Richard Fisher

Kenneth Clarke is often described as one of the greatest Prime Ministers that we never had.

Perhaps it’s time to put this right. Could he conceivably lead a national government, bringing politicians from across the political spectrum together in order to sort the BREXIT mess?

He’s one of the few people to speak sense and to compromise on his own (“remain”) position in order to try and unite people behind a sensible way forward.

He came extremely close to winning a vote in the House of Commons for negotiating a permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU.

It’s time to put our most experienced and most able politician in charge. It’s time for one of the greatest Prime Ministers we never had to become one of the greatest Prime Ministers we did have.

Is it too much to hope for?

 

What do James Dyson and Jacob Rees-Mogg have in common?

The obvious answer is that they are both keen advocates for BREXIT, expounding how leaving the European Union will do wonders for the economic potential of the United Kingdom.

But they also have something else in common because their actions suggest something else.

James Dyson has decided to move his business headquarters to Singapore, moving the corporate headquarters of his very successful British business to the other side of the world. As others have already suggested,  Dyson who is famous for his bagless vacuum cleaners really does suck!

Surprisingly there seems to be rather less coverage of the business activities of Jacob Rees-Mogg. In June last year a city firm he co-founded set up an investment fund in Ireland and warned prospective clients about the financial dangers of the type of BREXIT he favours.

Somerset Capital Management described BREXIT as a risk in a prospectus to a new fund, marketed to international investors who want to keep their money in the EU long-term.

It’s not what they say, it’s what they do………..!

Over two years in the making…. BREXIT will reach a sort of mini climax on Tuesday when the Government’s deal is voted on.  We really are in a desperate state, with parliament unable to agree on a way forward at this critical point in the history of the United Kingdom.

Let’s hope we’ll see some leadership: with people’s jobs and livelihoods at risk we need an ongoing relationship with Europe and a recognition that we may be an island but we do need to trade with our continental friends.

 

My spirits were lifted by a truly outstanding Advent Carol Service at Merton College in Oxford last weekend. The choir was excellent and the organ was in the hands of a truly brilliant professional. The best rendition by a congregation of Hills of the North that I have ever participated in. A wonderful start to Advent!

It’s hard to see how the Tory party can survive their current civil way over Europe and BREXIT. For many years the party has been divided between groups holding two irreconcilable positions. However, when the chips were down, they managed  a fudge that they could live with.

This time they are not for fudging and the chasm between the two sides of the party is public for everyone to see.

What will be the outcome?

Perhaps a split will provide the opportunity for a new political force that will genuinely represent the majority of electors, rather than perpetuating the current failing two party system.

So, another day of musical chairs in the cabinet. At least we seem to have a policy that recognises the business case for having a practical trading relationship with Europe. Thousands of jobs in Britain depend on it. If you are a Tory Brexiteer who can afford to buy a £6M house in Westminster then it probably doesn’t matter to you, but to all the car workers this is about the future of their jobs, families and homes.

As for Boris, I  like the suggestion that he should make his way to Love Yourself Island.

Boris Johnston famously stated he would lie down in front of the bulldozers if a third runway at Heathrow airport was approved. But what’s this? Apparently he’s had to fly abroad when the crucial vote is taking place in Parliament!

You’d have thought he might at least have taken the train, but no: it appears he is flying abroad in order to avoid protesting at airport expansion.

Members of Parliament have shown some real judgement in deciding to move forward with the desperately needed refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament, and particularly their decision to move out for a significant period so that the works can progress as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Faced with a typical government fudge (a choice of two motions that would have deferred, yet again, taking one of the crucial decisions), they bit the bullet and voted for an amendment that confirmed they would move out. This allows the serious preparatory work to go ahead for what is a massive task, made worse by years of disgraceful neglect of one of the most iconic and historically important buildings in the United Kingdom.

Over the last 10 years there have been 60 incidents that could have caused a serious fire. Let’s hope the works will get underway before a catastrophic event occurs.

That might be the question going through many people’s minds as the party fades on New Year’s Eve – don’t want to go home too early, but also mustn’t overstay the welcome.

But the big leave question for 2018 will of course be BREXIT. Lord Adonis has put his head above the parapet and supported a second referendum, pitching whatever Theresa May’s “Leave” deal is with the option to Remain. There is a growing desire to give the people of the UK a second opportunity to consider the two options. The great advantage of a second referendum is that we would all know what we would actually be voting for.

So, a second vote: let’s go for it!

Today, 31st October 2017, is allegedly the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 “theses” to the church door in Wittenberg. It’s not at all certain that he did nail them to the door, but he certainly published them and started a debate that many regard as the start of the reformation which in turn had a huge impact on the church and society as a whole.

Whether Luther intended to set in motion the events that followed is also questionable. He was a good catholic, protesting at the sale of “indulgences,” which we might describe as a sort of “get out of hell for a fee.” In 1517 the Pope offered indulgences for those who gave money to fund the rebuilding of St. Peter’s in Rome. The aggressive sale of these to poor and superstitious Germans by Johann Tetzel provoked Luther to write the 95 theses objecting to this fundraising based on the purchase of salvation.

“As soon as money in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory’s fire springs.”

The history of division in the church is well documented, with many paying with their lives for holding steadfast to their particular beliefs. Just how much this was down to Luther, as opposed to other reforming voices and movements, is a matter for debate. Today the different branches of the Christian church, by and large, sit fairly peacefully together. Sadly this is not the case for religion as a whole.