The UK Conservative party have shot themselves in the foot....once again

[Ken Korda]

Basically, in the European Parliament (EP), political parties co-operate with their equivalents parties in other states; the Socialist parties vote with the other Socialist parties (and New Labour), the Green parties vote with the other Green parties etc. The problem for the Conservatives is that across Europe all support European integration apart from in the UK where, since Thatcher, the party has become strongly Euroskeptic. So this week COnservative Leader David Cameron announces that his party is to separate for the other Conservative parties in the European Parliament.

This seems like a very bad idea. Now the UK Conservatives are restricted to a tiny minority and are unable to push their agenda as they have no support. Most likely, they will end up viting the same way as the other centre-right parties but will have no say policy postions of the group as a whole, having just resigned from it. And there's the EP elections in May which the UK Conservatives will now have to fight on their own without any political allies.

If my explanation is not very clear here is the article http://euobserver.com/9/27762

So, what do you think? Are the Conservatives right to severe ties with their continental allies or do you agree with me in saying they are a bunch of moronic, nationalistic pricks?

 

[Booze Zombie]

They were moronic, nationalistic pricks anyway... this isn't very surprising.

 

[Ken Korda]

Yes, it will definitely be interesting to see whehter this affects their performance in the national elections next year but seeing as how minimal EU issues are in UK politcal campaigning I doubt most voters will know it even happened.

 

[Archaon6044]

well, i dislike Cameron anyway, and i'm not putting up with Brown any more, or labour for that matter, so as a protest i'm voting Lib Dem.

 

[Lord George]

This is why we should all sense for the only sensible party the MRLP

 

[forevermacin]

Political news and views here ? Now I am very surprised but also some how pleasantly for some reason. My god I think I'm getting old ! I knew there was a reason why I can't bear to pick up my games nearly half as much as I used to, even though there is so much worth playing ... Keep threads like this coming its refreshing for some where like this. May I be the first to bring balance to the force by saying my console is better than yours and sit some irrational reasons as to why phew thats better ! Do carry on ...

 

[Pandy]

The Conservatives are right to severe ties with their continental allies, they are a bunch of moronic, nationalistic pricks.

Fixed that typo for ya.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

This is why we should all sense for the only sensible party the MRLP

MONSTER RAVING LOONY PARTY.

It's the only way.

 

[Ryuzaki]

The European Union has been trying for the past several years to gain control over the decisions of countries in Europe and create some sort of European State. First they tried to have a constitution and when virtually every country which had a referendum voted against that, they changed its name to the Lisbon Treaty and didn't hold any referendums (except in Ireland).

The Labour Government, here the UK, also did not hold a referendum to the re-titled constitution, even though they had promised in the General Elections to hold one.

What we can take from this I believe is that at least the Conservative Party (or its Leader in this case) upholds their election promises, instead of simply disregarding them.

The European Union is fine, a European State is not. The previous voting on the matter shows that the majority of people do not want the European Union to have the kind of power that this entails. It is good to see the Conservative Party recognising this, even if our unelected Prime Minister does not.

 

[Clemenstation]

Interesting stuff. Glad to see that conservatives worldwide are retreating into their burrows... probably to turn themselves into fearsome cyborgs before re-emerging to take on fat, complacent liberals in a final, desperate struggle for humanity.

 

[Puppeteer Putin]

Yes, it will definitely be interesting to see whehter this affects their performance in the national elections next year but seeing as how minimal EU issues are in UK politcal campaigning I doubt most voters will know it even happened.

Hit the nail on the head. I imagine many UK voters are voting along the lines of seperating itself from the EU, those that are aware of the move that is. Perhaps the Conservatives are tyring to feed of the fear of the UK becoming a part of a homogenous state (e.g. not accepting the Euro). The British are a stubborn people!

I think both parties need to pull their socks up. Gordon needs to get some charisma and Cameron needs to stick to what he knows, the conservative voter. He's throwing an inverse Rudd (Aussie PM), impleneting some Labour characteristics into his policy making top catch the attention of a wider voter base. But the mixture has gone rancid.

 

[beddo]

Basically, in the European Parliament (EP), political parties co-operate with their equivalents parties in other states; the Socialist parties vote with the other Socialist parties (and New Labour), the Green parties vote with the other Green parties etc. The problem for the Conservatives is that across Europe all support European integration apart from in the UK where, since Thatcher, the party has become strongly Euroskeptic. So this week COnservative Leader David Cameron announces that his party is to separate for the other Conservative parties in the European Parliament.

This seems like a very bad idea. Now the UK Conservatives are restricted to a tiny minority and are unable to push their agenda as they have no support. Most likely, they will end up viting the same way as the other centre-right parties but will have no say policy postions of the group as a whole, having just resigned from it. And there's the EP elections in May which the UK Conservatives will now have to fight on their own without any political allies.

If my explanation is not very clear here is the article http://euobserver.com/9/27762

So, what do you think? Are the Conservatives right to severe ties with their continental allies or do you agree with me in saying they are a bunch of moronic, nationalistic pricks?

I think the conservatives are idiots. They have no idea about social equality yet they seem to put on a lot of spin to indicate they do.

As for the EU, it is a fantastic body which does much for the rights of civilians all over Europe and encourages significant social and economic development. Being able to travel and work anywhere in Europe is fantastic.

However, theory and practice are very different. While you can move anywhere in Europe there is a degree of social isolation. A lot of Europe doesn't feel like the developed world, there aren't many great places to live outside of the major cities.

The fact is that the EU or rather the MEPs are not really answerable to anyone. They have been indicated in many cases of fraud and extortion. Having the sole vote to disclose their expenses they obviously decided not to.

I think that we should remain a part of the EU, it is beneficial not only for our economic development but also, our social development. I would however, like to see much more accountability of politicians in that:

1) They should only reside in their home Country.

2) They should be paid the average wage of that country.

3) Their accounts must be completely open to the public.

4) They should be banned from investing in any stocks or shares.

5) They should be banned from holding any other jobs.

6) They should be banned from directly or indirectly employing any friends, family or associates.

7) They must only take public transport within that country.

8) Travel to their standard work should not be included in expenses.

9) All other travel must be via Train and other public transport.
that country.

10) All politicians should be banned from owning more than one property.

11) All politicians should only stay in purpose built flats when on foreign visits.

12) Having a criminal record will automatically bar application as a politician and if occurred while serving will result in automatic dismissal.

 

[Galletea]

Well it could go either way. In the face of economic downturn people tend to go more nationalistic. So even if their power is greatly diminished in the EU, this move could make them more popular at home.

 

[Rock Avich]

Glad to see it's not only the American conservatives fucking it all up.

 

[Elomin Sha]

Boris Johnson needs to be Leader of the Conservative Party and make his bid for Prime Minister at the next election. Boris is the man to lead Britain back to the 17th Century.

 

[Trivun]

I am completely against the EU anyway, and happen to support Conservative. I did Economics at A-Level so I had a clear view during that time, and still do, of both sides of the coin. I admit there are good points to the EU, but I feel that the original point of the EU (a free trade group, nothing more) has been lost and now they pretty much want every country in Europe to be united under a single banner, effectively creating a super-nation of sorts. At the moment I think we should be looking to sever ties with the EU and instead either work on the outside, or if we must join a free trade organisation, follow Canada's lead and join with the USA. We have been asked several times by the US to join the North American Free Trade Alliance (NAFTA), even though we technically aren't in North America. However, look at Switzerland. They've done fine without joining the EU, in fact they are an extremely wealthy nation, especially compared to most EU countries. Plus, back in the early 90's we were close to joining the Euro and we were tied extremely closely in pretty much all economic terms with the rest of the EU, then in 1992 Black Monday hit. The effect on the UK economy has only been worse since then in the past two years, and it took us years to overcome it. This shows that, at least for now, and especially in this economic climate, we are not ready to join the Euro and forge closer ties with the EU. Plus, they are trying to control us politically as well. How many times do you read in the papers about criminals, murderers and rapists and paedophiles who claim that they are discriminated against through abuses of Human Rights, and the UK courts agree with them? When you commit a serious crime you should lose all human rights, because you obviously aren't capable of human remorse or feeling in the first place to have done such a thing. Sorry if I'm going off on a tangent here, but it is all linked to the EU. Before we joined nobody had ever bothered to give a damn about human rights in court or the justice system, and we actually had a proper justice system then.

As for the Conservative Party, I admit we aren't perfect, and there is a tendency for our politicians at least (not necessarily the supporters though) to be stuck up, posh snobs to some extent. However, we can definitely do a decent job (look at Churchill, for instance, even if that was almost a century ago...). Gordon Brown and Tony Blair between them haven't exactly done wonders for this country. Fair enough, they did a decent job for most of the last 12 years, but in the later days Labour have been going downhill, and there is too much turmoil with in-party backstabbing and in-fighting going on behind the scenes. Can we really think that Labour are stable enough, let alone capable enough, to run this country and still do a half decent attempt at a (barely) acceptable standard? I don't think so, and most people I know also agree with me on that (it should be noted that two of my flatmates are closely involved in politics, since one is a student journalist and is very aware of the political situation, and the other is the deputy head of the Leeds Univeristy Labour Society and is an active campaigner for Labour...).

P.S. Sorry for the wall'o'text.