baldysblog.co.uk

Although I don’t really care for dealing with multiple subjects in one posting, as it is the end of October and the “News Stories” are frankly too boring and repetitive to bother with, endless reiterations with little to no insight, I thought that I might allow myself an “exception” because on both subjects, I have written already, there is little more to say.

The two current topics are Blair and the EU Presidency, the Kelly Report on MP’s Expenses and on the latter at least, from John O’Farell in the Independent some sound stuff.

A British Candidate for the “Top EU Jobs”

Neither Blair nor Miliband ever stood a chance of getting one of these jobs and in fact, no Briton would anyway and Brown and Miliband opening up their foolish mouths to promote Blair is just another illustration of THEIR, total lack of political nonce rather than a failure by the F.O.

In order to be seriously considered, any candidate would need the support of France and Germany or at least the support of one and, no opposition from the other. However, the reality is that Gordon Brown and Labour are a busted flush and on their way down the toilet of political life, there is absolutely no reason why the EU should accommodate Brown on anything, he just won’t be around that long.

In the future, the EU know that they will be faced with a Conservative Government having to administer harsh financial treatment in the UK to get the British Economy back on an even keel and “Fighting for British Interests” within the EU will be standard fare for the next 5 years at least, actually forever, truth to tell. In fact being semi-detached from the EU has been British Foreign Policy under all Governments for the past 30 years and will remain so far into the foreseeable future and beyond because it is good for Europe.

Reality Bites

Set against this background, even if Tony Blair was the perfect candidate and wanted for the job by the majority of EU Members, it would be unwise to appoint him because the constant battle with his home nation, would damage the post of EU President permanently.

But the real reason is that the democratic deficit of the EU is created by all National Governments being unwilling to lose control of their own Parliaments and countries by making the European Parliament supreme. This is particularly true of France and Germany so, a “strong” candidate for either post was never a possibility once Merkel was so triumphantly re-elected. A couple of hard working dedicated administrators who totally believe in the EU as it is and come from the smaller member countries were always a certainty for both posts as is the fact that one will be a woman.

British diplomacy has in fact been very effective in dealing with the EU it has ensured enlargement to dilute the “Rich Fat Boys Club” that the Common Market was and will now turn its attention to ensuring that a “Two Speed Europe” does not emerge simply because it is not in the interests of the smaller countries and Europe as a whole.

Kelly and MP’s Expenses

John O’Farrell wrote a very good piece in the Independent and whilst one may question his current motives considering his “Spitting Image” background and a new book out on the shelves, it is worth reading

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/john-ofarrell-our-politicians-deserve-better-1812293.html

Below My Comments

It is always a delight to find someone who will stand up against the tide of crap we have had over MP’s Expenses. Of course given that most people are either followers of whatever trend is fashionable the tide comes in and goes out with them. As for the rest, a Victorian hypocrisy of “Duties, Rules and Honour” will suffice for their real emotions which are that “someone” is getting something they aren’t.

Whilst I agree with the majority of points you make, you have missed a key factor in all this and similar “outpourings”, there is a major character flaw that afflicts large numbers in our Country. Much as I love my Country and there is much to be proud of, there is an underlying spiteful element which is shameful.

The best way to describe it goes like this: If you were driving some super, expensive and rare sports car in the States, people would openly admire it and think to themselves “How could I get one of those ?” In the UK, they would wait until no one was looking and run a key all the way along the bodywork just to spoil it.

Whilst quite a number of MPs may have stretched all credibility, most haven’t and more importantly, within 6 months, at least half the current MPs will be gone and replaced with first time MPs which should be a good time for a new and totally transparent start instead and due wholly to the panic reaction of the ever incompetent Brown, we have Legg and Kelly bumbling around in the past. Common sense would concentrate on the average overall cost per MP and build a better system from the ground up.

What Do the Public Want ?

Unfortunately, driven by the “outrage” of the vocal public, all that will happen is that the foundations will be laid to ensure something similar will happen in a decade and that is not clever. Either we fund MPs properly or we will be back to the only people in the House being those who are rich and those who are sponsored by sectional interests, no one else could afford to be there, take your pick.

Footnote:

Although our “transition” to a world built upon “Merit” has been less than perfect, to regress into a world where MP’s represent the views of Merchant Banks or Trade Unions because only they can afford because of their “sponsorship” to stand as MPs, does not seem a very good idea to me or, I am sure, anyone else with a functioning brain.

The most despicable thing on Television in recent times must be “Big Brother” or “I’m a Celebrity…” where “contestants” humiliate themselves on a daily and weekly basis in order to win some crap prize, our Parliament should not be like this but will be if they have to “scramble for pennies” and in so doing, diminish all of us Britons.

Let us not over-pay but, let us pay the “rate for the job” so at least Caesar’s Wife is clearly above suspicion. Like the sad saga of the Nimrod Fleet, stupid cost cutting will always lead to total disaster.