Representative Government

'If Labour wins their victory will be hailed as evidence that Mr Brown has turned a political corner. If the SNP wins Mr Salmond will declare that he's proved wrong those who hailed the death of nationalism. It is a duel whose outcome will affect politics way beyond this part of Scotland'.

Who exactly will hail the victory as evidence that Brown has turned the political corner?

You see you can't have it both ways. Brown is not President, he is Prime Minister. Now the last time I looked nobody had actually voted for Brown to be Prime Minister, nobody will be voting for Brown in Glenrothes. I do not remember seeing his name on the ballot list, so it not a vote for Brown.

If the politicians or the political commentators hail it as victory for Brown then they will be wrong. In fact they will be very much off topic. You see Nick your comment is actually off topic, because the Glenrothes bye-election is not about the labour party or Gordon Brown it is about the people voting for an individual who will represent all the constituents in Westminster.

You and others might like to think that it is about Gordon only it isn't. It is about the democratic process, this is what is called representative government.

Analogy

Oh It's a silly boy I am then is it.

I have no problem at all. It is the irrefutable fact that if that is the sort of comment that can be brought to bear on me then I must be hitting some sort of cord.

Why do you seriously think that all we hear about from the Ministry of Defence is about the bravery of our soldiers, and how the reception for them is great when they return. That the Prime Minister always reads out the names of the dead so as to to put the Commons into a sombre mood.

Don't you know when you are being manipulated? At what point will he not read out the names, what would he have done if it had the battle of the Somme, read out 20,000 names? When did this convention of reading out names actually start, what is the point. That is wrong with Glenrothes, the real battles are being ignored.

It is the Scots who have borne terrible losses in our wars, and for what. We know we will be talking to the Taliban, that we will give them millions in aid, and that we don't really care who governs, as long as we don't have the pictures similar to those when America left Vietnam with helicopters leaving at the last moment. That is what is wrong with Gordon Brown electioneering in Scotland. He must not be allowed to set the agenda.

May I suggest that even though the BBC look out for off topic comments, are we allowed to use the analogy argument. Bit like irony though, most people don't

Topic

your moderaters are removing my comments because they are judged to be off topic. What I would say is that on this basis you will not be getting any meaningful comments because who decides what is on topic. A bye election in Scotland is the opportunity for the policy of the government, all aspects of government to be discussed.

If it is a referendum on Gordon Brown, as it must be because he is electioneering in a constituency, if labour wins they will say people do support Gordon Brown, if labour loses, they will say that the actions being taken by the government need time to effect peoples lives.

If a bye election is not the opportunity for people to register a vote against then why the interest, oh that's right there isn't any because all the heavyweights are in America covering a foreign election. Now what has Nick done to be the only one sent to Glenrothes, why are you there Nick.

Oh, and can we have another topic to dissect, maybe something about why MPs are taking such a long christmas break. More censorship, be afraid because who decides the topic, Mr de Menezes isn't worth comment I suppose.

Brown

Yes I do go on about the wars. Why, quite simply because they are a disgrace. We are meant to be bringing democracy and peace to these countries, before you realise it we will have concentration camps again, not like the ones in Nazi Germany, but the ones in South Africa when we tried to defeat the Boers. We invented the terrible things, we seem to think that the ends justify the means, they don't.

There are some out there who still believe in the utilitarian happiness principle, they are stupid, they always ignore the consequences. The consequences of our attack on Iraq have yet to be fully understood.

As for Brown, Dafur continues to suffer, DR Congo is turning into another humanitarian disaster, Afghanistan slips closeer to anarchy, America is almost at war with Pakistan, Turkey is still not criticised for incurssions into Iraq, Britain is banged up in Basra doing what nobody knows, India suffers from numerous bomb outrages. Brown, oh yes he complains about the price of petrol at the pumps, and he nationalises the banks but without any controls. The man is a, no I won't tell you what he is, I will now leave it to your imagination, that is if anybody still has one after all the dumbing down. Project Griffin.

Peston

heard that awful Robert Peston on the news at one on BBC. He used the term when discussing Barclays Bank about how they are 'putting up two fingers' to the government. Now this is an appalling standard of so called journalism, it is time that the BBC took this man under control, sack Robert Peston.

Of course Barclays Bank ought not to allow the British government to get involved in banking, where is the manifesto obligation, you know like the one where we were going to get a referendum on some issue or other now lost in the mists of time.

Troops Out Now

The media were wrong. When Harry wanted to be sent to Iraq, as an officer he has to follow orders and he was told that he was not to be sent because of the danger. He then through a tantrum and indicated that if he was not sent then he would leave the army.

On the basis that the media would not report anything he was sent to Afghanistan, because if they did he would not be sent. So, we have an officer in the army telling his superiors what he would do if they didn't comply with his wishes. Does nobody see anything wrong with this.

When he was in Afghanistan we saw him using a computer to call in an airstrike on people, so giving away to the world military secrets as to how we operate. Air strikes and Drones, Reaper and Predator. Furthermore, he was also filmed wearing a particularly offensive cap, I believe of American design, with the logo 'we do bad things to bad people', what like killing women and chlidren. So, we have the grandson of the Queen winning hearts and minds do we, is that not the facts.

Your final comment which I repeat below:-

'Especially in a time of war, when every fantatic and mercenary has a rifle round with his name on it'.

Where exactly is your evidence for this comment, you have been to Afghanistan I suppose. What I would say is that it is the British who are the fanatics, and we are for sure the mercenaries. Maybe an unpopular view at this time but what is happening in Afghanistan and Iraq is not right, we are the criminals as far as I am concerned, we are the war criminals because we have allowed ourselves to be deluded. We have been duped. I regard Bush, Blair and now Brown as war criminals, I only hope that the new American President will not become tarnished, which he will unless he announces an immediate transfer of all American troops to the United Nations with immediate effect.

The people of Glenrothes, must send a message to Gordon Brown, it is not about the economy, it's about the wars. The Americans have understood this, we should do the same, Troops Out Now.

Congo and Rwanda

Is the one trick phoney which is Gordon Brown not aware as to what is going on in DR Congo. we have has Rwanda, a disgrace, it was a crime against humanity. Brown must speak out, he has gone silent on Dafur, he is the Prime Minister not the Chancellor, or can he only handle one thing at a time.

Thinking

I do not think that it is off topic at all. There is a bgger game here than you seem to realise. Censorship works in many different ways, we are now being told effectively that there should be more 'self-censorship' in other words do not actually say what you think. I do not know what others think, that is unless they tell me what they think.

As Descartes would say, 'I think therefore I am', putting down our thoughts onto the internet is a form of free speech, be afraid, 'they' want to take this from you. If the good people of Glenrothes do not understand this then we need to ensure that they do become aware, I still like to consider that not everybody is in slumberland.

Writings

Of course the bankers would prefer to have anybody other than the British government running their affairs.

Try this for size. If I wanted to destroy something and I had access to unlimited funds then I would lend them money. No problem. Because at the end of the day there is a famous quotation, 'he who pays the piper calls the tune' a good Scottish quote but there are no tunes of glory being played today.

I suggest that people obtain a copy of 'The Prince' written by Machiavelli but not published until after his death. An awful lot of people refer to Machiavelli without having read the book, same with Hitler and Mein Kampf and Nietzsche and his writings, these policians have, so be afraid, very afraid, Project Griffin continues.

Censorship

I would never allow censorshp. What I detest is a government which uses court injunctions to prevent free speech.

I will never forgive the media, yes all the British media for their silence over Harry in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the use of injunctions to prevent reporting of court cases which have no connection with national security but with criminal activity.

We also seriously ought to question the use of confidentiality agreements where compensation id paid to those killed or injured, whther in the armed forces or not.

Congo

whilst Gordon Brown and the labour party continue with their scorched earth policy there was a most interesting comment on the Today programme this morning with regard to Afghanistan. Apparently, there is every danger that there will be famine in the country. People will starve.Can we actually allow this to happen.

The solution! Why the terrible Taleban, who I regard as freedom fighters. Who wants anybody to invade their country and tell how you should live your life.The terrible Taleban are not fighting fairly. They are setting roadside bombs, and using suicide bombers. You mean just like the French resistance did in WWII, not the suicide bombers, but they went in for suicide missions where there was no chance of escape, at least a suicide bomber takes the enemy with him.

So, the Occupying Force will probably suggest that as the aid cannot be taken to the starving then it is important that the starving are brought to the aid. The women and children must not die, so for their own protection and safety they must be brought into the protection of the various agencies.

Now then Nick, the only ones who don't take advantage of this offer must 'the enemy', why else would they choose to live in danger of death by starvation. So, anybody not in protective custody, sorry aid stations, will be open to attack from the brave occupying forces, using technology like the Drones, unmanned aircraft, Predator and Reaper.

Nick, Gordon Brown must make a statement to parliament about the escalating and deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and the DR Congo. As for the Congo can anybody tell me how the Democratic Republic meets the criteria of being Democratic, or is it that the Congolese also have a sense of irony.

Gilts

the famous unknown moderaters may decide that this one is inappropriate for your blog but I think not. I am studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics as well as having worked in the financial industry for over forty years.

What is my point. The government is having to borrow huge sums of money, they have in the past and they will in the future. How do they fund this, through Gilts as much as anything else.

One of these is Treasury 8% 2021, currently priced at 132.02. What does this mean to the man in the street, it means that you buy this at the current price and that in the year 2021 the government promises to redeem the stock at 100.00, or par. Yes folks, you can buy something in the market where the governmnet promises to give you 32.02 pounds less than what you paid for it. Now that is a really good deal.

One, you don't actually get 8% per year in interest, because tax is deducted and the real irony is that you can't even offset your Capital Gains Tax liability against gains on other investments.

Nick, this is a cruel duel, where there is only one winner and it is not the taxpaying public who will be left standing. It is knowledge which needs to be spread, not tittle tattle, but knowledge. Not whistleblowing, but information, transparency if you like.

Brand

last night I caught a bit of Russell Brand on Channel 4. Please can we have a report about the content, which was purile, juvenile, pathetic, degrading and was like watching a car crash in slow motion.

If the other channels are going to highlight the problems of the BBC then surely the BBC has every right to say that the quality of programmes on some other Channels should be highlighted. Brand is not funny, he wasn't and he isn't. Anybody who calls the President of the United States of America 'a retarded cowboy' is a disgrace.

Defend the BBC

I think that now is the time for all good men to come to the defence of the BBC.

We need to see the legal advice given to the BBC in respect of any action which could or could not be taken against Mr Ross. He has a contract with the BBC and if it was breached then there is the ability to dismiss anybody who is in breach of contract to be dismissed, without compensation.

We know that General Sir Mike Jackson took legal advice before the war aginst Iraq, it is in his book. We know that Tony Blair and the Cabinet, which included Gordon Brown, to receive legal advice before the war against Iraq. We need to see the legal advice given to the BBC in respect of Mr Ross, or was there none sought and none given.

This is about Andrew Gilligan, Dr David Kelly and the freedom of the BBC. This is also about MPs expenses, about people meeting with Russian oligarchs, with what we are being told about the financial crisis, and why did nobody say very much about Robert Maxwell when he was stealing from the pensioners.

Scotland be Brave

is Scotland a country, simple question, simple answer, of course it is.

Is America a country, another simple question, another simple answer, of course it is.

Now then, the British government tells us constantly that whoever is victorious in the American election is actually none of our business. We will do business and work together with whosever is elected.

So, what business is it of Gordon Brown, who is the unelected Prime Minister, who took over as a result of a coup, to get involved in the election of any foreign country.

Basically, he and his wife should have kept out of the whole business. Mind you he was the chancellor who paid for the war which was a war of agression against a sovereign nation state, where the President of the defeated country was eventually executed by hanging.

In the meantime America sends its Special Forces into Syria, America flies Drones into Pakistan and kills families, oh, and Turkey is able to take action against a sovereign democratic nation state, where our forces are stationed, to protect its interests. Oh, that's right it was Iraq again. As in America when it comes down to it, it is this awful war that will prove the undoing of labour. It's not the economy, it's the war and how will Brown explain the defeat of our forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. We've lost, plain and simple, all the money has been wasted, all the lives have been for nothing, and it was all done in our name.

That is why the Scottish people must throw this awful government out. You can do it, please. Oh, anybody seen any Russian oligarchs in yachts lately.

Blogs transmuter

In the same way that we have moderaters does your your comment mean that I can now refer to myself as a transmuter.

I very much appreciate the fact some people do read these comments and that they can remember those things which some people seem to ignore.

Now then, can we have a statement from the Prime Minister as to the actions taken by America in Syria and Pakistan. or is that he does not want to upset them. However, what I would say is that the cohesiveness of our society is under threat because of the actions taking place in our name.

Why no demonstrations, have we lost our sense of fair play, what would happen if the Conservatives were actually in power today?

Gordon Brown

is there not another problem on the horizon, and it concerns the BBC and the moderaters.

We have now heard the furore over the Ross and Brand Radio 2 programme.

Some of us have tended to be rather rude about the Prime Minister and some of his personal habits which do not need to be repeated. I have also referred to him as a plant, I should not have done that.

Can we now expect a much closer scrutiny of our comments because they are on the BBC, and your blog. Are we seeing the first attempts to control the BBC by the politicians. There is a big game going on and we ought to be afraid, very afraid, free speech is under threat.

Gordon Brown has got involved and issued 'statements' why does he not issue a statement with regard to the actions of American forces in Syria, and the use of drones in Pakistan, it seems to me that these are the real issues which need to be addressed.

This is pathetic

actually some of the contributors have got it right. I think that you have seriously lost the plot. Where has this one come from, as our American friends would say this is justy so left field.

What does Gordon think, I can't wait for PMQs tomorrow. When being asked about the parlous state of the economy we can ex[pect answers along the lines of and what is your position on Europe Mr. Cameron.

Divisions in the conservative party whilst I, Gordon show true leadership. Come on Nick this is a pathetic story, next we'll be having stories about how you have the most succesful blog in the history of the BBC, over 1000 comments.

In the meantime America attacks Syria, no comment from the PM. Turkey attacks Iraq, no comment. Deaths in Afghanistan, a totally failed State, this is just so sad.

Attack on Syria

I wonder if Gordon will take it on himself as the Prime Minister to say that for a democratic country to attack the inhabitants of another country is an act of aggression.

As we come to the 90th anniversary of the WWI armistice should we not forget why we went to war against Germany in 1914. It was because they invaded defenceless Belgium. Now I am ot comparing Belgium to Syria just to point out there does seem to be an awful lot of double standards about justice.

Furthermore, people talk again about Keynesian economics, please remember how he first made his name, it was about reparations and the claims that Germany should accept blame for WWI in the Versailles Treaty with reparations payments. I think that we about to be defeated both in Iraq and Afghanistan because we can't afford these wars, not without hiring out the army as aload of mercenaries anyway.

Subsidy

Just to say Nick that I actually used to work for one of the merchant banks in the City. What people have to understand is that one of the 'pewrks' which went with the job was that I was allowed a mortgage of five, yes five, times salary at a fixed rate of 2.5% for the life of my employment. This was in the seventies and eighties so we know what the subsidy amounted to.

What I hope is that the same sort of benefits are not extended to any of those now working for banks or building societies which have hit financial trouble.

Finally, I hope that no money has been paid to Newcastle United, apparently sponsored by Northern Rock, since that institution had to be nationalised. As a supporter of a team in the westcountry I would wish that absolutely no taxpayers money is being spent on sponsorship, cheap loans to staff, mortgage subsidies and compensation payments to the very people who have caused the problem.

The Underclass

Has nobody else noticed the movement in the useless Dow Jones Industrial Index. This is getting dangerous, you cannot have such volatility. It is no wonder that people don't trust the market any more, its busted.

It would seem that at last people are beginning to understand that you can be invested in the right stock but the wrong market.

What everybody seems to have forgotten is the idea of contingent liability. Yes you may be in profit but there is an obligation which may exceed your profit. I am afraid to say that this is becoming almost meltdown.

You sell into a rising market and buy in a falling one, perverse logic I know, but historically it has worked. Only this time it is different there is no bottom.

The problem is that the same mistakes are being made. Asset prices must be allowed to fall, that means wages, as well as fixed assets. From an economic perspective people are no different, you are all wage slaves.

In his programme on class Prescott doesn't get it, there are the classes and then there is the underclass, be afraid, very afraid.

Project Griffin II

it has been very quiet in Iraq. Yet today out of nowhere there are allegations of an American attack on Syria.

We just had comments from Hutton on the situation in Afghanistan, how long the occupation may be. Now, can we be told if we were warned by the Americans that they might make an attack on Syrian territory.

This has a smell about it. Project Griffin again I'm afraid.

Investment

during the good times the chancellor, as he was then, continually said that he was investing in the health service, or investing in education or investing in the railways, or anything you care to mention the mantra was investing.

"The responsible course of government is to invest at this time to speed up economic activity." That is his latest quote.

So, all the investment was to speed up economic activity was it all along. So, the wonderful Gordon has now admitted that all along it was not investment it was spending, now don't be fooled, he is not investing he is spending. I say he because he seeems to be both PM and chancellor.

The man is a complete idiot.

May I also quote the former leader Tony Blair from his speech to the labour party conference in 2001:

'Today conflicts rarely stay within national boundaries. Today a tremor in one financial market is repeated in the markets of the world. Today confidence is global...'

Now then Gordon are you trying to tell us that you were not listening to the speech of the previous great leader, or did not help to draft it, especially as the economy was your sole concern.

I'm sorry Gordon, you really should get somebody to give you good advice. Project Griffin continues to gather momentum.

Trouble brewing

When Gordon says he has spoken to the banks, he had not, he had spoken to the bankers.

There should be more about what was said to the Icelanders and when it was said and by whom.

When Gordon said he was attending to the crisis from the time he woke to when he went to bed how did he find the time to go to Glenrothes for some elctioneering.

When will somebody explain that the Dow Jones Industrial has to be the worst index against which a market should be judged. Only thirty stocks and no weighting, ridiculous.

If you go back to 1929 you cannot compare stock market falls, there was no index, so how do we know how far the market fell in October 1929.

Action was taken in 1928 to protect the stock market falls in that year by pumping money into the economy. The same as today only the effect will be much worse. Just wait until next year.

The price of wheat is collapsing, the farmers won't have enough money to buy the seeds to plant next year, unless the banks change their policy, there is a disaster looming.

bin Laden

The most interesting aspect of the upcoming elections in America is what can we expect to be revealed if the democrats get into the White House. No wonder American forces allegedly went into Syria today, can we expect another crisis just before the election, maybe like here is the body of bin Laden?

Where are you

Actually not all of us do actually use any company provided equipment, nor time. As a fortunate individual who survives on a small private income some of us fund ourselves, totally.

The issue I would like to raise is the question now being raised by the business community about their rates. They are saying that where they have an empty building they have to pay rates even if it is not occupied, so they are demolishing the buildings. Now can we have some clarification as to whether this includes unoccupied property, not only factories, but homes completed but not sold.

Consider this that down here in the beautiful, but wet, westcountry many homes have been purchased as second homes, and they are being run as businesses, the rates on which go to central government rather than the local community. Can we therefore expect the owners to either sell them into a falling market, or perversely demolish the homes because they can't afford the taxes.

I know that this should probably on Peston's Blog ut he steps on your toes so why not step on his.

Finally, where are you Nick, we must be told.

Prince Harry

Please moderators do not allow anybody to delete the above comment.

It says everything about those who try to maintain some sort of standards and adherence to the rules who are then meant to feel guilty about the action which they have taken.

I can live with the comments which have been made about me and my position.

Maybe, some people really ought to concern themselves with the actions of Britain and America in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as Syria and Pakistan.

Now, if you really want to know about freedom of speech then look into the injunctions taken out by the Ministry of Defence to prevent free speech.

Prince Harry now apparently wants to become a helicopter pilot, please! Hey, he can do bad things to bad people from the safety of a helicopter gunship. He won't even have to call in airstrikes to do the job from the safety of a computer screen. In the meantime the wonderful Drones continue to operate in Pakistan where whole households can be killed from the safety of the Nevada Desert.

A Crime

Yet again I see a little understood problem with regard to your posting.

You say:

'my employer's system won't let me access my personal e-mail account'

I should hope not either. Let us say that you were to take twenty minutes to look into your e-mail account, or send off responses to the good Nick, because of a posting. Now then, if you are in paid employment will you recompense your employer for the time you have spent not doing that which are paid to do.

When I went to school we were taught that if we rode on a bus without paying the fair then that was stealing, theft, if you like. Now then, theft is a crime, for which you should be punished. May I suggest that if you do tasks for your own benefit whilst being employed by somebody who pays you then by spending your time on this blog you are actually stealing, a bit harsh but I would desist if I were you because in this economic climate an employer won't need much excuse to sack you for gross misconduct. Get into the real world.

Funny old game

Being a man of principle I have to admit that it was me that drew your nickname to the attention of the moderators. If you have been able to get away with breeching the rules that apply to all users for three years then I must say that you have done well.

I personally am fed up with people who do not follow the rules and think that are being funny. It is because of that attitude that we have gotten into the financial mess which we have. Project Griffin continues apace.

Monday 27 October

I think you will find that I totally agree with you. Taken in isolation some comments may seem spiteful, hurtful or otherwise very negative. However, I would say that many comments are driven our own life experiences, they are to a certain extent anecdotal and not based on empirical evidence but usually the evidence of our own eyes is so much better than empirical evidence which is usually out of date by the time it comes into the public domain.

I like to think that I try to be honest with my background as can be confirmed by looking at some of my own humble earlier contributions. However, I can also be slightly selective and that could be seen as a drawback.

I am not a glass half empty man, I am, I think a realist, or cynic.

Today the news coming from the war front is not good. America allegedly going into Syria, and also confirmation of American use of a Drone to bomb targets in Pakistan. In the meantime who can complain because did not Turkey send their troops into northern Iraq, and where was the criticism of that attack. In seems as though there are double standards at work.

Finally, Hutton yesterday says that our presence in Afghanistan is because of our own national security. It seems that is alright to invade a foreign country, kill women and children and say it is to keep deaths off our own streets, that is the implication of his comments. In the meantime the inquest into the death of the of the completely innocent Mr de Menezes continues.

Election Date

Well that's two of us at least calling for an election. It will happen you know, and sooner than many think, I go for early spring, say to clash with the May council elections. Or is there also the European elections to be held, clarification please.

Kick labour out at Glenrothes, please, if there is one ounce of honesty left then Scotland please be brave, do what must be done. Remember Project Griffin.

Evidence

Apparently Lord Mandelson told us that he first met the Russian oligarch in 2006, he was not corrected by anybody. We now know that he has stated that was a mistake and that actually he had first met him in 2004. Now what should be asked is if the EU investigated Peter Mandleson were they aware that the first meetings took place in 2004, not 2006.

If they heard that he first met him in 2006 why did they not issue an immediate correction stating that the noble Lord was wrong and that they had been told that meetings took place in 2004, as per any evidence supplied to them by Peter.

Maybe we ought to see the transcript of any evidence supplied to both the EU and Gordon Brown which proves, beyond all reasonable doubt that Lord Mandelson is guilty of nothing.

Do we just accept the truth of what has been said, remember why Mandelson resigned in the first place, was it not because he forgot he had an outstanding mortgage. It seems to me that the good Lord is perfectly suited to the unelected House of Lords, he seems very forgetful.

Questions

we are meant to believe that because Gordon Brown says it we believe it must we!
Of course there were no problems with Lord Mandelson meeting the Russian.


Tell you what get Gordon to tell us that he was never ever involved in the loans to political parties, and if he didn't know he should have done. Let me explain, we are meant to believe that if George Osborne had not said anything then we would never have the letter to the Times from Nathan Rothschild. When exactly would we have been told about these shinanigins, just before a general election?

Did he know that Peter Mandelson had first met this Russian in 2004 not 2006 as first indicated.

He should also tell us if he ever talked to Tony Blair before the war against Iraq and if he was told that all the facts about weapons of mass destruction were not quite true. If he didn't ask the question then he should have done.

Moderators

I have a little bit of a problem which I wonder if you could help me with, or if not you then the moderators.

Some of our comments are rejected, after pre-moderation, which I do not have a problem with, to a certain degree.

Now then, some of mine have been moderated out, and yet soon afterwards a news item comes out say about Gordon Brown going to Glenrothes to electioneer. Again I can understand about national security etc and that Gordon cannot now advertise where he will be.

However, can we have it confirmed that some of these comments are told to some media people or government advisers who then run it as a story. I think that this happens, quite frequently, I wonder if we can have some clarification.

About Gordon going to Glenrothes I wonder if he is still spending all his waking hours worrying about the Global economic Crisis, or has he now realised that he is actually the Prime Minister and not Chancellor. How can he find the time to go electioneering, something which he has never done before?

Narrative

can we please stop generalising about the last few years where the BBC seem to be saying that we all went out and borrowed up to the hilt, that we all seem to have done 'buy to let' that we all binged on fine wines, that we spent everything on holidays and generally the good life.

It is a complete misrepresentation and is part of a policy to get us all to return to puritanical ways. We must all stop spending immediately, that will bring prices down. Interest rates must be raised, to reward those who do save, or have savings.

When you think about it life is meaningless and we need to give it meaning so we create narrative. Thank you all on site for enriching my narrative.

Brown

I have a bit of a problem. Now the great leader abolished the ten pence rate of tax, and reduced the basic rate of tax to twenty pence. Now this was in his last budget before taking over. Whilst Tony Blair was still Prime Minister.

Now we are told by Darling that people have more money in their pockets because of the chanes which he has made as a result of the the Global Economic Crisis.

Now, I would say that the Gordon Brown now says that the economy has his undivided attention. How can this be as he is now the PM and surely there are other issues which require his attention, you know the war in Afghanistan, or the occupation of Iraq, or the crime figures, the immigration problem, the Dafur problem, the oil crisis, the fall in the exchange rate and the stock market, umm, I think that you get my drift. Also where does he find the time for his children, and wife, or is there something we should be told.

Where I have a problem, is that Gordon made the decision about eighteen months ago abouy the reduction in the basic rate of tax, and the abolition of the ten pence rate. Was there something we should have been told when he did this. Was the economy actually in a worse state than we were led to believe?

He should be asked, maybe David Cameron could ask him on wednesday, mind there will be no answer but Gordon is getting away with a massive confidence trick. Gordon you are the PM, not the chancellor or can't you cope with more than one thing at a time. Go sit in the corner and pick your nose, that's all you good for.

Lock and Load

Can we not please start a new blog Nick, surely the recession and the fact that boom and bust has not been abolished is reason enough. In the meantime sterling collapses, the stock market is a bloodbath, the army is riddled with criminals and drug addicts, de Menoza inquiry continues, the Bloody Sunday report still not published etc..

In the meantime Britain will pull through says Darling, can we have a date, because you Darling will not be around when we do. In the meantime you were right to say that we are pretty 'pissed off' with you. I can only beg the people of Glenrothes to give this government such a kicking, please, think of Britain, kick out labour. When can we expect Gordon to visit to press the flesh and say about the Global Economic Crisis.

America is going into itself again, it will survive without the rest of the globe, it does not need anybody. They have had Twin Towers, they have tried and failed in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was always about American national interests, nobody or nothing else. Be afraid, very afraid, Project Griffin continues apace. Lock and load.

White Flight

I see that in respect of the immigration debate some people are beginning to realise that if there are to be limits on immigartion then there ought to be limits on emigration. The people fleeing the country are the very ones who have caused many of the problems.

The young of this country have been sold down the river since the end of WWII. They have been left with huge debts to pay off, debts which have been run up by their elders.

Project Griffin

we have reports about the number of former soldiers who have been imprisoned subsequent to their release from the army.

In the meantime adverts are shown, funded by the MoD, telling young men what a great job they can do in the armed forces.

Furthermore, there are reports today in the papers about two captains being given dishonourable discharges from the army for taking cocaine.

Furthermore, there were injunctions taken out preventing the reporting of any of the details in respect of some soldiers who have done somehing whch cannot be reported.

I personally wonder when exactly we can expect to see the report resulting from the Bloody Sunday inquiry.

As for Robert Peston then I think that we can soon expect to have a joint report from the BBC made up of three people, yourself Nick for the politics, Robert for the Economy but I wonder who will present the philosophy, remember Project Griffin.

Murder

I am actually surprised that your blog has not been referred or moderated. Why?

Is Lord Mandelson actually being accused of murder?

Stephen Glover 'while Mandy is getting with murder'

This is a serious accusation to make and surely the Prime Minister must call for an inquiry.

Question Time

So who do we get instead, some labour Lord or other. If you refer to my earlier comment #21 then I hope that you will also have listened to the Home Secretary on the news at 1 when asked to comment you could almost hear her smile as she gave an appalling answer. This one has legs if they want to run with it.

Bodies and their functions

Actually, I am not at all surprised because I firmly believe that it is a very serious issue, and actually attempts to get people to discuss this aspect of our lives.We no longer live in Victorian Britain, we no longer get men to wear baggy clothing to hide their manhhod, men do learn to behave with decorum in our society. The same cannot be said of young boys, and adolescents. They have not yet mastered the techniques, which just seem to happen, nobody in my whole life has actually said to me 'control that erection Terry' nobody. I may be unusual but I don't think so. Am I strange, I leave that to you. It might be interesting to actually know exactly what the children are being 'taught' in these lessons.

We must try to remove all aspects of shame about our bodies, and our bodily functions.

Masturbation

I think that the questions over sex education are not the right ones.

For example, surely the way to start would be to explain to young women the physiological changes which will happen, particularly menstruation. Would I like to brought up not knowing that every month I am likely to have a period and what results from that.

With regard to boys, then surely the best way to start is to explain that there is nothing wrong with getting an erection, it happens.

Finally, in this is where I may be moderated out but I think that more ought to be explained about masturbation. That sometimes you do not have to go out and have an intimate relationship with another young person. It is not a sin, unlike what I was told by the christian brothers at the school I attended. The same applies to both sexes.

A contentious issue I know but if we are going to talk about it then let us please be serious, and talk about the real issues. I am an older man and continue to be surprised about relationships with members of the other sex. I continue to learn about people, their wants and needs.

The Economy

I have called before for an increase in interest rates and an increase in taxes, this advice is contrary to the current view but hear this.

When a foreigner invests in the UK they look at two areas, not only shares and bonds but also exchange rates. You can make money if the share price rises but that gain will be wiped out if the exchange rate goes against you. The same with yields on bonds, yes they may well pay a good rate of interest but again that will be reduced if the rate goes against you.

That is exactly why foreign investors are now deserting the UK market. Look at the dividend proposal for LloydsTSB, if they don't pay a dividend then there is not much point in holding the shares. Pension funds the need the income on the shares to pay the pensioners, with a reduced work ofrce where do you think the money comes from, thin air!

Economies throughout the globe are in trouble, look at Pakistan, Turkey, Argentina, Hungary, America, Britain etc this is deadly serious, and you have not seen anything yet, the worst is yet to come. The frailty of the American economy will become more apparent as new President takes up his post. He will not be in a position to change anything, not for the better anyway.

What will happen is that I think various inquiries will be held in to the war, and occupation of Iraq, and we in Britain will be up to our necks in it. It was not only the war, it was what happened after the war, why did it go so wrong.

Investigation

I want an investigation into why apparently Gordon Brown did not know about loans to the labour party. Why didn't he know, was he told to leave the room, or was it a private party.

As for any future dinner parties should not civil servants be present to record converastions for posterity.

If people did know that George Osborne was doing something which, by innuendo, they consider to be illegal then when were they going to go to the appropriate authorities so that charges could be brought. If they did not think that anything illegal was happening then where exactly is the story.

How much more is going on which is actually illegal which is not coming to the attention of the authorities then where does that leave democracy and the rule of law. Where are the whistle blowers? Should civil servants be invited to all the dinner parties so that proper records can be kept?

In the meantime Gordon Brown still has to read out the names of the dead from Afghanistan, what about Iraq, what exactly is happening, why are our soldiers still there.

Dow Jones

I know that this is financial but it is politics and presentation.

Has anybody else noticed that now the news reports refer to a fall in a stock market as 3% or a rise of 2%.

So much less than 15o points which is well like a crisis. I have posted comments on your log before about the Dow Jones Industrial Index.

Project Griffin continues apace, I now hear that they are looking at developing a new and better index which will not be quite so volatile.

I know nothing

I hope that some readers remember the answer given by Gordon Brown when asked in parliament about loans to political parties.

If my memory, which is not very good, serves me well I think he said something along the lines of 'I knew nothing'.

Could it possibly be that Gordon Brown was told that something was going to be discussed and it would be better if he left the room, so that in future he would not be caught out the same way some senior politicians seem to be. I would like somebody to ask the question of the saviour of the globe, were there meetings held where it was suggested that it would be best if you were not around. Just like the signing of the Lisbon Treaty where he did it on his own, because he had a prior arranged meeting of course. Funny how he found the time to drop everything for the Global Economic Crisis, or was signing a Treaty not really that important.

Weird Coincidences

As well as your comments about Robert Peston may I thank the Daily Mail for pointing out yet another coincidence about the Andrew Marr on Sunday, where Andrew was nowhere to be seen but we had the wonderful Sophie as his substitute. Convenient that Andrew was not around to interview Lord Mandelson, would the good Lord have come on if it had actually been Andrew, I just ask?

As for Sir Brian Pittman also being on the programme, the first banker to appear because the others may not actually like any questions, even though Sir Brian is of course now retired from LloydsTSB, as Chairman or Chief Executive.

My point is that according to the Daily Mail, a paper we can trust to give the readers the truth on these matters, Robert Peston 'is a close friend of Roland Rudd, whose firm Finsbury runs PR for Northern Rock and LloydTSB'.

Now is it not weird that Northern Rock is now nationalsised and the only banker willing to come on to the Andrew Marr programme was Sir Brian Pittman of LloydsTSB. What an absolute coincidence.

Now, the other item I think we ought to be told is that some sponsors of football clubs have hit financial problems and it is noticeable the number of clubs now without any logos on their team shirts. When I saw match reports of the Newcastle game guess what, yes they still had the shirt sponsors of Northern Rock embalzoned across their shirts. I hope that taxpayers money is not going into the club whilst there are reports that home repossessions are increasing for those with Northern Rock mortgage holders.

Finally, noted that Lord Mandelson was drawn to bring in the 'R' word, the word would not pass his lips. In the meantime the governor of the bank of England issues the 'R' word and guess what the pound plummets. I wonder if there will now be a vendetta against Mr King because he dared to tell the truth.

Saudi arabia

Lord Mandelson said about doing business in certain countries.

I wonder if he would like to answer about the allegations of bribery in Saudi Arabia, the investigation which was dropped because of the national security.

Answers on a postcard to Project Griffin.

The Truth

When I worked for one of the banks I had a subsidised mortgage of five times salary, fixed for life at 2.5%. Yes, 2.5%. Also, a thirty thousand pound dealing account, in the eighties I grant you. Times were hard then. By the way my bank was taken over and I was made redundant, does that surprise anybody. Did you feel my pain, thought not. Oh, and I became entitled to a full pension after working for them for just over twenty years. Still feeling my pain. Again, thought not.

Now, from my earlier posts I wonder just how biased, or objective, Sir Brian Pitman was on the Andrew Marr show, being interviewed by the delectable Sophie. Ask the questions guys, just ask the questions!

Stop the Pain

The best thing on the Daily Politics was Andrew Neil giving an answer to the quiz, with the question not actually being asked. Surreal or what?

I must be living in an alternative universe.

We are now expected to believe that people go to private dinner parties where the conversations are what people apparently actually think about other people, only nobody is meant to know what these people actually think, we are spun to. Do these people have no principles.

This is bizarre, just like the dinner attended by the Presidential candidates were telling 'jokes' about each other. These people will have the nuclear button at their fingertips if elected, hey, just nuked Iran, that was funny wasn't it, could hardly stop laighing! Be afraid, very afraid, in westminster they can't hear you scream, all around the globe people are screamimg, stop this pain.

Stop the Pain

The best thing on the Daily Politics was Andrew Neil giving an answer to the quiz, with the question not actually being asked. Surreal or what?

I must be living in an alternative universe.

We are now expected to believe that people go to private dinner parties where the conversations are what people apparently actually think about other people, only nobody is meant to know what these people actually think, we are spun to. Do these people have no principles.

This is bizarre, just like the dinner attended by the Presidential candidates were telling 'jokes' about each other. These people will have the nuclear button at their fingertips if elected, hey, just nuked Iran, that was funny wasn't it, could hardly stop laighing! Be afraid, very afraid, in westminster they can't hear you scream, all around the globe people are screamimg, stop this pain.

Democracy

This only confirms in my mind what I have already said. That this has to be the worst parliament in living memory, if not longer.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, and the rich and powerful I consider now to be beyond redemption. They all have to go, Gordon Brown will soon have to call an election because the situation in parliament is getting beyond parody.

I have called in earlier posts for a government of national unity with George Osbourne as leader, does nobody understand irony any more.

Consider the pictures of Mr Mosly which caused so much problem, well can we revisit questions to the leader of the conservatives and get him to respond to questions of drug taking by senior members, even though it may well have happened before they were in high office. I demand a satisfactory response from somebody who might well lead our country if the electorate so choose.

This report opens up again a whole new can of worms. I want anaswers to cash for honours, about loans to political parties.

Could it be that the conservatives have a problem with regard to not pressing the government on this issue because they have their own skeletons in the cupboard.

For a democrat I am saddened by all this. It is up to a free press to expose these issues, and for people to reveal the truths which they are hiding. It is still like the problem with Iraq. The lack of truth in the decision to go to war has undermined our society, if kies are told to take us into a war where hundreds of thousands have been killed, then surely people will lie about lesser events.

Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and the politicians have sown the seeds for their destruction, through the democratic process. An election, and soon. This must end.

Political vacuum

With all this talk about Das Kapital may I recommend two other books which may interest people which could be read as alternatives, one is Mein Kampf which is now available in all good book shops, and the Nietzsche Reader. Both books are most interesting and offer an alternative to Karl Marx.

However, I must admit that although in my collection I do find them , to put not too fine a point on them, they are ever so slightly disturbing. However, I think that we all ought to be very concerned at the current Global Economic Climate, because it is during times like this that some individuals will attempt to use this for their own ends.

By all means read Das Kapital but also read the other two, and be afraid, very afraid. There is a political vacuum at the moment and let us not allow the far left, nor the far right to fill the vacant space.

Bloggers

Could not agree more with your comment about people who think that they can encapsulate a whole argument in the form of a derogatory one liner.

It is not my idea of taking a position. I like to think that I can construct a viewpoint with an explanation as to why I hold the position which I do.

For example, I met a wonderful person at an Open University Summer School, a true soulmate, however, that does not mean that I think that I could have the same attachment to all the women from Glasgow, it would be an absurd generalisation.

I do find it difficult with the moderators being able to block what would appear to be valid comments. The problem is that when they come back after referral they make little or no sense.

Some weeks ago for example I made comments about Blue Badges for the Disabled and said that something sould be done, it was not allowed. Today I hear that the government wants to do something about Blue Badges, do some comments get moderated out because they anticipate government policy.

A Kremlin Moment

I don't think that many people have picked-up on the Colin Powell effect on the American election, which has implications for the occupation of Iraq.

The case being floated is that Colin Powell has never forgiven Bush for allowing him to make a presentation based on incorrect information. Maybe, it is time for Brown to denounce Tony Blair for the war with America against Iraq.

Maybe we ought to have the Kruschev denunctiation of Stalin on our news programmes to remind Brown of how it could be done. After all was Brown not compared to Stalin and the Kremlin in some earlier blog of yours.

Family Friendly

Family friendly government is it. Then why is it being spread around that to save the smaller companies family friendly policies may well be amended, or dropped, because of the Global Economic Crisis. You really must understand. Now then let's get that Lord Mandelson to explain this to the wonderful Sophie shall we, sorry that was yesterday, funny he never mentioned it.

Bring back Rearmament

I'll tell the government what we should be doing, let's prepare for war, rearmamnet that's what we need. Why not build a few hundred Spitfires and Hurricanes. Modern rocket technology expects all planes to fly fast so a slow plane would confuse the enemy.

We are, after all, taking on a few hundred foreigners who supposedly still live in the middle-ages. So, why not take them on using older technology, why we may even develop and use some form of gas, which is what the wonderful Churchill did when we were previously in Iraq.

Maybe, we ought to build another battleship as well, lets go the whole hog and use coal to power the ships. Clean coal mind you, then we can have stokers back, now let's see the WRENs doing that job!

The Andrew Marr Show

You are absolutely right. Sophie was a blast of fresh air, especially when interviewing Lord Mandelson who I thought did look particulary shifty. When answering some questions he was looking not at Sophie or to camera, a bad mistake Lord Mandelson of etc.

Lord Mandelson seemed really not to appreciate being interviewed by an attractive woman in a very fetching top, I may be wrong but I think he looked a bit, well, distracted, more of Sophie please. Just to confirm that I am not her agent, nor related in any way to her or her family, well from earlier posts of mine not that I know of anyway.

I think that the Andrew Marr show has reached its natural end. It is almost as though the politicians know, or only allow, the questions if they have been made known in advance.

Also, you get the paper reviewers, then some actor or other pressing a book, or a singer going on before we get to the real business. The editor needs to change the presenter and the format. It has been dumbed down, it is no longer acceptable, finally why is Marr allowed to carry the Sunday Times in the preamble walk through the office, stop it, and stop it now.

Christmas Holidays for MPs

about MPs and the extended christmas holiday they are taking. I think that there will definitely be a spring election. The MPs are going to their constituencies to prepare their labour electorate for voting. There will be a lot about how labour is thinking of the working family, their safe custody of the economy in the global economic crisis. They will soon announce further troop withdrawals from Iraq, in other words the Iraqi government will not accept an extension of the UN mandate. They will accept the Americans but there is no further point in the British presence. anyway, we are needed in the killing fields of Afghanistan.

Furthermore, back to the MPs holidays. First reports on the Today programme referred to the longest christmas break since records began. I pointed out in a mail the error of that comment because I had referred back to Hansard in August 1914 to show that MPs had taken a holiday within days of the declaration of war against Germany, so there were records. Now, they refer to the longest christmas break in recent history. See how the wonderful Internet can work!

Biased or Prejudiced

I saw the interview you refrred to and wrote about it yesterday in Nicks log.

What I wanted to know is exactly how biased, if at all should we see Sir Brian Pitman as being. We have to ask how many shares does he have in LloydsTSB, or any any family settlements or charitable holdings. Does he any beneficial interest at all? How much does he receive in dividends every year. Does he stll act as a paid, or otherwise remunerated consultant to LlyoydsTSB.

If the government proposals for LloydsTSB involve the government preventing any dividends to shareholders then Sir Brian would surely not appreciate any government stake which resulted in dividends not being paid or reduced.

I no longer go for accepting anything said by anybody, especially if they have been given a knighthood.

Finally, I wonder if anybody else will pick-up on the comments made by the Lord Mandelson with respect to the government dropping some of their so-called family friendly policies. I wonder what Harriet Harman thinks of these changes to government policy. Have these people got no principles.

Lock and Load

it seems to be consistently forgotten that Gordon Brown is not the chancellor any more, he is the Prime Minister.

The rescue plan for the banks was not his, you seriously cannot believe that Gordon sat up at night just thinking about how he would solve the 'crisis'. He and the government have so many advisers, it was the idea of nobody in particular. That is the problem with Gordon, he takes all the praise and will not accept when he is wrong, it was not only the 10p tax rate, it was giving the pensioners 50p because that is what the figures dictated.

Maybe now that he has sorted out the world economic problem, he would like to tell us all what he is doing about Iraq, and our continued occupation. What is he going to do about Afghanistan and the ever continuing kill rates, and for what, so that we can retreat ignominiously like many before us. What is he going to do about Dafur.

What exactly is he doing about the dictatorship of oil, what is he going to do about nuclear weapons, why are we having them. Why has money been allocated to it. What is he going to say about the false consultation on nuclear energy. What does he think about the Human Embryo bill, does he seriously accept that our society can continue to tolerate 200,000 abortions a year. I regard this as an abomination of the original principles behind the original abortion act. I can accept the premise about back-street abortions but how many back-street abortions are known to have occured before David Steele brought his proposals to parliament.

We, the public must not allow Brown to get away with this, come on Cameron there are so many issues which need attention.

How could anybody, for example, be against any planning proposal which will boost the economy, no matter what the environmental or social impact may be. We could all become roof laggers if we want a job, who said that, why Gordon. Immigration! The proposals are appalling. What about the unfortunate Iraqi interpretors who are denied access to Britain, when they have helped the British and are now seen as collaborators. How about so many things, you have so many advisers, what do they do for their money. If I can do it why can't they.

Finally, why do MPs need such a long christmas holiday, what sort of example is that to set for productivity. there is an economic crisis, mind you it means that Gordon will not have to answer PMQs, and we know what happens during long holidays don't we, crisis! what crisis?

Gordon Brown is a one trick pony, lock and load David, prove that you are a man, you have in your sights, don't miss the opportunity again.

I told you so

with the fall in the price of oil may I have the pleasure of repeating a posting I made on 17th July:-

'With regard to the 2p fuel tax and the conservative proposals can I have some thoughts on this.

Let's say that people are paying over 110p for their fuel. It is even more but this is an example. So, that is the price when petrol is about $150 per barrel. So, when the price of a barrel falls to, let's say $100 per barrel and the price at the pump should be for arguments sake, 75p per barrel.

So, surely the government should put on taxes so that the price at the pump will be 110p per barrel. We seem to be 'willing' to pay 110p so in order to maintain the efforts to reduce petrol consumption we should pay this price, it will raise taxes but that is surely better than contributing to the profits of the petrol companies.

Oh, and please don't call me stupid for this idea because I think you will find it will be government policy before the blink of an eye, and you read it here first'.

Now then, I was wondering if anybody from the government, or their supporters, would like to comment. It is that awful Griffin fellow again, just how does he do it.

End this parliament

So now we are hearing that Darling is going to bring forward the three year spending plans so that we avoid the worst of the upcoming recession, even though it started agaes ago.

Now then, why is nobody saying that there must be an election within the next eighteen months, unless there is of course some sort of national emergency!

So, exactly what state will the economy be in if the budget deficit is higher at the point of the election, which I think will actually be next spring, than it would have been because the spending plans were for a three year period, rather than over the next year or so.

After the next election Gordon Brown will announce he is leaving parliament because of his health, repeat of Macmillan, and the labour party will continue in a totally destroyed parliament with the nationalists in Scotland rampant and the conservatives with an English majority having to reconcile the needs of the English voters with a massive budget deficit which has resulted from what I would describe as a labour inspired scorched earth policy.

It is not me who can be accused of lacking principles, I think that anybody will find that it can be said of the appalling MPs who currently sit in the House of Commons. Get rid of this parliament before it ruins us all.

MPs Holidays

We are being told that MPs are to have the longest Christmas break for twenty odd days, the longest break since records began thirty years ago.

I disagree with the use of the term since records began. Why, because as a student of WWI I obtained a copy of Hansard from my local library for August 1914.

Now then, war against Germany was declared on 4th August 1914. Within a couple of days MPs went on their summer holidays because they surely could not miss their holidays. Now if I know this then there must be records, just because nobody can be bothered to do the research does not chnage the facts.

In the meantime I thought that there was a global economic crisis, how can the MPs justify taking such a long holiday when we know that is when they should be in parliament to handle 'the crisis' terrible things always happen in long holidays.

MPs Holidays

Ok, then try this one on for size.

There is now a discussion beginning about MPs being given a quite long Christmas break, over twenty days I am told, and that this is the longest break for over thirty years since records began.

Now then, if I may argue with that comment.

For example, any student referring to Hansard in August 1914, yes the Great War was effectively started when England declared war on Germany on the 4th August 1914, will see that the wonderful MPs went on their holidays so that they did not miss the start of the Grouse shooting season.

My point is that anybody saying that records began only 30 years ago is wrong, of course there are records of MPs treating themselves to holidays during periods when they really should not. Is there a Global Economic Crisis or not.

I mean do these MPs have no principles!

Plymoof

come on, you know that my name is Griffin, not Griffith. Now, all you have to know, and as an educated person I am sure you do, that Griffin is the Greek mythological creature with the head of a lion and the body of and eagle.

As for family history, I learnt an awful lot about my family only after the death of my father.

Let me tell you this, if the moderators will allow me. My father was born just before the outbreak of WWI, I know who his mother was, but to be honest my grandfather is actually not really known. My grandmother married a Griffin, but my father had already been conceived, if you understand. This may explain why my father was the way he was.

Now, he was born into terrible poverty, but showed certain apptitudes, and as I have said before ended his RN career as Lt Cmdr MBE. From those humble beginnings I think he did very well. I think that we ought to do as much as possible to help the young people of today who may see no hope or future that there can be, no will be. by that I do not think that for many young men the answer is to join the army and go off and participate in a disgraceful occupation, which will soon end.

I think that the BBC has been showing famous people who have been surprised by what they have found out about their family history, the skeletons in the cupboard if you like. So, let me tell you that the family name of my grandmother was Puddicombe, and you really can't get more Debon (deliberate mis-spelling) than that, and I was first brought up on the Swilly District of Plymoof (another deliberate mis-spelling), now known as North Prospect. You can take the man out of Devon, but you can't take Devon out of the man.

Poland

Interesting about your comments about Corgi registered fitters.

What has to understood is that a non-registered Corgi fitter can do the work, as long as it is signed off by a Corgi registered fitter.

As for foreign workers, my job was made redundant in 1992. What happened, I ended up setting up links between the Polish Stock Exchange and some of the International Global Banks operating in Poland. By the way the Polish Stock Exchange was based at that time in the former Head Offices of the Communist Party in Warsaw, you couldn't make it up, irony is alive and well.

But another interesting fact is that most of the former communist countries in central Europe adopted and implemented dealing systems far better than our own, gambling house mentality. They do their dealings on what is called matched deals, if somebody wants to buy they have to go through the exchange, where their purchase is matched against somebody who wants to sell. No seller, no deal.

My point, I was given a very good job in Poland, the people were fantastic, they can come here any time they like, just as I was made welcome in their country.

No Truce

I think that the title of your log is quite interesting in many ways. The use of the word truce for example.

What the government seems to be saying is that the banks appear to being told that they should help out SME's. Now, let us look a bit deeper.

If you are a SME then you usually have to pay your taxes retrospectively, not only PAYE and National Insurance but also any Corporation tax, and VAT which you may owe.

Now then, let us say that you have taken on more debt than you can afford, so you actually spend the money which you owe to the taxpayer. The taxman chases you for your debt, quite rightly, you say I haven't got the money, I've spent it. What happens next. The taxman should say ok you've spent what you us, so we will bankrupt you, no problem. So, if you don't pay by the due date you're finished.

The taxman will say, if you can't pay then I would go to the nearest bank and borrow the money. The bank is going to say, I think, get lost, you are not a good risk, forget it, we actually want the money we lent to you back, so before the taxman bankrupts you, we will, because the taxman has first call.

This is not government, this is corruption, nothing else. I want those that owe their taxes to pay them. No truce Nick, no truce at all.

Lloyds TSB

It was interesting that a former boss of LloydsTSB should be interviewed on the Andrew Marr show this morning, giving us warm words about markets and that things will not be as bad as they were in the seventies.

Now, what I would have done is to ask just how unbiased Sir Brian Pittman actually was. For example, how many LloydsTSB shares does he have a beneficial interest in. What exactly is the pension he receives from his previous employers. How much he receives in dividends from LyoydsTSB shares, if any. How about family trusts and any charities he is involved in.

My problem is that can Sir Brian really give an unbiased view, baring in mind that he could be prejudiced by any financial involvement he still has. Just as Lord Mandelson was asked some searching questions then the same ought to be asked of anybody giving us, the taxpayers, reassurance.

Plymouth

Is it not true to say that we English have to be the luckiest people on earth, not the British, but the English. It was not Britain that defeated the Spanish Armada, it was the English. When people refer to the victory of the Anglo-Saxon model of economics they mean the East Coast of America and England, not America and Britain.

I must say that I absolutely detest being referred to as British, I am not, I am English, I do have an identity.

However, I would prefer a world which was more like the sea. There are no borders, the ashes of my father can flow wherever they will. Nobody can say you can't come here, you can't go there. It is the sea from which we came and it is to the sea to which we will return.

That is why Plymouth Hoe, and Plymouth itself is so important. It is from where the Pilgrim Fathers sailed to America, it is where there is a huge War Memorial which celebrates all those who have no grave at home, there are no foreign fields for them, no parades, just a memorial commemorating their sacrifice.

That is why I detest with a vengeance Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. By allowing ourselves to toe the American line we have besmirched the memory of all those who died in the service of their country, in both World Wars. The war against Iraq has ruined us all. I feel that those who lost their lives in WWI were wasted, but those of WWII did have justice on their side, that the war was honourable and most importantly it was a just war against an abomination which was Nazism. I feel that the war, and subsequent occupation, of Iraq, makes me feel like a Nazi.

You are quite right about the sea, for those in peril, we can only hope that one day soon we may have the chance to vote. For me, I will say none of the above, the political system has been destroyed, it is time for a new politics, a new non-divisive, cohesive coming together. May I even go so far as to suggest an anarchist approach based on a very simple principle, do unto others as you wish others to do to you.

One Trick pony

It is said by some that certain issues are not appropriate for this log. I would totally disagree! My reasoning, it is because Gordon Brown can only handle one thing at a time that we are in such a parlous state.

Gordon Brown is the Prime Minister, not the Chancellor any more. Maybe if he gave a lead on the immigration issue now beginning to raise its head, or the abortion problem which is coming to parliament, or the problem of the war in Afghanistan, and the occupation of Iraq. Or the problems of Dafur. Gordon is a one trick pony, that's the problem.

Belief

You identify a serious judicial problem. No matter how you draft any law.

Somebody may well have the intention to do something but can they be guilty of doing something if they don't actually do it. At the very last second they change their mind.

Consider anybody who lives their whole life not believing in God, ignores the ten commandments, because there is no hell. They just die and get eaten by the worms, there is no soul.

However, at the moment of death there is a revelation and they sudeenly believe in the God who they had ignored their whole life. Does a true christian think that the person will not enter heaven, they did not intend to live an evil life, it is just that they did not fear retribution, in the sense that they would go to hell.

In the meantime the good christian lives his whole life thinking, believing that there is a God, and lives his life in accordance with the rules. However, there is no God and heaven does not exist. What an absolute waste, if he thought that the whole purpose of mankind on earth was to behave in such a way that he would go to heaven. Great for a structured well behaved society but what about the pleasures of life.

Cap Badges

You have got it. The problem does not lie with the ordinary British soldier being given orders by their own officers. The problem arises when our soldiers are working 'with' the Americans.

If a British soldier sees, hears, knows, has knowledge of etc. that the forces with which he is working have different rules and treat people differently then what can they do, other than resign, refuse orders, be given an honourable discharge?

What you must understand is that military rules in this country have been changed, to the effect that soldiers have to accept orders, even if they are given by a higher command of a country other than the one they signed up to serve, namely the United Kingdom, and they signed remember to serve their Queen and Country, not the American President and American Foreign policy.

I regard Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as traitors, our soldiers have become othing other than mercenaries. Remember, Harry in Afghanistan, we do bad things to bad people', well he may do but some other far more courageous people do not, that cap, and its logo, brings shame on us all. Now he is off on a motor cycle jaunt, 'for charity'. Somebody needs to get a grip!

Take me to court

I am afraid that sometimes I can be just that little bit on the slow side. Therefore, I was wondering if you would like to expand on your view that 'people taking themselves too seriously helped kick this war off in the first place'.

The war, to a certain extent, has proven to be not the problem, it is the subsequent occupation of Iraq where the problem arises.

Therefore, do you seriously think that my continued commenting about the actions of the politicians and the soldiers has in some way been obsessive. You ask the family of any of the military, both close and extended, what they think about the death, or injury of or to their loved one. I don't think that I am obsessive at all, I now begin to understand how Churchill must have felt in his wilderness years!

Mind you there are some people who are now beginning to write about the lies told by Tony Blair, in more than one situation, and even if they now take the credit I seriously don't care, as long as there is truth and justice, then I feel part of a free country. Maybe not as free as I would love it to be, but Rome was not built in a day.

Mind you, I have to say that the courts can still issue injunctions preventing free speech on the spurious grounds of breaking a contract, so there is a long way to go yet.

I wonder if Tony Blair, or Gordon Brown who paid for the wars, would like to take me to court for impugning their character. Mind you if they did I would have to demand access to all the papers, transcripts of all conversations, to show that my comments were valid. Mind you they can always try to bring more editorial control to the internet, couldn't they Nick. Now surely, nobody would even think of doing that, would they?

A Good Idea

I must say that I am not obsessing nor am I a hater. You really must stop using emotive terms which actually detract from any well structured argument, it does you no credit at all.

I think that there so many people who could make well structured, knowledgeable contributions but who seem to be concerned that they may well have their confidence and certainty undermined by comments which do freedom of speech a dis-service.

What may well be interesting is if there was a sort of hstory of who has actually read what, then we may get an indication as to the popularity, or not of any comments. How about a sort of voting, or rating system, where people can agree or disagree without having to actually make their own valued comments.

Nose Pickers

'The shallowness and haste of Cameron is partly down to his inexperience, the Tories ethos, and his own character flaws'.

Now, since when was David Cameron caught picking his nose and eating it, or wiping the bogey on his tie. Would I like to shake the hand of either man, no!

As the nose picking was caught whilst Tony Blair was addressing the house, can we expect Tony for a quote as to what he thinks of people who pick their nose and eat it whilst he is speaking. Is it not unparliamentary to do this.

Some of us have not forgotten the pasting that David Cameron got when he was referring to hoodies and one stood behind him making unflattering hand gestures.

Wake Up

Some people do wake up eventually. As soon as my gas supplier announced an increase in the price of my supplies I read my meter and sent the new reading to the company.

I was given a new bill and settled it. Now then, if I had not read my meter at the time and they had estimated my bill and I had used less units, according to them, then I would use more units at the higher price.

So, I hope that others actually read their meters when the price rises were announced because otherwise they may well end-up paying for expensive gas when they used the gas at a lower price.

This is now being reported in the various media but yet again I think that the British public may well have been conned. What are you going to do about it Gordon, come on, actually do something.

Some People can be Stupid

I must say that some people can be just so stupid. The gas companies announce that if you pay a premium then gas prices can be fixed for two years into the future, just before they announce huge price increases, so people sign up.

In the meantime it would appear that Gordon Brown is now saying that he wants energy prices to fall, in line with the decline in the price of oil. So, what happens to all those who signed up to guarantee their prices, will they have to pay the higher price until their contracts expire, just asking.

Also, Gordon Brown has announced an increase in the winter fuel payment, for this year. If prices do fall then will the winter fuel payment be reduced, next year, or possibly even this year, because of the economic crisis.

The same with pensions, and benefits, linked to the Retail Prices Index. When we do get deflation, as I expect we will, then what is then going to happen, will benefit payments be reduced because of this decline in prices. I exclude the state pension because this government is going to return it to link with wages

Just when wages in the real economy will start reducing, inflation 5%, wages increase about 2%, there is a problem brewing which nobody seems to want to talk about, I wonder why not Nick, any answers would be sincerely appreciated.

Brought to Book

#369 can be quoted as saying that 'Sadly, right or wrong a soldier's lot is to do what he's told to do', now I would disagree with that, and the reason why?

I go back to Germany at the cessation of WWII, when some people claimed that the reason why they broke the rules of war was that they were following orders, not all of which were written down so could not be referred to, as a formal defence.

Now, I am sure that Tony Blair never wrote down how prisoners should be treated, neither did Geoff Hoon. However, some of these prisoners did end up being extra-ordinarily renditioned, and then either maltreated, or even worse tortured and killed. There is sufficient evidence to support this allegation, of maltreatment, torture and killing.

What also has to be understood is that even at the cessation of WWI, when on signing the Treaty of Versailles, Germany had to admit to responsibility for the war, even though most fair minded people would not place all the blame on the Kaiser. However, the Kaiser had taken refuge in Holland, and lived there until his death. Holland, would not extradite the Kaiser to face any trial, because he may have faced execution.

My point, that British soldiers under international law, should not have accepted orders when they knew what would result from their actions. I think that you will find that an inquiry held by senior MPs have taken legal advice and confirmed my comment, and earlier ones.

So, I would totally disagree with anybody who asserts that 'a soldiers lot is to do what he's told', in fact I would disagree most strongly! Bush and Blair must be brought to book, they have blood on their hands, and I would also say that the senior officers in the army should also be brought to book, if a soldier is meant to do as he's told then who does the telling.

Crimes

I share your views sir.

I am totally against both the war in Afghanistan and our continued participation in the occupation of Iraq. I also think that our soldiers, and their officers both junior and senior were wrong to accept orders, from a higher authority.

Therefore, I consider that the leaders of both Britain and America, both current and immediately past, should be taken to the courts and charged with committing wars of aggression, for lying to our parliament and for breeches of the human rights act, for torturing individuals and for being complicit in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people. There is blood on the hands of these people, they should not just be allowed to walk away with their pensions secured.

Kill and Get out

in politics there is always a price. The price we will pay?

I think that soon we will start hearing how important it is that we join the Euro. Just as Brown is saying that now Scotland would not be able to cope with an economic crisis we have just experienced. Britain must join the Euro, and soon.

I hear that yet again the MoD have been criticised over the death of another soldier in Afghanistan. The question must be asked of the total number of our soldiers who have been killed in Afghanistan, exactly how many have actually been killed by the enemy without our input. Poor equipment, insufficient training, a whole list could be compilied of the number of deaths which need not have happened.

I'm reminded of the Great War song:-

'We're here because, we're here, because, we're here, because we're here'.

When will the government come clean over the long term, kill and get out is what I think will happen.

Repossessions

So now we know that the Englisg taxpayer has bailed out the Scottish banks for the reasons of winning the Glenrothes bye-election. Gordon Brown is now saying that how could the SNP have saved the Scottish banks. This whole episode is appalling pork barrel politics.

It is the Scottish banks which have been nationalised, not the English ones. Lloyds TSb must not go ahead with the merger, they must not allow the rape of their shareholders by allowing the government to dictate dividend policy.

I am not a shareholder in any of the companies nor do I live in Scotland, although I do have a soulmate who does.

Nothing has been nationalised, the banks have not for sure. If they have been nationalised then why have we been told that as soon as possible any banks in receipt of taxpayers money will repay that money and then become the same as they were before they were in receipt of the aforesaid taxpayers largess.

In the meantime why are Northern Rock repossessing so many properties, is this how socialists want the state to behave.

The elephant in room

Of course Gordon Brown is the architect of these problems.

It is not just about the banking crisis. It is Dafur, it is Afghanistan, it is Iraq, it is the report about false consultations, it is about Mandelson, Cash for Honours, loans to political parties, it is about 42 days detention, it is about the upcoming commons vote on abortion and the changes to the law, it is about CTV cameras, its about the unemployed being roof laggers, it is about the non referendum over the Treaty of Lisbon, not being at signings.

I think that you get my drift, also how about human rights in China and the torch parade through the streets of London, foot and mouth, now that was a real crisis, caused by leaks from a government establishment. It is about Northern Rock continuing to sponsor a famous football club and paying a retainer to a former senior executive and then repossessing the homes of those people who should never have been given a loan in the first place.

Well I am no fan of David Cameron, but there is a problem. If you say that you are not with me then you are against me is the mantra. I am straining every sinew to save the country and therefore by inference if you do not support me then you are undermining our country, which a true conservative would never do!

So, we need a formal government announcement as to the policy in Afghanistan, because there is nobody saying about the elephant in the room about the effect that the war is having on the poeples of Britain.

Laggers

I wonder why there have not been more references to the comments by the Great Prime Minister that people who lose their jobs can be gainfully employed lagging roofs.

This is getting just like a Chinese job creation scheme where it takes ten people to sweep a road which would be done by one hard working Englishman.

I wonder what other suggestions can be made to cure the unemployment problem.

In the meantime ponder this one. Over the last few years large numbers of people have been employed by the government in the public sector. Meanwhile over the next five years large numbers of the population will be hitting 60 for women and 65 for men, this being the immediate post war population bulge.

Now then if any of these people were employed in the public sector I hope that those who have been employed over the last five or so years will now be expected to do the jobs previously done by these new retirees, because that is why they were employed, as replacement workers.

So, they can expect to work under different working conditions, for example less pension rights, and they will also receive less pay increases because of the mess left by theose who are now retiring. There is going to be so much annoyance as these people ride off into the sunset with their gold plated pensions and our council taxes paying for them. Get 'em out, move 'em on.

Funny how Gordon met the returning Team GB athletes on his own, whilst the Queen can do it with all her loyal subjects around. I wonder why, maybe the nose-picking Aspidistra doesn't actually like other people.

We're Rolling Rolling Rolling

Francis Fukuyama wrote a most interesting book 'The End of History and the Last Man' which I think should be read! No, I am not a bookseller nor do I have an interest so can I give a quote from the final paragraph which is, I think is relevent for today:-

'Alexandre Kojeve believed that ultimately history would vindicate its own rationality. That is, enough wagons would pull into town such that any reasonable person looking at the situation would be forced to agree that there had been only one journey and one destination. It is doubtful that we are that point now, for despite the recent worldwide liberal revolution, the evidence available to us now concerning the direction of the wagons' wanderings must remain provisionally inconclusive. Nor can we in the final analysis know, provided a majority of the wagons eventually reach the same town, whether their occupants, having looked around a bit at their new surroundings, will not find themselves inadequate and set their eyes on a new and more distant journey.'

Do you know what, I almost could not have put it any better with regard to the current economic situation. Get 'em up, move 'em on, where is Clint Eastwood when you need him? We're rolling, rolling, rolling...

Another No Brainer

there is a problem which I hope that your other readers might just be able to help me with.

Let us say that I am a prudent bank, with GBP100. I have the money, I am solvent and I am liquid.

Now another bank has lent some money to somebody who is high risk, so they lent them GBP100 at let's say 15%. However, the person is looking like they are going to default, so I need to borrow GBP100 from another bank, or the taxpayer.

So, I approach the first solvent, prudent bank and offer them let's say for arguments sake 6%.

Now, the first solvent, prudent bank is expected to lend GBP100 plus interest at 6% to a bank which has been lending out the money that they have previously borrowed and lent out at 15%.

This is a no brainer. The wheels are coming off the wagon, the scorched earth policy still continues.

War in Iraq

Please note that I do not hide from anybody or anything. I have my own family experience with a member of my family being given an honourable discharge from the army because of his beliefs, no court martial for him.

If a soldier is going to kill anybody because of orders from above then those orders must be, above else, honourable and based on an explicit trust. It is my belief that those orders were neither of the aforementioned.

Everybody has to understand that we have occupied a foreign country, Iraq, based on a premise which was not absolutely honest. I am of the firm belief that the sending of our soldiers to war should not have been sanctioned. Our soldiers signed up to protect their Queen and Country, not to kill innocent women and children, and possibly torture freedom fighters who are attempting to remove foreign invaders from their country.

People are right to criticise Tony Blair for what he has done, but there are many others who share his shame, they should not be allowed to escape. The main individual I now hold in complete contempt is Gordon Brown who paid for this war, and has done nothing since coming to power, except to authorise our ignominious retreat from Basra, and who now allows substantial sums of money to be given to our former enemies. Why have so many died, what has it achieved.

The Queen visits Google

I totally agree with your comments and have every sympathy with your family. My point would be that the situation is similar to that of the distribution of Disabled Licences to some people entitling them to concessions in their car parking.

How is that some people seem to be so disabled that they need to park near to a store, or park in dangerous ways because they are disabled. Yet they seem to be able to walk around a store, or drop in to the coffee shop for some refreshment, or generally get around without too much problem.

The people who appear to have taken advantage of a well sound scheme do a total disservice to those really in need. How is that they can drive such huge vehicles, are they not in danger of losing control at the wheel, if they can't even walk a few extra metres. I know that I sometimes go over the top but I do understand that I do cause hurt, but sometimes it is the only way to get over my own anger as to how appalling the current crop of politicians, whether in the commons or the lords, are.

In the meantime I could hardly fail to notice that an earlier comment referred to Hannibal, well to anybody who thinks that by referring to Hannibal I would not continue to refer to the leader as a nose-picking Aspidistra then they can continue to dream on.

Interesting also that my earlier comment about the Queen not being seen or heard from in the economic crisis has got her running off to the Google offices. Interesting that my earlier posting about Lord Peter Mandelson was removed, not surprised, except that I didn't think that it would even get past the moderators.

Don't insult me

All I have said within my small insignificant effort is to say what a wonderful fellow Gordon is. Of course he should head up the International Monetary Fund and the World bank, what's your problem do you actually disagree with me that Gordon is somehow the greatest individual now alive on the planet.

It is obvious that with his popularity labour must win the Glenrothes bye-election. Surely it must be agreed that there is absolutely no way that Gordon Brown will not go to Glenrothes and that with his immense intellect and popularity labour will win. I mean he has saved the Scottish banks and Scottish jobs, don't even try to insult my intelligence by saying otherwise. Oh, and please stop putting the clocks back for Scottish farmers, put them forward to save energy!

A Nose Picking Aspidistra

Gordon is wasted on this country. He should be elected as the new President of the United States of America, he should also be the non elected President of the United States of Europe, and the new Head of the United Nations. Furthermore, the task of heading up the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank is also surely not beyond his capabilities.

May I suggest that Gordon immediately ask the Queen to come to No. 10 so that she can hear his proposals and that she accepts his resignation with immediate effect. He can also head up the NATO force in Aghanistan and Bin Laden should surrender immediately, because he now stands no chance.

Nothing is beyond the capabilities of Gordon, he is a colossus, he is a nose picking Aspidistra!

Break with RPI

You are quite right that this government is about to restore the link to wages and break the link with RPI.

However, my employer will retain the link to RPI. I wonder how long it will be before the government say that they want to abolish RPI altogther because it is no longer valid and that in future all reference to RPI in any agreements will be amended to read CPI instead.

I wonder if there are moves afoot to do the same with Index Linked Gilts, it has happened before when the 1929 government made War Loan Irredeemable.

Divorce

Many of those now being made redundant will be quite well off, especially those who leave the banks. In many cases they will have so much money that they will not sign on because their income means that they are not entitled to any unemployment benefits.

There will be tens of thousands who will be able to live off their savings, contrary to my earlier postings. Do you seriously think that they will be seen down the dole office. Mind you if they are married, male and still with their partners then I have every sympathy with the partner who has not had to put up with having their loved one around all day. I can see a lot of marriages breaking up as people say I didn't marry you to have you around all day. Get a job, even if it means stacking shelves down the supermarket

Great thing this inflation

these are joyous days. I am in receipt of a pension from a previous employer, a not unsubstantial one either, on which I pay no national insurance, although I do pay income tax.

My point, well my pension is just about to be increased by 5%, the maximum allowed. Current employees are to receive a miserly 2%, or even have their wages reduced, so I who no longer work, will have an increase in income over twice as much as a worker, and will not pay national insurance either, this is bizarre, no wonder the pensioners are going to be quiet. Great thing this inflation.

Oh, happy days. Come on socialists, congratulate the chancellor and premier, they are doing an absolutely brilliant job, keep up the good work.

Dividend Policy

I think that in the absolutely fantastic work done by the brilliant intelect of the most wonderfully financially astute Premier since, well, almost forever there is a downside which many have not fully understood.

Consider that it is not only the pension funds that will not share in the largess being offered to the LloydsTSB and HBoS because of the imposition of a no dividend payment policy to the aforementioned companies. It is also the employees and former employees who will lose out because of the investment policies of the existing directors.

They are major shareholders and rely on their dividend payments to mainitain their standard of living. These people left the organisations in good condition when they retired, why should they suffer because of the problems caused by the current encumbents. This policy of paying no dividends must be reversed, and with some urgency. In this case the ends do not justify the means, ordon Brown must instruct the Treasury that this policy is wrong. Sorry, the Permier can never admit that he is wrong so we shall just have to live with a disastrous policy which will have repersussions not thought of by the so called experts.

Call Time on Time

now some people think that I am somehow anti-Scottish, they could not be more wrong. How can Gordon prove to me that there is not a strong pro-Scottish bias within the government?

Tell you what, let's have the ridiculous situation over putting the clocks back, which results in it being dark at three in the afternoon, abolished. Surely in the time of energy conservation we must now take the opportunity to actually put the clocks forward by two hours so that it is still light at five. Think how much energy would be saved by offices not having to be ablaze with lights so early in the afternoon, street lighting, so many effects to mention here but you get the drift.

We have cahnged forever from a rural economy to an urban one, the war has been over for decades, let's move on shall we, or who does run the country?

Wave Theory

in respect of the 42 days maybe some people really ought to look into the history of our own philosophers, Hobbes, Locke and, Mill for example.

Surely if philosophy was part of the curriculum then at least our children and grandchildren would then come to understand how we have come to be where we are. Our 'constitution' has come about to meet necessary change which has occurred in our society.

Look at Locke on toleration and you can see why torture does not work, never has and never will. That is why we should not hold suspects for 42, it would be misused, you say not possible, then why was the anti-terror legislation used in respect of Iceland, what about ill treatment of Iraqi prisoners of war. This is about Game Theory and the Prisoners Dilemma, oh and you can even use tidal curves to monitor the movements in the Stock Exchanges, its all about the Moon, might as well be because all logic has gone out of the window.