Tagged With: politics
National Grids – Targeting nationalization to battle climate change
Yesterday the UK Labour party suggested bringing several companies / industries into national ownership. Thinking about this i think maybe theirs is a step to far but maybe some things “should” be government owned and managed. The next 10-30 years we have to transform the economy to be more green.
I suggest the UK government should nationalize the “grid/networks” for “essentials”, but leave the delivery of services in the private market. ie set up 2 national network which would be wholly and solely owned by the government
- The “Energy and Water grid” grid ( Gas, Electric, Water )
- The “Transport grid” national grid – roads / rail / ports
This would allow…
- the government to focus on the physical infrastructure and green strategy at the national level
- re-sellers / franchise holders to deliver services to end consumers.
- private companies to supply services to the government ( ie power stations / reservoirs )
It would require a transfer of assets at market value cost so private companies did not loose out. I’d argue that would be worth it. One could alternatively do this by stricter regulations on the private companies but that would be a halfway house I believe.
Political leadership
Political leadership is…
- …about public service. It is about working for the people.
- …about reflecting public opinion. It is about working for the people.
- …about delivering what the electorate have asked for. It is about working for the people.
- …about setting good examples.
Political leadership is not…
- …bullying the electorate into following your opinion. That would be arrogant and rude.
- …quiting because you do not agree with the electorate. That would be childish.
- …trying to stab fellow politicians in the back. That would be untrustworthy .
- …sowing fear. That would be cancerous.
Some of this countries leadership seem to have forgotten what they are there to do, or maybe they just do not care.
Citizenship, what I believe it should mean.
I believe citizenship…
- …defines your rights and responsibilities so that it is balanced.
- …must be earned otherwise it has no value.
- …should be forfeit-able because it should never be abused.
- …should define your freedoms not define your beliefs or lifestyle
Visa/Imigration wishlist – If we leave the EU
If we leave the EU or even if we stay I’d want to use visa and contribution rules to control our borders…
- Track exits from our borders as well as arrivals. So we know who is in the country.
- Anyone would be able to visit with a simple visitors visa for up to 90 days a year. They could work during this time if they wanted
- Anyone spending longer than that 90 days a year would need to have a work or compassionate visa.
- All visas would be only granted on the basis that the applicant was a lawful citizen. That they posed no risk to the country. Any visa could be denied or revoked if that assessment changed.
- Work visas would only be granted only if the role has previously offered for 6 months to citizens.
- There would be quotas and point systems for work and compassionate visas. Anyone applying for a work or compassionate visa would need a sponsor/guarantor. The sponsor/guarantor would be held accountable if that person overstayed or broke the law or was unable to support themselves. The sponsor/guarantor would need to be a citizen
- Benefits would only be paid to those who had paid national insurance in this country for 48 months cumulatively not continuously), or who’s parents had.
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Housing Ideas
I suggest
a) Rename Council tax as “Property tax”
b) Tax second homes at ‘2’ times their council tax rate
c) As part of sale a house should always be reassessed for the purpose of council/property tax
Women covering thier faces
While watching bbc question time and the debate about women wearing veils, and hearing the two sides arguing whether it is about choice or forcing women to hide, I wonder how those sides would change if it was a debate about women feeling the need to wear make-up when they go out. Is it really right to consider legislating about one form of face covering but not another? #equality should mean having the right to be different, not the obligation to all be the same. If a woman does or doesn’t want to go out au natural isn’t that her choice? Regardless of whether that is a head covering or makeup?
Don’t ask a question if you don’t want the answer…
Politicians often make grat promises about representing the public when they want to get ellected, but one in power the public opinion can become more of a hindrance.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/nov/15/cameron-e-petition-policy-backfire
Who is the better leader or parent. One that does what’s best for his subjects/children or one that gives them whatever they ask for…
I guess i just wish politicians would be honest both before and after they get elected
Make mentoring deductible for corporation tax – inspired by @Lord_Sugar
I read Lord Sugars speech at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=159423317411506 and got to thinking.
Companies can claim capital expenses and R&D as deductibles for corporation tax. I believe that by extension companies should be able to claim a tax refund of up to 20% of the salary of a mentor who spends a minimum 20% of their time mentoring a registered apprentice.
Road Tax
- All Vehicles should be gps tagged as part of their Road Tax Licence.
- Vehicles should be taxed for the time and space they occupy public roads. ie if it’s a big car you pay more and parking on public roads is no longer free.
- Pedal Bicycles would not be tagged or taxed.
Police. If I were prime minister…
I believe in law and order and that means police. If i were PM my policies would be…
- There should be 1 officer per 100 people in the UK population with the diversity trending towards the population they serve
- All officers regardless of rank should go out on patrol between 1 and 5 days per week. No more, no less. They need to see the real world and we need to not wear them out.
- All Police uniforms should be GPS tagged and this information used to identify gaps in patrols and remedy them.
- All Police uniforms should include audio/video cameras to be used as evidence. Content should be purged after 60 days unless used in a trial, content should be uploaded securely so even if the camera were stolen its content would still be available
- Each high street should have a front desk where an officer is always available 24/7. These Civic Help Shops might also include advisers or other government services.
- Once a year each officer should spend a week working in another part of the country.