High stakes chess, round 1

          Interesting times in the world of politics at the moment. Those of us who protest the injustice of tax evasion and avoidance seem to have found ourselves with a most unlikely ally in the proprietor of The Sun and The Times, namely one Mr Rupert Murdoch. Whilst he doubtless expects to curry no favour with those of us who expect tax dodgers to pay up, through News International, the man from the land down under is out for revenge.
          The Murdochs are big corporate players, unused to being humiliated at the hands of politicians they used to manipulate like marionettes. So often courted by successive Prime Ministers in their quests for high office, Murdoch, summoned to the Leveson Inquiry, was abandoned by his puppets to answer questions about his empire, family members and employees culminating in a private meeting with the family of Milly Dowler and a statement of regret read out in front of the press. Mr Murdoch has chosen his weapon well, tax avoidance will have the stamina of M.P's expenses thrice over and his quarry are upto their necks in it. Pawn Jimmy Carr found himself in the limelight as Murdoch's opening move. David Cameron, maybe thinking he was one step ahead of RM looked to block condemning the comedian's apparent greed. In The Sun an editorial piece pointed the finger of blame at politicians unwilling to address the issue and so the clocks are running. Already the Prime Minister has, having declared tax avoidance schemes morally reprehensible, faltered having back tracked on his initial call for the tax affairs of his ministers to be made public. A round the world cruise, let alone parliament's summer holidays won't be long enough for this one to die down.

My reply to a small business representative in local pressto

Dear Editor

                 I was concerned to read the first person article by Mr Michael Self in the Echo 7/6 - 13/6. Small business has a massive part to play in the economic recovery and  growth of our country yet his views are utterly at odds with evidence which now stares us all in the face. Mr Self argues initially that the only way to repair the situation"...was to slash government spending and increase taxation."

                 In following paragraphs he concedes that this "tough medicine" has not worked before advocating further cuts and a lowering of taxes.

                 The government introduced the latter, cutting the 50p rate for instance, but only to the benefit of the wealthiest in society. Instituting a financial transaction tax, wholly justified, and increasing taxation would have helped, if tax increases had been deemed necessary after a concerted effort to collect it from those who methodically evade and avoid paying their share year after year.

                 The cuts the coalition have forced upon us have seen public services and a variety of benefits cut including child tax and working tax credits. If employers paid reasonable wages in the first place such tax credits would be unnecessary. Despite this borrowing, as Mr Self rightly states, has actually gone up not down.

                 Mr Self, quite justifiably, berates the government for money created through quantitative easing being handed to those banks, who, when they do agree to lend, do so with high interest rates attached. With Mr Osbourne announcing a further cash injection, would it not be more helpful to cut out the middleman and lend direct to small businesses with a nominal interest charge? This will not happen of course because, as Mr Self and others know, successive governments since Mrs Thatcher first entered Downing St have all pursued economic policies which favour the financial sector over manufacturing.

                 Mr Self's assertion that economic stimulation will be aided by creating a more "...flexible labour force.." beggars belief. Whilst I would agree some aspects of employment law could do with an injection of common sense, the notion that removing employee protections will help small businesses thrive is a nonsense. A low paid, timid, through lack of security, workforce bereft of loyalty commitment and drive, because that's the kind of workforce Mr Self and his kind will create, does not help develop a successful business. One might assume that Mr Self represents businesses which rely solely on unskilled labour since it would be senseless to invest in training a "throwaway" labour force which has no interest in the success of its employers. Furthermore, does he really believe that workers, constantly in fear of losing their jobs are going to spend what little disposable income they will have left over on expensive goods which may require loans or credit to finance? And who will extend credit to a worker with little or no job security? If our fast moving consumer based economy is to help any business grow, it must have a ready supply of people with money to spend! 

                 Respectfully I modify the quote Mr Self both opened and closed his piece with and hope that he will perhaps reflect that in fact, "It's the economic model stupid."

My Green Party

         It's a stressful game is politics and manys the time I curse myself for getting involved. It would be so much easier to ignore what's going on around me and concentrate on favoured pastimes in my down time. Heaven knows, as an NHS employee working for a trust hell bent on meltdown I need some respite!Trouble is, the more I've learnt about the causes and consequences of where our society is at, the less inclined I am to bury my head.
       So here I am, frustrated by intransigence, angry at injustice and motivated against greed. Despite this I have become determined and optimistic for two good reasons and one for which I have high hopes.
       The first explains the why. My 8 year old daughter, pure and simple. I must contribute to ensuring I leave her a safe sustainable and just society to live in. It's not enough to help her develop life skills and provide funds to aid her education. I have learnt that our neoliberal consumer driven economy is causing far more harm than good. As the wealth inequality gap grows and resources are plundered mercilessly in pursuit of a non existent growth driven utopia constantly moved out of reach by the advertisers of dissatisfaction, all of us suffer.
        The second reason is the one that gives me determination and optimism. Understanding causes and consequences is one part of the equation, the other is recognizing that there is a solution. Logical rational  reforms of the banking and tax systems. Implementation of an economic model that supports the development of renewable energy sources and moves to curtail the influence of consumerism over our lives.
         As for high hopes, I've pinned mine to the mast of the Green Party flagpole. I've read the manifesto online and was encouraged to find that they are a party I can align myself with. I also believe that, as much as I applaud, support and respect the work of certain pressure groups economists and political commentators, I am certain of one thing. Truly lasting change that will serve all in society will not be achieved from the fringes of the political system. There needs to be a cultural change in society which can only be led and driven from a position of power. This isn't to suggest we need a dictatorship, far from it. What's required is a government with the strength of character to implement reforms that create possibilities. Possibilities for us all to prosper, to be involved in society and to feel equally valued. Do that and the British people will, I believe, start making choices that will lead to a safer more sustainable society less addicted to the illusion of consumerism.
        But my optimism has to be matched, and here I have concerns. Last week, the latest Yougov poll was released and the results weren't encouraging. Now I don't know how The Green Party stands currently with the electorate but if that poll was accurate, we have a mountain to climb because we weren't even mentioned! UKIP sat 4th with 8%. Whatever the excuses are for voter apathy, we aren't even getting our message across to those who do care enough to vote.The Green Party isn't here waiting for its chance to play it's version of  consumer led capitalism. I hope we are here to lead change and reform because we understand that the earth's resources cannot sustain our current rate of exploitation. We are here to address the problems of climate change because, plainly, nobody else will despite time and opportunities running out. We are here to encourage the electorate, for the sake of us all, to make independent choices to reject consumerism and the laissez-faire approach of the markets. The Green Party's members do care but must become more assertive. We need to get loud and get involved everywhere, making our position known. There are several million voters who need to know we are here, who are starved of an alternative but aren't yet aware of what is possible. There are dozens of political pressure groups whose support we could welcome. They have goals which have a kinship with our own. Not to reach out to them and support to their protests will be a wasted opportunity. The next two general elections will make or break our society. For the sake of our children I'll do my level best to help it be the former !