What Does Mr President Canyou Make Gas Cand Great Again
Transparency Only Works With Participation
August 8, 2010
In the five days that followed election night to the resignation of Gordon Brown and the subsequent forming of a coalition, one issue reigned and still does reign as the central issue for the Liberal Democrats – political reform. Reform that will deliver, in the words of the coalition 'Programme for Government' document, "changes to our political system to make it far more transparent and accountable."
There are numerous measures which aim to meet this challenge :- A referendum to change the way in which we vote for a candidate, moving from the current system of First Past the Post to the more proportional system – although not fully proportional- of Alternative Vote (AV); an introduction of constituency 'recall' where if an MP is found to act or behave in manner of ill or unlawful practice, constituents can spark a by-election by producing a petition signed by 10% of the constituency population; the establishment of a committee to address the issue of Lords reform and the need for a partial or fully elected upper chamber; the introduction of a 'public reading stage' for bills and the recognition of petitions containing over 100,000 signatures to be eligible for formal debate in Parliament. These are without doubt all measures which will help to put more power into the hands of the voter, but of course one must remain sceptical until these measures are actually put into practice.
Right now though, there are a few activities which have gone a least some way to giving the public more of an opinion on vital matters of government. First there is the 'Your Freedom' website launched by Deputy PM Nick Clegg. The website allows anybody to log on and submit a suggestion regarding an issue, or vote for legislation which should be changed or abolished. It has received a huge amount of interest, with people posting comments and responses to the coalition's governing blueprint; the results of which can be viewed here:
http://programmeforgovernment.hmg.gov.uk/response/
Secondly, The Prime Ministers continuation of his well known 'Cameron Direct' service onto the bigger stage with 'PM Direct', allows the public to directly ask the PM a question about a recent activity, proposal or statement. Yes, at first I was sceptical to how much these questions were pre-empted or the audience vetted. But, within the first 20 minutes of 'PM Direct' in Brighton, Cameron received a firm 'telling off' from an elderly lady for calling Britain a 'junior' partner to the US in 1940, and rightly so. He also made another blunder stating Iran HAD nuclear weapons – certainly something to add to his hard faced diplomatic semantics of late. Not only did 'PM Direct' see Cameron facing the public directly, it allowed for a response to some of the most pressing and important issues felt by the public, not those deemed worthy of a response or attention by Downing Street.
I don't know how long all of this will last and to what extent those measures proposed by the coalition will come to fruition. But, one can only hope the pledges made will be fought out bitterly and that a transparent and more open form of government will continue. The answers to these questions though, will become clearer in time.
So no matter how much you hate the coalition or feel betrayed by Nick Clegg (a topic for later debate), don't just sit there. Get up and use some of these services, take an interest and say what you think. If decisions are only made by those who turn up, then make sure you're present every time regardless of whom you like and what you like. It matters.
Your Freedom:
http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk
Coalition 'Programme for Government' document:
http://programmeforgovernment.hmg.gov.uk/files/2010/05/coalition-programme.pdf
PM Direct Videos:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/number-10-tv
Back to the Blogosphere
August 8, 2010
It has been a while since I have written a blog on here, mainly due to the increased levels of stress and work involved in the final hurdle of a degree. But I got there, have graduated with a first and I'm about to start an internship in Westminster, so all is well.
Since the last post you may be aware there has been a General Election, there was no majority and we now have a coalition government between the Conservatives and the Lib-Dems. I will aim to blog as much as I can but especially once I start the internship time will be limited, so I may have to just write when I can…
For a great insight into those five days, see the BBC documentary 'Five Days that Changed Britain': http://beta.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00t8p52/Five_Days_that_Changed_Britain/
Anyway back to business…
From 'Flash' to 'Flat' Gordon?
March 15, 2010
Gordon Brown in Number 10
Emerging from the political rubble of the former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown moved from Number 11 to Number 10 Downing Street on June 27th 2007. Brown seemed like the new life of Labour in his first few months as PM, with a series of crises seeing a huge Labour poll boost. As time went on and his lack of decisiveness built up in the midst of an economic recession, faith in Brown diminished.With a nearing general election does Gordon have any powers left to avoid the kryptonite of an election defeat or are we now left with nothing more than sympathy for the once seemingly 'Flash Gordon'?
Just days after entering Downing Street, Brown faced the first of the many challenges that plagued his first month as PM. On Friday June 29th two cars were found outside a club in Haymarket, London containing gas canisters, petrol and nails, fortunately they did not detonate. On Saturday June 30th a car was sent flaming into Glasgow airport, again little damage was done. In just two days Brown had led three meetings with the government emergencies committee 'COBRA', leading to the terror threat level being raised to critical on July 1st; the newly appointed Home Secretary Jacqui Smith certainly had no time to get comfortable. As if nails and fire was not enough, problems fell from the sky when Britain suffered some of its heaviest rainfall and flooding on record in early July. Brown toured the worse hit areas of Doncaster and Hull on July 7th and pledged £14million worth of support, although in contradiction he simultaneously looked to cut hundreds of jobs from the Environment Agency, the very agency responsible for flood defences. Regardless however, Brown looked strong, sympathetic and decisive, especially compared with David Cameron, who was away on holiday for most of the crisis, a sentiment reflected in Labours poll boost. In August 2007, Foot and Mouth disease hit the UK once again, seeing the PM take the reigns a lot more quickly and firmer than Blair in 2001, canceling his holiday and initiating emergency measures to contain the outbreak. In the summer of 2007 Labour reached 40% in the ICM polls, a great rarity for a party in government for 10 years.
This would however all change in October 2007 when Brown was heavily criticised by his own party for not calling a snap election, this was succeeded by a tide of political stumbles and attacks, seeing what Telegraph journalist Patrick Hennessey calls "one of the most profound political sea-changes of the modern era." The cabinet lost cohesion and fell out, Northern Rock had to be nationalised, HM Revenue and Customs lost discs containing 25 million peoples information and funding scandals saw Peter Hain resign as Work and Pensions secretary. Furthermore, Gordon Brown signed the Lisbon treaty alone looking excluded and out of touch with the international stage, then abolished the 10p income tax starting rate, cutting into the pockets of low earners. The tide had changed, and as Vince Cable brilliantly commented, Brown had "gone from Stalin to Mr Bean." This culminated in Labour's worst local election results in 40 years in May 2008 and an ICM poll rating of only 27%. Subsequently, revolts to oust the PM have occurred on numerous occasions, the last rumbling being only a few months ago. Andrew Rawnsley's new book 'The End of the Party' claims, in various revelations, that Brown bullied staff and managed government with an iron fist, certainly an image distanced from July 2007.
It must not be said however Brown is down and out, he still has a very competitive chance of scraping an election win, with the Polls tightening every week and with Cameron's confidence dwindling. One thing can be sure though, Gordon might not be able to "save the world," as he mistakenly uttered last year, and voters will not completely buy his television performances, but you can be sure he will do what he does best – fight. And with the gloves firmly off, Gordon's battle is certainly not over yet.
The Elect Factor
January 15, 2010
Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg
On September 26th 1960, Senator John F Kennedy and Vice President Richard M Nixon combined television and politics in a way previously unprecedented in the first televised Presidential debates. Candidates for political office no longer just had to present issues and deliver rhetoric, but also had to sell themselves, visually to a large mass audience. The ramifications of this event still echo in modern times. Fifty years on and the United Kingdom will see its first televised Prime-Ministerial debates between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Three debates will be hosted by different broadcasters; ITV will host the first, Sky News the second and the BBC will host the last. However, just like the change in TV picture quality from 1960 to 2010, the issues surrounding this debate are far from black and white.
There are mixed views from journalists and commentators towards who the debates will benefit, usually it is the incumbent candidate who has the most to lose having to defend a track record while giving the opposition publicity and a feeding frenzy, hence why no Prime-Minister has ever called for one. John Major did agree to a debate in 1997, but disagreement over format led to its termination. But with David Cameron leading in the polls, many Tory bloggers see this event as possibly devastating for him. Tim Montgomerie in his blog Conservativehome stated the party were "heading for a massive defeat" after hearing the news the debates would go ahead, Mike Smithson on PoliticalBetting.com echoed these sentiments saying Cameron "has made a seriously bad decision." Both agreed that Nick Clegg would emerge most successfully from the debates, boosting the Lib Dem's public profile. Veteran Tory blogger Iain Dale, however, stated that "Conservatives ought to have confidence in David Cameron's ability to approach these debates in the right way."
I feel Gordon Brown does have a lot to gain if he is able to reassure voters, play on his experience and keep the level of attack serious, avoiding class debates and Etonian finger pointing. His downfall perhaps may be his perceived image; he looks tired and old and sometimes lacks the charismatic flair Clegg and Cameron seem to carry off. Let's just hope he avoids the Youtube smiling. Cameron is the opposite, he looks fresh and ready for battle but with a lack of policy direction could end up looking inexperienced, incoherent and playing the blame card a little too often. In PMQs this week Brown attacked Cameron arguing "he needs three television election debates because he's got three versions of the same policy." This is the attack Cameron must defend, he needs to stand up and present himself as a leader of the country not a leader of the opposition. Nick Clegg, I feel stands to gain the most from the debates, Charlie Beckett from LSE made the remark that "he'll just be delighted to get some attention", and in non-dismissive way this is true. The debates are a chance for Clegg to bring the Lib Dems to the forefront and show initiative in policy areas – especially with regards to the economy with Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable gaining respect and appeal across the political divide. Clegg must be ready for battle though if he is to cut into the Brown/Cameron race.
Ultimately, putting political spin and campaign tactics aside, the debates bring politics to the people. Even if most of the viewers watch it for a sense of X-factor type entertainment, I really hope the debates will offer most people something previously absent in British elections – a greater knowledge of the candidates and a reason to vote. It may even lure some into taking a greater interest in British politics, however one must accept Eastenders will probably be on the other channel.
Canterbury: 'Thank You' album review.
November 29, 2009
Amongst the ever expanding sea of music which we are now able to easily access through various internet outlets, it is increasingly hard to spot a band that rises above the crowd and makes an immediate impact. Enter 'Canterbury'.
This 5 piece from Hampshire have just released their debut album 'Thank You' free of charge via the internet, and my god, what an album it is! Easily as well produced, diverse, melodic and worthy of commercial success as any Indie-Rock album released this year, the album takes you through a range of musical spectrums from the sing along, Foo Fightersesque pounding tones of 'Set you Right', 'Eleven Twelve' and 'Take me Out of the Wall', to the guitar-pop, slightly Panic at the Disco sounding album ender 'Hometime', and the melodic, harmonious acoustic 'Hospital'. The album is non-stop both literally and in its musical output – just as you begin to get comfortable the album hits you with another stomach wrenching riff, ear shattering chorus or seemingly effortless vocal harmony.
Canterbury are a band difficult to define in terms of genre, and this is a major aspect of the album lyrically, but if you're into the likes of Foo Fighters, Kill the Arcade and Panic at the Disco you will not be disappointed. Even if you're not, there is something in Canterbury for everyone.
Live, this band make a venue of 50 seem like an arena of 5000 and the passion, power and quality experienced on record is easily replicated, if not enhanced. With a support slot for Billy Talent just ending, expect to see these guys touring again very soon.
So, to anybody who claims to be 'into music', I don't see how Canterbury can be missed out. Download their album 'Thank You' now, for free. In the end, what have you got to lose?
http://www.canterburythankyou.com
www.myspace.com/canterbury
A True Inquiry?
November 26, 2009
This week has seen the start of the 'Iraq War Inquiry' which aims to get answers to the key questions surrounding the British entry into Iraq, looking specifically at events from 2001 to present. The inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot made clear in his opening speech the aims of the panel.
"The Iraq Inquiry was set up to identify the lessons that should be learned from the UK's involvement in Iraq to help future governments who may face similar situations. To do this, we need to establish what happened. We are piecing this together from the evidence we are collecting from documents or from those who have first hand experience. We will then need to evaluate what went well and what didn't – and, crucially, why."
While I hope that this inquiry will bring more light to the situation and offer some resolution, for the sake of both the British public, but most importantly to the troops who have given their lives or are fighting, and their families left behind, I can't help being some what sceptical and doubtful whether this inquiry will solve much.
While political heavyweights such as Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Jack Straw will be giving evidence, as well as Sir Christopher Meyer (UK ambassador to the US 1997-2003) and key figures from the Joint Intelligence Community, there is unlikely to be much controversy from key political figures due to the nearing General election. Equally, they are not under oath and are not being questioned by any legal authority, in fact Chilcot was appointed by Gordon Brown. Government influence over the inquiry was highlighted by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg last week, claiming a government imposed protocol "includes nine separate reasons why information can be suppressed, most of which have nothing to do with national security. Outrageously, it gives Whitehall Departments individual rights of veto over the information in the final report." The limitations that surround this inquiry, from government imposed restrictions and influences and the lack of legal authority, to the fact no actual standing resolution or consequences can be imposed post-inquiry, suggest that it is merely a talking shop, which will provide answers to questions most of us already know – such as the 'sexed up' WMD document – and at the most will point fingers at those who deserve it, but with no consequence to follow. The Inquiry website explains "if the Committee finds that mistakes were made, that there were issues which could have been dealt with better, it will say so." Brilliant, so the most Tony Blair will get if it is proved he was creating a war agenda is a slightly publicised telling off, and perhaps half an hour in the naughty corner.
I believe we will have to wait for the memoirs and the release of key documents in years to come in order to truly discover what really went on among the corridors of power, or at least an inquiry with both US and British collaboration. This inquiry seems to be another attempt without international input to pick away at the endless mess that led us to Iraq in 2003,it is another government illusion of Iraq resolution, when in reality the panel has little influence, power or jurisdiction over the matter in question. After all, this isn't the first inquiry into Iraq and it certainly won't be definitive. Right now however, I'd prefer more effort and collaboration by the US and British governments towards finding a more workable solution and an end to a conflict, which has already caused endless bloodshed and controversy.
We are the Foolish
September 5, 2009
Finally it's here, the first full glimpse of General Fiasco's new video for 'We are the Foolish' which is the bands first single released through Infectious records.
The video looks fresh and visually captive but not overstated, it is the perfect blend of hair down, gloves off madness with stylish, refined and collected smoothness; which is just what General Fiasco do best. The single itself is a great first choice to be released via Infectious, it offers once again that perfect blend of 'ballsy rock' and crowd pleasing chants, with melodic and controlled overtones, exposing the true talent of General Fiasco leaving you satisfied but still wanting more.
I'm confident this single will solidify the bands step to the next level, in what can only be something that is truly deserved. As stated "You'd better wake up wake up, there's things you need to know" – and this line I'm sure will be echoing throughout our Television screens and Radios announcing the rise of a band who are destined for the top and beyond!
'We are the Foolish' released October 12th (Infectious Records)
Video on You Tube now!
http://www.myspace.com/generalfiasco
Barack Obama may stop the clock for Jack Bauer
January 30, 2009
Bauer bites back!
After reading the news that Barack Obama – in one of his first executive orders – has pushed to 'ensure lawful interrogations', I ponder on many questions.
Issues concerning how this will be implemented and what exactly is defined as a 'lawful interrogation' all spring to mind, but as an Obama fan I'm confident this order will be pursued and implemented with all the force and determination needed. However, I am then struck with a question which cuts deep into the very fabric of society and Fox television, a question that could completly change my life (on a Monday anyway)… What will happen to Jack Bauer?
The brutal, cutthroat patriot we all love, who is well known for his use of the hacksaw, the pen or even his own teeth to get information, could be running out of time when the order is fully implemented.
Does Mr Bauer seem like the kind of man to " improve the effectiveness of human intelligence gathering, to promote the safe, lawful, and humane treatment of individuals in United States custody and of United States personnel who are detained in armed conflicts, to ensure compliance with the treaty obligations of the United States, including the Geneva Conventions, and to take care that the laws of the United States are faithfully executed" ?(Whitehouse.gov)… Some may argue 'Yes', Jack is very 'effective' at gathering information – but somehow I think he may have to slow down on the finger snapping.
Or will he?
I believe Jack Bauer can be used as a useful deterrent by the U.S. Just imagine sitting a high profile terrorist in a prison cell, showing him the first 2 episodes of 24: Season 6… "now we have the Obama way, or we bring in' the Bauer' – your choice sir." I know which one I'd choose.
On a final note, just take a look at the actions the executive order will ban, according to the 'U.S Army Field Manual' (post 2006). Try and relate each one to a moment in 24 – I think you'll find most of them featured somewhere.
.
Bans the following actions in intelligence operations:
-Forcing the detainee to be naked, perform sexual acts, or pose in a sexual manner
-Placing hoods or sacks over the head of the detainee
-Placing duct tape over the eyes
-Applying beatings, electric shock, burns or other forms of physical pain
-Waterboarding
-Using military working dogs to threaten the detainees
-Inducing injury through cold or heat
-Conducting mock executions
-Depriving the detainee of necessary food, water, or medical care
-Denigrating the detainee's religious symbols
(www.bbc.co.uk/news)
From now on Mr Bauer, I suggest when your 'running out of time' you whip out the lawful interrogation literature.. well at least occasionally..what the heck.. President Obama can you please exclude Mr Bauer from this legislation?
Hello world!
January 29, 2009
Hello World!!! My name is James, I'm 20 and currently studying history in Bath – and no I'm not an alcoholic.
I love to discuss, debate and rant a lot especially about current affairs, American history and music, so I thought I would start up a blog to express these views to whoever may happen to stumble across them. I'd appreciate any comments and feedback, and I'd love to hear your views on matters as well.
Some extra stuff about me – I have played the drums for 8 years, I prefer modern history and at present my favourite historian is Niall Ferguson, I enjoy films – especially action, political or anything with a gripping plot and a good enigma and I also enjoy playing PC games when I get time.
In general I love to have a laugh, meet new people and discuss issues that matter (I'm not sure if that was ordered correctly). I hope you enjoy the blogs.
James x
Source: https://jlusher.wordpress.com/
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