Has Jack Straw Also Committed an Electoral offence.

You could not make this up

First Kerry McCarthy
Then earlier today an uncorroborated report of dodgy London East End voting

Now this !!!!!!











Jack Straw is guilty of the criminal offence of treating - offering food and drink to electors as an induucement to vote - under the Representation of the People's Act 1983, Clause 114 (2). The maximum penalty is one year in prison. As a corrupt electoral practice it brings disbarment from parliament for life - including the House of Lords.

The evidence against Straw is overwhelming. Free food was given to hundreds of Blackburn Muslim voters at a rally in his constituency on Sunday 25 April 2010. Speeches were made specifically calling on the recipients of the free food to vote for Jack Straw in Blackburn. He also made a speech urging them to vote for him, and he approached voters individually to ask for their votes in the hall where the free food was being given out.

Affidavits have been sworn to this effect and handed to the police. You can see them here:

Download file

A complaint about him has been formally made to Blackburn Police and given police report ref LC-201004271237.

Treating is not an obscure offence. It is number 2 in the Electoral Commission guidebook for police officers
http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/I2081

It is also detailed in the Association of Chief Police Officers "Guidance on Preventing and Detecting Electoral Malpractice" .
Download file

At Page 22 of the ACPO guide, there is important information on how Blackburn Police should be conducting this investigation:

1.1Suggested action for all cases:
preserve evidence
respect the secrecy of sealed documents and seek advice before opening
when election documents become evidence in a potential crime, the method of preservation by the police should include consultation with the elections office to agree a mutually beneficial way forward
invite the suspected party for interview under caution or consider Section 24(e) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 (as amended by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005)
consider advice from the Special Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
inform the Returning Officer and the Electoral Commission via police SPOC
advise Police National Information and Computer Centre (PNICC) in scheduled return of all allegations and outcomes or immediately if there is a major allegation


In fact I expect them to avoid telling the Police National Information and Computer Centre - the authorities will try to bury this quickly and corruptly in Blackburn. There is a plaque proudly displayed in the entrance of the police station where I reported this treating. It states that the station was opened by Lord Taylor of Blackburn - the highly crooked Labour Party politician who was last year suspended from the House of Lords for Corruption -

http://richardwilsonauthor.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/sunday-times-exposes-uk-government-corruption-labour-members-of-the-house-of-lords-agree-to-take-cash-for-backing-legislation-changes/

The police station plaque bears another name also - Lord Adam Patel of Blackburn, who was put in the House of Lords because of his work as an "enforcer" of the Blackburn Muslim vote for Jack Straw, and who was himself present and implicated in the present instance of massive treating - see the affidavits above.

I am therefore sending copies of the dossier to the Independent Police Complaints Commission to be sure it is investigated properly, and the full rigour of the law applied to Mr Straw.

Christopher Hope of the Telegraph contacted Jack Straw's constituency office, who gave one lie and two irrelevancies in reply to this accusation of treating. Straw's defence is:

1) That people were asked to make a voluntary contribution to the cost of the food.

That appears to be a simple lie by Straw. All of the witnesses to whom I spoke - and I interviewed many others who were too scared to swear an affidavit - said they were never asked to make any contribution.

2) That the Returning Officer had approved the arrangements in advance.

He can't. Straw's people are, to say the least, very chummy with the Returning Officer. But Treating is a criminal offence and the Returning Officer can no more OK it than he can OK burglary. The Returnng Officer has no role at all in determining whether treating has taken place, which is solely a matter for the police, crown prosecution service and courts. Mr Tom Hawthorn of Electoral Commission HQ in London has confirmed this to me. It is also made very clear here:

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/guidance_issued_on_eros_consent

3) That the advertisements for the event did not mention that free food will be provided

This is a complete irrelevance introduced by Jack Straw. Prior advertisement is nowhere a condition of the offence. The offence is of offering food and drink to influence someone to vote. Crimes are not mitigated because you do not advertise them in advance.

As I see it, the Police now have to act. Either Straw has to be charged under Representation of the People Act 1983, 114(2), or I have to be charged under the Representation of the People Act 1983, 106 - for making a false statement about a candidate.



Tip the Hat to Craig Murray

Tony Blair Today

This picture is of former Prime Minister Tony Blair during a visit to Alexandra Avenue Health and Social Care Centre in Harrow, North London, as part of Gordy's election campaign.




Christ he looks ill !!!!

Good job it was a visit to a health centre !!

What the hell will Gordy look like in a couple of years time ???

Friday Funny

Well Part 1 I agree with.

Another Postal Vote Sham

Yesterday the news wires went mental over the revalation that Labour Twitter Tzar Kerry McCarthy was involved in a postal vote issue.

See Here

And Here


Well although not more info to go on at this stage we see this little gem pop up on the twitter wires.


henrymacrory Am hearing reports that police are being asked to probe serious postal voting irregularities in East London
about 1 hour ago via web
Retweeted by Sir_Olly_C and 7 others


hhhmmmmmmmm.............lets see what unfolds.

Kind a makes a mockery of us telling certain other countries that there elections are crooked eh!!!

Oh dear Kerry !!!!

The tweet

Has Kerry McCarthy Broken the Law

The Labour Twitter Queen Kerry McCarthy.........Labour Bristol East may have just committed an election gaff of HUGE proportions.

Come on Kerry ......... What have you done ?????


She tweeted as follows


@Kerry4MP First PVs opened in east Bristol, our sample: UKIP **; TUSC** ; BNP ** Lib Dem **; Tory **; Labour **. #gameON!


PV meaning postal votes. Surely this is not right? I have hidden the actual number because it is illegal to report a sample of postal votes as it is in effect an exit poll and this could influence voting on the day. The tweet itself has now been deleted.

I tweeted back @Kerry4MP really then sampling should not be allowed esp if its public knowllege.

Then @markpack replied @Kerry4MP @mikeytweeting That's still illegal though - whether the figures you publish are from sampling or official totals.

lordbonkers tweeted this @kerry4mp suggest you read this http://www.ministryoftruth.org.uk/2007/07/18/welcome-to-the-jeffrey-archer-suite-belmarsh/

Which includes this from Schedule 6, Section 66A of the 2000 amendments to the Representation of the People Act 1983, to whit:

“66A. - (1) No person shall, in the case of an election to which this section applies, publish before the poll is closed-
(a) any statement relating to the way in which voters have voted at the election where that statement is (or might reasonably be taken to be) based on information given by voters after they have voted, or
(b) any forecast as to the result of the election which is (or might reasonably be taken to be) based on information so given.
(2) This section applies to-
(a) any parliamentary election; and
(b) any local government election in England or Wales.
(3) If a person acts in contravention of subsection (1) above, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.”

Kerry defended this by tweeting Kerry4MP defended this by tweeting '@dazmando @markpack On reflection, I've deleted. It's not counting, just random exercise'

Parlez_me_nTory Tweeted to Kerry 'AHEM! RT @ianvisits: this: http://j.mp/bmJaom RT @Kerry4MP 1st PVs opened in east Bristol, our sample: Lib Dem **; Tory **; Labour ** '

Kerry4MP then turned the tables back on @Parlez_me_nTory by tweeting @Parlez_me_nTory @ianvisits I think you two perhaps shouldn't compound the error? My mistake - hands up! But you can't do it either'.

Perhaps getting them in trouble too. Oh dear!

I think this could be the worst tweet Kerry McCarthy has done in her career it is after all against the law.

We wait and see where this leads.

I'm also a little shocked that an MP didn't know or think about the rules governing disclosure of votes before the closing of the polls on Thursday next week.


With Thanks to the Bracknell Blogger

Quote from Alex Salmond

1306: "Gordon Brown didn't seem to have any trouble meeting Margaret Thatcher but he seems to have trouble meeting old age pensioners in Rochdale.


SNP leader Alex Salmond tells the Scottish Parliament 1306hrs.

Source

Fitaloon Makes the BBC

0826: Fitaloon, in Tarland, Aberdeenshire, tweets: Two weeks ago we barely knew Nick Clegg, one week ago we hadn't heard of Mrs Duffy. In one week will we no longer care about Gordon Brown Read Fitaloon's tweets



From Here

Al your famous !!!!!!!!!!

The Day Brown Lost The Election

Gordon Brown on taking over as UK Prime Minister and succeeding Tony Blair, June 27 2007:

"I will listen and I will learn. I will strive to meet people's aspirations. I want to lead a government humble enough to know its place - where I will always strive to be - and that is on people's side."


The on the 28th April 2010 along came Mrs Gillian Duffy of Rochdale.

See here.............but you all know this story by now anyway.

Its the quote at the top I liked.

Call Me Dave

Bit of an unfortunate photo moment me thinks.


See Here................ROFL !!!!!!!

I cant add anymore

Superb piece by that well educated Oxford Chappy.

I have no more to add but having read Al's blog if feel the rants may continue for a good while yet.

Please go here and read the whole thing.

Ta

I did not Authorise those Leaflets !!!!!

Well Alex Salmond has a slightly different take on the subject Gordon !!!!!!!

Question From Last Nights Leaders Debate

Gordon Brown has been accused in the media of lying.

Of fuck me what a shock.......NOT.

Above are the 2 docs to which he made a ref that "They were not authorised by me" in response to being pressed by Cameron and being asked to withdraw them.

I from his own constituency in Kirkcaldy and 1 from Wales

I for 1 feel his choice of words "Not Authorised by me" may be correct. After all I doubt he paid for them.

Authority for these may well have come from the person who actually did part with the green stuff to get them put together.

So the question is then...........Charlie Wheelan.....did YOU authorise these !!!

Liam Fox You Pillock

I am no fan of the property shifting, expense fiddling, fingers in the till chap.

See here

I am no fan that this bugger looks poised to take over the war cabinet should "Call Me Dave " get into No10.

But once again he has shown himself to be a grade A pillock

Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox's car and a laptop were stolen during the burglary last night.

See here

Well its not the car being stolen its the fact the architect of the Tories Defence Plan and the Tory Manifesto was so BLOODY STUPID as to leave a laptop in a car.

I mean jeeez you are battling for a GE you have a shit load of material on that laptop that is gold to the other parties and you leave it unattended in a car.

Obviously the right man for such a profile role.

As we say in Scotland and as a plastic weegie yersel.....(East Kilbride for you non-scots).............ya Fu**in Tube.

Is censorship of the Military Correct!!!

The Telegraph reported prior to the General Election announcement that the Labour Government wanted to "Gag" the military in Afghanistan by means of moving reports out of theatre during the May 6th run up.

TLOTF mounted a somewhat failed campaign...........admittedly with a little malace as my hatred for our Labour administration knows no boundaries.

But recently an American military video has been leaked on the website Wiki leaks. The event may be deeply damaging to public opinion and can even have ramifications for national security and the armed forces, even if it does not lead to further investigation by American authorities. It highlights important issues in public opinion, freedom of information in conflict and the complexities of the internet in attempts to control information.

The video shows a US apache gunship engaging an indiscriminate group of potential combatants through the lens of its targeting system almost a kilometre away. As they circle they call in their command and are given permission to engage. The “hostiles” are quickly dispatched with several bursts from its cannon. As one man survives and crawls away the crew urge him to pick up a weapon to allow them to open fire. A van stops and several other unidentified individuals try to carry him away. The gun operator clamours to stop them before they get away as they wait for permission. He is given the all clear they and they duly dispatch them.

Videos like this are not uncommon on the in the modern press, though the macabre language used describing them as “f**king pricks” and celebrating as they hit their mark would more likely be censored. Often within its own media briefings the US army will show this same style of warfare where the act of killing is reduced to a monochrome vision. They are displays of the “efficiency” with which modern warfare can be undertaken. The relative ease by which it is taken has already been compared to a video game.

What makes this event different to other videos readily available on the internet is that in this case the weapons supposedly seen by the crew were in fact the cameras of a Reuter’s news crew Namir Noor-Eldeen and his driver Saeed Chmagh. The cameras had been misidentified as RPG’s and led to the death of a number of civilians and the injury of two children in a van that stopped to help one of those who survived the first engagement. When the children are found by a patrol that appears some minutes after the response is of disregard from the pilots, responding “Well it’s their fault for bringing kids to a battle”.

The debate retraces familiar discussions on the brutality of war and the actions of those involved in the military. Many have called for justice and punishment of those involved, likening it to a war crime. When a video such as this appears every frame is poured over, every detail remarked upon with precious hindsight. The Rules of Engagement and the Geneva Convention are recited and applied, showing how this event is an act of murder by those who have little regard for the sanctity of life. How can they engage a target without real confirmation? How can they fire upon those who are looking to help the wounded even if they were combatants, as it breaks the rules of war? The attacks upon the pilots spread to condemnation of the US military as a whole, the American system. It is not long before their actions are an embodiment of a ruthless imperial power who is able to take the lives of anyone they please without repercussion.

Opinions from sympathetic views and military sources highlight the difficulty of working in such a hostile environment. Context is key and the commentator points out that this is Baghdad in 2007, during one of the bloodiest months for US troops in the summer surge where small arms fire had been reported in the area. It was a scene where a mistake could cost just as many lives, as the boundary of the soldier and the civilian have been blurred beyond recognition. This was a costly error, but one that happens in a warzone where fallible humans are asked to behave as infallible mechanical soldiers. People have been killed in events such as this and are the collateral of a very real conflict, alluded to by the name of the video as ‘Collateral Murder’. General Stanley McChrystal describes how an untold number have been killed in similar situations. Highlighting the problems in the escalation of force and of civilians or soldiers not acting rationally given the stresses they are under.

However the morality of the action in itself is not the major issue to be dealt with here. The opinion garnered from is easily marred by personal position and opinion. One thing for certain is that the arguments about how you can justify or vilify the actions of these US soldiers will be debated ad nauseum.

There is a far more sinister aspect to this story. The issue is how this video has been dealt with by the American government and how it will be received in the American media as a whole. Wiki leaks have claimed the US actively looked to censor the video by taking down the website. They dismissed the actions of these whistleblowers and in effect looked to cover up the video from the public. They undertook harassment of the website owners and put them under aggressive surveillance. Suggestions have been made the decrypted video has been discussed by the higher echelons of the pentagon and the best way to silence those who would publish damaging sensitive information.

Whether these allegations are true or not are difficult to gauge, but given the sensitivity of the video at hand and the reaction garnered so far it would be hard to believe the US military was not aware of developments. They have not responded to Reuter’s on the subject of their slain journalist and have made little comment on the act beyond admitting that they were killed in the area. But accusations of conspiracy by the US to limit free speech and hide the killings of civilians would be hugely detrimental to public opinion in a number of countries, where they are already saturated with stories such as Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.

Those with access to wide array of sources available to them on the internet have been able to release sensitive and damaging evidence to an audience that would have been unthinkable even during the first Gulf War. The ramifications of this media presence is very hard to quantifiably measure but even the most old fashioned of defence analysts must understand that stories like this play a part in the war on terror. They colour impressions and fuel hatred to forces deployed overseas and sympathy toward extremist opinion.

Yet censorship is obviously not the way to approach events which have shifted to the digital realm.

Wars and conflict are now very different. The media streams and digital worlds mean we see almost immediately any thread or story. We have seen the return of coffins and the ceremonies through Wootton Bassett.

My advice would be to fight your war on a different tact !!!!

With thanks to Robin Ashby

Maybe not the news the bunker needed this am.

Gordy goes on the attack.

First we have this !























The Independent reports that in an interview with the newspaper, Gordon Brown calls for a "progressive alliance" to keep the Conservatives out of power.

I wonder if making a policy that is the best means of fighting an election?

I mean use that rather than fight on

Police
NHS
Economy
Defence
Jobs
Foreign Policy
Schools

But say publically lets get together with the Lib Dems and f*** off the blue noses.


The the new saviour of British Politics Nick Clegg gets a sniff of the above and immediately in the Tories most supportive daily rag gives this ...... See Here...


Nick Clegg says 'desperate' Gordon Brown cannot be trusted
Nick Clegg has delivered his most outspoken attack on Gordon Brown, calling him “a desperate politician” as he signalled that he would find it difficult to do a deal with the Prime Minister in a hung parliament.

That will be another call to Nokia HQ for a new handset then !!!!

To all Members of the 646 Club

Oh and that is old members and prospective now thieves!!

Just in case any of you piggy nosed feet in the trough money grabbing lying swindling bastards keep harping on about how tough your shitty little life is...........I just wanted to show you a quick pic of the new bathroom facilities now open at Patrol Base Shaheed, Helmand Province Afghanistan.

Oh by the way these are new and just been built and opened by the lads themselves.

Can I have a claim form so I can get some cash for them!!!!!!

Inflation hits 3.4%

Courtesy of the LES.................Inflation hits 3.4% thanks to sky high petrol prices.

They say soaring petrol prices sent annual inflation to 3.4% last month after the cost of living rose quicker than expected, official figures showed today.

Consumer Prices Index inflation leapt from 3% in February after petrol prices rose by 2.7% in the month, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The CPI rise - bigger than economists had forecast - presents a headache for the Government at the start of a crucial week for economic data.

The ONS said energy prices also contributed to the rise in inflation as well, but the pressure from petrol threatens to draw attention to Labour's 1p on fuel duty imposed on April 1.

Motorists have been facing record costs at the petrol pump, with oil prices hitting 18-month highs. The AA said the average cost of a litre of petrol was 120.9p, against 95.2p a year ago.

Retail Prices Index inflation - which includes the cost of mortgages and housing - also rocketed last month, reaching 4.4%, the highest since September 2008.

CPI inflation eased back sharply in February to 3% from 3.5% in January and economists had only expected the benchmark measure to rise to about 3.1% last month.

If CPI remains more than 1% above the Government's 2% target this month, Bank of England governor Mervyn King will be forced to write another letter of explanation to the Chancellor.

He last wrote to Alistair Darling after the CPI's spike in January, but the Bank has forecast that inflation should ease by the third quarter.

The ONS figures show a record uplift from transport costs, including petrol prices and air fares, with the annual rate of inflation 11.3% - the highest since at least January 1997.

Food costs also pushed CPI higher, with vegetables affected by the adverse weather at the start of the year.

The data is the first in a week of economic indicators, culminating in the estimation of first quarter gross domestic product on Friday. There are also the latest statistics on unemployment, minutes of the last interest rate meeting, retail sales and borrowing figures for the full financial year.

However I am no financial expert but I feel they are also missing the fact that our lords and Master banged £175 BN of quantative easing into the market place.
Have a wee look at what happened to Japan when it hit 15% hyper inflation due to quantative easing paybacks.

This is What Samantha sees !!

Bwahahahahaha

The Cameron Cum Face !!!

Tip of the hat to Justin McKeating

How Bent is Labour In Scotland

I take no credit as the original author of this.

That goes to Guido.......however this need stated here North of the border so any dithering Scottish voter with the slightest thought of a tick in the red box may be best to think twice.


The downfall of Steven Purcell, Labour’s disgraced former head of Glasgow council has opened up the lid on the rank corruption at the heart of the Labour Party. Three of their MPs face criminal trials and Purcell is now being investigated by the police for Class A drug use and “other matters”, namely to do with his alleged flogging of council contracts to his criminal mates. The Scottish coppers have started interviewing his Labour colleagues over their business deals and drugs links. Further to that the candidate selected to replace Jim Devine has been reported to the police by his own council boss for alleged offences under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act.

Despite being repeatedly asked on television and in the House, Gordon is still being cagey about the problems engulfing his old tribe. Ironically it was the SNP’s John Mason, who won the Glasgow East by-election, who asked Gordon his last ever PMQs question. Gordon again claimed he would “investigate” a conference call between Downing Street and Scottish Labour where Mr Purcell’s little problems were discussed and ruled him unsuitable to stand in that very by-election. He said exactly the same two weeks before!!!!!!!!!!

Three times he has dodged answering and given the growing list of Scottish Labour mob connections you can see why he wants to keep his distance. Once would be unfortunate, twice a coincidence, but on top of the trials and police investigations, the Labour Party have been exposed as associated with organised crime in Scotland dozens of times in the last few years. Cagey Jim Murphy even had a well-known mobster pop into his fundraiser for this election.

Navy to the Rescue

Three Royal Navy ships will be drafted to help return Britons stranded abroad as UK airspace remains restricted.

Source


Well gotta get the next batch of voters back to the UK.

Gordy needs you!!!!!!!!!!!!!


1 quick question..........The Cost??????

Bloody EU Thats just not Cricket !

Bloody EU...........A business that has been handed down through five generations is on the verge of being killed off by a decision made by the EU that will have a knock-on effect on world cricket.

Anglian Willow Services, has been producing wood for cricket bats since the late 1700s, but now faces closure following the introduction of a European Directive enforced on the UK in March, which bans use of the insecticide, methyl bromide.

The chemical, which has been banned because of its effect on the environment, is necessary for the treatment of willow before it can be exported to India and made into cricket bats.

The ban threatens the £3m-a-year Essex-based world cricket bat industry, as well as putting the future of the Watling family business in jeopardy.

Val Watling, company secretary for Anglian Willow Services, said: "I am horrified by the whole thing. It's not just going to affect us, it will mean closure for any of the businesses that are involved in the exportation of willow for cricket bats."

Both Anglian Willow Services and JS Wright, of Great Leighs, were lulled by promises that an alternative to methyl bromide treatment would precede the ban - but it did not.

Val's son Geoff Watling, who is a director of the family business, said: "They say a form of heat treatment can be used but that actually splits willow so we are basically left with nothing.

"The Indian Government cannot allow our willow to be imported without a treatment certificate. On that basis I give our industry 12 weeks to survive.

"We alone have 1,400 prepared trees ready to go and Wrights, who are responsible for up to 80 per cent of the UK supply, have 20 times that amount.

"The current rules of cricket demand bats are made of willow. Without quality East Anglian willow the worldwide game supply of test standard and 20-20 bats could dry up within two years."

Mark Orley, secretary for Willingale Cricket Club, has spoken out in support of the company.

He said: "Most of us are aware that a lot of the world's wood for cricket bats comes from Essex and it will be sad to lose any company that plays a part in the manufacture of cricket equipment."

A spokesman for the Department for Rural Affairs added: "Under the Montreal Protocol, methyl bromide was banned from 2005 in the developed world, except for quarantine and pre-shipment (QPS) and critical uses.

"Methyl bromide is no longer allowed from March 19, 2010."

Notice I included a photo of the SCOTTISH Cricket team who play at the fabulous Grange at the bottom of Arthurs Seat.

Source

Is the recession affecting our Security???

Surprisingly little attention has been paid to the impact that the recession is having on our security arrangements. There is a noticeable lack of public debate around the reality that the UK security industry possesses capabilities in counter-terrorism that are good for the economy. The UK security industry boasts leadership positions in many areas of counter-terrorism. A greater focus on the development and export of security equipment and solutions would help the UK to balance the economy away from consumer services.

Contrary to some perceptions overall expenditure on the UK counter-terrorism effort has continued to rise steadily during this recession. However, constrained budgets pose risks for the security agenda. Whilst continued public sector investment has been a feature of the UK counter-terrorism effort to date, the constrained economy means that … the UK security community … is now bracing itself for potential cuts to defence and public security expenditure. For example, the Government has already been laying foundations for the UK Police Service to make significant savings after the election, including in many areas that touch upon counter-terrorism.

This seems particularly likely when one considers that the Home Office manages more major projects than any other central civil government department. According to a recent report completed by the National Audit Office, the Home Office currently has a portfolio of over 30 major projects with an estimated total lifetime cost of £15 billion. Add to this that the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers has been reported as saying that police budgets are likely to be subject to reductions of up to 20 per cent. Against this backdrop a second impact of the recession is that industry is urging Government to make changes to ensure that the national security market (including counter-terrorism) works more efficiently.

The UK's Science and Technology Strategy for Countering International Terrorism, published in August 2009, noted that the security market in the UK is more “fragmented” than many others, reflecting the range of departments, agencies, police forces and delivery partners involved in this work. There is now a general appreciation in the Home Office that the market is working sub-optimally. This is a welcome admission and industry has been encouraged that the Government sees ‘aligning interests' of customers across the UK counter-terrorism and security market as a high priority. This is a top priority for industry.

The UK security industry, has been placing much greater emphasis on the security export agenda. With industry expecting constrained security budgets at home, this means that many companies are increasingly looking overseas to win the business that is needed to ensure their survival. … The global security market is already estimated to be worth between $140-180bn per year and it has been reported that this could double within the next decade.

Recent figures issued by the UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation suggest that despite the recession the UK security industry's exports were valued at £1.36 billion last year and that this was an increase of more than 14 per cent on previous years. However, it is recognised that the UK security industry could be securing a greater share of this market. Security Minister Lord West explained to the new Joint Committee on National Security Strategy recently that ‘We hold something like 19 per cent of the world defence market and we only hold four per cent of the security market.'

Finally, and most importantly it must be remembered that counter-terrorism is delivered at home and overseas. It is for this reason that any deeper cuts to the defence budget arising from the economic conditions will also affect the UK counter-terrorism effort. Whatever configuration the Strategic Defence Review may take, it is considered by industry to be vital that the next Government ensures that this is not used as a ‘cover for cuts'. Continued investment is needed even against the backdrop of efficiency savings and cuts if the UK is to reduce the damage that the economic downturn will inflict on the UK's key defence and security capabilities.

Our government must be clearer in public on the extent to which security measures are exposed to the economic conditions. … a lot can be done to make sure that Government and industry can cope with the impacts of the recession on national security and Government and industry should seize the opportunity to bring much more efficiency and coherence into play. Great strides in efficiency will be possible if we can reduce the levels of fragmentation within the security market, commitees, quangos and seek economies of scale across both “defence” and “security”.

Notwithstanding the emergence of any efficiency drives, it is vital that both Government and industry remain very agile in the way in which they address terrorism threats and focus their investment accordingly.


Source and thanks to Hugo Rosemont of ADS.

The Leaders Debate

What a complete and utter waste of time.

Particularly mine!!!

What a farce..............3 little boys, with a reheresed schpeal.

God forbid I am going to sit through the next 2.

Got some important grass that needs to be closely watched growing.


"I agree with Nick"
"Nick agrees with me"
Nick and I are in agreement"
Then join the fucking Lib Dems you pillock!!!!!!!!!!

Ellie Gellard @BevaniteEllie

Having launched the Labour Party General Election, Ellie Gellard demonstrates the technique she used to show the PM she was " the girl for the job".


" I like t get it done right first time" she said.

Lord Fondlebum was heard wimpering in the background " hey thats mine...........I want it back"

Bwahahahahahahaha

I so want to see or hear Iain Dale defend this Tory position.


See here

Dont let me down Iain !!!!!!

Important Email

From: james johnston
mailto:thelastofthefew@ymail.com
Sent: 14 April 2010 15:01
Subject: FW: Support

TLOTF

As a rule, I don't pass along these "add your name" lists that appear in emails.

This one is important.

It has been circulating for months and has been sent to over 20 million people.

We don't want to lose any names on the list so just hit forward and send it on.


Please keep it going!


To show your support for Gordon Brown please go to the end of the list and add your name.

1. Sarah Brown
2.

Spineless Bottler

You might have a fit looking Mrs and a good few quid in the bank but you are a bottler.

Looking forward to the blue spinning machine coming up with a story to get over this !!!!


See Here

The BBC have just been told that David Cameron will NOT be going head-to-head with Jeremy Paxman on Monday.

Why the sudden unburdening?

I am very confused here today.

2 separate reports in 2 separate MSM streams on the same sort of subject.

Why is the PM now admitting mistakes.

See here

And see here

For years this man has refused point blank to admit the sun comes up in the morning.............and now "oh dear me.........what a silly boy I am".

Is this an election ploy?
Is this the oh sorry Iam human?
Give me another go plleeeeeaaaaasssssseeeeee?

The thing I struggle with is we have been treated like we are stupid, and we know where the problem lies so why all of a sudden admit it> I mean I would rather he had the conviction to maintain his position rather than fanny about with wishy washy stances..............grow some balls!!

Please Help Me Here ?

Much has been written by others about the 3 Little Pigs above and the fact they are now getting Legal Aid to assist in their defence.

But please please please can someone out there help me understand how???

I mean earnings against expense, rules for claiming etc. Its bad enough them trying to get parliamentary privilege.

I am struggling to maintain my relaxed persona here on this subject.

This is an insult beyond comprehension...............so please and legal readers out there can you shed some light on this???

Oh Vince.........what was that you said?

Businessmen on inflated salaries lecturing the rest of Britain on how to run the country are "utterly nauseating" and "being used" by the Conservative party, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, Vince Cable, says. Source

This is in response to the huge support from the business community to the Tories fight against the 1% rise in NI and the signatures on the letter of support.


And for the record that will be the same Vince Cable that last week was forced to apologise to the house for............well put it bluntly.......being a fucking liar.

So not much cred in what you say these days Vince so I suppose a few inflammatory statements will get you back in the papers and some much needed publicity.


And also does a group of individuals who employ in excess of a million people know less than you................. a politician. Most politicians have failed in there chosen career in the first instance..............hhhmmmmmm makes you think eh!

So come on Vince give us you fabled wisdom here......and I will us M&S as an example.

A 1% rise in NI will cost that company £11 Million. And that is before they even open a door and sell a bloody thing. Economic recover will be lead by the private sector not the public sector............so how does that add up to helping economic growth.

"utterly nauseating" You are right..............but not these businessmen I am afraid.

Despite the fact I have no time for Mrs Dale..........she does have a point

When is an FOI request.........Not an FOI request

When its linked to MP's Expenses of course.

Now the rules on FOI requests are fairly specific however once you announce a General election you can pretty much re-write the rule book.

This morning see here we discover that yesterday details of MPs’ unpaid bar and restaurant bills will be withheld until after the election.

REALLY...........you mean they want more of their theft kept secret.

Hundreds of MPs owe thousands of pounds for food and drink consumed in bars and restaurants around the Palace of Westminster.

Following a request under the Freedom of Information Act last September, the parliamentary authorities have been obliged for some time to release details of the unpaid bills.

However, they have now said that the information will not be released before the Commons reconvenes after the May 6 election.

That will leave voters in the dark about the outstanding debts of MPs standing for re-election, while retiring MPs will leave without facing public scrutiny of their bills


So in what has been described as the worst parliament in history............or "the rotten parliament" we see a further abuse of the system and a further attempt to hide the truth from the voters.

See further info here.

So many will say it a bar bill not a abuse of a system. Well dear readers it is an abuse. If you read the above link you will see the bar is subsidised by you and me. Our tax payers cash..............so it is an abuse.

And should you be the voter who puts back a thief into Westminster because this info was kept out of the public domain..................bet you feel proud don't you !!!

Yahoo

So its been called !!

May 6th for the big General Election.

So a month of being able to rip a new arse to which ever political figure falls into my cross hairs.

I have had a shitty weekend work wise.
Not much of a holiday so to speak..............so coffee is on and news wires being watched

Let the games begin.

Just 1 extra point here.
Voting is a right in our country, (I am not going on right now about parties rights/wrongs). However the act of the vote is part of our constitution.

And some may agree/disagree with me .......... but if you do not exercise that vote......if you are 1 of the "nobody worth voting for types" then sadly and not wanting to piss you off ...........Shut The Fuck Up.

You have that democratic voice.......if you are no prepared to use it......don't give an opinion.

Remember at the last General election Labour was returned to power by approx 22% of the voting population of the UK.


Just saying !

Who Wants A Curry ???

In fact I think you should all definately have a curry.........see Here !!



Welcome to The Big Curry. The fiery fundraiser from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity; here to help soldiers, former soldiers and their families.

What better way to raise money for our soldiers than tucking into the Army’s favourite food! Gather some friends, family or colleagues any time in April and enjoy a curry together.

GET INVOLVED!
Hosting a Big Curry couldn’t be easier. Pick a date and time, send out your invitations, and then get cooking! Download a fundraising pack at www.bigcurry.org to get recipe ideas, hints and tips for your event.

NOT THE COOKING TYPE?
You don’t need to don the pinnny to get involved in Big Curry! We have teamed up with the lovely people at Walkabout to offer you a sizzling deal.

Buy 1 curry and get the 2nd for £1 – which goes straight to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity! We all win! Check out the Metro on April 1st to get your money off voucher!

Visit any of the Walkabouts across the UK on the 16th, 17th, 18th April and join in on the extreme curry competitions and challenges!


Get yourself involved by following this link here !

A video here which requires your IMMEDIATE viewing pleasure !!

So to be fair, a shed load of beer, a curry, a laugh with mates and a few good guys and girls get some much needed help and support.........who says charity is not fun.

Credit where it is due

I am no huge fan of Iain Dale however I will give him credit when it is due.


First he posted this blatant bit of April Foolery.


Then he got sent this bit of info............the dozy bastards fell for it.



And they want us to vote them back in !!!!!!!!!!!!

OFFS !!!!!!!!!!

Politically correct Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar

Nelson: "Order the signal, Hardy."


Hardy: "Aye, aye sir."


Nelson: "Hold on, that's not what I dictated to Flags. What's the meaning of this?"


Hardy: "Sorry sir?"


Nelson (reading aloud): "' England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability.' - What gobbledegook is this?"


Hardy: "Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil's own job getting ' England ' past the censors, lest it be considered racist."


Nelson: "Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."


Hardy: "Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments."


Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the mainbrace to steel the men before battle."


Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. Its part of the Government's policy on binge drinking."


Nelson: "Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it ........... full speed ahead."


Hardy: "I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water."


Nelson: "Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow's
nest please."


Hardy: "That won't be possible, sir."


Nelson: "What?"


Hardy: "Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, sir. No harness; and they said that rope ladders don't meet regulations. They
won't let anyone up there until a proper scaffolding can be erected."


Nelson: "Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay, Hardy."


Hardy: "He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck Admiral."


Nelson: "Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."


Hardy: "Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled."


Nelson: "Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of admiral
by playing the disability card."


Hardy: "Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency."


Nelson: "Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons."


Hardy: "A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won't let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don't want
anyone breathing in too much salt - haven't you seen the adverts?"


Nelson: "I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy."


Hardy: "The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."


Nelson: "What? This is mutiny!"


Hardy: "It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There's a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks."


Nelson: "Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"


Hardy: "Actually, sir, we're not."


Nelson: "We're not?"


Hardy: "No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in
this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation."


Nelson: "But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil."


Hardy: "I wouldn't let the ship's diversity co-ordinator hear you saying that sir. You'll be up on disciplinary report."


Nelson: "You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your King."


Hardy: "Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules. It could save your life"


Nelson: "Don't tell me - health and safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?"


Hardy: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there's a ban on corporal punishment."