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No. 22     The Emperor and his NEW clothes

   Our present Prime Minister became leader of his party and promptly renamed the party NEW LABOUR.   The colours are the same but nobody appears to be willing to tell him that his policies (clothes) are unrecognisable to the rank and file Labourites.  Because of this embarrassment; not wishing to tell him he’s representing the wrong party; all and sundry appear to be willing to follow their leader wherever this may lead even if we might be heading for the proverbial cliff, faithful to the last like lemmings.

   Is it not strange how the opposition don’t make more of the ruses that our Emperor uses to raise funds for the Party ?   For example the funding of a steel works in Rumania which ensured donations to the party funds.    A neat way of using British Tax Payers contributions, via Rumania into the Labour Party funds.   We now hear about various peerages being awarded in return for donations to the party.

    With such astute judgment to ensure we have a safe House of Lords, how can we be sure that the Emperor really knows what he is doing ?   Perhaps that explains the enthusiasm shown to reform the upper house enabling manipulation as to the direction our country is heading, away from traditional values to those of big business regardless of whether this is in the countries interest.   It is a well known saying that there is no sentiment in business.   We are already witnessing the out-sourcing of customer service personnel to countries such as India and South Africa in order to boost profits.

    Along with this we have the recent legislation banning smoking in all public places including clubs.   Is this not a ruse to try and minimise contact and discussion of where our country is heading ?   Those that need to smoke will be less inclined to go out and socialise since, without the relaxing effect of tobacco such outings will become less pleasurable.   The secretary of the M.E. & U. Party had experience a few years ago with a lifelong smoker, who, when his cigarette supply dried up, was unable to maintain concentration when steering a yacht across the channel from France.   Having pleaded that the secretary’s pack of 100 cigarettes be opened (bought for father) to be replaced on arrival back in the UK he was able, once more, to concentrate and keep a straight course.    The point we are making here is that personnel that are lifelong smokers cannot be expected to give up smoking instantly and such draconian measures that have been introduced in some Health Authorities could well lead to mistakes being made which could be catastrophic, such as incorrect drugs or doses, or even the wrong patients.    When a persons concentration is impaired many mistakes can and are made.    We recommend that lifelong smokers should be allocated a room where they can take time out to have what is effectively a FIX.   By all means encourage all staff in the long term to give up smoking, but not overnight.    This is an unrealistic policy and unless a reasonable changeover period is catered for it is possible that this could lead to loss of staff.   No doubt those that are pushing this legislation are non-smokers.   We would suggest that those laying down the rules do some reading on drug addiction before introducing such draconian measures overnight.

   The last point that we would make is that on the South Coast we have 3 Labour MP’s in Brighton & Hove and 3 Labour MP’s in the Hastings area yet the government are consistently lowering the allocation to the South East year-on-year.   It would seem that voting Labour has no effect on how much of the motoring publics £400 billion is spent in their area.   We are still awaiting the completion of the Honiton to Folkstone road.    Can we expect some movement from the Secretary for Transport during this parliament ?  (A27 from Lewes to Folkstone)