The Referendum

Next year, probably on May 5th, the UK will once again go to the polls. Not to decide the outcome of an unwinnable election but to indeed decide how we go about such elections. The referendum to decide our voting system, which was a key factor in the coalition agreement, is supported by our default Prime Minister, but not by his secretary/deputy, Nick Clegg. I'm not sure how this is going to work. The Government as a unit is proposing this electoral change and I suppose will publicly push for it, however, it is well documented that Cameron and most of the Conservative contigent of the cabinet are against changing to the Clegg-preferred, AV system.

Voting reform: the options explained

The same questions will arise as we approach the next general election, if the coalition lasts that long, both Clegg and Cameron will campaign for their own parties whilst defending the same Government. Until the point when the cabinet have to get serious about the referendum, they will continue to use the 'It was in the Labour manifesto and now their against it' gag. This is of course true, although where the majority of Conservatives are against the switch, it is only a minority of Labour MP's who a similarly adjacent to the idea. As far as I know, all of the Labour candidates are supportive of changing the system and my view is similar but not at the same level of Nick Clegg or indeed his Yellow Tory Party.

In truth, the UK parliamentary system is archaic; leader of the Greens, Caroline Lucas recently compared it to the Brussels-based, super-contemporary, European Parliament and stated that as we are one of the most developed countries in the world, the UK should be moving with the times and modernising our system as needed. This is one of the few points I will probably ever agree with her on. This is the key. Not changing the literal way in which we elect our government but the way in which parliament runs. I believe that if the Houses of Parliament and the system its working under was actually modernised, all parties would be able to function better and get their views heard in the Chamber. This of course includes the smaller parties who are more in favour of switching our voting system, if they could interact in'direct politics' without the 'motion to solve a query about a bill which was revised in the Lords under another motion about a different bill proposed by an EDM' - that's just stupid, but's that's how it is. The UK are basing politics on the sentiment of keeping our tradition in place. We need an urgent revamp of Parliament, I think changing the voting system is the least of our worries. Direct politics, that's what we need.

The rise of the state comprehensive

1970's Britain. The state education system was not exactly benefiting from a good reputation and as John Crace rightly points out in his recent 'G2' article, many schools featured rapidly decaying Victorian buildings and other more 'modern' structures were coated in asbestos. These schools continued to endure hard lives as the UK embraced the 80's and another 18 years of Conservative rule. Of course, these Tory rulers were subjected to  slightly more privileged surroundings while they were educated.

Eton, Westminster, Winchester and Harrow. Just a few of the schools that have educated Prime Ministers, London Mayors and Royals. But I think that their prestigious reputations of creating the egos to fill the top positions is coming to an end. John Crace compares two schools; Eton, former school of David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Princes William and Harry, with North London comprehensive Haverstock, alma mater to the Miliband brothers, 2012 London mayoral candidate Oona King and Liverpool football player, Joe Cole. And the article makes the obvious point that although Eton has produced some illustrious names; Haverstock could soon boast both the Labour leader and the Mayor of London.

Now, in May, I left the comprehensive school that has taught me for the past five years and taken me through my GCSE programme; Noadswood. It like most other state schools in the UK benefited hugely from the 13 years of Labour who rightly invested huge amounts in education. Noadswood has not quite seen a complete rebuild but has definitely seen huge refurbishment and development; as has Haverstock; which now boasts contemporary buildings with modern classrooms and wide corridors. An age of austerity for the less privileged but not for the more privileged, which will inevitably occur while Tories are in government, will only bring down the continuing success of many state schools whose GCSE results are ever improving as a direct result of this extra investment.

Of course, cuts need to be made, we all acknowledge this, but halting the Building Schools for the Future Programme, then ring fencing the International Development budget is not the way. The need for cuts, I believe, is met equally by some schools with the need for redevelopment. There are schools in this country falling to pieces, literally. Just 3 months in to a coalition, a great mistake has already been made. This doesn't bode well for the next five years of this parliament. If sustained spending can be kept at schools then perhaps the cases of Noadswood and Haverstock can be the cases seen across the UK, I can't see it happening though, not while the coalition is in place. Before the election, the Labour needed the country, now, the country needs Labour.

A stark Miliband bias.

Up until last night both my 1st and 2nd preferences for Labour leader were taken up by the Miliband brothers. However, last night I watched a replay of the BBC Radio 5 Live debate with Victoria Derbyshire. Now, as every debate has done so far, it completely reaffirmed my support for my 1st preference, Ed Miliband. But it also knocked the David quarter of that family off of his 'Ashley Giles 2nd place perch'. He reminded me of Blair, not that that is an entirely bad thing, but it is not going to give Labour the different direction we need. On the front of David's leaflet his team sent out recently, it tells us on the front cover that he believes ''we need to change the way we do politics'' - very true of course, but his performance suggests that he is more of the same, juts not listening really. Going off on a tangent on questions, so different to Ed though, he quickly referred back to audience members and it seemed like he was really engaging, that is what we need, that is how we should 'do politics'. I also found him quite annoying at times as well and dare I say it, felt like he was talking and remarking like he was somehow better than the rest. That is of course a huge public turn off.  I don't doubt his ability however, he was an excellent Foreign Secretary, actually, an outstanding one. And I think he will be again, but under his brother's leadership.

So, on the back of that 'performance' and the other debates, I currently have a top two made up of Ed Miliband and Andy Burnham. First and Second respectively. People talked of the Miliband's being too alike to fight against each other, but I have found that couldn't be more untrue. In personal terms, I find Ed to have his priorities right more so than David, the fact this isn't about one person be elected by many, but many electing one person.It's just about the one leader and what they will do. But it's about how they are going to engage the membership and increase it so the movement is big enough for the new leader to be able to do the things they are suggesting.  The factor of the people and the use of the word 'you' is much more prominent across Ed Miliband's campaign who I believe will recreate the people's party.

Support Ed's campaign, click here.

A leader you can depend on, a wage you can depend on

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) today announced that unemployment in Britain has soared by 20,000 up to 2.47m. However, the most shocking statistic outed was a 29,000 people strong rise in those who were deemed 'economically inactive' meaning they are contributing absolutely nothing to the economy or similar to what a 7 year old would offer. This, of course was layed out to us by coalition clown Chris Grayling, who was quickly demoted from his Shadow Cabinet role of Home Affairs to Employment Minister in the Government. But of course, a Conservative being a conservative preached that the jobless would be back to work soon and they would endeavour to get unemployment levels as low as possible. So, how are you going to do that Mr Grayling? By cutting the Future Jobs Fund, like your coalition have done? No. I don't think so. It is obvious that the new government are taking an attitude of disregard to the threat of mass unemployment and we look set to be once again Con/Dem-ned to the Tory toils of the 1980's.

You cannot reduce unemployment by scrapping grants from the Future Jobs Fund. If anything, the government should be ring fencing such initiative in times like these and supporting Ed Miliband's campaign for a living wage. It was a great thing that the past Labour government set up a minimum wage, but that was only the first step to a truly fairer, living wage for those whom, when it comes down to it, usually work harder in worse conditions. The lowest paid in shops and banks as well as councils need their wage increased, so they can live. The word 'live' is often derived harshly away from its true meaning. But in this case, a LIVING wage doesn't just mean it pays to keep a person from entire subsistence, but it means a person can LIVE their life without having to scrape by, a wage where a person can treat them self every so often, a wage where a the stresses of final demand letters become a thing of the past. A living wage. So I am asking you to support Ed Miliband for Labour leader, he can be a strong realistic leader who can fight against the likes of Chris Grayling and Cameron himself and once again stand up for fairness, equality and social justice that was being built up over the past 13 years under Labour, that in stark contrast, is now in danger of being completely dismantled by an elitist Government.

Support Ed's campaign HERE.

Ed Miliband on the BP oil spill

Thought I would sort of 're tweet' this statement as he has echoed exactly my view, but in better words:

The Prime Minister and President need to say loud and clear that the most important lesson of Deepwater Horzion is that we need to be serious about weaning ourselves our chronic dependence on oil and the other old ways of providing energy.

We all – not just America – must dramatically reduce our voracious appetite for oil, so that we are not forced to keep drilling ever more deeply under water. If we are serious about alternative energy sources, not only can we create thousands of highly skilled jobs, but we can avoid another disaster like the one that is still going on off the Gulf Coast.

On the immediate crisis, rather than pointing fingers, a proper investigation must establish the responsibilities of BP, the other private companies involved and the American regulatory authorities. Regulators and corporations must act responsibly to protect the public interest.

Ed Miliband

Lost election, new leader!

I'm in the middle of my GCSE exams at the minute so there is likely to be a few more breaks in my posting. Sorry. To keep the whole thing fresh, I have also given the place a makeover! Hope you like!

Onto the politics, I haven't actually posted since before the Election, so after reading my last post you'll realise how very wrong I was. In fact, I couldn't of be any more incorrect. And although, for obvious reasons, I don't want to dwell on the election, it was very interesting watching how the country didn't take to Nick Clegg as much as the poll said they would and how good, old Gordon finally conceded defeat.

Anyway, moving very swiftly on, to the new leader of the Labour Party! Miliband, Miliband, Burnham, Balls or Abbott? Well, i'm going for Miliband, Ed that is. I don't want to tempt fate but I do believe he is the best option and I do believe he will become our leader. Although I wouldnt begrudge any of the other candidates the leadership, except maybe Ed Balls, but David M is fantastic on foreign affairs and the other three, I believe just don't have the spark needed to salvage Labour, which apparently, is no longer New and the New Statesman-organised leadership debate outlined that, although, Diane Abbott spoke very well on the main talking point of the event, immigration, Balls & Burnham preached the usual "power to the people" talk and David, I'm afraid to say, seem to do a lot of sucking up to various factions who are supporting him, such as young people. Put simply - EM4Labour. Support him now.

And that really has been the hot political topic since the election...oh, except the, ahem, cuts. The cuts devised by George Osborne and David La- Danny Alexander. As unclear as they were, what stood out was a repulsive decision to scrap the Child Trust Fund; an initiative introduced by the former Labour government to support children, financially, once they turn 18. Just another sign of the Conservative minded way in which the finances of the country look set to run over the course of the next Parliament. £6.2 billion has been taken out of the budget, yes, while the economy is still trying to recover. I fear for the future, to tell the truth. £620m comes out of Education and £836m from the Communities budget, the strong infrastructure put in place by Labour, slowly being dismantled. The coalition are criticising the former government for wasting money, so what are they doing now by scraping initiatives and re branding departments?

Anyway, i'll try and keep up the posting, although, there is now the added distraction of a certain tournament taking place in South Africa...

My coalition cabinet

I hate conceding defeat and I'm not doing so in what I'm going to say in this post, but, my level of optimism for a Labour majority is somewhat waning. So, as a realist, I understand that a Hung Parliament is on the horizon and equally, so is a coalition government. It is widely thought that the only possible combination in such a case would be a coalition between Labour and the Liberal Democrats. In speculation to that, I have decided to lay out who I think would hold the main cabinet positions if the coalition went ahead, drawing from the best talents in the two parties. The rules on appointments during a coalition are unclear, so I have done this clearly on my own opinion.

Cabinet as follows:

Prime Minister: Gordon Brown (Lab)
First Secretary of State/Deputy PM: Nick Clegg (LD)
Chancellor of the Exchequer: Vince Cable (LD)
Home Secretary: Jon Cruddas (Lab)
Foreign Secretary: David Miliband (Lab)
Transport Secretary: Lord Andrew Adonis (Lab)
Leader of the House of Commons: David Heath (LD)
Health Secretary: Alan Johnson (Lab)
Business Secretary: Lord Peter Mandelson (Lab)
Int. Development Secretary: Douglas Alexander (Lab)
Environment Secretary: Chris Huhne (LD)
School and Children Secretary: Ed Davey (LD)
Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Ed Balls (Lab)
Culture Secretary: Ben Bradshaw (Lab)
Olympics Minister: Tessa Jowell
Work and Pensions Secretary and Minister for Equality: Harriet Harman (Lab)
Communities Secretary: Julia Goldsworthy (LD)
Energy Secretary: Ed Miliband (Lab)

11 Labour, 6 Liberal Democrat

I believe this draws on the very best of the two parties while attempting to keep a coalition balance between the two parties. It is crucial, I think, to keep the Miliband brothers in the Cabinet due to their potential in Government. Obviously, Nick Clegg would have to be included in some capacity to avoid national discontent but I feel he does have a talent and connects well with people as does his Lib Dem deputy, Vince Cable. Gordon Brown is the only contender I feel for Prime Minster, Britain needs stability and substantial leadership and with the current reservations over the success of a Hung Parliament, Brown is a given. I am always baffled as to why Jon Cruddas has not been in the Cabinet up to now, he is an excellent candidate and had he won the Labour deputy leadership contest in 2007, things for the party may not be as bad as they are. Ben Bradshaw and Andrew Adonis have done fantastic jobs in their respective posts and should stay. In addition to that, the last thing the Olympics needs at this stage is a change in government minister, so Jowell should stay also.

Although I will only be hoping for a Labour majority come May 6th, I would settle for this cabinet.

The similarity of the salesman

The Politics Show with Jon Sopel, today featured a Question Time-styled audience interrogating Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg. Immediately, as Clegg's responses were heard, I felt the presence of a certain David Cameron. In the run up to the election, it has become obvious that Cameron is a salesman who lacks any real substance on policy, but never had I considered Clegg's real qualities as a leader until today. The way Clegg talks, his mannerisms, the smile, they are all strikingly similar to that of the Tory leader.

So, with both parties offering ''change'', they may be best placed to look across the opposition benches at one another and actually try to clarify what sets them a part as leaders and potential prime ministers. Well, only one thing sets them apart of course, policy. Thankfully for Labour, as the polls continue to suggest a hung parliament, the Lib Dems are still far from compromising on policy with the Conservatives; and as much as Clegg will deny it, they are much closer to the Labour Party than any other.

I apologise for stating some of the obvious there, but I found it quite amazing how Cameron and Clegg can be so close yet so far apart. The leader debates will highlight this once again, on personality, Cameron and Clegg may come out on top, but on policy and substance, Gordon Brown has it in the bag.

A future fair for all

So, there is our election slogan; "A future fair for all", quite good I think. It was officially launched today with a very good speech by Gordon Brown in Nuneaton. He urged people to "take a second look at Labour and a long hard look at 'them' (assuming he is referring to the Tories...). I think that is exactly correct, the sooner people realise what the effect of a Tory government will be, the better; not just for Labour's election results but for the country in general. 

As Alastair Campbell said in his recent blog post, "The consistency of 'a future fair for all' is among its strengths. It underlines Labour's enduring values." I think Campbell hits the nail on the head there, fairness has always been a key component of the Labour Party line and is one of the main reasons I joined. It's also something we need to focus on in the run up to polling day, not just fairness, but the party's ethic and original beliefs that I think we've lost sight of. It is because of those beliefs that the public voted Labour in 1997 in the first place. 

I hope this can be the beginning of the most almighty Tory, pre-election demise. We can only hope.

Shame on Moir

The Press Complaints Commission has ruled in favour Jan Moir of the Daily Mail. The shamed journalist wrote a  repugnant and poorly timed piece just days after the sad death of popstar Stephen Gately in October last year.


After it's publication, the PPC received over 25,000 complaints including ones from Gately's partner, Andrew Cowles. But the commission still decided not to uphold any claims of wrongdoing on Moir's part and said that "should be slow to prevent columnists from expressing their views, however controversial they might be".


Morals; They are something that the PPC, Ofcom or indeed anyone rarely takes into consideration and they clearly did not come into play when the Commission made this awful decision. I'm sorry, but 25,000 people should not be quietened by a isolated panel of no doubt, Daily Mail readers (and Conservatives) which often, only speaks for the minority.


Bad decision. Shame on the PPC. Shame on Moir.

New season, new points and a Russian man...

An agreement has finally been reached on a new points system for the Formula One 2010 season which it is hoped will promote a 'race-to-win' attitude.
The new system will see places rewarded in a 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 sequence.
This will make the 2010 season somewhat more exciting, especially at Monaco, drivers will be forced to chase becuase of the big difference between points. This is just a small matter in comparison to all the things that are new for 2010.
The obvious case being Michael Schumacher's return with Mercedes, which is basically Brawn, which is basically Honda etc. Finally, the chance to see Lewis pitted against Schumi, possibly one of the up and coming greatest F1 drivers of all time versus the best driver in F1, ever! But, still, that's not all. Schumacher move to Merc along with fellow German Nico Rosberg creates a 'Team Germany' which will of course bring back memories of the Blitz when they face the 'Team Britain' McLaren pairing of Lewis and reigning world champion, Jenson Button. Oh, it's gonna be good..
However, I have gone through this post without mentioning the fact that there will be 26 drivers on the grid, god knows how they are going to fit them on the grid at Monaco, with the addition of three new teams and the loss of Toyota and any sign of corporate sponsor ship on the new Sauber car. Renault are in a similar position and after the cheating scandal of 2009, only fuel company Total feel the need to sponsor them; they've even handed a drive to some Russian bloke for 2010; Vitaly Petrov, who sounds remarkably like a player produced by the Chelsea academy....
Two 'nation' teams find themselves on the grid as well, Force India we know, but USF1, we do not. They have confirmed another unknown, Jose Maria Lopez as their first driver with a second yet to come and Force India have kept their 2009 line up in tact with the addition of Briton Paul di Resta as their reserve, so providing either Sutil or Liuzzi do shockingly bad, we may well see another British face on the tarmac this year.
Even though, I am now having my doubts, I had earlier predicted Felipe Massa to win the 2010 Championship with the Constructors also going to Ferrari. But with Lewis and Jenson, Schumacher and Alonso. It's going to be tight.

2010 Bahrain Grand Prix, 14th March 2010, Live on the BBC

The Good Of A Storm

11:53 local time, 12th January 2010, just south-westerly of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale blitzed through the land form of the small Caribbean island. It is two weeks since hell quite literally broke loose and since then the UK alone has raised £40 million from public generosity. This is why I feel there is always good of the storm. After every recent world disaster; be it Hurricane Katrina or the Boxing Day tsunami; they always see a huge humanitarian response.

However, Haiti has seemed different. I'm not sure why; but I think the strong celebrity following that it has attracted has had some impact. George Clooney set up a telethon, similar to that of Children in Need, for his newly found campaign, 'Hope for Haiti Now', and although I totally support his movement to give a helping to those in Haiti, I believe that for some celebrities, it may have become a case of self-promotion for their respective careers. I would call it jumping on the band wagon. But, again, that telethon broadcast in over 32 nations globally raised an additional $61 million and that doesn't include the 'Help for Haiti Now' album which has now been released. So, whether the 'storm' in the title of this post is referring to the actual quake or the celebrities pouncing on it, great good came from it.

But, of course, this 'good' doesn't quite measure up to pain and affliction being felt within in many in Haiti. But if any good can be brought from such a dire affair, that is success.

You can still help the afflicted in Haiti by doanting to the DEC appeal below.
DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal

Pledge your support to the Hunting Ban here

UK, US close their embassies in Yemen

Full story on NPR

A bold and decisive move is how I would describe this action against the recent revelations of terrorism in Yemen. Gordon Brown has clearly, already taken the leading stance out of all the major world leaders on how to deal with the Yemen threat. It is clear to see that the government of Yemen have very little control of what is happening. All westerners should be glad that this hazard has been confronted in the aftermath of the 'Detroit Bomber' case and not when a recent major attack has been successful.

Gordon Brown's decision to host a meeting on the Yemen threat, later this month in London, is another sign of his expert statesmanship and ability to lead the world on the big issues that face us. Personally, I can't even begin to imagine David Cameron and a Conservative government taking such definitive and bold movement on these matters. Again, I hope, for the sake of the UK's global reputation, that the Conservative's take no part in our next Government.

David Cameron, stop lying.

"A year for change" is what the banners behind David Cameron exclaimed as he made his very tired sounding New Year's speech today. That's a lie in a nutshell, to be completely honest with you.

Everything the Conservatives propose only echo the nightmare of the Eighties. The Tories may have switched logos and leaders but every piece of rubbish that's spills out of David Cameron's gutter for a mouth sounds like something brewed up at Eton only designed to favour the privileged. ITV2's recent show 'Trinity', which portrayed the gallivants of the Dandelion Club, reminds me so much of the opposition front bench. These are people who have grown up without having to worry about financial or education problems. These are people who have had it on a plate. Not like the majority of the country who are experiencing, in some cases, the most hellish financial circumstances.

To the electorate, please don't let these jumped up, arrogant, rich Etonians into power...

Welcome to 2010

'2K10' has arrived, or that's what all the chavs are going to call it now...There is quite a lot to look forward to. And also quite a lot not to look forward to. Personally, there is still a metric ton of coursework to do by Monday, an exam to revise for, To Kill A Mockingbird to read and a mock exam results day and that's just in January!!

Elsewhere, it's election year!! Woo! I know we are all confident of a Labour landslide :\

I think it may time for a hung parliament. I don't feel any party will have a good enough majority to form a Government. Labour will probably lose poor old Gordon...As a member, I would like to see David Miliband or Jon Cruddas as our next leader and I desperately hope the Conservatives are subject to the most almighty demise between now and May similar to the one seen at the end of John Major's tenure as Prime Minister.

Of course, there are other things that are going to happen. Formula One is back with Team Britain v Team Germany, England are second favourites to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and it's look as though 2010 will be a yaer of recovery from a difficult recession. The year 2000 was supposed to be a new start for the world, it was quickly followed by 9/11 and the war on terror. Terrorism isn't going to stop in this next decade but let's make a better start to this one than we did the to the last.

Happy New Year to All