Political Britain

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April 27, 2005

Slow News day

It's a bit much when the biggest news of the day is an election poster. It's just a teeny weeny bit more sophisticated than the one I posted yesterday, but not exactly intellectually challenging.

Also Europe made the scene, again as foreshadowed yesterday. Only in the context of the rant against immigration however, which apparently can't be stopped without regaining some of our autonomy from the Bureaucrats of Brussels. There really is a lot that could be said about the EU. Take the example of Intel. Ireland wanted to give them a grant to help build a new fab in the republic. The EU Commission signalled this would not go down well. Note, they did not reject an application, nothing so transparent. The just signalled. Apparently they are so concerned to ensure that Ireland doesn't put one over on, say, France, that they completely miss the big picture that it is the EU competing with the far East. In any case Intel will build their next fab in Ireland, and have already said as much; but the one after that??

Stupidity.

There are many more examples which could be listed but the guy who does this best is Christopher Booker. His campaign verges on monomania, and as a result has become boring, but the points he makes should be aired. If you want to read some of his articles here are several links.

I'm indebted to a correspondent for pointing out the latest Prescott story. Yes, Prescott Castle was desecrated, and he's very, very cross. Normally I would, of course, feel his pain, but in reality it couldn't happen to a nicer bloke.

Well done chaps!

Postal Votes

It's not gone away you know. Political Betting reports that those recently (fraudulently) registered to vote in Birmingham are still registered. One of their correspondents wrote to the judge (Richard Mawrey) to enquire about this, and got this back: -

Richard Mawrey:

I was not able to take any action about the postal votes which had been wrongly or fraudulently registered but I was told by Counsel for the Returning Officer that the Elections Officer (John Owen) had written to everyone on the absent voters’ list to ask whether they were properly on the list and, if so, whether they wanted to remain on the list. I’m not sure that there is very much more that can be done at this stage. The obvious way for the future would be to scrap all existing lists and require new registration (preferably, as in Northern Ireland, with proof of identity).

Lin Homer, the city’s Chief Executive, responded to Icarus with this letter:-

I have instigated a letter to all 53,000 permanent postal voters (to their home address if different from where their vote is sent) reminding them that they can cancel their vote or change where it is sent to. I have also put in place some capacity to undertake forensic analysis of requests. If we spot any areas of concern, the police have confirmed they will proactively pursue enquiries. I hope therefore, we will be in a much stronger position to deter fraud in the system.

(copied here because it will disappear down political betting's rolling site)

Defections

So Sedgemore joins the Libdems. So what? A bit surprising perhaps that anyone would want him. But there's one thing to be said for it. At least he switched when not an MP. Most defectors switch but hang onto their parliamentary seat (and salary). At least he has to stand again to be an MP. (and it appears he can't be arsed) The question is; will this be a 15 Minutes of fame moment?? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt.

Brian Sedgemore says:
On Ken Livingstone: "I don't see why London has to suffer because he hasn't fulfilled his ambition to be party leader."

On women Labour MPS: "Stepford Wives"

Good Luck Brian!

Political betting projection Election Outcome LAB majority 78 seats. The first time the projected ZNL majority has dropped.

Posted by Flo Ting Voe Tah at April 27, 2005 02:31 PM

Comments

Posted by: prescott at April 27, 2005 10:36 PM

Posted by: prescott at April 29, 2005 09:56 AM