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.

The Ashdown Disagreement

Policies, bureaucracy, commercial disharmony. Gradual changes seem to mean pretty much nothing in the field of sustainability and the environment. Hopefully it can be assumed that the average reader of The Jerk isn't a climate change denier (or '”oil company sympathisers” as I like to term them), so it's time we take a quick look at the UK's “largest single source of waste arising in England”.

The construction industry has long been typecast as boorish, sometimes brash and often arrogant in its actions in the commercial sector. Industry insiders are constantly telling tales of shortcuts and back-doors, in an ironic mirroring of the growing public perception of new-build housing. During times of wanton economic hedonism, these companies were treated like stalwarts of performance; the numbers of buildings going up and government money in PFI projects, the stronger the country's position.

How else could a company valued at £26m secure backing for a £2.2bn debt? Was this because Gordon was still confident at this time that there was to be no “bust”?

I digress. With the construction industry on its knees, it should be time for regrouping and strategy building. While things are quiet, the government should look to encourage operations in environmental policy and legislate in areas of absolute necessity. The increase in tax on landfill on 1st April may actually have some sort of effect:

“...it now costs those who want to dump waste in landfills to about £80 per tonne - a figure waste professionals feel is finally approaching the level where it might have an impact on strategic decisions.”

Surely some logic would be that it should be more expensive to landfill than to recycle? And that this action should be subsidised by the construction industry and the government together? Voluntary agreements such as The Ashdown Agreement and wider recommendations such as the Market Transformation Programme are simply having no effect because not one of them addresses commercial benefit. This is the only language that is ever understood at the top of big business.

It really is that simple.

Tales from the Picket Line

The Jerk has just returned from the Basildon protests at the conditions of the Visteon employees' redundancy. I must say, some salient points that really stuck out were the number of unanswered questions of legality surrounding contracts, company ownership, downsizing tactics and the future of the UK automotive industry.

What seems to be most compelling is that the outcome of the meeting on Tuesday will be watched closely by the rest of the industry. If Ford can get away with syphoning off employees through semi-affiliated companies, it could be a massive financial get-out for the already struggling carmakers.

The march itself gave a feeling of the knock-on affect of such actions. When employees are reaching the twilight of their careers, the skills they have learned through their loyalty to one employer will now be useless as they struggle to find a way through this economic crisis.

I'm keeping my eye on this one.

Visteon and on and on and jobs-are-gone...

It’s time to speak up again for the good and loyal ex-employees of Visteon UK. After having spent some further time with my good friend and loyal-employee of 26 years, the Jerk is even more incensed of the injustice surrounding the conditions of the redundancies. Rather than doing the usual Easter frivolities of domestic chores and walks in the country, my wife and I shall be making our way to Basildon to support the protests. I may even join in with the “watering” of the daffodil beds.

Latest developments see local MPs opening questions in parliament, and admittedly the support shown from Angela Smith MP has been refreshing. Apparently it’s today that the bigwigs at Ford are meeting in the US today, but who’s going to hold out to hear what Alan Mulally has to say? He took home almost £10,000,000 in salary and bonuses last year. His ivory tower is probably very comfortable and warm.

And then there’s the fact that the biggest debt of Visteon UK is to Visteon Corp. Essentially the same board of directors, £400m is owed to Corp. So when KPMG do tie up operations, Visteon is at the top of the list for receiving payment (that’ll help achieve their director’s bonuses and salary of £1,000,000).

My only wish is that the national press would get on board. The timing was almost perfect from Visteon, but they never bet on the occupation.

See you on the picket line.

Baby Boom and Bust

Hard-up this economic down-turn? It seems like the only way you’re going to make some easy cash from the current government (unless your name is Fred Goodwin) is to get up the duff!

Ministers gave us a warm and fuzzy feeling last year with their “Baby Bond” scheme (£250 - £500 for every newborn). Riding high on the treasury coffers meant that there may not have been a large amount of foresight at the implication of all these new savers entering the fray at quite possibly the single worst moment in history in which to start saving. And of course, who better to trust with investments than HM Revenue and Customs?

This was all during headier times, so I’m not going to get on the proverbial high horse about that one. What is bizarre in this trait of rewarding parenthood is a new scheme, slipped under the radar this morning – expectant Mothers are to be rewarded with £190 for asking their health-advisor about diet. In fact, this is the main pre-requisite from Direct.gov:

“[You] have been given health advice from a midwife or doctor to help you and your unborn baby stay healthy during pregnancy.”

Without this grant, the information must not have been getting through! Have doctors and midwives skirted over the issue of health or offering bad advice? Shame on them. Thank goodness this grant is here to stop this injustice!

I’m off to make a load of mini-Jerks. If I can squeeze out a couple this year, that £1,000 will come in handy at these times of financial hardship.


All links and citations etc. can be found here. This new home is getting nice and comfy.

New Home for the Knee Jerk

Never one to follow a trend, The Jerk has decided to move residence during these times of economic uncertainty.

All of my old blogs used to be here.

But now they'll be on this page. I do hope you'll join in. For good measure, I'm reposting this morning's views on getting preggers during a downturn, in due course.