Pearson elected UKIP leader: fighting fire with fire
Posted on 27. Nov, 2009 by OHC in United Kingdom
UKIP have elected Lord Pearson, one of their two peers in the House of Lords, their new leader. It would have been an impossible task to find someone able to fill Farage’s shoes.
Farage, for his part, backed Pearson, calling him the only ’serious, credible candidate’. He also had this to say:
[Lord Pearson] really is the true representation of the modern-day political class. In some ways, he’s ideal, isn’t he? He’s never had a proper job. And He’s never been elected to anything in his life. So I guess he’s perfect for this party.
Oops. Sorry, that’s not quite true. He actually said something similar about Baroness Ashton, our new European Foreign Minister. OK, cheap shot, perhaps, but it does illustrate UKIP’s leadership problem. It’s tough to criticise unelected Eurocrats if the only major elected representatives they have are those that Farage himself dismissed as not serious and not credible.
We’ll just have to see how long it is before Farage is back at the head of the party – whether it’s as an MP or in his current capacity as MEP and orator. He pretty much defines the party, and it’s hard to see anyone leading it too far from Farage’s grasp.
We must give our boys the support they deserve
Posted on 18. Aug, 2009 by keeprightonline in United Kingdom
Patrick Sullivan, of Sullivan’s Diary fame (and a lot more) has fashioned this excellent piece for KeepRightOnline today on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, or as people are widely referring to the issue lately, “AfPak”. Patrick well and truly hits the nail on the head, especially regarding one Mr. Bob Ainsworth. With ministers like these, who needs insurgents?
Patricks fears are somewhat realised in the developments today as voting cards are found for sale. Allow KeepRightOnline to ask the question that so many hesitate to offer: Are we really sure we want to be pulling out of the region right now? Over to Patrick…
The death toll in Afghanistan reached 204 on Sunday, this was a stark reminder of just how difficult and dangerous the challenge facing our boys has become. Their bravery and sacrifice must be honoured and supported, our service men and women put their lives on the line for us – and we should back them all the way.
Our soldiers fight for our freedom and our safety in extremely difficult conditions. They are in Afghanistan to fight an evil Taliban regime, which murdered over 3,000 people on 9/11 and countless thousands of innocent civilians in their own country over the years. The attacks on September 11 killed many innocent people from all religions. These were not just attacks on America – they were an attack on the civilised world.
It’s bad enough enough that this Labour Government grossly undersupplies them with the kit & helicopters that they so desperately need. Added to this, we have an over promoted councillor in the position of Secretary of State for Defence who is already proving that he simply isn’t up to the job. Faced with these challenges, it is more important than ever that we stand up and be proud of the work our boys are doing.
With the elections in Afghanistan just around the corner, the terrorists will continue maim, murder and kill to try to stop people casting their vote. The hate democracy, they hate freedom and will do anything they possibly can to destroy it. But our boys will be there, protecting the people of Afghanistan and helping the country transform into a safer, better and more prosperous country.
In these difficult times we must be resilient, strong and supportive of our service men and women and keep faith in the words of one wise lady who reminded us that attacks on innocent people will never succeed in the long term, because all attempts to destroy democracy by terrorism will fail.
By Patrick Sullivan, Campaign Director, London Conservative Future
EU shows more disdain for democracy
Posted on 14. Jul, 2009 by keeprightonline in United Kingdom
On a farce of a day in Strasbourg, on which the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament were elected, the Conservatives have already been forced to withdraw the whip from MEP Edward-McMillan Scott, who stood against the official Conservative candidate. But that’s not the real story.
The real story is the disrespect that the other parties have shown to the Conservatives in the European Parliament. Until now, the main groups have refused to compete for officers positions in the Parliament. The so-called conservatives and so-called liberals have united with bona fide socialists to partition the positions amongst themselves: so long as they’re all federalists. They call it ‘consensus democracy’.
But democracy requires opposition and, in the European Conservatives and Reformists, they have their first official opposition: their first opponents strong enough to claim their rightful place as office-holders in the European Parliament. And what do they do? They make an exception, and deliberately exploit their farcical electoral system that they have designed specifically to partition the seats, in order to keep out anyone that criticises their cronyism.
What consensus? What democracy?
Tories to hold open primary
Posted on 10. Jul, 2009 by keeprightonline in United Kingdom
Thank goodness. I thought it would never happen. Who’s betting Carswell and Hannan are off having a celebratory glass of Pimms, too?
In Totnes, the Conservatives are due to hold ‘open primaries’ similar to that of the United States, whereby the party will nominate several candidates to run in the General Election for the constituency- and the voters of said area will choose whom is to run. (Bad sentence? 9am? Terrible tube journey? You betcha.)
KeepRightOnline don’t want to repeat the BBC News on this, so have a look for yourself. The end product really is a push toward a more ‘direct democracy’. A key catchphrase that’s been thrown around Westminster for a while now. KRO are proponents, and we’re pleased that this is being rolled out. Greater representation is a great thing and no doubt this will invoke more transparency into the political system, should all parties opt in.
If not?
Well let’s hope the Tories keep at it, as I preempt this will establish much more involvement and trust from the public toward the party.
What do
- you
think?
Guest Post: From Inside Iran – EXCLUSIVE
Posted on 08. Jul, 2009 by keeprightonline in United Kingdom
Special thanks to our reporter inside Iran who wishes to remain anonymous for the purpose of this post. The circumstances for true democracy has become increasingly dire in the Islamic Republic, and the guest author lays with astute insight, just what this means for the people, the country and the international community. Without further ado…
Every time I hear the Supreme Leader’s sermon I realise just how much the Islamic Republic put the ‘IR’ into irony and last week was no different. Threats, lies and the ‘enemies’ dominated the Friday prayers. Surprised much? Not really.
The Iranian people are taking to the streets everyday in numbers unprecedented since the Islamic Revolution with lives lost in the process, yet all the Supreme Leader could do was point his finger around while ignoring the needs and grievances of the overwhelming majority. In Iran, you need not look too far to hear the rage of the people. In the evenings at around 10pm you can hear people chanting “Down with the dictator,” and “God is great,” from their own homes. This is considered to be a ‘safer’ way of demonstrating your discontent with the election outcome.
To begin with, the votes were rigged. No doubt about it. In some parts of the country the voter turnout was above 100 per cent. Now I am not saying that this is impossible, what I am saying is that it is only possible through cheating! The paramilitary wing of the IR used expired identification cards to add votes to the ballot box; this is, however, just one way in which the votes were fixed.
So the elections are unfair, the system is corrupted, the figurehead is not impartial and therefore democracy in Iran is a sham, but what does all this mean about the Iranian system of governance and the future of the Iranian people?
To put it simply, the Iranian people feel that their voices mean nothing, which is a sound analysis given the current system. The immediate cause that triggered the protests was the ‘rigging’ of votes however the underlying causes are structural. Ultimate power lies with the Ayatollah (The Supreme Leader) who congratulated Ahmadinejad’s election victory before the results were even announced. Monkey business (and I’m not just talking about Ahmadinejad’s caricature). The hardliners in the country are not representative of the Iranian nation therefore nor is Ahmadinejad. Essentially, just like the British National Party should not and cannot be representative of the wider British public nor should the Islamist, hardliners in Iran.
Ultimately, the overwhelming majority of Iranians want freedom, liberty and opportunity. For the moment their closest alternative is Mousavi but can he deliver given the current set up of the Iranian system? In short, no and the outcome of the elections spell that out. Mousavi and the reformists in Iran need to decide whether they will side with the people or with the system and since the latter has let them down; it is likely that they will side with the former. This is, however, the BIG question and maybe the determinant factor of how successful the freedom fighters in Iran will be. 
Another factor to consider here is the role of the free world. What role will other democracies play in order to support the Iranian cause? Speaking to some Iranians in this country and seeing the situation closely really supports the neoconservative argument. The free world must separate the Iranian people from their government and resist any negotiation with the regime.
To hit the nail on the head, any real progress in the Iranian system can only be achieved once politicians are elected to serve the people in a secular democracy. When the government has its own agenda, naturally, the people are ignored. The Islamic Republic has its own religious agenda and therefore can never be representative of the people.
Johnny Bravo
Posted on 23. Jun, 2009 by keeprightonline in United Kingdom
John Bercow in front of the Lords
The Commons yesterday appointed John Bercow, known Labour-panderer and socialist-coddler to be the Speaker of the House of Commons. Tory Bear says it best in his snippet from the Standard piece, “New Speaker, New Danger”. The Labour Party have decided to play partisan politics with a real chance to refresh the House of Commons, and for this they will go down as perverters of democracy (even further than they currently will).
You're going down, down…
Posted on 06. Jun, 2009 by keeprightonline in United Kingdom
This weekend is only going to get more and more interesting. A quick look at the Beeb’s Council Election Map tells you one hell of a lot about the current state of this government. It’s been a long time since Tories took that many seats, and that many seats in the North, especially. It is a good day.
For all the hoo-hah over the ‘other’ parties, DC and co. have done extremely well in the UK’s local elections this week, and Gordon Brown has shown us yet again why he a sniveling, sorry excuse for a Prime Minister.
KeepRightOnline maintains that this government’s mandate ran out long ago, however for it to keep getting worse, and for them to keep clinging on requires a special kind of selfishness, and a special kind of contempt for the British public. Day after day, and resignation after resignation, the situation worsens for government and for country. Walking through Whitehall yesterday, one couldn’t help but turn to face Parliament Square and sigh. A sigh for the British public, a sigh for the Labour government and a sigh to quell the overwhelming urge to storm the Palace and demand Comrade Brown’s head on a plate.
Sunday will be especially revealing, as if the past few weeks have not been enough. The reason the public did not punish the Tories for the expenses scandal is that the public were indeed not even outraged by the expenses scandal (that’s right, I said it). The public, KeepRightOnline feels, were more concerned with the way they have been governed- backed into a corner, surrounded by databases, stealth taxes and stripped of their liberties. The people know that while the Conservatives were just as guilty regarding the expenses, the party acted swiftly, and were certainly not the ones who have created this god-awful mess over the past twelve years.
Gordon Brown, the people are speaking, and they’re speaking in the most eloquent and respectful manner- through the ballot box. Will you not now listen? Will you not now show one iota of democratic decency in stepping down and calling a General Election? Are you this pathologically incapable of seeing the writing on the wall?
This moment in history is staring you dead in the face, Brown- and all you can do is look at your shoes and hope it goes away. It will not. We will not. You are done.
GUEST POST: Are we really doomed?
Posted on 15. May, 2009 by keeprightonline in United Kingdom
This week, KeepRightOnline welcomes to its pages, Miss Serene John-Richards, 21. Studying Economics with East European Studies at UCL, she is also the Universities Officer for London CF and works part time as a pupil supervisor. Take it away Serene…
Serene John-Richards, London CF
People are angry, yes. People are fed up with poor value for money, and are realising that their votes don’t count for much, what with 85% of our laws coming from Europe and what not.
But hang on. Hasn’t Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak been president since 1981? And I’m pretty sure they’ve postponed Habeas Corpus until the state of emergency is deemed not quite so grave. Don’t even get me started on Iran and even our friends in America, the blueprint of democracy, until recently sent people to Guantanamo Bay. And contrary to the exotic name, we’re not sipping sangria: I can tell you that.
Our politicians are clearly a fairly relaxed breed. The heavy burden of constituency dinners, case work, trips abroad, and long weeks of recess can be testing. Are they now simply glorified social workers? I wonder if the blame really does rest in our politicians or indeed in us: the electorate.
There is little doubt that, thanks to the Labour Government, we’ve become a blame society: rarely taking any responsibility ourselves and some even miss the ‘good old days, when Council officers would flip my mattress’. No jokes.
Change comes from within. There is no doubt that Obama’s powerful message of change earned him the presidency. Although, will he in time tire of dragging a rather large sack of potatoes, and realise that his offer of change does not mean the people themselves have changed?
It is our job to campaign and to hold politicians to account, as well as to engage with our fellow voters. Politicians can’t do it, unless it’s more of Hannan and less of our dear PM on YouTube. We are a democracy, and have all the necessary tools at our disposal. It is up to us, therefore, to dictate its agenda.