Today's Daily Telegraph Editorial says it all really - the continuing saga of MPs expenses is a scandal at the heart of our democracy. My JURY TEAM colleague in Scotland, Alan Wallace has also written an excellent piece on his blog. I'm disgusted and angry, to the point of finding it difficult to articulate without resorting to the kind of language more suited to the messdeck than a rational political discourse.
Make sure that you are registered to vote, then on 4th June make sure you go to the polling station, even if you have to crawl on your hands and knees and use the one weapon that will hurt them - your vote. A vote for a Party candidate is a vote to accept sleaze and corruption, as is the stay at home option. Vote Independent, vote Jury Team and lets start rebuilding democracy and honesty in public office.
Friday, 8 May 2009
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Where I am on the political spectrum
After taking the test at Political Compass, it would appear that I'm a left-leaning Libertarian, in the same vein as Gandhi or Nelson Mandela - yet more reasons to vote Independent on June 4th
Trust is a bit like virginity.....
once its gone, you never get it back.
For our politicians, if we can't trust them not to abuse their positions (even if they have technically acted within the rules that they wrote for themselves) then how can we trust them to carry out their public duties in an appropriate way? The post of Home Secretary is one of the great offices of state, yet the current incumbent diminishes it by her actions - she obviously considers that it is acceptable to claim expenses as noted in the table, because they are "necessary in order for her to fulfill her public duties"?
Sorry Miss Smith, but your greed disgusts me, as does the contemptuous attitude displayed by you and your cohorts across the party political spectrum. Unfortunately the European Parliament also has its share of greedy self-serving parasites - if you haven't already done so, have a look at the short video by a German investigative TV crew or read this piece from the Independent.
If this behaviour disgusts you too, then make a stand on June 4th and vote for an Independent Jury Team candidate.
For our politicians, if we can't trust them not to abuse their positions (even if they have technically acted within the rules that they wrote for themselves) then how can we trust them to carry out their public duties in an appropriate way? The post of Home Secretary is one of the great offices of state, yet the current incumbent diminishes it by her actions - she obviously considers that it is acceptable to claim expenses as noted in the table, because they are "necessary in order for her to fulfill her public duties"?Sorry Miss Smith, but your greed disgusts me, as does the contemptuous attitude displayed by you and your cohorts across the party political spectrum. Unfortunately the European Parliament also has its share of greedy self-serving parasites - if you haven't already done so, have a look at the short video by a German investigative TV crew or read this piece from the Independent.
If this behaviour disgusts you too, then make a stand on June 4th and vote for an Independent Jury Team candidate.
Can you help me to change things?
The 6 Jury Team candidates in the SouthWest are working together to put our message across - although we are all fiercely independent, we all recognise that co-operation is absolutely vital, both in the campaign and also in the future when 1 or more of us is elected to Brussels.
Its this independence which will allow us to work across the traditional party lines, to secure the best outcomes for the people of the South West, rather than being held hostage to party dogma.
Some interesting analysis on Political Betting suggests that the turn-out on June 4th will be at a record low. I consider this a damning indictment on the party system - people are actively turned off by the prospect of voting, yet this perversely suits the established parties, as they know they can rely on a core vote. Everything is stacked against any change in the status quo - new parties and unaffiliated independent candidates are stifled by the high deposit required (£5k per candidate) and the reality that campaigning costs money. The established parties have it stitched up that donors can claim tax relief on donations of up to £500, provided the donation is an eligible political party - the criteria for eligibility being at least 1 member of that party being elected to the House of Commons, plus candidates of that party securing at least 150,000 votes at the last general election. Please, if you can afford even a couple of quid to help my campaign, please click on the DONATE button. As a guideline, this is how your donation could help:
Its this independence which will allow us to work across the traditional party lines, to secure the best outcomes for the people of the South West, rather than being held hostage to party dogma.
Some interesting analysis on Political Betting suggests that the turn-out on June 4th will be at a record low. I consider this a damning indictment on the party system - people are actively turned off by the prospect of voting, yet this perversely suits the established parties, as they know they can rely on a core vote. Everything is stacked against any change in the status quo - new parties and unaffiliated independent candidates are stifled by the high deposit required (£5k per candidate) and the reality that campaigning costs money. The established parties have it stitched up that donors can claim tax relief on donations of up to £500, provided the donation is an eligible political party - the criteria for eligibility being at least 1 member of that party being elected to the House of Commons, plus candidates of that party securing at least 150,000 votes at the last general election. Please, if you can afford even a couple of quid to help my campaign, please click on the DONATE button. As a guideline, this is how your donation could help:
- £5 pays for 300 brochures
- £10 lets me leaflet 1000 people in a city centre on a Saturday afternoon
- £50 gives me a month's worth of Google Ads
- £150 pays for 500 badges# £200 will print 1000 posters for supporters' windows
- £500 will pay for a month's worth of Facebook adverts
Remember, I have committed to total transparency, and will be publishing a full breakdown of income and expenditure after the election.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
I don't like nazis.....
There is a lot of concern in the press that the BNP will pick up votes in the European Parliament election on June 4th. If they do, the only people to blame are the current crop of politicians of all parties who have progressively alienated the average man (and woman) in the street, while cynically milking the system for personal gain. If you are sick of the way things are, don't vote for the BNP - or any other party for that matter - vote independent, for people from your community who will represent your community.
On a related note, Peter Hain ("forgot" to register his donations, and employed his 80 year old Mum as a "researcher") should have been preaching to the choir by writing in the Guardian... unfortunately, the comments suggest otherwise. Here is a cracking example from "HarryFlashman" :
"Can you imagine how awful it would be if Britain was run by Fascists?
They'd make sure everyone carried identity papers and you'd be arrested if you failed to show your papers to a policeman, a policeman who would be armed with stun guns and two handled billy clubs and who'd beat unarmed demonstrators to the ground if they protested government policy. The police would be granted the right to intern suspects without charge for months and if anyone spoke out against the government they'd be arrested as "terrorists".
There would be constant monitoring of every citizen by CCTV on every street corner, the government would have access to your emails and phone messages, Jesus, they might even do crazy stuff like implanting computer chips in your bins to monitor your rubbish!
Anyone who happened to dislike some aspects of the government's social policy would be forced out of business and making jokes or speaking your mind about certain protected classes of people could see you losing your job or even your children. The state would gain control over the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions of citizens and anyone who deviated from "acceptable" standards of behaviour would be punished by being deprived of health or welfare assistance.
The state run media would be intimidated into parroting government spin and lies and everyone from doctors and nurses to teachers and neighbours would be expected to report to the government any behaviour which was deemed to be outside government decreed standards.
Who knows they might even go crazy and start invading other countries.
Er. . ."
Couldn't put it better myself......
On a related note, Peter Hain ("forgot" to register his donations, and employed his 80 year old Mum as a "researcher") should have been preaching to the choir by writing in the Guardian... unfortunately, the comments suggest otherwise. Here is a cracking example from "HarryFlashman" :
"Can you imagine how awful it would be if Britain was run by Fascists?
They'd make sure everyone carried identity papers and you'd be arrested if you failed to show your papers to a policeman, a policeman who would be armed with stun guns and two handled billy clubs and who'd beat unarmed demonstrators to the ground if they protested government policy. The police would be granted the right to intern suspects without charge for months and if anyone spoke out against the government they'd be arrested as "terrorists".
There would be constant monitoring of every citizen by CCTV on every street corner, the government would have access to your emails and phone messages, Jesus, they might even do crazy stuff like implanting computer chips in your bins to monitor your rubbish!
Anyone who happened to dislike some aspects of the government's social policy would be forced out of business and making jokes or speaking your mind about certain protected classes of people could see you losing your job or even your children. The state would gain control over the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions of citizens and anyone who deviated from "acceptable" standards of behaviour would be punished by being deprived of health or welfare assistance.
The state run media would be intimidated into parroting government spin and lies and everyone from doctors and nurses to teachers and neighbours would be expected to report to the government any behaviour which was deemed to be outside government decreed standards.
Who knows they might even go crazy and start invading other countries.
Er. . ."
Couldn't put it better myself......
Saturday, 2 May 2009
European Parliament expenses - a scandalous affair...
Some great investigative reporting here, showing the abuse of expenses in the European Parliament. On June the 4th YOU have a choice -
1. Vote for the same old faces, same old parties and continue to be screwed;
2. Stay at home, and continue to be screwed;
3. Vote INDEPENDENT and replace the crooks and chancers with real people just like you, who want to change the way things work.
(hat-tip to Plato for the fantastic vid!)
1. Vote for the same old faces, same old parties and continue to be screwed;
2. Stay at home, and continue to be screwed;
3. Vote INDEPENDENT and replace the crooks and chancers with real people just like you, who want to change the way things work.
(hat-tip to Plato for the fantastic vid!)
Friday, 1 May 2009
Back in the saddle again......
As friends and supporters will be aware, I narrowly missed out on being in the top 6 in the South West when the primary text vote closed last Friday. I've now been advised by Jury Team that one of the 6 has since pulled out, and as 7th place candidate, I have therefore moved onto the list for the European Parliamentary election - I am therefore pleased to formally launch my election campaign.
Between now and June 4th, I need your support - together we can break the stranglehold that the political parties have over the democratic system. By voting for an independent, you can send the message that the party is over, and that you reject the current system of self and party interest taking precedence over the interests of the people.
Make sure you are registered to vote - this can be done by going to the Electoral Commission website completing a short form and returning it to your local registration office by 19th May.
As well as your vote, I would welcome your support in other ways - this could be as easy as spreading the word among your friends and family, and asking them to support me.
Another way you can help is by donating to my campaign. Donations can be made securely online by PayPal, and all donations will be used exclusively to further the campaign. As part of my commitment to transparency, full income and expenditure accounts will be published on this website. If you don't feel that you can support me as a candidate, but still want to support the concept of encouraging independents then please consider making a donation to the Jury Team.
I'm excited and enthusiastic about the next few weeks - if just 1 independent candidate gets elected, a shock-wave will go through the political system....If a number of independents get elected, the upheaval will be of seismic proportions. Working together we can achieve this......
Between now and June 4th, I need your support - together we can break the stranglehold that the political parties have over the democratic system. By voting for an independent, you can send the message that the party is over, and that you reject the current system of self and party interest taking precedence over the interests of the people.
Make sure you are registered to vote - this can be done by going to the Electoral Commission website completing a short form and returning it to your local registration office by 19th May.
As well as your vote, I would welcome your support in other ways - this could be as easy as spreading the word among your friends and family, and asking them to support me.
Another way you can help is by donating to my campaign. Donations can be made securely online by PayPal, and all donations will be used exclusively to further the campaign. As part of my commitment to transparency, full income and expenditure accounts will be published on this website. If you don't feel that you can support me as a candidate, but still want to support the concept of encouraging independents then please consider making a donation to the Jury Team.
I'm excited and enthusiastic about the next few weeks - if just 1 independent candidate gets elected, a shock-wave will go through the political system....If a number of independents get elected, the upheaval will be of seismic proportions. Working together we can achieve this......
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