The Mail on Sunday columnist, Peter Hitchens, commented recently on BBC one's Question Time that 'just call me Dave' Cameron with a big C, " has no intention of taking us out of the European Union." Gong further, speaking of the recent appointment of Jean Claude Juncker as President-elect of the European Commission, Cameron's shamefaced lone soldier stance together with Hungary, voting against Juncker, as such then lining Cameron directly in opposition with ally and arguably the most influential person in Europe,German chancellor Angela Merkel. Who, he had allegedly been wrongly briefed, was also against Juncker's appointment. It was then span by the spinners so as that Cameron 'looked' like he was bravely standing-up for British Independence, "It is all completely stage managed, it has no content at all." declared Hitchens."I'm amazed that this complete fake has achieved such success!"
A fools parade then one may say, when listening to the rhetoric spewed out about the benefits of being a part of the European Union, whilst listening with the other ear to Cameron and the Conservatives age-old patriotism, the great days of the United Kingdom's domination over much of our globe and of course good old Britishness. Whatever this may be? Just don't mention Gove.
Perhaps it is just me that senses a spilt-agenda and a mask being veiled across our country? Perhaps!
Scheduled for an EU in/out referendum in 2017 Cameron's so-called 'Bloomberg speech' of January 2013 outlined five ways in which he proposes to reform and amend Britain' relationship with Europe whilst remaining in the EU single market. Although, on closer inspection it appears we would only be removing ourselves politically and therefore still economically joined. His proposals are; competitiveness through less regulation, greater flexibility achieved by allowing countries [namely Britain] to opt out of EU rules, a return of powers to member states, democratic accountability with a greater role for national parliaments [see greater local accountability for UK schools and health services for clues as to Cameron's wider position ], and finally fairness.
Ok so, whilst this may 'look' and sound like what we the electorate have been calling for, along with tighter controls over our borders, dare I write the unmentionable? Immigration.The operative word here is 'look.' In reality by the time of the proposed EU referendum it is unlikely Cameron will still be leader of the Conservative party, less still he will be in office as Prime Minister. These proposals will more than likely not have even made it to the table. Let alone been actioned. With discussions on this not starting until two years after the next General Elections in 2015, there is no time, or at least little time, for any tangible impact of these proposals to have taken affect. Under EU law any changes to the terms of membership requires treaty change. No mean feat. It must go through an Intergovermental Conference, a conference Cameron will not have agenda control of, therefore this, if indeed we even get this far, is a very long and frankly uncertain process. So by logical progressive conclusion, Cameron knows this and is stepping onto a shattered mirror glass effect style of politics. Smoke and mirrors, blatant and obvious tactical manoeuvring and playing-up to the crowd.The crowd of course being us mere electorate.Which is precisely why, in my view, he is doing this. In the final year of parliament. Not too dissimilar to that good ol' English man, with a German wife, who is also his parties secretary, Nigel Farage. Upon deeper thought along these lines I conclude that Cameron with a big C and Nigel 'I'm all right Dave see you down the pub, oh and have you got a lighter' Farage share a similarity in goals. To return England to it's once regent splendour. Whatever this may be. Now this is dressed-up differently. Farage is at least, to his credit, more outspoken and direct about his views and intentions though as a result of this is viewed by large parts of mainstream political parties and a noticeably high proportion of the electorate, as a bit shady. A bit of a man of two faces, also aligned through party affiliations to Nick Griffin's far-right BNP party. Although Farage has he claims already de-mobilized these members from his party. Mostly. Freedom of speech I guess.Whilst 'just call me Dave' appears to be playing underhand and frankly misleading tactics. I would even go so far as to write that this is stereotypical of the perceived 'old boys network' Conservatives, a branding they are so often lambasted for.
To add to the double-standards I write on in this piece, unless quoted, views are solely that of this author and not expressive of public opinion, as far as I know, David Cameron with a big C is set to push ahead with a move that would give MPs a veto over the court of human rights rulings. Expected to be a centre-point of Cameron's Autumn statement.
As some national newspapers liken Cameron to Russian President Putin - Putin by the way is characterised by an unnamed source to be acting out of fear - as Britain calls for Paris to stop sending arms to the Kremlin amidst fears Russia is behind the recent shooting down of the Malaysian Airlines passenger jet over Ukraine killing 298 passengers. A man( Putin) who allegedly uses 'traditional' methods of communications, namely a pen and paper, rarely uses the internet though is one of the best informed leaders on the planet, a man who starts his working day at noon, after using the large swimming pools of his palaces to swim alone and work-out his strategies, and still uses old KGB style telephones.With suspectedly only his chief of staff and press secretary with an open door to him, the rest of his entourage press their backs hard against a wall as he walks past them, Putin is therefore characterised as a fearful and isolated man. Some may say a feared man amongst his staff. His parents both dead and his two daughters living somewhere in Europe Putin still acts as if he were in the KGB. Bringing for example, a dog into a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel because he knew she has a fear of them.
I strayed slightly from the point. As usual. Apologies. I am not likening 'just call me Dave' to a fearful and isolated Russian. Really, I am not.
Back to the human rights veto point:
Recently reshuffled Dominic Grieve now ex-chief legal advisor to the government stated on Tuesday (July, 22, 2014) 'Britain would suffer "serious International reputational damage" if it went through with this move. It would mean Britain could evade the standards already laid-out for it as a member of the Council of Europe signed to the European Convention on Human Rights, that Britain pushes so fervently on others, like Russia.
One such paper commenting that afore mentioned ex-chief legal advisor Dominic Grieve - who is incidentally aggrieved by his reshuffle - alleges Downing Street 'tried to hide' a paper by Chris Grayling, who is Cameron's justice secretary, on how exactly Britain can weaken our obligations to the Strasbourg-based court.
Grieve commented:
"What actually is being suggested is not that we will leave the ECHR, but that we will announce for our manifesto that we will pass primary legislation to use parliament to prevent the government from implementing its international obligations, except when parliament rules when we should."
So not in the least mumble-jumble, laughably convoluted and typically confused looking at all then.
Cameron's sparring partner, Labour leader Ed Milliband, announced recently his ideas for turning PMQ's - Prime Ministers Questions - in to PPMQ's - Public Prime Ministers Questions - by which Ed means turning the traditional half hour or so slot in the house each week where opposition party members can put the current government on trial, to allowing the general public, you know, us mere electorate, into the chamber to grill, tease-out and test the government in a sort-of live public debate. A chance to put questions from 'the many not the few' to the man himself. Mr C with a big C.This could be, and in my view is, a great way to alter what I termed 'the falsities of Politics...' in http://rjwardle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-fallout-of-hashtag-computer-speak.html Why do I instantly think of the days where public hangings in this country were a public affair? A moment everybody and their neighbour came out to witness.
Cameron is by many accounts, including from Alan Johnson, who openly stated the veto meant absolutely nothing, the 'Bloomberg Speech' is pro-Europe, "the bit at the end wasn't about what's right for this country. It was about what's right for the Conservatives," Cameron is a man of extreme pro-Europe beliefs who has " the words European Union running through him like a stick of rock."
Hitchens commenting; "If it ever came to a referendum, one of the many post-dated cheques that he's signed which he almost certainly wont ever have to honour, he would almost certainly with out doubt urge everybody to vote to stay in it."
So, when all this is taken into consideration, it seems to my mind that whether we get a vote or not, we shall remain part of the EU.
At least I shan't have to worry unduly about my travels. A favourite correspondent stroke man of words of mine, John Simpson, once recounted how upon losing his passport he was still able to trek right across Europe with a mere slip of paper saying British Citizen under his name. Oh the day's eh Dave.
As ever and always, it is my primary concern this inspires, engages, challenges and stimulates your mind one way or the other. Offering some small pleasure to any who care to read
Until we meet again through the page,
Warmly yours
R J Wardle
