And now the soft cop!

It's not all doom and gloom, honestly, it just looks and feels that way but there are a few gleams of gold in the mud and sludge of our sifting pan.  Here are a few of the things that stand a very good chance of being eliminated, or at least, so weakened as no longer to pose a threat.

The monopoly power of Local Education Authorities if young Gove, 'Head of Prefects', does what he says he will do.  The self-perpetuating and self-appointing Association of Chief Police Officers could be 'nicked' if the idea of elected Police Chiefs is rammed home.  I suppose this will depend on the vigour of the Home Office which is an obvious drawback but on the other hand 'Dave' is very attached to the idea so it might stand a chance.  Corrupt and corrupting welfare benefits should fall under Duncan-Smith's axe which, after all, he has been busy sharpening for the last 5 years.

However, I have saved the best for last - Europe!  The financial crisis which has riven Europe obviously poses an immense risk to its future.  When even that Franco-Hungarian dwarf threatens to flounce out of the Euro system if Frau Merkel fails to sign the cheque then we all know with certainty that the European idea is in big trouble.  However, as I indicated before, big trouble also offers a big, fat, tempting opportunity to the Euro fanatics in Brussels.  The monetary union was always half-arsed as many people warned at the time.  Without a central or federal government with powers of taxation and fiscal control over the regions (or nations, as I like to think of them) the chances of a single currency succeeding were vanishingly tiny.  The Grand Panjandrums of Europe were quite well aware of this when they began the exercise and, in exactly the same way (but a different context) that Obama and his 'polit-bureau' know where their policies are leading, they are looking forward eagerly to the crisis as a chance to seize emergency powers which in normal times would be denied them.  Already, Greece, Portugal and Spain have ceased to exist as independent nation-states.  They are well and truly hog-tied to Brussels and its rules - which is why I wish the demonstrators in Athens all the good luck in the world.  This take-over in which sovereign governments are reduced to the status of lackeys, is highly undemocratic and sooner or later must be given a legal gloss by a change in the articles of association.  And that, my friends, is the good news, because no British government of any colour, after the blatant slipperiness of their previously broken 'promises', would dare to avoid offering the British people a referendum - and that will be our chance to escape.  With one bound we will be free!

So cheer up, for goodness sake!

Comments

[dearieme]

Never mind. We will eventually be saved by Milibanana and/or Milivanilla.

[David Duff]

Thanks, 'DM', that began my morning with a chuckle!

[Umbongo]

Sorry DD, I consider your analysis and optimism to be sadly misplaced. Osborne (as the litmus for the coalition) has already accepted - if you believe the press - http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article7126023.ece ) - that the new regulations concerning hedge funds etc agreed by our EU "partners" will be accepted without a squeak of protest. Well, maybe with a squeak, but accepted nonetheless. This is, I think, only the first example of the coalition starting in Europe as it means to go on.

[David Duff]

Yes I read that, 'Bongers', but such matters are now subject to majority voting and the only one on our side was Czechia. No point in fighting a lost battle, better to save your ammo and be ready for the really important one to come. Of course, I don't know whether this 'love fest' government of ours have what it takes to fight a European battle, we shall have to wait and see, but I am hopeful that the 'Euros' will push their luck too far and force us to a referendum. Also, this is hopeful:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article7127621.ece

[Umbongo]

I take your point about fighting battles already lost. Indeed, but this is not just a battle on the arcana of EU directives, it goes to the heart of the City's ability to attract and hold financial institutions which make profits, employ Brits and pay taxes. What issue is more important for the future of the British economy? Accordingly, please tell me where the next battle - or any battle - is to be fought? I see no areas where the EU competence is not majority-led or where the Lisbon Treaty ratchet cannot be used to introduce such a competence (or, excuse my cynicism, where the European Court will allow any resistance on matters of vital importance to the EUrocracy).

[Umbongo]

My apologies - I've only just read your quoted piece about Germans falling out of love with the EU. It's a straw in the wind alright but never underestimate the momentum of the "project" and the financial consequences for (and thus fanatical resistance of) those who would lose when the "project" comes unstuck: they will resist the dissolution of the EU to the end. In an analogous way (and, funnily enough it's the same crowd) you only have to see the same irrationality (and finance-driven closed minds) of the Athropogenic Climate Change loonies to see that there's a long long struggle before the Gods of the Copybook Headings assert themselves.

http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_copybook.htm

[dearieme]

I've got the very thing as a Campaign Song for the boys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt4Q1roICt4&mode=related&search=

[David Duff]

I go along with your argument, 'Bongers', but alas, I think all we can hope for is that they over-reach themselves and force our own, home-grown weasels into offering a referendum. That will be our last chance. Of course, there si still the very slight possibility that the financial turmoil will cause an implosion. We'll take collateral damage - but it'll be worth it!

'DM', I worry sometimes about where you spend your time on the internet - does your mum know? (By which I mean Mrs. 'DM', of course.)