John Howell selected to replace Boris.

Oxfordshire County councillor John Howell has been selected as the Conservative candidate hoping to replace Boris Johnson as Henley MP. John, a member of the Oxfordshire county cabinet and the representative for Dorchester and Berinsfield, was selected ahead of Ann Ducker and John Cotton. Also a parish councillor in Warborough, John was made an OBE in 2000.

The election should take place in the next two or three weeks. John said: "For now I just want to say that it is a huge privilege to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for my home constituency. “I plan to spend the next few weeks talking to as many local people as possible about the issues that affect us all in South Oxfordshire."

Good luck John Howell.

I wonder what form of idiocy we can expect from the Labour campaign this time around.

Reader Poll, how often should the Mystery Bus roll out?

The Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus is approaching its one hundredth trip. With that in mind I thought I'd get your opinion on the tour frequency:

How often should the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus roll out?
	once per week.
	Twice per week.
	Daily.
pollcode.com free polls

Would you volunteer to pay more tax?

There is not much doubt that our next government will be a Conservative one. There is also little doubt that David Cameron will inherit massive public spending and an outrageous amount of debt. Especially if, as some pundits believe, Labour initiate a scorched earth policy.

So to the point: something rather drastic is going to have be done to get the economy back on track. Cutting spending is one option, but as we know Cameron will be pretty much stuck with Labour spending plans. Raising taxes cannot contemplated in the current economical climate. Of course there is a ridiculous amount of waste that can be cut out, which will be George Osborne's first task as Chancellor - along with the rest of our new ministers.

This morning I came up with a radical idea whilst driving to work listening to Radio 5. What if David Cameron asked us to volunteer to pay more tax? I'm not talking about a lot individually, maybe 1, 2 or 3%. To tell the truth I am in no way a wealthy man, however the recent cut in tax from 22% to 20% made very little difference to my wage packet. Obviously there would be the option to opt back out at any time.

What do you think? If enough people were to volunteer, it would benefit the entire nation. Now, I understand this will get a lot of people (who think they pay too much tax already) hot under the collar, but it would be by personal choice only.

There could be incentives to take part, even if it is just the feel good factor. Or maybe financial incentives to be paid out when the economy recovers?

What do you think? Please try not to swear too much in the comments. Obviously I wouldn't volunteer to do this under a Labour government - they'd only blow it on pointless reviews.

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Telegraph YouGov Poll - 24 point Tory lead.

I wonder if Eric Pickles will bring this up on Question Time tonight? If not David Dimbleby probably will, he likes to stir it a bit. 75% of those polled are dissatisfied with Brown's performance. How long can he hang on?

Question Time 29th May - Hoon in a Pickle?

Question Time tonight has all the makings of a great show. Tory hero of the moment Eric Pickles will be locking horns with Labour Chief Whip Geoff Hoon. Eric has a fantastically smooth and persuasive approach to most arguments (I've heard rumour that he has sold fur hats to some Greenpeace officials heading off to Africa) and any attacks on the Tories from Hoon will seem like Jack Russel yapping at a Lion. Eric seems to live in the eye of a storm.

The rest of the panel includes the Green Party member of the European parliament for the South East of England Caroline Lucas (no doubt she will wind me up) the historian and broadcaster Dan Snow (son of Peter) and the director of Global Vision Ruth Lea.

Tonight's show is from Lincoln and will be shown on BBC One at 22:35.

Be there or be Albert.

Energy Crisis in the UK - Go Nuclear go Green.

The following is taken from the NEI (Nuclear Energy Institute) Website:

An International Energy Agency (IEA) analysis found that nuclear power’s life-cycle emissions range from 2 to 59 gram-equivalents of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour. Only hydropower’s range ranked lower, at 2 to 48 grams of carbon dioxide-equivalents per kilowatt-hour. Nuclear energy’s life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions are lower than wind (7 to 124 grams of carbon dioxide-equivalents) and solar photovoltaic (13 to 731 grams of carbon dioxide-equivalents), according to the agency. The life-cycle emissions from natural gas-fired plants ranged from 389 to 511 grams of carbon dioxide-equivalents per kilowatt-hour.

Many nuclear critics have claimed that new nuclear plants would need to use lower ore uranium, which requires more energy to extract, and therefore would have higher emissions. In response, British Energy conducted a follow-up study that showed even with a very low uranium ore grade, CO2 emissions would remain very small. If Torness used this ore for all its fuel, its emissions would only rise from 5.05 g/kWh to 6.85 g/kWh.

To view a chart showing the the amount of CO2 produced by different forms of energy, click HERE (You need PowerPoint to view this).

To find out more about the life cycle of nuclear energy, click on the graphic above.

The Ninety Second Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus Leaves in 5 Minutes!

Got some time to kill but don't know where to go?

Why don't you climb aboard the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus? There are still a few places left.

Click on STOP 1 and the Bus will take you to your first Mystery Blog location.

To get back on the Bus just click the Back Button and click STOP 2 to continue the Tour. I think you can work the rest out.

The Bus rolls out on Sundays and Wednesdays - enjoy the ride. If you have any suggestions for the next tour drop me an email by hitting the Contact button at the top of the page.

Hugh Thompson - The world has too many people.

One of my readers, Cassius (Hugh Thompson) sent me a very interesting email yesterday about world population and its effect on the environment. Hugh has put a great deal of thought into the subject and has produced an article on "Optimum Population" (along with an easy view slide show). I'm using part of Hugh's email as a preamble to the full article:

The jury is surely still out on the degree to which Man is having a harmful effect on the environment, but I would suggest it is an outrageous gamble to try to do nothing about it in the belief it is just a natural cycle—because that belief may be wrong.

The trouble, imho, is that the topic has been got hold of by the politicians and the PC brigade, with the result that the subject is no longer looked at as dispassionately as should be the case—it should not be a matter of party politics.

That is a preamble to a message I should like to promulgate: that for all the well-meaning (but possibly ridiculous) attempts to curb carbon emissions and other deleterious environmental depredations made on the environment by Man, the real problem is the sheer numbers of the human population. It is just a simple truism, that the more there are of us on the planet, the more we will consume and impact on the environment. At some stage the size of the world’s population will, or already has become, unsustainable.

Presently, we seem to be trying to bail out water from a sinking boat but failing to stem the waves (of population) threatening to swamp us.

This is a hobby-horse of mine and I remain puzzled why so many so-called "environmentalists" fail to see, or intentionally avoid seeing, that human over-crowding is the crux of many problems.

I recommend that you read Hugh's full article by clicking HERE.

p.s Hugh is also a dab hand with a camera. Click HERE to view his excellent gallery.

Lisbon Treaty - Irish Referendum - End of Nations.

I posted this video last month and seeing as the 12th of June Irish Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to post it again:

This is a must watch, eye opening video from the Wise Up Journal.

From their website:

We set out to make a video about the pros and cons of the Lisbon Treaty and found out to our horror the lies, manipulations and deceit behind the EU. From MEPs, legal experts and EU researches the true nature of the EU unfolded, how it really operates from behind closed doors and away from prying eyes. We discovered the massive power grab away from citizens and nations to the elites that is being proposed in this treaty. Most shocking of all was how our elected representatives are willingly handing us over to this emerging Totalitarian Superstate by deception , propaganda and outright lies.

This video details how the structures of the EU really operate, what the full significance of the Lisbon Treaty is and how it is the end of Nations within in the EU. MEPs describe their experience in Brussels and how they are undermined by the real power of the unelected and unaccountable Eurocrats who run the organization. How the politicians are working together for their own selfish needs while being used for a bigger agenda. (1hr 22min)



For more information on this film and other great news coverage visit the Wise UP Journal.

Hat Tip: Blogging from the Bog

Breaking News: If you are Irish you must read this before voting. Your government has held secret talks in Brussels to get around a 'NO' vote tomorrow.

Poll: Who will replace Gordon Brown?

Here are the latest odds from William Hill. If you think a different Labour MP will replace Brown, please add them to the comments.

If Gordon Brown is forced to step down, who do you think will replace him?
	David Miliband 5 - 2
	Alan Johnson 7 - 1
	Jack Straw 7 - 1
	Ed Balls 8 - 1
	J Denham 9 - 1
	J Purnell 9 - 1
	A Burnham 14 - 1
	J Cruddas 14 - 1
pollcode.com free polls

Gordon Brown - James Purnell a challenger?

James Purnell has thrown his hat into the ring as a challenger to replace Gordon Brown. His special adviser Phil Collins has stuck the boot into Brown: "In the drama of British politics a Labour tragedy is unfolding. A combination of strategic errors, political mishaps and bad luck has left the party in a vulnerable position.

That's Miliband and Purnell - Who's next?
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Personal Carbon Credits - Are they mad?

Just when you thought that Labour could not get any more unpopular, up pops the idea of introducing Personal Carbon Credits. I hate this idea on so many levels it's hard to know where to begin. For a start it winds me up when MPs talk about rationing our carbon. Who the hell do they think they are telling us how much fuel we can use? I could understand it if there was a war on and we had a shortage, but this is ridiculous.

MPs involved in recommending this madness say it will help fight climate change. I would like to point out that the temperature has actually dropped over the last decade and scientists are now saying it will drop again over the next decade. So do the MPs think that Carbon Rationing will warm the planet up? I'm confused.

Then of course there's the cost. Estimated at £2bn to set up (that will be at least £6bn then) and a further £2bn to run each year (again let's call that £6bn). Where is this money going to come from? You guessed it - out of our pockets as bloody usual. What planet are these MPs living on?

What you have to laugh about in this report (or else you may go nuts) is the fact that they point out that "The public were likely to be opposed to the proposal." And that there are "practical drawbacks to the scheme". If it is unpopular and impractical, why are they even considering throwing billions of pounds of our money at it?

How the hell is it going to be regulated? We change energy suppliers at the drop of a hat, our direct debits never correspond to the actual amount of energy we use. What about petrol and diesel? Will we have to declare all the fuel we use, and how will they know we are not using more? This report is total pie in the sky and if this kind of committee is what my tax money is spent on, then I want a damn refund.

Isn't our spending black hole big enough?

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100% of bets are for Miliband to replace Brown.

From William Hill:

William Hill are seeing an old fashioned gamble on David Miliband to become the leader of the Labour party and are now 5/2 that he succeeds Gordon Brown. "What started as a trickle has turned into a flood, 100% of wagers accepted on the next leader market have been for David Miliband. The last time we saw a gamble like this on a political leadership market it was for David Cameron and we all know what happened then."

Hills are now 6/5 that Gordon Brown will NOT lead the labour party into the next General Election, for which the Conservatives are the 2/7 favourites. Hills have also seen a nibble for the 12/1 on offer that the General Election will be before the end of 2008!

Runners and riders odds HERE.

Gordon Brown - It's NOT the economy stupid.

In the aftermath of the local elections and the Crewe and Nantwich by-election, Labour Ministers are putting a spin their devastatingly poor results. They say it is all down to the economy stupid - the credit crunch - it's not their fault. What a complete and utter load of rubbish. It has very little to do with the economy - it's all down to Labour policy.

Where should we start? How many voters did Labour lose over the Lisbon Treaty? How many for the closing of our post offices? How many for the shutting down our local A&E wards? How many for closing our local Schools? How many for shutting down our local Maternity Wards? How many for Shutting our local Police Stations at night? How many for stealth taxes? How many for the 10p tax fiasco? How many for uncontrolled immigration? How many for social decay? How many for the loss of 25 million bank account details? How many for the threat of bin tax? How many for the threat of road charging? How many for letting out prisoners early because they failed to build enough prisons? How many for instructing Judges to hand out pathetic sentences because the prisons are full? How many for the smoking ban?

Did you know that 1,000 primary schools have been shut down since 1997? Or that we now have 32,000 less hospital beds - the equivalent to 60 average size hospitals? Or that many of our PCs have been replaced with PCSOs who have next to no powers and the government claim police numbers are up? Did you know that government crime figures show that crime is reducing, while official police figures show that crime is increasing across the board? Did you know that Labour Lords recently passed a bill getting rid of the need for a referendum on our entry into the Euro - another referendum promised by Labour that we won't be getting? Of course you do - that's why so many people voted Conservative recently.

Why the hell are a government who claim to be made up from the "party of the people" shutting down our schools and hospitals when the population is growing? This government's recent demise has little to do with the economy stupid - the damage was already done with an endless string of policies which have infuriated the voters. Even if the economy does turn around Labour are dead and buried. They have ridden rough shod over the people thinking they were untouchable because of their large majority - How wrong they were.

The Ninety First Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus Leaves in 5 Minutes!

Got some time to kill but don't know where to go?

Why don't you climb aboard the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus? There are still a few places left.

Click on STOP 1 and the Bus will take you to your first Mystery Blog location.

To get back on the Bus just click the Back Button and click STOP 2 to continue the Tour. I think you can work the rest out.

The Bus rolls out on Sundays and Wednesdays - enjoy the ride. If you have any suggestions for the next tour drop me an email by hitting the Contact button at the top of the page.

This is your pilot Gordon Brown speaking.

John Prescott came up with a strange analogy to defend Gordon Brown's sullen demeanour on the Andrew Marr show this morning: "When you get on an aeroplane, do you go and look in the cockpit to see if the pilot is smiling".

Imagine the situation:

Hullo, this is the pilot speaking. We have been informed that our arrival in New York has been delayed. This nothing to do with us, this kind of delay is happening around the world and I'm afraid it's out of my hands. Now, normally this is the point where I would say that there's no need for concern.... but, you see, ah - now how shall I put this? You know that we normally carry enough fuel in reserve for occasions like this? Well erm, we haven't today. Not my fault, you see - we've run out of money. Those fancy new seats you're sitting on cost an absolute fortune and I'm still paying for them. Yes I know they are uncomfortable and the recline function doesn't work, but hey, you've got to admit they look good - at least you'll die in style.

Now here's the rub: we haven't enough fuel to make for another airport, so there is a choice to be made. Do we crash on land or into the sea? I can't decide, I've never been very good at making important decisions. I know that is not an ideal quality when you're looking for a pilot, but I've been pushing to be one for ages and no one else turned up for the interview. So this is what we are going to do. We're going to hold a review. The co-pilot will hand out a questionnaire and we will all vote whether we want to die on the land or in the sea. I can't guarantee we will follow the review's advice, as I believe that on most occasions, I know better. And please note, this is not a referendum - I don't do them.

Please believe me when I say that even though this is all my fault, I believe I'm the best qualified person on this plane to crash it. If you do by some wild chance survive this flight, please understand that I have been listening and learning and I hope you will fly with us again.

Good luck.

Eric Pickles on the Andrew Marr show. We are not worthy.

Eric Pickles reviewed the papers this morning on the Andrew Marr show. Eric should be the face of Conservatism more often. He is definitely the star Tory of the moment, always seeming to have his finger on the pulse and with a good feel for public mood. You can't help liking our Eric.

You can watch him reviewing the papers with Ann Leslie and Bill Bryson by clicking HERE (6min 30secs in).

Gordon Brown - Leadership challenge to be announced tonight?

There are several opportunities for a leadership challenge to be mounted against Gordon Brown over the next 18 months. Tonight is the first. Striking while the iron is hot would see a challenge announced in time for the Sunday papers. Some will think this wild speculation, but I remember that months ago Labour MPs were telling the press (off the record) that Brown had until May to turn things around. He most definitely has not. There are Labour MPs and Ministers who have been preparing for months for just the kind of collapse we have witnessed this month.

So watch this space. It could be tonight.

UPDATE @22:55 - As if by magic

I know this is not a direct challenge, but I think it is what they call in the trade "feeling the water"

William Hill have installed David Miliband as 5/2 favourite to succeed Brown.

From the Observer:

Gordon Brown would be forced to appoint a deputy who could be swiftly groomed as his successor under humiliating last-ditch plans being discussed by ministers to patch up his failing administration.

Senior figures are holding emergency talks on ways to stop what one called the 'haemorrhaging' of power from New Labour amid signs that Brown is losing control of his party. Rumours swept Westminster yesterday that one senior cabinet minister has begun raising money for a potential leadership bid, while up to 40 backbench MPs are said to be ready to back a challenge.

Poll: When should Gordon Brown step down?

It is obvious that Gordon Brown is out of favour with the public and a growing number of his own party. Many pundits are saying that he must go. The question is when?

When should Gordon Brown step down?
	-As soon as possible.
	-When the House returns from Whitsun recess 2nd June 08
	-Before the summer recess 22nd July 08
	-Before the Annual Labour Conference 20th Sept 08
	-By the end of 2008
	-By the end of 2009
	-2010
	-Before the next General Election.
	Never?
pollcode.com free polls

Gordon Brown - It's time to step down.

Click on a picture to read the full story.






















Surely Gordon Brown's premiership is over?

Labour's Crewe and Nantwich campaign video.

I remember seeing this sketch when I was a kid back in Barnsley. It is still my favourite comedy sketch. Enjoy:

David Cameron - Pro England - Pro The Union.

In his speech to the Scottish Conservative Party Conference, David Cameron tried to convey his feelings that whilst there is a political imbalance across the United Kingdom which needs desperately to be addressed, the Union should be protected. You may have noticed that the banner at the top of my blog says "pro England" That is still true today as when it was designed for me by Liam Murray a good while ago (Liam also designed Iain Dale's new blog). In my mind being pro England does not necessitate the need to be anti any of the other members of the Union. I have lived and worked in Scotland and have a daughter born there. I served in the RN for 16 years and worked alongside many great friends from all four of the countries that make up our Kingdom. The Union just requires a measure of balance.

David said:

"Let me make it one hundred percent clear: I am passionate about the Union. I don't want to be the Prime Minister of England. I want to be Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - all of it, including Scotland.

"I absolutely believe we are stronger together, and weaker apart, and I will do anything and everything to keep our two countries as one. And that means addressing one-by-one the deeper questions that are fuelling separatism.

"Now, there are some would simply blame constitutional and economic arrangements between England and Scotland. 'Sort out West Lothian, renegotiate Barnett, and everything will be fine' they say. Sorry, I don't think that's an adequate explanation for the separatism we're seeing today.

"The West Lothian question and Barnett Formula have been around and been debated for decades - don't tell me it's only now that they've lit the separatist touchpaper. Of course, that doesn't mean we should ignore them. It's essential that we find answers to any unfairness in the Union - and to questions of accountability, justice and democracy. And unlike Labour - who sweep it under the carpet and hope it goes away - we will take those questions seriously. I am confident it will be possible to develop an arrangement whereby, when the House of Commons considers matters that affect only English constituencies, it is English MPs who have the decisive say.

I've said before that the Conservatives under David Cameron do not provide all the answers to all the problems we have with the Union, but they are willing to admit that they exist. Cameron and his team do want find a solution to the English votes on English matters problem. He also understands the need to address the many inequalities that have arisen since the birth of devolution. One thing is for sure, the next government of the UK will be either a Conservative or Labour (looking less likely by the day) one and I know that Labour have no intention of addressing English concerns. Many complain that Cameron does not promise enough or go far enough when he does talk about the problems with the Union - and to some extent I agree. But I will not throw the baby out with the bath water.

The only realistic way to see a better deal for England is to vote Conservative.

William Hill - Brown 7/4 To Be Out This Year

From William Hill:

WILLIAM HILL have slashed their odds about Gordon Brown ceasing to be Prime Minister THIS year from 25/1 when he took office to current odds of just 7/4, following Labour's disastrous result in the Crewe by-election.

And Hills are now offering 6/5 that Brown will NOT lead Labour into the next General Election.
THE CONSERVATIVES ARE NOW 1/3 FAVOURITES TO WIN THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION WITH WILLIAM HILL - THE SHORTEST ODDS THEY HAVE EVER BEEN SINCE LOSING POWER. LABOUR ARE 9/4, THE LONGEST THEY HAVE BEEN FOR OVER TEN YEARS, WITH THE LIB DEMS THE 66/1 OUTSIDERS. Hills offer 7/4 that there will be ba Hung Parliament.

With Gordon Brown's Leadership of the Party under pressure William Hill have installed David Miliband as 5/2 favourite to succeed him, and also offer 7/1 Alan Johnson and Jack Straw; 8/1 Ed Balls; 9/1 J Denham; J Purnell; 14 A Burnham and J Cruddas.

WILLIAM HILL - WHEN WILL BROWN CEASE TO BE PM:
7/4 2008
11/4 2009
11/10 2010

WHEN WILL GENERAL ELECTION TAKE PLACE?
4/7 JAN 2010 or later
3/1 Jan 09- July 09
6/1 July 08-Dec 08
8/1 July 09-Dec 09.

Crewe and Nantwich result - Conservative win!

Well it's 2:24 in the morning and the returning officer is about to announce the result of the Crewe and Nantwich by-election. It's obvious that the Conservatives have won. The rumour is that it's a big win.

Here goes:

Con: 20539

lab 12679

Lib: 6044

Get in!

That fantastic result equates to a swing of 17.6% and a majority of almost 8,000. What now for Gordon Brown? What is that scraping sound I can hear? - it sounds a little like several knives being sharpened.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

UPDATE @02:45: John McDonnell is the first Labour MP to stick the knife into Gordon Brown this morning. I doubt very much that he will be the last:

"Things are just going from bad to worse for the Government. "It would be an immense misreading of the situation for New Labour ministers to dismiss this result as simply mid-term blues. The prime minister's re-launch after the disaster of the local election results has proved to be totally ineffective."

Crewe and Nantwich - £90,000 bet on Conservative win.

From William Hill:

NINETY THOUSAND POUND BET ON TORIES TO WIN CREWE BY ELECTION

A WILLIAM HILL client has staked £90,000 on the Conservatives to win the Crewe & Nantwich by-election. After betting £40,000 at odds of 1/16 on Tuesday in a Hill's central London branch, the same man returned on Thursday to stake a further £50,000 at 1/25. With the Conservatives red-hot favourites, the man stands to get back £94,500 in total.

'This is the biggest ever bet staked on a by-election and it contrasts starkly with the fact that we have taken a total of just £385 for Labour to win' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

WILLIAM HILL CREWE BY-ELECTION ODDS: 1/33 Conservatives; 10/1 Labour; 50/1 Lib Dems.

Hills offer 8/1 that the Lib Dems will finish ahead of Labour, and 1/20 vice-versa.

Crewe and Nantwich - And the Polls are open.

It's a bit sad I know, but I've been looking forward to today's by-election in Crewe and Nantwich as much, if not more than last night's footie (well done ManU). I've got a feeling in my water that unlike last night, we are going to see a massive (10,000 ish) win for the blues. I received a press release last night from the lovely people at PoliticsHome. Unfortunately I couldn't post it as, one - it arrived just before the football started, and two - I was at work (12 hr night shift). The said press release indicated their PHI100 panel's opinion on what would be a good or bad result for the two main parties involved:

I have to agree with the panel that anything over 4000 for the Conservatives would be a really good win, but as I said, I'm expecting more. The reason I'm predicting such a large win? The way I see it is that Labour (Gordon Brown in particular) are becoming more unpopular by the day and I think they are in for one mighty shock when the counting is over. I've been saying for six months that Brown will be on his way in May this year, and I would say that there is an 80 per cent likelihood of his ultimate demise being set in motion on Friday.

Ditching Gordon Brown will not help Labour win the next election - they've become too unpopular and even that won't help them. It will however give them a fighting chance of remaining the second largest party in parliament. The drums are beating and coalitions are being formed behind closed doors in the Labour party. You can bet that getting rid of Gordon plan A and plan B are ready to roll. Plan A will probably based around forcing Gordon to step down through a lack of support - i.e. he will be slagged off something chronic by a large number of Labour MPs in the press. Plan B will require MPs to play by the rules and I don't think they want to wait that long or drag the party through the mire.

So that's my prediction. I'll update this post after the dust has settled to either say "ooh ooh I'm the King" or to eat humble pie.

The Ninetieth Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus Leaves in 5 Minutes!

Got some time to kill but don't know where to go?

Why don't you climb aboard the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus? There are still a few places left.

Click on STOP 1 and the Bus will take you to your first Mystery Blog location.

To get back on the Bus just click the Back Button and click STOP 2 to continue the Tour. I think you can work the rest out.

The Bus rolls out on Sundays and Wednesdays - enjoy the ride.

- SHOCKER!

Jan Berry slaps down Jacqui Smith - Police Federation Conference.

Ever since I started blogging I have followed the speeches and press releases from the Police Federation. The one thing that always makes them interesting is the honest and straightforward opinion of their Chairman for the last six years: Jan Berry. Jan steps down as Chairman on completion of the police conference being held in Bournemouth this week. I will miss reading Jan's press releases and I can only hope that whoever steps into well worn shoes does the job to Jan's high standards. Jan did not disappoint when she made her key note speech at the conference today - She stuck the boot into Jacqui Smith good and hard:

At my first conference, I introduced the opportunity to ask questions of the Home Secretary. Although some Home Secretaries have subsequently regretted it – the session has been an important and healthy exchange of views. Home Secretary - I admire your courage. You didn’t have to come here today and I know conference will treat your office with the respect it warrants. I am sure when your Private Secretary reminded you of today’s event you felt like reaching for the nearest stab proof vest - and perhaps slipping into old habits and lighting up to calm your nerves…

… But as you have reassured us, you have moved on from these past indiscretions…
Your recent crimes have been more for the serious fraud office than the drug squad!

You will say that you could not take any risks with inflation by conceding on police pay. But let me ask you this. How was it that the government found 2.7 billion pounds to dig itself out of a tax hole in advance of a by-election but couldn’t find 30 million pounds to honour our pay deal?

And listen to this.

When teachers went on strike, the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary’s response was to say that it would be ‘irresponsible’ to over-ride the settlement recommended by their independent pay review panel. So it suited Mr Balls to defend the teachers’ panel deal but it didn’t suit you to do the same for us.

Home Secretary, what is it that Mr Balls has but you do not…..

Well done Jan. You will be sorely missed.

You can read Jan's full speech by clicking HERE. - Well worth a read.

Lisbon Treaty - Lib Dems - the most dishonest party?

Last night Tory peer Lord Blackwell proposed a motion to make it law that a referendum is held on whether Britain joins the Euro. The motion was defeated by 195 votes to 135. Now this is a surprise seeing as Labour promised to hold a referendum on the Euro during their 1997 election campaign. Why would they vote against their own policy? As Lord Strathclyde said: there was "something very fishy" about the government's refusal to back its own policy. I wonder if Gordon Brown has promised the other European leaders that we will join the Euro shortly after ratifying the Lisbon Constitution Treaty. If that is the case, then this is another example of Brown denying the people their democratic right to vote. There's a good chance that if entering the Euro did go to a referendum we (like the Lisbon Treaty) would vote NO. And Gordon can't let that happen.

It looks very much like Gordon Brown is going to railroad us into the Lisbon Treaty, shortly followed by forcing the Euro on us.

As angry as that makes me, it is nothing compared to how the dishonest behaviour of the Lib Dems infuriates me. A while ago I wrote the post: How to flush out a rat - In which I explained how Nick Clegg had forced his MPs to abstain from the vote for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, but would whip the Lib Dem peers to vote against a referendum when it reached the upper house. The reason - Gordon Brown would not be guaranteed to win the vote against a referendum unless the Lib Dem peers voted with his Labour peers. Nick Clegg has more faces than Big Ben's clock tower.

It gets worse. The UKIP peer, Lord Pearson is calling for vote on a referendum on Britain's continued membership of the EU. Now this is where it gets a little confusing: The Lid Dem peers are going to abstain from this vote. Can anyone out there figure that one out? Well a Lib Dem spokesman tried to explain their ridiculous position. He said the Lib Dems did not want to "give succour" to eurosceptics by voting with the UK Independence Party. Apparently the party wanted a referendum on whether Britain should remain in Europe from a "pro-European stance". What a load of old cobblers.

Do you think the Lib Dems are the most dishonest party? I'm pretty sure they are.

Police majority vote to lobby for full industrial rights.

Press release from the Police Federation:

20 May 2008

This afternoon in the Opening Speech to conference (available on the website) Jan Berry announced the results of the Police Federation/Ipsos MORI poll of the membership on binding arbitration and full industrial rights.

They are:

A total of 60,572 responses were received.

Q1. Do you think decisions made by the independent Police Arbitration Tribunal should or should not be binding on the Government?

Yes, should be binding = 93%
No, should not be binding = 3%
No opinion/don't know/not stated = 4%

Q2. In the current absence of binding arbitration on the Government, do you wish the Police Federation of England and Wales to start to lobby for a change in legislation to allow police officers full industrial rights?

Yes = 86%
No = 11%
No opinion/don't know/not stated = 3%

Chairman of the Police Federation, Jan Berry says:

" I do not see this as a vote for strike action; it's a vote for binding independent arbitration.

" This is a wake up call for the government, and they must listen to what the police officers of England and Wales are telling them."

Jacqui Smith will address the Police Federation Conference tomorrow - I bet she is looking forward to that!

Keith Vaz, Labour chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said: "I urge the home secretary to immediately enter into a dialogue with the leaders of the federation to ensure that the necessity for them to take such action is considerably diminished, if not eliminated."

Will they listen and learn?

Crewe and Nantwich - William Hill take record £40,000 bet (Tory win),

Press release from William Hill:

Conservative Cheer In Crewe As Punter Places Biggest Ever By Election Bet!
William Hill have today taken the biggest ever by election bet, when a customer from central London placed £40,000 on a Conservative victory in the Crewe & Nantwich by election at odds of 1/16 and should he be successful he will collect £42,500. As a result Hills have slashed the price of a Conservative victory from 1/16 to 1/20 and offer the Labour party at 8/1 (Lib Dem 20/1).

"This is a massive political punt, nobody risks £40,000 to win just £2,500 unless they are certain of victory. We are not 100% sure of the punters political affiliation but the description does not match that of Gordon Brown, who is likely to be in for a miserable few days," said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

Also - William Hill have halved their odds for Gordon Brown to be ousted as Prime Minister this year from 5/1 to 5/2 after significant support for him to be out by the end of the year. 'Punters seem convinced that Mr Brown is on the way out sooner rather than later.'

Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - What sould the Abortion time limit be?

Tonight our MPs will be debating the Abortion time limit as part of the Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The debate starts at 18:30 and a free vote should take place around 22:00. Conservative MP Nadine Dorries wants the abortion laws changed. She believes the right of a woman to choose had its limits.

She said: "If a baby feels pain as part of a barbaric abortion process - which is what happens post-20 weeks - and if we know that baby could live if it was allowed to be born, then there comes the point when that baby has rights which are of equal parity to the mother's."

However, Health minister Dawn Primarolo, said: "There is no science that shows us that the survival rates have changed since we took the decision to have the time limit at 24 weeks."

I'll be voting for 20 weeks in this poll. I believe that if their is a chance of survival - then the baby must be given that chance.

Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - What sould the Abortion time limit be?
	Stay as it is - 24 weeks.
	Reduce to - 22 weeks.
	Reduce to - 20 weeks.
	Extended beyond 24 weeks.
	Lower than 20 weeks
pollcode.com free polls

Crewe and Nantwich - Sir Alex Ferguson supports Labour.

Just when you thought that the Labour team in Crewe and Nantwich had absolutely no policies apart from "Tory Toffs", they've come up with a beauty: putting a picture of Sir Alex Ferguson on their leaflets. Football supremo Ferguson is of course well known as a political mastermind and no doubt his endorsement of Moyra Tamsin Dunwoody will have locals voting labour in their droves. Not.

Daily Mirror - Has the pro-Labour tide turned?

I was amazed to read an article in today's Daily Mirror that attacked the Labour "Tory toff" campaign being fought in Crewe and Nantwich. As Tony Parsons points out: "Gwyneth Dunwoody would never have run such a shallow campaign." Such critique of Labour's campaign comes as a welcome surprise after reading Brian Reade's pathetic article in the same paper last week. So I've got to ask: Are the Mirror going the way of the Sun in their support for Cameron's Conservatives? Has the Mirror's pro-Labour tide turned?

Here is a snippet from Tony's article:

As Labour supporters shrieked about rich Tories in Bentleys, they did not seem to have the faintest idea that Bentley has provided generations of Crewe families with work. In Crewe, a Bentley is a potent symbol of highly skilled, proud working men and a brand recognised around the world. Pointing self-righteous fingers might have worked elsewhere, but using a Bentley as an example of privilege in Crewe is thick. But there are other words to describe the class war Labour has waged in Crewe - witless, mindless and thoughtless. If you are going to talk about class, it needs to be done with intelligence and passion.

Well done Tony Parsons. You can read the full article by clicking HERE.

50% of "On the spot" fines are not being paid.

The Daily Mail are reporting that a Freedom of information request uncovered the fact that 50 per cent of "On the spot" fines (Penalty Notices for Disorder) are going unpaid. Some areas are reporting a payment rate of only 32 per cent. With an estimated 95,000 fines going unpaid the courts are struggling to recover the outstanding £7.7million. Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation, said:

“The government must restrict the use of Penalty Notices for Disorder to the most minor of offences. The reality is they don’t deter crime and a lot are never paid. “It’s high time we were allowed to get back to some common sense policing, using our discretion, and putting these persistent offenders before the courts. Otherwise they are just laughing in the face of the law and feel confident to go on to bigger and more serious criminal activity.”

Of course the main flaw in the "brilliant idea" is that yobs being yobs, they tend to give false identities when they are being fined. Who'd have thunk it? You may have noticed that Jan Berry said: "putting these persistent offenders before the courts" And there's a good reason for that - you do not get a criminal record no matter how many "on the spot" fines you receive.

Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says:

"Let’s look at the reality of fixed penalty notices. Currently a third (now 50%) go unpaid and those who receive them get no criminal conviction. The Sentencing Advisory Panel suggestion that shoplifters (for example) could avoid jail no matter how many times they commit the offence is a disgrace. It sends out the wrong message at a time when the police and the public alike are sick to death of a criminal justice system which is far too lenient on those who break the law. The term shoplifting is misleading. It is stealing, and stealing is a crime and should be dealt with as such. The ultimate deterrent to any criminal is a prison sentence. We need more prisons, not a short term fix which will only encourage crime, not tackle it.”

This is just another Labour quick fix aimed at gathering money that doesn't work.

Poll: How will the main parties perform in Crewe and Nantwich.

A poll carried out for The News of the World puts the Conservatives eight points ahead of Labour in the Crewe & Nantwich by-election. This morning David Davis told Andrew Marr: "We have got a 7,000 majority to overturn. "We haven't won a by-election from Labour in 30 years. But we are pulling out all the stops."

Conservatives 45%
Labour 37%
LibDems 14%

How will the main parties perform in the Crewe and Nantwich By-Election?
	Conservative win by more than 5000 votes.
	Conservative win.
	Labour win by more than 5000 votes.
	Labour win.
	Lib Dem win by more than 5000 votes.
	Lib Dem win.
pollcode.com free polls

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