Jesus - I Am.

How Can It Possibly Be That High?

Only 33 percent said they trusted the EU. Trust was up one percent since the previous survey, but still seven percent lower than one year ago.EU Observer.

May Gets Brexit Right - We All Win. Get It Wrong - Ukip Wins!

Cameron's ex right-hand man predicts voter SURGE for Ukip if May backslides on Brexit

DAVID Cameron’s former right hand man has warned new Prime Minister Theresa May she will haemorrhage votes to Ukip at the election if she attempts any backsliding over Brexit.

By NICK GUTTERIDGE. Express. 

Andy Coulson, the ex PM’s spin doctor, warned Mrs May that any move to renege on key pledges including limiting free movement would be met with a flight of support away from the Tories. 

And he said key marginal seats would desert her in a flash for Ukip even though the party has secured its main aim in getting Britain out of the European Union. 

Mr Coulson, who was jailed for his part in the News of the World phone hacking scandal, made the comments during a mini-documentary about why his home country Essex voted to leave the EU. 

Birdie.

Jews And Jerusalem And Logic.

After the treacherous attacks against the Jewish populace in 1948 Israel, a brand new state, set itself up to defend what it possessed.

In 1967 it thoroughly thrashed its enemies in the Six Day War when once more threatened.

During that period, the Israelis took over Jerusalem, and in its Basic Law, effectively announced to the world that 'possession is nine points of the law' and The Holy City would be theirs 'for all time'.

The Palestinians, whose treachery was noteworthy up to 1967, have naturally complained bitterly about having lost so much territory - including 'the third holiest place in Islam'.

Next year it will be 50 years that the Israelis have held Jerusalem. I wonder how the UN is going to respond after countless, previous denouncements of Israel?

Perhaps I might suggest Kosovo as a worthy comparison?

Kosovars (largely Albanians) moved into that part of Serbia now called Kosovo, over a period of a hundred years until they had a majority. They then demanded to become an independent state - an idea supported by the UN.

By this logic, Israel should not have to wait too long for the UN to support their occupation of Jerusalem. Sauce for the goose ... and all that.

This brings us to the Falklands. These islands were colonised by the French and later the British in the 18th century. Argentine attempts to claim the islands began only in 1820 with a half-hearted attempt by argentine whalers to set down roots.

The British dominion of the islands long pre-dates any of the recent attempts by the argies to steal the islands, 99% against the proven will of the people.

If the UN is consistent - then they MUST reject all Argentine claims to this self-governing British protectorate. De facto means de facto.

Using Kosovo as our measure, the Israelis, as de facto owners of Jerusalem must receive a full UN endorsement.

The case for the Falkland islanders having the right to self-determination is even stronger.

End Times.

"We won't be able to trade in the big world," Snivel, Whimper! Defeatism, defeatism, defeatism.

I would add the word 'already' to the caption!

Farage - What A Political Legacy!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-3715544/PETER-OBORNE-Lefties-loathe-truth-man-changed-history.html
On a purely personal level, I am not one of Nigel's greatest fans. (Unlike Peter Oborne, apparently.) Far too many flaws for my taste - but the thrust of this article gives the positive side of Nigel's character - and clearly shows the mega difference that he has made to modern politics. His achievements are praiseworthy.
One day a statue? - Well, I am sure that a great many lesser individuals have been cast in bronze over the years.
The greatest orator of our generation and 'the man who did it'! Many thanks, Mr Farage.
What concerns me now is that the next Ukip leader must be able to lead.
Paul Nuttall would have done a fine job in holding the party together and healing divisions; Jonathan Arnott might do at least as well and possibly even better; Lisa Duffy would not be a bad choice at all. Everyone speaks very highly of her - I have only met her the once - although I have been very impressed by her husband, Pete.
My problem is, that with Mr Woolfe, a man who somehow appears to have become an artificially constructed favourite, all I can see is division, ridicule and disaster coming Ukip's way. 
I know a many Ukip politicians - although admittedly not Steven himself - and I note that few seem to like him; many dislike him; others hint at things they refuse to express. (I wish I knew what that is all about and whether it is all fair or not!)
Will he manage to fight off the 'you have let your membership lapse and are unqualified to stand' issue? I do not know but sincerely hope that that he withdraws from the race.
With him in charge, I could see broad divisions and a party on the very cusp of possible political breakthrough - coming to grief. 
Ukip may or may not enjoy future success but my prediction is, that without the right leader, it will simply implode - and quickly.
Your prayers are welcomed. This is the only party which can halt the march of our Orwellian, political elite.

Jonathan On Health Issues.

Jonathan Arnott MEP

Where do I stand? - A healthy society.

I support the free NHS in the United Kingdom. I understand the economic arguments in favour of contribution-based healthcare systems but I am simply not convinced that, in the countries where they exist, they provide adequate healthcare provision for the poorest and most vulnerable.

The free NHS has become a cornerstone of what it means to be British. I'm very much open to look at ways of reducing bureaucracy. I'm open to considering different ways to improve efficiency and ensure that every extra pound put into the NHS actually funds patient care. Just because the NHS is 'national' doesn't mean that it has to be bureaucratic. Perhaps we should consider options where funding very clearly follows the patient.

I am concerned about the cost to the NHS of 'self-inflicted' problems: those who repeatedly find themselves in hospital after a night of heavy drinking leave the taxpayer to pay for their actions. I would like to explore ways that this misuse of the NHS can be discouraged without leading to more deaths.

I believe that our NHS doesn't do enough to help those with serious mental health issues. The murder of Jo Cox MP should have served as a wake-up call to everyone in politics - the tragedy is that it was hijacked for political reasons, yet nobody bothered to consider the actual fundamental issue. UKIP was clear at the last General Election that we wouldn't sweep mental health under the carpet.

I dislike the current moves towards over-regulation of e-cigarettes. Very few non-smokers move to e-cigarettes, but very many smokers do, cutting the potential harm to their health. The move from cigarettes to e-cigarettes will save many lives, and I don't want us to discourage that.

I don't support the various lifestyle taxes, the 'sugar tax' and so on, which will disproportionately hit the poorest in society.

I do support positive moves to make our society healthier, for example promotion of physical exercise, cutting trans fats, and healthier diets, but these must be optional. (And actually, as a chess player, I may point out that there are benefits to keeping the mind sharp and active too!)

We also need to start thinking now about some of the long-term health issues that haven't really been addressed yet. When there are no votes in something, politicians often don't talk about it. But there's a desperate clinical need for new classes of antibiotics to be found - or there'll be a major public health crisis around the corner. We should be prioritising that research.

With an ageing population, we should be starting to plan for how society is going to cope in the longer term.

Healthcare is going to be one of the major issues of our future: we need to be prepared to begin to address that now.

Michael Green on the Evidence for Christianity.

Michael Green on the Evidence for Christianity

“The evidence for the Christian case is very strong. Though incapable of compelling faith, it is quite sufficient to warrant it.”
– Michael Green

Professor Congdon EXPLAINS The Realities.

Dear  ...  (fellow member of UKIP,) This is my first post-referendum e-mail intended mostly for UKIP supporters. It is superfluous to say that I was thrilled by the outcome on 23rd June. Further, the UK’s prospective departure from the EU is due, above all, to the hard work, commitment and passion of UKIP and its members, and of course of Nigel Farage. David Cameron promised a referendum in his January 2013 Bloomberg speech in order to neutralize UKIP’s perceived threat to the Conservatives. And, for all the Establishment’s sneers at the party, it was UKIP that generated and articulated key arguments in the debate running up to 23rd June. I know from personal experience that the Europhile Establishment was shocked and stunned at public meetings to find that the Leave side generally put up better-quality arguments and did so with more conviction. They simply hadn’t expected this, and weren’t prepared. Project Fear was a disaster for the Remain camp, but it reflected intellectual shoddiness and political insincerity. (His involvement in Project Fear may have ended George Osborne’s political career. I would prefer not to be mean, but he deserved it. I don’t think Vote Leave was much cop, in the few weeks that it existed. Such organizations as the Bruges Group, Campaign for an Independent Britain, Better off Out, Global Britain and the Freedom Association had developed the arguments over many years, and – like UKIP – were important to the 23rd June result.) Without UKIP’s pressure, the Conservatives would have done nothing and the UK would be stuck in the EU forever. But we cannot celebrate yet. Brexit turns out to have many meanings, while the government remains one led to by the Conservative Party (the party of Neville Chamberlain and Ted Heath, don’t forget) advised by civil servants. In the accompanying video, I point out that two alternative approaches are emerging,   The Single Market option. The UK recovers parliamentary sovereignty and judicial supremacy, but it remains ‘in the Single Market’ in order to have tariff-free access to its neighbours’  home markets. The UK does not have control of immigration from the EU – and may even have to pay some money (‘danegeld’) to the EU for tariff-free access, as Norway and Switzerland do. The free trade option (‘the WTO option’). The UK recovers parliamentary sovereignty and judicial supremacy, and also leaves the EU/EEA Single Market.UK companies become subject to the common external tariff, unless specific arrangements are made by negotiation. (Cars, aerospace components, and agriculture and fisheries are priorities in such negotiations.) The UK has full control of immigration, including from the EU. It does not pay any ‘danegeld’ to the EU. I think it is of the utmost importance that UKIP supports the free trade option. Free trade works. (Compare Hong Kong and Singapore with North Korea and Cuba.) My fear is that the government will favour the Norway option with variants. We recover full control over our borders only if we do not belong to the Single Market. Outside the Single Market (which is really an area of common regulation) we would continue to have access to the European market, even if tariffs (quite low tariffs, by the way) were payable. Obviously, this debate will figure prominently in UKIP’s coming leadership election…I realize that some party members might favour protection for British industries. No, all the experience of the last 250 years – since the start of the Industrial Revolution – is that free trade is good for economic growth and living standards. By becoming the champion of free trade in the UK public debate, UKIP would be occupying the intellectual and emotional high ground, as well as appealing to one of Britain’s most attractive and successful political traditions. With best wishes,

Runner-up in the 2010 UKIP leadership election UKIP Economics Spokesman 2010 – 14

'Progressive Alliance' Fantasy.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/29/labour-mps-who-want-to-form-a-progressive-alliance-with-the-gree/
Why is it that every time I hear the word 'progressive' - I feel ill?

IMF Admits Its Folly In Love Affair With The Failing Euro.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/07/28/imf-admits-disastrous-love-affair-with-euro-apologises-for-the-i/

Awesome.

Jonathan The Leader.

https://www.facebook.com/jonathanarnottukip/videos/vb.1407975036082916/1764854977061585/?type=2&theater

Sound required - well worth a look.

Carrying The Northern Torch.

Jonathan Arnott MEP.

The Labour Party is in freefall across the North of England. What has happened to them in Scotland could well be repeated on our side of the border. Their poll ratings have headed downhill fast as their internal spat has come to a head. There’s no sign of it abating, and I’m not completely certain that Smith would be that much more palatable to the general public than Corbyn in any case.

Yet there are some real issues which need to be addressed here in the North East. We receive so little funding from central government for transport and infrastructure projects; the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ has a long way to go if it’s going to prove that it’s anything more than hot air.

And don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind seeing HS2 come all the way up to Newcastle but the quoted £27bn price tag seems to be poor value for money. Better HS2 than nothing for our region, but it’d be far better to sort out the myriad projects that we actually need: expansion of the Metro system, upgrades to the A1, A69 and A66, investment in our railways and many many more. We need a strong, credible Northern voice to stand up on these issues.

We need a voice for our manufacturing; our steel industry, just like our shipbuilding and coal mining before it, and our fisheries, has seen a huge downturn. We’re a region that makes things, a region that builds things. Centuries ago, Londoners used to call coal ‘sea coal’ because it was transported by ship from Newcastle. We need a voice that will stand up for our heavy industry. A voice to rebuild what has been decimated, to bring modern technology to traditional industry, to stand up for the industries that EU and UK government policies have destroyed

I’m all for the free market in general, because it’s the free market that creates those jobs, but we also need to be prepared to defend out industries from global issues like Chinese dumping of steel on UK markets. I want to see a vibrant post-Brexit North East (and Northern) economy which returns to what we’re good at: building the success of a nation. I don’t see that kind of vision from the Labour Party which has drifted out to sea and completely lost its way.

I want an economy in which we give our young people the best chance in the best possible schools to develop the skills that we’re going to need, and a society which doesn’t look down upon those who choose a vocational or technical route rather than going to university. I want a government which will turn around the neglect of the North, a government which recognises that if you deregulate small businesses and let them get on with the job then they will bring jobs into the economy, cut unemployment, and leave the country as a whole better off.

When I see some of the horrific crimes in this region which haven’t resulted in a jail sentence, you can bet it won’t be those in the leafy suburbs of Islington who’ll suffer because of repeat offenders: it’ll be working class people here in the North East and elsewhere. I want us to get tough on crime, make prison conditions tougher - but crucially, we need to treat rehabilitation seriously too and not just as an afterthought. Criminals need to know that the consequences of offending will be unpleasant in order to take advantage of society’s help to get them back into a meaningful role in society.

UKIP as a party wants to tackle these issues head on. I’m often asked what UKIP’s role is in the post-Brexit UK. Well here it is: a party that shows a beacon of hope for how we can make Britain Great again in the next few years. We can take Westminster seats at the next General Election here in the North East, and we can take on the mantle of a Labour Party that has alienated the very people its name purports to represent.

There’s a leadership election going on now after Nigel Farage has announced that he’s stepping down. It was a sad day when he stepped down, but if he wants to go, who am I to argue?

The next leader will fall flat on their face if they try to out-Nigel Nigel; you can’t follow a charismatic leader with a cheap imitation of the same. We need a different leadership style. We also need a credible Northern voice in that contest, and I was devastated when our Deputy Leader Paul Nuttall MEP decided not to put his hat in the ring.

Someone has to carry this Northern torch in the leadership election, and that’s one of many reasons why I’ve ultimately decided to have a go at it myself.

What do you say? Would it be better to have a UKIP Leader from our region who will ensure that the North East is never put to the bottom of the pile and never forgotten? The Chronicle.

Jonathan Arnott is UKIP MEP for the North East.

Simple, Really, Innit?

Nick Martinek, Briarlyn Road, Huddersfield.

IN the second half of the 20th century, over 60 nations took their independence from the British Empire. For every one it was “a leap in the dark”. No longer would they be guided by the wise men appointed by the elected government in London. No longer protected from the outside world.

Sounds familiar? It should. The UK is about to take its own leap out of the crisis-ridden EU. If our former colonies did not flinch, why should we? Take courage.

Every one of them had a smaller economy than the UK’s. Every one of them had less experience than the British in government, trade and security. But they leapt at the opportunity. Yorks Post.

One In The Teeth For Nicola Whose Sour Brand of Politics Is Falling Apart.

A poll found the NHS and the economy should top Sturgeon's Government’s to “do list” rather than press for a rerun of the 2014 ballot in which the country rejected the break up of Britain.

Holding another referendum as a priority, ranked ninth behind education, welfare and housing in the poll of 1,006 voters.

Just 14 per cent said they regarded a new referendum as a priority and even among SNP voters, only 25 per cent said another poll should be a key policy. Express.

Catalonia.(That's The RED Bit.)

Members of the Catalan Parliament defied the Spanish government yesterday as they voted 70 to 11 in favour of creating of an independent Catalan state.

Now, in a move which mirror's Nicola Sturgeon's dream for Scotland, politicians say they are determined to press on with plans to break away from Spain.

Catalan's foreign affairs minister Raul Romeva said: "The Spanish state has left us feeling that we just don't have an alternative.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/694172/Catalan-Parliament-vote-independence-Spain

As this Blog has pointed out - Catalonia has the economic wherewithal to pull off independence. Scotland does not. It is far too dependent on Barnett Formula cash from England.

Named person Scheme - Unlawful.

http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/adoption/named-person-scheme-unlawful-rules-supreme-court

Do Know A Little Latin, At Least.

Is This Resignation A Sign of Some Integrity?

Church of England priest resigns to 'marry' same-sex partner.

July 26th, 2016 | Same-Sex 'Marriage', Sexual Orientation, Social

A Church of England clergyman has resigned from his post as parish priest in order to 'marry' his same-sex partner. Christian Concern.