tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16784661713795926482011-10-25T10:53:25.924+01:00Malcolm Bailey's MULTIVERSESMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.comBlogger1481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-73165990749420120762011-10-25T10:51:00.003+01:002011-10-25T10:53:25.930+01:00FALL-OUT FROM FUKUSHIMA
the nuclear power crisis
Radioactivity still leaks from the stricken Japanese nuclear reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, almost six months after the humanitarian disaster of the massive earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011. It will be at least January 2012 before the leaks can be stopped. The scrapped nuclear reactors, still highly radioactive and toxic, will take many Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-36615105543624709012011-10-23T20:22:00.002+01:002011-10-23T20:28:36.505+01:00OCCUPY LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE
The nearest to the London Stock Exchange that protesters were able to set up their camp was a paved public area close by, just outside the main entrance to St Paul's cathedral in London. The aim of the protesters is to highlight corporate greed and inequality. The camp is now in its ninth day.
The cathedral authorities have closed St Paul's to visitors, church Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-38681473664057218272010-06-01T20:35:00.003+01:002010-06-01T20:49:15.712+01:00
THE SHOTGUN MARRIAGE
In recent years I've not bothered to watch the BBC's 'Questiontime' programme. The programme had gradually deteriorated under the increasingly partial chairmanship of Dimbleby, D. The panelists were generally either safe hand-picked party mouthpeices, or predictable 'independents'. However, during the general election campaign I returned to viewing the programme, just to Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-9912079630553411302010-05-31T12:59:00.002+01:002010-05-31T13:01:29.398+01:00CAROLINE LUCAS MP CONDEMNS ISRAELI ATTACK
The Green Party Leader, Caroline Lucas MP, has called on the Government to condemn the actions of the Israeli troops in firing on a ship carrying volunteers and medical supplies to Gaza, and to back an urgent inquiry into the incident.
In a strongly worded message to Foreign Secretary William Hague, she has demanded that he urgently contact the Israeli Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-46775897947602360432010-05-30T21:07:00.000+01:002010-05-30T21:07:29.630+01:00A HELPING HAND
It seems that right-wing Tory MP Nadine 'Nimby' Dorries is having trouble with her blog.
It's been off the air since the general election.
I'm not sure what the trouble is. There may be a technical hitch.
Fortunately, before her blog disappeared, I took the precaution of saving a few of her pre-election items.
To give a helping hand in times of need, I'll post one or two here.
Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-9521535400036180702010-05-29T21:52:00.000+01:002010-05-29T21:52:07.285+01:00GOODBYE MR LAWS
After just 18 days of the Condem Coalition we have the first casualty today.
Treasury Chief Secretary, the Libdem David 'Hatchet-Man' Laws, has had to resign over revelations about his fiddled expenses.
This right-wing flint-faced millionaire ex-banker only this week started the cuts onslaught with a £6.2bn attack on 'wasteful spending'.
The only surprising thing about Laws isMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-45095328127616546292010-05-07T22:21:00.000+01:002010-05-07T22:21:10.267+01:00THE GREEN PARTY'S FIRST MP ELECTED
Caroline Lucas has been elected in the Brighton Pavilion constituency, becoming the first Green Party MP.
This major breakthrough was the primary objective of the Green Party in the general election.
It's a history-making achievement.
The 0.20 million voters throughout the country who voted Green will have a powerful voice in parliament.
I will report on Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-70438308963217740782010-05-06T17:09:00.000+01:002010-05-06T17:09:44.285+01:00AMUSING LITTLE VIDEO
This is a link to a short election video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzLYAvJYZQkMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-84515743840164297182010-05-06T17:04:00.000+01:002010-05-06T17:04:36.368+01:00VOTE GREEN TODAY
By voting for the Green Party today, you have an opportunity to send a clear, powerful message to the old big parties.
When the polling stations close at 10 pm this evening, it will be too late.
It will be too late when the wheeling and dealing in a hung parliament begins; when the big parties get up to their old tricks; when the vicious cuts in our public services begin.
Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-81029079381909914832010-05-05T22:46:00.000+01:002010-05-05T22:46:52.973+01:00VOTE FOR THE GREEN PARTY
A Green vote is NOT a wasted vote.
A large Green vote tomorrow will send a powerful message.
The Green Party is campaigning tirelessly to elect the first UK Green MP tomorrow, Caroline Lucas in Brighton Pavilion.
In a hung parliament, which still looks the most likely outcome of this general election, every Green vote will count in support of a newly elected Green MP.
Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-13157417631669126892010-05-05T22:38:00.000+01:002010-05-05T22:38:08.941+01:00TACTICAL VOTING
Tactical voting is dishonest.
It's shameful that New Labour government ministers have supported tactical voting - deliberately voting for something you don't believe in.
I hope Mid Bedfordshire voters tomorrow will follow their beliefs and conscience and vote for what they truly believe in.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-40069847098405454432010-05-04T23:59:00.000+01:002010-05-04T23:59:13.037+01:00NADINE DORRIES WALKS OUT OF FLITWICK HUSTINGS
Nadine Dorries threw a tantrum and walked out of the Hustings Meeting this evening at Flitwick Village Hall, organised by FATCRAG - the local Residents Association.
She was upset by some guy recording the meeting.
He was out of order, but so was she.
This woman is not fit to be an MP, frankly.
No doubt she'll be re-elected on ThursdayMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-85102827464119271532010-05-03T22:14:00.000+01:002010-05-03T22:14:47.632+01:00THE ROBIN HOOD TAX
This is essentially a tax on international speculation - the casino capitalism that caused the financial and banking crisis, and the current huge deficit.
A very small Robin Hood tax at a very low level (maybe 0.05%) on the value of every financial transaction between financial institutions worldwide has the potential to generate a huge amount of money, as much as £250 Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-68907643012685347342010-05-02T22:04:00.000+01:002010-05-02T22:04:38.161+01:00GULF OF MEXICO OIL DISASTER
President Obama has said:
'BP is responsible; BP will be paying the bill.'Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-25744508770148576502010-05-01T22:27:00.000+01:002010-05-01T22:27:33.994+01:00'THE EARTH'S A SMALL PLACE.
WE CAN'T GO ON TRASHING IT'
This is my quote as reported recently in the Bedfordshire Times & Citizen.
Today, as the full horror of an impending environmental disaster from oil in the Gulf of Mexico unfolds, my words seem even more poignant.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/8656415.stm
Up to 5,000 barrels of oil a day are gushing into the sea Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-85902481310444921572010-04-28T23:34:00.000+01:002010-04-28T23:34:28.715+01:00'THAT WAS A DISASTER'
Thus spake Gordon Brown, in what he thought was the privacy of his limousine, calling a lifelong Labour voter a bigot, seconds after chatting amiably to her about immigration.
The incident speaks volumes about the disconnect between New Labour and core Labour voters.
It represents the hypocrisy at the heart of New Labour.
New Labour has never had any guiding political Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-13733578004326442812010-04-27T22:50:00.000+01:002010-04-27T22:50:57.718+01:00VOTE NOW, PAY LATER
I've used this post title before, and I feel I must use it again.
As this general election campaign moves into the final week, it has become crystal clear that voters are in grave danger of being sold a pup. The draconian scale of cuts in public services after the election is being held back deliberately from voters by the three old parties. What is also being avoided by the Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-53615562580722929682010-04-27T22:38:00.000+01:002010-04-27T22:38:05.308+01:00SACKS OF GOLD MAN
Brass necks don't come much brassier than that of self-styled 'Fabulous Fab' of Goldman Sachs.
He put in an appearance today at a Senate hearing in the US.
The corruption and arrogance around financial institutions is staggering.
They still haven't got it.
I don't think they are capable of getting it.
The system is rotten to the core, and needs changing.
Mid Bedfordshire Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-6739639365533237172010-04-25T22:23:00.000+01:002010-04-25T22:23:32.068+01:00REDUCE, REUSE - and only then RECYCLE
A key aspect of Green Party policy on waste is opposition to incineration. Of course, in Mid Bedfordshire, I and the Green Party oppose the proposed Covanta incinerator, for a host of reasons.
The Lib Dems are the least trustworthy party on the environment.
They talk about green waste management but they currently support incinerator projects in Exeter, Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-47065464462881043892010-04-22T22:56:00.000+01:002010-04-22T22:56:58.463+01:00TWEEDLEDEE, TWEEDLEDUM & TWEEDLEDEM
I watched the Leaders' debate on TV tonight.
It's quite clear there is next to no difference between the policies of the three old parties, give or take the odd nuance here and there. Same policies on Afghanistan, same policies on Trident. Clegg's deception on Trident was clearly exposed.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-9526735039508076482010-04-21T17:24:00.001+01:002010-04-21T20:10:52.258+01:00UK ARMS EXPORTS
One of the issues I feel passionately about is the weapons trade.
Shamefully, our New Labour government promotes weapons sales around the world. I am grateful to a Mid Bedfordshire constituent for highlighting this ignominious business.
The policy of the Green Party is clear:
We will act to reduce arms sales worldwide by ending government support for and subsidies of arms exportsMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-58023653981328966192010-04-21T13:30:00.002+01:002010-04-21T13:34:14.160+01:00MY MID BEDS ELECTION LEAFLET
I'm grateful to Cherry Puddicombe at www.lifework.biz for the creative design of my election leaflet.
Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-4359940017795965402010-04-20T12:05:00.006+01:002010-04-20T12:25:45.195+01:00SEIZE THE DAY
In case there is any doubt, the words from the Seize The Day song 'Flying' that I quoted in my last posting here are of course satirical. The song is intended to challenge all the little reservations people have about limiting their use of planes. The band has stopped flying.
I am a fan of Seize The Day. They are brilliant. Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-86627525306887671782010-04-17T22:52:00.012+01:002010-04-18T20:36:52.992+01:00DON'T TAKE MY WINGS AWAY
'I will recycle,
I'll use my bicycle,
I'll turn the heating down,
I'll fill my kettle halfway,
Listen to everything else you say ...
But don't take my freedom away,
Don't take my holidays,
Don't take my time away,
Don't take my wings away ....'
says the chorus from the song 'Flying' written by Shannon Smy of Seize the Day.
For three days now our wings have been taken Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-4187162298662544902010-04-16T23:41:00.003+01:002010-04-16T23:56:23.131+01:00GIANT DESPAIR AND MR MONEY-LOVE
I was invited last month to write a short piece for the April 2010 edition of the magazine 'Christian News', edited by Angela Price. 'Christian News' is a monthly publication which carries news and views from the local churches and the community in the Woburn, Woburn Sands and Aspley Guise groups of parishes. The request was for an outline of my views as the GreenMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-45691864033555384922010-04-15T23:48:00.002+01:002010-04-15T23:54:09.887+01:00LAUNCH OF GREEN PARTY MANIFESTOThe Green Party manifesto for the general election was launched today in Brighton. It's a very impressive document, and one that I am proud to be campaigning on.I will highlight the key policies in the manifesto in the weeks leading up to the election.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-51850320046242852642010-04-14T23:39:00.003+01:002010-04-14T23:52:55.633+01:00CLIMATIC RESEARCH UNIT AT UEAThe report of the independent panel investigating the scientific work of the CRU has strongly upheld the scientific integrity of the research. I'm not surprised. The panel chair said: 'We found absolutely no evidence of impropriety whatsoever. That doesn't mean that we agreed with all of their conclusions, but the scientists were doing their jobs honestly."This reportMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-34002276729061962432010-04-13T22:12:00.003+01:002010-04-13T22:23:57.691+01:00DECENT PENSIONSAfter 13 years of New Labour rule, it is particularly offensive that 25% of pensioners still live in poverty.It is outrageous that a rich country like ours, one of the richest countries in the world, cannot even look after its older people. What is lacking is not the resources, but the political will.The Green Party is committed to a state pension of £170 per week for a single Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-81106455789136073382010-04-13T22:03:00.003+01:002010-04-13T22:11:24.073+01:00IN VERY POOR TASTECasting an eye over the UKPollingreport website today, I was surprised to see a scrolling advert along the bottom by the Libdems. It featured a photo of the right wing Conservative MP for Mid Beds, Nadine Dorries, with the words "everyone fears a suicide" superimposed on Dorries' picture.Nadine Dorries doesn't need me to defend her.But how typical of the poor taste of the Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-54243901121305536262010-04-13T21:54:00.002+01:002010-04-13T22:01:24.763+01:00THE VINCE CLEGG SHOWThe Vince Clegg show rolls on. These two codgers were side by side, as ever, on TV today. Clegg was going on about the Conservative election manifesto launch. Vince stood grim faced as Clegg attempted a joke.It's typical of the Libdems - they can't make up their minds who is their real leader.I think most people would prefer Vince.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-67832141562051317572010-04-12T22:59:00.003+01:002010-04-12T23:15:28.336+01:00NHS CHIEF EXECUTIVES' PAY BONANZAThe news yesterday that chief executives in the NHS were paid salary increases of 6.9% in 2008/09, while nurses got less than 3%, confirms the shocking and indefensible pay disparities in the NHS. The fattest cat of all was a Ron Kerr, who received a massive £270,000 at Guy's and Thomas' Hospital Foundation Trust in London. On average, foundation trust chief Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-29701091920160265882010-04-10T21:10:00.007+01:002010-04-11T08:53:22.040+01:00TORY MP SPOUTING RUBBISHThe other night on TV, I heard Theresa May, Tory shadow Work & Pensions Secretary threatening to do terrible things to people who are caught three times cheating on benefits, claiming it would save thousands of pounds.When the reporter gently pointed out that not a single person had been found doing this, the hapless May became flustered and incoherent.So it was a completeMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-996329013085245332010-04-09T21:43:00.003+01:002010-04-09T22:06:26.466+01:00SCIENCE SPACECRAFT LAUNCH SUCCESSThere's been hardly any mention in the media of an important success for the European Space Agency yesterday. The Cryosat-2 spacecraft was launched from Baikonur in Kazakhstan. Cryosat-2 will make precise measurements of the extent and thickness of the ice at both poles. Submarine surveys indicate that the Arctic ice thickness below the waterline may have reduced Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-52383802242557397652010-04-06T22:11:00.002+01:002010-04-06T22:21:57.038+01:00VINCE CLEGGCongratulations to the Lib Dems for the first gaffe of this general election. They've got a 'battlebus' with Vince Cable and Nick Clegg mugshots featured prominently on both sides.It reminds me of that picture back in the eighties with the heads of David Owen and David Steel sticking out of one sweater.There's something of the overgrown schoolboy that's unconvincing about Clegg.No pun Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-61160997069963087582010-04-06T22:01:00.003+01:002010-04-06T22:04:00.628+01:00GENERAL ELECTION ON THURSDAY 6 MAYNo surprises today when Gordon Brown announced that the General Election will be held on Thursday 6 May.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-81242044194319656482010-04-01T23:41:00.003+01:002010-04-01T23:57:22.668+01:00VOTE NOW PAY LATERThere seems to be some sort of conspiracy of silence among the old parties about precisely where cuts will be made, to reduce the mountain of government debt. We're told the cuts in public services will be vicious, worse even than those under Thatcher. But it will only be after the general election when the full horror will be revealed.The old parties must explain to voters Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-52360079062921902572010-03-31T21:25:00.004+01:002010-04-01T14:54:35.786+01:00VOTE NOW TO SCRAP TRIDENT NUCLEAR WEAPONSWe do not need a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons. This relic of the cold war is not fit for the twentyfirst century. It does not increase our national security. No sane human being could ever agree to use such monstrous weapons of mass destruction. The Trident replacement is a complete waste of money.We have a General Election a few weeks ahead. Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-18382780085409829972010-03-31T20:27:00.006+01:002010-04-01T14:53:57.953+01:00THE FLAT EARTHERSMany years ago, when I was student, we had a talk one evening by a man from the Flat Earth Society.His audience was about 200 science students and academics. We listened in polite silence to his explanations about ships disappearing over the horizon, and what happened at the edges of the earth. But when he invited questions, his careful arguments were torn to shreds and ridiculedMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-23993125749095901172010-03-30T23:41:00.004+01:002010-04-01T14:55:31.600+01:00BLAIR IS BACKTony Blair was back today in his old constituency Sedgefield, addressing the local party faithful. His aim was to support the New Labour general election campaign, and in particular declare his support for Prime Minister Brown.I found his appearance and manner quite a shock.He was tanned, looked rather haggard, and seemed to be speaking with a sort of partial American accent. Since Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-33647214667233749252010-03-25T20:33:00.005Z2010-03-25T21:06:17.617ZCUTS WORSE THAN 1980'sNew Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling has promised post-election public spending cuts 'tougher and deeper' than those of the Thatcher days in the 1980's. The Conservatives will cut even more than Labour. If the Lib Dems hold the balance of power in a hung parliament, I suppose we can expect cuts somewhere between New Labour and Conservatives.What have we done to deserve Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-1424844573216165102010-03-24T21:32:00.005Z2010-04-01T14:56:24.666+01:00CONSERVATIVES & NUCLEAR POWER A Conservative government after 6 May (or whenever) will open at least one new nuclear power station every year and a half. There will be 'no limit' on the growth of nuclear power in Britain under a Tory government, says Greg Clark, the shadow energy spokesperson.Clark ignores the fact that the timescale for a nuclear programme is far too long to solve the looming Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-74506244808242133102010-03-23T15:34:00.005Z2010-03-23T16:39:08.327ZCHRISTIAN AID ELECTION MANIFESTO 2010'Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of dignity, justice, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. Poverty is political, a scandal created and perpetuated by our own systems and structures. At its core lies the misuse of power, within and among countries, groups and individuals. But a problem created by people can be solved by peopleMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-90746300920353350352010-03-22T22:18:00.005Z2010-03-22T22:44:49.990ZCAB FOR HIREThe revelations about Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoffrey Hoon are shocking. To hear Byers calmly talking about £5,000 a day for his lobbying services, comparing himself to a 'cab for hire', was disgusting. These people were at the heart of the New Labour Project, and close to Blair. New Labour is rotten and corrupt to the core.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-49338647423457161092010-03-22T21:43:00.006Z2010-03-23T07:48:53.564ZBRIGHTON PAVILIONThe constituency most likely to return the first UK Green Party MP on 6 May (or whenever) is Brighton Pavilion, where Caroline Lucas is the Green Party candidate. Last Saturday I travelled by rail (and bus across central London) down to Brighton with Ben Foley to help in the Brighton campaign. Brighton Pavilion is a wedge-shaped constituency in central Brighton, with the thick Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-20872369698346029542010-03-21T22:11:00.003Z2010-03-21T22:18:55.076ZFEWER WEAPONSI support scrapping replacement plans for Trident nuclear weapons.Green Party MEPs persuaded other MEPs to call for a ban on depleted uranium weapons and cluster munitions. We must control and reduce the sale of UK weapons around the world, and those on our street.The Green Party would not use a 'war on terror' to destroy our rights to a private life. We would stop the ID card scheme.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-19598280393486131422010-03-20T22:01:00.002Z2010-03-20T22:04:17.087ZPENSIONERS' INCOMEThe Green Party would raise pensioners out of poverty.We would introduce a Citizens' Pension for everyone: raising the state pension for a single person from £92.50 to £170.00 per week.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-59875266178287936712010-03-19T22:59:00.004Z2010-03-19T23:07:50.804ZGOING LOCALI believe that smaller businesses and local enterprises make our communities stronger. Increasing numbers of supermarkets and shopping centres have meant fewer local shops and businesses. The planning system can be used to favour small local enterprises, as achieved for example by Green Party councillors in Oxford. I support the creation of community banks to help smaller traders Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-6971275325682183352010-03-15T19:08:00.003Z2010-03-15T19:18:34.072ZPUBLIC TRANSPORT AND CLEANER AIRThe Green Party will cancel the road building programme and instead invest in safer roads and in helping many more people to walk and cycle.After fierce lobbying London Green Assembly members ensured that all new London buses will run on hybrid engines by 2012, creating a third less pollution.We will repeat this success in all UK cities. We would create travel Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-12675847021958378932010-03-10T12:53:00.003Z2010-03-10T13:00:22.128ZAFGHANISTAN: THIS FUTILE WARThe death toll continues to mount with the loss of more lives of British and NATO troops, and innocent civilians.Continuing to prop up the corrupt puppet government is futile.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-30952367855631454702010-02-04T20:07:00.005Z2010-02-04T20:28:47.728ZFIDDLERS IN THE HOUSESir Thomas Legg says 390 MPs must repay £1,305,000 for the expenses scandal.In fact, all MPs, including the current MP for Mid Bedfordshire Nadine Dorries, share the blame, whether or not they individually have been caught fiddling expenses.They were ALL responsible for the expenses system, which condoned fiddling.They MUST all have known what was going on.And none of them Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-67188829008249620282010-02-01T15:05:00.003Z2010-02-01T15:37:36.038ZTHE VENDETTA AGAINST MR SPEAKERWe all know how the present MP for Mid Bedfordshire loves to trivialise and personalise politics.She's now busy waging war against the Speaker of the House of Commons. She's up in arms because, apparently, the Speaker has stopped wearing fancy dress. Now, most of us don't give a toss what the Speaker wears. Not so Nadine Dorries.Taking off his fancy outfit will meanMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-236045396514564562010-01-31T22:32:00.002Z2010-01-31T22:44:34.816ZSCIENCE AND THE MEDIAThe media, overwhelmingly, just don't get science. They don't understand how science works. About the importance of probability. So journalists (with a few honourable exceptions) create wild headlines out of every passing straw of scientific research.This leads first to public confusion, then apathy, and eventually rejection of all things science.An example is diet and Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-88265426024390043032010-01-31T22:09:00.008Z2010-01-31T23:33:20.309ZFRIENDS IN RESPECTI took time out in Birmingham yesterday with Green Party colleagues.For a couple of hours, before our Green Left meeting in Birmingham Metropolitan Community Church, we joined Salma Yacoob and Respect party members distributing leaflets in Sparkhill. It was bitterly cold, but a bright sunny morning.http://www.salmayaqoob.com/2010/01/friends-in-green-party.html Salma joined our Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-84800313500788703282010-01-29T21:39:00.002Z2010-01-29T21:50:05.093ZBLAIR IN THE HOT SEATWe have been able to witness Blair questioned today about his part in the war with Iraq. I was going to say interrogated, but that wasn't the approach of the polite, courteous, fumbling enquiry.Blair ran rings round them. It was the establishment v the establishment, and the establishment won.I really can't see this enquiry getting anywhere. The best we can hope for is the Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-45382655083379963532010-01-01T23:36:00.004Z2010-01-01T23:42:40.776ZFAIRNESSThe fair way to cut carbon is through carbon quotas. Abolishing VAT and tax havens are ways of making taxation fairer.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-25632717774633623012009-12-20T23:39:00.003Z2009-12-20T23:42:53.131ZCOPENHAGEN'If the climate was a bank, the rich nations would have fixed it.'Hugo Chavez, President of VenezuelaMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-64979608956866933152009-12-15T15:24:00.002Z2009-12-15T15:27:38.134ZFAIRNESSIt's unfair that you pay for the NHS all your life, and are then denied care in your old age.I support free care for older people - that's fair.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-27116156642861903382009-12-14T21:21:00.002Z2009-12-14T21:26:16.533ZFAIRNESSIt's unfair that you have to pay more tax on the income you've earned than on unearned income.The Green Party supports the abolition of national insurance, which is fair.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-87536477367422532802009-12-13T15:40:00.002Z2009-12-13T15:43:17.158ZFAIRNESSIt's unfair that only the better off can afford university.Green Party policies on tuition fees and student grants are fair.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-74956812059204503602009-12-09T13:19:00.002Z2009-12-09T13:22:49.608ZFAIRNESSIt's unfair that millions are unemployed while others can be required to work very long hours.Green Party policy for a 35-hour week is fair.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-32376347828843512912009-12-07T14:36:00.006Z2009-12-07T14:47:08.671ZTHE GENERAL THEORY OF ABSOLUTIVITYThis new theory, which I am publishing today, states that when interviewed in the media, given a free choice, people will always tend to reply 'absolutely' rather than 'yes'. (with apologies to A. Einstein)Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-71660083687563535782009-12-07T14:00:00.005Z2009-12-07T14:29:41.494ZON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMASI particularly like verses 8, 10 and 11 of Carol Ann Duffy's new version of the old Christmas song. In case you haven't heard them (and even if you have), here they are:Eighth Day of ChristmasOne milked money to mend her moat.Two milked voters to float her boat.Three milked Parliament to flip her flat.Four milked Government to snip her cat.Five milked the dead for Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-20916104325651287292009-12-05T11:42:00.003Z2009-12-05T11:49:20.675ZFAIRNESSIt's unfair that public money is wasted on botched privatisation schemes, and that hospitals and surgeries are treated like businesses rather than public services.I support a fair deal for those needing health care. I oppose cuts, closures and privatisation. I want a programme of locally accountable services.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-13808059537498726892009-12-03T21:12:00.002Z2009-12-03T21:20:13.518ZFAIRNESSIt's unfair that the government bails out the bankers who got us into this mess, but then won't ensure those very bankers provide the necessary credit for families or for small and local business.I want a fair deal based on community banks, credit unions and mutuals that can provide realistic loans for families and for small and local businesses in Mid-Bedfordshire.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-16916743266823480572009-12-02T20:53:00.003Z2009-12-02T21:26:07.644ZTHE EMPEROR'S NEW PLANIt's commendable that President Obama considered the new US strategy for Afghanistan with great care and diligence. More than three months of cogitation, and ten meetings with top brass. A major improvement on the shoot-from-the-hip approach of Bush.However, then it's downhill all the way. Sadly, these months of deliberations have not produced a credible strategy. This is Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-28395411036500430822009-12-01T20:22:00.004Z2009-12-01T20:55:35.243ZSELLAFIELD'S PLUTONIUM DUSTBINAn eminent group of UK scientists, and a retired general, have reported "it's a total absurdity that we should have 100 tonnes of separated plutonium sitting up at Sellafield in tin cans ... . There is no policy to deal with the deadly material, which was reclaimed from used nuclear fuel. It's the largest stockpile in the world, a potential target for terrorists."Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-82405795971095275122009-11-30T20:42:00.000Z2009-11-30T20:46:16.658ZNUCLEAR DELUSIONS: POWER & SECURITYTony Benn’s voluminous diaries are undoubtedly a valuable resource for informed comment on nuclear policies. Benn was Labour Minister of Technology in 1966, Minister of Power in 1969, and Energy Minister from 1975 to 1979. Writing about the closure of the Dounreay nuclear plant in Scotland, Tony Benn’s diary on Friday 5 June 1998 recorded: ‘Nuclear power is Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-13528686054718704532009-11-06T14:58:00.004Z2009-11-06T15:25:24.804ZPARK AND RIDEI used the Park and Ride into Bedford the other day, from near Kempston. It really is an excellent scheme, when there's no alternative to public transport for your whole journey.However, our bus soon got stuck in a traffic queue. And it would be helpful if the service continued a bit later in the evening.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-11486255262716151092009-11-05T12:01:00.003Z2009-11-05T12:42:43.609ZHYDRA-HEADED WILFULNESS *My Greek mythology is rusty to say the least, but I recollect the Hydra was a dreadful, scary monster. When its head was cut off, in an attempt to kill the beast, two more heads immediately grew back, to replace the head that had been decapitated. And so on. Or was that the Gorgon?Anyway, the financial institutions remind me of the Hydra. I've caught several snippets onMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-52877202506471606952009-11-04T08:21:00.004Z2009-11-04T09:05:52.755ZIMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTANMy words here yesterday were even more prescient than I feared. This morning's dreadful news confirms that even as I wrote, another five UK soldiers had already been killed yesterday, and two Afghans.The Afghan policy of the Green Party, which I strongly support, is clear. We want an immediate withdrawal of all UK forces from Afghanistan. The withdrawal of allMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-71487692588014673732009-11-03T21:06:00.005Z2009-11-03T21:27:01.324ZWITHDRAW BRITISH TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTANThe 'election' of Hamid Karzai for another five years as president of Afghanistan is a tragic farce. This is what we used to call a puppet government. Lives of courageous British troops, Afghan civilians and many others will continue to be lost in this misguided and pointless conflict. There is no evidence whatever that Karzai is capable of even beginning Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-6885004021707282242009-10-21T19:49:00.007+01:002009-10-22T15:07:00.212+01:00THE BANKS: BUSINESS AS USUAL
Like many people, I'm convinced the banks haven't really got the message. They are just itching to get back to 'business as usual' - huge profits and fat bonuses, as soon as they reckon we've forgotten the plot. Happy to take wild risks, knowing Jo Public would have to bail them out. 'Communism for the rich', as a wag has called it. During the banking crisis we came Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-60154002123361439922009-10-03T15:02:00.012+01:002009-10-03T16:40:29.872+01:00BEDFORD MAYOR ELECTIONBedford can vote for change in the election for Mayor on Thursday 15 October. Green Party candidate Eve Robinson-Morley offers voters a refreshing change from the tired old grey parties and an assorted ragbag of 'independents'. Eve is also the only female candidate. The Green Party stands for Fairness.Fairness is worth fighting for .... and voting forhttp://Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-55524337303840490842009-08-06T13:34:00.003+01:002009-08-06T13:38:36.924+01:00VESTAS: Rally & March and National Day of ActionThis Saturday 8 August there is a rally and march in support of the Vestas occupation, at the factory on the Isle of Wight.Wednesday 12 August is a national day of action, called by the Vestas workers, for businesses, unions and individuals to show their support.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-49451085061500246372009-08-06T12:26:00.003+01:002009-08-06T13:33:32.296+01:00Labour MP Support for Vestas WorkersI have received a reply from Bedford MP Patrick Hall to my letter urging his support for an early day motion (EDM) tabled by John McDonnell, requesting Government support for the factory to save jobs. Patrick Hall supports the EDM and has added his signature to it.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-29383354171987836492009-07-25T15:19:00.004+01:002009-07-25T15:28:36.312+01:00The Futile War in AfghanistanYou can click the link below, from the Guardian today, to read a moving account of the Afghan war by an Afghan MP currently in Britain:http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/25/afghanistan-occupation-taliban-warlordsMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-17106695739144749342009-07-23T20:49:00.003+01:002009-07-23T21:01:16.160+01:00Vestas: Labour MP's Must ActIf enough Labour MP's backed an 'early day motion' tabled by Labour MP John McDonnell, the Government could be persuaded to keep the Vestas wind turbine factory open. Taking the factory into public ownership is the best option.I have written to the two Labour MP's in Bedfordshire - Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) and Patrick Hall (Bedford) - asking for their support for Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-42735704844265135612009-07-22T15:22:00.012+01:002009-07-22T16:05:12.523+01:00Workers' Occupation of Vestas Wind Turbine FactoryThe transport union RMT has pledged full support for the workers occupying the Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight. General Secretary Bob Crow is making a solidarity visit to the occupation tomorrow (Thursday) evening.The occupation is a crucial stand for a Green New Deal against a crazy decision by greedy bosses and incompetent politicians. This Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-24450303597821233902009-07-01T16:40:00.005+01:002009-07-22T15:49:35.472+01:00Rail Back in Public OwnershipThe East Coast mainline rail service is to be taken back from National Express and into public control and accountability. It's an excellent move, and is in accord with the policy of the Green Party.Privatisation has been a disaster: Private companies able to keep profits and expect the taxpayer to fund their losses.It turns out the National Express had set up an 'Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-24545414268399299582009-06-30T20:47:00.003+01:002009-06-30T21:05:50.100+01:00SOAS Cleaners at Yarl's WoodMarina Silva and Rosa dePerez were picked up in a brutal immigration raid on 12 June at the School of African & Oriental Studies (SOAS) in London. They both worked as cleaners, along with other colleagues who were deported. Marina and Rosa are in detention at Yarl' s Wood Immigration Removal Centre at Clapham.Marina is 63. She has applied for asylum following the Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-59148865779177459362009-06-30T20:32:00.002+01:002009-06-30T20:44:33.632+01:00The Future of Middle SchoolsMy own view on Middle Schools is that they should be scrapped. The present three tier system should change to two tiers, ending what for many pupils is a disruptive break at age 13. The educational and social arguments are well known, and the changeover ought to have been made many years ago. The council should give a clear lead and present to parents the various Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-6580961756677799842009-06-29T19:43:00.004+01:002009-06-29T19:57:31.751+01:00Doctors Condemn 'Commercial' NHSThe BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum has said that moves to create polyclinics and PFI schemes, which use private money to build hospitals, are draining the health service of resources and fragmenting care, the BBC News reports.This was a Labour government in the good times. As the recession continues we face a bleak future of cuts in public services. Nobody believesMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-39653317512688939622009-03-30T22:40:00.003+01:002009-03-30T22:46:39.971+01:00We Won't Pay For Their CrisisThe words on a banner at Saturday's London March before the 'G20' meeting this week.But the reality is that we will pay, if they have their way.That is, the poor around the world will pay for capitalism's crisis.Already, in the thick of the crisis, they are busy planning for business as usual.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-38333721153151445172009-03-30T22:24:00.004+01:002009-03-30T22:31:46.395+01:00Minister's Husband Bends the RulesThe Home Secretary claimed her husband's 'adult' movies on MP's expenses. When she discovered the 'error', she paid back the cash. A small sum of money. But a little incident that neatly sums up New Labour.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-41311418674681579502009-03-23T20:41:00.004Z2009-03-23T20:53:22.363ZAnother Minister Bends the RulesAfter the Home Secretary's creative efforts with her allowances, now the Employment Minister Tony McNulty has been caught up to tricks. The simple fact is this New Labour government has no principles. Both at an individual ministerial level, and as a government. New Labour has never had any moral high ground. The entire banking crisis in this country was allowed toMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-42161599175064435682009-03-17T21:11:00.002Z2009-03-17T21:23:42.512ZFred's Pension: 3It's been getting even better for Fred. Things are looking up. It transpires Fred the Shred has already taken a tax-free lump sum of £2.7m as an advance on his £16.9m pension pile. Yes, that's right : tax-free.And - cheek - the Shred has kindly offered to pay back the £2.7m , if the Tax Man will only promise not to ask for the tax still due.His annual pension has already been Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-60865859299132807152009-03-11T22:01:00.009Z2009-03-11T22:19:59.580ZCouncillors' RemunerationAs Bedfordshire County Council heads into oblivion, the new Central Bedfordshire Unitary Authority prepares to take over. It will supplant Mid Bedfordshire and South Bedfordshire District Councils. It seems that the councillors on the new authority, who will be elected in June, will come out of this shake-up quite well. Basically, they're getting a pay hike. But one of Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-32569506816687499322009-03-05T19:22:00.003Z2009-03-05T19:41:58.863ZLiving in Financial ArmageddonToday the Bank of England reduced interest rates to 0.5 % and introduced 'quantitative easing'.Outside the Bank, Ian Dixon held a placard for the NSPU, the National Savers and Pensioners Union. He was made redundant last December. He said ' There's a lot of apathy now in this country. We're living in financial Armageddon, but people just seem to be accepting it.'Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-44645271979415686442009-03-02T16:47:00.005Z2009-03-17T21:11:25.307ZFred's Pension: Part 2The Prime Minister, having asked Fred, politely, please may we have some of your pension back, and having got 'no' for an answer, has now said that nevertheless, Fred will not be allowed to keep his pension, and he shouldn't count on it.We wait to see how this will be achieved. Meanwhile, Lord Myners, who let Fred get away with it in the first place, is still in his job.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-76704911248844240822009-02-27T17:06:00.002Z2009-02-27T17:17:45.804ZWho is Running our Banks?Well .... it's supposed to be UK Financial Investments.Who are the members of UK Financial Investments?How are they elected?To whom are they accountable?What is their remit?The fact is that the New Labour government knows and cares nothing about public ownership. The nationalisation (note the choice of language) of some banks is a temporary fix, with no real direction,Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-22168394385764199852009-02-26T15:38:00.004Z2009-02-26T15:47:06.795ZFred's PensionSir Fred Goodwin ('Fred the Shred'), former chair of RBoS, has retired at 50 with a pension of £650,000 per year, for life. I'll write that again: a pension of £650,000 per year, for life.The Prime Minister has publicly asked Fred to give some of it back, please.I'm sure Fred will oblige.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-50898390559015258742009-02-23T15:32:00.004Z2009-02-23T15:50:12.293ZToo Little, Too LateNorthern Rock's new mortgage funds, and more sensible lending policy, are too little, too late.The basic problem seems to be New Labour's inability to grasp the opportunities opened up by the partial public ownership of some of the banks. New Labour doesn't know how to handle public ownership. It's an alien concept to Gordon Brown and his ministers. The notion of public Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-10605608576959997442009-02-17T16:13:00.003Z2009-02-17T16:30:29.139ZRunning With the Hare, Hunting With the HoundsRuth Lea used to be a fairly regular panellist on David Dimbleby's Question Time. She would usually put the employers' view, often in a no-nonsense, hard nosed, right wing way.Then last week she materialised on Newsnight. Paxman was conducting a 'Factory Floor' programme from Birmingham on the economic and banking crisis. There was a crowd of workers,Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-54808923047813204012009-02-12T22:23:00.002Z2009-02-12T22:29:12.433ZThe BankstersThe four top ex-executives from RBS and HBOS looked like cornered rats when they made their appearance before the Commons Finance Committee yesterday. One of the MPs asked if they had taken any legal advice about criminal negligence. 'No' was the reply.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-30662947037546678452009-02-08T18:36:00.003Z2009-02-08T18:44:36.251ZTactical RetreatO & H Properties Limited have pulled their Marston Vale Eco - Town out of the NuLab scheme. It is of course just a cunning ploy, a tactical retreat. They'll be back, next time trying to pick their way through the local planning route.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-23869609165767888772009-02-02T19:47:00.003Z2009-02-02T19:58:28.683ZBiogas Could Heat HomesA new report by National Grid, which runs Britain's gas pipelines, says green biogas piped directly to heat homes is more efficient than using the gas to generate electricity.http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7862696.stmThe biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion using microbes, or by superheating the waste. Both processs are less polluting than incineration.Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-32923481612632000262009-02-01T13:18:00.003Z2009-02-01T13:28:39.829ZLabour on the RopesWhen the banking and financial crisis began to take off last Autumn, for a while the Prime Minister seemed to have a new spring in his step, a safe pair of hands, the person most suited to handle the crisis.As the months have passed, and the crisis has grown ever deeper and more intractable, Gordon Brown has increasingly begun to look and sound like a defeated man. It has Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-67893686207716154922009-01-31T14:02:00.003Z2009-01-31T14:13:22.019ZSaving Energy Needs Deeds Not WordsPhilip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, says that local authorities need more funds to ensure energy saving is happening.http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7856185.stm He alleges that existing building regulations are not being implemented. Research shows that up to 30% of properties being built would fail existing regulationsMalcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-67695467980539137282009-01-30T16:36:00.002Z2009-01-30T16:43:29.315ZGreen Euro MPs Demand a RefundGreen Party MEPs Caroline Lucas (South East England) and Jean Lambert (London) delivered a letter to the Israeli Embassy in London at 2pm today. They are asking Israel for a full refund of European Union aid given to Gaza over the past 10 years. The aid was used for hospitals, schools and to provide better sanitation and access to health care in Gaza. It totals 53M Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1678466171379592648.post-71010341411101610832009-01-29T15:07:00.004Z2009-02-08T19:26:40.848ZMeddling with the Oceans?A report in the science journal Nature describes experiments to add iron to oceans, in order to boost plankton which capture carbon dioxide, and store the carbon at the bottom of the ocean when they die.http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7856144.stmThe idea is to use this system as a form of 'artificial eco-engineering' to help curb climate change.However, Malcolm Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13103134104506752058noreply@blogger.com0