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Friday was Comic Relief's Red Nose Day in the UK and Saturday the theme continues as Tory leader and Prime Minister David Cameron addresses the party faithful at their annual conference.

During "conference season" in the UK each of the main political parties meets with their grassroot supporters and local politicians. This week it is the Tory's turn. Splinter groups can cause problems for party leaders during the week's conference but they are often a sign of what is really going on within the party.

Mr Cameron's pudgey, almost bloated face, shows that he is managing to live off the fat of the land whilst preaching austerity for others. Certainly many citizens are gaining weight, but that is due to following a cheap diet of fattening foods and being unemployed. Those living on the breadline cannot afford a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables. They tend to have to buy the cheap cuts of meat, those that have been suspect during the horsemeat scandal, for instance.

Cameron's chubby cheeks are useful for looking smug. The eyes gave that away when he tried to look sincere during his speech.

The PM concentrated a great deal on the Labour party during Saturday's keynote conference speech. It seems the only way he can sell the Tory party is by attacking an alternative. The UK Conservative party has had a busy couple of weeks as internal divisions and questions about Cameron's party leadership surfaced.

He will have stayed clear of attacks on parties such as UKIP, the United Kingdom Independence Party, as they could be the Conservative's next political partners. UKIP are a little like the Tea Party in the USA but just which is the most crackpot is hard to determine. Certainly on Monday the Liberal Democrats, the current coalition partners of the Tories, will join forces with Labour to oppose a vote in Parliament. The vote involves regulation of the Press following the lengthy Leveson inquiry into press intrusions and corruption in the UK. Whilst it is a worthy vote it is a shame the Liberal Democrats have not shown such backbone regarding other matters.

During the inquiry damning evidence and witness statements showed the sorry state of the British media and some members of the police force. Who could fail to be moved when the mother of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler spoke to the inquiry. Her daughter's phone was hacked by a member of the press when Milly was already dead, but there were hopes she was still alive. It gave her Mum false hope that her daughter would be found safe and well. There were many other similar reports which led Cameron to commit to improving press standards and their watchdog. More lies it seems.

Whilst all right-thinking individuals, and we do not mean politically right, will shy away from press censorship we know that something must be done. The British press was, and maybe still is, out of control. Freedom of the press is worth protecting so getting the proper balance is vital.

For all his empty words regarding the press David Cameron wants a voluntary scheme of regulation whilst the Liberal Democrats and Labour will vote for tougher measures.

It is widely known in the UK that the Prime Minister, and other politicians, had a too close for comfort relationship with Rupert Murdoch and members of his empire. Images of Cameron cozying up to Rebekah Brooks are unpleasant, to say the least. The Leveson Inquiry revealed a unhealthy friendship between Brooks and Cameron. She faces trial this year on charges of phone hacking and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

In the past, allegedly, media mogul Rupert Murdoch has been able to make or break British Prime Ministers. Dinners between PM Tony Blair and Murdoch show a long standing problem. Cameron will be worried about alienating the press, especially the big chiefs, with an election scheduled for 2015.

During Saturday's speech Cameron said he did not want to attack the wealthy in the UK but spread the wealth. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he could barely stop himself laughing at the time. His face shows that he enjoys more than the odd beer so perhaps he was drunk, or maybe just intoxicated with power. In previous reports he has revealed he likes to be desperate to urinate when he gets up to speak, following a tactic used by former Tory nutcase Enoch Powell.

On March 20, Wednesday, British Chancellor Geroge Osborne will deliver his Spring Budget to the people of the UK. The budget will gloss over the economies shortcomings, try to instil confidence in Cameron and his cronies and annouce the coming year's financial policies.

"Spreading the wealth" is a taste of what is to come.

That phrase hints that there will be no respite for the poor but help for the wealthy. There will be sweetners for the middle-classes but watered down by counterproductive measures. The Chancellor will hope to play most of the country for fools. Last year an unexpected announcement meant a hit for UK pensioners. He tried to hide it under waffle and caught the opposition on the hop. That was the same budget when he reduced taxes for the wealthy, so expect more of the same.

Obnoxious as ever Cameron is able to show his true self, well almost, at conference. The presence of the press stays his hand but if he wins Monday's vote and gets back in the good books of those in the media, such as Murdoch, perhaps he is on to a winner.

Will Monday's vote have a bearing on the 2015 general election in the UK? Yes, of course it will.

Related:

Don't pee, just yet!
Cameron's horseplay texts with Rebekah Brooks

Tory opposition to Labour and Lib Dems Leveson inquiry plans
David Jones forced to fly back to UK for press vote

 
 
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European Union officials have agreed to a provisional deal that caps bonuses paid to bankers, which could come into force as early as 2014. As the UK’s current economic crisis had its roots in banking failures a bonus cap should be good news to the British government, but it is not. UK PM David Cameron has fought hard against a cap on banking bonuses and there are many reasons why. Today's announcement means that banking bonuses will be capped at one year’s salary. A bonus may be increased to two years, but only if the bank's shareholders give their permission.

London has the biggest banking sector in the European Union and will take a financial hit

The City of London, the so-called financial capital of Europe, relies on banking revenue. Capping bankers bonus payments will lead to a fall in tax revenues and restrict growth in the financial sector, claims Cameron. Employing around 144,000 directly, and many more in related posts, the London banking sector is big business.

Jobs for the boys and girls

Of course the cynical will say that all Cameron is doing is attempting to protect his “banking buddies.” As a Conservative party leader, David Cameron will be keen on protecting the banking sector, although his reasons are open to debate.

It is another hit from the EU

Britain is firmly entrenched in the EU and this often has a negative impact on the people of the UK. EU member states such as Germany, and that country’s leader Angela Merkel, pull the strings and Brits dance to an ever-changing tune. Each leader looks after their own country’s interests and to call the EU a community is a laughable.

Banks will simply pay bigger salaries

There is a line of argument that paying a bonus guarantees results as they are linked to performance. To get round a cap in bonus payments banks will pay higher starting salaries which are not linked to performance. Will this result in poor performance, in reality?

The best Bankers will leave the UK

With a cap on bonuses in Europe the UK will lose its best bankers, perhaps to Asia or America, where there are no restrictions in place.

Opinion

So those are the general arguments against a cap on banking bonuses. David Cameron looks genuinely concerned about the effect this change could have on the UK economy but is this just a ploy?

The front bench of the coalition government in the UK parliament, also called “millionaire’s row” includes Messrs Clegg, Cameron and Osborne who are millionaires in their own right. Their parliamentary salaries are just pocket-money. Such men rarely enter politics because they need or job or want to help the people of a country. They enter politics as a business. It offers a means to an end, including a way to make sure your wealth is best served.

Having networked and made life-long allies on the playing fields of long-established public schools such as Eton, top jobs go to a select few.

Whilst there is some truth in the effect a bonus cap could have on the City of London and tax revenues such a measure was long overdue. How any banker can claim that bonus payments guarantee employees perform well escapes me.

Today the Guardian reports that RBS, Royal Bank of Scotland, has reported a "fifth consecutive pre-tax loss of £5.2bn in 2012." Reasons given such as money being paid back following miss-selling of products are no excuse. These show that the banks needed taking in hand.

Many people work hard for a salary without ever receiving bonus. It says something that bankers can only work hard if there is an added incentive.

The EU decision to cap banking bonus payments does highlight European interference in British affairs but many ordinary Britons will be quite happy that is the case, at least this time.

Sources

Guardian

Telegraph

Reuters

BBC

Related reading: A better world without Central Banks


 
 
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David Cameron wants the UK to stay in the EU. Many politicians and economists want the UK to stay in the EU. Now Frau Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, has decided that she would like the UK to stay in the EU. The problem is a large percentage of the population of the UK want to wave bye-bye to the EU.

Today David Cameron made his keynote speech on British membership of the European Union. The speech was scheduled for last Friday but was postponed due to the Algerian hostage crisis. As the Tory election campaign gets into full swing a referendum as to whether or not the UK stays in the EU has been proposed.

Much of Cameron's speech was anticipated but, confirmation finally came that he was planning an in-out referendum. The UK PM plans to re-negotiate the terms of UK membership of the EU first. He will then hold a referendum with a straight forward in-out vote for the British electorate.

Barely had Cameron's words been reported than Chancellor Merkel of Germany was promising to seek an EU compromise with the UK, reports the Telegraph. Merkel said,

Germany, and I personally, want Britain to be an important part and an active member of the European Union,". "We are prepared to talk about British wishes but we must always bear in mind that other countries have different wishes and we must find a fair compromise. We will talk intensively with Britain about its individual ideas but that has some time over the months ahead."

Opinion.
If Cameron wanted to spur the EU into action perhaps his referendum announcement has done the trick.The timing of Merkel's offer a compromise says it all. What will Germany and the others do if the UK votes to leave the EU? That is hard to say.

Many citizens in the UK are sick to the back teeth of the EU. The country looks set to have an influx of Romanian immigrants as restrictions end. The European Court of Human Rights has scuppered  the extradition of some whilst others have been sent around the world. The UK currently operates under wide ranging EU regulations that most people find laughable.

Before you get too excited at the prospect of a referendum there are a few things to bear in mind.
  • None of this will happen beore the 2015 election.
  • The Tories are adding a re-negotiation of EU powers into their 2015 manifesto.
  • Other member states will have to agreee to new terms
  • This means that, if they do not, a referendum will not be held.
  • Cameron has suggested that any referndum would be held in the first few years of a term of office
  • The Tories must have a majority. A coalition would probably mean no referendum.
  • The Conservatives have a track record of breaking manifesto promises.
Was Cameron's proposal of a UK EU referendum anymore than electioneering?

There are too many ifs, buts and ands to be able to say Cameron is truly planning a referendum. He is facing an election in 205. Focusing the public's attention on the eU detracts from real issues at home. It prenets euro sceptic right wing voters shifting their allegiance to fringe parties such as UKIP and the EDL.

In announcing an EU referendum is David Cameron doing more than electioneering? You decide

Keynotes from the speech can be found here.
 
 
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Protesters
The results of the lengthy, and no doubt costly, Leveson inquiry into press standards in the UK have been revealed today, November 29, 2012. PM Cameron and his depuity Nick Clegg had more than a sneak preview and were able to mull over the document late yesterday and early today. The news is that they could not agree on how to go forwards.

At  1.30pm GMT today the Leveson report was made public. It appears that his verdict is that rules and regulations must be tightened up. Leveson has called for the current Press Complaints Commission to be scrapped. In its place he would like to see a new Independent body established and overseen by Ofcom.

Ofcom is reportedly an "Independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries". it seems to make sense then that they are involved and would surely offer a compromise. It is important that we retain as free a press as possible but that individuals are protected.

The Leveson inquiry heard evidence from many who had suffered at the hands of a poorly regulated press. One was the Mother of murdered schoolgirl Millie Dowler. The mother was given false hope that her daughter was alive following some in the media accessing her cell phone.The wrongdoing by certain members of the press ranged from intruding on the privacy of celebrities to paying police for information. There are many heads that need to roll.

David Cameron is all for maintaining the freedom of the press whilst his deputy Nick Clegg wants more regulation. There is talk of incentives to persuade those in the reporting business to voluntarily accept any changes.  Yesterday the Spectator bosses  said that they would not abide by any attempts to limit the freedom of the press.

The new body if it comes into force will have the power to levy £1ml fines against those found to have overstepped the mark.

Such is the disagreement between Cameron and Clegg that they will both deliver individual responses to the report in the House today. So will Labour leader Ed Miliband. The hope is now that the problems will be resolved and a working compromise agreed.

The Hacked Off campaign group, in an initial statement,said,  "These proposals are reasonable and proportionate and we call on all parties to get together to implement them as soon as possible. The press must be given a deadline, the inquiry is over, now is the time for action"

Opinion
You could not watch people like the parents of missing Maddie McCann and Millie Dowler and not be affected. We need to be careful about a knee jerk response though even after all this time. Some bad apples must not be allowed to spoil the whole barrel.

The Press is not as easy to define as it once was. There are online publications, both small like TEK and established such as The Times, there are social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook and then there are websites where people are paid to be citizen journalists. Some are run in the UK but most are not. How on earth can all of this be "policed"

The UK Tories benefitted from a close rleationship with sections of the British media, some would say. That is probably true of all political parties at some time or another. That could be part of the reason why Cameron is reluctant to change things a great deal. The current system could be useful to some.

Source:
SkyNews

 
 
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There may be tons of important news out there lately but today PM David Cameron's appearance on the American David Letterman show is making headlines. It sees that he impressed many of the American members of the TV audience with his charm and good nature. Both are qualities he is not renowned for in the UK.

After the event those members of the audience who were asked an opinion on Dodgy Dave Cameron gave positive comments. We well remember former UK PM Margaret Thatcher impressing those on the other side of the Pond. Of course they did not have to live under her damaging policies.

It is odd, isn't it how leaders are often popular in other countries. Many in the UK are still greatly impressed with President Obama but of course we do not live in the US. The same seems true of Cameron in the USA. Leaders of course do have an affect on world affairs and those in other countries but it is each country's leader that directly impacts on their own citizens.

Some in the US were impressed at how Cameron responded to unscripted questioning. They commented that Obama would not allow that. His questions were scripted and rehearsed. We are not 100% sure that Cameron's appearance was not rehearsed or scripted also.

The fact that he did not know what Magna Carta meant was hard to believe. Educated on the playing fields of Eton he would be fully conversant with Latin. Do we believe that he did not know that the Magna Carta was a Great Charter? Do we hell.

It seemed more like a well staged performance rather than an off the cuff interview. As such Cameron would play his part well. After all he is good at acting a part and pretending.

Shame he is no good at running the UK.

 
 
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On Tuesday May 1, 2012, the UK Parliament will sit for the last time before it goes into recess. It will reconvene with the State Opening of Parliament on May 9, 2012. What a joke. Minsters are already considering restricting the Public Holidays of UK workers, yet they continue to take excessive extended breaks when such public holidays for the rest of us usually mean one day away from work, if we are lucky.

This week though it will mean that just when many people have an important issue to raise at the punch and judy session in the Commons, also known as Prime Minister's Questions, it will not be available.

PM David Cameron has had to cancel a scheduled visit to Milton Keynes to, according to SkyNews, "answer the question on why Mr Hunt has not been referred to the independent adviser on ministerial interests". 

Cameron is not the first UK PM to flout the rules. Former Labour PM Gordon Brown is accused of similar behaviour in the past. That does not however make it right. The Jeremy Hunt affair, its implications and links to the PM make this a different ball game.

Faced with a refusal by Lord Leveson for an opportunity for Hunt to testify earlier than planned at the inquiry the PM appeared to still feel he could just bide his time. Other ministers however want answers sooner rather than later. We should not forget that in the past Mr Cameron has attempted to save the political skin of other people such as Andy Coulson.

It would appear that people want to know what has gone on and Cameron's statement yesterday that, "If evidence comes out through this exhaustive inquiry where you're giving evidence under oath - if he did breach the ministerial code, then clearly that's a different issue and I would act." will simply not wash.

Mr Cameron is good at turning the tables on interviewers and has proved himself capable of temper tantrums on many occasions. How he will react to questioning is hard to guess. He may not be happy that the Speaker of the House has allowed the questioning now rather than later but he will have to abide by his rule.

As Labour leader Ed Milband said,."People need to know there is the utmost probity and integrity in the way Government is being run. "It is a pattern with this Prime Minister, particularly around News International... He resists the calls for change."

Yes he does, we have noticed that too!.

Tags: David Cameron, Jeremy Hunt, Parliamentary recess, Commons questions, BSkyB bid, Murdoch

 
 
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In  recent years Prime Minister's questions in Parliament has taken place on a Wednesday. Maybe it always did but it is only in recent years that we, the British public, have been able to watch or listen in on the fun. This bloggers says fun as although it should be serious business in the House each and every day Question time can be odd to say the least.

At times it has seemed more like kiddies half hour of naughtiness in a kindergarten. Each side will take a pop at the other and aim to score points. If we are lucky, depending upon your principles it can be highly amusing or a disgrace to watch.

Today, Wednesday April 18, 2012, is the first Question time in Parliament since George Osborne's Spring Budget. The honourable chaps and gals have been enjoying an Easter break. They may want to get rid of our meagre Bank Holiday entitlement but they certainly love their holiday privileges.

Leader of the opposition Ed Milband was of course wanting to gain a political advantage over the Condems or as they are also called the UK Coalition government. Ed had plenty of ammunition to hand kindly supplied by the Budget and a series of ill thought proposals by the Tories. Mr Cameron was accused of "presiding over a "shambles"" , by Mr Miliband, who went on to tell him to "get a grip" following a few dodgy weeks.

Amusingly it seems that "pasty Gate" is far from over. A veritable fiasco followed announcements that our ridiculously high VAT of 20% would be applied to  Cornish Pasties. It did however appear that was only if they were bought hot. If taken home to heat up they would remain VAT free. 

The changes to VAT on hot food, Mr Osborne had claimed, would make the system fairer. However it seems it is far from that. Today SkyNews reported that, "Lib Dem MP Stephen Gilbert then joined in the attack on Cameron as he pointed out that "there is no VAT chargeable on caviar yet the Government is proposing to put VAT on the Cornish pasty. Can he tell me why that is fair?"

Mr Cameron replied: "What I think is unfair is that products sold in a fish and chip shop wich are subject to VAT, those same products can be sold in supermarkets not subject to VAT. "I don't think that's fair and that's why it's right we redraw the boundaries."

Yes but what about the damn caviar which the government and its cronies enjoy eating? That of course remains unanswered.

Opinion: All of this may be highly amusing and a "good laugh". After all we need that especially these days, don't we?  The problem is that whilst they are debating this trivia for our amusement the real issues are forgotten. The latest jobless figures may be slightly improved but with galloping inflation, pay cuts, granny taxes and pay freezes there are more serious fish to fry than Cod and Chips.

In case you need reminding Parliament we do not pay you to eat caviar, enjoy subsidised alcohol in the Parliament bar nor to act the fool on the world stage of the House of Commons. Isn't it about time you all behaved as adults, got on with the job in hand and led by example?

Tage: pastygate, cornish pasty, caviar, UK VAT, George Osborne, David Cameron, UK Spring budget, UK inflation

 
 
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UK tax relief, UK charitable donations, UK fat cats, UK PM, David Cameron, UK tax changes, give it backThe UK government has been looking at ways and means to raise more revenue. In line with other European countries the UK is struggling to make ends meet. It appears to be still classed as a rich country and certainly there is wealth out there. Perhaps it is that elusive 1% holding the bulk of the wealth but it is there.

The UK coalition has in its recent budget and other proposals for change cost many people money. It has of course generously eased the tax burden for some of the most wealthy people in the UK.

David Cameron has indicated today that it may do an about turn on one tax reform. This tax is one that would affect the revenue raised by charitable donations each year. It does appear that UK fat cats have been tax dodging by exploiting the charitable donations tax relief.

Currently the state of play is," higher-rate taxpayers donating to a charity can reclaim more than half of the tax. From April 2012, the maximum will be £50,000 per year, or 25 per cent of the individual’s income".

The problem has risen by tax payers donating large amounts to reduce their overall tax bill. It is not a simple issue. There is of course that usually it is a case of "you earns your money, you makes your choice"

Visiting Asia currently David Cameron said there is"no doubt that abuse is happening". According to the Telegraph he went on, “We’re very clearly informed of that, by the Inland Revenue, some people have been using charities established in other countries to funnel money in and get their tax rates so they’re not paying 50p tax or even 45p tax but in some cases are paying 10 or 20 per cent tax, and I think that isn’t right."

This would mean that they were paying less tax than ordinary UK workers.

Charities have seen funds plummet due to UK austerity and cuts to government funding. If Mr Cameron tightens tax loopholes charities will suffer. For now he has said that the government will look sympathetically at the problem and perhaps water down the changes.

Tags: UK tax relief, UK charitable donations, UK fat cats, UK PM, David Cameron, UK tax changes, give it back

 
 
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It was announced in the last week or so that the UK coalition government had plans to increase its online snooping on UK citizens. Whilst  a few Brits may have shrugged their shoulders and said "so what?" the majority were outraged.

The Tory part of the UK coalition had revealed that new internet snooping legislation proposals would be announced in the forthcoming Queen's speech. The Lib Dem part of the coalition was up in arms.

Nick Clegg, Deputy PM and leader of the Lib Dems was quick to denounce his political allies. He assured the public that there would be a period of consultation and no changes would simply be implemented. PM David Cameron has contradicted this today stating emphatically that Mr Clegg and leading Liberal Democrats were at the table when the plans to increase spying were discussed.

Who is lying is hard to say. Both leaders and parties do not currently have a good track record for telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Perhaps there is an element of truth in what both men have said. We of course will never know.

The May local elections are just around the corner and if the snooping announcement is to cause any political fall-out it will be the Lib Dems who are affected. This is because voters who took a chance on voting LD had hoped for much more from this political party.  They had not from the Tories. 

Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron, has however gone on record as saying that his party will "kill" any attempts by the government to implement the changes, unless they are watered down. That last point is of course significant. How will they be watered down? Will what they call "watered down" be what UK voters believe that to be?

Still we have to remain hopeful. The current proposals would enable the increased monitoring of emails and internet use in real time, and without recourse to a judge for a warrant. Mr Farron has said that he and his fellow party members will not back "authoritarian laws"Well that is good to hear. Most people accept in time there will be some changes but no-one wants an expansion of UK Big Brother. 

Whether we can rely on Mr Farron or trust him though is another variable. In the meantime we can but hope, lobby our MPs, make your voice heard at the elections and sign the many petitions out there, including the one on this blog.

At least one Tory MP opposes the proposals


Tags: Nick Clegg, David Cameron, Online snooping, UK online spying

 
 
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The UK political alliance between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties has been under strain recently. At one time most people would have thought them too different to join forces. Politics can make for strange "bedfellows" though and these two parties for the sake of convenience have become bound as one in a ruling coalition government. Some may claim that they joined forces for the good of the country whilst others will insist that it was simply so that both could gain power.

Whatever the reason it has damaged the Liberal Democrats standing more than the Conservatives. The Lib Dems are often seen as having sold out to the highest bidder. 

Last week we had a Tory Minster engineering a damaging fuel shortage and this week we have had another attacking our freedoms. Excessive description? No, not at all. The government had planned to announce an expansion of its online snooping so that all emails and Internet browsing could be viewed in real terms. If we are not careful they will soon want to open our mail before we do. Hard copy mail may be few and far between these days but we all expect to be the first person to open and read such a communication. This should also be the case for our emails.

He may have looked uncomfortable but yesterday, April 3, 2012, Nick Clegg came out in support of the online spying expansion. He tried to reassure citizens that ordinary people would not be affected at all. In truth he was unable to make such reassurances. This morning it has been announced that the online spying expansion has been put on hold. The general public's outcry had taken the government by surprise. Whilst they may maintain that changes will follow they have shelved it for a year. This however is proving hard to confirm. Please make sure you continue to pressure your political representative and sign online petitions available.

Perhaps Mr Clegg, Mr Cameron and members of the Coalition should remember their stance when in opposition and beyond. The mailonline reminds us that, "Last year Mr Clegg also unveiled the Protection of Freedoms Bill, which pledged to put 'traditional British freedoms at the heart of the Whitehall agenda'. In Opposition, the Conservatives also pledged to cut down on intrusion into private lives. The party's manifesto said that 'wherever possible, personal data should be controlled by individual citizens'."

UK citizens have hardly had time to draw breath though and there is a further announcement regarding "secret trials". This time however Nick Clegg has spoken out publicly about this proposal. It could be due to the fact that May elections are almost here or simply that he has decided to show some bottle and stand up to the Tories.

Today SkyNews has carried a report on the latest furore, 
"Moves to create "secret justice" in Britain have suffered a blow after Nick Clegg warned the Prime Minister he could not support the current plans.The intervention by Mr Clegg came as an influential group of MPs and peers savaged proposals to hold more inquests and court cases behind closed doors.The plans are aimed at ensuring that sensitive evidence from the security services is not made public in open courts.Mr Clegg's objection was set out in a letter to the National Security Council - chaired by David Cameron - in which he warned that major changes were needed to the plans before they could get backing from Liberal Democrat colleagues.

In response UK PM David Cameron contradicted, "But David Cameron intervened in the row to say it was the "job of the Prime Minister to make sure we do everything that is necessary to keep the country safe". There are "significant gaps" in the UK's defences in terms of technological progress and in the courts that need to be addressed, he said. He added he believed it is possible to balance security requirements without harming civil liberties and it was up to him to make difficult decisions."

OPINION: OK so here is my opinion, for what is worth. This joke of a UK government came to power preaching openness. It has continued to attack people's freedoms. It has war mongered abroad. It has actively helped rebels in civil wars. It has cut police and army personnel numbers to the core. It has brought in an austerity package that has hit many people hard. It cares not one jot except for keeping hold on to power.

Part of the desire for change follows from the US. It seems they prefer behind closed door dealings and secrecy. They do not want to be involved in our trials if they are more open. In order to satisfy America Cameron wants us to follow the US yet again

Most people in the UK do no want, respect, or like the idea of so called American justice. We prefer to have our own legislated, well thought justice system. Right now the coalition seems to want to turn the UK into a Big Brother state. The point is will you let them?

It is time for Mr Clegg and his party members, and Ed Miliband and his party members, to stand up and be counted. The longer Clegg props up the Tory joke the less electable the Lib Dems will become.

Right now Cameron and his gang are scaremongering, talking up security issues and the like in order to make the Birtish people run scared. Do not let them.

Full Story here