th Dec 2006
It is the duty of Government to protect the
citizen. In a world where trade is dominated by
multi-national companies there must be a multi-national approach to
consumer protection. The EU parliament (which we all elect to serve our
interests) has now approved the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and
Authorisation of Chemicals) regulations, which will remove dangerous chemicals
from everyday use and replace them with safer products where possible. The
public will now protected from harmful chemicals that can cause a cancer,
asthma, allergies and reproductive disorders.
Only UKIP can take
The Eurozone is booming, especially in
The EU is Democratic
The EU is the only International Organisation that has a
directly elected democratic Parliament. The executive is
appointed by National Parliaments that are also directly elected by each nation.
The British people have the opportunity to vote to leave the EU every 4 to 5
years, by the simple means of electing a UKIP Government. The people of
Regional Assemblies Should be Directly Elected
As a European I fully support Mr
Savages attack on the unaccountable nature of the East Midlands Regional
Assembly (EMRA). What is bizarre is his claim that it is something to do with
the EU. EMRA is an umbrella group made of councillors from our British Local
Councils, who are elected every four years by the
British public. EMRA is responsible for Regional Planning, for the simple
geographic reason that roads, rivers and major development sites cross District and County Council boundaries; so our
councillors have to talk to each-other. The only way to make it more accountable
is to have the members of the EMRA elected by us instead of being
appointed by our local councillors. I therefore welcome Mr Savage¢s support for directly elected English Regional
Assemblies.
Science & Technology is the Future
50 Billion Euro is to be spent by the EU on the largest ever international programme of Research, Development and
Technology. The aim is make
Britain is Booming thanks to the EU Leicester Mercury 16th Nov 2006,
Fortress
There are now more people aged over 50 than under 50 in the
Are British Fish Loyal?
Dorothy Wilson’s desire to
reinstate a 12 mile limit to protect our fisheries misses a key point. Are
British fish aware of their nationality? Or does Mrs
Wilson also plan to set up underwater border crossings to prevent British Fish
swimming to other countries? The reality is that overfishing
can only be resolved by a comprehensive European policy that involves all
nations that have
The EURO Saves Costs
I am pleased to read the Roger Helmer had a pleasant trip
to the
Wise to be Safely Wired
Mr Askew complains about European
standardisation. Does that also include the Geneva-based International
Standards Organisation recommendation that the live wires in
East European Workers Boost Our Economy Loughborough Echo 10th Nov 2006,
There are now more people aged over 50 than
under 50 in the UK/ The proportion of people available too work,a
nd generate the wealth needed to pay the pensions of
the retired is falling. Yet these demographic changes have not resulted in a
decline int eh IK's
economic performance, depsite the the
predicted shortage of both skilled and unskilled labour. The
No Bureaucracy in the EU Nottingham Evening Post 31st October 2006,
I have just received a small export order for the
What Regulations?
Jamie Bye (letters 16th Oct) cllarly
has no knowledge of trade within the single market. If he did
he would know that there is no VAT on goods or services sold across National
borders within the EU. VAT is not new, it used to be
called Purchase Tax. His lack of knowledge then crosses into fantasy with his
bizarre claim that the EU generates 4000 regulations per annum; yet he cannot name
a single one! As there are clearly so many to choose from I challenge him to name just 10 regulations that
prevent British companies exporting to other member states of the EU.
Eastern Europe is Welcome
The entry of former East European states into the EU is good for
Security & Safety - Nottigham Evening Post
The prime duty of Government is to ensure the safety,
security and freedom of its’ citizens. This happens at
many levels, locally through Trading Standards, nationally through the HSE and internationally through the EU and the
International Standards Organisation (ISO). The EU is now acting in three areas
to enhance consumer safety. Having discovered that milk deemed unfit for
consumption was being diverted to cheese making they
have stopped these products being exported from the
Freedom under the EU Banner
I am grateful to Roger Helmer for raising the issue of
freedom and the EU. When the former fascist dictatorships of
The End to European Conflict
The vast majority of EU spending is managed by
local government, not
Co-operation in the EU
I have just returned from a medical research conference
held in the
The EU has made European Trade Easy
Roger Helmer openly admits that international trade is a
bureaucrats nightmare in his statement - ‘Paperwork around the world has also
become a lot easier’; it may be a lot easier but it exists! The beauty about
the EU is that all paperwork has been abolished. I
have shipped the identical equipment to both
Freedom from Dictatorship
The Ashes of World War 2
Last summer I and my family
visited the Polish city of
Roger Helmer’s claim that it was Thatcher that brought down the Berlin Wall is an
insult to the bravery, tenacity and actual blood of the East Europeans who
liberated themselves. It was Gorbachov’s
Perestroika that resulted in Yeltsin and the Russian people confronting
tanks in
NATO was established for sole purpose of
deterring an invasion by the Warsaw Pact. Job Done! However
it has done little to help build freedom & democracy in
But all that is in the past. New democracies have sprung up
all over
The EU has Brought Prosperity
I am pleased that Nicholas Black had some entertainment
from my short contribution detailing the simplicity of trading with
Stop Whining and Join In
We have been members of the EU/EEC for over 30 years. The
economic, social and cultural benefits are obvious to see, apart from those
blinded by their own propoganda. If there was any desire amongst the British public to leave the EU
then we would have a UKIP Government by now. As it is
the Nationalists have been utterly defeated at the ballot box, year after year
after year. So the argument is over, the majority want
to remain members of an organisation has ensured the peace in
The EU helps small business
I have worked as a contract engineer for nearly 30 years,
and in that time have witnessed dramatic changes to the way that we do business
in the
I have worked with many overseas partners in many
countries, including
UKIP, the BNP and other Nationalists want to return the
What about British ‘Refugees’?
Mr Doe’s bizarre answer (NEP 12th Sep) to stop skilled workers coming to the
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Selection of Charnwood Labour Party Submissions
All Parliamentary Candidates
Should Receive Equal Treatment
I see that Andrew Bridgen, the Conservative PPC for
North West Leicestershire has chosen to avoid the issue of hosting a Travellers
Site in his area by demanding that it be closer to existing conurbations. This
can only mean Charnwood, as that is where the majority of land that meets his
conditions is to be found. Has he discussed this with
his colleague, Stephen Dorell the Tory MP for
Charnwood? Or are they both going to play the not in
my back yard game.
Instead, there should be a dialogue between all interested
parties in the County, including the Travelling Communities to find a credible
long-term solution that satisfies everyone. Simply demanding that
someone else sorts out the issue, somewhere else is not very helpful. In
contrast to Andrew Bridgens blatant opportunism,
David Taylor who is the elected MP for the area has called for a more
constructive approach. David has asked for a round table to be set up with the
County Council and other interested parties to review the flaws in the County
Councils present approach, and a tough action plan to tackle this growing problem which the County Council has failed to resolve.
Can I also ask why was Andrew Bridgen granted the
right to speak at a County Council Cabinet meeting in his capacity as a Prospective
Tory Candidate? No such privilege has ever been afforded to Labour PPCs. May I now also claim the same right to address LCC
Cabinet in my capacity as Labour PPC for Charnwood?
Older People Should Not Be Treated As Commodites
On Friday Leicestershire County
Council brought shame to whole County when the Conservative Controlled Cabinet
agreed to sell off 6 care homes, with the residents as sitting tenants, to earn
money. In principle, there is nothing wrong with a Local Authority
commissioning quality services from the private sector, but in this case,
Quality of Care was the least of the Council’s concerns. The sale arose from a
requirement forced on Leicestershire’s Older Person Services to offer up
£650,000 worth of savings to meet the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy;
as recorded in the Cabinet Meeting held on the 7th August. This report
proves that the true motivation for the sale has nothing to do with the quality
of care that will be given to the residents, who
overwhelmingly rejected the sell off during the consultation process. I
attended the meeting, still clutching the Poppy that I bought a few weeks ago.
That is because all of the people directly affected by this outrageous decision
would have fought for our freedom over 60 years ago. I wonder if they thought
then that their children and grandchildren would treat them as commercial
products to be bought and sold when they were risking
their lives for us. The final decision will be taken
by a full Council meeting on the 5th December. I hope that our
Councillors will consider the Quality of Care that the residents will receive
under new management, as the only way to save money can only be to reduce
staffing or wages; and that would dramatically affect the quality of life for
the residents. [Leicester Mercuy 28th Nov 2007]
Massive boost for Leicestershire School Funding
Schools Minister Jim Knight today announced the first ever three-year school
funding settlement for every local authority in
Schools Minister Jim Knight said:
“Today’s settlement is a good one for pupils, teachers and parents. It builds
on the foundations of the last ten years of record growth in school funding and
ensures that every school and local authority receives further increases in
funding per pupil each year.
Eric Goodyer, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Charnwood said “Education remains a key priority; and the investment
is paying dividends with improved exam performance every year. It is time to
stop knocking our superb education system, and start praising our kids for
their hard work, and our teachers for their dedication.” [Loughborough
Echo 16th Nov 2007 ]
Labour Boosts Pension Funds
According to the National
Association of Pension Funds, the total value of all assets held by UK Pension
funds at the end of 2006 was almost £1.6 Trillion. The effect of Gordon brown
closing a Tax Loophole relating to Corporation Tax Credits did
marginally affect
We Need More Affordable Homes
And Workers
The overriding reason for more
housing is that there has been a substantial increase in the number of single
person households in the
Over the last decade
life expectancy has increased by 7 years, representing an approximate 10%
increase in our life span. This demonstrates not only the overwhelming
long-term success of Labour’s Health Policies, but also why we need more
housing. Thankfully the days when Older People were simply sent to the ‘old
persons home’ are gone; today’s policies emphasise the importance of enabling
and assisting older people to remain fully active members of the community,
living out their lives in their own homes. It is also a fact of modern life
that people marry far later in life, and therefore there is growing demand for
more affordable housing for single people at the other end of the market. Thus
the Government’s proposal to encourage the development of more housing, and in
particular affordable housing, is essential. If we do not do it, our kids will
not get on the housing ladder, and older people will
come under pressure to move into care homes to release housing.
The main driving force for
immigration is that the age profile of the
County Hall Chaos Wrecks Respite Care Homes Plan
Plans to build desperately
needed Respite Care Homes are in tatters following revelations that
Leicestershire Council has only managed to complete less than half of the
building programme planned for this year. This failure was reported to the
Council on the 29th October, when it was revealed that of the £2.9
million allocated for the new buildings, the Council will
at best only manage to complete £1.7 million of essential works, barely 40% of
what was planned.
Charnwood Labour Party has
condemned this news. Eric Goodyer, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate
for Charnwood accused the Council of incompetence. “It is bad enough that they
are selling of Care Homes with our old folk as sitting tenants – now they have
failed to deliver on the essential new facilities for Respite Care that were
promised”.
There is concern that this
‘slippage’ could result in the new build being cancelled.
The worst affected schemes are the Melton & Wigston
Respite Care facilities. Respite care is a short break away providing ‘time
off’ for people being cared for in the community and
their carer. Other affected schemes are the Mountsorrell
Day Care centre, a supported living scheme for Melton.
Our Old Folk Are Not For
I would like to add my support to the growing condemnation of the Tories Budget
cuts at County Hall, which include savings arising from the sale of 6 care
homes for older people. Our parents are not commodities to be
sold to the highest bidder. How the savings will arise is not stated, but reasonable concerns are being raised as
to whether this will result in a reduction of care staff hours, or the
nutritional value of the food.
John Redwood recently announced that if the Conservatives were
elected, care-home restrictions would be loosened, and Health and Safety
regulations would be repealed, including those affecting protective equipment
and waste incineration as well as the entire 1974 Health and Safety at Work
Act. These are frightening proposals from David Camerons
Party.
The way a society treats older people is a measure of its humanity, and the
Tories have failed the test. They are unfit to care for our parents, to govern
in Leicestershire or the country as a whole.
Charnwood Borough Council have cancelled funding worth £60,000 to a County
Council scheme to improve visitor facilities at Watermead
Country Park. The scheme is part of a programme to improve paths, cycle ways
and provide better access for the disabled. Leicestershire County Council have
delayed the scheme and saved money this financial year, and Charnwood Borough
Council have taken the opportunity to 'postpone' their offer of £60,00 towards the project.
Eric Goodyer , Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary
Candidate for Thrumaston said “It seems that both
these Tory Controlled Authorities are determined to kill this scheme, to save
money for Council Tax cuts”. A few months ago
Leicestershire County Council was condemned for proposals to sell off 6 Country
Parks in the County to save money. Despite assurances that
£1bn strategy to drive business innovation and success
A £1bn boost to
Rothley Labour Party has condemned
a decision by Charnwood Borough Council to slash funding for the
Leicestershire’s Schools Are Performing Better than Ever
Leicestershire’s school performance boost has been welcomed by Eric Goodyer of
Charnwood Labour Party. A County Council report has confirmed
that Leicestershire’s schools are improving across the board. At the top end the GCSE pass rate is up for
the third year running, and improvements are evident at all lower levels as
well. For children aged up to 7 (key stage 1) reading,
Writing and Maths have improved faster than the
national average. Up to aged 11 (key stage 2) improvements in English and Maths were offset by a small fall
in Science. The best news is for kids aged up to 14 (key stage 3) with the
County maintaining its’ position in the top 10% of Schools nationally. Eric
Goodyer, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Charnwood
congratulated staff and students alike for their hard work and efforts. He also
said “This is proof that the Government is delivering on Education in Charnwood
– well done Kids!”.
SObibor The Truth
I too have visited Sobibor, claimed by Holocaust
denier David Irving to be one of the secret death camps established without
Hitler’s knowledge. Sobibor would have been well
known to the residents of the town of
A MORI Poll commissioned by Leicestershire County Council has found that the
2006 Residents Survey records ‘a fall in overall resident satisfaction with the
way the Council runs things”. The 6% fall is so bad that LCC is
now rated below the national average for satisfaction.
The County are now considering a 5 point action plan
to improve public perceptions of LCC services. These range from improved
communication, ensuring improvements in ‘visible public service’, and targeted
improvements in a range of diverse services.
Eric Goodyer, Charnwood’s Prospective Labour MP
condemned the Conservative Council for this poor performance, and expressed
concern that the Action Plan looked like little more than ‘window dressings’.
He said “LCC has been run by the Conservatives for
years, and they only have themselves to blame for this damning report. Services
should be available to everyone, not the lucky few who receive the proposed
‘targeted visible improvements’”.
Our Allies Created the EU
Your mailbox on Monday had a large number of contributions from the minority of
the British population who wish to leave the EU. I certainly welcome the
debate, but none of them offered anything of substance other than emotional
objections. One aspect that did annoy me was the claim that EU membership was
tantamount to accepting a Nazi victory. Nationalism in
Popular uprisings by valiant partisans also brought
On Democracy, the EU is unique amongst International Organisations
in having a directly elected parliament. On the economy, for the years up to
On freedom, when
On the Environment, it is the EU that has co-ordinated action to prevent the use of toxic materials in
production, or the dumping of hazardous waste.
On Society over 2 million British people now use their
right a European Citizens to live in the
On electoral support, only UKIP and the BNP are committed to taking the
All this will be lost if
Nicky Morgan Should Tell Us Where She Stands On The Eu
Of all the issues facing Loughborough such as shortages of affordable housing, regeneration of
areas of deprivation, and waste disposal; it is strange that Nicky Morgan
has chosen to talk about the revised EU Treaty. What she fails to say in her
letter is whether she supports
The Conservative Guide ‘Yes To Europe’ says - “The Conservative Party has consistently
opposed the idea of a referendum … and that it could turn out to be the thin
end of the wedge, setting a precedent for further referenda in future years.”
And if I may quote Margaret Thatcher. “Conservatives must give a clear lead and play a vigorous part in
the campaign to keep Britain in Europe…We must play our full part in ensuring
that Conservatives say ’Yes to Europe”
I have no hesitation in saying that I support Britain's continued
membership of the EU, because it has brought us 60 years of peace, stability
and economic growth. I challenge Nicky Morgan to tell the Echo’s readers
if she is for or against
LEICESTERSHIRE CONSERVATIVES
SPLIT
I quote from the web site of the senior Conservative Politician for Leicestershire,
MEP Roger Helmer
“I have just read the trailed
highlights of John Gummer’s “Quality of Life” report, and I am hopping
mad. It reads like a joke caricature of a Non-Conservative
Manifesto. With Zac Goldsmith on the team, the
ritual genuflection at the altar of climate hysteria was predictable, but it
gets worse. More taxes. More
complex tax allowances. More regulation.
More quangoes. More nanny-State. All the things
which we as Conservatives oppose”. Is Roger intending to remain a member
of the Conservative Party, or is this simply a reflection of how split
Leicestershire Conservatives are on David Cameron
Northern Rock is the Victim of
Conservative Policies
The Northern Rock drama was precipitated by the
collapse of the
Plan For Affordable Homes Rejected By Charnwood Borough
Council
It is widely accepted that
there is a desperate need for more affordable housing in Leicestershire &
the country. Life expectancy has increased by 7 years in the last decade,
infant mortality has fallen by 40%, and people are marrying later in life. We need more affordable homes. Developers want to build
high cost, large family homes to maximise their profits. I am not against
profit, but as Local Council’s are being forced to
release Green Field sites to build these ‘executive’ and ‘luxury’ homes, then
the public has a right to say how that land is used. Last week a very modest
proposal presented by Labour Councillors to Charnwood Borough Council which
called for at least 35% of all new housing to be ‘low cost’ was rejected by the
ruling Tory Group. This decision was a disgrace, and reminiscent of the
attempts by Lady Porter to manipulate the social makeup of the electorate in
the ‘homes for votes’ scandal. In rejecting this policy
Charnwood Tories have made a clear statement that they do not want low and
middle income families to be able to afford to buy a home in Charnwood Borough.
Well Done Kids
Dramatic improvements in post 16
exam results have been welcomed by Charnwood Labour
Party. This summer’s GCSE results are at record levels with provisional figures
from schools indicating that 60% of pupils have achieved 5 A*-C grades. The
full picture for A levels is still emerging, but these
are predicted to show excellent improvements as well. Eric Goodyer, Charnwood’s
Prospect Labour said “All this is evidence that Labour
is delivering on Education, and that the Comprehensive School System works.
Thankfully even the Tories now accept that Grammar Schools are detrimental to
general education”.
Leicestershire's 14-year-olds have achieved the second-best results in the
country for key stage 3 exams. The results place the County top nationally for
science, second for maths, fifth for English and
second overall. In addition 11-year-olds are also improving and remain well
above the national average in key stage 2 results.
Threat to Consumer Protection Regulations Condemned
Conservative plans to repeal consumer protection legislation relating to
financial services have been condemned by Charnwood Labour Party. John redwood
announced this weekend that when elected the Conservatives intend to abolish a
swathe of financial service regulations. Many of these regulations were brought in to protect consumers after the ‘mis-selling’scandals that dogged the last Conservative
Government. The mis-selling of personal pension plans occurred in the late
1980s and early 1990s, and arose from the Conservative Government’s
determination to move pensioners away from company pension schemes to riskier
personal schemes. People were encouraged to ditch their company plans and set
up their own schemes - those selling them often made huge commissions and, in
some cases, supplied misleading advice. Around 350 companies have
been fined just over £9.5 Million. More recently, the mis-selling of
endowment policies has resulted in many homeowners discovering that policies
that they took out during the Thatcher period are now failing to pay off their
mortgages. Eric Goodyer, Charnwood’s Prospective
Labour MP said “Regulations are there to protect
people from being fleeced by dodgy financial packages. It seems that the Tories
have learnt nothing from the Personal Pension mis-selling scandals that they
created.”
Threat to Care Home Safeguards Condemned
The threat to safeguards for older people in
care-homes has been condemned by Charnwood Labour Party. John Redwood announced
this week-end that if the Conservatives were elected,
care-home restrictions would be loosened, and Health and safety regulations
would be repealed, including those affecting protective equipment and waste
incineration as well as the entire 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.
Conservatives at County Hall have also announced that part of their service
cuts would include savings arising from the sale of 6
care homes for older people. The residents are to be sold
as sitting tenants along with the properties. How the savings will arise is not stated, but concerns are being raised as to whether
this will result in a reduction of care staff hours, or nutritional value of
the food.
Eric Goodyer, Charnwood’s Propsective
Labour MP said “The most vulnerable citizens are the
ones who will suffer. It is now clear that the savings will arise because the
Tories intend to scrap regulations that safeguard the well being of care-home
residents.”
The proposal to scrap health and safety legislation is also worrying Labour and
trade Unions, allowing a green light to build waste incinerators without lower
safety standards that currently allowed, and increasing the risk of injury to
people at work.
Charnwood Labour Party has welcomed the launch a European Union £45 million
programme
launched by the East Midlands Development Agency, to support environmental and
nature conservation projects. The launch event was organised
by EMDA’s East Midlands European Office, the East
Midlands Regional Assembly and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee with
support from Defra and the European Commission.
The European Union LIFE+ programme aims to provide match-funding support for
environmental projects addressing nature conservation and environmental
policy. The programme will provide funding for a seven
year period until 2013 and will be managed directly by the European
Commission.
Bids for funds can be made by public and private bodies,
including local authorities and private commercial organsiations.
The European Commission will organise annual calls
for proposals, the first of which will be launched on
15 September with a deadline of 30 November 2007.
Eric Goodyer, Charnwood’s Prospective Labour MP said “This is a great opportunity for Charnwood Borough
Council, the County Council and local businesses and organisation’s to make a
real difference to the environment.”
For more information, please visit the official EUROPA
LIFE+ information pages at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm
Defra will be responsible for sending all project
proposals to the Commission. Prospective applicants can send through queries by
email to the following address: life.env@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
The National Forest Rail Line
The M1 10-lane highway is most
certainly not welcome by the residents of Leicestershire, and in particular the
villagers of Leicester Forest East & Kirby Muxloe
who’s lives are already blighted by a network of major
roads that make the townscape resemble a Sudoko game.
There are a total lack of credible proposals to reduce
noise and air pollution, or a realistic analysis of alternatives. I would like
to highlight one alternative, consistently ignored by the road lobby, being the
re-opening of the Leicester-Burton railway to commuter traffic. Known locally
as the National Forest Rail Line, it is a fully operational
freight line, and requires minimum investment to enable it to operate as a
‘Community Railway’ offering a regular peak-time service into and out of
Our old folk are
not for sale!
The Tories at County Hall now propose to sell off 6
care homes, lock stock and barrel, with their residents as sitting tenants.
They say it is to meet their 'medium term financial strategy', which is gobbledegook for cuts in the quality of service provision.
A society's humanity is measured by how well it cares for its' older citizens,
and the Tories has failed. So how will costs be saved?
Will it be poorer quality food, or fewer staff, or less cleaning. County Hall have excellent staff, who have been caring for older people
with great professionalism and care for many years. They should
be allowed to continue to do so.
Before the Tories at Leicester County Council build a waste incinerator they
must answer the following 10 questions.
1 When and where will the public consultation meetings be taking place?
2 Who are the independent consultants who will prepare the Environmental Impact
Assessment Study (EIAS) ?
3 Will the council give a commitment to implement all the recommendations from
the EIAS relating to public safety and the
environment?
4 How will dioxins be removed from the exhaust gases?
5 How will nitrogen oxides be removed from the exhaust
gases?
6 How will sulphur dioxide be removed from the exhaust
gases?
7 What method will be used to filter airborne
particulates out of the exhaust gases, and what is the minimum particle size
that will escape?
8 How will the highly toxic residual ash be handled and
disposed of?
9 Who are the customers for the district heating
scheme?
10 Will the waste be pre sorted to recover recyclable material.
In particular metallic waste, plastics (specifically
chlorine-based polymers), and organic waste?
Labour Is Good For The Economy
If Mr
J. B. Mann (letters 2nd August) requires an independent assessment of the
performance of Britain's economy, then he should ask the Office of National
Statistics. From 1979 to 1997 GDP grew by £8.5 billion per annum, there
were four recessions during this period, unemployment peaked at 3 million
people, and the economy was bailed out by an increase in VAT from 8 to 17.5
%. Since Labour came to power, GDP has grown by £13.3 billion per annum,
with no recessions, tax cuts and low inflation. End of debate. Labour is
good for the economy. [Submitted to Leicester Mercury 2nd August 2007]
Thank You NHS
In this age of targets, league tables and spin, it is difficult to extract the
truth from the numbers. Life expectancy figures, available from the Office of
National Statistics provide an independent measure of the NHS and care
provision in
Lost Bandwagon
If David Cameron is still looking for his bandwagon, there is a 10 m long
mobile hoarding belonging to Leicestershire's Conservative party abandoned in a
field near Measham. It says “Thank you for voting
Conservative”, but it appears to be stuck in the mud. If anyone would like some
help moving it on, preferably out of the County, then please give us a call.
If Mr J. B. Mann (letters 2nd August) requires an
independent assessment of the performance of Britain's economy, then he should
ask the Office of National Statistics. From 1979 to 1997 GDP grew by £8.5
billion per annum, there were four recessions during this period, unemployment
peaked at 3 million people, and the economy was bailed out by an increase in
VAT from 8 to 17.5 %. Since Labour came to power, GDP has grown by £13.3
billion per annum, with no recessions, tax cuts and low inflation. End of
debate. Labour is good for the economy.
Re-open the National Forest Rail Line
Charnwood Constituency Labour Party wants Leicester County Council to reverse
its opposition to the re- opening of the National Forest Railway line. This dormant
railway line runs from Leicester to
As well as providing access to the popular tourist facilities in the National
Forest Area, this line would also serve some of most economically deprived
parts of the County. There is widespread public support for this project, which
will bring great economic benefits. Goodyer said “The
National Forest Rail Line project must be reviewed so that the economics can
take account of the growing popularity of the National Forest for
recreation. A crude cost benefit analysis fails to take account of the
environmental impact of moving traffic off of our congested roads and onto the
railways.”
There are alternatives to road
building
Congestion was a major theme in
last week's Times. The East Midlands Development Agency estimates that
local businesses lose £1 billion a year due to hold ups. New bypasses are planned for towns and villages along the A6, Melton
Mowbray and other villages along the A6006. The M1 is to become a 10 lane super
motorway carving up Leicester Forest East. Greg Knight, an East Yorkshire at
Tory MP wants
The Tories Economic Incompetence
G Earp (letters 18th
June) cites Tax Cuts as major Tory Achievement. This is rubbish. They financed
a major Tax Cut of 20% for the higher paid only
by increasing VAT from 8% to 17.5%. They also increased National Insurance from
6.25% to 10% and gave us the Poll Tax. Everyone on fixed incomes, especially
pensioners, paid substantially higher taxes under the Tories. The only major
tax cut they introduced was for the 3 million unemployed who were relieved of
the duty of paying any Income Tax at all. Then we had 3 recessions, the
destruction of our manufacturing and wealth creating base, 1 million homes
repossessed, and interest rates typically over 10% peaking at 15% on Black
Wednesday. People have short memories, but the misery caused by the
Tories economic incompetence will not be forgotten for
a long time. [Submitted to the Leicester Mercury 19th June 2007]
Syston, Rothley & Thurmaston Labour Partys Demands Better Protection for the River Soar Flood Plain
Last weeks floods highlight the
need to avoid building in flood plains. A fine balance must
be maintained between environmental protection and the need for more low
cost housing. Eric Goodyer, Parliamentary Commentator for Syston,
Thurmaston & Rothley Labour Party said "We
need more low cost affordable housing so that youngsters can get on the housing
ladder. If houses are built on green space then they must be affordable homes
to buy and to rent, not executive dwellings of which we have far too many".
The Labour Party would also like to see more formal
protection for areas of outstanding countryside and natural beauty, such as the
River Soar and
All our Children
can now Aspire to the Top
Comprehensive schools have always graded students into sets. What was totally unreasonable is that a child's future was decided at
aged 11. As a result 2/3rds of all children were permanently
denied the ability to rise to the top sets, because they were only found in
Grammar schools. The comprehensive system 'does what it says on tin'. All
students now have the freedom to reach the top set, not the minority who were succesfully graded at the age of 11. There are now thankfuly only 164 Grammar schools left in mainland
The Tories Were an Economic Disaster
Ron Manship (letters 14th
June) wants to remind of past political failures so how about the
following - VAT increased from 8% to 17.5% - National Insurance increased from
6.25% to 10% - Both the tax hikes were the first act of Thatcher’s Tory
Government who used the money to hand out enormous tax cuts to higher paid
earners only. So much for the Tories being the Party that cut
taxation! Then they gave us 3 million unemployed, 3 recessions, the
destruction of
Tory MEP praises Labour
Roger Helmer, our leading Tory MEP,
says that joining the Euro would have serious consequences for ‘jobs growth and
prosperity’ of the
We All Deserve Decent Schools
I note that Mr Mason (Mailbox, June 9) in his defence of the remaining 164 grammar schools in mainland
Britain makes no mention of condemning the majority of our children to a second
rate education that typified the secondary modern system.He
also tries to bolster his desire for a quality education system for the lucky
minority by accusing 50 per cent of school kids of being "dim" - what
an insult, especially in view of the hard work and stress our children are
going through as they sit there A-levels and GCSEs
this month. What parents want are good schools for everyone, not a lucky minority
selected at age 11.I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our young
adults sitting their exams the best of luck. I and Charnwood
Labour Party will recognise your achievements
and hard work, even if the defenders of grammar schools do not. [Leicester
Mercury 13th June 2007]
Pensions Fund Surpluses Rise
The Blair-Brown Era has been a golden
one for British Science
‘The Blair-Brown Era has been a
golden one for British Science’ proclaimed the editorial in May’s edition of
Nature. Nature is the widely respected journal that publishes the outcome of
the world’s foremost research teams. This month they devoted their key
editorial to praising the support that British Science has received from the
Labour Government. Education was at the heart of Labour’s victory in 1977. Eric
Goodyer, Parliamentary Commentator for Charnwood Constituency Labour Party said “Labour’s investment in schools is well known. Every
year we see the results of that investment as the citizens of tomorrow, our
children, achieve better results in their GCSE and A levels. It is however
fantastic that Labour’s support for cutting edge Science & Technology has
been recognised by one of the world’s leading science journals”. The only note
of concern in Nature’s editorial is the prospect of a Conservative victory at
the next General Election. “There is scant indication that the Conservatives
are champing at the bit to invest money in the Universities” they say. This concern was shared by Eric Goodyer. “Science and
technology are the driving forces of our economy. It is important that the
widely respected journal, Nature should raise this issue now”. There are three
Universities just outside Charnwood, DeMontfort, Leicester and Loughborough.
All have international reputations for their research activities, attracting
millions of pounds of funds from the UK Research Councils, the EU and Industry.
They are of vital importance to the economy of both Leicestershire and the
It was the Tories that Destroyed the Post Office
It is gross hypocrisy for the Tory Party to complain about Post Office
closures. Margaret Thatcher sold off all the profitable parts of the Post
Office, including what is now British Telecom; leaving behind a weakened Post
Office with a National Network to maintain; whilst others got rich selling
their BT shares. Then we have further hypocrisy in that Tory Controlled
Charnwood Borough Council and Tory controlled Leicester County Council charge a
fee to hard pressed residents who pay their Council
Tax at a Post Office counter. The truth is that the Conservative Party has
never supported anything in the public sector; even Winston Churchill led the
Tory Party into the No lobby to oppose the establishment of the National Health
Service. If they ever get into power again they are
more likely to Privatise what is left of the Post
Office than preserve it as a public service. [Leicester Mercury 9th June 2007]
It is time the Tories Stopped
Rubbishing our Kids
David Willets decision to stop supporting Grammar Schools is most welcome. What
all parents want are good schools for everyone, not a
small elite. There are only 164 grammar schools left in mainland Britain, and
the biggest supporter of them, Kent County Council LEA have been awarded only 2
stars (lower) with no indications of improvement and no capacity to sustain
improvement by OFSTED; a damning indictment of
selection at age 11. However the Tories are already
backtracking on this important policy change, as their grassroots members
demand a return to selection, elitism and the inevitable dumping of the
majority of our kids in the squalor of secondary modern schools. What I find
most distasteful is that the supporters of grammar schools always run down the
hard work and achievement of our children. Class sizes have fallen under
Labour, our schools are improving, and our kids are getting better and better
grades at GCSE and A level. Rather than acknowledge the success of the
Comprehensive system, and praise the hard work and endeavor
of the citizens of tomorrow, our children are denigrated
in the press; with absurd claims that exams are getting easier. Well I
challenge all these educational specialists to sit down and take an A level themselves, and lets see how well they get on. Meanwhile, I
will congratulate our kids on their academic achievements, and give thanks that
we have a comprehensive system that enables all our children to succeed and not
just a few. [Leicester Mercury 29th May 2007]