Why I support the EU in negotiations with the UK

On Wednesday 30th March 2017, the UK formally submitted a letter, notifying the European Union of it's decision to formally withdraw from the 28 state trading  power.

What has really and I mean really got under my skin, is the language and method we are using to conduct our "negotiations" with the EU. Patriotic nationalists are buoyed by the vitriolic bile spewed from prominent leave voters like Farage and Johnson, eschewing memories of a time long ago when Britain was actually a world power.  (I'm sure we were very nice to the world then too......)

But anyone who has ever been part of a successful mediation will understand that compromise and knowing your strengths and limits are of the utmost importance. Goading or infuriating the EU is not going to do the UK any favours in the long term. We are one small country, against an alliance of 27 others that are our closest trading partners.

 Moreover it is not like the EU is made up of countries who have no weight on the international scene. Germany have the strongest economy in Europe and the 4th strongest in the world. France are slightly behind the UK in 6th but are also a permanent member of the UN security council. Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal and Austria are also big economies with important pasts and will not suffer the UK's rhetoric lightly.

In essence, I want the EU to prove the UK is not a major player on the world stage anymore. I want it to throw those old ideals away and prove that integration is the best thing for all of us, under shared regulations and laws, agreed upon democratically inside the EU.

Brexit and Democracy

I have been thinking to myself a lot recently, (scary I know) about the governance and political construction of the United Kingdom. I'm going to analyse the results of the EU referendum and consider whether it was a true democratic decision to leave.

The Populist notion of "Islamification"

Mr Geert Wilders

I've been reading in the news about the Dutch politician Geert Wilders and how he has been taking the lead in political polls with the general election drawing near. Mr Wilders has built a reputation with some amazingly subtle comments. Here is a selection :

- "Islam is not a religion, it's an ideology, the ideology of a retarded culture. I have a problem with Islamic tradition, culture, ideology. Not with Muslim people."

- "The Koran is a fascist book which incites violence. That is why this book, just like Mein Kampf, must be banned."

- "It is not acceptable for people to completely cover themselves on the street. It threatens public order and security. Plus it is a terrifying sight. Get rid of that woman-humiliating Islamic symbol."

- "The Moroccan scum in Holland … once again not all are scum … but there is a lot of Moroccan scum in Holland who make the streets unsafe, mostly young people ... and that should change"

Sounds like a nice guy right? As you can see a major policy of his campaign is to push back islamification and immigration in the Netherlands. This populist notion has leaped to the forefront of global politics, particularly in right wing political parties

Is Donald Trump a Racist?

Nigel Evans MP

Last week, Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, caused controversy by boldly stating he believed that President Donald Trump should not be allowed to address parliament on his state visit.

Mr Bercow said,:

“I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons.” 

He received applause and cheers from Labour, Lib Dem and SNP MPs, but a few Conservatives were aghast.
In response, Tory MP and all round champion of environmental destruction, Nigel Evans, criticised those who had spoken ill of Mr Trump , boldy stating :

"When we stand up in this country and then condemn him for being racist, and I have seen no evidence of that, I have seen no evidence of him being racist, we are actually attacking the American people."

Right then.......... How long do you have.............