British Politics

[Newcastle Uni]

Why did Alan Milburn resign? Widely tipped as a future Prime Minister, did he resign in order to distance himself from the controversy associated with issues in the NHS (foundation hospitals), or does he genuinely want to spend more time with his family in the North-east? Do we have any interesting conspiracy theories on this issue?
Should Britain join the single currency? What would be the effect of ditching the pound? Are Germanys current difficulties exacerbated by the Euro currency issue? Would Germans like to re-introduce their beloved deutschmark? Would the monster raving looney party's idea to forget about the Euro and encourage other countries to join the pound (!!!) be a more interesting idea!?
What do people make of the new European Constitution? Are we right to hand over yet more control of the country over to unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats in Brussels?
Furthermore do the British people believe that WMD's must be discovered to justify action in Iraq? Personally I am just pleased to have rid the world of Saddam Hussain. I would also like to suggest that we forcibly remove the evil regime of President Mugabe in Zimbabwe?
I know that these are not very big issues - but they are interesting and light-hearted none the less.
Furthermore, what is the main difference between Britsh and American politicians? (their behaviour, characteristics and the view of themselves that they like to portray)

 

[red indian]

"Interesting and light hearted"......................

Hey nice one Newky!!! watch out with that kind of sarcasm mate, the wings tend to fall off it by the time it gets stateside!! you have to draw them a picture with that kind of gag.

Blimey....you dont ask many questions in one thread do you??!! but ok lets have a butchers, (butchers hook....look) just helping out those colonial chappies with the lingo!


Milburn. Well, now and, again politicians have been known to tell the truth, although i know its very unusual, especially for the yougest member of the cabinet and tipped for the premiership to pack the whole thing in so suddenly. There are lots of daft theories about why he did it but in my view he is either telling the truth, or its a VERY big gamble aimed at getting the top job, by distancing himself, far enough in advance of the next election, from the present administration ,to give himself a big enough personal profile that will be seen as distinct from the Blair camp. He is already well known to be despised by the Brownites who are the other main faction.


Single currency. Fucking no way what so ever! we already have the worlds fourth largest economy, possibly the third largest as we start to out perform Germany according to some of the financial indicators. I will need a lot of persuading to be convinced that our financial position is going to be enhanced by joining this bogus currency.

A whole raft of new entrants to the E.C. are just going to add to the financial burden of the big three. The combined GDP of the long que of new entrants is barely equivalent to that of Finland, so its no suprise they want to get aboard the E.C. gravy train. Even existing members are hardly pulling their weight, take Spain for instance, it consumes in subsidies the entire amount that the U.K. pays IN to the E.C. each year. I am in favour of pulling out completely and joining the North American trading area. Fifty percent of our trade is outside the E.C. and i cant see the other fifty percent ceasing to trade on the strengh of our resignation.


The new Euro Constitution. Its the usual Franco/German stitch up and no one has voted for it so i say stick it!


Zimbabwe and Mugabe. Its very simple, old fashioned real politik, Saddam was a threat to the whole region and therefore to world oil supplies, America is the biggest consumer, so he had to be fucked off out the way before it became too dangerous to do it: i.e. before he had the weapons to stop us. I have no problem with this at all, the truth is I want petrol in my car to go to work on monday as much as everyone else, and I dont want my business ruined by wild fluctuations in the stock market caused by saddam Neuking his oil wells.

On the other hand Zimbabwe under the control of Mugabe is no threat to any one other than itself. Mugabe has systematically and deliberately over a period of years shafted the countries economy, wich was previously a very good and thriving one. But this has scarcely been noticed by the world community, even less by the U.S. and no special why they should in my veiw. He has no nuclear programme, no stocks of WMD,s and no record of sponsering international terrorism. So I dont see anyone coming to the rescue any time soon.


Brit/American politicians. Its no great piece of political detective work to notice that Brit politicians sem to model them selves ever closer on the worst aspects of American ones, i.e. slick, smart presentation, spin, ever shorter and simplistic sound bites and an ever more presidential style of goverment. All of wich I hate, as for the U.S. they do have many good, articulate and intelligent politicians but they rarely get to the top post. I have heard many good debates on U.S. tv with senators or congressmen and i find myself wondering why some of them dont get a higher profile.

I think all politicians are driven by much the same thing no matter wich country they represent. VANITY.

 

[qjakal]

red...dread

And I thought I was a bit pessimistic..lol. Nice "butchers hook" (speak English dammit!) red, if a bit cynical! Tony Blair could likely get elected to the Senate over here, btw. His popularity is extremely high, and his scores seem particularly sharp with women. But, as you pointed out, we have enough of our own politicians to go around. Too bad the better ones make too many enemies on their way up, so as to be unable to launch themselves into the presidential race with sufficient support. Seems to be the nature of the beast....

If you want to "get" Mugabe you need to do it on Human Rights Violations, and you'll need a lot of publicity to stir the hornets nest. Pictures of children usually do the trick. Then you'll need to get a few groups behind the project, and keep the concept in the mainstream for about 2 weeks. After that you'll have all the inertia you need, and you can start lobbying for action. It's all about selling papers and keeping the TV tuned to the on position mate!

Q

 

[Admiral Trouser]

That and Power.

 

[red indian]

Blimey!!! come guys!!.....

....took me ages to write this shit, lets hear what you have to say.