Agenda 2019

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/feb/16/tony-blair-remainers-rise-up-brexit Tony Blair calls on remainers to 'rise up in defence of our beliefs'. Tony Blair (and who could forget him as he pushes himself into the media almost every week), entered the "Brexit" controversy this week, suggesting that those people (the majority) who voted to leave the EU did not really unders tand what they were voting for, and called for "millions to rise up against Brexit" adding " we have to build a movement which stretches across party lines, and devise new ways of communication.” He just fell short of demanding another referendum (but only just) as he patronised those who for many different reasons, had voted to leave the EU. His intervention on this issue, proved yet again that Blair is interested only in self and the advancement of his long held ambition to be "President of the United States of Europe". He must have been very shocked ...

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/17/theresa-may-britain-prime-minister-speech Prime minister gives tough speech outlining government’s 12 priorities for Brexit negotiations  Which ever way you may have voted in last year's referendum on continued membership of the European Union, one thing is today, in January of 2017, abundantly clear. The United Kingdom is in complete and utter chaos regarding our exit, or even non exit of the EU. There is no doubt that 17,410,742, (51.89%) of those voting, opted for Brexit, while 16,141,241 (48.11%) voted Remain. There is also no doubt that Cameron was completely unprepared for a Leave result, and quickly scurried off, standing down as first as Prime Minister and then as the MP for Witney, to do other things outside Parliament. The departure of Cameron left others to clean up the mess that the lack of planning and foresight had created, but unfortunately for the Country, the new Prime Minister and her party h...

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/22/barack-obama-brexit-uk-back-of-queue-for-trade-talks “The UK is going to be in the back of the queue.”  "go to the back of the queue" Barack Obama, has gone too far in this latest outpouring of support for Cameron and the "Remain in the EU" campaign. There is a very fine line between a Presidential personal opinion and a United States Presidential instruction to the people of another country to "do the right thing" and vote in a particular way. Coupled with the threat that the United Kingdom would "go to the back of the queue" (a strangely "English" word not usually used by Americans who prefer "the line"), Obama has thrown his weight into the into the remain lobby, with a script which could and probably was influenced if not written, by Cameron and his team. The British people do not respond well to threats and intimidation from what ever source, but the e...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/does-the-treasurys-brexit-equation-stand-up-to-scrutiny-a6989356.html Does the Treasury's Brexit equation stand up to scrutiny? Osborne looking puzzled? Osborne forecasts that families will be £4300 by 2030. He also announces that wages will be lower, prices will be higher and living standards will fall. To "prove" this highly speculative piece of nonsense he points to  The Treasury's "Brexit" equations, which seems to be little more than Algebraic gobbledegook, scribbled on a  "Post it" pad page and offered to the British people as irrefutable evidence that everyone should vote "Remain" in the forthcoming referendum. (How many people actually understand the Algebra in any case?) The Treasury "Brexit" equation. During his tenure as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Osborne's (and the Treasury's), "forecasts" have been wildly ...

  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/emb-0000-eu-referendum-david-cameron-closes-in-on-deal-to-allow-red-card-veto-on-eu-laws-a6847636.html David Cameron closes in on deal to allow 'red card' veto on EU laws Cameron with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk Cameron, pushing out more meaningless rhetoric for consumption by the Euroskeptiks or so he would like. The EU is never going to agree for 1 country (the UK) to be able to "opt out" of European rules, regulations and laws when the objective of the EU is for greater political and economic integration.   Cameron, is seeking a way to present his "deal" as salvation for Britain, allowing the UK to remain part of the European Union. He would claim the same "victory" even if the "deal" was no more than a blank sheet of A4 paper, which of course it actually is.

  http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/sep/18/alex-salmond-reignites-row-with-nick-robinson-over-bias-bbc-scottish-independence#comments Alex Salmond reignites row with Nick Robinson over ‘bias’ Alex Salmond is interviewed by Nick Robinson I am not a member of the SNP.Neither am I a supporter of that party.Mowever, I am able to recogise and comment on bias when I see it. Far from being a "sore loser" Alex Salmond is absolutely right in complaining of BBC bias during the referendum campaign. I reproduce in full, an article taken from my Blog, "New Agenda" and dated 15th September 2014. Headed: BBC bias in Scottish referendum. Notwithstanding yesterdays protest, which was given only passing acknowledgement on the BBC news programmes incidentally, the BBC reverts today, to its now accepted role as “The Union's Champion” and official propaganda tool for the "Vote No" campaign. About as subtle as an e...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/greece-debt-crisis-leaked-imf-report-heaps-fresh-pressure-on-creditors-to-grant-massive-relief-as-part-of-latest-bailout-deal-10389042.html Leaked IMF report heaps fresh pressure on creditors to grant massive relief ahead of key vote Who will trust Germany after this? Disagreement between the IMF and the other terrorists in Europe is not new. It has been evident for over a week now as Merkel and the other Eurozone cabal members have been heaping humiliation and humbling on the Greek people as some form of punishment for Tsipras and his government, having the courage to stand up against the bullies of Northern Europe. We should not be concerned when gangsters fall out amongst themselves.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/13/athens-and-eurozone-agree-bailout-deal-for-greece#comments Greece and eurozone reach agreement in bailout talks How nauseating it is that the media and television, particularly Sky News, should be so triumphant in their reportage of the Brussels "agreement" while basking in the apparent "capitulation of Tsipras and the left wing Greek government". The "conquest" by the Troika, Brussels and the European Central Bank has achieved a deal (which is yet to be ratified by the governments of the signatory governments) only to start negotiations for another bail out of the Greek economy, which includes privatisations, pension reforms, and other austerity measures dictated to the Greek people by Brussels. The bottom line of this "agreement" is of course, that the bullies of Brussels have achieved by threat, blackmail and financial terrorism, the imposition of measures which by any understandin...

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/07/eurozone-calls-on-athens-to-get-serious-over-greece-debt-crisis Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande issue Athens with 24-hour ultimatum   "Hell hath no fury...etc" Merkel struts around with the aloof, arrogant attitude so common amongst previous German Chancellor's, that they are right no matter what the evidence of reality may demonstrate. Echo's of the order given by one of her hero's some 70 odd years ago to "hold its position", perhaps. Merkel lowers the "no surrender" principle to a new level but a level driven by pique rather than practicality. The people of Greece, much to the surprise of Brussels a nd the IMF and particularly the chagrin of Berlin, have delivered a resounding rejection of even more austerity in exchange for yet another "loan" to finance an unsustainable debt problem Notwithstanding the various compromise packages offered by the G...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/greece-referendum-results-live-greeks-say-no-to-austerity-and-plunge-the-eu-into-crisis-10367617.html     Greeks say 'No' to austerity 61% vote "No"    Despite the last 10 days of threat, intimidation, propaganda and blackmail by the IMF, Brussels, the European Central Bank and European Commission against the "No" campaign and Alexis Tsipras and the Syriza government, the people of Greece have delivered a resounding "No" to further and prolonged austerity with 61% of the poll in the referendum. A great result and a great day for Greece and its people. The ball is now with Lagarde and the IMF, and Merkel and the Germans for the EU.    

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33382046 Greece debt crisis: The cost to pensioners  It is a scene that speaks of suffering and exhaustion, One man crying outside a bank in Thessaloniki.    The blatant campaign and propaganda across Europe and elsewhere, in the press, television and other media (sadly even parts of Al Jazeera) in favour of the "Yes" campaign in Greece, may result in a victory for those who support the IMF, Brussels, the European Central Bank and European Commission and the imposition of even more and harsher austerity, to support a Greek debt, which everyone now accepts, is totally unsustainable. It has even been suggested that the Greek government of Alexis Tsipras, should be removed and replaced by a team of "technocrats" appointed by Brussels to "steer Greece through the current crisis". Democracy has no place in the offices of the autocrats governing Europe. Regime change in Greece has been the obje...

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/30/were-not-traitors-insist-greeks-yes-campaigners We're not traitors, insist Greece's yes campaigners Yes campaigners The "Yes" campaigners claim that they are not traitors. If that is true, then they are incredibly naive or, more likely, have their own secret agenda for arguing that Greece should accept even more severe austerity handed out by the autocrats of the IMF and the European Central bank. Moreover, to vote "Yes" in Sunday's referendum condemns Greece to another 15years at least of higher unemployment, higher taxation on food, clothing, utilities and other essentials for the vast majority of the population.  Perhaps those who campaign for a "Yes" vote, are not affected, or are at least protected from the cuts in pensions, the declining standard of living, the regular interruptions to the supply of gas and electricity, the inability to pay for medical treatment and a thousand and...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/snp-fury-as-hs2-finds-no-business-case-for-taking-fast-train-service-to-scotland-10272342.html SNP fury as HS2 finds 'no business case' for taking fast train service to Scotland    High Speed Trains. Not going to Scotland anytime soon! I am not an HS2 supporter and personally would scrap the whole idea. However,having been practically promised the HS2 link into Scotland, it is very understandable why the SNP and presumably hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland, would be incensed at yet another "English renege" on an undertaking now clearly designed to promote a "No" vote in the Scottish independence referendum. How many more promises, undertakings, assurances made to the Scottish people during the campaign will be broken by Cameron and his wretched government over the coming months? More Scots now wishing they had voted "Yes" is hardly surprising.

  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/general-election-2015-tesco-chairman-john-allan-slams-tory-plan-for-eu-referendum-10187367.html Tesco chairman John Allan slams Tory plan for an EU referendum       I am getting very fed up with "business leaders" or other pundits banging on about what may (or may not) be "Bad for businesses" in a referendum on our membership of the European Union and any subsequent decision about leaving, if that is what the outcome might produce. The only question which should be considered is what is good for the British people, be that remaining as a member or leaving. Politicians of all parties should get away from their obssesions with "business" and concentrate on the best interest people they were elected to represent.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-secures-glorious-future-for-gb-gordon-brown-that-is-9746502.html Vote secures glorious future for GB (Gordon Brown, that is) Gordon Brown vows 'powers will be delivered' Brown seems to be jockeying for some sort of position within the Labour Party, perhaps even usurping Miliband and installing himself as leader! It does sound rather conceited of the man to assume that he, as a backbench MP, is in a position to "make sure that these promises that have been made will be upheld." and that the " the timetable we set out will be delivered." Ed Miliband addresses supporters in Manchester   He may have resigned as Leader of the Labour Party, and lost an election as Prime Minister, but he has certainly managed to hang on to the delusions of grandeur which drove him, Blair, Mandelson and Campbell in their mission to destroy the Labour Party. Is it conceivabl...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scottish-referendum-results-crossparty-consensus-collapses-amid-torylabour-spat-on-the-english-question-9745125.html The Conservative, Labour, Liberal consensus of "The Vow" which finally defeated calls for Scottish independence, has been shattered     Cameron: Further powers for Scotland will be linked to change in England. Within hours of the results of the Scottish referendum being announced, David Cameron and Ed Miliband threw the question of further devolution of powers to Scotland, and the timetable for implementation of such changes, into chaos. The much publicised "Vow" to the Scottish people bearing the signatures of Cameron, Miliband and Clegg, was heralded days before the vote as, a solemn undertaking to begin the process of greater devolution of Scottish affairs "the day after" the Referendum vote takes place. At the time, many writers considered that "The Vow" was nothing mo...

  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-final-opinion-polls-show-undecided-voters-could-swing-the-result-either-way-9739059.html Final opinion polls show undecided voters could swing the result either way Cameron, Clegg and Miliband reveal the "Vow" and promise to protect "Barnett formula"  For anyone in Scotland thinking about voting “No” in today’s referendum, there is a very good reason for voting with the “Yes” campaign. For anyone who thinks that the promise made by Cameron, Miliband and Clegg in respect of greater autonomy to the Scottish Parliament including powers over taxation, spending an even greater devolution, in exchange for a “No” vote, should consider what has emerged since the three “leaders” went to Scotland to unveil their “Vow” and plaster the front pages of practically every newspaper in the United Kingdom with the text. It has become apparent that not all MP's at Wes...

  http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/15/david-cameron-emotional-plea-scotland-independence David Cameron makes emotional plea to Scotland David Cameron makes emotional plea "David Cameron gives emotional speech to the Scottish people"? Well, not quite. What he gave was another rambling speech to a selected audience of Tory party hacks, members, "Vote No" campaigners and the party faithful, who cheered and applauded at the end of practically every sentence. We have seen similar performances at Conservative party conferences over many years with the customary standing ovation at the end. The scripts of the "speeches" actually seem to contain the phrase "Pause for applause" liberally sprinkled throughout the text. What "the Scottish people" actually got, was the potted and edited version of the good bits, which the BBC, Sky and the other political editors of the television stations chose to put into their broadca...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-scotland-protests-scottish-independence-referendum-coverage-institutionally-biased-salmond-claims-9732095.html   BBC Scotland's referendum coverage 'institutionally biased'. BBC Scotland protests   Notwithstanding yesterdays protest, which was given only passing acknowledgement on the BBC news programmes incidentally, the BBC reverts today, to its now accepted role as “The Union's Champion” and official propaganda tool for the "Vote No" campaign. About as subtle as an elephant rampaging around the shelves of Royal Doulton or Wedgwood or Royal Albert dinnerware in some exclusive department store, the BBC bounces back on its news programmes (so far) this morning, with all the “too close to call” headlines and interviews with Labour shadow ministers who, with their own agenda for retaining the Union, are given leading questions to be used as a vehicle to trot out the now well worn prophesies of do...

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/12/scottish-referendum-icm-poll-too-close-to-call-union "Vote No" big guns fail to halt "Yes" bandwagon. Vote Yes campaigning.   Should the "Better together . Vote No" campaign win the referendum vote next Thursday, it will not be due to  winning the economic, social or prosperity arguments. It will the consequence of many people voting as a result of fear. Fear, generated by the "No" campaign, orchestrated by the Westminster political parties, because they have most to loose should the Scottish people decide to become an independent nation.  Today, 13th September, the last weekend of campaigning, the "Vote No" camp and its allies in the television and media, together with those sections of business who fear for their own positions in an independent Scotland, have launched the most vicious, vindictive and vociferous assault on the voting yes camp ever seen before in British po...