Its a big surprise, but the shy and retiring head of the UMP wishes to make a bid for the French Presidency.
"I feel I have the strength, the energy and the desire to propose a different view of France," Mr Sarkozy said.Unfortunately, he has the same old view of the EU.
The EU's latest imperial adventures in sport have come under attack.
The English Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, has criticised Caborn (sports minister) for trying to extend government influence over sport.He has an even bigger point to make:
"The idea that the rest of European football can decide what is best for the English game is a nonsense, just as it should be down to the Germans, French, Italians, Spanish, Dutch, etc, as to how they run their leagues."Poor Mr Scudamore has been sleeping for the past few decades. Its the EU's way, they are power crazed maniacs, get used to it.
The image on the left, shows the extent of the demographic problems that we face in Europe. The majority of European countries have fertility rates that spell disaster.
Even worse, those with higher fertility rates such as France and the UK, enjoy such a status, because the least integrated immigrant groups have large families and in the UK's case at least, chavs have more than their fair share.
Another worrying aspect is the huge number of births outside marriage, which spells worse social problems than we currently suffer.
All in all, Europe is dying, and all the activity that takes place in Brussels and Strasbourg, is just rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic. I've done my bit, so now its up to you, go forth and multiply.
That is the question:
The latest poll, taken by research firm Norstat for Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK), showed 48.3 percent of those questioned saying they don't want Norway to join the EU. Another 41.3 percent was in favour of EU membership.
This is a small decrease in support since last time. The interesting thing is that these polls are conducted all the time. Its almost as if the political class are waiting until the wind blows in the direction they want, before striking. After all they only have to be lucky once, their opponents need to be lucky always.
Thanks to EU Referendum, I came across this excellent article; It's against the law for MPs to save lives.
Again and again, in the months of its (Road Safety Act) passage through Parliament, MPs of all parties came up with proposed additions to the Bill that might save lives. And repeatedly the transport minister, Stephen Ladyman, explained that, though he might be sympathetic to their suggestions, Parliament had no power to enact them because this would be in breach of EU law.
Because we have handed over this area of(in)competence to the EU, we cannot make changes in the law we think would be beneficial, for example:
Tory spokesman, Owen Paterson, put forward a proposal that might save scores of lives each year, by preventing motorists colliding at night with lorries that are inadequately lit.
But despite the moderate cost, and the proven effectiveness, the proposal had to be rejected. Which begs the question, what is the point of our representatives if they cannot pass laws that benefit those who vote for them.
I always wondered why the Swiss contributed towards the EU budget, despite not being a member. Stefan Karlsson has the answer, its some kind of a deal:
Calling it "a deal" is a bit misleading. It is more like blackmail............the EU told the Swiss: pay us a billion swiss franc per year, or we'll institute trade barriers that would harm the Swiss economy even more.
Nice chaps that run the EU, don't you think?
As I am always in favour of people finding out more about our benevolent masters, I thought that A Dummy's Guide to the EU was something that I should promote.
I have been tagged by Sinclair, so here goes. I will never:
There is no end to the lengths to which the EU will go to increase its realm of power. Sport is the latest frontier.
EU and UEFA to agree a formal structure, with UEFA being granted official recognition as the governing body for European football.
That is really kind of them is it not, to recognise UEFA as the governing body for European football. After all, they didn't have such a position before did they. Oh just a second they did, so what is the point here?
Following are the main recommendations of the Independent Sports Review into how sport in the European Union should be run.
The EU is basically saying that UEFA is now an extension of EU law making powers. This means that EU laws will be adopted by UEFA. UEFA & EU members Kazakhstan, Israel, Armenia and Iceland will be very pleased. Imperialist scum, is the best way to describe the Eurocrats that control our very existence.
Belgian workers lose their jobs, due to the worthless Belgian version of the "Social Market". Next, we are asked to pay.
The European Commission has said the Belgian authorities cannot make use of the EU's new "globalisation fund" to help around 4,000 workers set to be fired due to Volkswagen's restructuring plans - but has suggested Belgium to use other available EU funds.Why don't we suggest instead to the Belgians that they give up on job destroying socialism. It would save our cash as well as being more effective.
It rears its ugly head again, despite being a part of the rejected constitution.
European citizens who lose their passports or fall foul of the law while abroad would be able to turn up to EU consulates under a plan to be put forward by Brussels.
They are determined to set up a foreign service, to further the foreign policy aims of the EU (ie to be completely ineffective wankers, but smile nicely). Why is this necessary, when it is usual practice for the citizens of countries visiting somewhere bereft of a consulate representing them, to have their issues handled by the consulate of a friendly nation. Won't we just get a duplication of effort?
I was sent a link to an E Petition by the owner of the democracy forum an unofficial UKIP site. The petition asks:
The Prime Minister to Offer the British people a referendum on continued membership of the European UnionI was completely new to the idea of E Petitions, which are described as thus:
Downing Street is working in partnership with the non-partisan charitable project mySociety to provide a service to allow citizens, charities and campaign groups to set up petitions that are hosted on the Downing Street website, enabling anyone to address and deliver a petition directly to the Prime Minister.I know it will make no difference, but it would be a moral victory if we could get a huge number of people signing.
Sinclair's Musings: A few reasons not to leave the EU
This is > a post by fellow Conservative blogger, Matthew Sinclair.
The idea, as expressed by a certain peer this evening on 18DoughtyStreet, that there is no case for not leaving the EU relies on a number of misconceptions.
I think he raises a number of important questions, but unsurprisingly disagree with his conclusions. Most importantly I don't think that the EU is remotely reformable.
Those of you who frequently visit this blog will have perhaps wondered at my absence. I am proud to say that the reason is that Serf has become a father, not once but twice. Mrs Serf is doing well, whilst Master & Miss Serf are doing their best to stop us sleeping. If I blog a little less than usual I hope you will understand.
Master Serf
Miss Serf
May they grow up free.
So says the EU Employment Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, speaking after agreement could not be reached over working time. This really is an issue I struggle to get my head around. Take this:
Backed by four other countries, the U.K. blocked a proposal to hold more British workers to the EU's 48-hour workweek, championed by countries such as France and Italy.
Please explain to me why France and Italy should care about how long British Workers work? This is a subject which, forget EU level, should not be discussed at national level either. An individual's labour is his own, to do with as he chooses.
I can understand Europhiles when they talk about common action on the Environment for example, they might have a point. But to take away individual choice and give it to Brussels, is just tyranny.
You may find it unbelievable, but its true.
The European Commission will tomorrow release a Eurobarometer survey which shows that 70 pct of mobile users support intervention on roaming charges.Seeing that 70 percent of mobile users do not regularly travel around the EU, one wonders why they care so much. But having said that, when faced with a pollster asking if you would like lower prices, who is going to say no? It proves nothing. Its also the cover the EU wants to interfere with the market, a process which is akin to a third person instructing two people having sex, as to which position they are allowed to use.
Bearing in mind the amount involved, it will only be a symbolic victory. However, in the area of tax, every victory is important. We are also talking about Beer.
Beer drinkers may celebrate Tuesday if European Union finance ministers fail to increase duties on alcohol, as looks likely, according to EU diplomats. "I don't think there will be a deal as the Germans won't move," an EU official said.
So Cheers to the Germans, and whilst we're at it, lets wish we had a government with the balls to stand up for whats important to us.
Thanks to Colin for pointing this one out:
Developing policies for a post-EU Britain is a conference organised by the Bruges group, that some of you may be interested in.
So the Iraqi Dictator will be strung up, hopefully it will be a painful death, though not everyone agrees with me.
The EU opposes capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances and it should not be carried out in this case either. FINNISH PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN UNIONNo doubt they think he should get a community service sentence.
It is well known that for a long time the EU has not been in favour of the death penalty. Obviously it is a penalty which is not provided for in any legal system in the EU or, of course, in our country. JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATEROAnd, your point is? Perhaps you care more for low life than you do for victims.
Ireland and its EU partners have made it clear in the past to Iraqi authorities that we are opposed to courts applying the death sentence. IRISH FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRYIf your EU partners had taken a little more of the strain in ridding Iraq of that blood thirsty bastard, they might have listened a little more to you.
The EU is full of posturing PC idiots, whose outlook on life has not changed since they were conducting sit ins at university over some irrelevant cause or other. Saddam deserves nothing less than the rope, and you have to have your head where the sun don't shine not to see that.
I particularly liked this one:
Countries that have already ratified the constitution should not have to ratify a second version of the document. Urmas Paet: Estonian Foreign MinisterMr Paet presumably doesn't mind if an insurance company or estate agent changes a contract after he has signed it.
I have just read one of the most stupid comments by Labour MP Ed Balls
In David Cameron we have the most anti-European Tory leader they have ever had,'' Balls said in a speech in London today. ``You cannot stand up for British interests by leaving the table, rejecting international collective responsibility, and withdrawing to the anti-European and extremist fringe.''
Whilst David Cameron has being wowing middle England, knuckle draggers like myself are finding it hard at times to bite our tongues. Is David really a Conservative? This means that at the next election, many right wingers might vote UKIP or not at all.
So along comes that man Balls to the rescue. The only people frightened by a "Anti European" Cameron, are loonies who wouldn't vote Tory anyway. As for people that Cameron risks loosing, statements like these might keep more of them on board.
I have mentioned before, here and on other blogs that I think the EU is playing with fire in Turkey. They are helping the Islamist AK Party, to get rid of checks on their power. I am not sure why, but I tend to believe in the idea that, If it can be explained by stupidity, its probably not bad intent. Just a little example of what I mean, can be seen from the following reports. All of these are about the same EU report on Turkey's shortcomings:
The Times: A review of Turkish reforms due out next week will be critical of the state’s continued use of torture and its harassment of writers, according to a draft made public today.So the issue is freedom of speech.
The Independent: Leaked excerpts from a crucial report, due to be published next week, reveal concerns over Turkey's drive to match European standards on freedom of speech, and highlight its refusal to open up ports to ships from Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004.So we can add the Cyprus issue.
Deutsche Welle The report will focus on the slowdown of political reforms since Turkey began accession negotiations last October. It will highlight the continued persecution of intellectuals and journalists for expressing views which are non-violent, but displeasing to the government in Ankara.They agree with The Times.
Zaman Newspaper: EU criticism in the report included the Turkish Armed Forces’ continuing interfere in domestic and foreign policies, the Kurdish problem, the relationship between the state and religion, and continuing restrictions over freedom of speech.Only Zaman has a different take on it. The put the Turkish Armed Forces’ continuing interfere in domestic and foreign policies as point number one. The others didn't even mention it. I am not saying that its not there (I haven't seen the report) , its just interesting the focus that different publications take. I wonder why?
Just so you know what I am talking about Zaman is a strong supporter of AK Party, whose pro EU interests are merely a cover for getting the Army off their backs. In 20 years time Turkey will be an Islamic country and the EU will be partly to blame.
