Tuesday, 28 June 2016
Monday, 27 June 2016
Is the PLP out of step with it roots?
The feeding frenzy post the UK referendum is in full swing, and today this was evident in the activities in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Now I'm not a Labour supporter by any means and certainly not of the left wing of that party for their attitude is a bit too left wing for my liking. I'm a natural Tory voter you see, but I also shy away from the extreme right of Conservatism for that too has overtones that do not sit well with me. I suppose I should be a Liberal Democrat for the centre ground is where I find myself most comfortable politically speaking, but then again I find there is a lack of spine in the leadership.
However I digress, for one thing I hold dear is the thing this country is proud of, and that is its democracy, something that right now the PLP conveniently is seeming to ignore. Mr Corbyn may not represent my political views, but he is the leader of his party by a democratic vote, and by a really significant margin too. We have witnessed a large proportion of the Labour Shadow Cabinet resign in protest at Mr Corbyn's leadership blaming him for a lack of leadership to motivate the core Labour voter to follow the party line. I did have the impression that Mr Corbyn was less than passionate about the stance for REMAIN the party espoused, and this indicates to me that he was having to represent a case he didn't believe in. Who knows, in the secret ballot he may even have put his cross against LEAVE. Maybe he too, like me, is passionate about democracy and knows just how undemocratic the EU really is, but was constrained from saying so.
One thing I do believe though is that he does have the support of the ordinary Labour Party member, for he represents the roots of the party far more than most of the PLP. It is the PLP that is out of tune with the membership, not their leader. Perhaps before they all decided to fall on their swords in a grand gesture of disloyalty, they should have taken time to consult with their constituents. I really do hope the PLP forces another Labour leadership election for Mr Corbyn will be vindicated. Democracy will carry the day as it should.
However I digress, for one thing I hold dear is the thing this country is proud of, and that is its democracy, something that right now the PLP conveniently is seeming to ignore. Mr Corbyn may not represent my political views, but he is the leader of his party by a democratic vote, and by a really significant margin too. We have witnessed a large proportion of the Labour Shadow Cabinet resign in protest at Mr Corbyn's leadership blaming him for a lack of leadership to motivate the core Labour voter to follow the party line. I did have the impression that Mr Corbyn was less than passionate about the stance for REMAIN the party espoused, and this indicates to me that he was having to represent a case he didn't believe in. Who knows, in the secret ballot he may even have put his cross against LEAVE. Maybe he too, like me, is passionate about democracy and knows just how undemocratic the EU really is, but was constrained from saying so.
One thing I do believe though is that he does have the support of the ordinary Labour Party member, for he represents the roots of the party far more than most of the PLP. It is the PLP that is out of tune with the membership, not their leader. Perhaps before they all decided to fall on their swords in a grand gesture of disloyalty, they should have taken time to consult with their constituents. I really do hope the PLP forces another Labour leadership election for Mr Corbyn will be vindicated. Democracy will carry the day as it should.
Sunday, 26 June 2016
This (Dis)United Kingdon
Thursday 23td June 2016 saw the United Kingdom go to the polling booth to decide if the voting public wished to remain in the European Union or leave. The first time they have been consulted on the matter since 1975. The result was close as was to be expected and whilst there was a clear majority, for me it is not conclusive and as a result has caused more division that perhaps was intended.
The lead up to the vote was dreadful. Both sides of the debate told lies, exaggerated the facts, pounded the voters with fear and doubt. Many couldn't see past the rhetoric of the campaigners to focus on what the problem was. In the end it was the fear of immigration that swayed so many voters to put their X next to leave. Ok so I voted leave, but for me the reason was not because of immigration of any of the number of baseless untruths that were told. No my reason for voting leave was simply that I wish to live in a democracy, and the way the EU is formed currently it is anything but.
The grand plan of the EU was to move to ever closer union with the dream being a United States of Europe. I don't think that this is achievable for the nations that make up Europe are too diverse culturally to be able to do so. The European nations are the mother of America, but cannot adopt the system of governance their child has managed to do. Well perhaps they could if they chose to have a system of governance that followed the model the USA has chosen. However the EU is not like the USA for one important reason, it is run by unelected, appointed officials.
The EU has a president, Mr Juncker but he is unelected unlike the president of the USA. In fact apart from the European Parliament whose members are elected every five years, the rest of the EU is presided over by unelected officials. These unelected officials hold sway over the democratically elected chamber. As someone who passionately believes in democracy being the right way to govern, the system adopted by the EU is unacceptable for me. To add to this problem for me are the directives and regulations issued by these councils that are not adopted the same manner in each member state. The playing field is not level across the EU.
I believe in the European project, and the place of the UK within it, but as all the countries that are members are all democracies, is it too much to ask that the umbrella body that seeks to draw us together is made up in the same way? No, in my opinion, it is not an unreasonable request. The problem is that there is no will to change the current unfair and blatantly undemocratic system that is effectively a dictatorship. Certainly the will to change is not expressed by the Council of Ministers, the European Council or European Commission, and neither is their any will to effect change from the democratically elected governments of the member states. It is this lack of will to have a proper democratic process throughout the EU organisation that caused me to vote the way I did, and for no other reason.
In order to effect change, it is necessary to send a clear message that change is needed, and the UK has done exactly that. Perhaps now, and before it is too late and the UK invokes article 50 that the countries that make up the EU come to their senses and force democracy into the EU. I sincerely hope the threat of other central countries of the EU like France and Holland where the tide of nationalism is rising, and given hope from the result of the UK vote, is sufficient to make it plain that something has to happen for the sake of us all.
The lead up to the vote was dreadful. Both sides of the debate told lies, exaggerated the facts, pounded the voters with fear and doubt. Many couldn't see past the rhetoric of the campaigners to focus on what the problem was. In the end it was the fear of immigration that swayed so many voters to put their X next to leave. Ok so I voted leave, but for me the reason was not because of immigration of any of the number of baseless untruths that were told. No my reason for voting leave was simply that I wish to live in a democracy, and the way the EU is formed currently it is anything but.
The grand plan of the EU was to move to ever closer union with the dream being a United States of Europe. I don't think that this is achievable for the nations that make up Europe are too diverse culturally to be able to do so. The European nations are the mother of America, but cannot adopt the system of governance their child has managed to do. Well perhaps they could if they chose to have a system of governance that followed the model the USA has chosen. However the EU is not like the USA for one important reason, it is run by unelected, appointed officials.
The EU has a president, Mr Juncker but he is unelected unlike the president of the USA. In fact apart from the European Parliament whose members are elected every five years, the rest of the EU is presided over by unelected officials. These unelected officials hold sway over the democratically elected chamber. As someone who passionately believes in democracy being the right way to govern, the system adopted by the EU is unacceptable for me. To add to this problem for me are the directives and regulations issued by these councils that are not adopted the same manner in each member state. The playing field is not level across the EU.
I believe in the European project, and the place of the UK within it, but as all the countries that are members are all democracies, is it too much to ask that the umbrella body that seeks to draw us together is made up in the same way? No, in my opinion, it is not an unreasonable request. The problem is that there is no will to change the current unfair and blatantly undemocratic system that is effectively a dictatorship. Certainly the will to change is not expressed by the Council of Ministers, the European Council or European Commission, and neither is their any will to effect change from the democratically elected governments of the member states. It is this lack of will to have a proper democratic process throughout the EU organisation that caused me to vote the way I did, and for no other reason.
In order to effect change, it is necessary to send a clear message that change is needed, and the UK has done exactly that. Perhaps now, and before it is too late and the UK invokes article 50 that the countries that make up the EU come to their senses and force democracy into the EU. I sincerely hope the threat of other central countries of the EU like France and Holland where the tide of nationalism is rising, and given hope from the result of the UK vote, is sufficient to make it plain that something has to happen for the sake of us all.
Wednesday, 18 May 2016
BREXIT - Why I wish to vote leave
The European Union, what a splendid concept. Back in 1975 it was the first thing I had ever voted on, well to be fair I was asked if I was in favour of joining the common market. To that young mind back then, the idea of the common market made perfect sense - it still does. However, the common market has evolved way beyond what was then on the table.
The goal it seems is for ever closer union, yet in that there is a problem because not everyone wants ever closer union. I know diversity is desired, but the EU has 28 different countries in the "club" and that means 28 different major cultures to deal with. Each country also has different cultures within it too. Of course everyone thinks their way of doing things is the right way, but the 28 are not exactly pulling in the same direction. Each is pulling in a slightly different direction which both slows progress toward the goal, and annoys those who are pulling their weight.
We, the citizens of the UK, are being asked if we wish to LEAVE or REMAIN in the EU. Naturally the media is dominated by discussions from both sides and we are being bombarded with reasons to vote in or out. However, all the time we are being asked to make a decision based on what I see as the minutiae whilst all along both sides are ignoring the big picture. Is it any wonder that the general public as so split on the issue.
What is this bigger picture? It seems to me this is our unwillingness to engage with the EU without fighting it tooth and nail. Why be in a club if you constantly fight its rules every step of the way? I personally can't see the point. OK so we are trying to mould the EU to our ideal, but that isn't going to happen because the other 27 are busy doing the same.
The common market I voted for has largely come to pass, but it isn't there by any stretch of the imagination. You would think by now there would be a single agreed standard for my industry which is water fittings that was accepted across the EU, but this is not the case. It is necessary still, after all these years, for me to have my products tested in the UK, Denmark, Germany so they can be fitted. Without these test certificates, it closes the market to us - some common market eh? This has long been a personal gripe and an excellent example of why the EU is failing to work.
I'm a member of a few clubs. I belong to them because I identify with their raison d'être. I get much from them because I actively participate. I don't say that I want all the benefits, but can I also have some of my subscription back please? I wouldn't be a member of the club very long if I tried that. No if you want to be in a club, be in the club and work toward its goal. Fighting it every step of the way is not a recipe for progress.
So on June 23rd I will be voting to leave because I do not feel our governments, past present and future have the desire to really make it work in the interest of all 26, just for 1/26th of the membership. I don't believe that the 25 other nations are any more prepared than the UK to give up their way of doing things either. For those who vote to remain they should be prepared to get stuck in properly. Adopt the Euro for a start, and be ready for the pressure that will come from the other 26 to tow the line. They will beat us with the result again and again thus removing any leg the Government thinks it has to stand upon.
The EU desperately needs reform. It needs to be the institution that allows the 26 members to retain their individuality, nay celebrate that fact, and concentrate on the common areas that together will make it strong. It needs a complete rewrite, not just fiddling around at the edges. It can never be a European version of America, although like almost everything in this world it is the striving for power that drives and shapes the world as we know it. It is greedy power hungry men that is the root of the issue.
The goal it seems is for ever closer union, yet in that there is a problem because not everyone wants ever closer union. I know diversity is desired, but the EU has 28 different countries in the "club" and that means 28 different major cultures to deal with. Each country also has different cultures within it too. Of course everyone thinks their way of doing things is the right way, but the 28 are not exactly pulling in the same direction. Each is pulling in a slightly different direction which both slows progress toward the goal, and annoys those who are pulling their weight.
We, the citizens of the UK, are being asked if we wish to LEAVE or REMAIN in the EU. Naturally the media is dominated by discussions from both sides and we are being bombarded with reasons to vote in or out. However, all the time we are being asked to make a decision based on what I see as the minutiae whilst all along both sides are ignoring the big picture. Is it any wonder that the general public as so split on the issue.
What is this bigger picture? It seems to me this is our unwillingness to engage with the EU without fighting it tooth and nail. Why be in a club if you constantly fight its rules every step of the way? I personally can't see the point. OK so we are trying to mould the EU to our ideal, but that isn't going to happen because the other 27 are busy doing the same.
The common market I voted for has largely come to pass, but it isn't there by any stretch of the imagination. You would think by now there would be a single agreed standard for my industry which is water fittings that was accepted across the EU, but this is not the case. It is necessary still, after all these years, for me to have my products tested in the UK, Denmark, Germany so they can be fitted. Without these test certificates, it closes the market to us - some common market eh? This has long been a personal gripe and an excellent example of why the EU is failing to work.
I'm a member of a few clubs. I belong to them because I identify with their raison d'être. I get much from them because I actively participate. I don't say that I want all the benefits, but can I also have some of my subscription back please? I wouldn't be a member of the club very long if I tried that. No if you want to be in a club, be in the club and work toward its goal. Fighting it every step of the way is not a recipe for progress.
So on June 23rd I will be voting to leave because I do not feel our governments, past present and future have the desire to really make it work in the interest of all 26, just for 1/26th of the membership. I don't believe that the 25 other nations are any more prepared than the UK to give up their way of doing things either. For those who vote to remain they should be prepared to get stuck in properly. Adopt the Euro for a start, and be ready for the pressure that will come from the other 26 to tow the line. They will beat us with the result again and again thus removing any leg the Government thinks it has to stand upon.
The EU desperately needs reform. It needs to be the institution that allows the 26 members to retain their individuality, nay celebrate that fact, and concentrate on the common areas that together will make it strong. It needs a complete rewrite, not just fiddling around at the edges. It can never be a European version of America, although like almost everything in this world it is the striving for power that drives and shapes the world as we know it. It is greedy power hungry men that is the root of the issue.
Thursday, 28 April 2016
Junior Doctors - the tip of the iceberg?
The NHS is a wonderful thing, and no one knows just how lucky we are to have it than I. For as long as I can remember the pathway for doctors has been through the Junior phase in our Hospitals where they learn the hard way putting into practice all they have learnt, and also learn a whole lot more. It has ever been the way that the huge burden of responsibility has fallen on their shoulders and they have had to work long hours. Whilst this practice has undoubtedly produced fine doctors who then find their forte and specialise into the various branches of medicine, is it really the right way to go?
I can't help it when I'm driving along the motorway and see the overhead signs beseeching drivers to take a break, tiredness kill. This really couldn't be more true for the junior doctors who staff our hospitals where peoples very lives hang on their ability to make good clinical judgements. They work long hard hours that would not be tolerated for bus and lorry drivers. They are forced to rest for the safety of themselves and other road users, so why is it acceptable to expect nay require junior doctors to work such long hours? I'm afraid the Senior doctors argument of "I did it, so should they" doesn't hold water any more. If you want the best from people you need to let them recuperate. Tired people don't learn they just make mistakes.
It is a laudable policy that the Conservative Party had in their manifesto, to have a seven day health service. After all illnesses and diseases have no concept of weekends or evenings anymore than life, excluding us, has. The NHS really should be a service that works round the clock. Some parts of it do of course, the emergency side kicks in regardless, but the majority of the service clocks off at 5pm. With the number of our population needing the services of the NHS outside the standard working day, it seems wrong to me that so much of the equipment and services are idle for two-thirds of the day. The action being taken by the junior doctors currently is as nothing as to the action that will happen when the focus changes to the support services of the NHS. The junior doctors are just the tip of the iceberg.
Humans do need their sleep, and a true 24hr NHS where the entire thing works on a three shift rota system once so common in industry is probably not necessary, but I don't see why we can't have a 12 or even 16 hour full NHS. Ah but there are a couple of sticking points. One of course is money. To do what I suggest would nearly double the staff wage bill at a stroke. In these cash strapped times, we can't afford it. Sorry but what is really the case is that we won't afford it. We want a first class health system, for a second class fee. No government wants to be labeled as the one that raised taxes, but sometimes it simply has to be done. It takes courage, real courage, to do this but if it is for the right reason then it is acceptable. Trouble is that the tax raised isn't ringfenced, it just goes into the big pot. Money is a problem, but it can be addressed.
The other, and perhaps most significant, problem is the time we call the weekend. These are sacred, a time when the working person can stop and rest from their toil. To go and enjoy themselves for a couple of days and be ready for the five day stretch the following week. If you were required to work when others were at their leisure, then a premium is paid to compensate you for working during fun time. Sure you get time off when others are working, but you miss out on parties and other social things. It is a drag. This is why I think the weekend is the most significant problem as it is a matter of our culture. Changing our culture of two days of rest is going to be a real sticking point, and the one that will break the Conservatives pledge for a seven day NHS.
I can't help it when I'm driving along the motorway and see the overhead signs beseeching drivers to take a break, tiredness kill. This really couldn't be more true for the junior doctors who staff our hospitals where peoples very lives hang on their ability to make good clinical judgements. They work long hard hours that would not be tolerated for bus and lorry drivers. They are forced to rest for the safety of themselves and other road users, so why is it acceptable to expect nay require junior doctors to work such long hours? I'm afraid the Senior doctors argument of "I did it, so should they" doesn't hold water any more. If you want the best from people you need to let them recuperate. Tired people don't learn they just make mistakes.
It is a laudable policy that the Conservative Party had in their manifesto, to have a seven day health service. After all illnesses and diseases have no concept of weekends or evenings anymore than life, excluding us, has. The NHS really should be a service that works round the clock. Some parts of it do of course, the emergency side kicks in regardless, but the majority of the service clocks off at 5pm. With the number of our population needing the services of the NHS outside the standard working day, it seems wrong to me that so much of the equipment and services are idle for two-thirds of the day. The action being taken by the junior doctors currently is as nothing as to the action that will happen when the focus changes to the support services of the NHS. The junior doctors are just the tip of the iceberg.
Humans do need their sleep, and a true 24hr NHS where the entire thing works on a three shift rota system once so common in industry is probably not necessary, but I don't see why we can't have a 12 or even 16 hour full NHS. Ah but there are a couple of sticking points. One of course is money. To do what I suggest would nearly double the staff wage bill at a stroke. In these cash strapped times, we can't afford it. Sorry but what is really the case is that we won't afford it. We want a first class health system, for a second class fee. No government wants to be labeled as the one that raised taxes, but sometimes it simply has to be done. It takes courage, real courage, to do this but if it is for the right reason then it is acceptable. Trouble is that the tax raised isn't ringfenced, it just goes into the big pot. Money is a problem, but it can be addressed.
The other, and perhaps most significant, problem is the time we call the weekend. These are sacred, a time when the working person can stop and rest from their toil. To go and enjoy themselves for a couple of days and be ready for the five day stretch the following week. If you were required to work when others were at their leisure, then a premium is paid to compensate you for working during fun time. Sure you get time off when others are working, but you miss out on parties and other social things. It is a drag. This is why I think the weekend is the most significant problem as it is a matter of our culture. Changing our culture of two days of rest is going to be a real sticking point, and the one that will break the Conservatives pledge for a seven day NHS.
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