Fainting in Coyles

2005-01-07T21:19:00.000+01:00

Momento Mori or joining the Great Satan
It is with much regret that I announce the abandonment of this my blog. The reasons I give are below.

Salary
Guaranteed salary with a tax rate of between 6 and 16%.
Before tax bonus of 16% as a nominally domiciled Brit forced to work in Brussels

Allowances p.c.m.
Head of Household allowance. Approx 150 Euro
Child allowance. Approx 350 per child (One and one arriving in March)
Schooling allowance. A measley 15 Euro, but that is only pre school, things get lots of fun as they get older.
Free healthcare for me spouse and child
Pension rights (Index linked)
Two extra days holiday a year due to voting in the Hebrides.
And those are the ones I know about.

In order to get this I have to turn up to work and perform my duties as an official in the European Parliament...

Those duties,

I am from this week the Head of Media for the Independence and Democracy Group in the Parliament. Which essentially means that the splendid European taxpayer is paying me to throw stones at the project.
Specific duties, attacking the European Constitution, fraud and the lack of transparency in the European institutions.
Oh did I already say I was going to get paid to do this.

Diabolic laughter stage left...

2005-01-04T08:33:00.000+01:00

Flagetiquette

Walking, as I am lucky enough to do, to work this morning I noticed something rather odd. That is the different responses from the various countries embassies to the whole Tsunami disastor. That is, when to set one's flag at half mast and when not to? So the German flag was limp, as was the flag of Belgium, whereas the Finns, Norwegians and Brits, I am pleased to say, have kept their's aloft. However all the EU institutions had their flags at half mast. Not only that but when I arrived at the Parliament, it too had dropped all ts flags to half mast. Not only that but the Parliament has taken upon itself to render at half mast the flags of those countries whose own embassies have declined to do so.
Now the question that springs to mind is, does the Parliament, or for that matter the Commission have the right to unilaterally decide on flag flying policy for the nation states? Who owns the rights to the flags on the poles outside the institutional buildings? (Physically the institutions I guess, I suspect that they bought them, but morally, I am not so sure).

So I phoned the Commissioon's press service this morning to get an answer to this question. I phoned after 9 o'clock (well, it was at least five past). Only to be told that there not many press officers in this week, there is nobody in charge of Press relations for the Administration at all, in fact as the sectretary pointed out, "I have tried 5 different offices for you and nobody is in". The hing is of course that the executive descision must have been made by somebody. Somebody must have issuedf an order to pull the flags down. I shall report back later. I am told that a women called Pia Ahrenkilde will be able to help later.

Update
According to the Commission, not Pia who is alos not in today (despite the fact that I was initially told that she had been seen this morning - oops petty little lie I know but therte you go) the decision was made by the "Presidencies of Luxembourg(new) and Holland(old)". There will be a pan European three minute silence tommorrow.
Ah but the decision was made by, "Barrosso for the EU flag and the dirfferent countries of Europe for their flags". No the Commission does not decide for what seperate countries do, the flags will be lowered tommorrow,, they are already lowered, I don't know who is responsible.
So that's clear then. Next I will try the Parliament.

2005-01-04T09:13:00.000+01:00

Delusions of Empire or Law Street and its place in Europe

One of the great monuments of Brussels is the Imperial triumphal arch in the Jubelpark. This monument concieved to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the existance of this disfunctional country. It was opened 25 years late and had been financed almost entirely on the backs of dead Congolese tribesmen.
However it is pretty impressive and can be seen from the city centre. The view that it crowns is down one of the major spokes on the city's wheel; Rue de la Loi or Wet Straat. This street, as can be seen be this map. The road passes between the Berlaymont Building (newly and expensively refurbished home to the Commission President), Justus Lipsius (Home to the Council of Ministers), Charlemagne, (the foriegn ministry) and a number of other Commission buildings; it is a streeet to avoid during the increasing number of summits sffered by the city as motorcade after motorcade goes screaming, lights flashing, outriders driving ordinary mortals into the gutters - you get the picture.
Well, over the past couple of months this street has been becoming what can only be described as an imperial triumphal way. First it was completely resurfaced (not a bad thing in Brussels I can assure you). Then came the posh street furniture, then huge EU flags hanging from the buildings (both private and institutional) at perfect intervals. Now I note that it has the most impressive set of street lights, spaced 60ft apart.
The capital of an Empire needs its architectural symbols as as all great imerions have recognised. Brussels is getting its own.

2004-12-27T13:30:00.000+01:00

A quick happy Chritmas type message.
Moving house, no ASDL, changing job, no ASDL. Blogging infrequent to doubtfull for a little while yet. But thanks to you all and see you later.

However, that being said, this blog itself may become a casualty of my employment. I will let you know how it pans out and how things move on in the next coupl of weeks.

2004-12-27T13:28:00.000+01:00

Odd documents, clever excerpts, and insightful links.

A kindly comment from Dennis Boyles over at the National Review. Well I have to blow my own trumpet now and then and if somebody else does it for me then I ha ve to be greatful; Thanks again Mr Boyles.

2004-12-17T15:23:00.000+01:00

Really?

Further to my comments earlier, it seems that Jack Straw has claimed that there is 'overwhelming support' amongst the British public for Turkish EU membership.

"In Britain I'm happy to say there is widespread agreement across the political parties in favour of Turkey joining the European Union and overwhelming support in the British public and that's great news because we in Britain recognise Turkey as a European nation as one which has the same values as we have."

How does he know that?

Well, in my continuing search into public opinion on this matter I have discovere that there has been a poll, conducted by French organisation Ifop. Have to ask Anthony about this lot)
According to them the breakdown in Europe is something like this;

Yes No Dunno
Spain 65 18 17
Italy 49 24 27
UK 41 30 29
Germany 33 55 12
France 32 67 1

This poll was for the Figaro on Monday.

So some support for the Foriegn Secretary's view there but I would hardly describe 41% as "overwhelming".

Update
Mr Wells points out in my comments that,

The Yougov poll in the Sunday Times this week asked about Turkish entry.

Support 30%
Oppose 42%
Don't know 28%

Overwhelming support then

2004-12-21T14:10:00.000+01:00

Most of the fingers on the button will be German

This is worrisome, and comes via the ever excellent GermanForiegnPolicy.com What it is in essence is a report from the German Government's fully funded Foriegn Policy think-tank, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
If you are wondering about the title of the document, The European External Action Service, that is Eurospeak for the European foreign and security institution in creation. The army and diplomatic service combined.

Amongst other gems we must look out for are the areas which will be under the control of the European Foriegn Minister after the constitution has been ratified.
"in order to achieve the strategic goals of the Union, the European aid programme, the development fund, the military and civilian capabilities of the member states, the diplomatic efforts, the development, trade and environmental policies should be brought into line with one overarching objective".

My emphasis.

The paper goes on to point out that the move towards this is ordered "The start date given is not the coming into force of the Draft Constitutional Treaty, but its signing!" that is on the 29th October 2004. Even they seem suprised at the audacity of that judging by the punctuation.

They do see a danger in proceeding to rapidly or publically at this point because to do so might "cause a negative outcome for some referenda".

Germany is advised to firstly secure a service that is "loyal to the Community and the "spirit of the Community"", by ensuring significant German precence on the decision making committeess. Then it should join forces with everybody except the Brits and the French who might have a few issues with the plans. "In this conflict, Germany could play its established role as an intermediary between big and small countries". Don't you just love the idea of the biggest country in the EU acting as an intermediary with itself?

Oh and of course the systems should be made in the German image, thus "it is worth considering, in connection with the development of the EEAS, the instruments and procedures for the "institutional export" of German structures".

As Tom Lehrer once said,
Once all the Germans were warlike and mean,
But that couldn't happen again.
We taught them a lesson in nineteen eighteen,
And they've hardly bothered us since then.

2004-12-20T16:46:00.001+01:00

How to spend 375,000 Euro

Simple really when you are the Bureau opf the European Parliament and you have a Constitution to sell. Oh and please get this straight that is 375 thou per annum until the Constitution has been sold.

The reason I know this? That´ll be the document in my mits as I type, PE349.476/BUR/REV.
Sadly I only have the French language version of this so you will have to understand that the quotes are my own translations, not necessarily in the original document. That being said my translation will be pretty good.

You might remember that there was a concert last week in Strasbourg. The purpose of that concert was to celebrate the Yes vote on a pice of legislation. However the legislation was postponed, but the concert went ahead to the tune of 50 grand.
Now the legislation is due on the 11/12th January, and again we are all invited to the party in Strasbourg. The money I mention is to celebrate this event, the passing of the Mendez de Vigo/Corbett report on the EU Constitution.

So what to spend the cash on? Here goes...

"Publication of opinion articles, of the type "open letter to the Citizens of Europe", in the main national and regional neewspapers of the European Union. This procedure will be free, just like the letter sent by the President to the Italian press when the Constitutional Treaty was signed obn 29th October 2004"

This has a foot note to the extent that this will be run by DG Information, and will be repeated according to the timings of the referenda in specific countries. Which is pretty self explanitory, they expect to get their message into the op-ed columns of all European newspapers for free. How they get the papers to play ball will be explained.

"Invations to a large number 'plus grandes nombre' of journalists, in collaboration with the (European Parliament's) information offices to ensure maximal coverage of the events"

Please note, this is not expected to be free. Indeed the hundred journalists invited are budgetted to cost the Parliament 100,000 Euros. A hack at a thousand a pop. Bargin at twice the price if it's good for Europe.

Invitations to great thinkers and great writers from countries having referenda (names of those accepting invitations are already attached to the annex)

The original French says this better than I can even satirize. "des grands penseurs ainsi que de grandes plumes". Also interesting is that three have accepted the invites.
Adela Cortina Orts - A Spanish moral Philospoher from Valencia. nteresting she is fulsome in praise of;
Jeremy Rifkin - An all American idiot and author of The European Dream
Alain Minc. Oddly the information provided was lifted word for word from this site (first paragraph).

The good news for these lucky three (the only people to have accepted so far) is that the Bureau has set aside 35,000 for them to be spent over 2 days).But of course Rifkin is not fronma country with a referendum, but he is the favourite American in town so I guessthe 10 + thou spent on him is money well spent.

Then there is going to be a flash dinner - Hey it's the European Parliament, of course there is going to be a flash dinner. This one will have "whispering" interpretation, meaning that the interpreters hover discreetly behind each head pouring sweet nothings into the delegates ears.

Next will be a special 'round table' debate type TV programme, run by Spanish channel TVE-1. This is of course for the benefit of the Spanish President Borrell. The format will be "faux directe" allowing for editing out of unfortunate commentary. This is budgetted at 80,000 Euros.

So far Euronews, ARTE, Pheonix, RTP and the BBC have all asked for interviews.

And there will also be an association with "European Schoolnet", to engage all the kiddies. Go check out the UK aspect of this, wow, so much to rebel against so little time.

The party hats and streamers for this two day bonaza are budgeted at;
Internal decorations/balloons/those coloured pieces of string that you access pass is attached to/posters/books/ etc 45,000 Euros
External, bloody great poster attached to the outside of the European Parliament building in Strasbourg 80,000.

Add all that spend up and you come to the grand total of 340,000 Euros. Which is odd 'cos they initially budgetted and granted themselves 375,000 per annum. So that's an extra 35,000 floating around every year. No I do not know what it is for, and yes I will ask.

(NB - the big external poster looks like it is designed to break French political/eectroal law as it is in direct contravention of a law that bans political advertising. This will have a huge great "YES to the Constitution" (or actually "OUI" on it), all the way through the referendum campaign.

Now I can understand that they want to talk up their constitiution. But that is our money they are using to do it.

2004-12-17T11:54:00.000+01:00

What is the right word for bloodthirsty dictator?

According to Reuters this,

"Mugabe, sole ruler since Zimbabwe's independence from Britain in 1980, is accused by his opponents and critics of running down one of Africa's most promising economies through a series of controversial policies, including the land seizures.

His critics say the 80-year-old Zimbabwean leader has become repressive in the face growing opposition to his rule, and has been forced to use violence and to rig elections held in the last five years to hang onto power.

Mugabe, a former guerrilla leader, denies the charges and in turn blames domestic and Western opponents of trying to oust him because of his black nationalistic programmes."

So the new word is "sole ruler", chickenshit Reuters, simply chickenshit.

Hat Tip John over at The England Project

2004-12-16T14:18:00.000+01:00

Freedom of Speech/ Belgium constitutional referendum

This is a fascinating article to follow up my comments earlier this week.
Please note the reason awhy people should not be allowed to decide about the Constitution of their own country,

Elio Di Rupo, leader of the French-speaking Socialists, said some parties might abuse the referendum to campaign against Turkey's EU bid or to further split linguistically divided Belgium.
"I fear some would use this fantastic debate which the referendum would create to launch xenophobic or purely racist remarks."

I wonder if he regards the dislike of Belgium, by Belgian citizens as xenophobia. And if so then surely he is admitting that they are are not Belgians at all but foriegners, because to hate Belgium and be xenophobic would require them to be foriegn.

Hat tip The Dog

2004-12-16T10:50:00.000+01:00

If this is true, then this is doomed

If Austria really is 75% against and 14% in favour of Turkish membership, then there will be hell to paty if the pwoers that be continue down the road they are travelling.
This whole Turkey saga is extrodinarily revealing as to the EU mindset. There is probably not a single county in Europe where an absolute majority of the population is in favour of full Turkish membership. Indeed if the polls that I have read about this are anythi g to go by what we have is yet another example were the ppolitical and central elite are riding roughshod over the opinions and fears of their own peoples. Oddly this time I agree with them, which in itself is unusual, but there it is.

Put it this way. The Commission has its own data and opinion collection organisation, Eurobarometer. Eureobarometer, as its name suggests, measures uropean public opinion. Its subject matter is legion, for example;
33% of people who play sport in the European Union do so because it increases their self control
34% of people in the EU believe that smoking cannabis is harmless
51% of Britains concur with the statement "The European Union must have a constitution. (though I have no idea who they have been talking to to get that figurtte).

However what i wuld really like to point out is that the Commission ask questions about just about everything, but they havenever dared ask the Turkey question.
Which therefore suggests that they are riding for a fall.

2004-12-16T10:10:00.000+01:00

Why is she referring to Europe?

Fiona Mactaggart, the excuse for a "Minister for Racvial Equality", a newspeak title if I eveer heard one has written in defence of her departments anti-liberal "thought crime" legislation. In her letter to the Telegraph today she claims that, "there will be important safeguards built into the law". Interestingly those safeguards include "articles IX and X in the European Convention on Human Rights".

Now hold on there Fiona, and where do these articles have any purchase in UK law?. Don't you remember that the Convention has "no more legal standing than the Beano". Oh but that has changed hasn't it?
Because the Convention on Human Rights is an integral part of the European Constitution. What seems to have slipped the Minister's excuse for a mind is that Britain has not signed the Constitution. Indeed it is unlikely to if the polls are correct.

So why is she lying? Oh I forgot she is a member of Blairs government and in particular his neo-facist Interior Ministry, of course she is lying.

What is sad of course is that this woman used to be the Chairman of Liberty.
An organisation which tells us it is
"Liberty is opposed to the proposal to introduce a national identity scheme".
However she seems to have had a 'road to Buchenwald' moment in the Guardian a while back where she renounced freedom for a permanent job in government. Her successor at Liberty, Rita Chakribati had this to say in response, (I quote in full)

As director of Liberty could I reassure Fiona Mactaggart (comment, Nov 13) that she will hear no sneers from my direction. She did valuable work as our chairwoman, especially the guidance she gave us on the arguments that Ministers would deploy in favour of ID cards.

Just over a year ago she warned of the ‘linguistic sophistry’ Ministers would marshal to claim ID cards are being introduced for the benefit of the most poor and vulnerable in society.

She was absolutely right. Here is Fionna Mactaggart writing in her capacity as a Home Office Minister on the consequences of not having an ID card if you are poor: ‘You will find it more difficult to vouch for your veracity when opening a bank account or registering at a GP.’ That sounds more of a threat than a benefit.

Fiona explains her change of mind in one word, ‘biometrics.’ But absolutely nothing has changed in the 15 months since she contributed to a pamphlet we produced on ID cards. Biometrics were then and are now, ‘hi-tech identifiers of your unique personal characteristics.’ But that doesn’t mean they can’t be copied. You would have to very naive to believe that any technology is infallible.

Fifteen months ago Fiona was convinced that compulsory ID cards would lead, as they have done in Europe, to a worsening of race relations. Try telling Turkish guest workers in Germany, or young Algerian men in France, that cards ‘do not have an unfair impact on ethnic minorities.’

As for her current claim ‘that there will be no new powers for the police to demand ID cards’ one can only wonder how she knows that. It will take 10 years to get the system working and we have no idea to what use the Government of the day will put ID cards.

Fiona now tells us that we need compulsory cards to stamp out ‘entitlement fraud.’ That’s what Mr Blunkett was saying 15 months ago and our former chairwoman had this to say :‘The Department for work and Pensions has made clear that that identity fraud is a fairly minor part of benefit fraud.’

She is entitled to change her mind but I think readers also have the right to know what she previously believed. They can do so in Liberty's ID Card Pamphlet:

2004-12-16T09:29:00.000+01:00

Extrordinary tale of a drunk, the police and stupid law.

The thought that a pub can be closed down because the police found somebody drunk in their just beggars belief. The only relief is that it did not happen in the UK but in Ireland. Though as soon as Polly sees the clippings she will be demanding action.

Hat tip Eric.

2004-12-15T14:52:00.000+01:00

Unhappy bunnies
Comiserations to two Tory MEPs. Giles Chichester and Philip Bushill-Matthews.
Giles was beaten by Timothy Kirkhope in his bid to become leader of the Tory delegation. The competition was between those two and Chris Heaton Harris. The first round of voting was as such.

Giles Chichester 10
Timothy Kirkhope 9
Chris Heaton Harris 9

C H-H representing the eurosceptic faction, Giles the Phile faction and TK the do what the manifesto says faction.

As the bottom two tied they had to draw lots, with Kirkhope winning. This meant that Giles who had lead into the second round hadn't a cat in hells chance: If the lot had gone the other way he was certain to win, as Kirkhope's supporters would naturally vote Giles rather than "rock-the-boat" Heaton-Harris. (NB. Chris was the former Chief Whip who resigned over the delegation's alliance with the federastic EPP before the election).

So bad luck Mr Chichester.

Phillip 'Bullshit'-Matthews, as he is unkindly known, must be spitting tacks however as he was worsted by Roger Helmer, professional amature and all round good egg, ib his attempt to win the post of party treasurer. Somehow resounding sceptic Roger hoovered up votes even amongst the philes, probably because, though every body agrees that he somewhat extreme in his views, everybody likes him. A classic example of Helmerism's is on the front page of the website,
"At the Waterloo monument, near Brussels, which commemorates Wellington's famous victory over the French in 1815."
Subtle our Roger isn't.

Bad luck Mr Bushill-Matthews.

2004-12-15T16:12:00.000+01:00

Tempted by the '52

Oh lord it saddens me. I cannot go so far as to say that this will stop me voting Tory, it won't, but nthis plus pusillanimous positions on Europe and taxation might make me less keen to take up cudgels and charge around the countryside attempting to persuade others to vote.
Brave stand by the Candidate, I agree with every word, and implore advise and hope that readers might consider popping along to No2Id and signing their petition.

2004-12-13T15:24:00.000+01:00

Odd attack

In a post last week, newish Tory anony-blogger The Candidate, launched an outspoken attacki aginst fellow candidate James Bethell. Despite claiming to be attempting to be good in a message to chief party dominatrix and she who must be obeyed Trish "The Baroness" Morris, she, for it is a she (should narrow things down then) she strongly suggests that he fixed the result that gave him a candidacy in Tooting. After talking about the possibility of
"There is also a view among some that who your parents are counts for a lot. Nowadays, clearly, this is rubbish … usually … and probably no more true for us than the other parties. Frankly we cannot afford to restrict our view to such a small, and mixed ability, field. Even so, was the son of a well-known Lord and former MEP who got selected in a south west London seat (no names again, but it rhymes with “hooting”) really the best candidate – in a seat apparently infamous for selecting the “wrong” candidates".
Wow, and she hasn't even been elected yet. Looking forward to that. Should be fun.
Good luck whoever and wherever you are. A bit more forthrightness never did us any harm.
For that matter I don't know James Bethell, but I did/do know his father. He seems pretty good on paper, taken advantage of his advantages and made them better. No crime there, and if I had built up a 60 million business I would feel confident that I had something to offer society.

2004-12-13T17:00:00.000+01:00

Constitution : Thoughts from Belgium

Just had a fascinating chat with a fellow who was deeply involved in the attempt to allow Belgians a vote on the EU Constitution.
From what he told me the decision day is tomorrow when the Belgian federal Parliament will take a formal vote.
It appears that they will vote against for various reasons. Of course the decision has precious little to do with the Constitution.
It appears that the increasingly powerful and flamboyant Elio di Rupo, is gunning for a No. In this he is supported by the Council of State. The Council announced that it was against a referendum, even merely advisory referendum, due to the fact that Belgium could not start having plebiscites. An advisory decision would not remain advisory, because no politician could then turn round to the populace and tell them to 'sod off'. All of the Walloon, French speaking parties, such as Di Rupo's Parti Socialiste area against, whilst some of the Flemish parties support a vote. (The only major Flemish party to be against is the Christian Democrats (CD&V) but they are run by Jean-Luc Dehaene who was one of the main framers of the Constitution).
The reason of course is that if one referendum could be held, the Belgian people might become accustomed to making decisions. Then they might ask whether Flanders should continue to subsidise Wallonia, or more frightfully whether Belgium should exist at all.
There are after all more Flemish than Walloons, see the problem.

Thus the people of this nether land will not get the chance to decide their future because their masters are frightened off the choice they might make.

2004-12-13T16:04:00.000+01:00

Priorities Gentlemen, priorities

Random Acts has an interesting post, as is the comment, about the way in which the emergancy serices are being used as "radiation canaries". Each and every one of the capital's paramedics will be carrying around a miniture gieger counter.
Now, as he points out, if a terrorists dirty bomb went off then we would know all about it and blokes in rubber suits would be all over the place.
So why?

As he says, "Should we enter a property where the alarm sounds, we will have to tell someone, that message will no doubt travel up the chain of command until it reaches someone who can organise a nice, friendly visit by HM government's finest".
This of course makes ambulencemen and firemen part of the front-line against terrorism.

Which in turn makes them targets.

2004-12-13T11:15:00.000+01:00

Things to do at Christmas

Terrified by the thought of Uncle Clive and his hamster impression? Allergic to spray string? Then can I sufggest a better way of spending Christmas.

Click here to go to the website of a group that is organsing election monitoring teams in t he Ukriane for December é-th. They are targetting under thirties, but drop thelm a line if you are interested. You pay flight and visa, they pay for evrything else.
Hat tip Nicholas

Oh, and applications need to be in by Tommorrow close of play.

2004-12-10T15:28:00.000+01:00

There is something fishy about Pollard, methinks

All the anglobloggosphere unites I believe in wishing every good fortune, and massive sales on publishing phenomenon, Spurs fan and gent Mr Stephan Pollard, sometime of my parish.
But I note a whiff of something. Yesterday the Stephen Glover in the Speccy pours cold water on the idea it was Blunkett himself who tipped off the Screws about his ladyfriend in some bizarre doctrine of pre-emptive strike agin his lover.

Is it not reasonable to ask whether it was Pollard himself who did the dirty. Image our portly friend quietly doing the maths. Big scandal, make the subject of my big fat advance (sorry book) into a more interesting figure.
Now the tyrannical petulant outpourings of out interior minister become so much more interesting to the public. Each new headline earns Stephen more and more.

2004-12-01T13:58:00.000+01:00

Reader Competition
Fainting in Coyles is proud to be running a competition, on the behest of the European Parliament's official "Working Party on Communication Policy with a view to ratification of the Constitutional Treaty".

The administration of the Parliament is looking for "ideas for a symbolic act, possibly outside the European parliament building and suitable for TV transmission, whereby the European Parliament would solemnly mark its approval for the European Constitution".
All suggestions will be passed on to the relevant authorities.

To start the festivities, "subject to the Bureau's approval, the European Youth Orchestra would give a concert subsidised by the EP on the evening of 15 December 2004".I can report that the approval was given and the subsidies amount to €50,000. Can I assure you that I will enjoy the concert on your behalf dear citizens, because , of course you do not have security clearance to enter the building.
Thanks for the taxes.

This piece of waste and premature celebration has been brought to you by, Richard Corbett MEP, Iñigo Méndez de Vigo MEP, Jo Leinen MEP, and others.

2004-11-22T16:35:00.000+01:00

Bloody Foreign Railways Is that better Richard?

Today I took the train from Brussels to The Hague. All well and good, until it parked itself somewhere between Antwerp and Rosendaal. For an hour.
When I spoke to the conductor I asked if I could get compensation. After all the train arrived in the Hague more than one and a quarter hours late, this more than fity percent of the journey time. The conductor laughed at the very thought of it. I asked him what was the normal procedure when the trains were that late.
"It happens all the time sir. I advise you to sit there and shut up", was the answer.

Now I will admit that the guy was talking to me it what was probably his third or fourth language, not bad for a train conductor. But still I reckon that even post privatisation British train companies behave better than this monopoly

2004-11-22T16:18:00.000+01:00

What the blazes!

"Much the same as if you were driving up the turnpike in America and you enter New Hampshire, it says 'Welcome to New Hampshire: Live Free or Die'," he said.
"You could drive up the M1 and you could enter Northamptonshire and it could say 'Welcome to Northamptonshire: This is Clause 28 country'."
Michael Gove on an interesting proposal to give County Councils more power.

Hat Tip Pollard's comments

2004-11-22T15:30:00.000+01:00

Are the police in league with hypermarkets?

Fascinating story coming out of the great dairy wars.

Asda declares war on producers
Asda's PR with Dairy Farmers has taken a dramatic downturn today as both co-ordinators and ordinary protesting farmers have received courier delivered letters from Eversheds solicitors in Leeds, who are acting for Asda. The protests are clearly touching nerve cords and Asda has had enough. The letter admits, "Asda is suffering significant loss." The letter lacks meat and is nothing short of bullyboy tactics. Quite how Asda can contemplate serving injunctions on hundreds of producers is mind boggling but this is their threat including one to seek to recover costs for court proceedings and losses occurred. So how have Eversheds obtained the names and addresses? Since October the police have taken numberplates of protestors but surely have not passed this information on. If what the protestors are doing is unlawful, why have there been no arrests surely everyone has the right to protest? Perhaps the outcome will be that producers will need new protestors or rely on those who have refused to take delivery of the letter. With less than a hundred letters sent and 20,000 plus dairy farmers this should keep Evershed's busy.

So the new world of Dairy UK where producers and processors are to work closer has received a major setback and Asda have upped the stakes. Two weeks ago this newsletter reported FFA's concern that farmers were not coming out to protest. Asda with one letter may have instantly solved FFA's recruitment problem.

If this story has legs, then it seems that something very funny has been going on. Could the police really be involved in something like this? Even with my favourite conspiracy hat (you know the crinkly shiny affair that used to wrap the chicken) on it doesn't seem likely.
But Laurence Robertson the MP for Tewksbury has been asked to find out so no doubt the reality of the story wil limp out sometime after the election.

2004-11-21T22:39:00.000+01:00

Nick Clegg

"Nick stood down at the last European Elections in June 2004 to enable him to dedicate myself fully to his work as the PPC for Sheffield Hallam."
According to this charming fellow's website.

However the clients who pay him better be aware of what he is up to. I mean Sheffeld is sop close to Brussels isn't it Nick?

And how will your collegue Miss Nokia herself react to attack on mobile phone masts?