Lisbon Treaty SECOND Vote October 2009...

I am blogging rather late on the whole Lisbon Treaty issue.

Aside from being busy, I wanted to give myself some time to absorb various perspectives from the press, as well as decide for myself my position given the vast range of commentary available.

However, the blatant fact is that I haven't been able to blog because I feel truly sickened by what's going on. Previous posts on the Lisbon Treaty remain consistent with this one - I am essentially against anything that puts substantial powers into the hands of the unelected. I feel that given British history, and its pivotal moments such as 1649 and the absolutist-wannabe James II in 1688, and the civil war and subsequent Bill of Rights in 1689, that RIGHTS evolved for good reason.

I have felt proud of the notion and idea that a Brit instinctively knows his or her rights - although that does not always mean literally. We have been comfortable with the idea that we didn't need our rights written down, documented, and in our face - rather offensive was the idea for anyone to tell us our rights - we just "instinctively" knew.

And so the question of rights yet again becomes a pertinent one. The Lisbon Treaty, with respect to my limited knowledge and understanding, (because I am not a lawyer) does indeed appear to seriously threaten what we consider to be fundamental English/British freedoms. I am worried for the future of trial by jury and presumed innocence until proven guilty, especially when coupled with some of the dranconian measures now in place across our wonderful democratic "EU" - NOT to even mention the attack on our own civil liberties from this Labour government.

I see here my most passionate political issues delicately intertwined. For the EU with the kind of powers it will assume under Lisbon is an attack on the British understanding and culture of civil liberties. On the one hand, I do blame the EU establishment. Their increasing political and economic power over this country does certainly bear fruit. However, the blame must be apportioned on the British government/political establishment, and the vast swathes of Euro-cash in which they swim. To cash in traditions that were justly fought for, could, as one newspaper put it today (05/10/09) be the "ultimate betrayal in history." However, I would beg to differ, and cite the complete destruction of civilisations (such as the Aztecs by the Spanish) as far more of a disastrous event. However, with the impact of Lisbon still unknown, I may well change my mind in the near future to come.

Casting my mind to the Irish, I don't wholly blame them. They made the decision that they wanted to. What saddens me is how they were completely manipulated into doing so. Crisis, burned economically into their hearts, threats of EU money running dry, scare tactics and horror stories - and the biased-ness of the entire media and political establishments - all perfectly combined into one nasty cocktail of scaremongering and fear tactics. And it worked perfectly - after all, what better way to control a country if not through economics? Make a crisis, and reap the rewards, depending on where you sit in the power triangle.

To reiterate, it is incredibly sad how our Irish brothers and sisters (yes, brothers - for the hostility in my eyes that is so famously stereotyped appears to me to be one-way, aimed AT the English, and yes, English not British) have given into this fear. Did we all forget the scaremongering the last time? The exposure that the Irish Commissioner in Brussels hadn't even read Lisbon? What really makes me despair in the idea of how the choice to say yes to Europe would reinforce Ireland's position in the EU, and free it of the "influence" of others - a blantant reference to the United Kingdom if there ever was one. In actual fact I concur with the idea that Ireland will become MORE irrelevant in the Union, probably labelled as the land of the Celts.

Overall, I must respect the decision of the Irish people, and if it is really true that such hostility remains towards the English, as well as the Irish political establishment, (I take Daniel Hannan's view on this) that the undemocratic EU is the only way out, then so be it. It was their choice to make, and the No camp did their best under estremely biased circumstances, with a political and media machine that they did well to survive with, let alone try to convince.

From one sad story to the next. The focus after all must be the United Kingdom. It is not the fault of the Irish that we were not granted a referendum, and anyone blaming them for our woes are terribly misguided. Grant the Irish their wish, lament the clear impact on our country, but the blame for this lies squarely with Brown. Lament the sick nature in which he turned up late to sign away the sovereignty of Parliament. Lament the shame to stand with his fellow European leaders in a photocall, where he would be standing on the side so they can airbrush him out after May 2010 from the official photo. Betrayal yes, and unforgivable.

The question becomes what to do now. David Cameron is quite rightly under pressure, and must spell out his position. But I believe that despite this pressure his approach is rational, if not extremely difficult to maintain. This really is a day-by-day battle now. Heaven knows the pressure on the Polish and Czech Presidents to sign the treaty already ratified by their Parliaments. I don't want to say the word "inev.." but the turn of events will certainly come to be historically significant. I believe that the media has highlighted the dilemma well - what will Cameron do if Lisbon is ratified in all states? It truly will become a choice of whether we stay in the EU, if Cameron wants to force a referendum.

But I believe that at heart that David is Pro-European (I believe many Tories are) but the idea of the EU (Please note, not Europe) has always been an economic one for the British, and resistance to Political Union is not unusual! So to read today about a possible change to the European Communities Act is a step in the right direction - after all, this is no different to the German approach that would require their Parliament to decide to veto EU laws coming into Germany. The problem, however, lies in practice............with EU law already established as superior, how do you override that? With Lisbon creating the mechanism to make changes without the explicit consent of member states, how do you override that? With news of an EU Common Security Policy, how do you override that? (a.k.a ID cards through the back door) With news of France and Germany wanting greater cooperation in the EU, do you just withdraw altogether and let this club be what it wants to be? Or do you sacrifice British sovereignty to maintain influence over the club? Many burning questions.

Finally, we must consider the international ramifications of Britain and Lisbon. The US is already cavorting with Russia, China and Japan - and openly talking of a G4. China and Japan talking about beginning the road to some form of Union - really? Who would they talk to in Europe? The signs are discouraging - the UK would completely be absorbed and lose international prestige and influence at the hands of an unelected EU President. Is this really in our long-term interests? Many say we should just accept the reality, but no, we create our reality with our decisions everyday, and Lisbon without proper consultation, education and a referendum decision, is plainly wrong.

I haven't even mentioned the impact on UK politics, where being governed from the Continent will surely spell the end of the Union - the Scottish and Welsh Governments may be pleased, because in line with the EU's principle of subsidiarity, they would be seen as the recognised powers in their "region" - and the UK Government an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy through which to govern - however they will just end up like Ireland - giving away power in the name of distrust of London, and becoming insignificants in somethin much bigger and more powerful than they are. However if it means that the Scots can make new songs to celebrate Europe Day in their own language - surely it's worth it?

I will stop writing on Lisbon right now, as I must return to burning the midnight oil. However I close with one thought and one interesting idea written in a national newspaper. My personal thought is that the world is awash with a history of the rise and fall of Empires - I see another one coming - why do we feel the need to consolidate, supposedly based on the common good, (or in the past by sheer imperalism and domination) just to reach critical mass, become too big, and blow apart in spectacular fashion? A thought I must invest more time in.......

The interesting idea I mentioned is that of riding on a train. We are passengers, and we were always asking questions to the conductor. He/She would always tell us where we were going, how long it might take to get there - there was a good relationship. Now with Lisbon, the reply would be to where we are going, "that is no longer your business, but ours." Of course I have interpreted the story for myself, and must find the relevant link, but the idea is poignant and struck me. No longer the UK's business, but that of an unelected President and his best friend in the unelected Commission.

God save the Queen for as long as the monarchy survives, for as long as the Union survives, and for as long as our relationship with our Commonwealth friends survives.

As the Sun says goodbye - why I ditched Labour.

So the Sun has decided to ditch Labour for the Tories. A long overdue decision, and simply a reflection of the once-again changing political times. I agree with the decision, because it is clear to me that Brown simply cannot live up to what he says he can - he mentions "policies," but the time has passed to make any real difference - and we are left with many of the same challenges as twelve years ago.

To give Labour some credit though, of course it is in the Sun's interest to back who they percieve to be the "winner" and I am slightly cynical as to the ultimate motive - more sales. But putting this aside for a moment, I really do hope that the primary motive of the newspaper is to reflect the collective feelings of their readership, and to present political reality as it is.

Labour was needed in 1997. Hopes were high - achievements have been made. But over the past few years - and particularly since the 2005 election - what a failure. I have a list I made more than a year ago listing what I percieve to be failures - and my attention has been brought to more. To get to the crunch however, my biggest three problems with this government remains their stance towards the EU, their endless attack on civil liberties, and the divison that devolution has created - all policies that might be right in principle, but certainly not in practice.

I personally decided to forget Brown and Labour the day he arrived late to sign the Lisbon Treaty - trying to do it out of the limelight, in such an underhanded manner that HE KNEW how wrong his decision was. This is the moment that people will not forget Brown, for its effects will be felt for years to come. My decision is not just based on the classic argument of sovereignty, but on the idea that what Lisbon advocates is simply not what we want as a people from the process of European integration!

Now we just have to wait and see what Cameron does when he refers to "making a decision at the correct time" in relation to if Lisbon will be ratified before he enters office next year.

Iran, Iran, Iran

I do not know where to begin discussing this issue. A new secretly-hidden nuclear facility? Revealed on the back of exposure by the Western Powers? With enough centrifuges to produce one weapon a year? Not big enough to be useful for generating nuclear power?

If these claims are true, and given the history of this issue I am inclined to think that by sheer lack of credibility that they are - then I think it speaks for itself. We stand one step closer towards the edge - with all insisting that diplomacy is the only way out (and realistically that might be true, given wars elsewhere and the sheer logistical nightmare of attempting to invade Iran) - but with all knowing that Iran is one step closer to that nuclear programme. And this evidence suggests that it is not going to be something peaceful for our world.

Do something about it now!

The weekend, and a Monday dose of Civil Liberties

After the weekend just rushed by, where I spent most of it in bed and/or just feeling completely lazy, I have returned to work this week determined to keep this blog and up and continue to recount all kinds of experiences that cross my path!

The weekend was very nice, with much less work to do. Did some preparation for my Business English class - and these are going much better now that the last 20 minutes is essentially private in nature with fewer students.

Had a bit of a scare over the weekend when I saw a huge spider in the bathroom, late on Sunday night. I don't really want to say much than that, except that boy could it run - and it had to be killed with boiling hot water. Days like this just make me want to leave - I really can't stand it!

Returning to work today, it has been a nice day - clearing up odds and ends and making progress in my English class. Nothing beats a nice tikka masala at lunchtime too. I am sitting here now getting ready to finish work and go to the gym, but I wanted to share this article regarding the topic of Civil Liberties - one in which I have come to feel as passionately about as Europe. I do feel compelled to try and get involved somehow in the fight to retain civil liberties, as we learn more and more of how they have been supressed under this Labour Government.

The Assault on Civil Liberties

Perhaps it was inevitable, given the advances of technology, that we would lose what we consider to be "freedoms." But by and large this is an issue I feel more and more strongly about. Hearing shock-horror stories concering cameras, Big Brother, and the erosion of British legal principles such as Habeus Corpus just make me very afraid to come back and live in the United Kingdom. Some lament that the "Great" has gone in Great Britain, but this is too simplistic. What has gone is years of evolution that in many cases worked well. And for what? Terrorism? Unparalleled threats? Please!

This is the first post of many that I will bring up this subject. I shall consider it a new passion, as I consider Europe and the EU to be another political passion and issue that will always determine my vote. I leave this post just wondering to what extent it is true that the Left are actually the ones destroying these freedoms, leaving the Right to champion them! However, despite the tendency of the right to advocate less state intervention, I don't feel that they are necessarily as opposed to British civil liberties as they are portrayed to be...........the evolution of these freedoms that we have taken for granted took place under all political administrations after all.

Comments on the article most welcomed!

The Rubbish Strike

To add insult to injury, as if the Post Office fiasco wasn´t enough.......you have the strikers in Leeds.

I will do something quite uncharacteristic and officially state that I support them. Rubbish collection has been getting worse for years, and at the same time that draconian new rules to separate rubbish have been coming in. How can people comply when the infrastructure simply doesn´t exist to adequately support these wonderful environmentally-friendly ideas in the first place?

Take a look at this article.

Of course I don´t want Leeds to end up a mess, but something must be done. Council tax has risen excessively and the exact services that it is supposed to pay for have declined.

And to think that in Mexico that rubbish collection is far superior. Given, they must become environmentally-friendly here. But a twice-a-week collection where I live, and a daily collection in Mexico City surely isn´t bad. Wouldn´t a twice a week collection in London and Leeds just be heavenly?

Another example of how a developing country shows up the supposed developed and wealthier one.

Leeds residents, good luck in your dispute.

The Post Office

Very sad to see the state of affairs with the Royal Mail. I remember as a child being told of how a first-class stamp on a letter made sure that it could be delivered from London to the Highlands of Scotland by the next day.


Now look at what is going on.

I think this sums it all up for me.........another great British insitution to the wind.......not helped by EU rules on state aid etc. I wonder if France would alow "La Poste" to fall like this.

The whole episode beggars belief.

Until the next post,

Sovereignty..........

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It's very fitting that as I am about to lecture my students on the EU that the Daily Telegraph has started a new series of articles about it. Of course this is in the run up to the Irish referendum (Round 2) of the Lisbon Treaty. So the EU will be a topic I blog about regularly over the coming weeks......

This article has caught my eye as I was going to bed, and it seems a good a place as any to begin reflection.....

Is Britain still a sovereign state?

To think that I am discussing the impact of globalisation on sovereignty with my students, and I haven't even touched the mighty EU yet..........
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