Transatlantic politics in Limbo
The US election has had a lot of coverage over here in the UK yesterday (8 November). To us it seems at the moment that our two countries are like ships without captains. Both leaders have been weakened by issues that have rendered them virtually powerless. In the US it is the Iraq war. In the UK it is Iraq and the simmering "cash for honours" issue.
Here, Iraq has not become as prominent as in the US yet, but all sides are pressing Blair for an inquiry. His majority in debates are being whittled away gradually. As if that is not enough, he is now hiding behind the solid door of Number 10, trying to avoid being dragged into a formal police investigation into cash being paid to his party in exchange for knighthoods. If Blair can't avoid this he will be the first PM in seventy years to be the subject of a criminal inquiry. Add to this the fact that Gordon Brown (possibly the next PM) is already involved in the fringes of the investigation, and suddenly government in the hands of Labour does not look safe over the next three years.
What does this mean to us? It means that our voice in Europe will be weakened as Labour takes its eye of the ball. Our independence and strong stand against the power of the EU commission, a body that is not elected by the general public. For the first time in our existance it feels as if the "Mother of all Parliaments" may be move inexorably towards its demise.
Research has already shown that a "European" defence force is not capable of the unity and purpose needed to protect and intervene in global issues effectively. Remember the alliances that saved Kuwait; that gave those in the Baltics hope; that has tried to save Iraq? It appears that they are no more.
the Brit
The US election has had a lot of coverage over here in the UK yesterday (8 November). To us it seems at the moment that our two countries are like ships without captains. Both leaders have been weakened by issues that have rendered them virtually powerless. In the US it is the Iraq war. In the UK it is Iraq and the simmering "cash for honours" issue.
Here, Iraq has not become as prominent as in the US yet, but all sides are pressing Blair for an inquiry. His majority in debates are being whittled away gradually. As if that is not enough, he is now hiding behind the solid door of Number 10, trying to avoid being dragged into a formal police investigation into cash being paid to his party in exchange for knighthoods. If Blair can't avoid this he will be the first PM in seventy years to be the subject of a criminal inquiry. Add to this the fact that Gordon Brown (possibly the next PM) is already involved in the fringes of the investigation, and suddenly government in the hands of Labour does not look safe over the next three years.
What does this mean to us? It means that our voice in Europe will be weakened as Labour takes its eye of the ball. Our independence and strong stand against the power of the EU commission, a body that is not elected by the general public. For the first time in our existance it feels as if the "Mother of all Parliaments" may be move inexorably towards its demise.
Research has already shown that a "European" defence force is not capable of the unity and purpose needed to protect and intervene in global issues effectively. Remember the alliances that saved Kuwait; that gave those in the Baltics hope; that has tried to save Iraq? It appears that they are no more.
the Brit
posted by Brit & Grit at 10:59 PM
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