Why we can't vote the main three out of politics...

The wonderful English Democrats in action




Here we have a lovely link to the new Doncaster Mayor's first official interview:


http://andys.org.uk/b/2009/06/08/a-whole-lot-of-nothing/


I think you'll agree, this is the sort of reason we're all scared to vote away from the main parties...


I think even a BNP representative could give a more coherent interview. What a crummy system this can be at times.

The Jerk Returns!

Chin up, chum.

After a short break, the Jerk hath returned. Apologies to loyal followers but as a little treat, why not have a little haiku?

Gordon Brown, it's time.

The fat lady sang loudly:

"...hey, hey, hey. Goodbye!"

Reform that should be Radical

Bye-bye Mike!

The Jerk has kept silent these last few weeks. I’ve been waiting to reserve judgement about this expenses row before I let rip into my usual rhetoric. The more this unfolds the more saddened and disappointed I am by the greed of those people in Westminster. True, they have only got to their level of government by their own ruthlessness and greed, but are there no one left in politics that has a moral fibre left? It is not too much to ask that a person in a position of power realise that what they’re inputting onto the monthly expenses form might not actually form part of their job?

I don’t really know where to go with this, because you all feel the same as I do. What’s the point in commenting on an issue that has the general consensus that it is all a bit unfair?

What must be brought up is these scoundrels are still looking for a scapegoat. Poor old Mikey-boy has done exactly what is expected of him – to uphold the integrity of the house and protect the interests of all parties. It’s a bit difficult when the house has no integrity so he can hardly be blamed. Still, once he has gone for good, where is this Obama-style replacement coming from? Who is whiter-than-white in the parties that is willing to reform the system?

One of the Millibands? - Too young.
“Ming” – potentially too many skeletons.
Cormack? - Too traditionalist and scary.
Ann Widdecombe – Really does not have the voice.
Ken Clarke – far too Tory to be unbiased.

So here’s my solution – forget the speaker of the house having any allegiance and hire Shami Chakrabarti. Besides from the Jerk being a little bit in love with her, she really would call the bluff of those calling for “radical change” and would tear the house down.

Forget this suddenly “new” tagline of “Vote for Change” (how original, Dave) – and “Vote for Shami!”

Ahmed - Somalia's hope?

Since 1991, Somalia has been the unfortunate recipient of a mantle of lawlessness and conflict. From Puntland to Somaliland, the lack of any pointers toward resolution has been hanging over this tentative nation for many years. Teenagers now becoming men have known nothing but dissidence in their homeland from birth and for us outsiders, it’s hard to visualise how a country with 15 governments in 18 years will pull itself out of the mire.

Dictatorships and militia-rule aside, the latest incarnation of government is showing some “green shoots” (check the new buzz word). Sharif says:

“Once the government is strong enough and is fully on the ground there will come a time when those who act illegally either have to leave or will have to give themselves up. That moment will come.”

…and other such political blurb statements. The Prime Minister may be yet another rhetoric machine, but it is an overriding sentiment of rebuilding and long-term strategising that is seemingly the greatest boost to hopes for the road to stability in almost two decades:

“We are prepared in a major way to accommodate and negotiate [with dissidents] but the essential factor is there must be dialogue; there must be negotiation for that to happen.”

The spirit of community, dialogue and democracy might be coming back to Somalia. Perhaps this is the answer to the piracy (borne only out of need) that the developed world has been looking for. How inconvenient that it may take as long to recover as it has to descend into chaos.

Good luck Ahmed, The Jerk is with you!

Darling's Fudge-it

£2k anyone?

Do I really have to comment on the budget? Go read a tabloid – they’re right for once.

Let’s get rid of this vanity politics – Labour seems to be perfectly content to make wild statements about a recovering economy, in direct contradiction with the IMF. Is this perhaps because they know they’re so far from winning the next election, that if something miraculous does happen to the economy in the latter part of this year they can pipe up with “I told you so” blurb?

Besides, I’m not trading in my eleven year-old motor. This is because the kind of people (the Jerk included) that own vehicles over ten years old don’t purchase brand new cars. We know that adding to our already troublesome debt burden by financing a new car is exactly the sort of action that got us into this economic detritus in the first place.

I’m bored off these naïve politics. Systemic change is needed – not a transparent tax hike on a demographic that isn’t paying the right amount to the inlanders anyway. That’s going to raise about as much money as a VAT cut.

Deploy the Envoys!

What exactly does an “envoy” do? That tome of knowledge we know as Wikipedia tells us it is pretty much a rank down from the Ambassador, but does not detail their roles and responsibilities. When Googled, it seems our ambassadors are losing more and more of their political spotlight, only to make way for headline-rabbing photo-op chasers such as ole’ Blair (press coverage this week is about his house). There does not appear to be a general “Middle East Ambassador”, so why did Blair not get that title? He’s not as ranked or important as a position that’s non-existent. Sounds about right.

I digress. All of this musing has been sparked off due to the arrival of George Mitchell in Israel. There does seem to be a little movement on America’s support of the Israeli administration, but with Netanyahu back in the driving seat, there’s currently no hope of separate states.

That said, Mr. Mitchell has been critical of the Isreali retaliation to the Hamas rocket attacks, but with Hamas unable to hold talks with either Fatah or the Israelis, the end of the week-long Gaza cease fire looks to be a tentative time for Palestinians living in and around Gaza City.

So where does that put things? George Mitchell is going to wade in, tell Netanyahu that separate states are needed, Hamas and Fatah will agree but will then argue amongst themselves about who’s actually to rule it. Netanyahu will ignore these requests and continue with his single state ideals. Mitchell will then get back on a plane and tell the White House that it’s a mess out there. Far beyond any reasonable conclusion, at least one party will have to sacrifice for the other and once again the US are better off not rocking the boat. They want to hold onto that rare Western thing – a Middle East ally.

Mitchell’s visit may be a flash in the pan but while researching, the Jerk has come across our Ambassador out there, Tom Phillips. My unerring support of Western democracy is elevated by this individual. He has a long history out there and his attitudes and opinions reflect the realities of living in the region. Here are a few quotes from him (thanks to Cherwell):

‘We have a frank bilateral relationship… and the Israelis know full well that we have significant humanitarian concerns over how they, for example, respond to Hamas’s rocket attacks.’

‘…of course, we understand Israel’s security concerns. And, whilst we’ve always had terrorism in the UK, recent events have made Britons far more aware of what it feels like to have suicide bombers in our midst.’

‘I’m all in favour of demonstrations – as long as they remain within the law – but honestly, I believe discussion is the best way that both students and academics can advance the process.’

“…there is clearly some kind of a link to our present experience of radicalism in the UK.’

‘My role… is partly about finding creative paths to our goal of a two-state solution…. [The UK] has an incredibly detailed regional counter-terrorism strategy. It’s partly about reaching out to those in Islam who want to see different solutions from those which the UK believes will bring lasting peace. And it’s partly about a strategic dialogue with Israel that makes sure we’re prepared for anything.’

And my personal favourite:

‘It is absolutely vital to keep all channels of communication open. Until one understands both narratives, it’s impossible to move towards that common ground where peace is forged.’

Tom, keep up the good work. Civil servants like this are the ones that get the good work done. What has Blair done lately?

Smear Today...

Damien McBride’s dismissal should come as no shock to Westminster followers. The man behind Gord’s rise to fame has never been a stranger to aggressive and downright personal tactics when it comes to political strategy. “McPoison” to his “friends”, even by the likes of “Honest-John” Mandelson (credited with coining the alias) he’s seen as a divisive character.

There seems to be little point in my input into this debate, as it will be dragged through the media like some love-hate celebrity cancer “tragedy” (well, maybe not that bad). What does come out of all of this is the whinging toddler response of the Conservatives. Mr. PR himself knows that by constantly demanding for apologies from the current administration can show it to be one of two things. If they do apologise, it’s a definite admission of guilt. If they do not apologise, they look to be “out-of-touch” and less credible.

The reality here is that it could not have come at a better time for Cameron. Every politician’s role is to discredit the opposition and whereas the often cloak and dagger approach of Westminster always raises its head as “sleaze” when someone actually proves it, the incredulous wounded-lamb technique is certainly helping Cam & co. Once more they can rally the tabloids to run and run with what is really a non-story, yelling: “It’s not fair! It’s not fair!”

So the Jerk shall pay this no further heed. Any time we hear a demand for a public apology that is not met, it always seems to be a hollow apology that has been cross-examined by advisors and strategists - hardly a human display of genuine remorse.

This is all boring and irrelevant. Get on with making some policies Tories, before you’re just spouting hot air and rhetoric.