Cold War... Ah, the good old days

There have been many calls, in various media outlets, for Britain to involve themselves in the process of arbitration between North Korea and the rest of the world. At best, this is nonsensical and arrogant: at worst, dangerously naive and just plain foolish.

The news has just been released that North Korea has fired its sixth short range missile since Monday, combined with the underground nuclear test. These are potentially desperate times.

North Korea has seemingly shocked the world with its audacity and unpredictable nature. But it needs to be understood that the world has moved on since the end of the Cold War, North Korea has not. They still play by the hard and fast rules of world diplomacy that were developed in the period between the end of the Second World War and 1991; that of brinkmanship, sabre rattling and shows of strength that gain diplomatic leverage.

This 'hard-ball' diplomacy has worked well for Kim Jong-il, and his father Kim Il-sung, no other country has gained so many concessions from the US by threatening posture and behaviour. No other country can demand so much attention from China and Japan.

It needs to be understood that the 'Greater Leader' considers these tactics successful, and like all Pavlovian dogs the more attention and concessions that the international community give; the foreign policy tactic is reinforced in North Korea.

Only China can demand change in North Korea, but they fear a humanitarian crisis could force millions of refugees across the mutual border. A crisis that China neither needs nor can afford.

British involvement should be limited to supporting China, Japan, Russia, the US and South Korea, just because there is no added value in the British interjection.

Shock, Horror: MPs stay until next Pay Day!

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the MPs that have been forced to stand down, due to public opinion, have decided to remain in their positions until the next election. These MPs have defined themselves by their arrogant money grabbing actions.

Douglas Hogg, Peter Viggers, Anthony Steen, Andrew McKay, Nicholas Winterton, Ben Chapman, Ian McCarthney, Julie Kirkbride and Margaret Moran have all committed themselves to stepping down at the next general election, with most claiming that they are staying for continuity reasons.

But it is a very decent bet that if these MPs were allowed to claim all the benefits that they would receive for stepping down at a general election, for stepping down and forcing a by-election, the public would not see them for dust.

For a leopard to change its spots is like asking Boris Johnson to be quiet and not offend a nation, city, religious or ethnic group every time he opens his mouth. Impossible...

At the risk of sounding repetitious, most of these MPs are 'career politicians' who have been placed into constituencies due to the safe nature of the seat. They act as a party spokesperson in the constituency, as opposed to representing the people of constituency.

With seven out of ten constituencies being considered 'safe', there needs to be considerable reform of the selection process.

EU: Self Help Or Self Harm?

The MPs have really done it this time; they have eroded public trust, including their political capital and have brought unprecedented levels of scrutiny on all Members of Parliament. But the consequences of their actions (money grabbing) go much further...

Possibly the most hard hit of all institutions, because of the MPs' expenses scandal, will be the impact upon the EU. Not just in terms of a vote against all major parties, a bloody nose of sorts for what the public consider a betrayal of trust, but for the institution of the EU Parliament.

MPs have erode their own political capital, not so much the political capital of Parliament as an institution, the concept of the House of Commons is firmly ingrained in the consciousness of the British public. In which most realise that it is the MPs and their expenses which need reform, rather than a major overhaul of the institution itself.

However, the European Parliament can not afford a scandal; the institution has little perceived political capital in the eyes of the general public. This institution has its own expenses scandal waiting to explode, but there will be fewer people willing to promote it once it does.

The major issue that the EU Parliament faces is one of self promotion, it has more vocal detractors than supporters, and it seems almost embarrassed to publicize it successes. Without public knowledge of the many success of the EU Parliament, many will continue to believe the crazy, Daily Mail/Express stories. For the anti-EU lobby ignorance is bliss.

If the EU Parliament wishes to have more support across Europe it must develop a culture of self promotion, shout about the success stories, make themselves relevant to people's lives. Maybe use some of the money saved on MEP's expenses to advertise itself.

Churchill vs BNP

The BNP have again used the crudest of publicity stunts to gain more political attention. After last weeks revelation that the Jesus supports the BNP, which has to be a new low even for them, they are attempting to claim another historic figure with similar success.

Now they are attempting to 'stand on the shoulders of giants' by using Winston Churchill to promote their deluded cause. If history teaches us anything is that Churchill fought a bloody war so that the people of Britain could live in a country that was not ruled by a fascist party. Ironic really...

A Rake's (MP's) Progress

The Heir

Our MP is considering running for Parliament.

He has all the best intentions. Public service is a noble cause.

The Levee

Once elected our MP becomes increasingly popular, and enjoys the trappings of the high life.

The Orgy

Sadly our MP starts getting involved with

some bad eggs, and starts frequenting houses of ill repute. No, not the Commons and the Lords!

The Arrest

The Media start to pester our Hero MP after revelations are leaked concerning his private life. Apparently he charged to expenses a summer home for ducks, a second home (which in fact was his first home, but then to avoid CGT he switched) and some ladies of the night.

The Marriage

In an attempt to win back the hearts and minds of his constituency, our MP goes on a charm offensive, a high profile marriage to a z list celebrity. Sadly what works for Jordan and Anthea Turner in the pages of Heat and Okay, does not placate the public demanding their money back.

The cheeky MP claims that the public is just “jealous” of his fabulous life and wealth. He has a house that looks like Balmoral Castle, don’t you know.

The Gaming House

After being ordered, by his party leader, to pay back all the money he gained from his second home. Our MP, broke and his reputation in tatters, tries to win back his fortune at the casino and bookies.
A MP’s annual wage of £64,000 just is not enough to live off. These are hard times. Especially if a tin of dog food costs £4.50.

The Prison

Our MP walks a very well worn path from politics to prison. He is imprisoned for four years for perjury and perverting the course of justice, for a trial that was 12 years ago. What are the chances of that happening.

The Madhouse

Oh well, there is always the House of Lords…

All time Top Five Political Quotes...

“I must remind the Right Honourable Gentleman that a monologue is not a decision.” – Attlee to Churchill 1945

“He could not see a belt without hitting below it.” – Margot Asquith on Lloyd George

“There are two problems in my life. The political ones are insoluble and the economic ones are incomprehensible.” – Sir Alec Douglas-Home

“A fool and his money are soon elected.” – Will Rogers

“Government, even in its best state, is a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. Government, like dress, is a badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise.” – Thomas Paine 1776

Cameron salutes 'Girl Power'

It seems that David Cameron is really taking to heart the serious lessons of 1997; first it was the borrowing of the New Labour manifesto, now it is the teachings of the sage-like Spice Girls and ‘girl power’.

Even though Mr Cameron has introduced the media friendly, yet wholly vacuous policy of ‘people power’, he has still shied away from true reform of the political system – the House of Lords. Many political commentators have recently called for many reforms of the Westminster power structures; greater transparency, greater scrutiny, greater accessibility and the cessation of MPs expenses, but none have broached the subject of the Upper House.

Has the public missed something, has Parliament secretly passed a law that made the House of Lords the sacred cow of British politics, that no one is allowed to mention? Or is it a mad old uncle that everyone knows exists, but is too embarrassed to talk to them, just in case they say something controversial and there is a faint scent of wee?

Reform of the Upper House is the perfect opportunity to increase scrutiny and transparency, whilst at the same time affording Parliament greater credibility as the home of a true democracy. Reforms such as electing its members (this can not be that hard most other countries are doing it and they seem to be coping with the stress), and revoking the Parliament Act, which allows the government to bully bills through into law without consent of the Upper House.

Master and Apprentice

Today David Cameron showed all the cunning and opportunism that would have made his political mentor/nemesis proud. Writing in the Guardian, not his usual audience, Mr Cameron jumped on to the easiest of political bandwagons - reform of the political system.

In an article that conjures up vivid images of 1997, Mr Cameron calls for a radical transformation of Parliament, local government and the EU. And how is this to be done? By increasing transparency, using more referenda and empowering the electorate through redistribution of power to neighbourhoods and local government. Impressive rhetoric, especially for a Conservative leader, who until recently would have been committing political suicide even to mention the words "radical" and "reform" in the same sentence. But it has all been done before.

The Third Way and Tony Blair anyone?

Anthony Giddens, the foremost architect of New Labour's Third Way dream, outlines the six tenets of the Third Way:

• Reconstruction of Government (check)
  
• The cultivating of civil society (check)
  
• Reconstruction of the economy (check)
  
• Reform of the welfare state (check)
  
• Ecological modernization (check)
  
• Reform of the global system (check)
  

Amazing, it bears more than a passing similarity to a potential Conservative manifesto. No wonder many of the manufactures of the Third Way concept, such as Jack Straw, are falling over themselves to support David Cameron.

This sadly proves only one point; that the opposition before any election will provide the public with the aspirational dreams of a potential utopia, whilst the government must attempt to justify the current dystopia.

List of Published MPs' Expenses.

Just to prove Henry Kissinger's old adage that “90 per cent of the politicians give the other 10 per cent a bad reputation.” The BBC has kindly produced a list of all published MPs' expenses and their justifications for claiming that amount, click here and enjoy...

When Politics and Religion should meet.

Even thought it seems abhorrent to continually discuss the British National Party at election time, the Church of England has firmly placed them on the news agenda. The BNP has an uncanny ability to become the focus of the political caste in the run up to an election; remember Barking MP (take it either way) Margaret Hodge stating that "80% of white families in her east London constituency were tempted by the British National Party", in the campaign for the 2006 local election.

It seems an incredibly unsophisticated campaigning method on behalf of the major parties, showing all the subtlety and all the nuanced understanding of the delicate workings of the media as the BNP displays themselves. This campaigning method, the "shock 'em out" tactic, appears to be a very lazy way to mobilize grass roots support on to the campaign trail. On the other hand, the media appear to love the merest suggestion that an elected official has mention the BNP, thus probably justifying to themselves this crude attempt at publicity.

However, I think it was necessary for the Church of England to voice their concerns over the BNP's questionable quasi-religious attempts to claim the Christian vote. If the CoE had not, it could have faced a more serious charge that it became a complicit bystander.

Furthermore, Nick Clegg is right; there should be a clear distinction between religion and politics. But after the BNP began using Christian iconography and distorting verses from the Bible it is correct that the highest religious figures in the UK are allowed to rebuff the BNP's arguments.

It is a shame though, that the majority of the focus on the BNP occurs around election time. It appears that after elections, most people view the BNP as an embarrassment to the British political system, but during elections they are tool to use by lazy politicians to motive grass roots support and gain favourable publicity.

Like terrorism, the BNP should not have the oxygen of publicity...

Nadine Dorries Manufactures Discontent.

It is surprising that in the current political climate, in which MPs are the focus of much media scrutiny, that any Member of Parliament would attempt to attract any unnecessary attention by making indefensible and rash statements. By claiming that certain MPs are 'suicidal' and that there is a McCarthyite 'witch-hunt' in progress, Nadine Dorries (Member of Parliament for the lucky constituency of Mid Bedfordshire) has seemingly achieved the impossible. She has managed to create even less sympathy for plight of our harassed MPs.

It is possible to attempt to draw two conflicting conclusions from Ms Dorries' actions, firstly it was a naive attempt to garner sympathy amongst the her constituency and the general public for our beleaguered MPs. Or it was a masterful Machiavellian manoeuvre designed to throw the media off the scent by claiming something so outrageous that it would baffle and confuse. Thankfully, neither worked.

In future to attract similar levels of media attention, Ms Dorries will have to make bigger and bolder claims. Personally, I can not wait for the claim of a Stalinist Purge or the allegation that the media are attempting to 'restart civilisation'.

However, I am going to heed my mother's valuable advice, if you can not say anything good about a person, then do not say anything at all. So with regards to Nadine Dorries...

"







."

You turn if you want to, the Gurkha's not for turning!

Another day, another Telegraph exclusive. Parliament is wading through another scandal, with more frivolous claims on a MP's expenses account being revealed (to be fair I did not know that duck houses even existed before today), but the Government and opposition claimed a very public victory for the status quo of the current system.

The Gurkha's rightful victory today, against a post colonial relic of a law, has been championed by most as a perfect example of how the Westminster system can quickly react to public demand and opinion. Even quicker if you have a celebrity and national treasure campaigning in your corner.

The Gurkhas have fought many opponents in their illustrious history, many more vicious and many more tactically astute, but none more stubborn than the British Government.

Unexpectedly the opposition, rather than viscerally claiming a U-turn or another stolen policy, decided to support the Government's decision, claiming 'it was not a day for political point score'. Surprising since a few weeks ago the Conservatives would have been in hysterics if Gordon Brown had changed his mind about how many sugars he takes in his tea.

There appears to be a Blitz mentality surrounding Westminster recently, unholy alliances being formed in the most British of ways, as the Government churn out policy initiatives one after the other in a naive attempt to control the headlines.

So while the expenses bombs keep dropping all MPs will cower in their Anderson shelters, hugging each other close until normal service is resumed.

The Rise and Fall of the Career Politician

There have been many slings and arrows aimed at politicians in Britain recently, some unjustly but many with legitimate justification. The exposition of MP's expenses and the usurping of the Michael Martian, the House of Commons' Speaker, has resulted in a rightful perception that most politicians have their proverbial snouts in the expenses trough.

However, for all the moat cleaning, mock Tudor beam installing and HobNob eating MPs, the expenses issue has distracted public gaze form a more serious, underlying problem - the rise of a very slippery beast - the 'Career Politician'.

The 'Career Politician' can be identified in a number of ways:

• Being planted into a constituency that they have very little knowledge of or affiliation with.
  
• Always voting with their Party, even when their conscience dictates otherwise.
• Asking questions in PMQs that are specifically designed to deflect attention away from more important issues.
• Complaining that the MPs salary is not adequate, whilst claiming the full expenses amount.
• And, most importantly, standing for election as a career move as opposed to a genuine belief that they can legitimately attempt to improve their constituency by their candidature.

The 'Career Politician' adds very little to the democratic political process in the UK today, by continually following the party whip they are depriving their electorate of true representation. Since MPs in government will often vote according to party policies as opposed to what ultimately in the interest of their constituency.

It maybe wishful to think that politicians will run for Parliament as individuals, rather than a political Party product, but it is a shame that more people can name and recognise the perennial backbencher Dennis Skinner than the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell. Parliament as an institution is only as strong as its current occupants, which is why it is too readily perceived as weak and ineffectual in this current climate. The 'Career Politician' is in danger of disenfranchising whole sections of the population by becoming 'faceless' advocates of a Parliamentary system that few trust.

It is too simple to get misty eyed at the Parliaments of the past, the firebrand speeches, the presence of characters and ideology, but this system was deeply flawed too. The Parliamentary system lacked any genuine representation or transparency and corruption was rife, this is not a system that would attract too many advocates in this present time.

Therefore it is to the future that people should look, a system developed around the concept of a fair wage for all MPs with transparent (albeit minimal) expense account, set by a independent authority. Furthermore, it is vital that to curtail the rise of the 'Career Politician' that the local party in the constituency decides the Parliamentary candidate independently of the national party. This will hopefully allow the MP to become more representative of their constituency and signal the end of the 'Career Politician'.