Happy New Year!

     

 

     

Well it’s very nearly 2007. I’ll be spending my evening darting round Birmingham trying to cram in as many free drinks as possible! However, I think 2006 will take some beating. Without sounding too pleased with ourselves, I think we can say Conservative Future has made terrific progress over the last few months. I’m particularly proud of this website and the blog, which has gone to show the importance of the internet in bringing people together and informing debate. Improving the site is a number one priority for 2007, a measure of which will be our viewing figures. Talking of which we have nearly had 10,000 unique hits since we started to blog in mid October which isn’t bad going at all. To accompany this we have hosted a number of social events and have attracted some high profile speakers to the University. The growth of City Branch in Birmingham which celebrated it’s first annual reception a few weeks ago shows the Conservatives are on the offensive outside the University too. Starting this year the Party generally has experienced a return and looks in good shape as we head into 2007. So, Happy New Year and may 2007 be even better.

BUCF in print

     

If any readers were unable to get hold of the Redbrick report on our Boris Johnson event, a PDF version is currently available HERE.

Unlikely Praise…

       

I’ll give free membership to the first person who rightly guesses who said this about our website…

“…reading that the site has supposedly had over 8000 hits makes me wonder whether BUCF are doing something right.”

Stop Press: The red commentary continues:

“I recently noticed the Conservative Future at our university have a really strong website and blog and was wondering what other Labour clubs were doing in respect of the internet.”

Once again it is the Conservatives leading the way, and Labour following.

National Insurance on condition…

     

The Independent tells us that the Cabinet is exploring the option of depriving NHS patients who have self inflicted illnesses of priority treatment. They might include smokers and alcoholics in an attempt to make them change their habits. I never cease to be amazed by this argument. Employers and employees contribute to a National Insurance Scheme on the understanding that they will be treated by the NHS when needed, not when deserved. You can’t force people to pay into an Insurance Scheme and then decide not to pay out when they need treatment. Besides, where do you draw the line? What about illness caused by poor diets, and if so how bad does one’s diet have to be before your local hospital turns you away? What about people who take unnecessary risks like sky diving, motor sports or crossing the road away from pedestrian crossings? You get the picture. However, the most sinister thing about this is the attempt to dictate our lifestyles by depriving us of health care when we need it. Although, I have to say, I think we can expect more of this. NHS costs and patient expectations are rising and so every possible way to cut costs will be looked at, including rationing treatment to the ‘deserving ill’.

One of those moments…

     

I was reading comment by Rosemary Beham today in the Times, and found that I didn’t like her very much. This was one of those times where I really take a dislike for what someone is trying to say. She starts with a patronising attack on January shoppers. She asks if the lives of the consumers who rush to the shops at the start of the sales are really so meaningless? She then tells us that we can’t afford to shop either, given levels of personal debt. Everything we buy is apparently bought on the never never.

Firstly, there is nothing wrong with looking for bargains, this is the market at it’s best. Neither is there anything wrong with us borrowing money to pay for bargains. Rosemary argues that our rush to the January sales goes against traditional values like hard work and saving. Well I would have thought our rush to spend less on what we might have spent double on the day before proves that we are just as thrifty as our Victorian counterparts. Furthermore, neither is debt a bad thing. Providing it is manageable, which for the vast majority it is, then debt is an all round advantage. Instead, Rosemary thinks we should cut up our credit cards and leave are cars at home. Presumably she thinks we should crawl back into caves and wear leaves too.

No nonsense…

     

The Lib Dems say that 23% of licensed premises supply drink to under 18s. These figures are based on tests conducted by local authorities whereby under 18s are sent into licensed stores to buy alcohol. According to the figures out of 11,452 tests, 2,588 had resulted in purchases by minors. The result is anti-social behaviour and crime. The cause of this is the easy availability of alcohol to under 18s. I have a simple policy. Alcohol being consumed by minors, , should be traced back to the premises where it was purchased, where it can be proven, and then their licence taken away immediately. This would go someway to limit the supply of alcohol to under 18s and reduce crime.

I don’t have much time for the argument that teenagers don’t have much to do and therefore hit the bottle. This is a flimsy argument. Having time on your hands doesn’t necessarily drive you to drink, and aside from this teenagers now probably have more to occupy themselves with then any previous generation. Even if it did make any sense there isn’t a lot the Government can do about it. However, a sure way to deal with teenagers who drink is to reduce the supply, and one way to do this is to come down hard on premises illegally selling alcohol.

Tough on Crime, Tough on the Causes of Crime: You having a laff Tony?

    

Mike O’Rourke, former Chairman of BUCF, is back for a Christmas weekend special…

On Wednesday night, I tuned into Crimewatch U.K thinking that I just might be of some help. Anyway, the show featured the murder of the Manchester schoolboy Jesse James. Jesse, was a 15 year old boy whose future was taken away prematurely when he was murdered on Manchester’s Moss Side Estate. The killers are sadly still at large and Jesse’s murder was only one of a number of shootings to have occurred in the area over the last few months. One thing is that this appalling, inhumane and totally needless murder indicates, and it goes to show that Labour has lost the fight against violent crime. In 1997, the Prime Minister went into the election on the message “tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime”. The statement was one of a number of promises the Prime Minister made and as we head towards the last few months of his Premiership, it is only fair we judge him.We are told by this government that crime has fallen under Labour. We are told that the streets are safer than before this government came into power. More crimes are reported, more crimes are solved and more criminals are being sent to prison. We are led to believe that violent crime is under control and is actually falling too.Then we have the reality: the fact that this government talks a good game but fails so miserably to protect the public. The Jesse James murder shows that the government is fast losing the battle against Britain’s gang culture. Whether it be Manchester, Birmingham or any number of cities up and down the U.K, small gangs are terrorising neighbourhoods day in, day out. This is because there not enough police officers on the beat to deal with the problem. We live in a society where common decency and manners seem to be going out of the window. At a time when we need more coppers on our streets, the government continues to obsess over ID cards. However, without a significant police presence in our cities there cannot be any chance that gang culture is beaten. So the common sense solution is to get more police- not more community support officers who can only give citizen arrests. No, train proper police officers.There is another story that touched me recently. You may have read in the newspapers of the murder of the Henley businessman Stephen Langford. What made his death all that more unacceptable was that it occured outside Henley Police Station- an unmanned station. The local M.P is none other than Boris Johnson and he instantly questioned both Thames Valley Police and government officials as to how on earth this could possibly have happened. Quite right too- Mr Langford’s death opened up the first murder investigation in Henley for 60 years.The truth is starkingly obvious. Under Labour violent crime has risen. In fact, let us be more accurate- violent crime has DOUBLED under this government. In particular, with the most serious offence- homicide (murder and manslaughter), the number of crimes that have been committed since 1997 has risen by a quarter. Yet meanwhile the Chancellor is busy freezing the Home Office budget.

But more, they need to be tough as to the causes of crime. In particular, the breakdown of the family is an important reason for people committing crime according to recent studies by leading psychologists. Young people do not simply “just get bored”- there are deeper reasons why people commit crime. Studies suggest that the majority of criminals that were sent to prison in 2005/06, were from broken/disfunctional families.

Drugs and solvent abuse is another factor for rising levels of criminal behaviour. This government hasn’t dealt with the problem this country faces with drugs abuse. Whether deemed soft or hard the message has to be made quite clear- drugs cause more problems than they solve. De-classification is not the answer. What we need is a more adaptable approach to drugs. Rehabilitation needs to be offered to all drug users and made accessible through the NHS. Drinking also needs to be addressed. According to the British crime survey of 2005-06, published on 20 July 2006, victims of a crime believed the offender or offenders to be under the influence of alcohol in 44 per cent of cases.

We also need better education. This government drones on about how clever we all now are and how the education system is better than it was in 1997. How come then that over a 1/4 of 16 year old’s leave school without being able to read or write? How can we possibly give expect to improve as a society if we allow such a thing to happen? If we educate better, then fewer youngsters will feel excluded from society. If we can help them into employment then crime will fall accordingly.

Above all we need to let our police forces police, not politicise them. Far too much talk has been heard from the lips of Ministers of the need to merge police forces, or how crime is falling, or how police detection rates are up under Labour. This is all absolute nonsense. The police will tell you they are being used as a political football. As Ricky Gervais would say “Is he having a laff?” I am afraid it is the criminals who are having the last laugh at Tony Blair’s failures. It is time that we let the police get on with their job and catch criminals. Instead of going for the cheap headline, lets go for the long lasting solution. And let us have no more Jesse James or Stephen Langford horror stories as we enter a New Year.

It is just for me to finally congratulate the fantastic job our emergency services do for us all. As we all tuck into out turkey this Christmas, let’s spare a thought for all of those working unsociable hours to protect us and care for us all. We all owe them a debt.

Merry Christmas…

     

Even the committee have to have a Christmas holiday, so we’re off for a few days. However, don’t panic, blogs will be back in the New Year to warm you up for our events next term. So, wishing you all a merry Christmas wherever you are this week and an equally merry New Year!

 

City Branch Event…

       
Seeing as a few of you have asked me how it went, I’ll tell you. Excellent, you should have parted with fifteen quid and gone.

For those who don’t know, City Branch hosted a reception on Monday night with the Party Chairman Francis Maude. It was at Bar One Ten, a stylish bar on Colmore Row not far from the Council House. Punchy Rum cocktails were served to begin with, followed by canapés. Francis Maude spent a while mingling with members and then spoke to members anticipating a Conservative comeback in Birmingham. Deirdre Aldern, Edgbaston Councillor and Parliamentary candidate and Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham Council also dropped in to talk to members. There was a very good turnout as well and the atmosphere was lively and festive. Thanks must go to the City Branch for organising such a great event for Birmingham Conservatives. You can visit their website here.

Conservative lead…

Just thought I’d let you all know that according to an ICM poll for the Guardian, we are on 40%, compared to Labour who are on 32%. The Lib Dems are completely out of it on 18%, not sure where that leaves three party politics, hehe. The BBC tells us that this means David Cameron ends his first year as leader with the party enjoyng it’s best sustained poll results for fourteen years. Here’s to the New Year!

…worth a thousand words

I appreciate cartoons. As a History student they are the best kind of primary source. What might take hours to learn from text you can grasp almost instantly from a cartoon, and it’s much more fun. I do a lot of eighteenth/nineteenth Century poltical history, and Punch cartoons are my first port of call. I in fact have two punch cartoons on my wall of Robert Peel, his walk to free trade and his cheap bread legacy. They tell you everything you need to know. To lift as much information from text, you’d have to hide in the library for hours. It’s the same with current affairs. Nothing sums up the poltical scene as well a cartoon, like this one of Blair below…   

First Video Blog

Our first video blog is a 2 minute clip of Daniel’s speech at the immigration debate on Thursday.  It’s a tad dark but you can hear him summing up.

The ‘Something-for-nothing’ Brigade

Peter Lilley made a famous speech at the Conservative Party Conference in 1992 in which he detailed through song what would happen to benefit scroungers, or the people on his ‘little list’, who ‘never would be missed’.  He took courageous decisions to root out people who scrounged off the state and lived supported by taxpayers.

There is still a problem in this country with people drawing support from the state when not entitled to, once styled ‘paid up members of the something-for-nothing brigade’.  Conservatives believe in individual responsibility and so cannot allow these people to simply claim their benefits from the state.  Everyone has a duty to do a good days work, in return for which they should be allowed to spend the fruits of their labour.  They should also be able to expect that it will not be taken away to pay for those unwilling to work, something that currently people believe they are doing.

Tory Haunts….

  

While I think about it, I should name drop. After dinner with Peter Lilley and a long evening in a Wetherspoons myself and Andy, the publicity officer, stumbled across Shah’s Indian Restaurant on Station Road tucked behind New Street Station, which explains why I have never noticed it before. But, I’ve been missing out. Few important things to note…. First and foremost there is an excellent range of drinks available which kept us behind till half two in the morning. Secondly, the restaurant itself is stylish and tastefully decorated, which helps. And Thirdly, the food was excellent. Mr Ali, the manager, learning that we were Conservatives, was very accommodating. So if at any point you’re stumbling around the back of New Street late at night and feel a bit peckish, think Mr Ali.

The other place I’d like to give a favourable mention is Zinc Bar behind the Hyatt hotel. Vaguely remember being there at some point last night. Have to say I’ve never been before, basically because I’ve never been able to find the entrance to the bloody place. You can see it from the canal but the entrance has always remained a mystery to me, until last night that is. It’s tucked behind the Hyatt in a quiet court yard. Anyway, really good place, music loud but not loud enough to stop you from having a conversation. If you’re on Broad Street and need a bar think Zinc.

Peter Lilley visit…

Yesterday Peter Lilley joined members of the Debating Society to introduce the motion ‘This House would tighten immigration procedures’. The debate was unusually partisan with a strong presence from both the Conservatives and Labour. Peter argued that in fact the economic benefits of mass immigration are marginal and some studies suggest that it is a net disadvantage. He has written in the past about the issue for the Centre for Policy Studies which you can access here. Deirdre Alden, Edgbaston Parliamentary candidate also attended the debate and met Mr Lilley. We were delighted to have both of them at the event.

From left to right: Mike O’Rourke (former BUCF Chairman), Daniel Cowdrill (Treasurer), Peter Lilley MP, Cllr Deirdre Alden PPC, Joseph Brewer (Chairman), Andy Dunbar (Publicty Officer)

Quoteblog…

George Bernard Shaw

“A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.”

Hmm….

City Branch Event…

Members,

There is a ’special rate’ for a Conservative Event in Birmingham:) The team in Birmingham have hired out the stylish Bar One Ten on Colmore Row, and invite members to a reception next Monday (18th December) with The Conservative Party Chairman Francis Maude. Word has it there’ll be cocktails, blue ones! It is £15 for CF members and you can buy your ticket online here. I’m very much looking forward to it, should be good fun.

Peter Lilley visiting our members

Peter Lilley, the former Secretary of State for both Industry and Social Security as well as Minister to the Treasury, will be visiting our members on Thursday for informal drinks and a chat.

Mr Lilley contested the leadership of the party in 1997 and came fourth, subseqently becoming Shadow Chancellor under William Hague.Mr Lilley is currently the Chairman of the Globalisation and Global Poverty policy group, part of David Cameron’s extensive 18-month policy review.

The event is open to everyone, which starts in the Thompson Training Suit at 8.

Quoteblog…

 

Lady Astor to Churchill: “Winston, if you were my husband I would flavour your coffee with poison”

Churchill: “Madam, if I were your husband, I’d drink it”

Feast your eyes on these…

Liam Halligan, The Telegraph Economics Editor, yesterday exposed Brown’s cavalier attitude to our finances…

As a share of GDP, Government spending has increased from 37.4% in 1997 to 44.9%. Meanwhile, Government revenue has increased at a slower rate from 37% to 42.1%. To plug the gap the Chancellor has borrowed.

While in his budget speech five years ago, the Chancellor pledged to borrow £28bn between 2001 and 2006, he has in fact borrowed £129bn. We learnt this week that he intends to borrow a further £182bn between now and 2012.

To add to this mountain of debt, since 1997, the Chancellor has signed 700 PFI deals. The price tag? £150bn.

So far this year, spending has risen by 7.2%, and if spending is to stay on course and achieve the Chancellor’s 5% ceiling (raised last week), spending needs to be tightly restrained. Or he could just borrow more.

Passing the buck politics…

Simon Heffer, in a brilliant piece for the Telegraph today claims that New Labour’s main skill is in passing the buck. Labour were fortunate in that they could always blame the Conservatives if things went wrong. This argument has looked increasingly feeble as 1997 has faded into the distance. In his pre-budget speech Gordon Brown talked about putting right the shortcomings of the Education system. No doubt these shortcomings are either down to the previous Conservative Government, the one voted out ten years ago, or someone else. As I say this is looking increasingly feeble, and people can see through it. This passing the buck doesn’t stop at the Government either, they now have otherwise intelligent people doing it for them. Digby Jones, former Chairman of the CBI and now ‘Skills Tsar’ told us this week that it is up to business and the media to fill the skills gap, nevermind then the Government, who after ten years in office are still clueless.

This, Heffer argues, is part of a trend where the Government through it’s own ineptitude passes the blame on to someone, in fact anyone else. In fact also this week, Patricia Hewitt told people in more affluent areas that it was their own fault casualty units were closing because they obviously didn’t need them. It also appears to be our fault that the NHS is crumbling because so many of us have the nerve to inflict illness on ourselves by smoking, drinking, or eating too much. Incidentally, 14,000 people every year cause themselves serious injury while putting their socks on, this too I gather must share some of the blame for the state of the NHS. Nothing to do of course with the Government, it’s obviously down to the Conservatives or the rest of us.

Blog Eye 4

Labour Saving Devices

Redbrick Article on Boris, #2

Redbrick’s post hoc article on Boris appeared in today’s Redbrick, copies of which were not to be found anywhere in the Guild by the afternoon.

The article, dominating the front page, details the meeting with a flourish of quotes.  Accompanying the copy is Boris in photographic form, standing majestically in front of CF Boris posters that were handed out at freshers.  In his hand his glass is held, later to be raised in triumph when gathered together with members.

I pay tribute to Guild Correspondant Daniel Coggins for his excellent article and to Redbrick for choosing our event for its front page.

Christmas should be celebrated…

I’m not religious, not in the slightest, yet I participate in Christmas. With the exception of going to Church, I do everything else… send cards and presents, get some back, eat Christmas dinner, drink too much, drink a bit more, eat some more, and then fall asleep. You might think this is hypocritical of me, but I beg to differ. I’m not religious, but I’m not ignorant of the fact that Christianity has had a very major impact on the way we live our lives, and neither do I think this is a bad thing. While I might not celebrate Christmas as a religious event, I do celebrate it as a tradition that we have inherited from our Christianity. And, to get to the point, I get very angry when others try and cover up its religious origins. Attempts to change the name to ‘Winterval’ to make the festive season less ‘culturally specific’ is about the best example.

Jeff Randall in the Telegraph, tells us how he now throws cards away that say ‘Happy Holidays’ and any other drivel that is clearly an attempt to turn Christmas into something it’s not. Also in the Telegraph, David Derbyshire makes a good observation. Strolling up Oxford street he noticed that judging by the shop windows you wouldn’t think it was Christmas. You would know that it is winter and you might deduce from this that it’s pretty close to Christmas, but the shop windows don’t seem to want to admit it….

These do-gooders who seem to want to cast aside the historic origins of the Christmas season and ignore the moral message that it carries, should butt out. I’m no church goer, but as a Conservative I quite enjoy the tradition, and so should the rest of you.

Merry Christmas.