Category: Politics

Journal, Labour, Politics, Thoughts

Post EU Referendum/Corbyn

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United Kingdom referendum on European Union membership has exposed an inconvenient truth. Populist politics are here, lack of political leadership.  Westminster no policy on dealing with voter grievances.  Voters are fickle creatures often with legitimate concerns.   Politicians often exploit these concerns pandering voters.  Voters unwilling to take notice of politics until voting day. Worse still voters display serious lack of knowledge/information on various subjects.  Thinking they know loads about a subject but reality they are completely wrong.  Living in an age of information at your finger tips with voters unwilling to use this resource.  Politicians often don’t listen instead pick up white noise about legitimate concerns.  Worse still politicians are unwilling to admit success or failure.  With voters unable to hold politicians to account due total ignorance.  Claims various institutions are undemocratic often come down to general ignorance.

Important to remember how we got here.  Biggest financial crash which saw the worse decline in incomes blamed on government fiscal policy over financial institutions.  Average voter demanded solutions opposition then exploited this opportunity. Claiming the answer was sharp fiscal cuts, after recent worst economic downturns in modern times.  Economic experts were firmly against the move spent years studying the decision.  Uninformed media pundits proclaimed experts on economic issues. Instead of gaining stability voters was given uncertainty and incompetence.    History is important 1930/40s saw the same conditions legitimate grievances caused by politicians own failure went unchecked. Politicians unwilling to admit features are not bugs, voters are often seek extreme viewpoints for solutions.  Seeking answers to legitimate grievances populism thrives during economic hard times.

Voters often have legitimate grievances,  sometimes going unnoticed.  Majority often ignored until unlike any loud minority. Politicians should listen to grievances, understand what is driving each one. Impossible to understand every grievance sometimes blaming the wrong cause. Politicians should address each grievance pandering only caused more problems. Various historic examples showing that is the case.  False promises reduce voters trust in politicians to solve problems. Seeking out solutions from non things as they are sources often the loud minority takes hold.  Trying to influence voters grievance to the minority cause.

Feel like broken record repeating the above important to remember.  Status quo suffered from serious case of memory lost post 2008. Pundits claim to understand or know what is happening reality they don’t have a clue.   Voters are fickle however want the same thing stability and economic success.

Corbyn should resign from the labour leadership,  lacks the skills required for the role.   Legitimate criticism against the leadership, trying to reply on grievances.   Providing answers when many on the things as they are pander playing to biases,   Lackluster media operation combined with unclear message unable to reach voters.  Constant clear message from loud minority easier to understand over long message.  Labour party members clearly connected to Corbyn vision other candidates failing to offer any vision.  Policy matters at the moment so does vision that connects to voters minds. 

Opposition party role is holding the government to account, providing alternate vision. Leadership has failed on many fronts with various flaws lack of vision is not one of them.   Lackluster response post 2008 is worrying with many seeking populism answers.  Some Labour MPs have gone down the populism route claiming Corbyn answers are nonsense populism.  Unable to understand grievances not even listening to voters.  At the same time jumping on the populism wagon they claim is a real threat.

Personal opinion Corbyn needs to go,  Labour should not ditch his ideas.  Next Leader pragmatic when comes to dealing with voter grievances.  Post 2008 needs answers Labour wants to rule again needs to deal with grievances.

End result does not matter what does matter is the grievances voters displayed.  United Kingdom now suffers various divides with no plan.  United Kingdom now faces this period of uncertainty with serious challenges.   Political made series of crisis with no plan on what comes next.   Voters just want answers with stability back lack of leadership is not clear.   Making matters worse politicians who have helped create this mess don’t want any blame.  Unaccountable politics can do no wrong with nobody holding anybody to account.   Toxic mix of challenges now facing the United Kingdom with serious risk.

Great divide between leave and stay voters is education.  Leavers have far lower level of education compared to stay voters.  Leaving school with just GCSEs gives you far more likelihood voted for leave. Remain voters generally hold A Level or higher majority within this group voting to stay. Labour party must listen to voters trying to understand grievances.  Offering a stability, clear vision of the future and being honest.  Big key lesson to learn current operation is not providing a clear message to voters. Instead of answering any grievances party ignoring them.   Labour should talk about various subjects educating the public explaining if they are features or bugs.  Vast majority of voters don’t trust politicians.   Only need to see what happening in Westminster during this period to see why.

Referendum was one big giant test for Labour with the party failing do some basic mistakes.   Corbyn may hold some answers but not a real leader.  PLP has acted rash in trying to remove Corbyn given how likely another general election this why the decision. Whatever the result never a good time to seek new leadership during this uncertain period.   Europe question is going to stay around for decades now.   

Consequences yet be fully absorbed with many voters no understanding got no idea what they voted on.  Obvious that Westminster has no wish to leave European Union,  rash decision to hold the referendum viewed as a mistake.  Westminster forced to deal with serious consequences not dealing with voter grievances.  Letting fickle voters who lack knowledge on Europe vote on the future European union membership.  Stroking populism fears blaming voter grievances on Europe. Leave campaign was able to win referendum which was non legally binding. Westminster helped create the conditions which allowed leave campaign to win.  Due to voters being fickle politicians have time on their side.  No action taken until politicians have some sort of plan.  Voters wanted quick fix to problems now have to wait.  Politicians not acted on the vote yet due non legally binding.

Vote result may have forced westminster to deal with voter grievances.  Politicians now dealing with policy consequences of the past 40 years.  United Kingdom blighted with populism politics.  Easy to take very pessimistic view given the uncertainty created.  Adding to this politicians have jumped on the populist band wagon do voters being fickle.  Fueling further uncertainty lack of leadership being displayed.  Westminster now has to deal with political made crisis over Europe.  Required is realpolitik pragmatism dealing against with the problems on the table.  Bright side House of commons has shown pragmatism overcoming various problems.   Conservatives fiscal plans are dead showing high levels of pragmatism when required.  Loud minority has no time for pragmatism just seeks power.  Politics has been happy exploit grievances but unwilling calm grievances or offer real solutions.

United Kingdom has couple options on the table.  Highly unlikely that United Kingdom leaves the European Union.  Westminster has couple choices in making things work after the referendum.   Remain has strong majority within westminster any decision to leave would be complex undertaking. Spending cuts has reduced number of experts within UK institutions leading negotiations. Leave campaign goal appears more about power grab over leaving.  Leave politicians unwilling to admit or own up to consequences.   Concerning given how these politicians want to take up the top jobs.  Decision to remain requires dealing with voter grievances.  Owning up to policy consequences and explaining what policy choices mean.  Leave campaign are now backtracking over promises. Remain campaigners warnings seem to have been correct.  More worrying is the fact United Kingdom held non legally binding voted.   Created global turmoil destroying the economic recovery proving how weak it was.  Illegitimate concerns have now become legitimized likely mobilised again. Disenfranchised voters exploited for personal gain. Voter grievances are features of policy decisions. Opportunity to pick up disenfranchised answering grievances.

United Kingdom is now facing a political made crisis.  Facing full-scale crisis in the following areas, Political crisis, Economic crisis, Constitution crisis and Social crisis.

  • Political – General lack of direction within all the mainstream political parties.  Lacking purpose are the Tories who came to power under the promise of fiscal tightness.   Growing number have rejected fiscal plans the party came to power with.   Appears some did not fully understand consequences of this policy.  Labour feeling the aftermath of Tory fiscal plans with many communities worse off.  Party has been unable to correctly challenge the narrative painted by the Tories.  Membership clearly want it challenged with real leadership and vision on the other way.  Soft challenge on the narrative has failed with some wishing to pander.
  • Economic – Uncertainty now stands around European Union membership.  Causing serious economic damage as uncertainty grows.  Weak economic recovery now likely to have died off.  Unbalanced as an economy facing real challenges plus global headwinds.   Required reforms have not been completed in some cases delayed or dropped from the table.  Bank Of England has little to no tools to help the economy.   Politics get in the way of major fiscal support.
  • Constitution –  Patch work repairs to United Kingdom Constitution likely to undo.  Real thinking required how to repair and keep together the Union.  Helping to fix some of the power balances and economic imbalances.   Obvious answer is Federal united kingdom.
  • Social – Growing number of grievances.  Couple nasty social trends which need answers or face going mainstream.

Corbyn unprepared United kingdom is facing biggest set challenges in recent modern times.  Should resign as leader of the Labour party current backdrop demands it.  Require somebody who can give leadership during this difficult period.  Unable to grow into the role addressing any weakness. Necessary to discuss this opportunity calm ruthless pragmatic fashion.  Publicity lost confidence of colleagues Corbyn can’t hang on without causing serious damage.   Labour party often not ruthless enough when comes to getting rid of failing leaders.  Painful to watch this unfold before my eyes given political made crisis unfolding in the background.  Lack of stability coming from westminster.  Corbyn has allowed Westminster unaccountably to carry on.  Wasting opportunity to attack lack of planning when comes to Brexit.  Don’t respect Corbyn used to respect him do his principles, lost my confidence to lead.   Leadership would be Corbyn resigning from the job having laid the groundwork. Don’t wish to give the conservatives feel ride when comes to power and setting the narrative.   Small opportunity to settle grievances getting Labour back into office.  Experiment must end now future of United Kingdom is at risk. Economic experiment from the conservatives have failed. Social experiment has failed fueling grievances.  Failing to dent the conservative narrative he must go. Management has been lacking when comes to the media operation.

Having lost the confidence of colleagues leadership contest is now required.  Corbyn leaving the post would mean he not ultimately included on the ballot.  Resign no place on the leadership ballot. Stand on try to fight off any leadership challenge Corbyn faces ripping the party apart.  Obvious choice would be to resign,  forced to fight very long battle otherwise.  Labour party bigger than one person more than protest movement.  No good scenario for Corbyn to hang on for. Destroying the Labour party defeated almost wiped out.   Depressing to think about it, unlikely things have happened.  Don’t expect that to happen but very messy ending for Corbyn. 

Labour requires pragmatism vision unite every fraction under one banner together. Contradictions heighten until a revolutionary synthesis combines all factions. Divorce is the wrong answer would only be messy.  Regards concerned Labour member who wants a Labour government.

Journal, Politics, Thoughts

Oh dear Brexit…

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Disclaimer:  Suffering from lack of sleep, not eaten much at all.

Okay

Lets not sugar coat anything David Cameron has just made the worse gamble and lost.  Don’t agree with Brexit voters just dropped one hell of a time bomb.  Time to deal with the problems and reach out/listen.

 

 

Politics, Thoughts

More EU Referendum thoughts

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Tomorrow Britain holds a referendum on European union membership.  Little sick of the whole thing opinions being given as facts. No debate just pure focus on domestic.  Referendum has showed that average voters cares little to nothing about what happens in Europe.   Care little to nothing about politics until we feel pain don’t take an active interest in the subject at all.   My position has always been remain within the union.  Currently all issues within the debate purely domestic caused by government policy.  Rather surprising that government has not been held accountable for certain choices.  Uneducated public are being let down by politicians who are not listening like voters until ballot paper day.   Depressing state of politics comes down to couple weeks small minority imprint the issues.  Economic pain caused by the 08 financial crisis still impacts people today and politicians have made things worse.  Made false promises pandering failing to offer solutions, declining to take responsibility.  Any other job these people would be fired due lying and pure incompetence.   Unlikely to never find another job again.  Many on the leave side are doing mini rebellion against Government policy.  Voted in on certain mandate now doing rebellion against that mandate.  Desire to climb up the ladder by stabbing your boss who won against all the odds.   Turns out that current fiscal policy rather hard and has an impact which voters do notice.   Success story only and not my fault is the name of the day somebody else messed up.  

Part of the reason why feel the need to take up an interest in politics.   Nobody else wants to sort out this bloody mess.   Time to repair the relationship between the public and house of commons.  Voters need to take much greater interest in politics.

Economics, Politics, Thoughts

Why Vote Leave have no argument

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Just hearing arguments against the Government domestic policies for last 40 years.  With politicians unwilling to admit consequences or explain that ‘bugs are features’.  Instead see politicians riding the populist wave unwilling to address the root causes.  Group of people who feel things are bad enough they are willing to risk it all.  Unwilling to even see that actions they take would cause more pain not help.

My best advice if you care enough about these issues get involved in politics.  Start doing something to help address any problems you have not just complaint on voting days.   Need to take this advice myself get in contact with my local labour party activists once again.  Make Government accountability your main goal instead of blaming anybody for the problems.

Sovereignty argument

Legal definition of Parliamentary sovereignty, from that definition United kingdom has full sovereignty. Argument is lost before it started unless you wanted a new legal definition.  Confirming United Kingdom still holds the unlimited veto powers.

Definition leave campaigners are using is inaccurate, wrong and spreading lies.  Further this point any trade agreements or membership of international organizations would reduce sovereignty.  Emotional isolation argument pretending to be about sovereignty.  Shifting the blame from domestic executive to European legal executive.   Welcome to explain how membership of the European union is wrong but World Trade Organization is fine.  Could do the same with any institution . 

What is the real intent behind anybody claiming European laws was overruling the UK legal system?

How come the domestic executive has not taken actions against problems reported in newspapers?

Could it be that newspapers are reporting inaccurate information to increase sales?  Failing in any duty to inform the public and educate them.  Causing a recession is not worth it for powers we already have.

No veto over Turkey joining the EU. 

Evidence points to that being incorrect and inaccurate.

Immigration argument

Evidence suggests that low skilled immigration, low skilled workers suffer an negative impact on wages.  Much debate over the impact various studies have shown very minor impact for workers. Government fiscal policy has caused much greater decline in real wages -10% for almost all groups. Impact from immigration on semi/low skilled workers 0.4%. Based on the evidence United Kingdom does not have major amount of low immigration.   Evidence shows that on average migrants have higher level of education compared to UK natives.  Age wise migrants are younger pay in more taxes due to taking up median to high skilled jobs on average.   Younger workers who come here pay taxes using little to no public services.  Evidence does not back up the general assumption that immigration has been terrible.  Reducing immigration would decrease the overall tax base increasing general tax rates.   Negative impact on low end wages is reduced due having a bigger working population paying taxes.

David Cameron pledge to drive immigration down was deeply unrealistic.  Listen to leave campaign your hear they want to increase immigration from outside of the EU.  Nations which have points based system have seen major inflows of people.  Vote leave want to increase immigration but decrease it?

Cost for driving down immigration is not worth it given the economic cost.  Instead the blame policy is designed to avoid criticism for policy failures many have supported but caused great pain to the poor. Social bits of policy we can do help people cope with immigration.

Infrastructure argument

Domestic executive has decreased spending with general population aging and increasing in size. Aging population puts far more strain on infrastructure compared to migrants.  Fallacy to blame this on migrants if anything poor planning from politicians.

Shared benefit

Evidence to support the European Union membership given us great number of benefits.  Helped make the United kingdom economcy far more competitive reduced regulation across Europe.   Trade barriers have declined freedom of movement has allowed travel to be expanded.  Reason why nobody wants us to leave due to being own benefit and their benefit.   Same reasoning could be applied once again to any global institution no campaign for us to leave?

Experts

Some of the Experts who wanted us to join the Euro are supporting leave.   Vast majority are against Brexit, trying to silence experts who disagree with you is silly.

Promises

Both sides have made promises but some won’t admit the truth.  Immigration won’t decline with Brexit or remain won’t decline period.  False promise if you believe that leaving would reduce it. Incredible rubbish has been provided from both sides.

Budget cuts

Blame lies with the Government for cutting public services,  not immigration.  This what happens when you have a fixed fiscal policy so much for the household budget.  Cut backs have caused the strain in public services not slow population growth.

Labour, Politics

10 things moderates need to remember – Labour

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1, Labour lost the general election

Clear blue skies warm spring day, recession is over life is good. Why are people angry? Most pundits offer this sort of white noise confused why people are upset.  Global recession caused many incomes to decline with no recovery, higher taxes lower public spending.   Pay more get less at the same time public services decline.  Failing to inform, explain and educate the general public on the consequences of this policy.  Pundits ignore biggest economic shock to incomes in modern times, blaming the angry voices on populist politicians.  Blaming the symptom not the cause, any different opinion as extreme unable to see biases.  Memory loss when comes to this economic shock which has helped cause this pain is striking. Politicians are famous for spinning biases offering false promises to win.  Empty promises things would get better for the many and spending cuts would make us rich again.

2, Populist politicians rise at heart of westminster

Various parties have now claimed successes as failures which must be corrected. Every action has consequences,  policy decisions taken now have major long term impacts.  Fiscal policy choices taken now have reduce incomes reduced future incomes and degraded public services.   Delayed the recovery cause massive pain for little to no benefit.  Asking the question why voters are angry shows that you don’t understand or listen.  Instead voters get politicians who follow the dog whistle listening to the white noise making poor choices instead of helping.  Switching issues more regularity than swingers do with lovers.   Data that shows voters don’t care about immigration like you think they do.  Focus on immigration has more to do with failure when comes fiscal policy over concern on immigration.  Small minority do care about it however in areas which have low levels of immigration.

3, Centre ground

Much talk about Labour reclaiming the centre ground.  Should avoid upsetting the centre ground follow the Tories.  Reality is Tories have upset the centre ground populist with fiscal policy.  Centre ground shifts all the time failure to convince voters given us major consequences. Britain set for period of low growth due to it fiscal policy, incomes have not recovered.   Centre ground voters suffering the consequences apart from older voters who have benefited in the short term.   Keep being told should still follow the Tories because voters have voted for this.  Ignoring the consequences that have been explained from various economic institutions.  Should not follow the herd blindly but can offer some clues.  Labour needs to win over the centre ground in order to win when comes to first past the post.   However does not mean we can’t be radical convincing voters that troubles facing the nation matters to them.  Obvious examples was Tony Blair, David Cameron with the ‘Debt problem’.  Much talk about the SNP being centre left the reality more towards the centre talking radical but being neutral.  SNP won over the majority by the stable party which does nothing to rock the boat.

4, Consequences

Voters wanted things to return to normal, voted for stability and improving prospect to return. Politicians are leading voters down a road with even worse growth, worse income prospects. Questions about how long this can last for certain voting groups have benefited at expense of others.   Young people often beat economic waves due to time however damage could be permanent.  My generation are facing the worse prospects compared to their parents.   Parents have voted against giving their children more debt assets but given use worse prospects when comes to income/wealth creation.  Likely my generation could see pensions and other benefits disappear.   Reality is the current economic troubles are caused by politics could be solved by some simple fiscal policy.   Worse still failed to listen to voters instead small minority who wanted this for whatever reason.   Failure to convince voters of the truth is leading us down an ugly path. Removing morals for a second the damage done by increasing inequality to growth is massive.  Deaths have been linked towards reducing the social welfare safety net.

5, Looking forward

Tories vague vision only has so much fuel left within the tank.  Highly unlikely but not impossible that voters are going to accept this new fiscal reality.  No overarching desire or support from the general public to see spending decrease even further.   Sense of entitlement from taxpayers that expect certain benefits.   Decreasing the tax base even further puts serious strain on current taxpayers.  Tory party is fighting over the direction of the party, with various wings battling for control. Current rhetoric hints the party may return to 97 fiscal policy.  Painting Labour as the source for current economic problems created by Tory policy.   Attacking Labour on every image front doing damage to the brand.

6, Listen to people 

Labour wants to win needs to listen to voters, convince them concerns matters.   Not enough to tell the truth need to listen, connect with people.   Truth may not be enough may have to spin couple biases to win favour.  Problem here so much distrust towards politicians that going to be hard to pull off.  Needs to reconnect with communities and target Tory voters.  We can’t afford to target non voters who don’t vote.  Can hope to pick them up once we have the voters onboard.  SNP was able to pull off that trick in Scotland once for certain wards.   Should be a serious push in every area talking to Tories/UKIP.   Labour can’t win over small minority but we can win the centre ground support some of these parties gain.   Clear message should be directed towards these groups with major vision presented.   Every major voting block needs to come back towards Labour.  Older voters should listen to concerns convincing them young people matter for own prospects in old age.

7, Message/media management 

Key weakness here is Labour lacking a clear message/vision however all united under couple common values.   Ed miliband biggest mistake failing get this right early on.  Did however connect to various voters with his message at times. Corbyn has followed making the same mistakes for whatever reasoning picking ideology over experience.   Talking about Seumas Milne, Labour’s director of communications being unprepared for the role.   Watching Corbyn you get the sense he was unprepared for the role.  Labour needs to rediscover the dark arts of media management plus spin.   Using these tools to amplify your message, New politics has a place to play.  Every wing of the party needs to understand this weakness and learn from it.  Keep losing due this problem want to win needs solving.

8, Tories are ruthless

Now understand just how ruthless the Tory party can be.  Reason why the party has more years in power compared to Labour.  Party is ruthless Labour needs to rediscover the ruthless nature that is required for politics.  Understand Corbyn wants newer kinder politics does not mean can’t be ruthless with that goal.  Many within the party appear to have given up waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Tories spent years building up a message repairing any image done striking once the groundwork was done.   We can’t afford to wait for voters to turn against the Tories.

9, Blame Corbyn

Easy to blame past leaders much harder to understand what went wrong.  Worse still people attacking him offer no solutions most of the time.  May not be natural allies does not mean you can’t give him advice and offer solutions.  Blindly aimed attacks only weaken your position.  Understand that Corbyn was unprepared for the role however has kept Labour out of populists reach.   Corbyn has made mistakes but no worse compared to what we done in the past.   Corbyn has been small moral position keeping us from being dragged over the edge.  Stability in uncertain times for many members challenging the ideas post 2008.  Trying to blame Corbyn for all your woes is not good starting point.

10,  Loyalty

Have little to no loyalty towards Corbyn his performance has been what I expected.  Backbencher forced to lead who not a leader doing the best he can. Open secret that he was heavily unprepared for the role.   However do have strong amount of loyalty towards the Labour party in general due to the shared values.   Some people have claimed the party is no longer the party they joined and can’t support him.   Labour party is bigger than it leader, Corbyn shares same common values as the party. View Corbyn not as the leader but more the rock keeping us stable.  Down to the party to define the direction and find a better leader.  Should learn from history replace leaders quicker not before giving them enough time. We must learn that voters offer little to no loyalty to politicians.  Seeking to replace leaders once the performance is terrible enough.   Party still the same party as 30 years ago due to the share values.  Some of you may disagree the values have not changed one bit.  Leaving Labour over Corbyn risk the party being corrupted by populist minorities.

 

 

Too Long Didn’t Read

Not enough to tell the truth you need to make people believe and trust you.  We face many challenges going forward failing to learn from past lessons.  Start by listening to concerns understanding the real source.   Can start controlling the message getting that message to voters that need to hear it.  Need to connect with various voting groups not just couple.

I feel like the only person who shares this sort of thinking right now.

Journal, Labour, Politics

Thoughts EU referendum Part 2

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Previous post Thoughts on EU referendum part 1

Thoughts EU referendum Part 2

Given the narrow focus of the reforms still highly skeptical about the process.

Europe faces many challenges during very difficult period, world is reshaping with lack of global leadership.  Economic situation within Europe is weak, facing migration problem, geopolitics problems from eastern border to middle east. European area is largely at peace but faces winds which could cause serious damage.  Backdrop within United kingdom many are still yet to recover from 2007-08 recession with some measures only just turning positive.  House prices still increasing, wages are still lower, employment is less secure.  Large part of British voters are sceptical voting for whoever they feel can get one with fixing problems.  Loud minority has blamed many of issues facing Britain towards Europe and immigration.  Narrow focus of the debate is the result of British voters ignorance towards European union structure. Instead of answering the important questions we have narrow focus on immigration, regulation. Feeding off the failure to discuss issues facing Britain for decades.

Most Britons are largely unaware how many things work the same case with Europe works/institutions at home.

Ignorance towards Europe

Willing to admit that have degree of ignorance towards Europe mainly how the structure now works.  European union how used to think it worked the following institutions doing the following roles.

  • European parliament – Members of parliament puts forward regulation votes on it passes towards the commission.
  • European commission – Given regulation begins to work on finer details before passing it towards national governments to include.
  • European council – European leaders discuss direction should go Europe  along with ideas facing European union have no real say.

Until today was unaware of most of the institutions or the roles they offer.

How the EU works

Little bit of research you can find how the European union works. Following information is from these links, link just condensed it.

European commission – 28 EU commissioners, one for every state focus on each policy area. Commission President leads the commissioners, Commission job is to draft EU laws and act as  “guardian of the treaties”

Council of ministers – Represents governments of the member states, ministers meet regularly according to their policy area.  Detailed negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament help EU laws become part of the national legislation.  Examine draft laws from the commission and make recommendations.  Final text is often compromise after weeks or years of work.

Voting within Council under system called qualified majority voting (QMV). UK has 29 votes each with Germany, France, Italy. Unanimity is required on various subjects no way of forcing things on others. 

European parliament – Only directly elected EU institution overseers of European union.  MEPs now have  “co-decision” powers in nearly all policy areas.  Helping to shape EU laws on equal basis with the Council.   Parliament still has to vote on any legalization, signs off on EU budget signs off on commissions decisions.

European External Action Service – EU “one voice” internationally, helping to push common EU foreign policy.

European court of justice –  Court which makes sure all nations follow EU law and settles disputes.

UK government structure

Little curious decided to look at how UK government structure goes.  Source from Gov.uk

  • Prime minister head of the UK government – Oversees the Civil Service and government agencies, appoints members of the government. Ministers are members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.  Responsible for the departments.  Departments and their agencies are responsible for putting government policy into practise.
  • The Civil Service does the practical and administrative work of government. Coordinated and managed by the Prime Minister, in their role as Minister for the Civil Service.
  • The Cabinet –  Senior members of government. Every week during Parliament, members of the Cabinet/ministers/secretaries of state. Discuss most important issues for the Government.
  • Devolved government – Devolved administrations are responsible for many domestic policy issues, and their Parliaments/Assemblies have law-making powers for those areas.
  • Local government – Councils often county councils and district, borough or city councils. Councils make and carry out decisions on local services.
  •  Parliament – Role look at what government is doing , debate issues and pass new laws.

Comparing European union and United kingdom

Okay it hard to make compared directly but going to try due to being curious.  Oversimplification I know but given one or two arguments against the EU decided it worth thinking about.

European commission shares some cross over Civil service within United kingdom.  Elected officials work with unelected officials keeping Government machine running. Various departments linked together working with civil service to complete the same goals.    Both are the central of Government with unelected officials with elected working together.  Central point of European Union handling many of the same tasks as the civil service does. 

Council of ministers = Cabinet/house of lords/civil service?

Made up of 28 permanent ministers, national governments select a representative often somebody with experience within Civil service. Meeting regularly according to their policy area. Detailed negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament help EU laws become part of the national legislation.  Examine draft laws from the commission and make recommendations. Final text is often compromise after weeks or years of work.

Like United Kingdom has it own Departments which focus on various topics.

Council of ministers is like the Cabinet apart from not made up of elected officials.  More like administration committee/political committee.

European parliament – House of Commons?

MEPs now have  “co-decision” powers in nearly all policy areas.  Equal power to the Council, parliament can block legalization/decisions.

European External Action Service close to the foreign office but each nation has it own foreign office.  More like action group getting things done which everybody agrees on goal wise.

Conclusion – European union stops national governments from doing whatever it wants and that good thing.  Can stop Britain becoming a tax haven with rock bottom taxes or protecting sugar farmers.  Very much like the current system within the UK designed to stop the Government doing whatever it wants but stronger.

Don’t want johnny foreigner making my rules complaint

Often a common complaint but UK does have major say at various stages.  Has various veto power, seats on various committees, bodies and anything else.  Very large voting block when comes to MEPs, council of ministers.  When you ask what is wrong with current system most can’t answer and just repeat.

This common complaint pretty irrational when you compared to the United kingdom system which devolve decisions making from citizens towards officials.   Therefore people who dislike johnny foreigner would like to see breakup of United kingdom with governments being setup in every town. Complaint could be applied without much effort towards current united kingdom structure. 

Eurosceptic vs europhile?

Skeptical of both the United Kingdom Government, European project.  On balance would be pragmatic Europhile that wants serious reform of the European Union and Eurozone.  Would like pragmatic reform splitting European Union andEurozone.  Beginning to deal with migration issues and economic issues facing the Eurozone.  Concern over the transparency of many decisions. Even some minor changes with transparency would be useful and helpful.  However understand that want within political landscape for far-reaching reforms is unlikely.  Failed economic policy has caused far more citzeens to be skeptical. 

European union allows nations to work together for common goal blocks governments from doing whatever it wants.  Price is degree of lost national sovereignty for influence and power. European union is very much conservatism at heart.

Some of the biggest moment within history has come as the result of political unions.  America created global institutions which allowed it shape the world it own direction.  Europe holds the same opportunity to the same thing.   We can set the rules with others who agree with us or follow rules set by somebody else.  Rather set the rules with others who agree with us and share the same goals over follow.

Within the best interests for the United kingdom to stay within European union.  Loss of sovereignty much like devolving decision-making towards elected MPs.   Required to make Government work many don’t want to hear that but it true.  System needs more transparency, much like westminster hidden away is bad.   Okay to have some skeptical towards the Union or Government.  Idea behind European Union is deep-rooted conservatism in my eyes.  Concern the vote ends up being about vague idea behind Union, David Cameron reforms, vote of no confidence and economic troubles. Over the potential outcomes from both sides of the argument.

European union an opportunity not something to fear, was born out of shared goals.

Writing this out has made my place clear we must stay within Union and reform it.

Concern

Referendum ends up being vote on David Cameron’s conservative party running of the United Kingdom.  WIth people protest voting against the advice of David Cameron.  Fear that general ignorance lack of knowledge feeds into this whole campaign.  Wrong conclusion drawn when comes causality.  Britain has often rejected radical extreme viewpoints very conservative which why the term centre ground exists.

Economics, Journal, Politics, Thoughts

Unemployment

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Wrote a piece on unemployment some time ago, under the title unemployment grandiose of delusion.  Within that post talked about welfare system mainly benefit spending, populist policies, economic and personal experience.  Everybody has experience of unemployment from personal level to knowing others in that position.  Social problem with negative economic outcomes causing issues within the labour market.  Even with basic knowledge you can understand the whole concept.

Curious how measuring unemployment works this link explains the definition.  United Kingdom currently has lower unemployment compared to pre crisis.  Worth noting need to look at the numbers together compared to employment total.   Population has increased messing up the numbers even more this growth does not tell the whole story accurately.  Looking over the numbers you see self employment record high in total, almost the same level as public sector employment. Part time employment was increased, full time employment is down.  Most of the growth has been within London when comes to jobs with everybody else having less jobs growth.  Once you start to factor in these variables things become less good.  Productivity growth is low with wage growth, self employment does not appear to be doing much.  Self employment often means lower average wage compared to everybody else and not included in wage numbers.

Measuring unemployment by Labour force survey could have it own errors within it.  UK is far from full employment instead looks to have loads of slack within the economy.  Bank of England made a blog post on the subject of job market pairing people with right job.  Bank of underground blog post.

Unemployment within the UK looks to bad even worse compared to the official numbers with negative outcomes being major policy problem.  Government however is kicking the tin can down the road.  Lazy people are not holding the labour market back so what is.  Answer lies within basic idea of demand and only one source which can give more demand.  Government fiscal spending

Moving away from the subject of unemployment back to my own personal experience.

Finding a job is not easy and rejection makes you feel worthless.  Decided to keep spreadsheet with detailed information on every job application.  Mental health has taken a hit, serious hit when comes to being jobless. Unemployment is social problem with economic negative outcomes yet nobody wants to deal with it.  Time to talk more about the subject along with update on my personal experience so far.  Who knows maybe I do updates per month on the subject much to talk about from mental impacts to general health. Hoping to hear back from couple jobs soon but who knows.

Journal, Labour, Politics, Thoughts

Thoughts EU referendum

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Thoughts EU referendum

Conservative party promise of european union referendum had to be completed after the general election. David Cameron has spent the last couple of months visiting European union leaders talking about negotiations ahead of the united kingdom referendum. Average British voter is conservative don’t like radical change, sceptical of the state.   Plus the average British voter does not follow politics closely only follows it for couple of weeks.  David cameron is quite showman for this group targeting his messages directly to them. Historic polling has show immigration concern to be always level no matter the figure.  Once again historic polling shows european union to be low on the list of concerns.  Voters care more about jobs, schools, NHS even have better knowledge on these subjects.  British voters have been shown be ignorant when comes towards european union. British support free movement but deeply sceptical of others coming here.  Conservative party created a campaign to focus on non problem but turned it into a problem.  In work benefits have been the main focus, full negotiation was never going to happen.  David Cameron has showed he wants to stay in by targeting this non issue as an issue.   Referendum has been designed to answer populist politics minor concern for voters and keep eurosceptic MPs happy. Referendum therefore for small group within the Conservative party given talking about just immigration.  Voter apathy is justify given how the united kingdom parties have acted.   Unknown Jeremy Corbyn views on European union guessing he more Conservative compared to the Conservative party.  Poor media management means we don’t know his views.

European union faces a crisis with no leadership or desire to change. David Cameron could been leading the charge for reformed union dealing head on with issues at hand.  Negotiations could seen minor changes to the tax systems across all european union nations.  Country by country reporting of taxes paid, ending tax havens taking real action against tax avoidance.  Reforming the migrant system within union so easier to come here by legal channels linking up all nations under the same system.  Further cooperation when comes to information sharing and resource sharing. David Cameron does not have any desire to change shape of europe or united kingdom. Negotiations narrow focus on this non issue tells the whole story about europe.  Any talk of anything different is viewed as radical nonsense but that what caused this negotiation in the first place.  Failure to answer voter concerns has created an even bigger problem.   Immigrant problem is more economic with dose of social policy failure.

Problem with politics subject is complex patchwork quilt.  Some of my views could be conservative, liberal, socialist.  Not even sure on the definition of each of these due to vast range of subjects.

Conservative reforms

Original reforms have pretty much disappeared not going to lie I have no idea on newest reform being put forward.  Emergency brake for in work benefits, got no idea what reforms mean in total. Some within the party want the impossible to happen others just want to be seen as doing something.

Reforms I want

Tax reforms country by country reporting

Tax standardize across member states

Universal migration system legal channels with shared resources/funding

Standardize cooperation when comes to information sharing

ECB monetary policy reform changing mandate

Fiscal policy expansion

Euro bonds

Improving the economic situation at the heart of the eurozone. Unlikely that any of the above is going to happen no desire to improve European union.  Likely to vote for remain but don’t agree with David Cameron changes which are window dressing.

 

Journal, Politics

Unchristian David Cameron values

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David Cameron used his Christmas speech this year asking people ‘reflect on Christian values’

Two points to made here the message is vague hard to take any real offence and why people like him.  David Cameron avoids conflict anything which can cause offence tries to avoid instead putting out messages which suit the moment.  We don’t know what Cameron stands for because he avoids telling us instead telling us what we want to hear.   Obvious that his speech was talking to people who completely unaware who he is.  Average person in Britain finds it hard to name current government or any names from the front bench.  Therefore Cameron success can be found within the message and his main weakness.  Osborne and Cameron very similar to each other both think ahead try to avoid conflicts which end up hurting them.  Both lack any sort of moral backbone or connection to the real world.

Even the liberal democrats understand moral condemnation is required to some choices.

Cameron words are hollow empty when you look at his actions which very much go against the values he so called protect.   Don’t think he even understands what his message means not only person to be thinking this.  Common theme his speech are often vague giving very little away letting you take away what you want from it.  Over at the independent voices section you can find the following piece.. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/david-camerons-britain-is-profoundly-un-christian-a6785596.html

Now only if you could take his skills add some moral fibre who knows could have a force to beat him.  However…the real threat is ahead comes from next leader who could be Boris or Osborne. Money is on Boris very much like David Cameron but liked more.

Reality is David Cameron makes me ashamed with current direction we’re moving.

 

 

Labour, Politics

Scapegoat immigrant

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Scapegoat immigrant

Scapegoat immigrant has been blamed for basic failure of the modern capitalist economy. Capitalist system has helped solve the supply issue within the economy but failed the demand side of things.

Issue right now loads of supply but no demand nobody is willing to spend. Policy makers are solving half the equation giving the wrong answer wondering what the hell happened.

Focus on supply side reforms has not fixed the demand issue and instead reduced demand by laying off workers and reducing incomes [wages/benefits]. Reducing fiscal spending has made the economy stagnant and reduced potential growth leading to death spiral. Rich have gotten richer but decided to push up asset prices over spend how many pairs of jeans can one millionaire buy a year. Current system would make sense if that millionaire was buying food/clothes spending his money for his workers but that not the case. Many these people are closet socialists in some twisted sense..

Funny how people believe in the free market but willing to add protectionism policies which reduce growth and income. Free market is great due to innovation by luck, not due to greater competition or efficiency.

Economic uncertainty caused by the wrong policy choices have had massive impact on people. Politicians have been unwilling to admit they got things wrong instead picked a obvious Scapegoat. Just like the economy people won’t trust us if we peddle this myths instead of taking them on. Real leaders lead not follow the pack. Fix the economic uncertainty come up with better social integration model you fixed the issue.

Start is being honest with voters and talk to them. Problem is how?