IN MY VIEW - AV COULD MAKE ROGER GALE REVEAL MORE ABOUT HIMSELF

For those of you who read the Thanet Extra, you will find in this weeks edition a quality piece of waffle as Roger Gale MP gives his opinion on AV.

I think his view is that should we change our electoral system, we'll suddenly find a host of nazi, socialists, cranks and nutcases take hold of levers of power, instead of the current mix of MPs' which vary from the principled, honest, to the ambitious, self serving, opinionated, uncaring, hypocrites we know so well.

Any how just what do I know about Roger Gale MP, firstly he replies promptly to correspondence, he's kind to animals, is rarely impressed with local train operators but apart from that, what are his politics, when did Gale ever pipe up on any thing of national importance.

Such things as economy education, health, foreign policy, really don't matter as far as MPs like Roger Gale are concerned since outside of a political tsunami they have as much chance of not getting elected, as I have of being invited for tea with the Queen to discuss the morality of inherited wealth and the Royalty.

How often have you voted like I have, not for your first choice but for some Labour deadbeat, rather than see some awful Conservative get elected or the other way round, once is too often but I'd guess some of us have voted tactically when if we had a more representative electoral system, we could make an honest choice.

Why any of this troubles Roger Gale is hard to see since he must be past normal retirement age and unlikely to fight again.

Of course I would have some sympathy with his view if safe seats such as his got a majority of the vote, but that is rarely the case.

We deserve better than an electoral system that effectively allows a local MP to be chosen by a handful local party hacks, I won't bore you with the gorilla suit cliche but you know what I mean.

Finally AV gives you the voter more leverage, so candidates might feel the need to be more open or precise about what they stand for, as I mentioned at the top of this, apart from a few superficial notions I've no idea what makes Gale tick, where does he stand on the economy, health, did he admire Thatcher, Major what does he make of Cameron or even Clegg?

GALES VIEW ON AV 

Just a quick thought on expenses

Roger Gale MP has, as mentioned in the press, been successful in sorting out, a misunderstanding over parliamentary expenses claims for telephone calls and I can say that I’m genuine pleased, since I doubt Roger Gale is going to risk his reputation for a few quid.

I’m also sure that Thanet’s other MP Ladyman, is similarly honest, but one thing that still bugs me, is that I believe both have claimed for food expenses, which I feel is wrong.

Why is it wrong, simply because both earn considerably more money than most of their constituents, and are able to dine at Westminster at a heavily subsidised cost and ought like the rest of pay our way from wages or salary.

Maybe MPs’ salaries ought to be paid on the basis of average earnings of constituents plus maybe 50% so that they had an incentive to create prosperity for the electorate.

Thought for the day – MP’s on Family values and loyalty, when it counts

I’ll keep this brief, as I can (some chance), a lot of comment has flowed over the last two weeks particularly in the papers, concerning whether or not MP’s spouses should or shouldn’t be allowed to involve themselves with their partners work, and of course we all know that MP Roger Gale has taken a principled stand on the issue, being as you’d expect supportive and outspoken in defence of his wife and spouses of other MP’s who help manage their offices.

Now this is obviously a tricky subject but for a bit of balance MP Stephen Ladyman, employs his wife Janet as constituency Office Manager, so here’s the line I’m taking, which our new improved “Gazette” failed to pursue, just where does the esteemed member for Thanet South stand, one presumes that the great man had no qualms about employing his wife prior to the recent proposals so apart from some kerfuffle caused bent bent and crooked colleagues where does he stand, for instance has Mrs Ladyman received notice that her job may be in jeopardy, has he issued noticed or even “the P45”.

I think we should be told, has Ladyman decided to meekly to go with the flow in the rather optimistic hope he might just get re-elected next summer?

It seems extraordinary that any democrat would sit by and see a class of employee have their employment rights trampled on as somehow righting the wrongs of MP’s who’ve in several cases been involve in blatant fraud.

The crazy aspect of this no spouses rule ignores the reality that many couples don’t bother getting married so how would parliament deal with that.

Just out of curiosity it would be interesting to know whether Ladyman and other MP’s in this situation have discussed the matter, I mean how would you broach it, I suppose being politicians it wouldn’t quite be as blunt as “I’m going to have to let you go” or would it?

Gale whips up storm of populist criticism

Labour have as the government handled the MP’s expenses row with great incompetence, aided by greedy and crooked members and ministers, trying to justify scandalous claims which includes food bills despite 60K plus wages.

The new look Isle Of Thanet Gazette, has the topic as its first editorial and lays in to Roger Gale, for daring to go against the general flow of opinion and championing the cause of spouses of parliamentarians who for many years, have run offices for their partners. 

It's my opinion, the particular editorial is rather shallow, it's argument flawed and biased toward, Stephen Ladyman whom it claims has held his hands up and says now he feels the systems wrong, presumably that would explain his pitiful attempts to excuse and justifying claiming food allowance, as per his contribution to this blog back in May (click here for details), clearly Rebecca Smith, doesn't get round to reading the pages of Bignews Margate.

It might also be worth mentioning, that perhaps the Gazette has old scores to settle, since as a result of poorly judged and misleading article back in April 2006, Roger Gale took the principled stand not to contribute any further editorial to the paper.

Rather pompously, the author of the editorial, whom I would assume would be Rebecca Smith, whinges on about Gale's accusations of the media whipping up a storm, when the editorial is based on, the usual media cliché's.

Its true that Roger Gale rarely pipes up and his was pretty much a lone voice against the hysterical remedy to MP’s excesses, still he has a point, why shouldn’t MP’s have either their husband or wife run the office, since MP’s work more hours than most what’s the problem, as I understand Stephen Ladyman also employs his wife, its odd that he doesn’t make the same stand. Still I recall that these two differ on other matters like taking donations from local developers for their constituencies.

On the whole I think Roger Gale is a man of principle who sticks to his guns, he may not be the most charismatic and its a pity he represents the Tories but at least he is honest and straight forward.  

IN MY VIEW – MP’S still don’t get it do they?

Just why do our MP’s and I think this covers both Thanet North and South MP’s carry on with the justification of expenses, I believe both Gale and Ladyman have in the past claimed food as an expense, Steve Ladyman who can’t seem to walk away from the subject, this week tells us about his 60-70 hour weeks, as some sort of mitigation in his Thanet Extra column and Roger Gale is quoted by www.thisiskent.co.uk as saying this. "If my constituents believe that I have been either excessive or improper in my use of what we consistently recognise is their money then they will no doubt tell me so in the usual manner."

Both these gents get a salary in excess of £60,000 admittedly its considerably less than many less talented Muppets, who litter the public sector, but even so why should we pay their flippin food bills, what do they think, a salary is for.

Most MP's must see the public as mean spirited B*******s however sometimes working similar long hours to Ladyman, except with tools like hammers, shovels, Kangos and out in the wind, rain, cold, heat and no second home etc., I can empathise since employers I've worked for don't feel the should feed, me since they pay a wage to which we've agreed. Tough concept for an MP, but here's my advice if you can't live on 60 grand get another job.

Thought for the week - anything else to declare?

Amongst all the upset over MP’s expenses one area which is still worth a bit of consideration, is the area of outside interests. Should MP’s have second jobs.

My own MP Roger Gale seems upfront with this from his website “He holds office with a number of local and national charities and served for three years as a warrant-holding Special Constable with British Transport Police.”

Stephen Ladyman as far as I can see makes similar reference to outside commitments, which of course naturally include charitable work and some considerable work in the field of autism.

Such outside experiences, represent a sort of “added value” to local MPs and an acceptable if not almost obligatory part of an MPs life, however I’m not too keen on the thought of MPs working in the commercial world.

Anyhow having asked the question before, I thought I’d check out Stephen Ladyman’s website since publically he’s been so upfront about expenses, but surprisingly I can find no reference to his work for ITIS holdings mentioned previously on these pages.

Reassuringly its not just me who feels a little concerned with outside jobs, listening to Harriet Harmon this morning she mentioned she “would want to know” about second jobs of MPs and that from the 1st of July, MPs will have to register time spent and money earned from outside jobs.

So no doubt in a flourish of openness, Stephen Ladyman will publish details on his website but I cannot understand why he doesn’t already appear to do so, particularly given earlier publicity in the press.

Just what are the facts Mr Ezekiel?

Sandy Ezekiel once again addresses the issue of China Gateway in this weeks Gazette, in vague terms, he goes on about fiction being put out about China Gateway project.

Of course like everyone else who supports China Gateway, he seems, not particularly forthcoming with facts himself, particularly on the central issue for most in Thanet, jobs.

Suggestions that China is about to export manufacturing jobs seems to me to be ludicrous, I'm sure that for manufacturing business built on a solid foundation of poverty and slave wages, the thought of paying Europeans to produce at maybe 20 times plus is just crazy.

In short the jobs argument does not stack up.

Maybe if CGP or Sandy or Ladyman could point to one job to be created then they might get the public on side.

Maybe for balance if your not too sure on this issue, you might like to read what Roger Gale has had to say on the subject ( also as far as I know neither he or his constituency party have accepted £25,000 ) .

Its clear if there was the slightest evidence, or good jobs or any jobs the public would be supportive. I travel most days to London, if a living wage was available locally I'd be happy to reclaim 4 hours of my day.

Roger Gale Backs Doctors against Patients?

Is it me, or have the Tories become less than concerned, over the plight of that rare breed, that is, the British taxpayer. I only ask as a reaction to one of Roger Gale's many " Press releases", which from time to time, allow publishers, to fill up another centimetre or two in their newspapers, his latest being rather disappointing, which I would catagorize as a " Doctor knows best" sort of opinion.

The subject of the press release was Roger Gales support for General Practitioners, he acknowledges Labour incompetence(more than deserved) in awarding doctors a rise in pay for doing less but then goes on to suggest that individual practices are best placed to determine opening hours.

Roger Gale along with his Tory pals seems always to side with what one might refer to as establishment figures. Surely its time that Tories went back to their roots as far as looking after the taxpayer, since taxpayers are more likely to vote than those who sit in front of the telly all day or waddle around town, wondering when the next benefits cheque will arrive.

Is it possible that Roger Gale in common with many people in this country sees the NHS as some sort of mysticle beneficent organisation which should not be interfered with. To me the NHS is another service which I pay for in tax contributions, and since the customer, you and I, are paying for it, we ought to be able to see a doctor at our convenience, particularly as I understand that many doctors now trouser the best part of £150,000 a year before "private work". I work weekends and evenings for considerably less, why can't GPs.

And whilst I'm on the subject its voters, that pay bills and elect MPs.

Read what Roger Gale has to say click here

Barking mad

As I mentioned earlier, this week I don't have a lot of time this week to blog but since I have written many thousand words since starting this malarkey I found something that I wrote previously, depressingly relevant, that is something had I had the time I would have written concerning dangerous dogs today.

Also rather disappointingly is the fact that Roger Gale is still a Vice Chairman the Pet Advisory committee, which has this nonsense statement on its website "any legislation should judge the individual dog by its deeds and not its breed " ( I think this is Bollix).

Looking after animal welfare and being kind to animals is one thing and certainly in the Flaig household, Mr Puss is a pretty pampered pet but were he capable of anything more harmful than the occasional superior look of disdain then his status would be in question.

Plain and simple people who keep potentially dangerous dogs are not capable of rational or responsible thought therefore the law should outlaw Rottweillers.

For my previous posting on the Pet Advisory Committee click here

New Controversy over Thanet's most famous ex-con

You can't keep a good man down or for that matter a disgraced MP who on past performance put his interests above those of a free and independent press.

It looks as if the Tories are so bankrupt of ideas that they need to resurrect Jonathan Aitken, Thanets most famous ex con who has been asked to head a study on prison reform.

Ian Duncan Smith (who? you know former Tory leader one of the bald ones), shows why he only lead the Tory party for a couple of years with this apparent example of poor judgement, giving Aitken a Job in his "think" tank.

Its interesting how easy it is for, Tories to support this man, who might have got away with his perjury and who knows where he might have been in public life, if he got away with it. There is a fair chance he could have been one of the many in the long list of 3rd rate Tory leaders since 1997.

Roger Gale (MP Thanet North) is an honest decent sort of politician, so its no surprise that he defended the appointment of former colleague Jonathan Aitken and passing these comments “Jonathan committed an offence for which he was tried and convicted and for which he has paid a personal and very considerable price." “Of course there will be minnows within the system who will cite this as a ‘political comeback’ and seek to denigrate him but Jonathan is well used to that." shows his loyalty and fairness.

I must be one of those minnows in the system since although I frequently find myself agreeing with Roger Gale on this, I think he is wrong, seven months in prison does not equate to the scale of Aitkens perjury.

We tend to judge criminals by degrees, if we look at violent crimes, not surprisingly we reserve the most distaste for those who abuse the weak and defenseless, an perhaps we dislike politicians who lie, but Jonathan Aitken pushed the boundaries when he made his "sword of truth and trusty shield of British fair play " speech offering to cut out the cancer of twisted and bent journalism. One possible consequence of Aitkens attack on honest British journalism, in pursuit of a bogus claim against the Guardian newspaper is that he could have caused immense financial damage to one of our more independent news sources.

I cannot recall Aitken making any statements about the corrupt cancer of bent and twisted politicians, I find it hard to erase that past image of Aitken, who at the time of his conviction, epitomised that most odious caricature of political creatures, the self seeking unprincipled sleazy Tory politician (just for balance the Labour party has its equivalents).

I'm sure that Mr Aitken has his regrets but having abused peoples trust in the past in such spectacular fashion he cannot expect the general public, to be anything other than critical, and you would have thought the conservative party would have the sense to leave well alone. I just wonder how local conservative party activist feel particularly Laura Sandys (Tory Candidate Thanet South) having this reminder of a former lag & Conservative MP being associate with Thanet South.

Finally this little event is even more interesting as it shows just what an inept bunch of muppets the Tories are, clearly the Tory party can be very loyal as in this instance, apparently welcoming Aitken back into the fold, so its disappointing to remember that back in 2004, Mr Aitken was showing some support for the UK Independence party, so maybe Ian Duncan Smith has scored a cracking own goal by reminding us of Conservative disharmony over Europe and sleaze.

Further Reading Guardian

Kentnews

Aitken Wikepedia

TV news turn up for a Margate cliché
And BBC censor the news?

Meridian and the BBC have been motivated, into sending their intrepid reporters, to the far edges of their regions by news that the Nayland Rock Hotel is to possibly become a gulag for asylum seekers prior to forced repatriation. The Home Office ought to consult the public before changing the Nayland into a prison (open or otherwise) and Roger Gale is right in bring this to public attention.

Home Office asylum wallahs, who have been fairly negligent for years, in allowing migration to go unmonitored and unregulated, are in talks with the charity Migrant Watch over the future use, of the Hotel since numbers of asylum seeker have dropped.

It would be fair to say that, the use of the Nayland has to some extent changed the character of Margate, but this all seems to be an attempt to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted. It makes a nice story for the political right, and it can be easy for journalist go into cliché mode but fortunately for us, the public, I think both Meridians Ian McClaren and the BBC reporter whose name I cannot remember steered clear.

Just a quick point this story was handled with some caution, in Meridian’s case they failed to mention it at the start of the show, but BBC as ever, is even more er cautious and have decided not to allow the public, a second sight of their report despite recently promoting South East Today: On Demand; a de facto case of censorship I think.

Returning to the story it looks as if the charity Migrant Watch is changing its role, since were informed that the Nayland Rock is no longer needed, to accommodate refugees then surely the charity does not need to be involved with the Nayland unless their about to do a 180 degree turn in purpose from assisting asylum seekers escaping tyranny to now sending those same people back to danger.

If its true that the numbers of those seeking asylum , no longer need temporary accommodation then the Nayland should revert to use as a Hotel and those who’ve been deemed, to have no right to remain here, should be deported. Still this really is a tricky subject, since I believe that our government, regularly send people back to countries like Zimbabwe and Iraq where political violence is ongoing.

To be honest I would rather see Nayland Rock used as a Hostel for refugees than to have someone sent back to an uncertain future. Since we have allowed unrestricted and unplanned migration from safe European countries why not just accept those who want to live here. The only condition I would like to see, is that refugees are fully aware of that this is a tolerant society and be educated in British social customs.

In the grammar school debate
One cliche fits most Tories

It seems once again as if, the Conservatives are in self-destruct mode, this time over Grammar Schools, since the announcement the other week by Mr Willetts about his preference for Labour's Academy schools. This infighting must be welcome news to the Labour Party supporters, it will be interesting to see whether the Conservatives, allow this to get out of hand, in the same way that they allowed John Major's government to be destroyed by a simple-minded anti-European minority.

As you will know I personally, believe that grammar schools are divisive and harmful to education in general for two simple reasons. Firstly the selection process is not entirely fair since a significant number of parents either send their children to private schools, to be coached in passing the Kent Test (11 plus) or alternatively pay for additional tuition therefore creating a selection system that benefits the well heeled. Secondly the selection is clearly not ideal since it segregates children for six years offering no incentive for hard work and effort, since if you don't get selected for grammar-school you're given a second-rate education.

Anyway the thing I note is that quite a few Tories Paul Carter the KCC leader, Roger Gale MP, trot out the cliche of not having 'a one-size-fits-all' education system, instead of relying on cliched thinking, I feel it is about time that these great Tory geniuses sighted some significant evidence proving that Kents grammar-school system benefits the whole school population not just a middle-class minority.

What is it, that Conservatives fear, about having a proper comprehensive system which allows children, to be assessed on a yearly basis, rather than its odd system of assessing children at 11then forgetting for six years , to me it's brings to mind the cliche of the Tories being class-ridden, protectionist and selfish.

The stupidity of this debate, is twofold, it's been many years since the last grammar-school was created, and Mr Willetts made no suggestion of improving Kents segregated schools by closing grammar schools, still it's always amusing to see politicians fighting amongst themselves.

From what I can tell Mr Willetts preference for Academy type schools, was to give a fair opportunity, to those of less affluent backgrounds. Obviously such thinking proves that not all Tories fit a one type cliche, clearly an open minded individual for whom I might not have problem in voting for.

CONSERVATIVE EDUCATION SHOCK ALMOST!

Driving to work yesterday, I had difficulty understanding the news, I thought I'd heard that David Willetts, Tory education spokesman, would along with the Tory party, no longer back grammar school education, all day I worried whether I had gone barking bonkers mad, with some stress-related disease or at the very least gone deaf.

But a quick glance of the Internet later, confirms what I thought I'd heard. This being confirmed, with an outburst from Roger Gale, MP for Thanet North, who has apparently launched a campaign to oppose David Willetts plans to halt any new grammar schools.

I can just imagine quite a few of them Conservatives, choking on their toast and marmalade, Hooray! But how long will this policy survive?

To my mind, there are two main kinds of Tories, these are Congenital Tories who were born with blue blood in their veins of which, there are two subcategories 'County Tories' these are from upper-class families whose wealth is derived from land or the professions and then there's the 'Basic Tory' whose background is small business and small-minded. Then we have the other main type 'Conditioned Conservative' again two subcategories 'Brainwashed Tory' this being the person who's read the Daily Mail once too often and the 'Self-made Tory' this last type being the only one who has through hard work, luck and ambition managed to climb up to the top, easy to spot since they display signs of intelligent life, assuming you fail to notice they will generally make you feel inferior. Only one of these types is able to understand the waste of talent resulting from the grammar-school system and they are in a minority.

Now as much as I mistrust the Tories, when they to go further and abolish the appalling socially divisive and evidently unfair grammar-school system, then I think they would get my vote. However I think such a policy will be unlikely, to form any part of a future Tory manifesto since, for most Conservatives only a few of the 'Self-made' kind actually have the intelligence and sense of fairness, to realise that selection of ability at the age of 10 favours middle-class children, condemning poorer children to an inferior education, as in Kent.

It's ironic that Roger Gale, feels a Conservative policy favouring a more equitable education policy is a move towards socialist policies. Roger Gale seems totally oblivious to the fact that for six years of secondary education, under the Kent grammar-school system, all competitive instincts are artificially removed from children with 80 per cent roughly condemned to Kents inferior second rate school system.

Roger Gale ought to think again, simply put for all Tories, who are meant to understand the competitive system and incentives, selection at the age of 11 removes incentives and motivation from children during their most important years.

Finally as with most political parties, most of the members of the Conservative Party are made up of unquestioning conformists, and really the Tories have not actively promoted grammar schools for some time, so really Roger Gale, unlike his constituents, ought not to get to fretful over this one, because by the time we get round to a general election, there'll be no mention of removing, what many consider a corrupt and divisive education system.

Gale: Another move 'towards socialist policies'

TORIES AREN'T ALL BAD!

I'm not sure, but I have found since I started at this blogging business, that my blood-pressure has risen, now I don't think that this is necessarily due to blogging, but more likely my age, perhaps a case of acute "grumpy old man" syndrome. Having started this blog I now feel somehow obligated, to serve up fresh insight into our world every day, even thinking maybe I ought to offer an excuse, on those days when I don't blog, as if to return to my teenage years, when improbable events occurred almost on a daily basis, preventing delivery of my school homework. Still sod it, I write these posts to relax .

What is it that makes me grumpy, is it the passing of the years, lack of achievement or the realisation that I as an individual can't influence anything more significant than whether I have tea or coffee for breakfast. Any how perhaps once in a while I should try to be positive.

This in mind I have been fairly mean to politicians of the Tory variety. So just to redress this, I would like to applaud David Cameron's, swift sacking of his colleague, who's ill judged comments on racism in the military , were out of keeping with acceptable standards.

Roger Gale's "view" in the Thanet extra is concerned as he is, unlike Tony Blair, with the high demands placed on Britain's men and women serving in the armed forces and the lack of support with materials to do their job. Additionally I see that Mr Gale has tabled a question with the Secretary of State for the Department of International Development, concerning the welfare of livestock belonging to refugees from Darfur, in Chad. This commendable indication of concern for all living creatures would certainly get the vote of many including, Mr Puss the Flaig family cat whose not easily influenced, except with a tin of tuna.

I hope it to report more positive items soon.

Blogger wrong Roger Gale right

Although yesterday was a perfect day as far as the weather was concerned this blogger was troubled by a couple of things firstly a letter received from my MP Roger Gale, highlighting not for the first time in my life, how dangerous assumptions can be.

A week or so back in one of my rare critical posts of our local MP I made the rash suggestion or inference that he could acquire a little more knowledge on the subject of track safety (as in railways) after a statement concerning Train Horns (click here ) and even took the unusual step of writing to him directly only to receive back promptly a letter pointing out that as a special constable with British Transport Police on London Underground he had in fact undertaken their full safety training including a walk down a busy track.

I ask you what is the chance of your local MP, having this sort of experience?

Anyway I thought a nice walk in the countryside, ten-minute drive out to Grove Ferry and a walk along the Great Stour towards Westbere, beautiful landscape, just the sounds of birds on the water and the peace only being shattered by trains blowing their horns miles away, oh and Mrs Me listening to football on my personal radio shouting when Chelsea scored.

So not for the first time have I been proved wrong for which I apologise. Roger Gale shows there is more to being an MP than simple politics, experience and knowledge help make him one of the better ones.

Roger Gale supports churches in

homosexual adoption row

Judging from his website, the lack of comment and press releases from Roger Gale North Thanet MP, on important topics, is frequently more interesting, than what he actually has to say particularly on matters like, dangerous dogs, given that he is a Vice President of the Pet Advisory Committee.

Some of his statements can be quite infuriating such as his intervention on Train Horns apparently they can be quite intrusive (they're meant to be!), he and other MPs "continue to look for lower maximum noise volumes and minimum safety levels" what? As a track worker and sometimes COSS (controller of site safety) I prefer maximum safety myself, perhaps Mr Gale could acquire a PTS card (personal track safety) and work a few shifts preferably red zone.

Moving on Roger Gale backs churches over issue of conscience here is a quotation "While every person in this country is subject to the law as enacted by parliament it must, surely, also be right for those wishing to do so to be able to adhere to articles of faith that are important to them." well not really since some religions believe in polygamy others would be quite happy too stone adulterers to death etc.

Parliament by and large generally legislates on the basis of shared human values rather than any religious or sectarian standards and to be honest I'm not sure that homosexual couples are the ideal parents but if Parliament thinks they are, then they are.

I might have some sympathy with Roger Gale were it not for the Catholic Church's somewhat chequered history where child welfare is concerned, firstly Catholic agencies (along with others) had considerable involvement in the appalling abuse of young children sent as migrants from Britain to Australia and Canada during post-war period up until the early Sixties and the infamous Magdalene homes where young girls were imprisoned in Ireland.

I do not think any religious organisations should be in a position of responsibility for children if they are incapable of accepting the law. Britain we are told on a daily basis is a multi-cultural Society therefore unless religious groups are prepared to accept democratic parliamentary governance surely they have no place bringing up children.

As an individual I am not allowed to pick and choose what laws I live by and therefore I don't think that religious groups can choose the Bible, Koran or Talmud over parliamentary government.

I'm not saying that Roger Gale is necessarily a bad MP but to argue that some organisations should somehow be exempt from the law of the land suggest that maybe he ought to take some more spiritual job.


Interesting starting point for information on child migration scandal

Roger Gales Statement

Roger Gales Web Site

Dangerous Dogs and the Pet Advisory Committee.

Not long ago I wrote a post about dangerous Dogs, after a child was killed by two rottweilers, this week a similar tragedy occurred as we all know.

We have some legislation in the dangerous dogs Act which was originally intended to protect us from dangerous Dogs but it doesn't go far enough in protecting vulnerable people.

I just wonder how many more times will we hear Dog owners bleat on about dogs not being dangerous in themselves and that their behaviour is down to how they are treated. Now most people I know are not rational and even-tempered under pressure and I have yet to see a pit-bull, Staffordshire, bulldog, rottweiler or Alsatian I would trust, so I think now is the time to tighten legislation either destroy dangerous dogs or separate them completely from children.

The sort of woolly thinking that really irritates me is typified on the website of the Pet Advisory Committee with this sort of stuff "PAC believes that any legislation should judge the individual dog by its deeds and not its breed. PAC deplores the introduction of new and draconian breed specific legislation in other countries and requests the government to vigorously object to the introduction of any such legislation by the EU." and this "Responsible pet ownership remains a key operational belief of this Committee"

Unfortunately pet-owners are emotionally involved with their pets, and generally probably not the best people to make rational decisions about their animals, just think how many of us have been pinned to the wall by some hulking slavering hound when visiting friends and relatives and being reassured this beast is just being friendly when clearly its out of control to any impartial observer or victim.

Since Roger Gale MP for North Thanet is one of the several vice-presidents, of the Pet Advisory Committee and I understand dog-owner himself I would ask that he and his colleagues reconsider the emotional stand that they seem to have taken, where individual dogs are judged by "deed?" and not by dangerous breed or type, using this sort of thinking you could look at a revolver or shotgun and say it hasn't killed anyone so far so why not just leave it on the mantelpiece in the front room.

Pet Advisory Committee dangerous dogs policy

Pet Advisory Committee website

Public meetings

Until February of this year, I often wondered what sort of person goes to public meetings (now I know fat middleaged people and politicians). Since the start of this year I have attended three such functions, all of which have been different in their own way.

This being the first day this week, that I have not been either travelling to and from work or working in excess of 13 hours, I thought I would wind down by attending a public meeting at the Hoverspeed club at Manston, well I wish I hadn't bothered as it took more than twenty minutes to locate the Venue. The subject was the new housing estate to be built at Westwood.

Roger Gale and Sandy Ezekiel were in attendance fending off impertinent questions concerning the traffic situation around Westwood. Fortunately for them there appeared to be a senior officer from Thanet council fielding many questions with highly detailed and interesting replies on the technicalities of planning (this made my day).

I must say the public were pretty unanimous in apportioning the blame for our traffic woes, at the council, me included although I can see the economic benefit that we have derived from Westwood Cross and convenience of having major stores within Thanet. But the traffic is an intolerable problem, mainly because we are so lazy and cannot give up our cars, still we want the convenience so right or wrong I feel we need to maintain the pressure on our local politicians elected or otherwise until we get all we want.

Incidentally I may have been hallucinating, but it would appear that the closed road at Victoria traffic lights is now open again.

Thanet MP Roger Gale calls for Middle-East debate

Roger Gale once again, proves that being an MP, sometimes involves a little more than just following the party line, sometimes it is necessary for our politicians to show that they have ethics and compassion for their fellow human beings and once again Roger shows this, with his request that Tony Blair, returns from his American PR trip and for Parliament to discuss Israel and the Lebanon crisis.

It's reassuring to see that at least some of our politicians, still have a backbone. Even if the government doesn't.

Link to Roger Gale's press release

Sunday morning, one line sermon

As you now know if you’re a regular, I have views on just about everything, so many in fact that I don’t get around to writing about them, so here goes one-line opinion.

Government develops Middle East backbone?
News that Kim Howells, appears to have criticised the Israeli conduct, in Lebanon, it would be nice if the rest of the government could, consider innocent civilians.


Bishop of London declares air travel as sinful
Good, I never like to see priest or nuns on my flight, it reminds me of those disaster movies and yet another reason not to go to church, mosque, temple or synagogue religious types talking profound rollocks.

Fifth 7/7 bomber pulled out day before blasts
Pity a change of heart was not accompanied by a telephone to the security services if true lets hope the authorities get hold of this person.

Party Chairman must go Roger Gale
A more “robust” and “well known” person should be chairman, I reckon the Tories need a leader of substance, with a little more to say than giving hoddies a cuddle what does Cameron think about Europe the Economy or even the Middle East not a lot, so far.

Agree with Canterbury and Whitstable MP Julian Brazier
This is a rare thing, me concurring with Mr. Brazier perhaps a one & only occasion but according to Kent on Sunday he is urging the West to intervene stop bloodshed and destruction of the Lebanon saying Israel had “bombed it back into the Dark Ages.

John Reid to introduce uniformed boarder force
What for, seems a little to late, our home office servants, haven’t got a clue who’s in this country, legal migration is limitless unlike every other major EU country, why not save money and get rid of passport control, and let me get to my luggage without the farce, of making us queue for ten minutes whilst, an un-civil servant exercises the power to make me stand in line.