johnwvincent

Act togther?

WP_20170725_004 Farce, insanity and slapstick, they have it all. But what they have in spades is confusion. Keir Starmer says one thing then Jeremy Corbyn says something else. The Trade Unions mumble in the background. A chorus of different voices sound off in every different direction. Its near on impossible to figure out exactly what policy the British Labour Party has on Brexit. Just taking one part of the debate around the Single Market and within ten minutes you’ll be totally confused.

Since colourful metaphors seem to be the order of the day and trade is at the heart of many discussions, here’s a maritime one. Yes, a storm is raging and the Conservatives are the dangerous navigators who are pointing the ship of State towards the rocks but Labour are the wreckers on the beech who are luring the ship to its doom.

I have no care for the Labour Party but I do wish they would get their act together. They need to look in the mirror and ask themselves the question: what is it we stand for? It matters for future generations what happens over the next months. If the Government goes for the most extreme form of Brexit then the outcome will severely impact everyone. Now, it maybe that the Labour Party fully intends to continue to ally itself with the Conservatives. They are even receiving warm praise from UKIP. I call that insane but it’s their choice and they had better be clear about it. In such a case millions of progressive British people are being betrayed.

Don’t Carry On – Change

WP_20170725_001 One definition of “stupid” is to keep doing the same thing but, at the same time, expect a different outcome[1]. There’s a time when change is not just desirable but necessary without delay.

On the backfoot, the defensive stand being taken by Brexiters is now a simplistic yell of – stop being negative – be negative about climate change – be negative about media bias but don’t be negative about a failing pet political project. Social media is full to the brim with this chanting.

The insistence that everyone should be positive about the gloomy daily diet of Brexit news is repeated constantly. At the same time, it’s no real surprises that the latest official data on the UK economy shows bad news. This is a familiar story as there have been plenty of warnings about gathering storm clouds. Many have been prompted to take contingency measures or hunker down.

Now, the messengers are being targeted for sounding their warnings. Somehow speaking clearly, calmly and objectively is equated with being unpatriotic. The Brexiters formula is that, on all occasions, people should smile and be upbeat regardless of the impact of this self-imposed calamity. To not do so is to let the side down or to support a, so called, “enemy”. The wise know that the cold reality is that shutting our eyes to negative information doesn’t make it go away.

My response to this thoughtlessness is in aeronautical terms. If a warning system is telling us to take emergency actions then it’s imperative that it be taken. No delay. Now is the time to change. There are far too many who have ignored warnings and as a result are not here to tell the tale. Exit Brexit without delay.

[1] “Stupidity is doing same thing and expecting different results” said by Einstein.

What’s being lost?

WP_20170719_008 We do seem to be getting a lot of Brexit related announcements. There often of this flavour: “Great victory – things stay the same[1]”. Or “Success – something is not getting as bad as predicted”. This is most peculiar. Never has the status-quo been so advanced as a shining example of achievement.

The other strange phenomena are the; it was going to happen anyway but look how wonderful we are – we made it happen. It’s our great achievement. Passing off actions as their own, Government sidesteps the facts for the real propaganda value[2].

The problem is that a lot of people are swallowing this boloney hook-line-and-sinker. Ministers are putting their foot down all over the place to elegise about everyday continuity. I would not be surprised to read tomorrow’s headline as reading: “Sun rises again due to the popularity of Brexit. Minister says; predictions of Armageddon were misplaced (for now).”

I’m not a one for reading lots of business books but there are one or two on the shelf. By the way, we have an Austrian economist to blame for coining this phrase: Opportunity Costs. If a country, like ours, loses the opportunity to earn income, whereas it could have done so by making a different choice, we can call that income lost Opportunity Costs.

I wonder if anyone is doing the sums to add up the lost Opportunity Costs of Brexit. It’s not easy because the sums should include investments that weren’t made or businesses that didn’t start-up. That said, the tangible items, like; businesses that moved away or trade deals that will be exited should be easy to add up. I guess, the answer is a huge and growing number and one that Ministers can’t face. Now wonder this Conservative “magpie Government” must steal news from the everyday.

[1] BMW to continue to build cars in Oxford.

[2] EU action on unfair credit card fees.

Good and Bad

WP_20170719_010 There’s some good news. It’s not often that can be said in this rather peculiar time.

There’s some bad news too. So, let’s go with the bad news first. It occurs to me that an enormous amount has been written about Brexit but little of what’s written is getting any traction in turning around the ridiculous situation we find ourselves in. It’s assumed that the rift between IN or OUT, Remain or Leave, Pro or Anti is unbridgeable. However, day-after-day, people are leaping over that rift and regretting their vote to leave the European Union but, now, not much is changing. I want to add one more reason why people need to take that leap forward and reject Brexit. The reason comes in this shape and it has much to do with my experience with rules and regulations.

Whatever you do in life things go wrong. Accidents happen. Errors get made. Failure occurs. It really doesn’t matter if you come from the left, right or centre of politics. Stuff happens and one of our expectations is that Governments, wherever they are, will fix problem stuff. You might say; what the point of them if they don’t?

What’s concerning and dangerous about the current Brexit obsessed Government has hit us before. It’s the phenomena that is so easy to see in hindsight but difficult to see when it’s happening. It’s often called; groupthink. Laws get made, regulation get amended and decisions get taken in a way that doesn’t consider the impact. That’s where we are today and its really is bad news.

Next for the good news. I welcome Vince Cable as the leader of the Liberal Democrats in the UK. There’s a huge gaping gap right at the heart of British politics. A massive vacant spot to occupy. The right is in its fox hole. The left is up on the barricades. Nobody is addressing the clear majority of sane, sober and honest people who just want the best for their community and their Country. The good news is that there’s an opportunity to offer an alternative to the blind groupthink of the extremes of left and right. A positive, progressive internationalist centre ground Party will go far.

Daily Prompt: Denial

Most difficult amongst all our efforts is to try and see things as they really are. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? It’s not so simple. Often when a catastrophe occurs eye witnesses come up with the strangest of recollections of events. We process what we see in ways that use a baggage of assumptions and preconceptions. Seeing is just one sense and so as we mix all the sources of information that we have the picture can get sharper or more blurred. Either way we will fix this result as; our view.

Is this denial? Denial of reality. You get it; I’m channelling my inner Spock. Half Vulcan – half human. We are stuck in that world between objectivity, facts and logic and our imagination, emotions and feelings. I don’t want to deny either. Let’s just except, to see things as they really are needs a lot more effort than we often give it.

via Daily Prompt: Denial

Take Back Control

I’ll bet some of those who backed leaving the European Union liked the slogan: “take back control”. It was a false prospectus but the words had a ring to them. Who doesn’t want to be the master of all they survey? Even if I know that, not only beyond my garden fence but inside it too my local council will have a say if I want to build an extension to the house.

Now, to me it’s shocking what the Governments has revealed as their proposal for how they’ll change Britain’s laws to leave the European Union. The Government want to bypass the British Parliament and write new laws behind closed doors.

Who wants Brexit to mean we swap open and transparent law making in Brussels for murky backroom law making by the Conservatives in Westminster? This is bad news. The proposal on the table would give the Government the power to change the laws that affect all of us, without proper Parliamentary scrutiny. It seems obvious the results will be murky deals between Conservative Ministers and their supporters with the interests of the public being a minor consideration.

If you really want to take back control there’s a way to do it. Why should we be beggars with the ballot in our hands? The next important vote is the local elections on May 4th.

Published and promoted by G Southall on behalf of John Vincent and Reigate Liberal Democrats, all at 37 Tanyard Way, Horley, Surrey RH6 9PE

Daily Prompt: Champion

Champion the Wonder Horse! Champion the Wonder Horse! I can hear that theme resonating in my ear. It was coming from a black and white TV set sitting in the corner of the front room. This is going back to the 60s in the farm house where I grew-up. Like a streak of lightnin’ flashin’ cross the sky. Can’t remember a single story or even what Champion looked like. Take that even further, we never had a horse on the farm in my time. Nevertheless, that song is as clear as a bell. The picture that goes with it of the room and the large stone fire place are well in focus. Strange tricks the mind plays.

via Daily Prompt: Champion

Looking ahead

Patriotism, being a patriot, being patriotic. Mud is being slung around between English people as if there was a religious war going on. Last year’s monstrous referendum, that divided Britain has set people on each other in a way that hasn’t happened since the 17^th Century.

It makes me angry when a few people try to systematically bully, intimidate and delegitimise others who don’t agree with their narrow world view. That way of doing politics is deeply un-British and is harming the Country. Fundamental British values are: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith.

Before anyone comments; that’s a democracy without intimidation and where free speech is cherished.

I am so proud to stand with the over 16 million British people who voted Remain. Those opposing Brexit, they are the patriots. They are brave and strong enough to accept that a mistake has been made, ready to turn back and take responsibility.

It is patriotic to do everything possible to prevent the Brexit calamity. Not only that but it’s time for the Brexit error to be a catalyst for a rebirth of the European dream. I believe, the best thing we can do is to learn from our mistakes. That action, in the end is how we will succeed as a Country.

On the edge

We are on the cusp of a glorious victory or defeat. Can’t be sure, just now. Whatever. We are on the seat of our slacks, hanging on to every word just waiting for the final count down. Seconds tick by as the suspense builds. People fidget with anxiety. Nervous onlookers shake with unease. Cameras pan the room. A tap to the microphone to check it’s working. And finally, just as we were all about to turn away – he lifts the tea bag out of the cup. Nothing to see here. Move on. Only another cuppa.

via Daily Prompt: Cusp

Not Normal

Strangeness is a part of the make-up of Brexiters. Foolish though I am, I read posts that flow from articles on Europe. Inevitably in the agreement with negative statements and the disagreement with positive statements there’s a “justification” that takes a distorted view of history. Several themes are common. One is: Britain stood and stands alone against evil, folly and sloth. Another is: Collapse, chaos and catastrophe happens on the Continent. Yet another is: “they” need “us” more than we need them.

Underlying this are nostalgic fictions, separatism and an exceptionalism that is out of touch with reality. It’s like Brexiters cover their eyes for the love of a dream state that doesn’t have to address practical day-to-day concerns.

In this dream state calling for a new Royal Yacht Britannia, blue passports or a return to pounds, ounces, feet and inches when the UK’s health and social care services are straining every sinew, doesn’t seem so crazy. In this dream state branding any view you disagree with as “project fear” or somehow traitorous is standard. In this dream state deflecting blame for anything that goes wrong is quite normal.

The longer that we take to wake up from this hallucination the more harm will be done. The seeds of change are in the air but we may need a good shaking before our eyes are opened. Expect a rocky year.