Monday, October 22, 2007
IS MR COMMON SENSE DEAD?
London Times Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense - Thursday, 15 Feb 2007Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who hasbeen with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since hisbirth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will beremembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm;Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend morethan you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are incharge).His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned butoverbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boycharged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended fromschool for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimandingan unruly student, only worsened his condition..Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the jobthat they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consentto administer sun lotion or an Elastoplast to a student; but could notinform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have anabortion.Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments becamecontraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received bettertreatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn'tdefend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sueyou for assault.Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed torealise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in herlap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; hiswife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He issurvived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, SomeoneElse Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone. If youstill remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.And a little extra...Can you imagine working for a company that has a little more than 600employees and has the following statistics?29 have been accused of spouse abuse7 have been arrested for fraud19 have been accused of writing bad cheques117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses3 have done time for assault71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit4 have been arrested on drug-related charges8 have been arrested for shoplifting21 are currently defendants in lawsuits84 have been arrested for drink driving in the last yearWhich organisation is this?It's the 635 members of The House of Commons, the same group that cranks outhundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.
The Royals v Gordon Brown
Over the past few days we have seen how the Royal Family have got involved in the workings of the people of Great Britain, first we had the Princes William and Harry supporting the England Rugby team in a very active way, when the match had finished they went round to the Hotel joined in the party with the players and their families. These two Princes are definitely British Princes, while they were doing their bit at the Rugby their Father Prince Charles was honouring Territorial Army soldiers who served in Iraq s in the grounds of his private Scottish home. They were members of the 51st Highland, 7th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland; He wanted to personally thank them for their efforts during a recent tour of duty in Iraq.
Compare this with our Prime Minister Gordon Brown who was signing up to the European Treaty, do we British get a say in the destruction of Nation? Brown maybe a European Patriot but one thing for sure he is a Traitor to the British people. It was reported after the EU meeting he enjoyed a few celebrity drinks withal his European friends, did he have drinks with the Rugby lads and has he organised a parade for our returning Armed Forces NO
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
Compare this with our Prime Minister Gordon Brown who was signing up to the European Treaty, do we British get a say in the destruction of Nation? Brown maybe a European Patriot but one thing for sure he is a Traitor to the British people. It was reported after the EU meeting he enjoyed a few celebrity drinks withal his European friends, did he have drinks with the Rugby lads and has he organised a parade for our returning Armed Forces NO
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Bruges Group
The EU Constitution:Context and PredictionsRevisiting predictions on the fate of the EU Constitution
Two years ago the Bruges Group predicted the path of the EU treaty and warned of the consequences of railroading integration on Britain. Now the Bruges Group looks at what will happen next. And how Britain can finally resolve the EU question and become a good neighbour to the continent, rather than being an overcharged lodger.
We predicted in early 2005 that the EU Constitution would;
fail somewhere in a referendum(France and the Netherlands voted No. Britain would have certainly done the same)
the rejection of the Constitution would provoke a panic in Brussels(EU leaders did not know what to do next, EU Commission Vice-President, Margot Wallström, even moved onto Plan D)
this panic would create the opportunity for Britain to rethink our terms of EU membership(This however was missed and the EU stumbled on)
a failure to change our membership would mean the original plan would go back onto the table, and the breakup of the EU would become inevitable(The federalists only idea was to re-submit the same old tired Constitution, just under a new name)
What happens next and why a vote is inevitable
Brown under pressureThe Prime Minister has found himself stuck in the middle between the masses of people demanding a referendum on the Treaty and the Europhiles that are floating the idea of holding a vote on our very membership of the EU.The inevitability of a referendumA referendum, sooner or later, is inevitable and long overdue. The British public will not sit idly by as they see a referendum on the revived and renamed EU Constitution taking place in Ireland. They will not forgive the Labour Party for breaking its 2005 election manifesto.After the fiasco of the election that never was, Brown cannot afford to duck the will of the British people yet again.It is just a matter of what the final question will be.More wasting of taxpayers moneyWe can expect the Government will restart is costly, yet futile, roadshow to convince us of the ‘benefits’ of EU membership without actually naming any.The European Commission will also spend more of our money on propaganda in a vain attempt to make us support the Reform Treaty. We can be sure that some of this propaganda money will come from the European People’s Party which the Conservatives in the European Parliament are members of.The opportunity of the revived EU ConstitutionA vote rejecting EU integration in the UK will open up the prospect of new opportunities for Britain including a new arrangement of free trade and friendship, replacing burdensome regulation and the constant antagonism caused by Britain’s reluctance to submit itself fully to the federalist project.These opportunities were acknowledged by the very drafters of the EU Constitution itself. Article 7a, the Good Neighbour clause, of the draft Reform Treaty would allow Britain, if it were to leave the EU's political control, to enjoy a special relationship with the EU, where the UK can remain outside of the political structures, but still enjoy good working relations. This will give Britain free trade with the European Union. There is no reason why we cannot aim for such a relationship once the Treaty is rejected.This ‘good neighbour’ arrangement is clearly therefore an achievable objective, replacing our existing terms of membership.EU expert Dr Lee Rotherham says,“You don’t have to be Mystic Meg to predict a stormy 6 months for Gordon Brown. The question really is whether the Captain will follow his policy to the bottom of Davy Jones’ Locker, and whether David Cameron seizes the opportunity to steer a bold new course in Britain’s dealings with Europe.”Robert Oulds, Director of the Bruges Group, says,“Blair will be remembered as the man that failed to make the British public love the EU as he did and, above all, he ran from the challenge of the Eurosceptics and failed to even hold a referendum on the euro.“Unless Brown holds a referendum his legacy will also be one of cowardice, not courage, on the question of Europe.“If Brown fails to let the British public have their say he will also go down as the man that sunk Britain’s membership by pushing the people too far without their consent.”
Powers that Britain must reclaim
Once there has been reform at home by affirming the Primacy of Parliament over EU law, striking out the parts of the acquis communautaire that do not suit Britain. And after an official inquiry into the costs of EU membership has reported on the price we are paying; Britain can replace our current membership with the ‘good neighbour’ status.Below is a list of minimum demands that would be needed to make the 'good neighbour’ relationship work.
Repatriate CAP to national control. Reforms to be undertaken at national level
Repatriate CFP. Local community management
Restore Social Chapter opt-out
Remove Employment and Social Affairs from the arrangement
Repatriate all of International Development, and link with good governance
Remove Defence and intergovernmental affairs from the agreement; cut Commission representation; cut UK funding for Galileo; remove WEU from any EU agreement
End regional aid: budget saved to be restored to exchequers
Cut R&D funding or withdraw from UK participation and funding
UK to represent itself internationally unless we request otherwise. Option to join NAFTA subject only to anti-dumping talks with EU
Tax harmonisation to end. Britain allowed to set own tax rates, including ending VAT
Education and Culture to go to Council of Europe (a non-EU institution) with budget line
Health and Consumer Protection to be scaled back vastly
Stop the ability of the ECJ and the Commission to govern Britain
Justice and Home Affairs to be taken away from the EU and discussed at a broader level of intergovernmentalism
All remaining competences to see the restoration of the veto
Click here to read the original Bruges Group paper from early 2005 on where Britain should go next and the mechanics for changing the UK’s relationship with the EU
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For further information contact:Robert OuldsDirectorThe Bruges Group227 Linen Hall, 162-168 Regent Street, London W1B 5TBUKTel: +44(0) 20 7287 4414Mobile: 07740 029787E-mail: info@brugesgroup.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you do not wish to receive these news-bulletins please send an e-mail to:unsubscribe@brugesgroup.comPlease write unsubscribe in the subject heading
Two years ago the Bruges Group predicted the path of the EU treaty and warned of the consequences of railroading integration on Britain. Now the Bruges Group looks at what will happen next. And how Britain can finally resolve the EU question and become a good neighbour to the continent, rather than being an overcharged lodger.
We predicted in early 2005 that the EU Constitution would;
fail somewhere in a referendum(France and the Netherlands voted No. Britain would have certainly done the same)
the rejection of the Constitution would provoke a panic in Brussels(EU leaders did not know what to do next, EU Commission Vice-President, Margot Wallström, even moved onto Plan D)
this panic would create the opportunity for Britain to rethink our terms of EU membership(This however was missed and the EU stumbled on)
a failure to change our membership would mean the original plan would go back onto the table, and the breakup of the EU would become inevitable(The federalists only idea was to re-submit the same old tired Constitution, just under a new name)
What happens next and why a vote is inevitable
Brown under pressureThe Prime Minister has found himself stuck in the middle between the masses of people demanding a referendum on the Treaty and the Europhiles that are floating the idea of holding a vote on our very membership of the EU.The inevitability of a referendumA referendum, sooner or later, is inevitable and long overdue. The British public will not sit idly by as they see a referendum on the revived and renamed EU Constitution taking place in Ireland. They will not forgive the Labour Party for breaking its 2005 election manifesto.After the fiasco of the election that never was, Brown cannot afford to duck the will of the British people yet again.It is just a matter of what the final question will be.More wasting of taxpayers moneyWe can expect the Government will restart is costly, yet futile, roadshow to convince us of the ‘benefits’ of EU membership without actually naming any.The European Commission will also spend more of our money on propaganda in a vain attempt to make us support the Reform Treaty. We can be sure that some of this propaganda money will come from the European People’s Party which the Conservatives in the European Parliament are members of.The opportunity of the revived EU ConstitutionA vote rejecting EU integration in the UK will open up the prospect of new opportunities for Britain including a new arrangement of free trade and friendship, replacing burdensome regulation and the constant antagonism caused by Britain’s reluctance to submit itself fully to the federalist project.These opportunities were acknowledged by the very drafters of the EU Constitution itself. Article 7a, the Good Neighbour clause, of the draft Reform Treaty would allow Britain, if it were to leave the EU's political control, to enjoy a special relationship with the EU, where the UK can remain outside of the political structures, but still enjoy good working relations. This will give Britain free trade with the European Union. There is no reason why we cannot aim for such a relationship once the Treaty is rejected.This ‘good neighbour’ arrangement is clearly therefore an achievable objective, replacing our existing terms of membership.EU expert Dr Lee Rotherham says,“You don’t have to be Mystic Meg to predict a stormy 6 months for Gordon Brown. The question really is whether the Captain will follow his policy to the bottom of Davy Jones’ Locker, and whether David Cameron seizes the opportunity to steer a bold new course in Britain’s dealings with Europe.”Robert Oulds, Director of the Bruges Group, says,“Blair will be remembered as the man that failed to make the British public love the EU as he did and, above all, he ran from the challenge of the Eurosceptics and failed to even hold a referendum on the euro.“Unless Brown holds a referendum his legacy will also be one of cowardice, not courage, on the question of Europe.“If Brown fails to let the British public have their say he will also go down as the man that sunk Britain’s membership by pushing the people too far without their consent.”
Powers that Britain must reclaim
Once there has been reform at home by affirming the Primacy of Parliament over EU law, striking out the parts of the acquis communautaire that do not suit Britain. And after an official inquiry into the costs of EU membership has reported on the price we are paying; Britain can replace our current membership with the ‘good neighbour’ status.Below is a list of minimum demands that would be needed to make the 'good neighbour’ relationship work.
Repatriate CAP to national control. Reforms to be undertaken at national level
Repatriate CFP. Local community management
Restore Social Chapter opt-out
Remove Employment and Social Affairs from the arrangement
Repatriate all of International Development, and link with good governance
Remove Defence and intergovernmental affairs from the agreement; cut Commission representation; cut UK funding for Galileo; remove WEU from any EU agreement
End regional aid: budget saved to be restored to exchequers
Cut R&D funding or withdraw from UK participation and funding
UK to represent itself internationally unless we request otherwise. Option to join NAFTA subject only to anti-dumping talks with EU
Tax harmonisation to end. Britain allowed to set own tax rates, including ending VAT
Education and Culture to go to Council of Europe (a non-EU institution) with budget line
Health and Consumer Protection to be scaled back vastly
Stop the ability of the ECJ and the Commission to govern Britain
Justice and Home Affairs to be taken away from the EU and discussed at a broader level of intergovernmentalism
All remaining competences to see the restoration of the veto
Click here to read the original Bruges Group paper from early 2005 on where Britain should go next and the mechanics for changing the UK’s relationship with the EU
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For further information contact:Robert OuldsDirectorThe Bruges Group227 Linen Hall, 162-168 Regent Street, London W1B 5TBUKTel: +44(0) 20 7287 4414Mobile: 07740 029787E-mail: info@brugesgroup.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you do not wish to receive these news-bulletins please send an e-mail to:unsubscribe@brugesgroup.comPlease write unsubscribe in the subject heading
Saturday, October 20, 2007
No Ban on Red Arrows
Date: 20th October 2007
Release date: Immediate
Subject: Gordon receives reassurance on Red Arrows “ban”.
GORDON Henderson has received an assurance that the organisers of the 2012 Olympics have not banned the Red Arrows from performing at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics because the RAF display team is considered to be “too British”.
The assurance was given by the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP, who explained that the issue was raised with Lord Coe and Hugh Robertson, MP for Faversham and Sports and Olympics Spokesman, at the London 2012 fringe meeting at The Conservative Party Conference.
Lord Coe stated quite unequivocally that the issue had never even been raised with him and that the Red Arrows would be extremely welcome as part of The London 2012 Olympic Opening ceremony.
Furthermore, he pointed out that a fly past by The Red Arrows had been a key part of the celebrations in Trafalgar Square when we won the right to host The Games and that the London 2012 Organising Committee had not even settled on the format for our eight minute handover slot in Beijing in 2008 - let alone begun to consider possible formats for 2012.
Mr Hunt went on to say:
‘On a personal level, I would only add that I am a strong supporter of our Armed Forces in general, and The Red Arrows in particular, and would certainly wish them to have an appropriate role in the London 2012 celebrations. As the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport I have been closely following this issue and will continue to do so in order to ensure such a role is secured.
‘I hope that this reassures you about the current position, however we will continue to monitor the government closely as ever!’
Gordon said:
‘I am happy to accept the reassurance from Jeremy Hunt, however, I haven’t yet received a response from the Government itself, so I am still slightly nervous that the politically correct brigade in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will try to twist the arm of the 2012 Olympic organisers in an effort to change their minds. I hope I am wrong and that the Red Arrows will play a part in the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.’
ENDS
Release date: Immediate
Subject: Gordon receives reassurance on Red Arrows “ban”.
GORDON Henderson has received an assurance that the organisers of the 2012 Olympics have not banned the Red Arrows from performing at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics because the RAF display team is considered to be “too British”.
The assurance was given by the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP, who explained that the issue was raised with Lord Coe and Hugh Robertson, MP for Faversham and Sports and Olympics Spokesman, at the London 2012 fringe meeting at The Conservative Party Conference.
Lord Coe stated quite unequivocally that the issue had never even been raised with him and that the Red Arrows would be extremely welcome as part of The London 2012 Olympic Opening ceremony.
Furthermore, he pointed out that a fly past by The Red Arrows had been a key part of the celebrations in Trafalgar Square when we won the right to host The Games and that the London 2012 Organising Committee had not even settled on the format for our eight minute handover slot in Beijing in 2008 - let alone begun to consider possible formats for 2012.
Mr Hunt went on to say:
‘On a personal level, I would only add that I am a strong supporter of our Armed Forces in general, and The Red Arrows in particular, and would certainly wish them to have an appropriate role in the London 2012 celebrations. As the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport I have been closely following this issue and will continue to do so in order to ensure such a role is secured.
‘I hope that this reassures you about the current position, however we will continue to monitor the government closely as ever!’
Gordon said:
‘I am happy to accept the reassurance from Jeremy Hunt, however, I haven’t yet received a response from the Government itself, so I am still slightly nervous that the politically correct brigade in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will try to twist the arm of the 2012 Olympic organisers in an effort to change their minds. I hope I am wrong and that the Red Arrows will play a part in the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.’
ENDS
"Immigrants No Bottle" says Ollie
My mate Ollie sent me the following:
Isn't it funny how foreign immigrants in this country (illegal or otherwise)claim to be here because they didn't like the set-up in their own country.What really sticks in my gullet, however, is that they are soon happy to stand up and shout about the wrongs of this country (and their rights), when they didn't have the balls to do so in their own country!
Isn't it funny how foreign immigrants in this country (illegal or otherwise)claim to be here because they didn't like the set-up in their own country.What really sticks in my gullet, however, is that they are soon happy to stand up and shout about the wrongs of this country (and their rights), when they didn't have the balls to do so in their own country!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Alan returns from Afghanistan
You may have seen one of the Swale Martial Arts Club members in the various tabloids on Monday; it was of course Cpl Alan Cain cuddling his two children. Why was he doing this, well he was a member the TA London Scottish Regiment who had just returned from active service in Afghanistan. You may also have also seen the pictures where these troops paraded through London without any member of the public cheering them on.
What a despicable country Great Britain has turned into where true hero’s, where men and women are willing to lay down their lives to protect us from terrorists yet we the public can not even celebrate their return home. Had this been a winning Football team you would not have been able to move the same would be for a pop band or celebrity and the only threat to their lives would be the amount of drugs or alcohol they consumed. Can you imagine what will happen if England wins the Rugby, there would be loads of politician singing the team there praises and knighthoods would go out of fashion
This government sends these troops out to be killed, then get embarrassed when they return at least Maggie Thatcher gave our troops a parade for their deeds in the Falklands but then again she did not court Celebrities and pop stars she dealt with real people.
I hope those who lived in the area where the parade was feel thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
Martin Clarke East Street Sittingbourne
What a despicable country Great Britain has turned into where true hero’s, where men and women are willing to lay down their lives to protect us from terrorists yet we the public can not even celebrate their return home. Had this been a winning Football team you would not have been able to move the same would be for a pop band or celebrity and the only threat to their lives would be the amount of drugs or alcohol they consumed. Can you imagine what will happen if England wins the Rugby, there would be loads of politician singing the team there praises and knighthoods would go out of fashion
This government sends these troops out to be killed, then get embarrassed when they return at least Maggie Thatcher gave our troops a parade for their deeds in the Falklands but then again she did not court Celebrities and pop stars she dealt with real people.
I hope those who lived in the area where the parade was feel thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
Martin Clarke East Street Sittingbourne
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Sittingbourne People want referendum
I am proud to say I spent a couple of hours with Gordon on Saturday getting some signatures, I thought it was about time I stopped complaining and done something
LOCAL Conservatives were out in Sittingbourne High Street at the weekend as part of their campaign to force Prime Minister Gordon Brown into holding a referendum before ratifying the EU Reform Treaty.
The EU Treaty, which transfers more powers from Westminster to Brussels, replaces the European Constitution which was resoundingly rejected by voters in France and Holland, but has now been resurrected under a different name.
Led by Parliamentary Candidate, Gordon Henderson, the campaigners received lots of attention and support from members of the public, who queued to sign the Conservative petition calling on the Prime Minister to honour the promise in the Labour Party manifesto at the last election to hold a referendum on the EU constitution.
The Conservative campaign was supported by The Sun, which has launched its own campaign for a referendum. The national newspaper supplied flags for the stand, which was set up outside the Forum and also sent along a photographer to take pictures of the campaigners.
Gordon said:
‘This was the best supported campaign we have ever organised. In just two hours we collected over four hundred signatures.
‘People were queuing to sign our petition because they are really angry about the way the Prime Minister is refusing to deliver on the Labour promise to hold a referendum before ratification of the new EU Reform Treaty.
‘Mr Brown maintains that this treaty is different to the EU Constitution, but that is nonsense. The documents are almost identical, which is why the Irish government is allowing its citizens a referendum.
‘Why is the Prime Minister scared of letting the British people have their say on this very important issue? First he chickened out of calling a General Election, now he is chickening out of holding a referendum.’
LOCAL Conservatives were out in Sittingbourne High Street at the weekend as part of their campaign to force Prime Minister Gordon Brown into holding a referendum before ratifying the EU Reform Treaty.
The EU Treaty, which transfers more powers from Westminster to Brussels, replaces the European Constitution which was resoundingly rejected by voters in France and Holland, but has now been resurrected under a different name.
Led by Parliamentary Candidate, Gordon Henderson, the campaigners received lots of attention and support from members of the public, who queued to sign the Conservative petition calling on the Prime Minister to honour the promise in the Labour Party manifesto at the last election to hold a referendum on the EU constitution.
The Conservative campaign was supported by The Sun, which has launched its own campaign for a referendum. The national newspaper supplied flags for the stand, which was set up outside the Forum and also sent along a photographer to take pictures of the campaigners.
Gordon said:
‘This was the best supported campaign we have ever organised. In just two hours we collected over four hundred signatures.
‘People were queuing to sign our petition because they are really angry about the way the Prime Minister is refusing to deliver on the Labour promise to hold a referendum before ratification of the new EU Reform Treaty.
‘Mr Brown maintains that this treaty is different to the EU Constitution, but that is nonsense. The documents are almost identical, which is why the Irish government is allowing its citizens a referendum.
‘Why is the Prime Minister scared of letting the British people have their say on this very important issue? First he chickened out of calling a General Election, now he is chickening out of holding a referendum.’
Council Tax to rise again
GORDON Henderson says that he is “absolutely horrified” that residents of Swale face inflation-busting hikes in council tax, following the publication of the Government’s new tax and spending plans for the next three years – the so-called “Comprehensive Spending Review”.
Gordon’s comments follow news that: -
· The cross-party Local Government Association has forecast that “the Chancellor's announcement will mean above inflation rises in bills for council taxpayers”.
· Insufficient resources have been given to local authorities to tackle the soaring costs of care for the elderly, waste collection and disposal, and other burdens imposed by Whitehall.
· Independent commentators have said that the Government’s claim that council tax bills will be kept down “do not look plausible”.
· The small print of the Government’s report reveals that council tax revenues are forecast to rise by 5 per cent this year. Assuming council tax rises of 5 per cent every year over the three years of the Spending Review, this would push the average council tax bill in Swale to £1508 on Band D. Under the Labour Government, bills have already soared across the country, and have increased bills by 112% across Swale.
Gordon remarked,
‘Thanks to Labour’s fiddled funding, council tax has gone through the roof across the country. Since 1997, council taxes in Swale have already rocketed by 112%. Now I fear that Gordon Brown is engineering three more years of inflation-busting hikes. I am absolutely horrified that rises will be imposed on our residents, because those increases will hit hardest the most vulnerable in Swale – particularly pensioners on fixed incomes.
‘This is yet another tax con from a tired Government that has run out of ideas. Using council tax to raise more money is the most dishonest tax hike of them all – engineered by Whitehall but with local councillors taking the blame when bills hit the doormat.’
Notes to Editors
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO HIKE COUNCIL TAX BILLS EVEN MORE
The small print of the Government’s Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review reveals that council tax revenues are forecast to soar this year by £1.2 billion, from £23.7 billion in 2007-08 to £24.9 billion in 2008-09. This is an inflation-busting rise of 5.1 per cent; only a tiny proportion of this change is due to the increase in the size of ‘tax base’ from population change (HM Treasury, 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review, October 2007, p.168, table B8).
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/F/9/pbr_csr07_annexb_305.pdf
In their response to Labour’s Pre-Budget Report, the cross-party Local Government Association has warned: “This is the worst settlement for local government in a decade. Councils will continue to work hard for the people they serve but they face tough choices. The Chancellor's announcement will mean above inflation rises in bills for council taxpayers and businesses, and there remains a black hole in funding for the care of the elderly. The money allocated to local government is simply not enough for councils to provide everything ministers have promised and meet the extra cost of looking after an ageing population which will cost £9m every single day. Even though this is a real terms increase in grant we estimate there will be a shortfall overall. The council taxpayer will once again be left to pick up the bill for promises made by the Government” (LGA Press Release, 10 October 2007).
http://www.lga.gov.uk/PressRelease.asp?id=SXEAC2-A7848E45
Leading commentator, Peter Riddell of The Times, has added: “Council tax, not inheritance tax, is what the Autumn Budget will be remembered for in the long term... Whitehall funding for councils will increase by an average of 1 per cent in real terms in the three years from next April: 1.5 per cent in the first year, then 0.8 and 0.7 per cent. The Government claims that this should be sufficient to ensure improved services, enabling local government to keep council tax rises low, with ‘an overall increase of well under 5 per cent in each of the next three years’. This is well above the forecast 2 per cent annual growth in consumer prices over the period. These figures do not look plausible. Local authorities complain that the Whitehall grant is not enough to provide new services promised by central government” (The Times, 11 October 2007).
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/peter_riddell/article2633826.ece
Gordon’s comments follow news that: -
· The cross-party Local Government Association has forecast that “the Chancellor's announcement will mean above inflation rises in bills for council taxpayers”.
· Insufficient resources have been given to local authorities to tackle the soaring costs of care for the elderly, waste collection and disposal, and other burdens imposed by Whitehall.
· Independent commentators have said that the Government’s claim that council tax bills will be kept down “do not look plausible”.
· The small print of the Government’s report reveals that council tax revenues are forecast to rise by 5 per cent this year. Assuming council tax rises of 5 per cent every year over the three years of the Spending Review, this would push the average council tax bill in Swale to £1508 on Band D. Under the Labour Government, bills have already soared across the country, and have increased bills by 112% across Swale.
Gordon remarked,
‘Thanks to Labour’s fiddled funding, council tax has gone through the roof across the country. Since 1997, council taxes in Swale have already rocketed by 112%. Now I fear that Gordon Brown is engineering three more years of inflation-busting hikes. I am absolutely horrified that rises will be imposed on our residents, because those increases will hit hardest the most vulnerable in Swale – particularly pensioners on fixed incomes.
‘This is yet another tax con from a tired Government that has run out of ideas. Using council tax to raise more money is the most dishonest tax hike of them all – engineered by Whitehall but with local councillors taking the blame when bills hit the doormat.’
Notes to Editors
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO HIKE COUNCIL TAX BILLS EVEN MORE
The small print of the Government’s Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review reveals that council tax revenues are forecast to soar this year by £1.2 billion, from £23.7 billion in 2007-08 to £24.9 billion in 2008-09. This is an inflation-busting rise of 5.1 per cent; only a tiny proportion of this change is due to the increase in the size of ‘tax base’ from population change (HM Treasury, 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review, October 2007, p.168, table B8).
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/F/9/pbr_csr07_annexb_305.pdf
In their response to Labour’s Pre-Budget Report, the cross-party Local Government Association has warned: “This is the worst settlement for local government in a decade. Councils will continue to work hard for the people they serve but they face tough choices. The Chancellor's announcement will mean above inflation rises in bills for council taxpayers and businesses, and there remains a black hole in funding for the care of the elderly. The money allocated to local government is simply not enough for councils to provide everything ministers have promised and meet the extra cost of looking after an ageing population which will cost £9m every single day. Even though this is a real terms increase in grant we estimate there will be a shortfall overall. The council taxpayer will once again be left to pick up the bill for promises made by the Government” (LGA Press Release, 10 October 2007).
http://www.lga.gov.uk/PressRelease.asp?id=SXEAC2-A7848E45
Leading commentator, Peter Riddell of The Times, has added: “Council tax, not inheritance tax, is what the Autumn Budget will be remembered for in the long term... Whitehall funding for councils will increase by an average of 1 per cent in real terms in the three years from next April: 1.5 per cent in the first year, then 0.8 and 0.7 per cent. The Government claims that this should be sufficient to ensure improved services, enabling local government to keep council tax rises low, with ‘an overall increase of well under 5 per cent in each of the next three years’. This is well above the forecast 2 per cent annual growth in consumer prices over the period. These figures do not look plausible. Local authorities complain that the Whitehall grant is not enough to provide new services promised by central government” (The Times, 11 October 2007).
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/peter_riddell/article2633826.ece
Sainsbury call its workers lazy
Dear Editor
Sainsbury recently announced that immigrant workers are very Conscientious, hard workers and will take on more then one job, indigenous British workers can learn a lot from them.
Well I would like to speak up for the Sittingbourne Sainsbury Worker, I have always found them smartly dressed, polite , helpful and always busy, the few I know personally are very hard workers.
One must asked the question if the British Worker is such a lazy bunch how did Sainsbury made its massive profits over the last 50 years? Sainsbury workers have been very loyal to the company maybe the company should respond the same.
Sainsbury like many companies have their own language every sentence they make has a hidden meaning so I have translated some Sainsbury Speak:
1) Very Conscientious = Do as they are told regardless, i.e. slave mentality
2) Will take on more then one job = Will work excessive long hours (this can cause health and safety problems due to tiredness)
3) Hard Workers = When told to jump they ask how high.
What Sainsbury is really saying here is a group of workers who we can take advantage of to make even bigger profits for the Fat Cat owners, Sainsbury has no loyalty to its work force or Great Britain its only loyalty is to the management and share holders, The British Worker is expendable.
Can I suggest if Sainsbury employ a disproportional amount of immigrant labour we all boycott the store?
The above can apply to medium size builders and farmers who now refuse to employ British workers
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
Sainsbury recently announced that immigrant workers are very Conscientious, hard workers and will take on more then one job, indigenous British workers can learn a lot from them.
Well I would like to speak up for the Sittingbourne Sainsbury Worker, I have always found them smartly dressed, polite , helpful and always busy, the few I know personally are very hard workers.
One must asked the question if the British Worker is such a lazy bunch how did Sainsbury made its massive profits over the last 50 years? Sainsbury workers have been very loyal to the company maybe the company should respond the same.
Sainsbury like many companies have their own language every sentence they make has a hidden meaning so I have translated some Sainsbury Speak:
1) Very Conscientious = Do as they are told regardless, i.e. slave mentality
2) Will take on more then one job = Will work excessive long hours (this can cause health and safety problems due to tiredness)
3) Hard Workers = When told to jump they ask how high.
What Sainsbury is really saying here is a group of workers who we can take advantage of to make even bigger profits for the Fat Cat owners, Sainsbury has no loyalty to its work force or Great Britain its only loyalty is to the management and share holders, The British Worker is expendable.
Can I suggest if Sainsbury employ a disproportional amount of immigrant labour we all boycott the store?
The above can apply to medium size builders and farmers who now refuse to employ British workers
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Conservatives Back On Top
Gordon Henderson cutting away the Bacon from LabourConservatives back on top
As a Conservative I obviously want a Conservative Government but in the past it has been anything is better then this Soul Destroying Government yet this weeks conference give me confidence that the next Conservative Government can claim the country back for the British people for example they pledge to:
1) Increase to £1 million pounds the Inheritance Tax threshold
2) Build more Jails so we can lock up the scum who ruin our lives, criminals to be treated as criminals not victims of society.
3) Stop earl y prison release
4) Tougher Immigration Laws
The one thing that has affected many steel workers in Swale was the Pensions debacle so I have attached a letter from Swale next MP Gordon Henderson
Gordon Henderson
PRESS RELEASE
Date: 1st October 2007
Release date: Immediate
Subject: Gordon “absolutely delighted” at Tory promise to help ASW pensioners
LOCAL Tory Parliamentary Candidate, Gordon Henderson, says that he is “absolutely delighted” David Cameron has promised to help workers who lost all, or most, of their pensions when their company pension schemes were wound up.
The issue has been a hot topic locally since ASW went into liquidation and workers at the steelworks in Sheerness saw their pensions destroyed overnight.
The Government eventually stepped in and set up the Financial Assistance Scheme, but the scheme only provides pensioners with 80% of their anticipated pensions and there are such long delays in processing claims that only 2000 pensioners have actually been helped, out of an estimated total of 125,000 victims.
Now David Cameron has promised that a Conservative government would immediately provide a £30 million a year “lifeboat fund” to provide immediate help to those facing hardship because of the loss of their pensions. As an interim measure, he promised that the Treasury would provide a £30 million loan so that victims could receive their proper pensions whilst the lifeboat fund was being set up.
Gordon said:
‘I am absolutely delighted that David Cameron has made this unequivocal pledge. So many weasel words have been spoken over the past few years as Gordon Brown and his Labour Government have tried to wriggle out of their moral obligation.
‘At last ASW pensioners can see an end to their struggle. They now have a cast iron guarantee that they will receive justice under a Tory government.’
….ends….
As a Conservative I obviously want a Conservative Government but in the past it has been anything is better then this Soul Destroying Government yet this weeks conference give me confidence that the next Conservative Government can claim the country back for the British people for example they pledge to:
1) Increase to £1 million pounds the Inheritance Tax threshold
2) Build more Jails so we can lock up the scum who ruin our lives, criminals to be treated as criminals not victims of society.
3) Stop earl y prison release
4) Tougher Immigration Laws
The one thing that has affected many steel workers in Swale was the Pensions debacle so I have attached a letter from Swale next MP Gordon Henderson
Gordon Henderson
PRESS RELEASE
Date: 1st October 2007
Release date: Immediate
Subject: Gordon “absolutely delighted” at Tory promise to help ASW pensioners
LOCAL Tory Parliamentary Candidate, Gordon Henderson, says that he is “absolutely delighted” David Cameron has promised to help workers who lost all, or most, of their pensions when their company pension schemes were wound up.
The issue has been a hot topic locally since ASW went into liquidation and workers at the steelworks in Sheerness saw their pensions destroyed overnight.
The Government eventually stepped in and set up the Financial Assistance Scheme, but the scheme only provides pensioners with 80% of their anticipated pensions and there are such long delays in processing claims that only 2000 pensioners have actually been helped, out of an estimated total of 125,000 victims.
Now David Cameron has promised that a Conservative government would immediately provide a £30 million a year “lifeboat fund” to provide immediate help to those facing hardship because of the loss of their pensions. As an interim measure, he promised that the Treasury would provide a £30 million loan so that victims could receive their proper pensions whilst the lifeboat fund was being set up.
Gordon said:
‘I am absolutely delighted that David Cameron has made this unequivocal pledge. So many weasel words have been spoken over the past few years as Gordon Brown and his Labour Government have tried to wriggle out of their moral obligation.
‘At last ASW pensioners can see an end to their struggle. They now have a cast iron guarantee that they will receive justice under a Tory government.’
….ends….
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