Unison is this a true picture

,

No wish to offend Unison members but having witnessed the distressing news that otherwise tough union bods couldn’t take a poorly constructed joke from Jeremy Clarkson in his usual bad taste style about last weeks public sector strike, I feel I should go easy.

Still having seen last week a never ending line up of, as I’ve mentioned before selfless nurses, teachers and other generally heroic public sector workers presented to the media by unquestioning reporters, I find it difficult to not comment. Taking a gander at the Gazette’s coverage, I was reassured to find them following the mainstream.

I was much surprised, by the claim of local Unison branch secretary Steve Albion, stating  that many low paid women could not afford to take time off before Christmas, as far as I’m aware, employed workers are entitled to 28 days a year holiday, admittedly employers can dictate when holidays can be taken but really that statement is in my view completely misleading as of course is much of the propaganda by the Unions.

I can’t help also wondering how people are being manipulated in all this, taking a quick reference to the Thanet Trades Council and Anti Cuts Thanet campaign next meeting the Red Hall, Broadstairs, I wonder if it would be worth nipping over to their next gathering December 7th, 8pm and asking what, if any, relationship exists between themselves and the Marxist Socialist Workers Party?

Don’t get me wrong, I have the greatest sympathy with the low paid getting a fair deal and a living wage, and if you trawl back through this weblog you’ll find plenty examples, over the last few years, much of it criticism of Labour’s cynical betrayal of just such people in favour of cutting deals with big business such as the Murdochs.

The problem I have is that I don’t see why, the very lowest paid, working in the commercial sector, should be expected to pay tax to provide for pensions for say head teacher’s on seventy grand or council chief execs on hundreds of thousands or indeed middle ranking employees on say thirty grand plus.

It’s about time, that public sector workers stopped believing they’re special, at the end of the day, how cretinous do say teachers sound when bleating about having to work to sixty five, hardly a tough physical job, pity they give no consideration, to those doing manual jobs, creating the wealth so that thy can have three months holiday a year and an easy life.

Ed Milliband's Lost Generation

Ed Miliband's Labour party has made much recently of the "lost generation" due to the economic climate,  so Bignews Margate has decided to investigate and track down three of Labour's lost generation, to put a face to the current employment crisis of course resources are limited, so the following is based much on my own prejudices and contempt for Labour.

Tony Blair former figure head of Labour, had the sense to scarper before the sh*t, hit the fan, having been befriended at an early age by Australian American media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, who encouraged his editors help  to Blair, who soon realised if he was to get on, had to be nice to people , no surprise then that   the  certain media businesses didn't get much scrutiny, having learnt this lesson Blair was only to keen to help his next best friend, GW Bush even when he wanted to invade Iraq. in the process mistakes were made and evidence had to be " sexed up a bit".  Anyhoo Blair now makes millions by giving lectures and consultations to  rich businessmen, rightwing politicians, on leaving Westminster he also  became Middle East Peace Envoy, and who better, since starting the job it seems there is hardly a country in the region that hasn't seen increased demand for peace what with all the bullets and bombs being tossed around, and of course no surprise that Israel where Blair has a base, still keeps the citizens of Palestine under occupation and continues daily to steal land and abuse the population.

Gordon Brown who spent much of his ministerial career telling us that the years of boom and bust were behind us sadly didnt get the chance to correct himself and point out that boom and mostly bust was er actually right in front of us, sadly he was overtaken by events and  set upon by an  unconvinced electorate who if nothing else overwhelming agreed that they had, had enough of his bullsh*t and that of his colleagues, its understood that he still sometimes turns up at Westminster to sulk and wonder why nobodies paying him the big bucks to speak.

Perhaps the saddest case is that of David Miliband, who it seems has sunk without a trace, once seen by many to have the potential to lead Labour into oblivion, having even less personality and charisma than that of Neal Kinnock and Michael Foot combined, who would have thought that "democratic " trade unions would come up with, the most mediocre leader of Labour ever, his bro Ed Miliband, who's main claim to fame so far,  is that he looks a bit like Wallace.

Perhaps readers will be incensed that, I should make light of such a serious issue, my view is this, that the current real lost generation of  youngsters looking for work, can pretty much blame Labour for sowing the seeds of our current predicament, talking about the "New Labour" generation, these blighters had it all popular support, a stable economy and the good will of the people, at first they showed an interest in getting work shy, layabouts into work, introducing working family tax credits, helping with child care, but hey this soon got forgotten as Labour fell back on the tried and trusted ploy of paying off the public sector and keeping social security scroungers flush. The idea of converting sullen layabouts into a generation of contributors to society was soon replaced, with the easy option of letting things go, and taking an easier and temporary course of importing cheap workers, to feed a then growing economy, ignoring the inevitable future social cost of not enough hospitals, schools, homes or jobs as the economy eventually contracted.

So when Labour sound off, about a "lost generation", remember the generation of Labour politicians who got us here in the first place, and don't worry, they're doing alright, still for all those kids and adults, who now cannot find jobs, good luck and keep trying, and don't go seeking to blame minorities, unless of course your thinking of the cretins in Labour who got us here.

UNISON - The big deception?

I was reminded to day of the completely, outrageous inequality in our economy, in which public sector workers encouraged by the unions believe that they have some God given right to be paid far in excess of the private sector, and that with no sense of shame, their happy to see the low paid workers, fund their extravagance.

I'd have some respect for the public sector unions if I thought they gave a toss, for those subsidising their life style but then you don't, millions in the commercial sector, work without any basic safeguards, still its clear that in the higher echelons of the public sector, there is an alternative reality, whereby people like Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, make odd statements like this one "UNISON members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action to protect their pensions in the biggest ballot we have ever held." and the BBC reported that "There was a 78% majority, with 245,358 in favour and 70,253 against on a 29% turnout.

The BBC's figure would indicate that only around 22½ percent support strike action with a big 77½ percent  against the action. More than three quarters of Unisons members are not supporting action, clearly some public sector employees know a good thing when they see it. The government should bare this in mind when negotiating with them.

I personally would like to see the government act tough on this one, the continuing idea that public sector workers, should be given preferential treatment, is plan crazy and unsustainable, and I'm not saying that everything is hunky dory, of course some in the public sector get a raw deal, but of course their probably the cleaners in hospitals, offices, and streets working for some tinpot agency and getting minimum.

Anyway I'll leave you to decide whether Dave Prentis is coming out with porkys' and if your happy with the status quo, then please go back to sleep, if you would like to understand how serious the drain of public sector pensions is, I suggest you read Dominic Lawson in today's Independent which prompted me into my own less articulate rant.

Finally what should the government do, in response to Unison's militant strike action threat, my advice would be to ingnore it, what's the worst that could happen, we save some money on the pay roll and since it has little support, sack a few, just like the real world. Alternatively public sector workers could start demanding equality, for the workforce as a whole. It's clear to me that the balance is all wrong, private and public workers should have a level playing field otherwise, one section  of society will continue to blead the other dry.

Opulent UNISON 

The Olympic Legacy

Admittedly it’s way to early, to reflect on the London Olympics, but since the future of the main arena is back in the news, what the hell, hopefully there will be a great televisual experience, maybe Team GB will do well (perhaps the last before Scottish independence), but it seems a typical British squabble has already broken out, over the bones of the event.

I’m a cynic, so far, from what I’ve seen, it’s a triumph of big business over people, particularly those in East London, I’ll explain and fess up to having benefitted myself, around 2006 I had a couple of nights work, protecting cabling adjacent to factories, warehouses and offices as they were being demolished, at the time I wondered, how would this benefit the locals and concluded that it wouldn't as most of those once employed in premises being obliterated would have joined the dole queue.

More substantially, improvements to London’s rail network, have provided me and co-workers with work for some considerable time, although most not coming from London let alone places like Hackney and Stratford more likely Kent, Essex, Birmingham, Yorkshire, Bulgaria, Romania, and "up North".

During the Olympics I guess much of London and the South East will be in paralysis, I've heard work will cease on the railway infrastructure at the time, of the Olympics, so perhaps I'll be indulging in that speciality of significant numbers in Hackney
form filling.

I assume that central London and certainly East London will be effectively sealed off, by officialdom, my own sporting discipline, hurling a white van up the A102 and seeing if I can get it through the Blackwall tunnel will almost certainly be cancelled given the proximity to the Olympics.

Admittedly so far the Olympics has put money in my pocket and has driven many essential improvements to London's infrastructure and helped create a large new shopping centre in Stratford employing I hope locals selling goods no doubt produced in China.

I just feel sad that ordinary people will not share the first hand direct experience of the games that rich people will, due to the slanted ticket allocation.

London as a whole has and will continue to benefit, but having worked around Hackney, it's difficult to see any improvement, and I cannot help thinking that the controversy over disposal of the main arena, is a prelude to other problems, what will happen to the velodrome, the basket ball courts or the tiddlywinks stadium or even the long term unemployed of East London.

Phew what a scorcher

Margate was once again looking busy in the extraordinarily warm weather, I had a quick stroll around the old town and harbour arm latish yesterday afternoon, how fantastic to see the difference in just a few months. The exceptional weather matched by the equally exceptional change in Margate, people coming to soak up the growing artiness of the old town, which complement the more traditional seaside attractions.I find it difficult, to be cynical as I once was, about the Turner Contemporary even if you cannot find something to suit you in the gallery itself, galleries around the old town have plenty offer.A marvellous weekend, great to see so many people enjoying themselves in Margate, either enjoying the surreal experience of spending time on a hot beach in October! or a Margate’s cultural establishments, unbelievable a few years ago.

How Kent Council could give multi million boost to East Kent Economy

As closure of Pfizer gets closer, I just wonder what KCC, is doing to help the economy apart from lending out the Council Leader to head up the “Task force” and it occurred to me that over the years the West of Kent has benefitted quite considerably from money harvested from East Kent taxpayers.

Much of Kent’s bureaucrats do whatever they do based in Maidstone and the West of Kent, and prompted by this thought I checked out this web page which gives some headline figures, of just how much it costs to shuffle papers and indulge ego’s in administering the goings on Kent council.

Now like you, I’d it expect the sums involved to run into millions but crikey (and their is a recession on) the budget for Management, support services and corporate overheads is running at a humongous £103,000,000.00 for this financial year (not sure whether this figure also includes dubious Fat Cat bonuses and credit card bills).

Now what I’m thinking, is this, much of the money we pay in Tax subsidies, affluent West Kent, now if Paul Carter (Conservative Leader of Kent council and the Pfizer Taskforce supremo) could, if he actually gave a toss for this area, investigate the sell off of all those palatial offices in Maidstone and West Kent and relocation to the Pfizer site or even a partial relocation so that local East Kent money stayed here and helped boost the economy.

A bit of a tall order, particularly given the poor performance of Conservative county councillors, in representing local interests, most of whom quietly take their “allowance” and accept the status quo.

Just think if half this money was spent, round here £50 million, it wouldn’t replace Pfizer but it would be a start.

On the plus side, some of Paul Carters colleagues, now admit that, times up for their leader, so maybe Kent council will change in direction.

Alex Salmond Smug?

One of the few reasons I still buy The Sunday Times, are the views expressed by correspondent Rod Liddle, who’s words frequently, express what I feel.

Today was no exception, Mr Liddle was affronted by the unexpected appearance of Scotland’s First Minister on his television, “that smirking morass of Caledonian self-satisfaction Alex Salmond suddenly appeared on my  screen during a brief news segment—a ball of flatulent smuggery……..

Apparently the First Minister was wittering on about better employment figures than in England, however (no surprise) the great man failed to mention the contribution made by British taxpayers as whole,  who receive significantly less than the £10,212 of public money per person as in Scotland.

I glad I'm not the only one who doesn’t  see why the rest of Britain has to subsidise Scotland’s medicine and students, particularly galling is the fact that Scotland as I understand it offers tuition free places at Universities to EU students from outside England. Which of course is the indicative of the sort of hostility that Scottish Nationalist have for a long time tried to manufacture against the rest of Britain.

I’d like to see Scotland pay its own way without dipping into my pocket, I wish I could link to that story,but you’ll either have to buy the paper, or be a subscriber to their internet pages.

New Union Fat Cat List

Us worker ants often draw comfort that there is someone out there fighting our corner,  although some of us are a tad more cynical, the concept that we're "all in this together" when facing years of bleak economic performance, rarely holds up when we see, the rich get richer, like crooks, politicians, bankers, chief execs and union bosses.

What chance a politician, banker, chief exec and now union bosses, seeing things from our perspective, anyway surely there must be someone who understands, how to get along on modest incomes, well maybe.

How about Britain's union bosses, well maybe not, if Taxpayers Alliance "Trade Union Rich List" figures are anything to go on, take as an example, Derek Simpson of Unite, who trousered £510,659 or Dave Prentis of Unison on £131,496 admittedly the pay when compared to say local authority Fat Cats doesn't seem unreasonable, but I cannot help thinking it would be an idea for union leaders to have similar pay levels to their members something which ought to apply to the majority of members of Parliament .
Wouldn't it be marvelous if for instance, the next time a union boss went into negotiations for their members, they were, as close to the edge, as those they represent. As I type it's certainly true that union bosses are lining up strike action to protect their members, they'll be only too willing to fight tooth and nail with members taking the hit by losing pay and or jobs.

The one thing that overwhelms me is that unions, could act in a responsible/realistic way, as occurs in the commercial world, moneys short contractors/suppliers take a hit, but keep their livelihoods, in the public sector additional jobs are created, in the good times and shrink in the bad and unions bosses instead of being unrealistically greedy on behalf of members, they could probably cut deals where members take a small cut in income,  saving jobs and distress and of course we save those "front-line services" we here so much about.

Just's imagine if pay for MP's was linked tightly,  perhaps 1 ½ times the pay of manual workers (it is tough to sit on you bottom and spout bollix), maybe the country would be a better place and maybe MP's would not have been so complicit, in allowing industry to have replaced British workers with easily exploited East Europoeans.

Kent Newspapers to Close? OFT gives You only until August 8th to comment

As I see it, there probably isn't much time, if you would like to save our local Kent newspapers, in Thanet that would be the Times and Gazette, the Office of Fair Trading will stop taking consultations on this matter by the 8th August.

Ironically it appears that there is little news available to the public, in regard to the Kent Messenger Groups bid to buy Kent Regional News and Media (Northcliffe Media).

No surprise that when I contacted Kent Messenger group and Northcliffe Media execs, they were unable to offer any elaboration on this significant development to local news reporting .

So you may find my suggestion, that newspapers will close, as somewhat alarmist, HoldtheFrontPage website report informs us, that is the intention of Kent Messenger to integrate Kent Regional News and Media titles with their existing portfolio, as quickly as possible, admittedly integrate, could mean one of the two things, merging newspapers or merging the operational processes into one, either way, my opinion is this will lead to less competitive newsgathering and poorer reader content, also significantly less competition for the local advertising market,which must be bad for the business community (KM Group also have local radio media).

Understandably both parties in this acquisition are reticent to discuss the details (they are not charities) but as far as you and I are concerned, details and future plans are of public interest and to the end I have for the last few days been trying to contact the officer/manager in charge of the case at the OFT, who I take must be an extremely busy person,  it must be in the public interest to have more details, are journalists and editors an endangered species in East Kent and are we about to say goodbye to the heart and soul our communities.

If its the case that without KM Group purchasing KRN papers, newspapers would fold anyway, then good luck to KM Group, however if its a case of buying these papers is to secure a nice market stranglehold then, it should be stopped.

I doubt that either KM Group or Northcliffe Media's "Kent Regional" papers will be making too much noise on this one, so I suggest if you concur with my concerns that you mention it to those you know and also keep the Office of Fair Trading by contacting Raúl Nieto raul.nieto@oft.gsi.gov.uk Fax: 020 7211 8916.

Finally both companies do a good job in certain areas, and that's how I'd like to see it remain, its possible the KM Group might if their bid goes through vastly improve news gathering, still  if you take the KM Thanet Extra as an example, it appears journalistic resources have shrunk in the last few years.

PS I just wonder whether local politicians will wake up and smell the coffee on this one!

TESCO - Corned Beef -Some mistake surely!

I may be missing something but when did Corned Beef become so flipping expensive.

Unless I'm suffering from old timers, I recall purchasing what I thought was a humble source of protein for about 70 pence a tin (about 2years ago).

Today my perception has changed, what I thought was the byproduct of old cows tails, bits and pieces and recycled shoe leather, must in reality be made from prime cuts of Aberdeen Angus.

What was once fit only for oiks has now become at £8.80 a kilo food fit for kings.

A marvellous start for Turner and Margate

How pleasing to see the hard work of all those concerned with Turner Contemporary, is proving a big success and the knowledge that Margate has started to reverse the decline of recent years.

Turner Contemporary announced yesterday, that it had now had its 156,000th visitor (the target figure for the 1st year), Edoardo Pacchett, from Monza, Italy was welcomed by the Director Victoria Pomery with a bottle of local Kent sparkling wine, Victoria commented “It is fantastic to have hit our visitor target so early" , hopefully even the cynical would agree the Director and that this is a remarkable achievement attracting so many in the first three months.

The benefits of Turner of course aren't all going to be overnight but here are some of the early positives highlighted by Turner Contemporary, 85% visited specifically to see the gallery, 25 new businesses have opened in the old town and lower High Street and SouthEastern railway report 30% more people using Margate Station.

Well done! particularly those who pushed for the gallery and those who've delivered a world class galley in the heart of Margate.

Lets hope, that this development is soon complimented with Dreamland, and that Tesco don't create chaos with their new store.

Finally a couple of points, many millions are collected in taxes from you and I, and much goes to KCC, Turner Contemporary has been that rare instance in which we've seen significant public investment, I feel we need more, particularly from Kent council who syphon your money into affluent West Kent, so ask your local KCC councillor what if anything they are doing to attract other investment? Second point, what a marvellous sight driving into Margate @ five seeing the sun rise over the new gallery, after a night grafting on the railway in a dark dingy tunnel somewhere in London see picture.

Teachers Strike – How to resolve the problem.

Nothing in life remains as it was, and neither should it, many years have gone by since public sector workers got crap pay but decent pensions.

 

These days those in the public sector are creaming an average 40 per cent more than those in the private commercial sector.

 

The commercial world has seen jobs taken over by cheap easily exploited labour from the EU so those who used to work in agriculture, construction and manufacturing been thrown on the scrap heap, I don't recall anyone from the unions, including ones I've been a member complain Unite (T&G at the time) or RMT (Which I left when I realised Bob Crow was taking £15 a month, not to represent me but his own brand of lefty politics).

 

So those teachers who don't want to work and expect me to pay for their pension, I suggest we replace with those who are willing to work for a fair days pay.

 

As has been the case in most of the commercial sectors, I would suggest we get teachers who are willing to work from the EU, who in most cases would be better motivated, probably better educated and not so greedy and selfish, also better able to help the children whose first language in not English, who in many parts of the country from the majority.

 

Just think of that much loved character of the professional classes in recent times, the "Polish plumber" could now be complimented with his fellow countryman the "Polish professor".

 

 

PS I'd love that idiot from unison to tell me why I should have to subsidise him and everyone else in the public sector.

Big Event finally does what it should - 80,000 Can't be wrong

Margate's big event has been one of the years highlights and this year for the first time has also injected a healthy amount of cash from visitors myself included with the move to the centre of the town. It has been estimated by Thanet Council that somewhere in the region of 80,000 people enjoyed the weekends event, which included the air show, music and firework display, funfair, Margate raft race, Airfix model making, Punch and Judy etc., this of course coupled with some of the other delights that Margate has to offer the the Harbour Arm Margate Museum the world class Turner Contemporary, the old town, area plus much improved cafes and restaurants and pubs.

Without a doubt the move into the town centre had the benefit of seeing money spent in the town rather than just with traders at the event itself as was the case in previous years not noted as being a big spender, myself I estimate that over the two days I spent around £30 in the town, of which most was spent with local business, if you were to make a crude calculation based on my spending, multiplied by 80,000 people, that would mean 2.5  million pounds spent with local traders.

A couple of excerpts from from TDC Press release  Marketing Dept. "Leader of the Council, Cllr. Bob Bayford, said: “What a fantastic event!  It was wonderful to see so many people turn out over the weekend braving the elements and was a great example of true British spirit!  We had thousands of people in Margate, many from all over the South East, and many of those visiting for the first time.  From our point of view the new location worked brilliantly and helped to showcase exactly what Margate, the original seaside, has to offer.  We know from speaking with local businesses that hosting the event on the seafront had a positive impact, which is exactly what we hoped to achieve.  I’d like to thank everyone who worked so hard to pull off what was another great ‘big event’, to our sponsors Hornby for their help and support and most of all to thank everyone who came along to enjoy it”.

Darrell Burge, Marketing Manager for Airfix, said: "It was tremendous to be involved as the main sponsor of this year's show.  We had almost 1,000 families come through our make-and-paint area of the marquee experiencing the joys of Airfix modelling, and our staff were run ragged by the sheer volume of people.  Everyone though, both the public and staff from Hornby, had great smiles on their faces with some of the fantastic creations built during the weekend.  It was brilliantly rewarding for all of us and we look forward to being back in 2012."

The new location is a vindication of those who like me have over the years supported the event but criticised the location and proof that eventually councillors do listen and as a result, we all benefit. Even in the rain couldn't, ruin the day, as you could, like I did seek refuge in shops and cafes.

The air show is of course centre stage of the Big Event but the best part is having a relaxed day out with the family, the highlight for me was accompanying my granddaughter on her first visit to the Big Event and sharing a cake with her, the Vulcan good as it was came a distant 2nd.

Finally it would be disingenuous not to praise all those who have worked on the event over the last few years, it was great from the start and has just got better, well done and Thank you!

Turner Contemporary and localism

This will be a brief post, I'm intrigued by reports of The Turner Contemporary launch meeting.

As you might expect, with the TC project so firmly rooted in Margate's heart, the "Launch Meeting" was held just around the corner from Margate's artistic and bohemian centre, in Westminster, a mere two hour drive away (start as you mean to go on).

"VIP's" including  Roger Gale, Laura Sandys, token Margate representative Tracy Emin, and I guess a rag bag of Arts council wallahs, devotees, perhaps even the odd non-dom tax avoiding patron of the arts.

According to Peter Burnett of Thanet Extra report on the House of Commons bash, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey  spoke at the meeting expressing high hopes and  "believes Margate's Turner Contemporary could become a world-renowned gallery" recalling happy memories of childhood visits to er ....Ramsgate!

I'm actually in favour of Turner Contemporary, but just wonder at the manner of its delivery, I'm sure it will succeed and look forward to its opening, but continue to be amused by the disconnect between local grass roots and its delivery from on high. If nothing else we should be grateful, this project is a great model of the British way of doing stuff.

SNIPPETS FROM TC TWITTERING CLASSES

Fat Cats about to be pickled

The days of fat pay cheques for local authority Chiefs may well be over thanks to local government minister Eric Pickles.

In future councils will have to approve salaries over £100,000 with a vote by full council.

So hopefully no longer will councillors be having ludicrous conversations with taxpayers in which he or she claims, we have no choice, we have have to pay this sort of money as they try to justify some fat pay packet given to an officer with even less ability than themselves.

Even better perhaps we will see the end of mind boggling deals as was the case, in my opinion with a one year extension of Peter Gilroy's (chief exec KCC), contract which cost more than £400,000, for reasons which I think have yet to be explained to the public at large by Kent Tory boss Cllr Paul Carter.

Clearly Eric Pickles is one Conservative who understands that money spent in local government is that which belongs to the community at large. The sooner Kent Tories also learn this the better.

Story from Telegraph worth a gander

Labour going nowhere

One of the very few positives, to come from Kent Conservatives, is the recent announcement that they are actively seeking to promote a new rail station Thanet  Parkway south of Kent International Airport.

An idiot could see the potential for both the airport and Thanet, unfortunately councillor Richard Nicholson, is no idiot, instead he is part of the fractured, Labour party which, it looks as if, when not enmeshed in personal vendettas, is now against traditional values like personal freedom, locally social housing and perhaps even jobs and hope.

According to Richard Nicholson, as per quotes in this weeks KM extra "I can't see the remotest economic justification for this.

Well of course he couldn't, however for Cllr Nicholson's education, one remote possibility, would be work on construction of such a project, I know at least six people (in Ramsgate)  involved in renewals and rail maintenance who last time I spoke to them were actively seeking work. If you include those like me who are currently working on projects elsewhere, who will be looking in the not to distant future, the figure would be considerable.

On a more imaginative level (probably well beyond the thinking of Labour), a new fast connection to the airport could and hopefully will, vastly improve the airports business, leading perhaps to justifying an extension to the high speed track, from Ashford, resulting in more employment, faster journey times, less traffic on the roads, better property prices and god forbid a bit of prosperity.

Admittedly such a thought takes a bit of vision, which I'm afraid Labour are incapable I always think if you can imagine something, you can make it happen, or as this quote from George Bernard Shaw had it “Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.” *

Perhaps Cllr Nicholson, is a realist, pity, Labour could do with some dreamers. In the mean time I'll keep dreaming, and the councillor his post as Shadow Cabinet - Regeneration & Economic Development.

Depressed, you should be.

* Used extensively by US presidential candidate Robert Kennedy

BBC - Blinkered views on VAT

Is it me or has the BBC lost all sense of balance tonight's (4th Jan)main six o'clock news, seemed to lack the usual background that most stories carry.

The top news story was the increase in VAT to 20%, from the serious tones used to convey the story you might have got the impression that the end of the world was nigh, rather than an adjustment to the tax system, caused by Labours years of squander, of which little explanation was given.

The only plus point on the national news was that the recent BBC journalist's Liberal Democratic bashing, couldn't be bought in to play.

On the local news, VAT and the increase in rail fares were much in evidence with Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker cornered by Polly Evans who despite (in my view) having a rather simpering manner can act tough, and unlike the national news team had no difficulty dragging in a Lid Dem policy and that slanted question your manifesto says this, so why have you done that?

Of course politicians are too polite, to say to journalists, something along the lines " How flipping stupid are you, nobody won the election, so no party can push every blimin item of their manifesto"

A Journalist mentioning todays partial eclipse looked to have no qualms about treating the viewing public as dribbling idiots, in tonight's South East Today program, if my memory serves me correct, one of their reporters felt it necessary to explain what an eclipse was.

Maybe politicians should start talking to reporters as if they were children because the more I see the less I'm convinced they have a clue.

Finally I just wonder how many share the views that an increase in VAT does not represent the end of the world. And I just wonder whether the effect will be that great on many items since retailers use price points to sell which have little relation to cost, I mean how many telly's will be not be on offer at £199.99, £249.99, £299.99, etc. Its not just journo's who think were all idiots so do shopkeepers.

Student loans - Its simples really

The Liberal Democrats have had a lot of flack just recently over student loans, according to tonight's news Lib Dem ministers will vote in favour of the governments proposals.

The proposition put forward by students, led I suspect by militant Labour supporters, that Liberals have cheated on a promise, to me seems somewhat flawed since Nick Clegg's party did not win a majority in Parliament, so therefore has never had the opportunity to renege, as they have not been in the position to go with manifesto policy.

This whole attack, is almost as sensible as suggesting that students have let themselves down by not ensuring a majority Liberal Democrat government, who would have abolished student loans.

What is clear is that Labour introduced student loans, backed by its many Scottish MP's, who have  not seen this nonsense north of the boarder.

And in any case who screwed up the economy Labours rag back of self serving and selfish MP's, some of whom spent much of the last Parliament defrauding the taxpayer, at the cost of today's students.

I'm sure Labours leading lights who involved this country, in what many regard as an illegal war with Iraq, are really bothered about student's plight and are in no way just using students as a convenient purpose as they did with the Iraqi people.

Why Benefits reform has to work

Working people have increasingly taken the brunt of funding Britain's work shy free loaders,  when Labour came into power in 1997 they were going to bring in welfare reforms.

As with Tuition fees they (Labour) adopted a right wing agenda and took the easy way out.

Instead of getting dole cheats off the sofa, and out of the bookies, Labour decided to expand the economy which is why mass migration has been a key part of Labours recent rule, most new jobs going to foreign nationals.

Its a real tragedy that reform has been left to the coalition, at this time, for this reason we are in a recession, 13 years of heartless Labour has left workers, in construction, agricultural, hospitality industries with reduced earnings and fewer opportunities as Labour let big business ruthlessly exploit east Europeans and screw down wages and conditions.

Labour had years to reform, they didn't, probably because they didn't want to offend the left wing dinosaurs, in the party, who in the last six months have emerged from the dark.

Rather than make any significant improvement to this countries fabric Labour eroded any improvements in Education, Health, Transport etc. by a significant degree through a mismanaged economy.

There really is no choice but to reform welfare, people like me work long hours to keep afloat and look at those we know could work but wont, enough is enough, I remember watching a couple on telly the other week, getting a free home and 26 grand a year, the women stared into the camera and claimed the money was for her children, I nearly cried, then I remembered the many weeks I've been working 60 plus hours to fund her time in front of Jeremy Kyle.

The tragedy is that many do want to work but clearly some don't, Labour had 13 years to reform welfare in better economic times, it could have been less painful but Labour were too busy looking after themselves.

Blair Brown and Milliband have a lot to answer for, really.

Labour Say No in U turn on Manston - a hasty betrayal of Hope, Aspiration and Jobs

No surprise to me that Clive Hart's Leadership results in another let down for working people of Thanet according to Cllr David Green Labour have said NO to Manston Airport.

Perhaps in a rushed and craven attempt to gain favour with the environmental niche of the electorate, Thanet Labour has once again gone for a narrow appeal to local Nimbies recently local Labour activists, attacked the provision of Social Housing preferring to maintain a few square metres of deserted grass and a derelict Hotel.

Now despite Labour councillors being in favour of allowing night flights,last time this was discussed, click here with the exception of  Labour's Greens, David and Elizabeth, master tactician, Clive Hart looks to have lead his party in another cul-de-sac.

You would have thought anyone with a bit of savvy and a respect for those they represent would consult first and then decide however in this case Thanet Labour have chosen to follow the lead of Labour at national level and ignore the electorate.

I understand the Labour party feel more negotiation needs to take place as far as any extension to flying hours is concerned and are aware of a backlash, still that said it seems stupid, for Labour to effectively have walked away from the debate.

As far as I know the public consultation period has not even begun so for many of us, myself included have yet to hear the pros and cons of this very important issue tested.

Presumably Cllr Mike Harrison who current acts as chairman to the councils Airport Working Party will now resign from that committee or of course resign from the Labour group, as one would expect of Peter Campbell and Richard Nicholson.

Thanet Labour party's decision is a kick in the teeth for working people, business and anyone with any aspiration for themselves or the local area.

Those who I know in Ramsgate (other than cranks and Labour councillors) are either unaware of any nuisance or accept that their might be a slight bit of bother no worse than a lorry going past and not as irritating local drunks going home.

Its worth reminding ourselves that Labour nationally have put large numbers of working people on the scrapheap in recent times and done nothing help, so its business as usual for Labour, Thanks for nothing Clive!