Gary McKinnon is let down by Alan Johnson

Alan Johnson seems to fit the title: Jack of all trades, master on none. His time as Home Secretary has hardly been one of unmitigated success. It appears the Home Office is Labour’s equivalent of Northern Ireland. Prime Minister’s send ministers there when they want to end their careers in a very final way. If Alan Johnson does have hopes of being Labour leader, he has now found himself between the devil and the deep blue sea or more pertinently, between a hard place of his own making and Plymouth Rock, buckling under the pressure of a US government deeply embarrassed by the actions of a Brit.

Gary McKinnon (photographed above) has Asperger’s Syndrome. He is a UFO nut. Using his technological knowledge he managed to penetrate the seemingly impenetrable walls of the Pentagon. The Americans don’t like this. They want blood. They have already made clear they are going to jump over every legal hurdle to get their man. The only thing that stands in the way is British justice. We are now supposed to sleep well in our beds. The big bad wolf is not going to win. In fairy tales this is true, but we don’t live in a fairy tale and enter stage right, the Right Honourable Member for Hull West and Hessle. The High Court has refused Mr McKinnon the right to appeal to our Supreme Court. Alan Johnson, the postie done good, is now the star player. Is he going to do the right thing or is he going to blow the house down? Is he going to be the hero of the piece? No. Instead he is going to send Mr McKinnon to the US to face a prison sentence.

If I was a boffin in the Pentagon, I would want to get Mr McKinnon to explain how he did it. I would want to use his knowledge to make the computer systems secure. I would understand this man has a mental illness that makes him withdraw from the world we live in and live in a fantasy world.

Alan Johnson was the last roadblock to this extradition folly. He is the man who could have driven this runaway train into the buffers. He could have stopped this dead in its tracks. Instead he is the man who is so far out of his depth, he doesn’t realise the responsibility of a holder of one of the great offices of state. It is now up to us to remind him. Write to him and tell him how disgusted you are with this decision. Write to the press. Express your outrage. The only court that matters now is the court of public opinion. Even Alan Johnson has to bow to that court if enough of us nudge him into a corner. 

The end for the ‘Big Screen’ in Hull

It looks like it’s about to bite the dust. Gone. Out of our sight forever. As quickly as it came into our lives, it seems as if it is going to depart as speedily. The ‘Big Screen’  in Hull has been a source of debate since it was installed in 2004. I have always thought it looked like an enormous version of a television set people all over the country were throwing out to upgrade to a newer model. Aesthetically it is a carbuncle on the face of Queen Victoria Square. It could have been placed in a better location and it could have looked better, but alas our former Labour masters thought differently, if indeed they ever thought about it at all. The decision was made in haste in the Guildhall equivalent of smoke filled rooms. 

Now we are told it is going to cost £250,000 to run over the next three years and this – according to our Liberal Democrat masters – is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. True, it has always been an expensive folly. Labour councillors  seemed to be drawn into thinking Hull could somehow become Manchester with this monstrosity blasting out Look North around Queen Victoria Square, but I do have a problem.

Where is this television set, set for? Is it about to go to the technological graveyard in the sky, or is it going to be looked after in a benevolent council warehouse? Can it be resurrected at a future date, or has it already passed its use-by date? So much taxpayers’ money has been wasted thus far. It is a thorn in the side for the LibDems. A problem inherited from the former ruling Labour group’s profligacy. One can only hope that in the future Hull can move technologically forward in a planned and constructive way. As the UK faces bankruptcy thanks to national Labour profligacy, hope is all we have. 

Hull’s Christmas Market

Over the years I have enjoyed visiting Christmas Markets the length and breadth of Germany. These type of markets have become popular in the UK too, and I am pleased to report this year Hull is also holding a Christmas Market. This is where we are off to this evening.

It is hoped the market will increase the footfall in the city and judging by how popular they are elsewhere – including Germany – this should be a welcome addition for visitors to the city.

So come to Hull and experience Christmas in a different and peaceful way and pick up some unusual gifts. There will be plenty of German food and drink to keep you warm too!

 

UPDATE: Well, I suppose there is still over four weeks to go until Christmas Day. We got there just after 6.00pm. The majority of the stalls were food and sweets and most were unmanned. The place felt like the ‘Marie Celeste’ with only a handful of people there. For it to have the feel of  a German market, it should have fewer food and drink stalls and more selling Christmas gifts and decorations. I hope it gets better, otherwise it will be a damp squib. I was disappointed tonight.

Tories back in a comfortable double-digit lead

Yesterday we had the rogue poll cutting the Tory lead to 6%. Now, yet another poll is released which will make Conservatives sleep a little easier in their beds tonight; Tories on 39%, Labour 22% and the Lib Dems on 21%. Others on 18%.

Two things worthy of note. Firstly, I have said for a quite some time that Labour and the Lib Dems are neck and neck on around 23%. This poll – taking into account the margin of error – suggests the same.

Secondly, the amount of people saying they will vote for other parties is increasing. This backs up my assertion the next election will be the biggest anti-government vote in a century. Once again, nothing in the polls – apart from the odd rogue poll – makes me think any differently.

Margaret Thatcher comes home

Margaret Thatcher went back home today – to No. 10 Downing Street. She was there for the unveiling of an official portrait of her by the artist, Richard Stone.

Click here to see a video report from BBC News.

The net financial cost of Britain’s membership of the EU

Judging by some of the messages I have received about my last post, there appears to be some confusion, which I will now clear up.

During the next financial  year – 2010/11 – Britain’s net contribution to the EU will be £6.4 billion. This is how much the British taxpayer will stump up after our rebate and receipts are taken into account. For more information, please read this article written by the renowned and respected economist, Ruth Lea. 

Speaking to East Yorkshire Conservatives

Last night I was the speaker at a supper club meeting of East Yorkshire Conservatives in Bridlington, on the subject of Quangos.   Most people there were genuinely shocked at the amount of money being spent by Quangos and how much our membership of the European Union costs us each year. I quoted the following from Dr Lee Rotherham’s book, Ten Years On: Britain without the European Union.

While you were watching the last Harry Potter, £1,891,998 was transferred to Brussels.

During the England footy match, £1,113,000 left the British bank account for good.

In the time that it took you to boil an egg, £37,098 was surrendered to the EU.

£12,366 in one minute.

£206.11 in the heart pump of a second.

Another £206.11.

And then another.

It made no sense at all. It was like forming a human chain to pass gold bullion down Blackpool pier and to dump a brick off the end every hundred seconds.

Every hour was a new Angel of the North being built by British taxpayers in another country.

The bill for just two days paid for the whole Royal Family.

Three days would have kept your local community hospital running for a year.

Five days of EU membership would have covered all the repairs needed to every cathedral in England, or paid for a new Kew Gardens.

Ten days would have bought a new Belmarsh prison.

Why not just cut out the middle man? Instead of handing over three and a half weeks of net payments, you could have simulated the financial loss by cutting down all the trees in England looked after by the Forestry Commission and ploughing salt into the soil.

For the equivalent value effect of five months of fees, you could have just burned every picture and every painting in the National Gallery. Or the Treasury could have taken revenge on international bankers, and paid the annual deficit by just handing over all the revenue of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Food for thought? The statistics are breathtaking when stated in a way we can all relate to. I would like to thank East Yorkshire Conservatives for their very warm welcome and excellent hospitality. I had a very enjoyable time in Bridlington and look forward to returning.

Flooding in Cockermouth

Looking at the pictures from Cockermouth brought back the unhappy memories of when we were flooded in June 2007. So many people have had their lives turned upside down and judging by the scale of the flooding, they will be out of their homes much longer than the six and a half months we were out for.

My thoughts also go out to the family, friends and colleagues of PC Bill Barker, whose body was found earlier today. His widow has said the died doing the job the loved. According to Sky News

,  he had been diverting traffic off Northside Bridge near Workington when it collapsed, throwing him into the River Derwent. It shows the courage, bravery and sense of duty of all members of the emergency services. The magnificent job they do should make us all proud.

Sir Stuart Bell in the Queen’s Speech Debate

Sir Stuart Bell, the MP for Middlesbrough since 1983, has had a long career as an author, journalist, barrister and parliamentarian. I know he is gripped by a love affair with the EU, no doubt brought about during his time practicing law in France. Listening to him in the Queen’s Speech debate though, I began to wonder if like the prime minister he has become divorced from reality,

The big story about the Queen’s Speech today is what is not in it. After the turbulent year MPs have had, one would have thought Gordon Brown would grasp the nettle and include some form of reform bill. This was not to be. Sir Stuart – quite rightly – said in the House of Commons this afternoon, the voters are not talking about MPs’ expenses and allowances. They are talking about other issues affecting them. He thinks the Commons will once again become a great institution without reforming it. At least not undergoing any major reforms. What he is forgetting is if it was not for the recession, the public would be taking MPs to task. Just because we in the grips of a recession does not mean politicians should sweep these matters under the carpet and hope they will go away.

Sir Stuart then went on to make the most nonsensical remark I have heard a politician make in a long time. To paraphrase him, he believes during this economic downturn, Britain needs the EU more than it has done in the past. How? Why? Do British businesses need more red tape; more bureaucracy; more rules and regulation? Do fishermen need the Common Fisheries Policy? Do we really need more decisions taken away from us; important decisions affecting our democracy and our economy?

Britain needs the EU like a hole in the head. To help us get out of this recession we need to  throw off the shackles of the EU. British businesses need to freed from the red tape. If Sir Stuart Bell cannot see this, perhaps it is time he hung up his boots. 

Quote of the Day

Cast iron promises from the Conservative Party aren’t what they used to be

Gordon Brown – House of Commons – 18/11/09

Britain is best placed to weather the economic storm. No more boom and bust. British jobs for British workers, to name just three. The prime minister seems to have a poor memory as well as a poor grasp of reality.

The Cost of the Common Fisheries Policy

Tonight, I have been reading a report on the Common Fisheries Policy. With the latest TPA campaign highlighting how life would be very  different outside the EU, I have been looking at a policy that has had such a detrimental effect on the British fishing industry. Living in Hull, this is something important to the people of Hull and the Humber Region in general.

Once again, the Taxpayers’ Alliance is at the forefront of research into the economic impact the EU has on the UK economy. The UK fishing fleet, and associated industries have been crippled on three occasions in the past century: by the Kaiser, Hitler and the Common Fisheries Policy. On the first two occasions, the North Sea was a war zone.

To read the report I have been reading tonight. click HERE. 

Recipe for EU Agriculture Fudge

Following on from the cinema advertisement I posted yesterday, I realised I hadn’t posted the following video on EU Agriculture Fudge. Another great way to the message across of how just how much the EU costs us each year.

Archbishop of Canterbury speaks on the economy and taxation

I don’t agree with him, but if you want to know what all the fuss is about, here is Rowan Williams’ full speech to the TUC today. Apparently taxation should not be regarded as an unreasonable burden and “tax is about corporate insurance … and is the essence of the democratic process.”

Just when you think you have heard it all, someone comes along with something new.

Beyond Crisis: Archbishop Rowan Williams from Trades Union Congress on Vimeo.

What if Britain left the EU?

When I was growing up, the UK was part of the European Economic Community – the ‘Common Market.’ The EEC then transformed itself into the European Community. As part of this ongoing process, the transformation continued and the UK became part of the European Union. At no point during this were we the voters given the opportunity to have our say. Instead, those whom we elect to serve our interests, wilfully gave away huge chunks of our sovereignty to an unelected superquango in Brussels.

The advertisement at the top of this blog will be rolling out in cinemas nationally later this week. It gives you a glimpse of how much the EU costs taxpayers and businesses. It also promotes Dr Lee Rotherham’s new book, ‘Ten Years On: Britain without the European Union.’ It’s not just the financial cost though. Our right to govern ourselves as a free nation state has gone. We need to get this right back. This is just the start of a long campaign for democracy and freedom, but it is a fight we must win to rid ourselves of the meddling Brussels bureaucracy.

Family members working for MPs

Watching the Andrew Marr show this morning a rare occurrence happened: I found myself agreeing with John Bercow. I still regard him as an arrogant little shit; my opinion of him has not changed, but what he was correct on was the subject of spouses, partners and other family members working for MPs.

I feel sorry for those family members who have worked in the Commons for years, doing a great job and who have not abused the system. The problem is too many have abused the system and brought it into disrepute. The public perception is that everyone is on the fiddle, so I find myself agreeing with the Kelly Report and John Bercow. This practice must end.

As for the practice of agreeing with John Bercow? I'm sure this won't continue either.

X Factor Live Blog - Week 6

There won't be one. I watch the programme to see some of our young people with potential develop into great singers. I happen to think there is a hell of a lot talent out there, but this programme has become - even more than it has in the past - a battle of egos between the judges. Last week, Simon Cowell - despite what he says - decided to push out a singer who was a genuine threat to his acts and who could have easily gone on to win the contest.

I won't be watching tonight, although my prediction is one of Simon's acts will leave the competition tomorrow, as the public seeks revenge on him. This rather goes to prove my point. Another singer will leave, not because of their talent, but because of the battle of the egos going on with the judges.

John & Edward will live to fight another day. They are being primed for a short, novelty pop career and then jobs presenting on TV. Either way, Simon Cowell's bank balance is set to rise, unless people switch-off their sets, which I know will not happen in the numbers required to worry him.

Glasgow North-East proves Labour is on the slide

I'm down with the flu and not at my best, however, I do want to comment on the result of the Glasgow North-East by-election.

If you look at ukpollingreport, you will see since 1997, Labour has polled fewer votes at each subsequent election, although during this time Michael Martin was standing as Speaker. In 1997 Labour polled 22534 votes. In 2001, 16053 votes. In 2005, 15153 votes. In the by-election, Labour polled 12231 votes. There has been a boundary change, but in a solid Labour area, this has not made any difference.

What we see here, is election after election, Labour voters are not voting for other parties, instead they are staying at home. If you look into data in other constituencies you will see the same trend. This is why Labour MPs with majorities under around 8000 are getting the jitters. They know with a big anti-government vote on the way, they are vulnerable.

The Glasgow North-East by-election does not prove Labour is on the march. Far from it. It proves it is on the slide. Labour's best hope for the next election is its core vote stays at home. This is the only way it can retain many seats it would normally regard as safe.

March election 'unlikely'

Forget a March election. At least that's what Iain Dale thinks, along with the BBC's Nick Robinson and George Osborne's advisers.

I was out with some friends tonight and the this subject came up. I have thought for some time the most likely month for a general election is April. The turnout at a general election is always higher than at local elections. With this in mind, Labour would get a bigger drubbing at the hands of the voters across town and county halls. Although Labour is bankrupt and hasn't got the cash to fight a general election, never mind the local elections, I still think Brown will steer clear of May 6 and he won't let this parliament run until June. I predict the general election will be on April 15. April 8 is unlikely as it is just after Easter.

If I am right, remember you read it here. If I'm wrong, just forget you ever read it!

Gordon Brown and 'The Sun'

If you make an enemy out of 'The Sun' newspaper, it certainly knows

how to twist the knife. If its latest attacks on the prime minister

are anything to go by, the Conservative Party can do without its

'help.'

Most fair minded people feel the prime minister is doing the right

thing sending handwritten letters to the next of kin of our troops

killed in action. He has very poor eyesight and writes using a

felt-tip pen because of this. He probably wrote the letter to Jacqui

Janes when he was very tired and seals the envelope himself. He

regards this as personal correspondence.

'The Sun' is trying to score cheap political points and is using a

mother's grief in the process. Publishing a transcript of a private

telephone conversation between her and the prime minister is

reprehensible. I'm sure Gordon Brown feels awful about this. His

sincere condolences have been twisted. This is not what politics ought

to be about.

--

Sent from my mobile device

Will Cameron's announcement last week pave the way for a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU?

At a fringe event during the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, David Trimble urged us not to give up hope with David Cameron. He said if Cameron does become prime minister, a list of demands will be presented to the EU and if those demands are not met, this will pave the way for a referendum asking the electorate if we want to be in or out.

The list of demands has just be announced. I don't believe for one moment he will get his way. I can only hope Lord Trimble is correct in his belief a referendum on our membership of the EU will be called. If this is Cameron's plan, I fully support him. Those of us who know Britain will be better off out also know we will only have one chance to win a referendum. Unlike referenda in other EU countries, we will not have the option of asking for another vote. Nor should we.

If Cameron does not plan a future referendum and is instead fudging the issue, he will face the wrath of the rank and file of the Conservative Party and the country. Time will tell, but in the meantime I and many others will be presenting our case and explaining why Britain has everything to gain from no longer being a member of the European Union.

The Berlin Wall: 13 August 1961 - 9 November 1989

Twenty years ago today, the biggest symbol of communism and oppression - the Berlin Wall - was being dismantled. Those of us who watched it happen on our televisions will never forget the images of joy and hope. I would have loved to have been there to share in that euphoric moment.

I have visited Eastern Germany many times over the last few years and the change has been breathtaking. People no longer have to worry their friends and neighbours may be spying on them for the Stasi. Gone are the ruins from the Second World War. Gone is the despair of having your life completely run by the state.

Tonight is a night for celebration. A new generation has grown up not experiencing first hand the horrors of communism. If you have no other reason to celebrate today, celebrate that.