Everything you ever wanted to know about British politics but were afraid to ask... - Page 6

Cyclefrance · 06-12-2006, 07:34 AM

Ref your teaching background, my wife's an EWO down here - expect with your area of teaching you may have had close relations with your areas EWOs - specialist needs and learning difficuties feature regulalry in my wife's work (sadly also so do child abuse, drugs and bullying...)

Interesting that the government is pushing its 'respect' campaign heavily today. The core of what's behind it is something most feels is lacking and missing in today's society, but I do fear that this will end up as yet another well-meant initiative with more emphasis given to the headline than to its implementation.

Unfortunately 'respect' means different things for different people so that's not exactly helping to start it off on the right foot - more like it's starting on several different feet!

It's a bit like the other headline today where there seems to be a lot of back-pedalling about the Home Office 'Don't Moan - Take Action' banner which although it sounded as though it was encouraging people to 'have a go' and take action themselves against anti-social behaviour, we are now being told is really about reporting such behaviour to the authorities rather than turning a blind eye.

Too many opportunities at the moment for the government to trip over their own feet it seems, and that does nothing for the credibility of their initiatives. Which in turn demotes the efforts of those who work really hard at trying to make the improvements in the areas being targetted.

DanaC · 06-13-2006, 05:53 PM

*Nods* I agree wholeheartedly Cycle. For some reason we seem to be absolutely full of taglines and 'initiatives'. Unfortunately we seem fairly low on actual ideas and initiative.

The one thing however that I would say is worth shouting about is the 'Every child and young person matters' strategy. The whole idea of bringing all the agencies and bodies that deal with children at every level and in every area under an umbrella, which focuses on the wellbeing of the children concerned is, I think, a step forward.

When I first heard about it, I thought it was another of these ill conceived but well meaning strategies that the Govt is so fond of. When I looked at it a little more closely though, I could see a lot of potential there. Certainly, the way it is being implemented in my own council gives me heart.

Cyclefrance · 06-14-2006, 03:03 AM

Agree with you there Dana - do you suffer from the ill effects of flexi-time working though - one of the insufficient resources issues (amongst many other time-stealing activities)?

My wife and most of the people and departments she has to deal with in order to provide the necessary cover for children - her own department, social services and legal in the main - find that this often creates a delaying effect. Trying to maintain the necessary dialogue and more often than not meetings is hindered because individuals are trying to balance their contract hours (insufficient to do the job properly) with the demands placed upon them. My wife regularly has a store of several days of 'Flexi' which never seem to reduce - time she and others do take off to reduce the pile just leaves fewer days overall to do things and creates gaps in availability which just results in a slowing down of progress.

It can take weeks and months to get to a point where there is meaningful progress - this must deliver a negative message to both parents and children. Sometimes when dealing with older children, nearing school-leaving age, the process cannot be completed in the time available before the child leaves school. Obviously I'm on the periphery with this info - bordering on hearsay - but these are the sorts of issues I pick up from our conversations...

Cyclefrance · 06-14-2006, 03:14 AM

The Home Office and Home Secretary (John Reid) are this week's main punch-bag.

A recent life sentence for a sex attacker, who abducted and sexually assaulted a 3-year old girl, could end up as short as 5 years. Reid was criticised in turn for criticising the judge fwho handed out such a lenient sentence - but it turns out that the reduction to 5 years is only made possible because of legislation passed by the government last year.

Now today it has been revealed that a total of 53 'lifers' convicted since year 2000 (out of a total of around 500 in all) have already been released.

Another nightmare scenario for Mr Reid....

Cyclefrance · 06-14-2006, 03:19 AM

The European Union and where it should be heading is raising its head again.

Geoff Hoon, Minister for Europe, is calling for a fresh debate to decide what direction Europe should be taking. Most are worried that there has been a debate about where Europe should be going for the last 30 years....

Cyclefrance · 06-14-2006, 03:24 AM

Amnesty International considers Britain ' a partner in crime' for its involvement with the US arranging secret flights of terror suspects (known as 'extraordinary renditions') around the world. AI says Britain has adopted a 'hear no evil, see no evil ' approach to the CIA flights.

Cyclefrance · 06-14-2006, 03:41 AM

Ideas are afoot to grant 500,000 illegal immigrants amnesty.

Seems that this could generate £1 billion in taxes - always provided that the 500,00 own up and are in a position, earnings and employment-wise, to pay taxes.

Concerns that an amnesty solution would open up the gates to several hundred thousand more arrivals seem to be fading - must be all those £ signs such a prospect causes to fill the eyes of those in support - blinding them to the downsides of such a move (strains on social services, NHS, housing, police, etc, etc.)...

Griff · 06-14-2006, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

The whole idea of bringing all the agencies and bodies that deal with children at every level and in every area under an umbrella, which focuses on the wellbeing of the children concerned is, I think, a step forward.

When I first heard about it, I thought it was another of these ill conceived but well meaning strategies that the Govt is so fond of. When I looked at it a little more closely though, I could see a lot of potential there. Certainly, the way it is being implemented in my own council gives me heart.

This is growing in the States as well. We call it a wraparound here, not to be confused with a wraparound aide. Every six weeks or so representatives from all the support agencies get together to make sure everyone it pulling in the same direction. It makes sense to rationalize the services the kids and parents are getting, the money is being spent so why not spend it sensibly?

DanaC · 06-14-2006, 05:55 PM

"Wraparound" Yah, I've heard it referred to as that here as well. It has a lot to recommend it.

Cyclefrance · 06-19-2006, 02:53 AM

A few things to catch up on...

In no particular order, first item:

David Cameron was given the opportunity to write an article in the Sunday Times yesterday. Being Father's Day here in the UK he expounded on the importance of the family - all very touching and sincere, and not a hint of jab at New Labour for having policies that have eroded family values (oh, yeah....?)

Cyclefrance · 06-19-2006, 02:57 AM

New Labour are reported to be so disheartened at their falling ratings in the polls that some are already hinting that, come the next election, they will gladly accept defeat - it might be good to have a period in opposition - to get back in touch with friends, electorate, and that currently absent pastime - sleep.

Cyclefrance · 06-19-2006, 03:08 AM

Buried in all the reporting on the World Cup, Labour is again under fire for publishing controvesial plans at a time when few would take notice. A number of items here, but perhaps the most controversial is the plan, first mooted in 2004, to give local authorities the right to sieze homes that have been left empty for six months, following the death of the owner

The local authorities would be have the right to acquire the properties, refurbish them and then offer them for rent, retaining the income this generated.

Although the intention is for this to be a way to deal with housing that has been empty for a long period and unlikely otherwise to be usable, the fear is that the legislation permits the ruling to be applied to properties in good condition and where relatives who inherit such properties are just finding it difficult to complete matters within six months.

There seem to be a lot of grey areas and cloud that needs to be removed so that the legislation matches the job it is supposed to do, and not anything more.

Cyclefrance · 06-20-2006, 07:49 AM

Unfortunate news today for Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and would-be pretender to the PM's crown when Tony eventually steps down ('when' in this context brings on a instantly massive yawn). Poor Gordon's Scottish ancestry is coming home to haunt him.

Owing to a strange but nevertheless beneficial misalignment of interests (for New Labour, anyway), Scottish MPs may vote on legislation that affects England, but English MPs cannot vote on legislation that affects Scotland. This encourages Scottish voters to help Tony get through contentious legislation that he might otherwise fail to do.

Voters are now seeing this as a reason not to have a Scottish leader of the Labour Party. Dissatisfaction of the above state of affairs is causing too many voters to question Gordon's credentials - purely on the grounds of nationality - apparently 52% of the electorate questioned said they would not like Gordon as PM.

Ooops - looks like you may have held off a little too long for your own good, Gordie...!

Cyclefrance · 06-20-2006, 08:02 AM

It's being reported that Tony will get two 'Blair Force 1' planes. - the first a fully equipped long distance traveller and the second a 15-seat executive jet for shorter hops.

Cost of operating these leased aircraft is estimated at over £12 million a year, with the intention for this cost to be met by the users - likely to be Tony and family, the Royal family and the Ministry of Defence.

Anyome know where I can get hold of some government business of the defence variety on one of the Caribbean islands, like Antigua..?

Cyclefrance · 06-21-2006, 03:38 AM

The Tories are spending a lot of time and effort highlighting measures they would introduce to re-build the family which seems to have been demoted as a result of the way Labour has structured its benefits and taxes over the years of their governement.

The Conservative Party are promising benefits for all - not just on a selective basis - and also want to include minority groups in their plans. David Cameron delivered a speech at the Commonwealth Institute yesterday outlining Tory plans.

Unfortunately the fact that he and his colleague MPs in the Tory party had voted against Labour's family-friendly measures a few years back didn't help him gain the response he had wished - quite a few of his audience were sceptical about his newly acquired 'social' interests

View Poll Results: Is Tone Blown? Feelings are mixed - as a distanced observor, what's your view?
Tony's our man - no one could replace him	0	0%
Tony's made some mistakes - a change might be a good idea	1	20.00%
Tony's now become a liability - let the MPs decide his fate	2	40.00%
Tony shouldn't waste time - he should publish a timetable to step down	0	0%
Tony's well past his sell-by date - he should resign now - period	2	40.00%
Voters: 5. You may not vote on this poll

06-12-2006, 07:34 AM	#76
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Ref your teaching background, my wife's an EWO down here - expect with your area of teaching you may have had close relations with your areas EWOs - specialist needs and learning difficuties feature regulalry in my wife's work (sadly also so do child abuse, drugs and bullying...) Interesting that the government is pushing its 'respect' campaign heavily today. The core of what's behind it is something most feels is lacking and missing in today's society, but I do fear that this will end up as yet another well-meant initiative with more emphasis given to the headline than to its implementation. Unfortunately 'respect' means different things for different people so that's not exactly helping to start it off on the right foot - more like it's starting on several different feet! It's a bit like the other headline today where there seems to be a lot of back-pedalling about the Home Office 'Don't Moan - Take Action' banner which although it sounded as though it was encouraging people to 'have a go' and take action themselves against anti-social behaviour, we are now being told is really about reporting such behaviour to the authorities rather than turning a blind eye. Too many opportunities at the moment for the government to trip over their own feet it seems, and that does nothing for the credibility of their initiatives. Which in turn demotes the efforts of those who work really hard at trying to make the improvements in the areas being targetted. __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-14-2006, 03:03 AM	#78
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Agree with you there Dana - do you suffer from the ill effects of flexi-time working though - one of the insufficient resources issues (amongst many other time-stealing activities)? My wife and most of the people and departments she has to deal with in order to provide the necessary cover for children - her own department, social services and legal in the main - find that this often creates a delaying effect. Trying to maintain the necessary dialogue and more often than not meetings is hindered because individuals are trying to balance their contract hours (insufficient to do the job properly) with the demands placed upon them. My wife regularly has a store of several days of 'Flexi' which never seem to reduce - time she and others do take off to reduce the pile just leaves fewer days overall to do things and creates gaps in availability which just results in a slowing down of progress. It can take weeks and months to get to a point where there is meaningful progress - this must deliver a negative message to both parents and children. Sometimes when dealing with older children, nearing school-leaving age, the process cannot be completed in the time available before the child leaves school. Obviously I'm on the periphery with this info - bordering on hearsay - but these are the sorts of issues I pick up from our conversations... __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-14-2006, 03:14 AM	#79
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	The Home Office and Home Secretary (John Reid) are this week's main punch-bag. A recent life sentence for a sex attacker, who abducted and sexually assaulted a 3-year old girl, could end up as short as 5 years. Reid was criticised in turn for criticising the judge fwho handed out such a lenient sentence - but it turns out that the reduction to 5 years is only made possible because of legislation passed by the government last year. Now today it has been revealed that a total of 53 'lifers' convicted since year 2000 (out of a total of around 500 in all) have already been released. Another nightmare scenario for Mr Reid.... __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-14-2006, 03:19 AM	#80
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	The European Union and where it should be heading is raising its head again. Geoff Hoon, Minister for Europe, is calling for a fresh debate to decide what direction Europe should be taking. Most are worried that there has been a debate about where Europe should be going for the last 30 years.... __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-13-2006, 05:53 PM	#77
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Nods I agree wholeheartedly Cycle. For some reason we seem to be absolutely full of taglines and 'initiatives'. Unfortunately we seem fairly low on actual ideas and initiative. The one thing however that I would say is worth shouting about is the 'Every child and young person matters' strategy. The whole idea of bringing all the agencies and bodies that deal with children at every level and in every area under an umbrella, which focuses on the wellbeing of the children concerned is, I think, a step forward. When I first heard about it, I thought it was another of these ill conceived but well meaning strategies that the Govt is so fond of. When I looked at it a little more closely though, I could see a lot of potential there. Certainly, the way it is being implemented in my own council gives me heart.

06-14-2006, 03:24 AM	#81
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Amnesty International considers Britain ' a partner in crime' for its involvement with the US arranging secret flights of terror suspects (known as 'extraordinary renditions') around the world. AI says Britain has adopted a 'hear no evil, see no evil ' approach to the CIA flights. __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-14-2006, 03:41 AM	#82
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Ideas are afoot to grant 500,000 illegal immigrants amnesty. Seems that this could generate £1 billion in taxes - always provided that the 500,00 own up and are in a position, earnings and employment-wise, to pay taxes. Concerns that an amnesty solution would open up the gates to several hundred thousand more arrivals seem to be fading - must be all those £ signs such a prospect causes to fill the eyes of those in support - blinding them to the downsides of such a move (strains on social services, NHS, housing, police, etc, etc.)... __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-14-2006, 05:55 PM	#84
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	"Wraparound" Yah, I've heard it referred to as that here as well. It has a lot to recommend it.

06-19-2006, 02:53 AM	#85
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	A few things to catch up on... In no particular order, first item: David Cameron was given the opportunity to write an article in the Sunday Times yesterday. Being Father's Day here in the UK he expounded on the importance of the family - all very touching and sincere, and not a hint of jab at New Labour for having policies that have eroded family values (oh, yeah....?) __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-19-2006, 02:57 AM	#86
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	New Labour are reported to be so disheartened at their falling ratings in the polls that some are already hinting that, come the next election, they will gladly accept defeat - it might be good to have a period in opposition - to get back in touch with friends, electorate, and that currently absent pastime - sleep. __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-19-2006, 03:08 AM	#87
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Buried in all the reporting on the World Cup, Labour is again under fire for publishing controvesial plans at a time when few would take notice. A number of items here, but perhaps the most controversial is the plan, first mooted in 2004, to give local authorities the right to sieze homes that have been left empty for six months, following the death of the owner The local authorities would be have the right to acquire the properties, refurbish them and then offer them for rent, retaining the income this generated. Although the intention is for this to be a way to deal with housing that has been empty for a long period and unlikely otherwise to be usable, the fear is that the legislation permits the ruling to be applied to properties in good condition and where relatives who inherit such properties are just finding it difficult to complete matters within six months. There seem to be a lot of grey areas and cloud that needs to be removed so that the legislation matches the job it is supposed to do, and not anything more. __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-20-2006, 07:49 AM	#88
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Unfortunate news today for Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and would-be pretender to the PM's crown when Tony eventually steps down ('when' in this context brings on a instantly massive yawn). Poor Gordon's Scottish ancestry is coming home to haunt him. Owing to a strange but nevertheless beneficial misalignment of interests (for New Labour, anyway), Scottish MPs may vote on legislation that affects England, but English MPs cannot vote on legislation that affects Scotland. This encourages Scottish voters to help Tony get through contentious legislation that he might otherwise fail to do. Voters are now seeing this as a reason not to have a Scottish leader of the Labour Party. Dissatisfaction of the above state of affairs is causing too many voters to question Gordon's credentials - purely on the grounds of nationality - apparently 52% of the electorate questioned said they would not like Gordon as PM. Ooops - looks like you may have held off a little too long for your own good, Gordie...! __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-20-2006, 08:02 AM	#89
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	It's being reported that Tony will get two 'Blair Force 1' planes. - the first a fully equipped long distance traveller and the second a 15-seat executive jet for shorter hops. Cost of operating these leased aircraft is estimated at over £12 million a year, with the intention for this cost to be met by the users - likely to be Tony and family, the Royal family and the Ministry of Defence. Anyome know where I can get hold of some government business of the defence variety on one of the Caribbean islands, like Antigua..? __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

06-21-2006, 03:38 AM	#90
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	The Tories are spending a lot of time and effort highlighting measures they would introduce to re-build the family which seems to have been demoted as a result of the way Labour has structured its benefits and taxes over the years of their governement. The Conservative Party are promising benefits for all - not just on a selective basis - and also want to include minority groups in their plans. David Cameron delivered a speech at the Commonwealth Institute yesterday outlining Tory plans. Unfortunately the fact that he and his colleague MPs in the Tory party had voted against Labour's family-friendly measures a few years back didn't help him gain the response he had wished - quite a few of his audience were sceptical about his newly acquired 'social' interests __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears Last edited by Cyclefrance; 06-21-2006 at 03:50 AM.

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