Selling England by the pound

So, in recent developments, the Scots have proposed to decide their nations' future with a 'bill' deciding whether or not they should claim independence from these great and beautiful isles... England, that is. Let us not forget that we have been divorced from them before, and seemed to manage adequately well - in fact, we seem to pay for them (and their mistakes) as a nation at the moment. Free university would be a welcome amendment to the British education system too; in fact, the Lib Dems themselves propose 'free uni' every time the freshers fair opens its doors to new students. In reality, we cannot afford such a proposal. The fact is, that at the moment, we can't afford much at all as a nation. Perhaps, if Scotland were to break away from us (by its' own decision) we could afford such luxuries as those that exist amongst our Northern friends... Just a thought....

Collecting Thoughts - A different kind of blog

Every once in a while, I find it particularly compelling to collect and collate my thoughts into some linear narrative - some kind of flowing stream of sentiment that encapsulates my philosophies, my thoughts and ideals and most importantly, the very essence of what I am - of who I am.

However, as much as I try to bring order to what is most certainly chaos; a deep, swirling, dark and revolving storm inside the eye of my mind, I can't. Perhaps memories are made of such things. Perhaps thoughts are not meant to be interpreted, assigned, categorised, or manipulated. Perhaps it is the stream of human conscience that gives meaning to all life. Perhaps we will never know.

This week I took a step outside of politics, and intrepidly walked those few bold steps back into poetry, for my own mind which seems to have found itself craving the other-worldly delights of such imaginative works of the mind, of art and of fine beauty. As much as I find myself wandering illuminated - fascinated and enthralled by what is one of my most favoured and important subjects; politics, it is poetry that captivates me, swallowing and catching me like a cushioned parachute whenever I need it to. It envelopes me like a cradling mother who seeks to offer reassurance to her child, it always has. Samuel Taylor Coleridge always beckons me back; alongside Wordsworth and De La Mare. They all offer me solace, in a world of many evils, of injustices and of unwelcome truths - I lap up their writings like those who enjoy the writings that lie within the most popular book in the world, The Bible. It was their works that gave me the strength to wrestle with my own ideals and decide that I want to change the world for the better, to use my skills to offer those who cannot, the chance to believe, to think, and to change. Because together we can change the world...

Curiously, I bumped into, alongside a few good friends, a Mormon in town a few days ago. The first thing she said was "Hello there, would all of you like the answer?" Naturally, my friends and I replied that we would indeed like an answer, to what we did not know. She gave us a card and said, have a look at this website. I still to this moment haven't done so - I think the card found its way to a royal mail post box nearby. Although the sentiment of the ladies' actions remain in my mind - not so much that she had the answer to my questioning of life and the philosophy surrounding it; but that she thought that she had found the answer. Whether I believed it or not, she felt that she had found what we are all looking for; and for that I was truly glad - in fact, I wish I had too.

The answer for me, I think, won't come to me, until my life is full. By that I mean, that I have accomplished my key goal in life, to love another as much as others have loved me. For now, I'm still working on that - but on some days (some more than others) I feel that I'm getting somewhere with it. Of course, I love my family and I love my friends, but collectively, that love is hard to repay. One day, I think I will - but for now, I stand indebted to them all...

We all make our own journeys, we all decide our own destinies and make our own fortunes. I've yet to find answers to many of my most probing and unanswered of questions. But what is life, if not a journey? To do what I used to do quite frequently, I shall conclude with a single quote... and ask you all to reflect on those around you for just a short moment, because life itself is made of these two things...



"Love is flower like; Friendship is like a sheltering tree..."
Samuel Taylor Coleridge

BrownVision - Family man, or Vote begger?

So, the other night Gordon Brown went on television; being interviewed by Piers Morgan, the man ITV seems to think is a high class act, and thorough cross-examiner/interviewer of celebs. Yes, he makes them cry. And yes, sometimes he makes them angry. But do his questions really get to the heart of the matter?

Whilst watching Brown, I couldn't help but think that this interview was a desperate effort for the Labour party to claw in votes from those who feel sympathetic to the man that is Gordon Brown. I feel terribly sorry for misfortunes within his family and the tragic loss of Jennifer; much the same as I was very sad when David Cameron lost his son, Ivan. However, the interview was hardly a modern version of the Watergate interviews made by David Frost in the 70's; as he swiftly and expertly cross examined the conscience of one of the most powerful men in the world. With Morgan's interview, there were sweeping tributes, to a man who puts work first, there were statements of sheer admiration for a man whose secret weapon lies in his 'humour'. Anyone watching the show must have been swayed by what seemed like a rocky-esque underdog story. In fact, I half expected Brown to get up halfway through, clenching his fists, beaten and metaphorically bloody, shouting "Adriaaan, I did it!" - perhaps lose the 'Adrian' part, and selectively replace with 'Tony' or 'Sarah', it would seem fitting.

 I am currently reading, amongst other books, Peter Watt's (Labour ex-general secretary) book, Inside Out. In it, Watt claims that Brown is far from humourous. Aside from being disasterously indescisive and often un-political in decision making, Brown cannot even hold a dinner party with American deligates without throwing a tantrum and leaving his unassuming guests to their own devices for the evening. Is this really the man we want running our country for any more time? One has to question how many takes were shot in order to achieve the desire 'effect', of Gordon being even remotely 'funny'. In fact, I had visions at the time of a Labour press officer sitting with the director of the show in the gallery (location in which shots are decided for a show like Piers') muttering under his breath "stick to the script, Gordon. You are funny. You are a funny, funny man." Yes, Gordon, you are, you are a funny, funny man - keep telling yourself that... Humour just won't solve the heap of recession gloom and deficits that we are sitting on as a nation at the moment. It also won't make me laugh that you want to tax us even when we escape the disasterous governance of this country and depart this mortal realm - with a £20,000 death tax.

 You truly are, a funny, funny man.

A Study In Political Life

Today I started reading yet another political autobiographical book; the Blair Years, by Alastair Campbell. I seem to be attracted, of late, to authors that try to offer us readers a unique and supposedly truthful examination of politics and how their respective parties acted and reacted to some of the greatest political challenges and crises of both the 20th and 21st centuries. Many of us delight in reading of the strife and misfortunes of others; how their once great ambitions and lives are often reduced to bare, empty and deserted dreams.

However, I find these works rather more an opportunity to get a glimpse into the matter of a lifestyle choice. Politicians make choices that not only impact on the country at large, they also make choices around their families. This is what fascinates and excites me - the way in which we do not perceive politicians and political operators as 'people'. Of course with reference to our friends across the big pond, we will always see snaps of Barack Obama with Michelle and the kids. But in British political climbs we hardly ever see those friendly sociable shots of our leader holding hands with an excited and energetically waving child - one of the key connotations of what most of us would consider the mark of a genuine and honest man; a man with a family. So why is this? Why do suits, ties and handshakes permeate and saturate the media surrounding our political figures? I suppose that it is in part due to the typically British traditionalism, that politics is a serious and dangerous arena of media frenzy, intrigue and spin - an atmosphere not suited to raising or implying the raising of innocent and untainted children of whom should not have to see their father, or mother torn apart limb by limb by people who decide to measure a human being by the way that they look; rather than how they act. Let's not forget that, however much a man can be measured by his actions, his actions can only come to fruition with the strength of his character. A strong and sensible leader can make mistakes, but it is his consistency of character that should allow him to prevail and make choices that may come to define an era.

To blog in favour of those who can't

Recently, I was accepted for internship at CCHQ (Conservative HQ) over at Millbank tower. Obviously, news of my endeavours has reached a number of people I know; culminating in me receiving a number of different points that I must raise with 'Dave'. To be honest, it is a grand thing to be receiving messages of such hope and desire for change; together with a spirit that allows us to turn things around and right a lot of Gordon's (and Tony's) wrongdoing. One issue that remains particularly poignant and has always been an intensely important area that I feel I must try and champion, is that of the strife of elder Britons. Now often we forget these valued members of our society; mostly in part due to their wish not to disrupt, unbalance or un-necessarily cause concern; yet they need our help and they certainly should not suffer in silence. Being so close to my Nan, whom I consider to be my second mother, I feel this is my duty, nay, my responsibility to spearhead such a crucial concern.

Winter fuel allowances have been a wonderous thing for many older people, who feel that this has allowed them to use their heating in the coldest of British winters, rather than feel that they have to 'turn off' due to heightened gas and electric charges. However, Liberal Democrats countrywide have aimed to use such an important and genuine lifeline as a reason to attack the Conservatives. How dare they use this to influence people against the Conservatives. Surely this goes outside of politics and becomes bullying scare tactics designed to intimidate and forcefully swing undecided voters. Outlined in the party manifesto; and in a recent conference, David Cameron whole heartedly wishes to keep the winter fuel allowance.

Whatever next, will the Lib Dems be forcefully loading these important and valued members of society into minibuses and forcing them to 'vote yellow' in the General Election, come summertime? Well, if they do, I will be rallying an army together to halt them in their steps - and I shant be asking them to vote my way either I shall ask them to vote freely, without fear and low political bullying playing on their minds.

http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Where_we_stand/Pensions_and_Older_People.aspx