A new body is needed to assess existing and alternative drugs policies, and could be partly funded by assets seized from dealers, campaigners have said.
The UK Drug Policy Commission said billions of pounds a year were spent tackling drug problems, "without always knowing what difference it makes".
The commission argues that much of the £3bn spent each year on tackling illicit drugs is wasted...
None bias political views for a new generation. Personal political opinions and commentary on topical British political news. My thorts are i-thorts... My politics are i-politics...
Monday 31 December 2012
i-thorts' i-Politics: Call for new drug policy research body
Sunday 30 December 2012
i-thorts' i-Politics: Memo urges Lib Dems to criticise Tories
Lib Dems have been encouraged to criticise their Tory coalition partners as well as the Labour opposition.
In a leaked internal memo, senior Lib Dems were urged to spread the message that the Conservatives cannot be trusted to help build a fairer society ... the memo suggests voters should be reminded that the Tories wanted to "look after the super rich".
i-thorts' i-Politics: Prince Charles private meetings with eight ministers
Prince Charles has held private meetings with eight government ministers in the last 12 months, including Michael Gove, the education secretary, and Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury.
Details of these meetings with ministers are not disclosed, prompting calls for greater transparency.
This is the second time in only a few months that it has come to light that Charles is being secretive in his political dealings. Also see: « i-thorts' i-Views: Would Charles Be A Democratic Monarch? »
Friday 14 December 2012
i-thorts' i-Views:- Clegg calls for drugs law review
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has backed calls for a royal commission to consider decriminalising illegal drugs, despite opposition from David Cameron.
The PM has rejected the Home Affairs Select Committee's report highlighting Portugal's approach, where people found with drugs are not always prosecuted.
Tuesday 11 December 2012
i-thorts' i-Views: Should Drugs and Prostitution Be Illegal?
That's the question that any politician should ask; but not many ever do.
The law of this land is drugs are bad keep away from them (but alcohol and tobacco is okay so long as tax is being paid on them) and prostitution is immoral therefore bad; so both are equally illegal.
The thing is 'immoral' isn't the same as dangerous and 'bad' isn't the same as harmful.
Anything taken to excess is 'bad for you' - from sugar and fat to alcohol and cigarettes - but that doesn't necessarily stop their sale to the public.
Is it immoral to sell ones body for money? It's worst to sell it to feed a drug habit (for something that could be anything masquerading as the 'real deal').
Guardian says: Three arrested in Libor manipulation investigation
Three men arrested as part of Serious Fraud Office and City of London police arrest investigation into manipulation of Libor.
Three British men were arrested on Tuesday as part of the Serious Fraud Office investigation into the manipulation of Libor.
The SFO and City of London police arrested three men aged 33, 41 and 47 after searching a house in Surrey and two properties in Essex...
Wednesday 5 December 2012
Sky News says:- Autumn Statement - Osborne Tightens The Screw
More cuts and no miracle cures will be the Chancellor's message as he confronts the country's problems in his mini-budget.
Chancellor George Osborne will today warn there are no "miracle cures" as he admits more drastic action is needed to balance Britain's books...
Monday 3 December 2012
Guardian says: George Osborne prepares for climbdown on missed fiscal targets
Chancellor must admit he cannot meet second target of reducing debt as proportion of national income by end of parliament.
George Osborne has prepared the ground for a damaging admission in Wednesday's autumn statement that lower than expected growth means he will breach the second of his fiscal targets, on reducing debt as a proportion of national income by the end of the parliament.
Gaurdian says: Cameron to tell press proprietors "get your act together on regulation"
PM to put pressure on owners as Miliband says Cameron has 'one last chance to stand up for victims and show leadership'
David Cameron is to order press proprietors to get their act together on independent regulation within months, as Ed Milband warns he will give the prime minister until Christmas to show he is serious about cross-party talks...
Sunday 2 December 2012
An Extra Year Of Austerity Foreseen For Britain
Alongside the atement on Wednesday, the Chancellor's Autumn Statement on Wednesday, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR - the independent fiscal watchdog) are set to tell George Osborne that the Government's efforts to reduce borrowing are in danger.
The OBR are expected to warn this week that the Chancellor looks set to miss his target for bringing down Britain's debt mountain; raising the prospect of more austerity measures.
Unless the Chancellor puts forward further hardship measures, Economists - alarmed by just how difficult it seems for the debt-ratio to begin decreasing in the foretold timescale of 2014-15 and 2015-16 (which Mr Osborne set to reduce GDP) - warn that Mr Osborne's goal for reductions to the
gross domestic product were totally underestimated. This means the Chancellor's duel debt-reducing targets are more at risk because of the low growth-estimates and their knock-on impact on the Treasury's revenues.
"When the OBR was established in 2010 I said that the evidence of its success would come when a Chancellor of the Exchequer wished it had never been set up. I think that moment is approaching..."
As if things aren't bad enough! The outcome being an extra year of hardship is foreseen for British citizens .
Saturday 1 December 2012
Nick Clegg is changing the way the government works
...the Deputy Prime Minister has this week effected another big change to the way Westminster government works. He has sent party members an email today explaining why he felt it was necessary to make a separate statement to David Cameron in the Commons on Thursday...
...the Deputy Prime Minister does have a point. There isn’t yet an agreed government position, and from the Lib Dems’ point of view, the worst thing Clegg could do would be to sit on the front bench with a frozen face listening to the Prime Minister giving a statement that he is reported to disagree with...
Friday 30 November 2012
Rotherham By-Election: Labour Secures Victory
Labour wins three by-elections on a night that saw a surge in support for UKIP and dismal results for the Tories and Lib Dems.
The Conservatives finished fifth behind not only UKIP but also the British National Party and Respect, while Tory candidate Simon Wilson only held onto his deposit by a whisker.
Labour candidate Sarah Champion has won the Rotherham by-election with a majority of more than 5,000 votes over second-place UKIP.r
Monday 26 November 2012
i-Politics:- Why Prince Charles accepts life as the Queen's understudy
There is no doubt that Prince Charles feels frustrated that he has been the king in waiting for 60 years... That was always a non-starter. He knew full well the Queen would never, ever abdicate and he would have to wait patiently until his time came. em>
Saturday 17 November 2012
MPs: Sale of RBS or Lloyds 'not for years'
In a report into the sale of Northern Rock, the Public Accounts Committee said the sale of the bank in 2011 was "fortunate", and Lloyds and RBS may not be sold "for many years"... taxpayers were set to lose £2bn on Northern Rock's rescue.
Friday 16 November 2012
UK election historic turnouts since 1918
Just how bad was the turn out in the elections for police and crime commissioners?
... it certainly makes it one of the worst turnouts ever ...
see also: A 'Hammerin' for Cameron »
Thursday 15 November 2012
One in three businesses is losing money as 'Zombie Britain' faces long and winding road to recovery
One in three businesses is losing money and the road to Britain's economic recovery will be 'long and winding', the Bank of England warned yesterday.
Experts dubbed these firms 'zombie businesses' which have survived only because interest rates are at an historic low and the banks are reluctant to pull the plug on them.
also see: Triple-Dip - But Jobs Up »
A HAMMERIN’ FOR CAMERON
DAVID Cameron is facing a devastating double whammy today as Britain goes to the polls.
Downing Street is braced for a “serious hammering” in the by-election triggered by MP Louise Mensch’s shock resignation.
And, in what is already being dubbed Black Thursday, Tory chiefs also fear record low turnouts in elections for police commissioners across England and Wales — a flagship Conservative policy.
Tuesday 13 November 2012
Royal Navy submariner admits collecting secrets that could be useful to an enemy
Petty Officer Edward Devenney, 30, served onboard HMS Trafalgar, a hunter killer submarine, and was due to begin serving on HMS Vigilant, a submarine which carries Trident nuclear missiles when he tried to set up a covert contact with Russian spies.
He offered them details of the sailings and movements of two nuclear submarines, a recent operation involving HMS Trafalgar and details of codebreaking Crypto material between ships and naval command...
Margaret Moran received £53,000 in bogus MP expenses
Margaret Moran, former Labour MP for Luton South, received more than £53,000 in fraudulent expenses, a jury has found, despite her being mentally unfit to stand trial.
Though jurors at Southwark crown court in London were unable to return a guilty verdict, they unanimously ruled the 57-year-old former assistant whip committed 15 counts of false accounting and six counts of using a false instrument over claims for parliamentary expenses between 2004 and 2008.
Sunday 11 November 2012
Gag on police in commissioner elections frustrates senior officers
Chief constables have been gagged from publicly expressing concerns that a low turnout in Thursday's police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections could damage their legitimacy and the British model of policing by consent.
Benefits reform under threat after IT glitch
National roll-out of flagship policy delayed by at least a year as costs soar and key personnel quit.
The Government's flagship reform of Britain's welfare system, which is being piloted by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, has been placed on a Treasury list of projects in crisis, The Independent on Sunday has learned.
David Cameron's police reform fails to impress
Barely one in six people will bother to vote when Britain elects its first police and crime commissioners this week, ministers have been warned.
Thursday 8 November 2012
David Cameron testing app to aid government decisions
A mobile app to aid in decision-making and day-to-day government affairs is being trialled by the prime minister.
Mr Cameron has been using it to keep track of live data relating to jobs, housing and other areas.
Labour MP claims £164 for birthday cards at taxpayers' expense
Margaret Moran claimed £164 for birthday cards and £50 for Christmas cards as part of a £53,000 parliamentary expenses fraud, a court heard today.
Margaret Moran, the former Labour MP, forged invoices for more than £24,000 of non-existent goods and services as part of a £53,000 parliamentary expenses fraud, a court heard yesterday.
Sunday 4 November 2012
Labour Calls for £7.20 an Hour 'Living Wage'
Ed and David Miliband have put their political rivalry aside to work on plans for millions of workers to be paid a “living wage” of at least £7.20 an hour - Read More @ Telegraph »
Friday 2 November 2012
Welfare Cuts? - Not In Our Back Yard!
BBC reported (Child benefit 'nimbys' accused) that Middle-classes are fuming at the thought of losing some (or all) child-benefit one parent is earning from £50,000 to £60,000 and over. (Families of three children could loose £4,000.)
This comes after poorer couples (working under 24 hour a week between them) lost up to £100 week (£5,200 a year) in working tax from this April ... and no one battered an eye or even seemed to report it. These are families on minimum wage, earning under £6,000.
Tuesday 30 October 2012
Why Is The Future of Britain’s Nuclear Deterrent Being Debated at the Moment?
Taken from (British) Social Media Party:
Why the Nuclear Deterrent Has Had Its Day!!
One year after the expected date of the next election - sometime in 2016 - the UK will be making the decision of to commit about £20 billion to replace the four Vanguard submarines (which will be approaching the termination of their service), each of which carries a Trident D5 missile.
Why the Nuclear Deterrent Has Had Its Day!!
One year after the expected date of the next election - sometime in 2016 - the UK will be making the decision of to commit about £20 billion to replace the four Vanguard submarines (which will be approaching the termination of their service), each of which carries a Trident D5 missile.
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| A Trident missile armed Vanguard class ballistic missile submarine leaving its base in the Firth of Clyde. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Since 1994, these four submarines and their nuclear weapons system have provided the UK's main deterrent. The question is, is Trident really a deterrent - or merely a political insurance policy?
If a country like Iran or North Korea should launch a nuclear attack on Britain, then four Triden D5's wouldn't stop the barrage of weapons that would expectedly be thrown at us. So why do we have them?
The answer is a simple one. To strike back and cause damage to any aggressor that might think to wipe us out. Vanguard has the ability to take Trident close enough to hart any aggressor.
They doesn't really protect, they might deter slightly, but that are good for retaliation. "Wipe us out," they threaten, "and you'll regret it!" That's as bad a a dog that barks at a burger after he's robbed your house.
The truth about the nuclear deterrent is: it isn't one at all. No sane person wants to go down in history for pressing the button; and wiping out thousands of innocent individuals. Nuclear isn't like a missile that can take out a specific military target - it burns indiscriminately, men women and children alike. A Trident D5 is powerful enough to destroy a major capital city (like New York). There are no winners in a nuclear strike - not even the aggressor.
During the 1980's, Labour were commitment to unilateral disarmament. However, the 1983 elections put pay to their plans; and from the moment Tony Blair took on leadership of the party, Labour's stance on defence toughened.
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| English: United States Trident II (D-5) missile underwater launch. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The Conservatives stance is to back full Trident replacement. The Liberal Democrats want something else, a policy that is distinct and radical; a less elaborate deterrent might suffice. (Whatever that less-elaborate-deterrent might be is still unclear.) Ed Miliband has not said where he wants to take Labour - concerning the nuclear deterrent.
£20bn in capital expenditure is a cost that Britain can ill afford.
We have a rare opportunity to make a radical change.
Saturday 27 October 2012
Tory MP quits to open door for return of Boris
The MP for Croydon South says he'll resign at next elections. It is believed that this is one of the seats that Mr Johnson needs to return to the commons at the 2015 elections... Read More @ The Independent »
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Labour says Cameron's 'need to make prison work' is empty rhetoric
Private firms, voluntary groups and charities will be paid to help offenders turn their lives around, the government have decided. This is a new drive to beat crime, put forward by the Conservatives.
David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative
Party, United Kingdom. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Party, United Kingdom. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
David Cameron has spoken out in a fight against crime - his most intense since taking office. All but the most high-risk prisoners will be given help by 2015.
Cameron has warned though there isn't a "blank cheque" for this initiative; he expects "more for less".
Cameron invited that serious crime would hold long prison sentences. He is adamant that he's no going "soft" or being "liberal" in crime. Stating that "...we need to make prison work."
Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary, Sadiq Khan, accused the Tories of " empty rhetoric" yesterday. Adding: "After 29 months, this Tory-led government's justice policy is in tatters. Today's announcement.... is ... a weak Prime Minister who is pandering to the backbenchers..."
This comes after a week where Andrew Mitchell was forced to reign (after swearing at the police) and George Osborne was caught in First-Class rail with a none-First-Class ticket (and refused to pay the upgrade fee).
I hicks that if Mr Cameron wants to shoe he's tough on crime, then he need to start with his own MP's.
Friday 19 October 2012
i-thorts' i-Views: Would Charles Be A Democratic Monarch?
Is the Prince of Wales fit to be the next king?
In a democratic society, it is imperative that government (not unelected royalty) have control.
Charles, Prince of Wales (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The veils, thrown over Prince Charles's letters to ministers, from 2004 - 2005 continues to show how undemocratic our next monarch has become.
Monday 15 October 2012
Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?
If it was a sack-able offence to be a jerk, then half the cabinet would lose their jobs. So, should Andrew Mitchell really resign?
The allegation is that he called police “f****** plebs” and “morons”; however, Mitchell denies using those “words attributed” to him.
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| English: Andrew Mitchell. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Thursday 11 October 2012
PuSsY RiOt Will Not Be Silenced - Even in Prison
The Moscow arm of CNN say that within hours of being freed from prison (on Wednesday), PuSsY RiOt member Yekaterina Samutsevich vowed to resume the political protesting, that led to her incarceration earlier this year (for a so-called act of “hooliganism”) with fellow band members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina.
Samutsevich was freed after a judge accepted that she was ejected from the cathedral ‘before the punk prayer’ even took place. (He suspended her sentence on this technicality.)
Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina, the two collective members, who were arrested along with Yekaterina, lost their appeals; their two year sentences were upheld.
However, Pussy Riot is a five piece punk band: The two remaining band members fled Russia last month, out of fear of reprisals. They intend to recruit ‘foreign feminists’ in the fight against President Vladimir Putin.
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| Vladimir Putin (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Samutsevich talked to CNN about the rumours of splits in the band, and the future:
“We are not finished, nor are we going to end our political protest. The situation in the country [Russia] has deteriorated since our performance and the trial itself is a testimony to that.”
Pussy Riot do have some support in Russia though, mainly from the feminine masses. Even Russia’s Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, thinks the that a suspended sentence would be ‘entirely sufficient’ for all band members.
Wednesday 10 October 2012
i-thorts' i-Views: Isn't 'Compassionate Conservatism' An Oxymoron These Days?
From a party that wants to cut Welfare by £10billion, isn't it a little two-faced for the Tories to claim they're policies are the best way to help thee poor, the weak and the vulnerable?
Monday 8 October 2012
A Bit of PM Name-Calling
David Cameron has little time for the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, dubbing him a "blonde haired mop" with a mouth.
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Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
This was ahead of the conservative party conference, where it is believed Jonson will be up to his usual show-stealing antics.
Saturday 6 October 2012
Conference season is boring!
They say a week in politics is a long time; but with this Labour Party conference it's seemed longer.
To me, conference season is a time for leaders to show off their metal in the face of their true believers.
But so far it's been boring. Where are the rising stars, nipping at the proverbial ankles? Where are the party goofballs and political suicides?
Sunday 30 September 2012
Labour to give 16-year-olds the vote
Arriving in Manchester, before Labour conference, Ed Miliband told young people of his vision for a Labour Britain: He believes 16-year-old should have get vote.
CyberPunk65
i-thorts' i-Politics September 30th 2012
i-thorts' i-Politics September 30th 2012
If 16- to 18-year-olds could vote, George Osborne might have thought twice about getting rid of EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance) - it would have hit Tories at ballot box.
Ed Milliband MP speaking at the Labour Party conference. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Miliband has a project to "rebuild Britain" by involving young people more in politics. He wants young people to have a voice.
Miliband concedes that the coalition’s welfare system changers are acceptable to Labour, but lacked compassion towards the disabled.
Miliband admits agreeing with some of the government’s policies - but not most of them.
He can’t "wave a magic wand" though.
"We can’t have people going to food banks while millionaires have been given £40,000 tax cuts." Miliband argues, "It’s not right."
Saturday 22 September 2012
Privileged Tory MP Tells Youths: Leave School, Become An Apprentice, or Sing For Your Supper
With the job market shrinking each month and a lack of employer enthusiasm, a Tory MP has told the youth of Britain they should busk to pay for travel expenses to find work.
This is just another Tory living in a fools paradise.
And to tell school leavers not to bother staying on, as they be better off leaving at 16 and getting an apprenticeship, is just pain foolishness. The employment market has not been made as buoyant as they expected (post Olympics); so employers aren't taking on apprenticeships at the moment.
i-Views: 51% Lib Dems Are Dissatisfied with Clegg as Leader!
This isn't exactly news for anyone that lives in the UK. Clegg's popularity has dropped steadily since the election.
Tuesday 18 September 2012
Labour Ahead in the Polls - So Far - States Poulace Poll in The Times
(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
The race to win the next general election is already on, and Labour has taken the lead. A 50 point lead ahead of Conservatives. (45% of those questioned would vote Labour in at the next general election; that's a five point increase since July polls.) This could (if the polls are right) put Ed Miliband on course for a masive victory in 2015.
The Tories are down to a 30% share of votes in a general election - a four point drop! Nevertheless, in the very same poll, 23% are happy with how David Cameron carried out the activities of Prime Minister; putting him is ahead in the popularity race. And 34% thought he would do a better job as PM than Mr Miliband. (That's more people would like to see Cameron remain as PM next time round.)
The voters branded Miliband and Nick Clegg as both: "out of his depth", "weak", and "indecisive". Cameron was branded: "doesn't listern", and "arrogant". Voters branded alll three parties: "out of touch".
Saturday 15 September 2012
Social Media Party - The British Political Party That Promise You More
A new British political party launched 10/09/2012: The Social Media Party. “A cross-party party” designed to appeal to members from the full political spectrum.
generic multi-axis political spectrum chart (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We believe in a state that allows individuals to take part in the decision-making process that affects their lives, to contribute fully to that society (and their own communities) to attain these ideals. United by a common belief in respect, equality, education, and social justice. -The (British) Social Media Party’s mission statement claims.
So why is this non-entity (unknown) taking on the big three? Because with the help of the social media world any party can!
To put it in their words: “We can out-campaign them. This is a social media world and the main three are still thinking mainstream. They Tweet and Like now rules the globe.”
It’s obvious that they’re switched-on to the technicalities of a digital environment, but is it possible for a non-entity to really take on these titans?
Well the Green party was once a non-entity and now they have a nice percentage of the votes. Labour too were once newcomers on the political scene (now they are major players).
Mobile web growth (Photo credit: Will Lion)
So how does the Social Media Party expect to go from zero to hero?
“We promise all our voters power. Power of autonomy, power to choose policies, power to decide how their vote Will count.”
Is this a return to a call for proportional representation?
“In social media terms, every like and each tweet counts, so should every single vote! That’s true democracy in action!”
But can they win elections?
Would you vote for the (British) Social Media Party?
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