The old mantra 'terrorist threat' has been wheeled out so many times to justify more and more oppressive measures by New Labour that it lost its impact a long time ago. Indeed many of us doubted the seriousness of the threat from the start. Apart from the odd nutter or two the threat has never been as severe as that from the IRA a few years ago, and we lived in a state of relative freedom then in spite of them.
Then, over Christmas, the authorities wheel out a nutty Nigerian who used a syringe on a plane to make something on his leg go 'pop' and spout a bit of smoke. There you are, no doubt they will now ratchet up airport security even more, and install even more CCTV cameras in Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale.
But last time I flew I had a bottle of over-sized shampoo confiscated because they thought I was going to use it as a terrorist weapon. Rub suds in the pilot's eyes perhaps causing the plane to crash? So how did nutty Nigerian chap get a syringe and a thing that goes 'pop' and makes smoke through all that hi-tech security? Perhaps it was actually time for the state to show us that there is a threat and that removing our freedoms and liberties is justified, but they didn't want to actually kill anyone in the process, not at Christmas.
The other thing that concerned me was that this nutty chap has a mechanical engineering degree from University College London. Now I don't expect they teach bomb making at UCL, but what happened to education, education, education under New Labour if that is the best an engineering graduate can do? On top of that his family are very wealthy it seems, so he could have afforded the best ingredients.
I think it's all very odd.
Monday 28 December 2009
Friday 18 December 2009
Big Brother Really Is Watching You
I have just come across an organisation that seems to be doing some very good work.
Big Brother Watch is researching and exposing the intrusion into our lives, and erosion of our civil liberties, by the state.
Big Brother Watch was founded by the founders of the Taxpayers' Alliance.
The worrying figures given below are taken from this research done by them:
There are currently at least 59,753 CCTV cameras controlled by 418 local authorities in Britain, up from 21,000 in 1999
This equates to 1 council owned CCTV camera for every 1000 people in the country
Portsmouth and Nottinghamshire Councils are in control of the most CCTV cameras with 1,454 each
Residents in the Outer Hebrides are the most watched people in the UK with 8.3 CCTV cameras controlled by the council for every 1000 people. Portsmouth has the second highest number of CCTV cameras per 1000 people with 7.8
The council controlling the highest number of CCTV cameras in Scotland is Fife with 1350 cameras
The council in Wales controlling the highest number of CCTV cameras is Swansea with 326 cameras
The council controlling the highest number of CCTV cameras in Northern Ireland is Belfast with 400 cameras
The total number of CCTV cameras controlled by councils in London is 8,815, which equals 1.3 CCTV cameras for every 1000 people living in the capital. Wandsworth is the most watched borough in London with 1113 CCTV cameras, or 4.3 cameras for every 1000 residents
In recent months I've become weary of meeting foreigners who comment on how intrusive the British state is, citing the worrying numbers of CCTV cameras spying on the public. It has been commented on by Americans, Australians and most recently by a Belgian, well a Fleming actually.
Make no mistake, Big Brother really is watching you.
Sunday 6 December 2009
North West Regional Meetup, 13th December
Just a quick reminder that on Sunday 13th December, there will be another regional Libertarian party meetup in the Lounge Bar of the Royal Station Hotel in Carnforth, Lancashire, starting about 12.30pm. This is just across the road from the famous railway station which was used as a location for the film "Brief Encounter". This is a nice bar that does decent food - the Station Burgers are both reasonably priced and very filling. It's also intended that this meetup should serve as the Christmas get-together for Libertarians in the region, as the next meetup will be in January (exact date to be decided shortly).
Both of these meetups are open to anyone interested in libertarian ideas, if you'd like to come along, talk about libertarianism and see if we're the sort of party that you'd like to support.
Both of these meetups are open to anyone interested in libertarian ideas, if you'd like to come along, talk about libertarianism and see if we're the sort of party that you'd like to support.
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Democracy?
Pondering the vote this week in Switzerland I couldn't help thinking that the people of France, Holland and Ireland voted against the Lisbon Treaty but they, and we, got it any way.
Then the bleeding heart liberals go all self righteous and condemn the Swiss for voting against more minarets going up than the four that already exist in that country. The chances are the decision will be overturned when the Council of Europe stick their long noses in anyway:
“Bearing in mind that it is a fundamental right of democratic states to debate and vote on issues of importance to their societies, the referendum held yesterday on the construction of new minarets in Switzerland raises concerns as to whether fundamental rights of individuals, protected by international treaties, should be subject to popular votes,” said the council’s secretary general, Thorbjørn Jagland, a former foreign minister of Norway. “The ban on the construction of new minarets is linked to issues such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion and prohibition of discrimination guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
“Therefore it would be up to the European Court of Human Rights to decide, should an application be submitted to the court, whether the prohibition of building new minarets is compatible with the convention.”
What I take exception to is the following:
“The ban on the construction of new minarets is linked to issues such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion and prohibition of discrimination guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights".
Like the veil, the burqa, the crucifix and other symbols, minarets are not a necessity. The vote not to allow the building of more minarets does absolutely none of the above. If churches were not allowed to be built with steeples it would be exactly the same, we could still practice our religion, minarets and steeples are not that important in religious terms.
So forgive me for asking, but exactly what type of 'democracy' are the forces in Afghanistan and Iraq fighting to impose on those poor sods? Is it the one that says the people can have their say, as long as they agree with the political class?
Thursday 26 November 2009
Personal Responsibility versus State Control
People often grumble about intrusions into their lives by officialdom then, whenever there is a problem, they are the first to shout for government action. Government action then means more intrusion into our lives and so on. What the 'government should act' brigade need to understand is that they are asking for those stinking scroungers known as politicians to do more damage and boss us around even more every time they shout 'the government should do something'.
The more the state intervenes and bullies the more society, whatever your perception of society is, seems to become increasingly dysfunctional. So the more dysfunctional society becomes, the more the state interferes and so on. Familiar?
Yesterday saw another one of those obnoxious state sponsored ads telling us what to do and what not to do, a bit like those other great totalitarians the Nazis and the communists used to broadcast. Last night's had a pretty ugly image of a pair of nostrils and was designed to make me stop snorting coke, regardless of the fact that the only thing I snort is a hayfever remedy, and obviously not in November.
Too many charities have now become extensions of the state, selling their souls and their noble ethos for easy money from the government, or you and me to be accurate through our taxes. Hence you then get sick adverts hectoring us about beating our children. These organisations have to justify their existence, and pay some huge salaries, so they sensationalise and exaggerate to shock us into donating.
Then yesterday it was announced that children are to be taught about domestic violence in schools. It is to become a subject in the personal, social, health and economic education part of the curriculum. Topics include: alcohol, drug and tobacco awareness; bullying; sex and relationship education; sexuality; careers advice; personal finance; healthy living; body image and how the body changes; personal well-being.Teaching domestic violence will be compulsory by 2011. Teaching or brainwashing? Where are the parents? Is the state now the parent, the parent merely the economic unit and breeding machine?
Domestic violence is sick and needs to be dealt with but are we always told the truth. The only time I have witnessed domestic violence was some years ago and it was the wife beating the husband. When I gave a witness statement to the police they told me that in London at that time it was roughly 50:50 when they were called out to 'domestics'. It isn't always big hairy thugs beating up the little woman, in that case she was about 5'00" and he was a 6' builder.
But the incidence of domestic violence, thankfully, is tiny although obviously huge and life ruining if not threatening for the victim. But introducing it into schools is making a thankfully rare event appear like an everyday happening to kids living happy lives in harmonious families. That is plain wrong and is likely to create more problems further down the line. On the really dark and scary side how many kids, when told not to do something, immediately go out and give it a try?
The problem is that government thinks it can come up with answers to everyting in a formulaic way, but life doesn't work like that. Government is turning the whole populace into potential victims or potential villains. It has created, through its actions and its propaganda, an unhealthy nation where a man outside the school gates is likely to be lynched by the mob for being a 'paedo' when he was there to collect his grandson. The husband of the woman who falls and ends up with a bruise on her face is likely to be hauled in by the Domestic Violence Unit for beating her. The newsreader who impersonates Trevor McDonald in rehearsals is accused of racism rather than imitation, the sincerest form of flattery.
Have no doubt, we are deeper into a police state than many people wish to acknowledge. But in 2005, despite CCTV cameras sprouting up all over London, we had the London bombings. CCTV, the hardware of the police state, couldn't protect us and neither will the propaganda, the brainwashing software of the state improve our lives or protect us. Personal freedom, liberty and resposibility are what we need.
When the government introduce the Hedonism Bill, prepare for complete and abject misery to follow.
The more the state intervenes and bullies the more society, whatever your perception of society is, seems to become increasingly dysfunctional. So the more dysfunctional society becomes, the more the state interferes and so on. Familiar?
Yesterday saw another one of those obnoxious state sponsored ads telling us what to do and what not to do, a bit like those other great totalitarians the Nazis and the communists used to broadcast. Last night's had a pretty ugly image of a pair of nostrils and was designed to make me stop snorting coke, regardless of the fact that the only thing I snort is a hayfever remedy, and obviously not in November.
Too many charities have now become extensions of the state, selling their souls and their noble ethos for easy money from the government, or you and me to be accurate through our taxes. Hence you then get sick adverts hectoring us about beating our children. These organisations have to justify their existence, and pay some huge salaries, so they sensationalise and exaggerate to shock us into donating.
Then yesterday it was announced that children are to be taught about domestic violence in schools. It is to become a subject in the personal, social, health and economic education part of the curriculum. Topics include: alcohol, drug and tobacco awareness; bullying; sex and relationship education; sexuality; careers advice; personal finance; healthy living; body image and how the body changes; personal well-being.Teaching domestic violence will be compulsory by 2011. Teaching or brainwashing? Where are the parents? Is the state now the parent, the parent merely the economic unit and breeding machine?
Domestic violence is sick and needs to be dealt with but are we always told the truth. The only time I have witnessed domestic violence was some years ago and it was the wife beating the husband. When I gave a witness statement to the police they told me that in London at that time it was roughly 50:50 when they were called out to 'domestics'. It isn't always big hairy thugs beating up the little woman, in that case she was about 5'00" and he was a 6' builder.
But the incidence of domestic violence, thankfully, is tiny although obviously huge and life ruining if not threatening for the victim. But introducing it into schools is making a thankfully rare event appear like an everyday happening to kids living happy lives in harmonious families. That is plain wrong and is likely to create more problems further down the line. On the really dark and scary side how many kids, when told not to do something, immediately go out and give it a try?
The problem is that government thinks it can come up with answers to everyting in a formulaic way, but life doesn't work like that. Government is turning the whole populace into potential victims or potential villains. It has created, through its actions and its propaganda, an unhealthy nation where a man outside the school gates is likely to be lynched by the mob for being a 'paedo' when he was there to collect his grandson. The husband of the woman who falls and ends up with a bruise on her face is likely to be hauled in by the Domestic Violence Unit for beating her. The newsreader who impersonates Trevor McDonald in rehearsals is accused of racism rather than imitation, the sincerest form of flattery.
Have no doubt, we are deeper into a police state than many people wish to acknowledge. But in 2005, despite CCTV cameras sprouting up all over London, we had the London bombings. CCTV, the hardware of the police state, couldn't protect us and neither will the propaganda, the brainwashing software of the state improve our lives or protect us. Personal freedom, liberty and resposibility are what we need.
When the government introduce the Hedonism Bill, prepare for complete and abject misery to follow.
Friday 20 November 2009
God Save Our President
The couple on the left haven't just met on an OAP speed dating evening, you can tell by how grey they are, especially him, let's face it under normal circumstances I am sure they would find each other thoroughly unappealing. You can tell straight away that he wouldn't be scintillating company, he just looks drab and dreary, probably because he is the President of Belgium. But now he's your president too, if you are unfortunate to be enslaved within the European Union that is.
Ladies and gentlemen the old grey fella in the picture is the first President of the United States of Europe, President van Rumpy Pumpy! The woman is one of Gordon Browns old slags, Baroness von Ashton van der Upholland, your EU Foreign Secretary. Known hereon as The Odd Couple. President von Rumpy Rumpy, upon becoming Fuhrer, asked to see a doctor claiming he was suffering from amnesia. It was a brief consultation, in fairness there is usually NO consultation in the EU, and he was reassured that he hadn't forgotten the election, he hadn't actually been elected.
It is quite apt that the first President should be a Belgian as Belgium too is a failing state cobbled together by the ruling elites of Europe to suit their purposes. In 1831 the Saxe-Coburgs had a spare monarch who should have become king of England, but for an unfortunate chain of events, so Leopold was instead plonked onto the throne of the bastard state of Belgium.
The one consolation is that the artificial states of Europe, apart from Belgium, have now disappeared-Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia the USSR. Belgium has only survived because the ruling elites want it to survive and it has been the model for the development of the current monstrously undemocratic supranational body known as the European Union.
So the Saxe-Coburgs were integral to the development of Belgium, and Elizabeth Saxe-Coburg-Gotha has demonstrated in recent years that the German monarchs are only interested in their own selfish survival. The only way forward in a post-EU democratic state, be that Great Britain or an independent England, will be as a republic. Our monarch has done nothing to stop our freedoms and liberties being eroded and no longer deserves our support.
The monarchy is an anachronism and should be abolished.
Friday 13 November 2009
Proposed Wirral Meeting
Libertarianism is growing and needs to grow much more. There will be a General Election next year and local government elections in many areas in May. Everybody who wants to see less government interference in the lives of ordinary people, lower taxes, a more effective criminal justice system and lower taxes should now be contributing to an effective alternative to the major parties which offer nothing but more of the same and inexorable movement towards national bankruptcy.
As another stage in building the Libertarian challenge to our incompetent government and its ineffective opposition I am planning to start regular monthly meetings in the Wirral part of the north west region. Dates are not yet fixed, but from taliking to one or two people the most likely choices are evening meetings on a Tuesday or Wednesday. No place has yet been fixed. It is most likely to be a pub in Birkenhead or within a few miles of there.
The meetings are intended to be friendly, informal and not limited to LPUK members. Anybody who thinks that Libertarianism might be for them is welcome to come along, check us out and chat.
If Wirral would be closer for you than Manchester or Carnforth I will be very interested to hear any suggestions for day, time and venues for meetings. I am likely to finalise arrangements for the first meeting shortly after the national AGM/conference on 28 November so I would like any suggestions by then.
If you use Facebook there is also an unofficial north west Libertarians Facebook Group where you can keep up with meetings and take part in discussions:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=167615597519&ref=ts
As another stage in building the Libertarian challenge to our incompetent government and its ineffective opposition I am planning to start regular monthly meetings in the Wirral part of the north west region. Dates are not yet fixed, but from taliking to one or two people the most likely choices are evening meetings on a Tuesday or Wednesday. No place has yet been fixed. It is most likely to be a pub in Birkenhead or within a few miles of there.
The meetings are intended to be friendly, informal and not limited to LPUK members. Anybody who thinks that Libertarianism might be for them is welcome to come along, check us out and chat.
If Wirral would be closer for you than Manchester or Carnforth I will be very interested to hear any suggestions for day, time and venues for meetings. I am likely to finalise arrangements for the first meeting shortly after the national AGM/conference on 28 November so I would like any suggestions by then.
If you use Facebook there is also an unofficial north west Libertarians Facebook Group where you can keep up with meetings and take part in discussions:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=167615597519&ref=ts
North West Libertarians: Upcoming Meetups
The North West branch of the Libertarian Party has been holding a series of informal meetups in Carnforth and Manchester. Normally these are every month, but the schedule's had to be re-arranges slightly due to having to fit them round the upcoming AGM in Bristol, and also the fact that Christmas will soon be on us. The dates for the next two meetups have now been set:
On Saturday 21st November, there will be a meetup at the Kro 2 Bar, Oxford Road, Manchester, starting about 1.00pm. This is an easy pub to find, there are always tables available and the food's inexpensive if you want to eat. We normally grab a table near the bar, so we should be easy to spot. If you're coming by car, I recommend parking up in the multi-story car park on Charles Street, which is only a short walk away, and is very cheap at weekends.
On Sunday 13th December, there will be another meetup in the Lounge Bar of the Royal Station Hotel in Carnforth, starting about 12.30pm. This is just across the road from the famous railway station which was used as a location for the film "Brief Encounter". This is a nice bar that does decent food - the Station Burgers are both reasonably priced and very filling. It's also intended that this meetup should serve as the Christmas get-together for Libertarians in the region, as the next meetup's likely to be in January.
Both of these meetups are open to anyone if you'd like to come along, talk about libertarianism and see if we're the sort of party that you'd like to support.
On Saturday 21st November, there will be a meetup at the Kro 2 Bar, Oxford Road, Manchester, starting about 1.00pm. This is an easy pub to find, there are always tables available and the food's inexpensive if you want to eat. We normally grab a table near the bar, so we should be easy to spot. If you're coming by car, I recommend parking up in the multi-story car park on Charles Street, which is only a short walk away, and is very cheap at weekends.
On Sunday 13th December, there will be another meetup in the Lounge Bar of the Royal Station Hotel in Carnforth, starting about 12.30pm. This is just across the road from the famous railway station which was used as a location for the film "Brief Encounter". This is a nice bar that does decent food - the Station Burgers are both reasonably priced and very filling. It's also intended that this meetup should serve as the Christmas get-together for Libertarians in the region, as the next meetup's likely to be in January.
Both of these meetups are open to anyone if you'd like to come along, talk about libertarianism and see if we're the sort of party that you'd like to support.
Chris Mounsey at the Libertarian Alliance Conference
The Libertarian Alliance is an independent, non-party political thinktank that has been around for years. They have no direct connection with the Libertarian Party, but they did invite our Director of Communications, Chris Mounsey, to speak at this year's annual conference. It's a pretty interesting talk, in which Chris describes the development of the party so far, our first couple of election campaigns, and briefly outlines some of our policies.
LAConf09, Chris Mounsey: "The UK Libertarian Party" from Sean Gabb on Vimeo.
Wednesday 11 November 2009
Geraldine Smith MP – Coward or Bully?
Gregg being out of the country at the moment, and unable to access the North West Libertarians blog, he called me up to ask me to copy this post across from his personal blog. Frankly, I was stunned when he told me what had happened - whatever else is wrong with our elected politicians, we do generally expect them to at least keep to a civilised standard of behaviour. The full text of Gregg's post follows below:
Tonight, Tuesday 10 November, I was sat with my wife having a quiet drink in the centre of Brugge. Then my mobile rang, so I felt I should answer it, I was extremely concerned as it was my elderly father, and something was obviously wrong. My parents were distraught and I had to calm them down, they are both elderly and quite vulnerable and not in the best of health.
So what had happened? Well tonight they received an extremely unpleasant, threatening phone call from my local Member of Parliament, Geraldine Smith. She apparently "ranted and raved" about their only son, threatening to sue me, take me to court etc. because of some comments on my blog. I think I have soothed them without the need to return home early, I hope so, even though they were both obviously badly shaken.
It seems that a post of mine in June quoted a House of Commons library source that was wrong, she (Smith) had not, it seems, been on a women only shortlist in 1997. In effect, I had been misled by the House of Commons. Nothing new there then! Sorry about that and I will perhaps seek an apology myself.
Now then, to matters now. With all her allowances it took the genius team of Geraldine Smith nearly 6 months to pick that up. As they said nothing to my parents, or another blog I write for, anything about her expenses claims, which I also wrote about in June, I assume she is happy with that piece.
You can visit both posts if you track back, using the side bar, to my June 2009 blog posts.
So next time you want to throw your weight around Geraldine, pick on me, not my elderly parents.
That's that. I would now like you to apologise to my parents. If you haven't when I return then I will take matters further.
Tonight, Tuesday 10 November, I was sat with my wife having a quiet drink in the centre of Brugge. Then my mobile rang, so I felt I should answer it, I was extremely concerned as it was my elderly father, and something was obviously wrong. My parents were distraught and I had to calm them down, they are both elderly and quite vulnerable and not in the best of health.
So what had happened? Well tonight they received an extremely unpleasant, threatening phone call from my local Member of Parliament, Geraldine Smith. She apparently "ranted and raved" about their only son, threatening to sue me, take me to court etc. because of some comments on my blog. I think I have soothed them without the need to return home early, I hope so, even though they were both obviously badly shaken.
It seems that a post of mine in June quoted a House of Commons library source that was wrong, she (Smith) had not, it seems, been on a women only shortlist in 1997. In effect, I had been misled by the House of Commons. Nothing new there then! Sorry about that and I will perhaps seek an apology myself.
Now then, to matters now. With all her allowances it took the genius team of Geraldine Smith nearly 6 months to pick that up. As they said nothing to my parents, or another blog I write for, anything about her expenses claims, which I also wrote about in June, I assume she is happy with that piece.
You can visit both posts if you track back, using the side bar, to my June 2009 blog posts.
So next time you want to throw your weight around Geraldine, pick on me, not my elderly parents.
That's that. I would now like you to apologise to my parents. If you haven't when I return then I will take matters further.
Friday 6 November 2009
Dumbed Down Britain
It's been an interesting week, with Tom Wise, former MEP, at least being honest enough to admit fiddling his expenses. There are around 650 in Westminster and 700 in Brussels who still won't hold their hands up and admit it!!
So let's have a look at the effects of our interfering, expense fiddling, egotistical politicians interfering in, for example, the education system, which should never be under the control of politicians in the first place. The article below, from the Telegraph, is actually quite disturbing.
What a sad indictment of our education system as we approach Remembrance Day. Actually, what a sad indictment of modern Britain.
So let's have a look at the effects of our interfering, expense fiddling, egotistical politicians interfering in, for example, the education system, which should never be under the control of politicians in the first place. The article below, from the Telegraph, is actually quite disturbing.
One in 20 schoolchildren thought Adolf Hitler was a coach of the German football team, a survey said.
And one in six youngsters said they thought Auschwitz was a Second World War theme park while one in 20 said the Holocaust was a celebration at the end of the war.
The survey for a veterans' charity also found one in 10 thought the SS stood for Enid Blyton's Secret Seven, and one in 12 believed the Blitz was a European clean-up operation following the Second World War.
Scottish-based charity Erskine, which provides nursing and medical care for veterans, said it would now take part in a nationwide scheme to educate schoolchildren about the two world conflicts.
The charity questioned 2,000 children between the ages of nine and 15 about their knowledge of the key people and events of the two wars.
While a quarter admitted they did not think about the soldiers who died in the conflicts, and 40 per cent said they did not know when Remembrance Day was, 70 per cent of all those surveyed said they wanted to learn more about the two wars in school.
Major Jim Panton, chief executive of Erskine, said: ''Some of the answers to this poll have shocked us and it has shown that Erskine, amongst others, has a part to play, not just in caring for veterans but in educating society as a whole.
''As we approach Remembrance Day it is hard to believe that 40 per cent of our children do not know when it is. Schoolchildren are the future of the country and it is important that we help them to learn about our history.''
The charity said it wanted some of the 1,350 veterans it cares for every year to share their experiences of the war with younger generations.
Erskine will work in partnership with Their Past Your Future (TPYF) project, a partnership of the Imperial War Museum, the Museums, Libraries and Archives England, the Northern Ireland Museum Council, the National Library of Wales and the Scottish Museums Council, to help schoolchildren learn more about the conflicts.
Andrew Salmond, a project manager for TPYF in Scotland, said: ''This initiative offers a fantastic opportunity to inform young people about the experiences of war - both at home and abroad.
''Some, we know, will convey wartime loss and suffering, others will speak of daring and inspiration. However, all will be of great educational value, offering an insight to what previous generations have endured in times of conflict.''
What a sad indictment of our education system as we approach Remembrance Day. Actually, what a sad indictment of modern Britain.
Thursday 5 November 2009
Libertarian Party AGM 28 November 2009
The Annual AGM/Conference will be held at the Gladiator Room, Gloucestershire Cricket Club, Nevil Road, Bristol BS7 9EJ 10.30am- 4pm November 28th 2009
The Conference will deal with matters of policy and constitutional matters to be put forward by members via their regional coordinators, and the election of officers for 2010, plus party organisation, aims and objectives
A business meeting dealing with end of year accounts and hand over to the new NCC will be held in January.
We need to know numbers attending by November 2nd. There will be a £5 charge to defray costs on registration so please help us by registering early, and as ever Donations will be happily received.
Contact members@lpuk.org
The Sportsman Pub is nearby where I understand the usual fare can be obtained.
There is carparking available for 100 vehicles.
Directions
By Road
From the North:
Exit Junction 19 on M4 onto M32 to Bristol
Exit at Junction 2
Take the 3rd exit off the roundabout, keep in right hand lane and follow brown
tourist signs to County Ground. Continue on Muller Road for approx.1 mile.
Turn left into Ralph Road, opposite Bus Depot.
At T junction, turn left and then take first right into Kennington Avenue.
At top of road, turn left (signposted) into Nevil Road and drive through the Grace Gates into the ground.
From Central Bristol :
From St. James Barton roundabout in the City Centre, take exit marked Horfield (A38)
Continue along Stokes Croft Road and onto Gloucester Road
After approx. 1.5 miles turn right into Nevil Road (Signposted)
The Grace Gates are at the end of Nevil Road
By Rail :
Bristol Temple Meads is in the centre of Bristol, approx. 2 miles from The County Ground
Bus no. 8 or 9 will take you from the station to the bus station and then take any of the buses as below
Bristol Parkway is on the northern side of the City and approx 4 miles from The County Ground
By Bus :
The Bus Station is located in the centre of Bristol.
Outside the Bus Station from The Travel Inn, services, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 and 77 will take you along the Gloucester Road. The stop is Nevil Road, which is within 100yds from the Ground.
The Conference will deal with matters of policy and constitutional matters to be put forward by members via their regional coordinators, and the election of officers for 2010, plus party organisation, aims and objectives
A business meeting dealing with end of year accounts and hand over to the new NCC will be held in January.
We need to know numbers attending by November 2nd. There will be a £5 charge to defray costs on registration so please help us by registering early, and as ever Donations will be happily received.
Contact members@lpuk.org
The Sportsman Pub is nearby where I understand the usual fare can be obtained.
There is carparking available for 100 vehicles.
Directions
By Road
From the North:
Exit Junction 19 on M4 onto M32 to Bristol
Exit at Junction 2
Take the 3rd exit off the roundabout, keep in right hand lane and follow brown
tourist signs to County Ground. Continue on Muller Road for approx.1 mile.
Turn left into Ralph Road, opposite Bus Depot.
At T junction, turn left and then take first right into Kennington Avenue.
At top of road, turn left (signposted) into Nevil Road and drive through the Grace Gates into the ground.
From Central Bristol :
From St. James Barton roundabout in the City Centre, take exit marked Horfield (A38)
Continue along Stokes Croft Road and onto Gloucester Road
After approx. 1.5 miles turn right into Nevil Road (Signposted)
The Grace Gates are at the end of Nevil Road
By Rail :
Bristol Temple Meads is in the centre of Bristol, approx. 2 miles from The County Ground
Bus no. 8 or 9 will take you from the station to the bus station and then take any of the buses as below
Bristol Parkway is on the northern side of the City and approx 4 miles from The County Ground
By Bus :
The Bus Station is located in the centre of Bristol.
Outside the Bus Station from The Travel Inn, services, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 and 77 will take you along the Gloucester Road. The stop is Nevil Road, which is within 100yds from the Ground.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
It looks like we've got more readers than we thought.
Apparently as a result of Gregg Beaman's excellent post about the grasping, money-grubbing MP Geraldine Smith, we've received the following email:
Dear Sir,
It has come to our attention that there is a link to one of our Standard Notes, about all women shortlists, on your blog site. Regrettably the table erroneously listed Geraldine Smith as being selected as a candidate at the 1997 general election as a result of being on an all women shortlist. I gather that this mistake has caused Ms Smith some embarrassment and we are very sorry that this has happened; the corrected note is now available at http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/briefings/snpc-05057.pdf.
Yours sincerely,
Isobel White
Isobel White
Parliament and Constitution Centre
House of Commons Library
1 Derby Gate
London
SW1A 2DG
.............................
Fair enough. On behalf of the North West Branch of the Libertarian Party, I would like to withdraw the allegation that the grasping, money-grubbing MP Geraldine Smith got her job as a result of being on an all-women shortlist, and apologise if this has caused any offence or embarrassment to the greedy Ms Smith.
Of course you have to admit that it's an easy mistake for anyone to make, as the Labour Party do still make a habit of selecting some of their candidates on the basis of what's between their legs instead of what's between their ears - as demonstrated by current events in Wigan.
In the Libertarian Party, we're more interested in brains than plumbing, and we select our candidates accordingly. The Labour Party apparently see things differently.
Dear Sir,
It has come to our attention that there is a link to one of our Standard Notes, about all women shortlists, on your blog site. Regrettably the table erroneously listed Geraldine Smith as being selected as a candidate at the 1997 general election as a result of being on an all women shortlist. I gather that this mistake has caused Ms Smith some embarrassment and we are very sorry that this has happened; the corrected note is now available at http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/briefings/snpc-05057.pdf.
Yours sincerely,
Isobel White
Isobel White
Parliament and Constitution Centre
House of Commons Library
1 Derby Gate
London
SW1A 2DG
.............................
Fair enough. On behalf of the North West Branch of the Libertarian Party, I would like to withdraw the allegation that the grasping, money-grubbing MP Geraldine Smith got her job as a result of being on an all-women shortlist, and apologise if this has caused any offence or embarrassment to the greedy Ms Smith.
Of course you have to admit that it's an easy mistake for anyone to make, as the Labour Party do still make a habit of selecting some of their candidates on the basis of what's between their legs instead of what's between their ears - as demonstrated by current events in Wigan.
In the Libertarian Party, we're more interested in brains than plumbing, and we select our candidates accordingly. The Labour Party apparently see things differently.
Monday 26 October 2009
The Nick Griffin Comedy Hour - Condensed Version
Sorry, I just couldn't resist posting this:
Apologies for the interruption to our regular service, we will shortly return to serious politics.
Apologies for the interruption to our regular service, we will shortly return to serious politics.
Saturday 24 October 2009
October Meetup
This is a quick reminder to all our North West members (and anyone else who's interested in meeting us) that this month's regional meetup starts at 12.30pm tomorrow, Sunday 25 October in the Lounge Bar of the Royal Station Hotel in Carnforth. See you there.
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Libertarian Party launches online Supporters’ Section
On behalf of the Libertarian Party I would like to announce the launch of the Supporters' section of our website.
The Party have introduced the Supporters' section of the website to help diseminate information about the Party to all those who are interested in the cause of liberty -- not just Party Members.
The Supporter's section of the website is aimed at all those who support liberty and wish to keep up to date with the Libertarian Party. We believe it will be of most interest to people who wish to find out a little more about the Party before they become members. But it may also be of interest to liberals and libertarians living outside of the UK or members of other political parties.
To become a Supporter is absolutely free and open to everyone regardless of age, nationality and current party affiliation. As a supporter you will receive regular updates on party campaigns, events and how you can help us in our quest to restore liberty to the United Kingdom.
So if you wish to become a Supporter of the UK's only Libertarian Party please sign up here.
Rob Waller
LPUK Web Director
The Party have introduced the Supporters' section of the website to help diseminate information about the Party to all those who are interested in the cause of liberty -- not just Party Members.
The Supporter's section of the website is aimed at all those who support liberty and wish to keep up to date with the Libertarian Party. We believe it will be of most interest to people who wish to find out a little more about the Party before they become members. But it may also be of interest to liberals and libertarians living outside of the UK or members of other political parties.
To become a Supporter is absolutely free and open to everyone regardless of age, nationality and current party affiliation. As a supporter you will receive regular updates on party campaigns, events and how you can help us in our quest to restore liberty to the United Kingdom.
So if you wish to become a Supporter of the UK's only Libertarian Party please sign up here.
Rob Waller
LPUK Web Director
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Monday 12 October 2009
If you're a WHITE person in Kirkdale, Steven Greenhalgh will fix your guttering.
The most curious thing about BNP leaflets these days is all the things that they DON'T mention.
Today I recieved a leaflet from former Staff Sergant Steven Greenhalgh, a self proclaimed "Kirkdale Patriot" contesting Kirkdale ward for the British National Party, who have now dubbed themselves "The Voice of The Silent Majority - YOUR VOICE".
Does "silent" in this context mean "white"?
If "silent" isn't just a code word for "white" I challenge Mr Greenhalgh to explain what he means by "silent" in this context.
To be fair to Mr Greenhalgh, there is NO MENTION of race, ethnicity or even immigration in his leaflet.
There's a good reason for that. IRRATIONAL HATE is a big turn off for voters. So what does the leaflet talk about?
Mostly Steven Greenhalgh's VOLUNTARY WORK.
I'm not kidding. There is actually a photo of Mr Greenhalgh up a ladder in a hi-vis vest with a bucket clearing out someone's guttering with the caption:
"Steven Greenhalgh working voluntarily for Kirkdale all year round".
I'm sorry for being long winded, but I'm going to quote Mr Greenhalgh's good deeds AT NAUSEATING LENGTH to give you a real taste of the BNP's charm offensive.
"Since my last news letter I have been involved in helping families with fly tipping problems, in most cases I managed to get the rubbish removed within 5 days. I have also cleared areas in Regal Walk, Hartley Close, Vesuvius Street, Vauxhall Road and more."
"In my last news letter I was helping a gentleman who lives in Stanley Road. He was in the RAF for 12 years and was initially refused a war pension, so I asked the Royal British Legion's appeals officer to get involved. He ended up recieving a one off payment of £2300, a very good result!"
"I have been a member of the Royal British Legion since 1993 and last year I raised a substantial ammount of money for them. I will be visiting most of the residential and care homes in Kirkdale again this year, to distribute poppies to people with difficulty getting out. I will be laying a poppy wreath on Remembrance Sunday on behalf of the Liverpool British National Party branch."
"I recieved a call from John who is a 72 year old pensioner who had bought a phone set from [major electrical store in Liverpool]. This set turned out to be faulty and he returned it to the store three times. Unfortunately, after his third visit he indvertently lost his reciept and the shop refused to give him another phone set or a refund even though most of the staff recognised him. We planned to picket and hand out leaflets to potential customers every Saturday morning. Before we did this, we spoke to the manager and explained what we were planning to do, straight away he conceded and gave John a full refund. Being proactive definitely works. Pensioners cannot afford to be ripped off by big company stores."
"I recieved a phone call from a lady who had vermin in the walls of her flat. Within 6 days I had the enviromental health out to get rid of the vermin."
What about LOCAL POLITICS? There is a little of that, but not much:
"After speaking with residents of this area, it is obvious more speed calming restrictions are needed before someone is killed or seriously injured by speeding vehicles along:
Delamore Street
Ruskin Street
Chirkdale Street
Selwyn Street
Roxburgh Street
Carisbrooke Road
Hale Road
I will be pushing for these restrictions to be put in place asap. If someone is is injured or killed, the blame should be with the Kirkdale councillors."
"After years of campaigning, the final set [Vesuvius Street flats] have been boarded up and preparations are taking place to demolish them, once the utilities have been cut off, demolition should start."
"a public open meeting soon turned into a private closed meeting when the local councillor and his henchmen realised I was there at thec request of an elderly gentleman who lives in Paul Orr Court. He wanted me to ask probing and awkward questions to the panel. The meeting was about proposed public transport in and around Eldonian Village. I don't know what they were trying to hide. So much for the transparency the Labour Party keep talking about."
"What YOUR prospective candidate wants:
* Youth programs - Get children off our street corners!
* Park Wardens - keep our parks clean and safe!
* Lower Council Tax - Cut council waste!
* Free public transport for school children!
* Support for small LOCAL businesses!
* More Street Bins - keep our community clean!
Steven Greenhalgh fighting for the community and the average person."
Sounds like something the Lib Dems would put out doesn't it?
"With thanks to Merseyside Police for their financial contributions we can afford to stand candidates in most constituencies in Merseyside."
So that's how the police REALLY feel about equal opportunities is it?
Today I recieved a leaflet from former Staff Sergant Steven Greenhalgh, a self proclaimed "Kirkdale Patriot" contesting Kirkdale ward for the British National Party, who have now dubbed themselves "The Voice of The Silent Majority - YOUR VOICE".
Does "silent" in this context mean "white"?
If "silent" isn't just a code word for "white" I challenge Mr Greenhalgh to explain what he means by "silent" in this context.
To be fair to Mr Greenhalgh, there is NO MENTION of race, ethnicity or even immigration in his leaflet.
There's a good reason for that. IRRATIONAL HATE is a big turn off for voters. So what does the leaflet talk about?
Mostly Steven Greenhalgh's VOLUNTARY WORK.
I'm not kidding. There is actually a photo of Mr Greenhalgh up a ladder in a hi-vis vest with a bucket clearing out someone's guttering with the caption:
"Steven Greenhalgh working voluntarily for Kirkdale all year round".
I'm sorry for being long winded, but I'm going to quote Mr Greenhalgh's good deeds AT NAUSEATING LENGTH to give you a real taste of the BNP's charm offensive.
"Since my last news letter I have been involved in helping families with fly tipping problems, in most cases I managed to get the rubbish removed within 5 days. I have also cleared areas in Regal Walk, Hartley Close, Vesuvius Street, Vauxhall Road and more."
"In my last news letter I was helping a gentleman who lives in Stanley Road. He was in the RAF for 12 years and was initially refused a war pension, so I asked the Royal British Legion's appeals officer to get involved. He ended up recieving a one off payment of £2300, a very good result!"
"I have been a member of the Royal British Legion since 1993 and last year I raised a substantial ammount of money for them. I will be visiting most of the residential and care homes in Kirkdale again this year, to distribute poppies to people with difficulty getting out. I will be laying a poppy wreath on Remembrance Sunday on behalf of the Liverpool British National Party branch."
"I recieved a call from John who is a 72 year old pensioner who had bought a phone set from [major electrical store in Liverpool]. This set turned out to be faulty and he returned it to the store three times. Unfortunately, after his third visit he indvertently lost his reciept and the shop refused to give him another phone set or a refund even though most of the staff recognised him. We planned to picket and hand out leaflets to potential customers every Saturday morning. Before we did this, we spoke to the manager and explained what we were planning to do, straight away he conceded and gave John a full refund. Being proactive definitely works. Pensioners cannot afford to be ripped off by big company stores."
"I recieved a phone call from a lady who had vermin in the walls of her flat. Within 6 days I had the enviromental health out to get rid of the vermin."
What about LOCAL POLITICS? There is a little of that, but not much:
"After speaking with residents of this area, it is obvious more speed calming restrictions are needed before someone is killed or seriously injured by speeding vehicles along:
Delamore Street
Ruskin Street
Chirkdale Street
Selwyn Street
Roxburgh Street
Carisbrooke Road
Hale Road
I will be pushing for these restrictions to be put in place asap. If someone is is injured or killed, the blame should be with the Kirkdale councillors."
"After years of campaigning, the final set [Vesuvius Street flats] have been boarded up and preparations are taking place to demolish them, once the utilities have been cut off, demolition should start."
"a public open meeting soon turned into a private closed meeting when the local councillor and his henchmen realised I was there at thec request of an elderly gentleman who lives in Paul Orr Court. He wanted me to ask probing and awkward questions to the panel. The meeting was about proposed public transport in and around Eldonian Village. I don't know what they were trying to hide. So much for the transparency the Labour Party keep talking about."
"What YOUR prospective candidate wants:
* Youth programs - Get children off our street corners!
* Park Wardens - keep our parks clean and safe!
* Lower Council Tax - Cut council waste!
* Free public transport for school children!
* Support for small LOCAL businesses!
* More Street Bins - keep our community clean!
Steven Greenhalgh fighting for the community and the average person."
Sounds like something the Lib Dems would put out doesn't it?
"With thanks to Merseyside Police for their financial contributions we can afford to stand candidates in most constituencies in Merseyside."
So that's how the police REALLY feel about equal opportunities is it?
Friday 2 October 2009
Droylsden East Labour Party: Are they completely clueless?
I watched a Labour Party member leafletting Fairfield Road in Droylsden (Tameside) the other day. He was very efficient, leafletting a house every 30 seconds. He even remembered to close each garden gate after him. It must be hard work leafletting an area for a political party. I've looked at the leaflet he was delivering now, and I wonder if he thinks it was worth the effort?
The leaflet is a glossy A3 sized effort entitled "the Droylsden East Rose". This is edited by Cllr Sue Quinn, one of the three Labour councillors who "represent" this ward (she's also the Deputy Mayor). Two thirds of the front page is dedicated to covering the recent Copperas Field fun day (basically a sort of local carnival/fete thing). The other third of the front page was dedicated to Labour basically congratulating themselves on having come first place locally in May's Euro elections. Of course a Euro election is a completely different thing from a local election. And Labour didn't do so well in the last local elections.
The back page has five different stories squeezed above the usual cut-out-and-send-back form asking for support. One story is about the re-opening of Littlemoss Memorial Gardens. Another story is about a campaign to bring back the old Droylsden Carnival. Why are Droylsden East Labour Party so heavily obsessed with circuses at a time when people are struggling to pay for bread?
Another bit is about how two of the councillors are members of the Droylsden FC supporters club. That's nice for them, but what's it got to do with council business or local politics?
One story is about Cllrs Kieran and Susan Quinn being opposed to Lord Mandleson's plan to sell part of Royal Mail. This plan seems to have been abandoned now, so why are they covering this? Maybe they are trying to distance themselves form an upopular government.
The last story does have some local relevance. It's short bit warning people not to vote for the BNP. I don't disagree with that, I hate the BNP as much as anyone. But it's funny that they don't give this more prominence, considering that the BNP came a close second in the last local election here.
The full results for the 2008 council election in Droylsden East were:
Jim Middleton (Labour) 1408 votes
David George Lomas (BNP) 1000 votes
Lee Anthony Robinson (Tory) 648 votes
Susan Quinn is up for re-election next year. If this is the best propoganda that the local Labour Party can come up with then she's in serious trouble. Droylsden is not that bad an area, but local people have local concerns that aren't being addressed at all. The biggest concern at the moment is the massive delays to traffic that are being caused by the roadworks around the crossing of Ashton Road and Market Street. This is because of the long-delayed and massively mishandled extension to the tram system and is causing massive delays at rush hour. You would think there would at least be an apology for the inconvenience in "Droylsden East Rose" instead of pointless rubbish about local carnivals. If local politicians ignore the concerns of local voters, then the voters will turn to any party that at least pretends to listen to them. And pretending to care about local issues is what the BNP's good at.
Labour could easily lose a seat in Droylsden East next May. If they do it will be their own fault. I wouldnt' like the BNP to win, because they're the only people I hate more than Labour, but voters want councillors who will take care of the practical business of keeping the town running smoothly, instead of patronising them with rubbish like this. If you don't believe me about hwo bad the local Labour group are have a look at thier blog and make your own mind up:
http://www.droylsdeneastlabour.blogspot.com/
Almost anyone with a decent campaign could beat them.
The leaflet is a glossy A3 sized effort entitled "the Droylsden East Rose". This is edited by Cllr Sue Quinn, one of the three Labour councillors who "represent" this ward (she's also the Deputy Mayor). Two thirds of the front page is dedicated to covering the recent Copperas Field fun day (basically a sort of local carnival/fete thing). The other third of the front page was dedicated to Labour basically congratulating themselves on having come first place locally in May's Euro elections. Of course a Euro election is a completely different thing from a local election. And Labour didn't do so well in the last local elections.
The back page has five different stories squeezed above the usual cut-out-and-send-back form asking for support. One story is about the re-opening of Littlemoss Memorial Gardens. Another story is about a campaign to bring back the old Droylsden Carnival. Why are Droylsden East Labour Party so heavily obsessed with circuses at a time when people are struggling to pay for bread?
Another bit is about how two of the councillors are members of the Droylsden FC supporters club. That's nice for them, but what's it got to do with council business or local politics?
One story is about Cllrs Kieran and Susan Quinn being opposed to Lord Mandleson's plan to sell part of Royal Mail. This plan seems to have been abandoned now, so why are they covering this? Maybe they are trying to distance themselves form an upopular government.
The last story does have some local relevance. It's short bit warning people not to vote for the BNP. I don't disagree with that, I hate the BNP as much as anyone. But it's funny that they don't give this more prominence, considering that the BNP came a close second in the last local election here.
The full results for the 2008 council election in Droylsden East were:
Jim Middleton (Labour) 1408 votes
David George Lomas (BNP) 1000 votes
Lee Anthony Robinson (Tory) 648 votes
Susan Quinn is up for re-election next year. If this is the best propoganda that the local Labour Party can come up with then she's in serious trouble. Droylsden is not that bad an area, but local people have local concerns that aren't being addressed at all. The biggest concern at the moment is the massive delays to traffic that are being caused by the roadworks around the crossing of Ashton Road and Market Street. This is because of the long-delayed and massively mishandled extension to the tram system and is causing massive delays at rush hour. You would think there would at least be an apology for the inconvenience in "Droylsden East Rose" instead of pointless rubbish about local carnivals. If local politicians ignore the concerns of local voters, then the voters will turn to any party that at least pretends to listen to them. And pretending to care about local issues is what the BNP's good at.
Labour could easily lose a seat in Droylsden East next May. If they do it will be their own fault. I wouldnt' like the BNP to win, because they're the only people I hate more than Labour, but voters want councillors who will take care of the practical business of keeping the town running smoothly, instead of patronising them with rubbish like this. If you don't believe me about hwo bad the local Labour group are have a look at thier blog and make your own mind up:
http://www.droylsdeneastlabour.blogspot.com/
Almost anyone with a decent campaign could beat them.
Sunday 27 September 2009
With friends like Molyneux, who needs enemies?
According to Canadian anarcho-capitalist Stefan Molyneux, the election of any Libertarian political administration will be a "disaster" that will set back the cause of liberty by decades, if not hundreds of years.
If one thing is obvious from this video, its that Molyneux loves his Straw Men. He has to draw an absurd caricature of Limited Government advocates in order to convince us to give up politics and start wagging our fingers at politicians instead.
As we all know, finger wagging and saying "YOU'RE EVIL" in a really stern voice is the best way to combat the police state.
He admits candidly that we are "not going to see anarchy in our lifetimes". So far, so good. If you he would just admit that we are not going to see anarchy anytime before the sun expands into a red giant and scorches the Earth into a burnt cinder we would be in complete agreement.
In order to arrive at absurd conclusions, Molyneux needs to start with some absurd and counter-factual premises:
1. Limited Government advocates want to use government to reduce government.
Apparently, Molyneux has never heard of the Militia Movement in the United States.
He chooses to ignore the fact that private citizens in America are arming themselves at record levels since Obama was sworn in. They are not planning to initiate force against the government, but they are ready to actively resist any dictatorial measures imposed.
Molyneux forgets that the militia and "WE THE PEOPLE" are specifically mentioned in the US constitution as THE check on government abuses. The separation of powers within government is only a minor detail by comparison.
As Thomas Jefferson pointed out, when the people fear the government there is tyranny, but when government FEARS THE PEOPLE there is liberty.
Resistance to government itself must lie OUTSIDE government and translates itself into civil disobediance (e.g. nonpayment of taxes), peaceful protest (demos) and (in extremis) armed resistance.
2. Government hasn't got any smaller anywhere, ever.
Strangely enough, there was no mention of the Soviet Union and its east European satellites in Molyneux's rant. I wonder why?
In terms of "big government" you can't get much bigger than 100% of all legal commerce, right?
Yet the almighty Soviet Bloc collapsed. The state actually GOT SMALLER.
It is also really odd that Molyneux never mentions Somalia in his diatribe. If any country has come close to having "no government", the post Siad Barre chapter in Somalia's history is a fascinating study of what happens when a power vacuum arises.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchy_in_Somalia
3. "Kindergarden Ethics" is a guide to human behaviour.
Don't initiate force against others. Don't steal. If only everyone would live by those two maxims, there would be no need for a state, opines Molyneux.
Quite so, and if my uncle was a woman, he would be my auntie. What does that prove?
Anarchists forget that Kindergarden Ethics didn't even work in Kindergarden. Ethics is the benchmark of human behaviour, not an analysis of how people actually behave.
MOTIVE and OPPORTUNITY are the key principles for understanding human behaviour. Not ethics.
If I am determined to steal Molyneux's wallet, no ammount of moralising will persuade me not to.
He can wag his finger at me, tell me not to steal, look me in the eye and call me "EVIL" all he likes, but unless he PHYSICALLY PREVENTS ME from stealing his wallet or there is some other form of SANCTION or countervailing THREAT, I'll do it.
For all the flaws in this video, he does make ONE very good point. That point is that the existing state institutions have embedded themselves so deeply in society that reform is no easy task.
If one thing is obvious from this video, its that Molyneux loves his Straw Men. He has to draw an absurd caricature of Limited Government advocates in order to convince us to give up politics and start wagging our fingers at politicians instead.
As we all know, finger wagging and saying "YOU'RE EVIL" in a really stern voice is the best way to combat the police state.
He admits candidly that we are "not going to see anarchy in our lifetimes". So far, so good. If you he would just admit that we are not going to see anarchy anytime before the sun expands into a red giant and scorches the Earth into a burnt cinder we would be in complete agreement.
In order to arrive at absurd conclusions, Molyneux needs to start with some absurd and counter-factual premises:
1. Limited Government advocates want to use government to reduce government.
Apparently, Molyneux has never heard of the Militia Movement in the United States.
He chooses to ignore the fact that private citizens in America are arming themselves at record levels since Obama was sworn in. They are not planning to initiate force against the government, but they are ready to actively resist any dictatorial measures imposed.
Molyneux forgets that the militia and "WE THE PEOPLE" are specifically mentioned in the US constitution as THE check on government abuses. The separation of powers within government is only a minor detail by comparison.
As Thomas Jefferson pointed out, when the people fear the government there is tyranny, but when government FEARS THE PEOPLE there is liberty.
Resistance to government itself must lie OUTSIDE government and translates itself into civil disobediance (e.g. nonpayment of taxes), peaceful protest (demos) and (in extremis) armed resistance.
2. Government hasn't got any smaller anywhere, ever.
Strangely enough, there was no mention of the Soviet Union and its east European satellites in Molyneux's rant. I wonder why?
In terms of "big government" you can't get much bigger than 100% of all legal commerce, right?
Yet the almighty Soviet Bloc collapsed. The state actually GOT SMALLER.
It is also really odd that Molyneux never mentions Somalia in his diatribe. If any country has come close to having "no government", the post Siad Barre chapter in Somalia's history is a fascinating study of what happens when a power vacuum arises.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchy_in_Somalia
3. "Kindergarden Ethics" is a guide to human behaviour.
Don't initiate force against others. Don't steal. If only everyone would live by those two maxims, there would be no need for a state, opines Molyneux.
Quite so, and if my uncle was a woman, he would be my auntie. What does that prove?
Anarchists forget that Kindergarden Ethics didn't even work in Kindergarden. Ethics is the benchmark of human behaviour, not an analysis of how people actually behave.
MOTIVE and OPPORTUNITY are the key principles for understanding human behaviour. Not ethics.
If I am determined to steal Molyneux's wallet, no ammount of moralising will persuade me not to.
He can wag his finger at me, tell me not to steal, look me in the eye and call me "EVIL" all he likes, but unless he PHYSICALLY PREVENTS ME from stealing his wallet or there is some other form of SANCTION or countervailing THREAT, I'll do it.
For all the flaws in this video, he does make ONE very good point. That point is that the existing state institutions have embedded themselves so deeply in society that reform is no easy task.
Friday 25 September 2009
Abundance Manchester
"Abundance Manchester is a project which picks surplus or unwanted fruit from gardens and public trees around South Manchester and distributes it to local groups and communities. We also collect and distribute surplus vegetables from allotments and we have started our own Abundance allotment to grow our own food to donate to groups who can make good use of it."
I saw this group featured on the local news last night. This is the sort of local, voluntary initiative that libertarians tend to be quite keen on promoting. It seems that the generally good weather this year has led to a bumper crop of fruit and veg, so it seems a good idea to help to distribute some of the surplus to those who can make use of it. And it's the kind of thing that has to be done by private citizens independently of the state - if someone had gone to Manchester City Council with a proposal for scheme like this, I'm pretty sure they would have spent weeks - or even months - debating what to do, while the fruit and veg rotted. Instead, these guys have used their initiative to set up a potentially useful service. Their politics seem to be coming from a "green" angle, but they are giving food to outfits like the Salvation Army, so who cares? Good luck to them. If you want to know more about them, click on this link to visit their blog. There also seem to be "Abundance" groups set up in a few other cities round the country, maybe it's an idea that will catch on.
I saw this group featured on the local news last night. This is the sort of local, voluntary initiative that libertarians tend to be quite keen on promoting. It seems that the generally good weather this year has led to a bumper crop of fruit and veg, so it seems a good idea to help to distribute some of the surplus to those who can make use of it. And it's the kind of thing that has to be done by private citizens independently of the state - if someone had gone to Manchester City Council with a proposal for scheme like this, I'm pretty sure they would have spent weeks - or even months - debating what to do, while the fruit and veg rotted. Instead, these guys have used their initiative to set up a potentially useful service. Their politics seem to be coming from a "green" angle, but they are giving food to outfits like the Salvation Army, so who cares? Good luck to them. If you want to know more about them, click on this link to visit their blog. There also seem to be "Abundance" groups set up in a few other cities round the country, maybe it's an idea that will catch on.
Thursday 24 September 2009
Independent Safeguarding Authority
The Independent Safeguarding Authority is the government's latest tool in its imposition of a police state. It was set up in response to the Bichard inquiry into the Soham murders which means that the gullible will fall for it assuming it will protect children. It won't, but will further increase the surveillance/database state that is slowly imprisoning us.
To put it into some context here is an article in The Times by Chris Stevenson, a senior detective in the Soham investigation. He has a sense of perspective on the current paranoia that those of us fortunate enough to have never seen the things that he had to see, could learn a great deal from. Especially the 'nothing to hide nothing to fear' brigade.
It means that anybody wanting to work or volunteer with vulnerable people, children or adults, will have to be registered with the ISA as well as having a police check. Here is how the ISA website describes it:
This document is particularly worth looking at:
Guidance Notes for the Barring Decision Making Process
Even an acquittal in court can be ignored if the ISA decide they don't like the cut of your jib:
There is also a facility for people to report others to the ISA if they think they may be 'a bit dodgy' and it will be investigated.
The problem is that under the scheme almost everybody is classed as 'vulnerable'.
Under the scheme anybody not registered with the ISA will not be allowed to even apply to work with 'vulnerable people'. That means doctors, nurses, youth workers, social workers, charity workers etc., etc.
Even if a school has organised an exchange visit, the school will have to ensure that at least one parent hosting a foreign pupil is registered with the ISA.
I suggest, if you value your freedom, or what's left of it, you support No2ID.
No2ID is an excellent campaign but there is also a political party fighting to restore our freedoms, the Libertarian Party.
To put it into some context here is an article in The Times by Chris Stevenson, a senior detective in the Soham investigation. He has a sense of perspective on the current paranoia that those of us fortunate enough to have never seen the things that he had to see, could learn a great deal from. Especially the 'nothing to hide nothing to fear' brigade.
It means that anybody wanting to work or volunteer with vulnerable people, children or adults, will have to be registered with the ISA as well as having a police check. Here is how the ISA website describes it:
The new Vetting and Barring Scheme will operate under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and under Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 in its application to Northern Ireland. It will replace the current List 99, PoCA, PoVA, POCVA, Unsuitable Persons and Disqualification Orders regimes.
Once the scheme is fully rolled out (there will be a phased introduction), it will be illegal to hire in regulated activity someone, who is not registered with the ISA. The new scheme will cover employees and volunteers in for example the education, care and health sectors who come into contact with children or vulnerable adults on a frequent or intensive basis and, when fully implemented, will affect some 11.3 million people.
This document is particularly worth looking at:
Guidance Notes for the Barring Decision Making Process
Even an acquittal in court can be ignored if the ISA decide they don't like the cut of your jib:
5.6. Acquittals
5.6.1.
There could be any number of reasons why a person charged with an offence is acquitted: perhaps the victim decided not to testify and the CPS (Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland) had to withdraw the case; perhaps the acquittal was based on a technicality; and even where a jury has found someone not guilty of having done something, you must always remember that, at most, this means is that the court did not find that someone did something “beyond a reasonable doubt” (the criminal standard of proof). The test applied by the ISA in relation to barring considerations is ‘on the balance of probability’ (the civil standard of proof). Therefore, even if there has been an acquittal, the ISA must still consider the case for itself on the basis of the balance of probabilities. A barring decision can, therefore, be made, having regard to all the circumstances, if the ISA is satisfied that the events concerned happened, on the balance of probabilities, notwithstanding an acquittal at court. This could become even more relevant where the substance of the offence or the attendant circumstances give cause for concern.
There is also a facility for people to report others to the ISA if they think they may be 'a bit dodgy' and it will be investigated.
The problem is that under the scheme almost everybody is classed as 'vulnerable'.
Under the scheme anybody not registered with the ISA will not be allowed to even apply to work with 'vulnerable people'. That means doctors, nurses, youth workers, social workers, charity workers etc., etc.
Even if a school has organised an exchange visit, the school will have to ensure that at least one parent hosting a foreign pupil is registered with the ISA.
I suggest, if you value your freedom, or what's left of it, you support No2ID.
No2ID is an excellent campaign but there is also a political party fighting to restore our freedoms, the Libertarian Party.
Wednesday 23 September 2009
North West Meeting
Just a reminder that our next North West meeting is on Sunday (27 Sep) in Carnforth at the Royal Station Hotel, Market Street.
We will be joined by new Libertarian Party councillor Gavin Webb from Stoke-on-Trent.
We start at 12-30 and the Station Hotel does good food so feel free to bring friends, loved ones and others. All are most welcome, not just party members.
We will be joined by new Libertarian Party councillor Gavin Webb from Stoke-on-Trent.
We start at 12-30 and the Station Hotel does good food so feel free to bring friends, loved ones and others. All are most welcome, not just party members.
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Gavin Webb crosses floor to join Libertarian Party
PRESS RELEASE
COUNCILLOR GAVIN WEBB OF STOKE ON TRENT CITY COUNCIL RESIGNS FROM THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS AND JOINS THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY (LPUK)
Gavin Webb, who was selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Burton in 2008 and elected as a Lib Dem councillor on Stoke-on-Trent City Council in 2007, has today announced that he has resigned from the Liberal Democrats.
He says: "I have made a good many friends in my fourteen years of activism in the Liberal Democrats and I hope that those friendships will continue, but regretfully I have decided to resign from the Liberal Democrats.
"The party, like the Conservative and Labour parties, has become a party of the establishment. It has unfortunately firmly wedded itself to the belief that there are primarily government solutions to the problems facing our country, and in the process, they are adopting policies that undermine our rights and freedoms as individuals.
"As far as I can see, most political parties in the UK appear to trust individuals when it comes to voting for councillors, MPs and MEPs, but once comfortably in power they are reluctant to trust individuals when it comes to them making choices about their own lives.
"There is however one political party - the Libertarian Party - that believes in giving responsibility back to individuals over their own lives and their own finances; and it is this party that I have now decided to join.
"We are on the road of authoritarianism, where government is our ruler rather than us being the ruler of our government. It is time for each and every single one of us to make a stand against government and those who feed off it, and demand the reduction of its size and scope.
"From what I've seen from many Lib Dem parliamentarians and councillors I don't believe the Liberal Democrat Party has the inclination to argue for smaller government in defence of our individual rights.
"Though there are some good classical liberal and libertarian types in the party, with whom I hope to continue to have a good relationship, their voices are crowded out by people who believe it perfectly okay to dictate to people how they should live their lives. I don't wish any longer to be a part of that.
"As an active member of the Libertarian Party, I will campaign to inform people that there are more voluntary, rather than coercive ways in which to influence positive outcomes for themselves, their families and the wider community. I hope to impress upon people that though there may be a need for government of some sort, it doesn't have to be government of the size and expense we see today.
Libertarian Party Leader Ian Parker- Joseph said
It has been a pleasure over the past months to speak with Gavin on numerous occasions, and following a meeting with him last month can attest to his personal commitment to the libertarian values on which he was elected, a man of honour, integrity and a passion for doing the right thing for his constituents.
I am therefore very pleased on behalf of The Libertarian Party to welcome Gavin Webb into the only party that wholly and uniquely stands for libertarian ideals in the UK.
I know that there is a great sadness from Gavin that the Liberal Democrat leadership were unable to rise to the challenge of veering away from the belief that the State has the answers to all our ills. It is a sadness shared by many.
In that light I hope that there are many more who now see the time as right to make the same changes that Gavin Webb has undertaken, not just from the Lib Dems but also those in the Conservative Libertarian wing who are unsuccessfully looking for reforms that will never come, and instead to look to a party that believes in libertarianism as a way of life, rather than one which merely gives lip service to it.
The Libertarian Party is here to stay, and new members such as Gavin Webb can only enhance the message that his constituents so clearly wanted to hear, and that Gavin Webb is living on their behalf.
Libertarian Party Chairman Andrew Withers said-
"Whilst we have a number of Parish and Town Councillors, Gavin is the first City Councillor that has crossed the floor to a truly Radical Party, one that wants to change the relationship between State and the Individual to the point where the State is subordinate to the will of the people, not the people subordinate to the will of the State.
Furthermore, the Libertarian Party argues that State should be small and accountable.
"We welcome Gavin, and hope that his decision will galvanise other Libertarians in other parties to join with us on the long march back to individual Liberty."
ENDS
Gavin Webb Can Be Contacted On 07949 026660
Libertarian Party (LPUK) 0845 299 7650
Email Contact@lpuk.org
Monday 24 August 2009
North West Monthly Meetups
I had a bit of a longish drive from Manchester to Carnforth (near Lancaster) yesterday, for the latest meetup of Libertarian Party members in the North West of England. Although it wasn't a very big group that met there yesterday, it's always good to meet fellow Libertarians.
While sampling the beer in the bar of the Royal Station Hotel, we had some constructive discussions on the subject of organisation, and especially how we're going to support Gregg Beaman's campaign as our candidate for the Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency in the General Election.
We've also agreed to make Carnforth the venue of our regular monthly regional meetups on the last Sunday of each month, starting on the 27th September. These will be in the bar of the Royal Station Hotel (right across the road from the famous train station), starting about 12.30pm and finishing whenever people get bored or run out of beer money. The Royal Station Hotel is a nice boozer with friendly staff, and they serve really good food.
The meetups will be pretty informal. The North West branch of the Libertarian Party (which covers Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria) currently functions as a loose association of members in the region, but holding regular meetups is an important step towards becoming a properly constituted Branch with a constitution and elected officers. We also expect to start some campaigning activities in the near future.
As I said, these meetups are pretty informal at the moment, and they are not just open to Libertarian Party members. Anyone who is interested in living in a more liberal Britain and wants to see what we're about is welcome to come. So if you're within travelling distance of Carnforth on the last Sunday of every month (starting 27th September 2009), why not come and say hello? Free thinking people will always be welcome, and you may even decide you like us so much you want to join us!
While sampling the beer in the bar of the Royal Station Hotel, we had some constructive discussions on the subject of organisation, and especially how we're going to support Gregg Beaman's campaign as our candidate for the Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency in the General Election.
We've also agreed to make Carnforth the venue of our regular monthly regional meetups on the last Sunday of each month, starting on the 27th September. These will be in the bar of the Royal Station Hotel (right across the road from the famous train station), starting about 12.30pm and finishing whenever people get bored or run out of beer money. The Royal Station Hotel is a nice boozer with friendly staff, and they serve really good food.
The meetups will be pretty informal. The North West branch of the Libertarian Party (which covers Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria) currently functions as a loose association of members in the region, but holding regular meetups is an important step towards becoming a properly constituted Branch with a constitution and elected officers. We also expect to start some campaigning activities in the near future.
As I said, these meetups are pretty informal at the moment, and they are not just open to Libertarian Party members. Anyone who is interested in living in a more liberal Britain and wants to see what we're about is welcome to come. So if you're within travelling distance of Carnforth on the last Sunday of every month (starting 27th September 2009), why not come and say hello? Free thinking people will always be welcome, and you may even decide you like us so much you want to join us!
Saturday 8 August 2009
Government CCTV cameras in UK homes.
American Libertarians like Jason Bermas are well and truly freaked out by the Daily Express story that the UK government is planning to put 20,000 CCTV cameras into the homes of families who have been sucked into the orbit of the all powerful Social Workers.
Weirdly though, Brits don't seem to care. Are we all too drunk to notice? Too much flouride in the drinking water perhaps? How did we get so passive and compliant in this country?
Total non-cooperation and non-compliance is the only sane and rational way to deal with Social Services.
Weirdly though, Brits don't seem to care. Are we all too drunk to notice? Too much flouride in the drinking water perhaps? How did we get so passive and compliant in this country?
Total non-cooperation and non-compliance is the only sane and rational way to deal with Social Services.
Wednesday 5 August 2009
How did you know?
I was surprised to be invited to contribute to the North West Libertarians blog. Here am I, an established Muscovite. I haven't lived in the North West since I was a boy. Nonetheless, it's home. My wife and I have owned a house there for a few years now, which is our pied a terre in Britain. Family connections, deep behind Labour lines, are the reason the "New Labour" con has never fooled me. Visiting our families is what keeps me in touch with the relentless loss of liberties in recent years.
Every time I visit, the border police at Manchester Airport are just a tad more surly and insolent, as are all the "public servants" who now see themselves as our true masters. If I had never met a "tip Nazi", I would not have believed how arrogant the humblest public servants have become.
For my first post, all I want to say is this. I am delighted there are libertarians there at all. When I was growing up, most political dissidents from Labour were to that party's left. The local Tories were a dispirited (not to mention, statist and paternalistic) bunch. Growing up there in the 60s and 70s I never met a North Westerner who didn't believe in the benevolence of the state. I am sure there must have been some, but they were probably keeping their heads down. Well they might. On the night of Margaret Thatcher's first general election victory, my dad and I stood at the bar of our "local", as one neighbour said to another,
You truly live behind enemy lines. I salute you!
Every time I visit, the border police at Manchester Airport are just a tad more surly and insolent, as are all the "public servants" who now see themselves as our true masters. If I had never met a "tip Nazi", I would not have believed how arrogant the humblest public servants have become.
For my first post, all I want to say is this. I am delighted there are libertarians there at all. When I was growing up, most political dissidents from Labour were to that party's left. The local Tories were a dispirited (not to mention, statist and paternalistic) bunch. Growing up there in the 60s and 70s I never met a North Westerner who didn't believe in the benevolence of the state. I am sure there must have been some, but they were probably keeping their heads down. Well they might. On the night of Margaret Thatcher's first general election victory, my dad and I stood at the bar of our "local", as one neighbour said to another,
"How can she have won? I've never even met a ****ing Tory!"I remember the Labour councillor who ran the local newsagents smugly smirking as he said to his wife about me; "look how big and strong these lads grow up under the Welfare State". I pointed out, to his annoyance, that my grandad was as tall, though born before Labour was founded, still less the Welfare State. I am sure his faith was entirely unshaken. His main reaction was shock that anyone should say such a scandalous thing.
You truly live behind enemy lines. I salute you!
Sunday 2 August 2009
Peter Schiff's "Crash Proof" is now on scribd.
Of all the basic free-to-download economics books that I would recommend to the lay reader, this one is at the top of my list.
It is important to remember that this book was written in 2006 and published in 2007. Explaining anything with the benefit of hindsight is easy. Laying out the future is more difficult.
The author is long on clarity/common sense and short on jargon and verbiage. Although the title suggests an investment guide, only the last few chapters give specific advice on stocks, bonds, commodities, etc. The bulk of the book outlines why our post-industrial "service economy" is a giant fraud.
It is important to remember that this book was written in 2006 and published in 2007. Explaining anything with the benefit of hindsight is easy. Laying out the future is more difficult.
The author is long on clarity/common sense and short on jargon and verbiage. Although the title suggests an investment guide, only the last few chapters give specific advice on stocks, bonds, commodities, etc. The bulk of the book outlines why our post-industrial "service economy" is a giant fraud.
Wednesday 15 July 2009
Today Europe, Tomorrow Oblivion!
The mainstream media's made a bit of a fuss today about Nasty Nick Griffin taking his seat in the European Clown Parliament. Certainly his loyal followers who worked almost as hard to get him there as the media will have been celebrating:
But so what? Personally, I'm not going to lose any sleep over the fact that the North West is now partly "represented" in the clown parliament by this fascist knuckle dragger. What's he going to do, set up the Fourth Reich almost single-handed? Even if he had a majority of MEPs instead of just one, he still wouldn't have the ability to do any real harm. The European Parliament is almost powerless and only exists to provide a democratic veneer to the bureacratic swamp that is the European Union.
The only practical result of Nutty Nick becoming an MEP is that he's not going to be showing his face much in Britain for the next few years, which is OK by me (and probably with his rivals in the BNP). Instead he'll be alternating between Brussells and Strasbourg, pretending to be a serious politician and no doubt taking the opportunity to stuff his pockets with whatever expenses and other goodies are available. Let him strut around pretending he actually is someone in the fantasy parliament - personally I prefer to stick to real politics in the real world.
In ten years time, will anyone even remember Nick Griffin?
But so what? Personally, I'm not going to lose any sleep over the fact that the North West is now partly "represented" in the clown parliament by this fascist knuckle dragger. What's he going to do, set up the Fourth Reich almost single-handed? Even if he had a majority of MEPs instead of just one, he still wouldn't have the ability to do any real harm. The European Parliament is almost powerless and only exists to provide a democratic veneer to the bureacratic swamp that is the European Union.
The only practical result of Nutty Nick becoming an MEP is that he's not going to be showing his face much in Britain for the next few years, which is OK by me (and probably with his rivals in the BNP). Instead he'll be alternating between Brussells and Strasbourg, pretending to be a serious politician and no doubt taking the opportunity to stuff his pockets with whatever expenses and other goodies are available. Let him strut around pretending he actually is someone in the fantasy parliament - personally I prefer to stick to real politics in the real world.
In ten years time, will anyone even remember Nick Griffin?
Tuesday 14 July 2009
IanPJ speech to Parliamentary Conference on Global Economic meltdown
As Leader of the Libertarian Party UK, I had the pleasure yesterday (Monday 13th July) to spend the day at Westminster, attending as a speaker the Parliamentary Conference on Global Financial and Economic Meltdown.
This lively event, hosted by Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich was held in Committee rooms 3 and 4a in the House of Lords, and was organised jointly by Global Vision 2000 and the Universal Peace Federation UK.
There were a variety of speakers at this conference, including:
Dr.Nafeez Ahmed : Director, Institute for Policy Research and Development
Anne Belsey: Monetary Reform Party
Canon Peter Challen:Chairman, Christian Council for Monetary Justice
Kelvin Hopkins MP - Labour, Luton North
Ian Parker-Joseph Leader, Libertarian Party
Daud Pidcock: Global Vision 2000
David Triggs: Coalition for Economic Justice & Executive Chair, Henry George Foundation
Dr.Adrian Wrigley Systemic Fiscal Reform Group
Anne Belsey: Monetary Reform Party
Canon Peter Challen:Chairman, Christian Council for Monetary Justice
Kelvin Hopkins MP - Labour, Luton North
Ian Parker-Joseph Leader, Libertarian Party
Daud Pidcock: Global Vision 2000
David Triggs: Coalition for Economic Justice & Executive Chair, Henry George Foundation
Dr.Adrian Wrigley Systemic Fiscal Reform Group
The full text of the 10 minute speech given by myself is below, although much of the presentation was interspersed with ad hoc examples and comments,
the Monetary Reform solution was presented in the Q&A session due to time constraints.
At no time in history has any individual had such a wealth of information at their fingertips. With this in mind, you would think it would be easy to take the pulse of the global economy but at no time in history has the global economy been so rich, varied, and rapid.Business systems of increasing complexity govern our lives in ways the classic economists could never have envisaged. Entire industries collapse without anything tangible ever disrupting supply chains and nations fall bankrupt on the "market confidence" of Wall Street traders. We live in a world of inconceivable numbers and we live in blissful ignorance of business and financial practices we never knew existed… until they go spectacularly wrong.No government can ever control an economy. All those who have sought to do so have destroyed it. One can only manage ones' responses to events in it. While we may like to gear our economy in a certain way, our economies do not run in isolation of each other. Thanks to globalisation and the internet we are inextricably linked and we cannot pretend otherwise. Which is why the proposals that I will put forward later will cover both domestic and international economics.As world leaders try to move us ever closer towards international regulations and international bodies of control, there is only one constant.Systems,Systems of whatever type, inevitably fail… be they computer systems, regulatory systems or currency systems. This presents the immediate reality that if we use only one system then when it fails, we all fail. And we all fail at the same time.Undeterred by this reality it has not prevented our leaders from seeking to standardise, make uniform and equalise our systems. But each society has its own unique perspectives and interests, any such common systems require either a democracy bypass or compromise which fundamentally weakens the basis of the system. In global banking we have seen both.We have also witnessed institutional schizophrenia whereby one regulator does not know what the other is doing or even what it is for, and our politicians do not know the extent of their powers or to whom the real power belongs.What we saw last year was the culmination of national, regional and global government intervening in things they do not understand and cannot control.The oft quoted cause of this crisis is "irresponsible lending" and "excessive risk" by "greedy bankers". But that is only half way to the truth.The credit crunch is a failure of global regulation as a tool, leading to the construction of castles on a foundation of jelly, such international regulation is now wholly discredited.
Risk is its own regulator when governments do not seek to meddle, and had we retained control of our own regulation, the crisis here need not have hit us as hard as it did.
We are all aware of the disposal of the assets that US banks were legally obliged to create under the Community Reinvestment Act, creating loans worth more than their balance sheets. This put a direct freeze on interbank lending. This subsequent freeze in capital flow sent shockwaves through the markets resulting in instant paralysis.Subsequently we were forced by circumstance to take a leap of faith that bailouts would restore market confidence and jumpstart interbank lending. Whether or not this has worked is, frankly, anyone's guess.There are conflicting signal signs and while there may be room for optimism we have been warned by the IMF this week that Britain cannot afford another bailout, which may yet be necessary. Among all the talk of "green shoots of recovery" the fear is that we will enter a double dip recession. The contraction of the job market further could lead to bigger credit defaults, not least on credit card debt which is now outstripping our GDP.
Our present administration has taken it upon itself to bailout everything that so much as squeaks. This is a path to economic suicide.
Even if such measures worked, this is all a sticking plaster at best. Present policy is predicated on the idea that a debt based economy is sustainable and desirable. It is not. UK Plc needs to be producing and exporting, earning money from overseas.The Domestic Economy needs to be stimulated from the bottom up not the top down. Economies are sustained by the ability of the purchasing public to earn, save and spend, consuming the products that the factories produce.There is little point in bailing out a failing car manufacturer to see them make cars that they cannot sell.Put simply it is not capitalism that has failed, it is creditism. Capitalism was designed to work on capital, but it has been distorted and altered to rely on credit, spend now pay later.It is that this debt based economic model that has now found its way into every layer of society from consumer, retailer, producer to government, all totally reliant upon credit, is the primary reason why a single system failure, in this case interbank lending, stopped everything dead in its tracks.Having sold off our gold reserves, raided our pension funds and squandered the money, there was nothing to fall back on, and we have allowed the backbone of the country, the wealth creators, the small to medium enterprise to be drowned in a sea of compliance, regulation and taxes which are crippling our ability to compete, and consequently we have a shrinking productive sector in a country that is spending ever more.Nations, markets and individuals are stronger through diversity than homogenised cultures, regulatory systems and governments.With this in mind we must reform to ensure our money is real and that our future is built on more than just an I.O.U note to the world bank.Real Money, not borrowings, is the core of the economy. It belongs to those to earn and spend it, the wealth creators, not merely to those who currently create money or manage it.But that is only a beginning.Total Reform of the monetary system, I propose Three planks – Sterling, Sovereign and Free BankingFirstly, we will return the sovereignty of our national currency—pounds Sterling—to the Crown, removing the privilege of creating money from the private banking industry, with new Sterling being created, debt-free, by the government, and thence spent into the broader economy. The amount of Sterling in circulation will be prevented from being expanded through FRB, stopping bank generated inflationary spirals developing, and keeping the value of your savings safe.Secondly, we will create a new currency, pounds Sovereign, to be 100% backed by gold. Still vital for international trade, a gold-backed currency will be immensely strong, and help protect the UK from the storms and squalls that sometimes rip through international markets. This kind of currency will also attract investment from overseas into the UK.Thirdly, allow for the creation of free banks. Free Banks would be completely free of any government interference or regulation. If these prove popular with the market—the citizens of our nation—they will grow and prosper, choosing to embrace FRB if it wished with their own currencies (HSBC peso or Natwest dollars) possibly supplanting Sterling as the primary means of exchange on a day-to-day basis. However, and should they fail, such failure will not impact on anyone who chooses to keep their banking facilities purely denominated in pounds Sterling. In this way a genuine free market in banking will be able to be tried, without the risks being spread over the general population, or the nation as a whole.I believe that the proposals outlined above are sound and necessary. Our existing banking system has been creaking from one crisis to the next over many years, and has only remained unchallenged because of the enormous influence that those who most benefit from it—the private bankers—wield over our elected politicians.
I am happy that some of the Libertarian Party policies outlined in our manifesto (http://lpuk.org/pages/manifesto.php) are beginning to find traction in Westminster, and that my contribution reaffirmed the consensus view with those voices who shared this platform with me yesterday.
.
Sunday 12 July 2009
The Elephant in the Armoured Personnel Carrier
Just as a complete ignorance of economics is practically a requirement for anyone appearing on British TV or Radio News, there is one thesis on armed conflict between states that will never even get a mention on the mainstream media.
That thesis was outlined in a pamphlet called "War Is A Racket". It was written by US Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler before the outbreak of World War Two.
Apparently, John Humphries hasn't read "War is a Racket". Neither has Jeremy Paxman. Actually, no-one on TV or Radio is willing to ask about the "Elephant in the Armoured Personnel Carrier". I wonder why?
In the World War [I] a mere handful garnered the profits of the conflict. At least 21,000 new millionaires and billionaires were made in the United States during the World War. That many admitted their huge blood gains in their income tax returns. How many other war millionaires falsified their tax returns no one knows. How many of these war millionaires shouldered a rifle? How many of them dug a trench? How many of them knew what it meant to go hungry in a rat-infested dug-out? How many of them spent sleepless, frightened nights, ducking shells and shrapnel and machine gun bullets? How many of them parried a bayonet thrust of an enemy? How many of them were wounded or killed in battle?
Do "our boys" need some new expensive kit? To fight the terrorists and keep the world safe for democracy so that Afghan girls can go to school? Money is no object. Hang the cost. Sacrifices must be made. Shut up and keep paying!
That thesis was outlined in a pamphlet called "War Is A Racket". It was written by US Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler before the outbreak of World War Two.
Apparently, John Humphries hasn't read "War is a Racket". Neither has Jeremy Paxman. Actually, no-one on TV or Radio is willing to ask about the "Elephant in the Armoured Personnel Carrier". I wonder why?
In the World War [I] a mere handful garnered the profits of the conflict. At least 21,000 new millionaires and billionaires were made in the United States during the World War. That many admitted their huge blood gains in their income tax returns. How many other war millionaires falsified their tax returns no one knows. How many of these war millionaires shouldered a rifle? How many of them dug a trench? How many of them knew what it meant to go hungry in a rat-infested dug-out? How many of them spent sleepless, frightened nights, ducking shells and shrapnel and machine gun bullets? How many of them parried a bayonet thrust of an enemy? How many of them were wounded or killed in battle?
Do "our boys" need some new expensive kit? To fight the terrorists and keep the world safe for democracy so that Afghan girls can go to school? Money is no object. Hang the cost. Sacrifices must be made. Shut up and keep paying!
Friday 10 July 2009
Crumbs From Our Masters' Table
The Manchester Evening News reports that Manchester City Council are considering giving a one-off “handout” of fifty pounds to each householder in the city, supposedly in order to help people cope with the effects of the recession. This “handout” should really be referred to as a “handback”, since the money was originally extorted from the taxpayers – if this payment materialises at all, it won't be coming out of the councillors' pockets, it will simply be the return of a very small amount of our own money. It seems that this idea was originated by the “Liberal” Democrats and that their spiritual brothers in the Labour group have agreed to consider it – no doubt both parties believe that this gimick will buy them a few extra votes in the local elections next year.
The MEN goes on to report that the council underspent by 6.8 million pounds last year, and that the current low interest rates mean that the council's debt repayments have been dramatically reduced. That sounds like good news – so why did Council Tax go up again this year? Manchester's sky-high Council Tax is a major burden on the working poor in this town, especially those who are in debt and whose job prospects are uncertain – a large proportion of the population, in other words. Council Tax is an extremely unjust tax that has no relation to the individual's ability to pay, and therefore a Libertarian government would replace it with a tax on luxury goods. Obviously local councils have no power to do that, but the first priority of any responsible local politician should be to keep the burden of taxation to the absolute minimum necessary, consistent with keeping the council's core functions properly funded. Unfortunately, the Establishment parties think of your money as being theirs to spend as they choose. Like oldtime feudal lords, they'll throw some alms back to the poor and hope you don't notice that one of the reasons you are poor is the crushing burden of taxation that they impose on you.
The Libertarian Party recognises that your money is yours by right – it's what you've worked for, and the council has no right to take more than it needs. When the Libertarian Party has its own elected councillors, they will work to ensure that Council Tax is kept as low as it can be – frozen at least, reduced if possible. That one simple act of stealing a bit less money from the taxpayers is the best thing that the council can do to help the honest working people of Manchester.
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Press Release 7th July 2009
NEWS RELEASE
Libertarian Party fields
youngest ever parliamentary candidate
at Norwich North
Thomas Burridge, aged 18, is the Libertarian Party candidate for the upcoming Norwich North by-election, and is set to make history as the youngest person ever to contest a Westminster seat. Thomas was accepted offically by the Returning Officer today.
Thomas is aware that his age may raise a few eyebrows. “People may ask what can I possibly know about anything at my age? Well, one thing I do know is that Labour excesses have left my generation with a massive debt that will take generations to pay off.” “It’s all the more painful because we were not given any say in the decisions that have forced us to spend the rest of our lives in debt.”
“Currently, the Tories and Labour are squabbling about cutting state spending by a pathetic 5 per cent. Whereas, the Libertarian Party want to scrap the whole rotten system. A system that has given us high personal taxes, squalid services and a corrupt parliament.” “I may not win this time, but I will be back in five years, and in another five years, if necessary. By which time, the guilty ones will be wallowing in their generous pensions – while my generation – The Debt Generation – will still be paying back the money that was squandered.”
The Libertarian Party believes in individual liberty, personal responsibility and freedom from government. Its most prominent policy is to scrap income tax, and transfer taxes to non-essential goods, leaving items such as food, heating and rent tax-free.
ENDS
For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact the Libertarian Party Norwich North Campaign Office on 01603 850573 or the media enquiries mobile on 07505 228618.
Further details are available on our campaign website: http://www.thomasburridge.com
Alternatively, visit the Libertarian Party website: http://www.lpuk.org
Libertarian Party fields
youngest ever parliamentary candidate
at Norwich North
Thomas Burridge, aged 18, is the Libertarian Party candidate for the upcoming Norwich North by-election, and is set to make history as the youngest person ever to contest a Westminster seat. Thomas was accepted offically by the Returning Officer today.
Thomas is aware that his age may raise a few eyebrows. “People may ask what can I possibly know about anything at my age? Well, one thing I do know is that Labour excesses have left my generation with a massive debt that will take generations to pay off.” “It’s all the more painful because we were not given any say in the decisions that have forced us to spend the rest of our lives in debt.”
“Currently, the Tories and Labour are squabbling about cutting state spending by a pathetic 5 per cent. Whereas, the Libertarian Party want to scrap the whole rotten system. A system that has given us high personal taxes, squalid services and a corrupt parliament.” “I may not win this time, but I will be back in five years, and in another five years, if necessary. By which time, the guilty ones will be wallowing in their generous pensions – while my generation – The Debt Generation – will still be paying back the money that was squandered.”
The Libertarian Party believes in individual liberty, personal responsibility and freedom from government. Its most prominent policy is to scrap income tax, and transfer taxes to non-essential goods, leaving items such as food, heating and rent tax-free.
ENDS
For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact the Libertarian Party Norwich North Campaign Office on 01603 850573 or the media enquiries mobile on 07505 228618.
Further details are available on our campaign website: http://www.thomasburridge.com
Alternatively, visit the Libertarian Party website: http://www.lpuk.org
Thursday 2 July 2009
Our First Candidate For Parliament
Following on from our recent campaign in Wisbech South, the Libertarian Party has put up its first candidate for Parliament, in the Norwich North by-election, to be held on 23 July. This is a major step forward for the Libertarian Party, and will give us more experience of running an election campaign prior to the General Election and next year's locals. The following was posted on the East Anglian Libertarians blog:
The battle lines are drawn in the Norwich North by-election fight to nab the seat left empty by Labour’s Ian Gibson, who was forced to resign over the MPs expenses scandal.
The odds-on favourite to win the hotly-contested seat, which will be fought on July 23rd, is 27-year-old Conservative Chloe Smith, who has fierce ambition for a career in politics written all over her (this isn’t a good thing, in case you were wondering).
The hapless Labour candidate, Chris Ostrowski, a member of Labour’s Christian Socialist movement (Christ, not more Christians), isn’t considered to have a hope in hell - even Gordon Brown is tetchily refusing to discuss his chances.
David Cameron, who has visited Norwich North twice to support Chloe Smith, thinks his party has the contest in the bag.
Well, I wouldn’t be so sure, Dave...
The Libertarians have come to town in the form of 18-year-old Thomas Burridge. He vows to make Chloe Smith and her brand of career Conservatism "history."
OK. He might not do it this time round. But the likes of Chloe Smith, who represent the "old guard" of professional politicians, will go the way of the dinosaurs one day (arguably in less than a decade).
Why?
Because no substance, image-only politicians like Chloe Smith (and her puppet master David Cameron) are NOT relevant to Britain’s society today. They are not interested in life experience. All they are after is a career in politics.
In other words, they have their sights on YOUR (tax) money. Yes, they might do a token job of cleaning up MPs expenses. But make no mistake, professional politicians like Chloe Smith and David Cameron will find a way of getting their "squeaky clean" mits on your tax dollars (I’d should have said pounds, but it never sounds as good).
Why are the Libertarians any different?
Because Libertarians do not believe in career politics. Nor do they believe in big, bloated government - local or national. They believe in low taxes and freedom of the individual to live his or her life as they choose, so long as it does not harm others in any way.
What’s more, Libertarians encourage self-reliance and entrepreneurship. Unlike the Tories and Labour, they don’t maintain a welfare system that makes if more lucrative for a million or more people to languish on incapacity benefits, rather than gain the self-respect of earning money through a job or by being self-employed.
But wait, the Norwich North Libertarian candidate is only 18...
You could argue that a kid of 18 hasn’t got any life experience. And you’d have a fair point. But if you bear in mind that 1 million 18-24 year olds in Britain have no training and no jobs, you could argue that Thomas Burridge is a valid spokesperson for his generation - unlike the Tory Cloe Smith who, as I’ve said, is merely looking to feather her nest as a professional politician.
Ian Parker-Joseph, leader of the Libertarian Party UK, puts it this way:
"One of the things that has been made clear, especially by the younger members of our party, is that the so called ’experts’, the ’professional politicians’ and the older generations have seriously let them down, left them with debts that they will probably never be able to repay and they are mightily hacked off about it.
"They now want their say, in the places that matter, in those places where the decisions are made, and Thomas is one such young man, who having now completed his exams in political studies is ready to stand up and be counted.
"It comes down to the old adage, If you keep voting the same, you will continue to get the same. So it is time for new, fresh faces with fresh ideas to come forward to keep these older politicians on their toes, to start putting forward policies that put the people first, that honestly take care of our rights, liberties and freedoms that the older generations of politicians have eroded, and are continuing to undermine and erode."
Lastly, all I can say is: Don’t vote for career politicians like Chloe Smith, they’ll only rip you off for yet more taxes (the Tories aren’t really the party of low taxes, any more than Labour is).
Instead, vote Libertarian. Vote for individual freedom. Be all that you can be.
Visit: http://www.lpuk.org/
Posted by Jimmy Lee Shreeve
And here's a statement from the man himself:
My name is Thomas Burridge and I am eighteen waiting to go to University, I am the Libertarian Party Candidate for Norwich North.
Most sensible people will be saying what the hell does he know about anything- This is what I do know the last twelve years of Labour has left my generation in massive debt, my generation will be paying off the excesses of the last twelve years for the rest of our lives,
not only my generation, by our as yet unborn children. Did we have any say in spending the rest of our lives in debt ? No we did not.
Currently the Tories and Labour are arguing about cutting a pifling 5% of our current bloated State spending. The LPUK are talking about scrapping the whole rotten system, that has given us high personal taxes, squalid services, a corrupt Parliament and starting again.
I may not win this time, but I will be back in five years, and in another five years and in another five years, by the then guilty ones will still be wallowing in their pensions or will be long dead, but the debt will be there.
I am from the Debt Generation only the LPUK has fresh answers from a new Generation.
Of course Thomas is only the first of many Libertarians who will be standing for Parliament in the near future, as well as local councils. More volunteers are putting themselves forward for the selection process all the time. But electioneering costs money, and we're not one of the big Establishment parties, backed by shadowy businessmen with deep pockets. What money we have is freely donated by ordinary people. We need more of everything, more members, more activists, more candidates and more money.
So if you believe in what we believe, if you want the government to keep its nose out of your business and its hands out of your pockets, join us.
Failing that, bung us some money.
Or, in the true spirit of capitalism, buy stuff from us.
The money will be put to good use fighting against the corrupt political class and restoring this country to its classical liberal roots.
And if you happen to live in Norwich North, don't forget to vote for Thomas Burridge, your Libertarian candidate - and a vote for the Libertarian Party is a vote for yourself.
So if you believe in what we believe, if you want the government to keep its nose out of your business and its hands out of your pockets, join us.
Failing that, bung us some money.
Or, in the true spirit of capitalism, buy stuff from us.
The money will be put to good use fighting against the corrupt political class and restoring this country to its classical liberal roots.
And if you happen to live in Norwich North, don't forget to vote for Thomas Burridge, your Libertarian candidate - and a vote for the Libertarian Party is a vote for yourself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)