Couldn't have done it without you

Thank you everyone who voted for Conservative and Unionist NI in the Total Politics Northern Ireland Blog list. Consevative and Unionist NI came 11th despite only being active for a month. This is very encouraging

Labour continue to erode NI’s British identity

The decision of Health Minister Alan Johnston to remove the Union Flag from the new voluntary identity cards is absurd and simply illustrates how uncomfortable New Labour are with Northern Ireland’s constitutional status.

The new card will not bear the Union flag but will bear floral symbols representing each component part of the United Kingdom namely. A Rose, Daffodil, Thistle and shamrock. This elaborate fudge is apparently to respect the "identity rights" of the people of Northern Ireland.

The official impact assessment (we had to carry one out!) said: "While some symbols have been included within the card's design to indicate the document has been issued by the UK Government, we have sought to design features which could reflect all parts of the United Kingdom, such as the inclusion of the shamrock to represent Ireland within the tactile features, and we have sought to avoid symbols such as flags."

This is another infuriating illustration of New Labour’s refusal to recognise Northern Ireland’s status as an integral part of the United Kingdom. How does this new fudge on Northern Irelands constitutional status balance with section 1(iii) of the Agreement

“.......it would be wrong to make any change in the (constitutional) status of Northern Ireland save with the consent of a majority of its people.”

This measure particularly ridiculous as

a) The Cards are voluntary so any Irish Nationalist applying could not apply
b) If they opt for Irish nationality they will have access to an "Identification Card" available to European Nationals living in the UK.

However as we all know New Labour are Unionist’s when it suits them e.g. when their stronghold in Scotland is threatened. I think now is the time to quote Cameron

“I will never be neutral on the Union”

David Davis Speaks out on Grammar Schools

Bravo David Davis!

David Davis has become one of the most outspoken critics of David Cameron's Grammar School policy. This policy of creating no more grammar schools is a ridiculous concession which has betrayed grass roots conservative supporters. I think Mr Davis accurately summed up the views of many in the party when he said,

“Every chance I had was created by that grammar school,” he said. “And that is what grammar schools have done for hundreds of thousands of children from poor homes, council estates, even broken homes, through the postwar years."

“The charge against the grammar school is that they helped the brightest at the expense of the weaker child. The truth about the comprehensive system is that it failed the best without helping the weak.”

He continued: "Today we are witnessing the results of a failed revolution, where egalitarians abolished grammar schools to level opportunity in our society, and accidentally destroyed the chances of the very people they were trying to help."

“They punished the bright poor kids who were held back. They handicapped the intellectual capacity of the country. And out of this catastrophe there was only one winning group. Do you know who they were?"

“Yes, the public schools. Who teach just 7 per cent of the population. The media, the law, business – they are all dominated by public school boys.”

As an alumni of a Grammar School I can personally attest to the truth behind these statements. Academic selection is the fairest means of education available and has allowed many to break out of poverty in a way that is impossible for many in the rest of the UK.

In my Grammar school I was taught alongside people from all backgrounds. I am convinced that this not only developed me as a person, allowing me to see more of the world and developing a feeling of camaraderie with my friends regardless of there back ground, but it also allowed those from all backgrounds to access equal education and flourish according to their ability.

Czechs desperately delay Lisbon

I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that those of us who love our British democracy and freedom are now relying on the Czech Supreme Court.





"The....President of the Czech republic has teamed up with seventeen of his country's senators to refer the Lisbon Treaty to his Constitutional Court" -Conservative home.





This vitally buys us more time to allow Labour's government to collapse and deliver a Conservative Parliament which will de-ratify the treaty and give us a referendum.





If this fails the Irish are our last hope to avoid what I believe is the penultimate step towards a federal Europe. However with Declan Ganley out of the campaign and with the Irish government funnelling millions of tax payers money into a Yes vote this seems an unlikely reprieve

Donaldson Abuses Parliamentary Priveledge

Jeffrey Donaldson DUP MP for Lagan Valley has falsely accused ex-Garda Siochana Sergeant Eoin Corrigan of being involved in collusion. In a question asked under parliamentary privilege Mr Donaldson said,

"I thank the Minister for his answer. He will be aware of the case of Joe Fee, who has been identified as a leader of Continuity IRA. He was employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin as a consultant working alongside aid agencies in Croatia, and is alleged to have been involved in gun-running activities. What representations has the Northern Ireland Office made to the Department of Foreign Affairs on this matter and on the allegations of collusion involving retired Sergeant Eoin Corrigan of the Garda, which I understand are currently being investigated?"

The Times confirms that Jeffrey was responsible for naming Sgt Corrigan as a "Rogue Garda".

Mr Corrigan settled out of court with Ireland's Associated Newspapers to the tune of 400,000 euro when he was accused of passing information to the IRA which lead to the death of two RUC officers.

This is the latest in a long line of statements made under Parliamentary privilege in which Northern Irish politicians have named individuals who turnout to have nothing to do with the incident in question.

Examples include ex-First Minister Ian Paisley who falsely named Eugene Reavey as an IRA murderer and Lord Laird UUP peer who named prominant Republicans who he believed to be involved in the murder of Paul Quinn.


Parliamentary privilege exists to allow MP's and Piers to speak freely without fear of being pursued through the courts. However in Northern Ireland this privilege is too often abused and often in the most disgusting manner. The habit of Northern Irish MP's of naming suspects in ongoing police investigation must stop or it will bring the whole practice of parliamentary privilege into disrepute and could eventually lead to its removal.

Norwich North Has Voted For Change

The Norwich North result is in and I think everyone is surprised. A swing of 16% has delivered a conservative majority of 7,348 more than DOUBLE the Labour vote. I think this can justly be pronounced as another Crewe and Nantwich. The results in 2005 and today are as
follows

2005

Labour- 21,097/ 44.9 %
Conservative- 15,638/ 33.2%
LD - 7,616/ 16.2 %
Green- 1252/ 2.7 %
UKIP- 1,122/ 2.4%

Labour- 6,243/ 18.2% (-26.7%)
Conservative- 13,591/ 40.0% (+6.8%)
LD- 4803/ 14% ( -2.2%)
Green - 3,350/ 9.7% (+7%)
UKIP - 406/8 12.0% (+9.6%)

This election was a complete own goal by Labour. Barring Ian Gibson from re-standing undoubtedly caused him to resign for badness and he has delivered another crippling blow against Brown by his actions. Complete meltdown by Labour a far poorer showing than expected.

The big winner today was the UKIP. They made an impressive showing coming in 4th less than 750 votes behind the Lib Dems. The UKIP polled 500% of the percentage share they polled in 2005 not bad going.

A poor performance by the Lib Dems. The expenses scandal should be an ideal opportunity to pick up votes. However despite successes with the Gurka debate and the Speaker debacle the Lib Dems suffered a fall in percentage share. This will raise real questions about Nick Clegg.

A disappointment for the Greens. Even though they increased their percentage share very impressively the expectation was that the Greens would have been in shouting distance of second. If Norwich South is their top priority for the General this result does not bode well.

Norwich North and the Annoyance of an Anorak

I am heartily annoyed. Not however for the usual reasons. I am annoyed in a way only a true anorak would appreciate. Namely the Norwich by election wont be counted until tomorrow morning and I will be deprived of the oppourtunity to sit up until 2am (3am after the recount in Glasgow east) and hopefully gloat over Labours drumming.

I wont tell you anything about the election I will leave it to someone who knows what they are talking about

http://norfolkblogger.blogspot.com/