As always the mainstream UK media ignore the gripping power struggles going on in Germany and the EU. You would have thought the media’s enthusiasm for all things EU and the geographical proximity of these countries to us would merit some news and analysis to balance the intensive coverage they give to the USA across the vast Atlantic.
Three years ago Mrs Merkel announced she was standing down as Leader of the CDU, the largest German party in the government coalition which had supplied her as Chancellor of Germany since 2005. She implied her successor would become the CDU’s candidate for Chancellor in the 2021 general election, though Mrs Merkel intended to remain in the all powerful number one job for the time being.
The party duly elected AKK in 2018 who presided over poor election results and then decided she would resign in February 2020 before ever fighting a general election to try to become Chancellor. The CDU agreed to hold a new contest to choose a replacement this spring. The virus interceded making it difficult to hold a party conference for the traditional in person voting. The election was put off until December 4th. This date has now also been cancelled, with the lead candidate complaining the further delay is to damage his chances, whilst the party establishment claims the further delay is another CV 19 inspired move. They apparently do not wish to turn to the obvious alternative of a postal ballot.
There are three main candidates for this all important post. After two women in a row as Leader and with the transfer of Mrs Von Der Leyen from the German Cabinet to the role of President of the Commission, this time all three are men. Norbert Rottgen is a self styled centrist and keen enthusiast for a strong EU along German federal lines. He is currently chairman of the Federal Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Armin Lashet is another so called centrist who can also accept Merkel’s drift to the Greens and the left. He is also a strong Catholic which affects his political views and is Minister President of North Rhine Westphalia. Friedrich Merz is said to be the current front runner. He moved into the private sector some years ago, and is more right of centre than Merkel or the other two candidates.
The media may have sensationalised and trivialised the campaign, or the candidates may be doing that for themselves. Mr Lashet has been criticised for his opposition to gay marriage, though he now has a deputy on his ticket to soften this. He has also attracted hostile attention for his attitude to girls under 14 wearing headscarves. He is thought to have handled the pandemic poorly in his state. Mr Merz has also been criticised for one of his answers on homosexuality, and has his critics for supporting leitkultur, the promotion of German culture for migrants. He claims to be an economic liberal who has in the past attracted flak for his wealth and for flying himself around in his own plane. In the wings stands Mr Soder, leader of the Bavarian CSU sister party and Prime Minister of Bavaria, who might fancy putting himself forward to be Chancellor were the votes at the general election to give him a chance or more importantly were he able to do a deal with whoever does become leader of the far larger CDU party. He is the most popular candidate for Chancellor in some polls,
The polls show that during Germany’s response to the virus – which has gone better than other large European countries – the CDU have risen , with the Eurosceptic AFD falling back to around 10%. The Greens have sustained ratings close to 20%, leading people to assume there would have to be a CDU/CSU/Green government next time. It is a moot point whether the much lower virus impact came from better actions by government or from a different response of people in Germany to the threat or even just a different pattern of virus transmission but it has helped the CDU as the lead party in government.
Mr Merz thinks that a more authentic Conservative message would help win back lost votes and contain the electoral damage to the CDU from the Greens and AFD. His two other opponents are more willing to praise green policies and prepare for a different coalition. Whilst there are different degrees of EU enthusiasm all three will wish to see Germany as the leading country in the EU. All three would assume good lines of communication and influence directly into the Commission with their former Cabinet colleague or party friend in control there. It is surely time for the mainstream media to show us these people and interview them about their intentions were they to come to power. Our media might also enjoy examining their Troublesome views on migrants, culture and marriage where they could stand in wokeish judgement over them.
November 22, 2020
The BBC focus on the USA because it’s all in English and they don’t have to trouble themselves to find fluent German, French etc speakers to do the interviews or voice overs. Also Trump is a gift to the dreary wokes who infest its newsrooms. When did you ever hear a BBC ‘comedian’ parody Merkel or Macron ?
November 22, 2020
Dear Rick–It’s all in English in the EU as well. Have you ever tried to speak one of their languages over there? Hopeless task: they all want to practise their English. If I understand correctly German is not even an official language. All this must really get up the nose of the High Command in Germany. When does the analysis swing back to the patently obvious, viz Germany does not belong in the EU?
November 22, 2020
Leslie Singleton
German not being an official language – you mean in Germany?
“One of the major languages of the world, German is a native language to almost 100 million people worldwide and the most widely spoken native language in the European Union. German is the third most commonly spoken foreign language in the EU after English and French, making it the second biggest language in the EU in terms of overall speakers. Sep 11 2019”
The reason most people there ‘practice their English’ on you is that they know most English to be monoglot unable to master any other language but their own. Nothing to be proud of.
November 22, 2020
There are 800,000 words in English. The equivalent of any other 3 languages. I find those who learn to speak multiple languages are often obsessed by the mechanics. If you are a native English speaker, you have all the nuanced words you need and can move on from the mechanics to the ideas. It rather like a telephone, once you can use it, itâs the conversations that count.
I speak 4 languages. How many do you speak Margaret?
November 22, 2020
Lynn,
You are absolutely right to enthuse about the English language. No other language has the vast array subtle nuances. No wonder that it is effectively the primary language, or first choice secondary language of choice for so much of the world.
How ironic that following our departure (JUST MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAN, BORIS) from the EU, English will remain prime whilst the fragile entity continues to exist.
November 23, 2020
Lynn Atkinson
“There are 800,000 words in English. The equivalent of any other 3 languages.”
That’s because English basically consists of 3 languages:
26% German
29% Latin
29% (Norman) French
For much of European history Latin was the lingua franca and people like Newton wrote his works in Latin which could be understood by all learned Europeans.
Until Chaucer in the 14th century the dominants languages in England were still French and Latin and English remained the language of the peasants.
Learning other languages widens ones horizons and should be part of any proper education, and not because your own language has all the words you need.
November 23, 2020
So how many languages do you speak Margaret?
November 22, 2020
English, German and French are the three âprocedural languagesâ of the EU. Otherwise relevant documents for a given one of the 27 countries can be published in anyone of the 24 languages in use within the EU.
November 22, 2020
Isnât that pathetic! We have state schools where there are more languages spoken.
November 23, 2020
Lynn Atkinson
I bet you love that. A present from empire – a babel in the classroom.
November 23, 2020
Oh not from the Empire Margaret, Afghanistan, Iran, China, German, Polish, French, none were in the Empire.
November 22, 2020
Leslie Singleton
Germany , does not belong in the EU
Why?
November 22, 2020
Because the EU belongs to Germany!
November 22, 2020
+1
November 22, 2020
Not really – the BBC simply follows the agenda set by the UK press, by Murdoch’s papers and the Daily Mail, that is, and they wish to align the UK’s public consciousness with the US, not with Europe.
However, John’s piece is premised on a number of silly falsehoods, intended to perpetuate and to increase the misconceptions widespread in this country, I think.
To correct the main ones, Germany is not “run by” its Chancellor, and the European Union is not run by Germany.
Germany, owing to its sensible electoral system – and to regional devolution – often relies on consensus and on coalition as opposed to following the UK elected dictatorship model.
Germany only has about one eighth of the MEPs, and the same number of votes in the Council as France and Italy have, as did the UK. MEPs generally divide on ideology, not on national lines too.
Certainly, Germany is one of the Big Three – as was the UK, whose place is now taken by Italy – but none of them control the European Union. The consensus among the twenty-seven leaders, where backed by the parliament does.
November 22, 2020
MiC
“….and the European Union is not run by Germany.”
==============
it’s run by the ungrateful french, always has been.
November 22, 2020
You must have been bitten by a French bee some time ago and it has remained in your bonnet since then.
November 22, 2020
MiC
“However, Johnâs piece is premised on a number of silly falsehoods”
==========
You would like to say ‘lies’ wouldn’t you, but you cannot because John Redwood is not a liar. He’s a decent man.
Crawl back under your rock.
November 22, 2020
we don’t believe you! And it is becoming of little interest in the UK, correctly somewhat ignored by the media, our future lies elsewhere.
November 22, 2020
Fred H
Our future also lies in Europe , so your statement is partially wrong
November 23, 2020
Your future, Bull is not our future.
November 23, 2020
Fred H
“…our future lies elsewhere”
51st US state? No thank you.
Now split evenly between the have and have nots. Another civil war?
November 22, 2020
Oh dear. In trouble with the facts again, Martin. The powers of the German Federal Chancellor are as follows:
‘Article 65 of the Basic Law sets forth three principles that define how the executive branch functions: The “chancellor principle” makes the chancellor responsible for all government policies; this is also known as the Richtlinienkompetenz (roughly translated as “guideline setting competence”). Any formal policy guidelines issued by the chancellor are legally binding directives that cabinet ministers must implement. Cabinet ministers are expected to introduce specific policies at the ministerial level that reflect the chancellor’s broader guidelines.’ (Wikipedia)
And just to make sure, the Chancellor appoints the cabinet ministers (Wikipedia).
It looks like Frau Merkel does run the show, as SJR said.
November 23, 2020
Bill B
“It looks like Frau Merkel does run the show”
Lucky country. Look what we have got!
And look at the state of the USA at the moment.
November 22, 2020
Self-delusion beyond repair.
November 22, 2020
Quite funny comment coming from you.
November 23, 2020
hefner
Could not agree more
November 22, 2020
Another deluded hit piece by one of the resident trolls. For 4 years the whole BBC output has been Orange Man Bad and Evil Empire.
Your and the BBCs premise is based on a number of silly falsehoods, intended to perpetuate and to increase the misconceptions widespread in this country, I think.
To correct the main ones, the UK is not âruled byâ its government.
Germany, owing to its PR electoral system â and to regional devolution â often relies on backroom deals with extremist fringe parties like the Greens, delaying or even preventing any actual governing as opposed to following the UK elected model.
Germany only has about one eighth of the MEPs, and the same number of votes in the Council as France and Italy have, however you fail to mention that the Euro currency bloc (controlled by Germany) is the only group within the EU27 which can fulfil the conditions required by QMV imposed by the Lisbon Treaty to pass/prevent any/all legislation. Convenient eh.
By the way I don’t think the definition of consensus is “If you don’t agree with us, do as you are told or face sanctions” (see Hungary, Poland etc) that does sound like being dictated to.
November 22, 2020
Well, you might want to consider, as Lynn points out lower down today, that British diplomats played an essential role and had a huge contribution when the constitution of the Federal Republic (German Basic Law) was written in August 1948 and enacted in May 1949.
So did these British people overlook the possibility of âbackroom deals with extremist fringe partiesâ? Did they decide (for whatever reason) that âthe UK elected modelâ might not be the best one for Germany and prefer another one?
November 22, 2020
Martin are you seriously suggesting the BBC follows the Daily Mail and Murdoch? Seriously?
Why isnât it in the Guardian, Mirror, Independent front page headlines? Or do they follow Murdoch too!
November 22, 2020
There are plenty of newspapers, TV stations and radio stations that are not Murdoch owned.
And ones like Sky, BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, the Guardian, Observer Mirror, Times , FT, Economist, Independent and others love the EU far more than America.
PS
Germany is by far the biggest economy in the EU and therefore has most power compared to the others.
November 22, 2020
All the media companies are owned by the Globalists. When Donald Trump is inaugurated as
November 22, 2020
How unusual – MiC is always pounced upon for his ‘ignorant’ views but here he is untouched so perhaps his analysis is on the money but no one is tempted to agree with him. I can’t as I don’t know.
November 22, 2020
Oh this was written early on when there were no comments on MiC – now I see the deluge.
November 22, 2020
No you are wrong, the left in general are absolutely obsessed with the USA and have no interest at all in the EU. You can hardly blame the Daily Mail for the BLM riots for example which were imported directly from the USA. Were there BLM protests in Germany ? You have no clue do you ?
November 22, 2020
Be in no doubt that Germany effectively dominates the EU as having the most financial muscle – look what happened to Greece as a glaring example. Merkel has been the most dominant EU leader for the past 15 years unchallenged until she allowed millions of immigrants.
France goes along with Germany as it suits them both for PR appearances.
November 22, 2020
âWhen did you ever hear a BBC âcomedianâ parody Merkel or Macron ?â
Tracey Ullman was a very good Merkel mimic on the BBC. She had her exactly and there was also a scene where she meets Macron.
November 22, 2020
Tracey Ullman does a brillant, Merkel and Nicola Sturgeon. Obviously I like the mickey take out of Sturgeon the best. More closer to the truth đ
Macron is just too bland.
November 22, 2020
+1 yes she was brilliant. Her take on Sturgeon was spot on.
November 22, 2020
Good Morning,
Sir John, your ability to hold so many topics in mind at the same time is a marvel. However, should the UK msm be much interested in German politics; not really, until a new emperor/ess of Europe is elected. I’d be surprised if a majority of UK citizens could name the current leader of the LDP!
Of more interest is when will the current empress give her regal command to the the EU to stop messing around with fishing rights and sign a deal!
November 22, 2020
Dear Peter–The LD what?
November 22, 2020
Exactly !
November 22, 2020
The UK has given up its enormously influential position as one of the Big Three, alongside Germany and France in the European Union, to be replaced as a lesser force by Italy.
Germany’s influence will no doubt be if anything increased by this, and whatever direction the European Union takes will have perhaps more effect than anything else on this country.
This alone underscores the bizarre, irrational position of the europhobics such as John and the rest of the ERG.
It’s quaint, I think, that he now devotes so much time to the UK’s mere spectatorship of these historic developments.
November 22, 2020
Martin, What is quaint – when it’s not sinister – is your idea that we must give away sovereignty in order to trade. The EU is a truly nasty empire as the last five years have confirmed for those who were too slow to cotton on before the Referendum.
November 22, 2020
So much better to be an outvoted participant than a spectator?
November 22, 2020
The UK was used just as a milch-cow. It never had much influence in the EU.
November 22, 2020
Yes of course Merkle has to sign off any deal but I expect she wants compromise. i e. Capitulation from Boris.
The EU doesn’t do compromise so Boris will have to agree their terms and stand in front of the despatch box and tell us what a great deal he’s secured.
1. Fishing to be negotiated every 10 years .eg never.
2. Dynamic following of EU standards on environment, fiscal and energy policies.
3. All policed by the ECH.
Then he can resign his seat and go back to his lucrative writing career.
A total failure.
November 22, 2020
ECJ.
November 22, 2020
Ian Wragg, Well, I hope we are both wrong, but it is looking horribly like Boris is set to capitulate. No wonder Cummings and Cain were given the boot.
November 22, 2020
Can he go back to writing? Is anybody going to be buying? This is Borisâ Waterloo.
November 22, 2020
You got bored with the parlous state of the Conservative party and decided to have a pop at the Germans.
Why donât you tell us instead your thoughts on the departure of Dominic Cummings and your opinion of the growing influence of Princess Nut Nut ?
Good or bad for the UK ?
What a soap opera !
November 22, 2020
Tab ok for you to comment on our politics but not us on Germany? Strange.
November 22, 2020
Because yours are so much more interesting than ours. When are you bringing back the « Order Order » guy ? He was funny but he had a terrible taste for ties.
Seriously: the « I drove to Barnard Castle to test my eyesight with my wife and kid in tow » sequence was hilarious… especially the bit where Michael Gove has to defend it all in front of the press.
Have you seen what an EU Parliament session looks like without Junker & Farage ?
Boooooring.
November 22, 2020
That’s what I don’t like about the Germans. Rude and ignorant and that goes for many French too. I suppose that’s why we love programmes such as Hallo, Hallo. Such a laugh and not boring.
November 23, 2020
oh my friend, there is a far greater number of things you do not like about the Germans or the French than this.
Be sensible, please.
November 22, 2020
Tabulazero, If I thought my eyesight was recovering from being affected, I too would test it – first at home, then on a more adventurous outing. If that’s all you can think of against Cummings then you are scraping the barrel. Seriously: the « Martin Selmayr is an example of EU democracy in action » sequence is hilarious âŠ
November 23, 2020
If your eyesight was affected, you would have the common sense not to take your wife & child in the car.
Take a bike for your test run if you have to. You will have far lower chances of hurting yourself and others that way.
November 23, 2020
He was mainly testing his stamina on this longer test drive prior to returning to London which was a much longer journey.
November 22, 2020
Tabulazero – This Socrates quote comes to mind.
âStrong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.â
Sir John has a strong mind.
November 22, 2020
Strong people eliminate corrupt people.
November 22, 2020
that explains why our Government is not making any headway.
November 22, 2020
Strong people – themselves corrupt or otherwise – in powerful positions eliminate whomever they like.
Your post is not a moral maxim.
November 22, 2020
Strong people can eliminate average and weak people too.
November 22, 2020
Sir John is afraid to see Boris Johnson lurch back to a more One Nation Conservatism that he dislikes as the good Brexit extremist that he is.
I think Cummings is right and Symonds is wrong. The Conservative party has burnt to many bridges with the wets and Keir Starmer looks half decent. There is no centre ground to take.
November 22, 2020
Tabulazero, you accuse JR of being âa person who holds extreme political or religious views, especially one who advocates illegal, violent, or other extreme action.â That is the meaning of extremist. I have NEVER heard JR advocating illegal, violent or extreme action EVER. Do you have any evidence of your serious accusation?
November 22, 2020
Tabulazero, Actually, by adopting wokery, kneeling to the BLM thugs and partly capitulating to the antisemitism rife within Labour, Starmer is not doing too well.
November 22, 2020
So Tabu what is a bad Brexit unextremist?
November 22, 2020
And what were the âideasâ discussed today by Sir John? I only saw comments about the UK medias, comments about Merkel, AKK, and the three/four potential successors as Chancellor.
November 22, 2020
Have you read this weeks output? You should.
November 23, 2020
I have, but my question was about âthe ideas discussed todayâ.
Problems with reading or understanding English?
November 22, 2020
+1
November 22, 2020
I’d be interested to hear your views on Hungary and Poland’s block on the forthcoming EU budget last week, Tabulazero.
November 22, 2020
I wish we had Orban in charge of the U.K.. The Polish government would be even better.
November 22, 2020
Peter
You have actually not realized how undemocratic and dictatorial Orban is and worst of all he has totally abolished one of the principles of democracy , the independence of the judiciary
November 23, 2020
It doesn’t seem to be a principle in the US at all – I agree that the place isn’t really a democracy on that basis.
November 22, 2020
Well… you can always emigrate there if you want… wait… no, sorry you cannot do that any more.
You are stuck in old Blighty, I am afraid.
November 23, 2020
It is still possible to emigrate to any European country.
Many UK citizens lived and worked in Europe way before the EU existed.
You just apply and meet their criteria.
Same as for Australia New Zealand Canada and America.
November 22, 2020
Very easy: Poland and Hungary are amongst the biggest beneficiaries of the EU aid package. Letâs see how long they can wait it out and let them find a way down from the tree they have managed to climb.
November 22, 2020
And there is the treat…do as youâre told and pay the piper or else.
November 22, 2020
Proving a point many make on here that Germany being the biggest economy in thecEU has great power to control other smaller nation’s policies.
November 22, 2020
The “EU aid package” is neither EU, nor aid, nor a package. To coin a phrase. The money is not EU money but comes from the 27 EU sub-states; it is not aid but a redistribution; and it is a slush-fund with added coercion, not a package.
November 23, 2020
NickC
“added coercion” kindly explain?
November 23, 2020
Bill B, I am continually amazed by how out of touch you are. Do you only listen to the BBC? The EU is trying to force Poland and Hungary to accept the de-stabilising horde of economic migrants foolishly let into your EU empire by Merkel’s Germany.
November 23, 2020
Nick c
The current conversations with Poland and Hungary has got nothing to do with the existing refugees in the Germany. (This is another story about Poland and Hungary not taking their fair sahre from Italy and Spain) Source EIU.
The current issue is about obligations on an independent judisciary, an independent press and not allowing educational institutions being manipulated or shut by an undemocratic government as it has happende in Hungary. (Soros University) Source FT November 2020.
If, you wish to know more jut ask
November 23, 2020
Indeed Nick
EU fans Andy and Martin are now openly calling for Poland and Hungary to be expelled from the EU .
November 22, 2020
Tabulazero
Agree in part i.e. illegal influence of Princess nut nut and why Cummings was sacked.
I’m of the view that Johnson should be removed from office and interrogated.
For two key advisers that close to the PM to be sacked with no explanation, while at the same time the PM’s missus who we didn’t vote for is allowed to directly influence the PM….is simply not good enough.
Things need dragging out into the open for electorate’s scrutiny.
November 23, 2020
Steve, Too true. I did not vote for:
– another capitulation to the EU
– institutionalised political correctness (wokery)
– a police state
– jumping on the globalist band-wagon
– nationalisation of most of the economy
– globalist corporatist direction of the rest of the economy
– kneeling to BLM thugs
– kneeling to the CAGW religion
– being deprived of gas heating
– being deprived of cars
– licensed “freedom” with internal passports
– house arrest
– being deprived of NHS services
– etc.
Boris Johnson is finished.
November 22, 2020
Itâs his blog, he can write what he likes, if you donât like it unsubscribe
November 22, 2020
In the UK the Green Party has one MP and under 10%of the vote. We elect a Conservative government and get Green policies without consultation. In Germany the Greens have 20% of to vote and are in coalition with the Conservative and Social Democrats. They get Green windmills an solar panels all over the place, which make domestic bills very high and lignite power stations providing cheap energy for industry and the highest CO2 emissions in Europe. Then they insist on British industry and farming, which has high energy costs, operating on a level playing field. With our friends in Europe like this, who needs enemies,?
November 22, 2020
+1
November 22, 2020
+1
November 22, 2020
Stred, Just so. Boris Symonds’ grokery is doomed to failure – it is top-down socialist-style state planning; the costs are purely imaginary; the practicality is non-existent; and the proposed electricity supplies (even if they worked) insufficient to power the policies Boris evinces.
November 22, 2020
+3
November 22, 2020
As long as we really leave the EU with no fudged deal then I don’t really care what happens in Germany. They and the French have never been exactly friendly towards our nation, have they? They would love us to fail. That’s more than obviously from the way talks are currently progressing or should that be not progressing. Not a topic today that interests me John.
November 22, 2020
« They would love us to fail »
Already happened, mate. The UK is non-existent on the Continent. The job is done.
November 22, 2020
That’s what I mean about being unfriendly. If you are over here can I ask why? Surely you should be on your beloved continent of Europe. We wouldn’t miss your type.
November 22, 2020
Fair enough. We have failed. We are a failure. Which is exactly how we always feel. The most self-effacing nation on earth. How we ever managed to have an empire on which the sun never set Iâll never know. As for being on the winning side in two world wars. Must have been a fluke. Letâs face it, weâre useless.
Why does half the world want to live here? Half-wits the lot of them.
November 23, 2020
How useless would you have to be to be beaten by hopeless Britain, twice on the battlefield and once intellectually, June 2016 – the greatest, bravest electoral decision ever taken.
November 22, 2020
Ridiculous comment.
Our trade with Europe continues.
Both ways.
Hundreds of billions.
November 22, 2020
Yep! And Germanyâs ÂŁ60billion export to Britain is probably done as well.
November 22, 2020
Good.
November 22, 2020
You left the EU 10 months ago. And, unless you have spent all that time asleep or in a coma, you canât help but notice how badly the Conservatives have already failed.
November 22, 2020
Maybe you missed the transition period which means nothing has actually changed. Are you related to Rip Van Winkle?
November 22, 2020
Yet since the election the Greens and Lib Dems have not gained support.
Why is that?
November 22, 2020
No we didn’t, Andy. If we have left, what has happened to all your predictions of doom you assured us would happen upon leaving? And if we have left, why is the EU still controlling (and stealing) our fish? Leave involves the EU no longer controlling the UK in any way. Which is why we may not even Leave after 31 Dec if Boris capitulates again.
November 22, 2020
The UK hasn’t left until all the EU’s many tentacles have been cut. Single market, Customs Union, ECJ, return of the UK’s fishing & the stopping of paying into the EU budget of billions of pounds. And until the UK can make & pass laws without conferring to the EU for permission.
November 22, 2020
Follow the money. He who has most will dictate. probably Germany.
November 22, 2020
ferdi
“Follow the money”
========
Exactly. Doing so also explains why Johnson is pushing EV’s and zero carbon crap, and why we are stuck with him.
Follow the money and you’ll find out he’s owned.
November 22, 2020
Too right! While the EU is unknown, people assume it runs very smoothly, there is no corruption and the politics work like a Mercedes engine.
Nothing could be farther from the truth!
Dig the dirt!
PS The BBC and ITV news seems to be totally concentrated on trivia in this country to the exclusion (apart from snidey jokes about Mr Trump) of everywhere else.
November 22, 2020
Indeed. Channel Four too. All absurdly pro Climate Alarmism, pro ever more government, pro this hugely damaging and pointless lockdown, pro ever higher taxes, pro expensive energy and pro endless over regulation of everything and red tape too.
An absurd Feedback programme the other day on radio 4 for asking if the BBC should come of the fence on Climate Alarmism. When were they last on the fence on this issue? They are a pure propaganda out fit on this topic and have been for about 20 years.
November 22, 2020
I see that NHS (blood and transplant) have noted the gender difference for Covid:-
âMen are far more likely to go on to donate a unit of plasma with a high level of antibodies. A man booked in to donate for the first time is three times more likely to give a high antibody unit of plasma than a woman booked in to donate for the first time.
This is partly because men generally produce more antibodies, because on average they are more seriously affected by the virus. Men also generally larger veins and a larger volume of blood in their circulation, meaning they are more likely to meet the donation requirements on the day.â
Yet despite this the âexpertsâ determining the vaccine priority order still do not seem to have made sensible and obvious gender age adjustment decisions needed to make best use of the initial batches of the vaccine. Are they to dim perhaps or more politicians than scientists or just too PC? We saw this when they idiotically pretended that men and women have the same 14 unit safe weekly alcohol intake.
Though it is very, very far from certain that the vaccine will not do more harm than good as yet. Given that so many are now already immune and the dangers of covid for the young are very low anyway.
November 22, 2020
So the NHS is going to hide the:-
Cancelled Elective Operations Data
Due to the coronavirus illness (COVID-19) and the need to release capacity across the NHS to support the response, we are pausing the collection and publication of these and some of our official statistics.
November 22, 2020
Lifelogic, You are perfectly correct. The notion that the BBC is sat on the fence with regard to the CAGW religion is completely absurd.
November 23, 2020
Why should any responsible broadcaster sit on the fence between truth and nonsense?
Sadly the BBC did far too much of that, and the country voted Leave as a result.
November 22, 2020
The EU isnât unknown at all. I know it perfectly well thanks. You might not but then, thatâs you.
Politics everywhere can be dirty and difficult. But the EU has learned how to work despite the huge differences between people. It brings people together.
Perhaps the Conservative Party should try this. It might stop the majority of people absolutely hating you all.
November 22, 2020
80 seat majority recently.
You live in a little lefty bubble.
November 22, 2020
EU isnât unknown at all. I know it perfectly well – Says Andy from EU!
November 22, 2020
You leftists are full of hate. It must be a right misery being anywhere near you.
November 22, 2020
Andy says: “[The EU] brings people together” . . . oh hahahaha! The only people the EU brings together are the members of its self-appointed, crony, corrupt, ruling elite.
November 23, 2020
NickC
“crony, corrupt, ruling elite, colony”
big words but as usal no explanations or sources.
Please , explain
November 23, 2020
Don’t be so bone idle, Bill, and do your own research. The problem is you don’t want to know the truth. Who voted for Selmayr and von der Leyen? They were “appointed” via both cronyism and corruption.
EU employees chortled that they had finally made the UK a “colony” on the BBC documentary “Brexit: behind closed doors” in early 2019. Not reconstructed, real EU people really expressing their contempt and hostility towards the British.
All of this has been explained to you before, Bill. It’s your fault if you take no notice.
November 23, 2020
It’s simply projection, Bill.
November 23, 2020
NIckC
So the proof is a TV programme , very well done. NOw you can maybe understand why , I ask for more proof from you are outlined below
November 23, 2020
The BBC filmed that meeting that Nick refers to.
Sound and vision.
And still you refuse to accept it happened.
The two top officials were appointed.
No election.
Its on the record
Look it up.
November 23, 2020
No, the proof is one of Verhofstadts staffers gloating on camera that they had “made the UK a colony”, knowing he was on camera. The recording was shown on the BBC program “Storyville â Brexit: Behind Closed Doors.”
Perhaps if you provided evidence and facts you might be more successful as a troll.
November 22, 2020
So which EU party do you like and what do you know of its leader ?
(No googling, now !)
November 22, 2020
Andy
It is good that you hate us, it will make things all the more satisfying when the reckoning comes.
November 22, 2020
Yes they never report the low-level civil war raging through a number of EU member states.
November 22, 2020
Lynn Atkinson
Low level civil war in a number of EU member states”
WHich countries are you actually talking about , or is it just your usual nonsense?
November 22, 2020
bill brown
Did you miss the news today ?
I think you should enlighten yourself as to what went on in France this very day.
November 23, 2020
Steve.
Low level civil war means war” among eh civil population, kidly explain where this is happening in France today?
November 22, 2020
The European Union is one of the most transparent entities that there are.
However, the UK has now lost access to privileged information, so that “dirt” for which you so zealously hope – if it existed – will not be very accessible, will it?
November 22, 2020
You donât even know whether itâs singular or plural. Total confusion. Poor you.
November 23, 2020
Lynn Atkinson
You talk a lot but leave no explanations , like you comment on SOuth Africa with 50% of the population having AIDS or have you forgotten?
November 23, 2020
Bill, When are you going to provide explanations, references and proofs for your claims?
November 23, 2020
bil never has.
November 22, 2020
Martin, So transparent that everyone except EU zealots with rose tinted spectacles can see that their covid19 aid scheme is just a slush fund designed to exert even more EU power. As Farage said, the EU is nothing but a mafia-style protection racket.
November 23, 2020
+1
November 22, 2020
Yes. But pro EU UK politicians most certainly aren’t transparent and never have been.
THAT’s the problem.
November 22, 2020
We will never get a transparent Budget out of the EU. Riddled with state and individual corruption.
November 23, 2020
Not alas that much better in the UK alas.
November 22, 2020
Good morning.
Yesterday our kind host wrote critically about a political correctness. And yes, once again, I was held in moderation.
It was no longer that any other. Nothing that was controversial or what has been mentioned by others before. No names. No links to websites. No slander and derogatory remarks. No unsubstantiated accusations.
Clearly I said something that he did not want others to read. How ironic !
—
Chancellor Merkel made the announcement that she was leaving to save her, and her party, a lot of embarrassment, especially over the mess of immigration. Germany, along with France, has sucked the lifeblood out of the rest of Europe. And now there is nothing left they too are on the slide.
Ha !
November 22, 2020
Rather like our successive Governments abandoning manufacturing, the power in EU has ensured the minnows do as they are told and take from the German/French duo.
November 22, 2020
Should we not ramp up our production and reduce our consumption of foreign goods where economics and logistics allow. Make things people want to buy. Balance of trade should then improve.
We should be a manufacturing powerhouse by now with all the hundreds of thousands of incoming young over the decades boosting our workforce.
Concern at the number of houses being built not only on food production land but many manufacturing units employing many hundreds of people demolished around here for even more houses and supermarkets.
November 22, 2020
I donât think that JR moderates like that.
He has explained how he does it. Leaves longest til last, has to check references etc.
Has to make sure he understands/can discombobulate the points being made?
Has to get on with HIS daily grind which must be irksome at the mo!
There might be some things he just CANâT publish against his name?
Keep posting!
November 22, 2020
There are days when JR is very busy and moderates lat, long comments are too much to deal with. He does his best.
Germany hold a load of IOUs from states they bankrupted. Itâs the price of their âempireâ – no empire is free of charge.
China has almost the whole of Africa in its financial net. Also some of the EU member states. It will be interesting to see Germany and China wrestle for those. Of course, the Italians, Greeks etc are done.
November 22, 2020
MarkB
So the life blood of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Lux, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Slovania and many has been sucked out by the French and the Germans?
Kidly explain and prove
November 22, 2020
bill brown
The french cause things, like they caused the opportunity for the rise of the NSDAP, oh and not to forget the mess they left behind in indo-china culminating in the Vietnam war.
Most things that go rotten usually have french dabs all over it
November 22, 2020
Bill Brown, Poland and Hungary. Kindly explain.
November 23, 2020
Steve,
You have proven nothing and we left a mess in India /Pakistan and Kenya as well, so you ahve prove nothing
November 23, 2020
NickC
what would you like expalined?
November 23, 2020
Everything you say, Bill, because where you are not incoherent you keep demanding the explanations you’ve already been given.
November 23, 2020
NickC
I still do not know what is it you wish me to explain?
November 22, 2020
Mark B
Don’t take it personally Mark, I have a couple of posts on here held in moderation.
If John Redwood allowed every post this site would be down in five minutes and JR probably arrested.
When you consider how corrupted and rotten the system is vs the anger of people, running a site like this must surely be a balancing act.
The important thing is that the message is out – we have a political system riddled with anti English ideology, conflicts of interest concerning our relationship with other countries and so on. Everyone knows we have a PM who is owned.
November 22, 2020
JR
With each of your writings it seems to me you are on side.
I have to be blunt: today’s politics is no place for a decent man. Politics is dirty, has always been but now it’s utterly disgusting. I’ve been taking an interest in ‘connections’ between what this dirty government tries to force upon us, what the media is doing to mass as many gullible idiots as possible to bolster Johnson’s activities…and where the money comes from.
What I discover is very alarming.
Your leader is not a free thinking man, he’s owned. That reflects on how rotten the system is.
I doubt the conservatives could get rid of him, certain people would stand to have lost much investment if he was flung out. They see him, and the rest of the party as doing a good job of reshaping the world we live in for their profit, and detriment of our way of life.
Respectfully, Sir, I offer my humble sentiment that if I were in your shoes I’d certainly retire and let them get on with it. They’ll have to wreck the gaff, and we’ll have to be living a life of debt slavery and fighting for basic essentials before something is done to sort this country out………and it will not be pretty.
Seriously, I commend you and thank you for your service, but to be honest, John, you’re one decent man in a world of crooks. Much as you would like to change things for the betterment of our country- sometimes you need to let things happen.
The rot is too extensive, put your feet up mate…no man would criticise you for it.
November 22, 2020
Certainly do not retire JR we desperately need more like you. The small sound wing does have some affect policy.
November 22, 2020
I have mentioned before the dilemma facing Sir John, loyalty to this shower – Government and party to some extent, and the solution of casting off to another or perhaps standing down at the next GE – should it be all those years off.
November 22, 2020
I would ( criticise)!!!
We NEED him.
Why on earth would you publicly encourage a true conservative to resign?
Unless of course your sympathies are more left leaning??
November 22, 2020
Everhopeful
Actually my sympathies are far right, I don’t mind admitting it.
I suggest what I do because, as I wrote, the system is rotten to the core, expecting one good man such as JR to sort it out seems unfair in my opinion.
The system needs pulling down by the people, then maintained by a good, honest, and patriotic man..
‘We’ the people have to sort this out, and eliminate corruption and conflict of interest in the entire system. If JR were to be PM, at least give him something to manage which is free of rot.
I wouldn’t blame anyone for taking one look at the job of PM these days, and immediately shouting TAXI !… is what I’m saying.
If the system was a motor, I’d be refusing to selling it to anyone, least of all a gentleman. I’d be lobbing it in the crusher.
November 22, 2020
You like JR? Well thank the electorate in Wokingham.
Don’t like Boris? Don’t blame him, blame Uxbridge.
If politics is rotten, it’s because the British people have voted for these people. As Enoch Powell said, a country gets the government it deserves. We have a massive national debt because people don’t want to feel the pinch themselves, if they can pass the pain on to the next generation.
November 22, 2020
Dave Andrews, That is not fair. The electorate, who pay the government to look after the interests of this country, and expect honesty and good value, have been frequently misled. It is not our fault if some politicians lie to us. We voted to Leave the EU, for example, and the establishment has spent the last four and a half years attempting to overturn our vote, not least by re-defining the word “Leave”.
November 22, 2020
But JR is not alone any more than Trump is. Trump may well be the first President to have obtained 100 million votes (once the algorithm counting each of his votes at .75 and Bidenâs at 1.25 is unravelled).
It is always the few who successfully defend freedom. We have the right to defend our country and our people in any way. But the first way is to use our fantastically strong constitutional laws, they have stood the test of time 800 years and they have dealt with all comers.
Britain only needs 1 good man. We have him. If Maggie had not been so afraid of her enemies that she appeased them, but appointing Major as Chancellor for example, we would have had JR instead of Major as Chancellor and then PM. It would have saved us a lot of bother.
November 22, 2020
Lynn, Do you realise how ridiculous you are? In case you donât know it, when Americans vote like they do this year they vote for the President, their HoR representative, possibly their Senator, likely their sheriff, their representative on the local board of education, …and all that on a massive voting bulletin usually as big as an A4 page and dealing with federal (national), state, county, and possibly municipal elections.
So can you explain how with this system, the Republicans have maintained their position in the Senate, improve slightly their position in the House of Representatives, and manage a 0.75 weighting for Trump and a 1.25 weighting for Biden?
I am sure your overheated mind already has the solution. Please share it with us.
November 24, 2020
‘If Maggie had not been so afraid of her enemies’
– Maggie was GREAT at dismantling socialism. But she was NOT a business woman. Had she ever done a Business Plan in her life? No.
After she dismantled socialism, we needed someone with experience in business to put forward a long-term ‘Business Plan’ for the UK essentially based on careful, cunning, capitalist investment in the high tech sector (building up a UK-like Silicon Valley), developing the north of England more, and more.
And if we want really low taxation (which I want), then that can’t be achieved by just lowering the taxes a lot (it can help a bit). That’s too easy, and just ends in boom and bust. You’ve got to carefully build up your economy through strategic thinking and creativity. And then the really hard work begins: trying to change the culture of a nation regarding work ethic, patriotism, and public duty – which ultimately happens in the schools, university, the media, and the arts. Politics can do a bit to change it – but not as much as it thinks.
November 24, 2020
‘then that canât be achieved by just lowering the taxes a lot (it can help a bit).’ – sorry it’s good to lower taxes a bit, but if you lower taxes too much then you get boom and bust. Taxes can only come right down by:
1) Building up high productivity in particular by building up high tech sector
2) But ultimately by changing the work culture more to work ethic (and patriotism / sense of public duty) which happens the most due to education, the media and the arts. Politics can play a role but it’s not as powerful as it might think in being able to change the work ethic.
Once work ethic and sense of personal responsibility returns, then taxes will shoot down.
November 22, 2020
Your trust in a few printed words, and apparent assumptions about the reasons for writing them are rather touching, I think.
November 22, 2020
You know the quote “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. Well, Sir John is one of the good guys. There are few enough of them about and we don’t want to lose him. He needs to band together with like minded people who can get the alternative message to the public.
November 22, 2020
I disagree, Steve. We must all keep fighting, and we need more of the population to open their eyes to whatâs going on, because what is due, down the road, will affect us all!
Mr Redwood is, I agree, a good man and he gives us an opportunity to air our views and impart some of government actions, which empowers us. And he learns from us too.
Allison Pearson and other journalists learn from us readers what we think and this empowers them. We are all building a portfolio that can be used legally to fight the corruption.
What Iâm trying to say is, keep fighting! Good will prevail, eventually.
November 22, 2020
Sharon
“I disagree, Steve. We must all keep fighting”
=============
Quite a number of people are just biding their time, viz; ‘do your worst Johnson & chums, cometh the day – general election or uprising, which ever comes sooner we’re having you lot out, for good’.
I tend to think it’s going to get nasty, Sharon…..be prepared. Remember Johnson is not a free thinking man, he’s owned by very powerful lobby hell bent on global control.
November 22, 2020
Starmer can’t be as bad, surely?
November 22, 2020
+1
November 22, 2020
Apathy is what they are relying on. Dissenters being cowed into silence by their howls of outrage and ever-changing definitions of wrong-speak. But I get the impression that a growing number of people have awoken to what is happening. The first test will be when we get a chance to vote for the new Reform Party and fire a shot across the Parliamentary Conservative parties bows.
November 22, 2020
As long as they don’t get somebody like Boris or suffer from a undemocratic first- past- the- post system.. How wonderful to live in a country with a truly representative political system rather than a 2 party state a la UK/US.
November 22, 2020
Isn’t that because the third party in UK politics has not amounted to anything but a bag of beans for the last 100 years. Political parties in power are there to represent everyone. Parties at election time are seeking the support of a majority. Coalitions like a committee only produce camels from a horse blueprint.
November 22, 2020
Except you often end up with endless small parties and an even larger mess, Italy or Belgium for example. Usually voters have even less say in things however they choose to vote.
November 22, 2020
We gave Germany her federal system to weaken her so she would not be at her neighbours throats in short order (again!). We should have made each of the German states an independent country in fact.
Next time!
November 22, 2020
Lynn Atkinson
“Federalism in Germany
Germany has a strong tradition of regional government dating back to the founding of the German Empire in 1871. Since unification in 1990, the Federal Republic has consisted of sixteen Laender: the ten Laender of the former West Germany, the five new Laender of the former East Germany, and Berlin.”
November 22, 2020
I found Italy to be a wonderful place to live and work Margaret but until the early 1990’s they had a proportional representation scheme that resulted in a great deal of governmental chaos. They’ve made several changes to their election processes since then, moving towards more mixed PR & FPTP system .
So FPTP may not be ideal but the alternatives are problematic too. Italy has had over 60 “Coalition” Governments since the second WW – and it has caused a lot of problems for them – a bit like a never ending Conservative/Lib Dem coalition.
Just imagine having to watch the likes of Nick Clegg & David Cameron trying to be nice to each other for over 70 years! đ
November 22, 2020
Such a shame that my children and grandchildren will now know how wonderful it is to live in Italy. Because the Tory pensioners stole that right from them.
November 22, 2020
Well, I’m sure it’s wonderful to live in Italy if you are not being overwhelmed by Covid, or the continual and murderous corruption in the south of the country that leads to the ongoing stress between the North and South, or the almost annual changing of Governments….
but the opera heritage is amazing!
November 22, 2020
I think you mean ‘not know’ rather than ‘now know’ ?
If only you could control your tantrums you might type better.
November 22, 2020
You’re emigrating to Italy? Send us a postcard.
November 22, 2020
You can still live in Italy in the future.
Just apply.
People from the UK lived and worked in Italy way before the EU existed.
November 22, 2020
Stole their right to what exactly? They & you are free to live where you like but according to the World Bank, the youth unemployment rate is 34.726% as of September 27, 2018. Throughout Italy’s history of tracking youth unemployment (1983 to 2018), the average percentage has been 30%.
So good luck to your grandchildren getting a job in Italy or the EU with Youth Unemployment in EU
Spain 40.8%
Greece 33.6%
Sweden 28.7%
Italy 27.6%
Luxembourg 26.7% (Mr Junger’s fiefdom)
Portugal 25.6%
France 21.2%
EU average 17%
Ireland 12.8%
UK 12.3%
November 23, 2020
czer
I don’t know where you got your figures from but according to EUROSTAT the figures for young people between the ages of 20-34 who are neither in education nor in training (a much more accurate estimation) are about the same for the EU as a whole as they are for the UK.
12% EU – 11% UK for men and
21% EU – 19% UK for women
November 23, 2020
why let facts spoil a good whine eh, Andy?
November 23, 2020
Margaret
Eurostat is the EUs own statistical body.
Counting those not in jobs ie not economically active is a sensible way of counting youth unemployment especially if you limit it to those over 20.
The World Bank was given a a source so I’m puzzled why you ask where the figures came from.
November 22, 2020
If you have the right skills you can work in any country you choose to. You had better get your children and grandchildren a good education or move to an EU country before January.
November 23, 2020
People used to go and work in Italy long before the EU Andy – and will continue to do so. The real problems of living abroad are often nothing to do with something as simple as getting a visa or work permit (your local employer will normally sort that out for you).
It’s the other (more mundane) things, like getting a permit to have your dustbin emptied and I can assure you that EU Membership makes no difference at all to that (or any aspect of Italian Bureaucracy)
There are solutions of course (bribery was suggested by one Italian friend) but I just settled taking it into the office or occasionally sneaking out and using my neighbours bins late at night. I thought I was getting away with this but it apparently caused great amusement to the family next door, who used monitor the Inglese’s nocturnal activities on their CCTV. đ
November 22, 2020
We tried the 3 party share margaret and we got neither parties manifesto, that seem to me to be what happens in Europe with their multi party-you donât know who is going to share the head table voting system – the second biggest party doesnât get a seat or a say. We got a hatchet job, the liberals going against their no student fees in England only, the Tories offered the AV vote it was repudiated by a high margin in 2011. The biggest problem with PR is the second largest party doesnât get the % share of control and decision making there are seedy little side deals with insignificant parties that the extremes vote for and the largest controlling party then gets to ditch inconvenient manifesto promises.
November 22, 2020
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-8973423/PETER-HITCHENS-doesnt-matter-vote-Greens-win.html
One party state, actually.
November 22, 2020
The UK a two party state ? What a bizarre comment given that the Labour Party can only ever hope to gain power with SNP support and that very recently we have had coalition governments Conservative+DUP and Conservative+LibDem. The SNP in particular be offended by your typically English myopia.
November 22, 2020
For once I agree with Margaret. In England, the FPTP system ensures the two main parties have it stitched up between them. UKIP in 2015 received more votes than the SNP, DUP, Plaid Cymru, Greens put together yet only one MP. For Scots and Welsh Government elections, itâs PR but not so when itâs time for the whole of the UK to decide who governs England. The Tories have won the popular vote in England since 2001 yet we had to wait until 2015 to get the Government of our choosing, not that it turned out to be remotely Conservative. The SNP and DUP are not electable or accountable in England yet we can still be governed by them because John and his colleagues refuse to address the English Question and the WLQ. If England ever gets equality in this dis-UK, ie. itâs own parliament, maybe then we too will get PR and then a true Conservative party headed by someone like Nigel Farage might get a look in and end the Blue Labour/Red Labour monopoly we have now.
November 22, 2020
So you advocating the destruction of the U.K. you donât see that Scottish Tories voted SNP to deprive Labour of a win and enabled the return of Cameron, who had to deliver his Referendum. You would have preferred that Labour won that election,- no Brexit Referendum, no Brexit? You want the only real conservatives in the Commons, the DUP who saved us from Mayâs treachery not to be there?
Please!
November 23, 2020
As usual you missed the whole point of my comment. If England had equality with the rest of the UK, ie. itâs own parliament with PR, there would be absolutely no need for tactical voting. It is Johnâs partyâs refusal to address this which will lead to the demise of the UK. T be honest I am sick of England being put last to appease the devolved nations and if the only way England can get fairness is the break up of this so called union, bring it on. After all it will be Scotlandâs choice, something denied to England.
November 22, 2020
Wishful thinking – can you name a country whose government is not corrupt?
November 22, 2020
We have in the UK had a 2 party state for decades – On 1 side you have the socialists (labour, snp, libdems, greens – just variations on the same theme) – On the other side you have the Tories who regularly slide to the left to be closer to the imperfections of theological dogma….
So no – we don’t have much choice either – No innovation in the House, just stale crippling socialism.
November 22, 2020
Still some good news CV deaths yesterday 25% down on those from a week ago. Plus it is very clear that many of this are not really covid deaths at all anyway. Plus Justine Welby is going on sabbatical so hopefully we will hear less of his lefty lunacy for a while.
November 22, 2020
Lifelogic, Both good news.
November 22, 2020
I do not know whether your opening comment as to lack of UK media interest in German or EU politics is tongue in cheek or just meant to stir a reaction. It is hard enough to know what is going on in UK politics before unravelling the nuances of European politics..
Anything EU, and I include Germany as the main force in the EU, that is likely to portray it as less than the utopia those in our broadcast media believe it to be, will be ignored. Our broadcast media when selling a product that has sustained them for the last fifty years are hardly likely to lead on it’s defects. The BBC is the Queen Bee in this but her people product have spread to all broadcast media short of Al Jazeera. Do not expect enlightenment from any of them.
November 22, 2020
Matt Ridley spot on today.
Ten reasons why the PMâs green agenda is just plain wrong
as is Dan Hannan
Devolution will be a disaster until Scotland raises its own taxes
In an age when victimhood is elevated above liberty, Britishness âšis cheapened
Scottish devolution has been disastrous in at least one sense. It has failed in its primary purpose. It was not designed to deliver better schools or more efficient administration (though its supporters may have believed that these things would follow). It was designed to, as Labourâs then Scotland spokesman George Robertson put it in 1995, âkill nationalism stone deadâ.
Labour foolishly thought it would help them win power in the UK.
November 22, 2020
Truly amazing how often politicians achieve the reverse of their stated aim isnât it?
November 22, 2020
Developing some sort of EU-wide demos that will be so necessary for ever closer union if that is to rest on popular consent is surely frustrated by the lack of attention to the politics of other countries.
The views of the three candidates on the Evil Empire’s current problems and future challenges ought to be illuminating, if they are revealed to us.
November 22, 2020
The British media ‘don’t do’ EU-German politics, they’re more obsessed with brain dead footballers calling for revolution with their strings being pulled by Labour-union organising power brokers like McCluskey, Brown and the like
The EU direction of travel is cast no matter who replaces the gross incumbent.
I know Merkel has the UK by the balls and she’s had us by the balls since 1990. That grip will never be released, ever. We can never escape.
November 22, 2020
You do talk rubbish, if anything we have Germany snookered.
November 22, 2020
So really then, Germany is far less pc than we are?
Opinions like Mr Lâs would see a politician âenochedâ with immediate effect.
Moreâs the pity.
I had imagined Germany to be much more draconian than the UK.
November 22, 2020
Germany undoubtedly has a problem. Mrs Merkel is a class act and she is going to be very difficult to replace. She is probably the best leader any European country has had since WW2 – as her exemplary response to the pandemic has shown. Her humanity – faced with a million refugees on her borders – contrasts stunningly with the hatred and bile of other âconservativesâ across Europe, including those here in the UK. She will be hard to replace.
But the world order is changing. President Biden is clearly going to restore America as a leading light in global affairs, his sensible and calming manner is a real contrast to the rantings of the angry Oompa Loompa who proceeded him. Alongside Mrs Merkel, Mr Macron, Mr Trudeau and Mr Conte it means that most of the worldâs main countries have sensible leaders again. These other sensible leaders will help Germanyâs next chancellor find their way.
Obviously Japanâs new PM is an unknown – but, with him excepted for now, this means that from January the entire G7 – bar the U.K. – has a sensible leader. I suspect the useless blonde oaf from No10 ( an apologist for bullying) will get pretty short shrift from the others. President Biden will not put up with his nonsense.
November 22, 2020
You make me laugh Andy you do. You are the biggest bully I have ever read. Just read yourself.
âThe rantings of the angry Oompa Loompaâ so ranting over 70 million voters chose him.
âThe useless blonde oafâ oaf means âa man who is rough or clumsy and unintelligentâ, it is lazy and not true to call Boris unintelligent, Iâm yet to be impressive at Boris leadership, he is too easily swayed by tv and media, doesnât defend conservatism at all and disappears too often. But do you have to revert to name calling when you are trying to hold others up to higher standards, your standards are in the gutter and you are no class act.
November 22, 2020
When are Conservative MPs going to grow a collective backbone and call for Priti Patel to be sacked?
She broke the ministerial code – again – and was found to have bullied her staff. The PM asked for the report to be âpalatableâ.
Her position would not be untenable if she had behaved in a manner expected of her as part of her job.
Every other person who breaks the terms and conditions of their employment loses their job.
Why has she not lost hers? Why is their one rule for Boris Johnsonâs cronies and Tory donors and one rule for everybody else?
November 22, 2020
All Priti Patel did as far as I can make out, is to try and ensure her officials earned their salaries, which they construed as bullying.
November 22, 2020
If Priti Patel was a Labour minister under fire from the civil service you’d be crying racism and sexism. To her great credit, Mrs Patel hasn’t played the race victim card at all. Though I don’t doubt that’s this is whats driving it. Leftists simply can’t take it that an Asian woman of modest background is a robust Conservative.
‘Bullying’ is one of those words which has moved far from its proper meaning. It turns out that one the things civil servants most objected to was being called at home at the weekend. By the home secretary, presumably on important issues. Also that during the 8 months it took to produce this report, it’s author never met with Mrs Patel, nor did she have any opportunity to respond to its allegations.
Bring it on – the voting public can see this left wing campaign against Mrs Patel for what it is.
November 22, 2020
Richard, is that true that the person writing the report never met with Priti Patel but found her guilty of a breach of the code without allowing her to defend herself. What company would get away with that!
Priti needs to have her day and her say before people carry on this witch hunt and strong union supported Labour Party should practice what they all preach.
November 22, 2020
It is only a Code she broke, so hardly a capital offence.
It is surely right to judge a manager only in relation to what she has to manage and Mrs. Patel’s valiant efforts to make a department long since characterized as “not fit for purpose” work for the people ought to be commended and are so, despite annoying a few civil servants perhaps unable to get with the programme (to use an Americanism). Good for her and those who back her.
November 22, 2020
Why are you allowed to continue to fill this site with your bullying bile against older people?
November 22, 2020
Andy, Given it was also found that essentially the Home Office civil servants were not doing their job, it is no wonder that Priti Patel became exasperated with them. The idea that Priti Patel could actually “bully” Sir Philip Rutnam is ludicrous – she probably told him a few home truths, and quite right too. If he is too much of a wimp to stand up to that, he shouldn’t be in the job.
November 23, 2020
NickC
You have as usual no proof of what actaully went on and on flimsy suppositions you are making conclusions on what might have been going on, I rest my case. Nonsense
November 23, 2020
Yet on the same basis you would, I expect, like her to resign.
November 22, 2020
You know what Andy every person who breaks the terms and conditions of their employment donât lose their jobs, even when they fail or fail to honour the standards they donât get sacked for gross misconduct without a fair hearing, re-training being considered and other sanctions, when has Priti been given the right to reply to the charges against her in your scenario as you know so much about it. One way trials are something out of the Crucible.
Was Ed Balls sacked immediately when he didnât follow the rules and dismissed Sharon Shoesmith, the SNP MP travelling whilst having a + Covid diagnosis sheâs still in her job, Neil whatâs his name carrying on his affair in lockdown heâs back on song and being interviewed. Itâs one set of rules for the Tories you hate and another for people youâd want to protect. If Priti was shouting she should be asked why and taught how to discipline people properly and take action about failing staff through warnings and the loops the rest of the Country is asked to follow. In the report that you seem to have so much knowledge of did the writer ask her for her defence to the accusations?
November 22, 2020
Andy
But then you come on here and regularly bully pensioners. Such hypocrisy. Some day you’ll come unstuck…..you’ll run your mouth off in the wrong company. Bound to happen.
November 22, 2020
I suspect that whoever replaces Merkel will carry on all of her policies: flood Europe with immigrants; continue to dominate the EU at every level; continue to suppress those that do not worship the establishment view; continue to push for the NEW WORLD ORDER and the NEW NORMAL.
Merkel will cling on to power as long as she can of course, but it always amazes me how a communist politician from the old East Germany could so easily and so quickly rise to power in a united Germany, then rule the roost for so long — I don’t suggest this was because there was a lack of other candidates.
November 22, 2020
France will. Albeit not in so many words.
November 22, 2020
Maybe Sir John could read John Kampfnerâs 2020 book âWhy the Germans do it better: Notes from a grown-up countryâ.
It could also be a prescription to some on this blog, particularly to those of the contributors still stuck in the âvapesâ of WWII.
November 22, 2020
Hefner
I was under the impression the Germans didnât have to contribute 2% of their gdp to nato? They have been underpaying for years. This has enabled them to spend this money on their own priorities whilst the UK has had forces in their Country at our expense.
They did not have to pay war repatriations whilst we the supposed victor had to pay back the entire costs of the loans for war.
You are bound to do better if you donât get hamstrung paying back all the costs of a war you didnât start.
November 22, 2020
Ah. The Marshall Plan again. You can’t blame the Americans for boosting their economy/manufacturing at Europe’s cost.
November 23, 2020
They still owe billions to Greece for what they did there.
November 22, 2020
Indeed the coverage of politics in neighbouring allied countries is pathetic. Thereâs usually a bit on French presidential elections but next to nothing on political processes anywhere else. In the last Dutch election I believe Mr Rutte said, perfectly reasonably, that if immigrants would not accept and integrate into the values of the Netherlands they should go elsewhere. Had any U.K. politician said such a thing we would have heard no end of outrage.
November 22, 2020
Leslie Singleton
Germany , does not belong in the EU
Why?
November 22, 2020
Because the EU belongs to Germany.
Still posting in the wrong place, I see Bill
November 23, 2020
Jiminyjim
And I see yo are still writing opinions without any backup or source
November 23, 2020
And so are you, Bill.
November 23, 2020
NickC
Coming from you that is rather steep
November 22, 2020
MH
“As long as they donât get somebody like Boris or suffer from a undemocratic first- past- the- post system”
========
Twas always thus, Margaret.
November 22, 2020
Our media would prefer to tell us what the news anchors personal opinion is on everything. Twitter was awash with problems in Germany and France last week, water cannons out on the streets was this shown on our tv news, I didnât read much about it in the online papers?
Theyâre having a field day on Prettyâs case by doing a spot of bullying themselves. My suggestion is Boris shouldnât settle on the Industrial Tribunal case make Pretty and her department heads go to bat in defence in the employment court and if a strong case can be made against her personally with no training suggestions that everyone else seems to be let off with then she will resign instead of this distasteful media trial, briefings from people who are supposed to have signed the official secrets act and confidentiality clauses. I actually like the BBC have always trusted their news above others and used to watch C4 news every night because of the convenient time of the broadcast I just canât watch anymore.
November 22, 2020
In our country, as soon as a leader announces they are to retire at the next election, they are bundled out of office because nobody will then take them seriously.
Similarly, I was amazed that Merkel survived the immigration crisis she alone caused, both at home and across the Schengen Zone. If a British Prime Minister had done the same, he or she would not have survived a week.
Then, of course, Merkel’s naked attempt to ensure a female successor in the form of Kramp-Karrenbauer (AKK), crashed and burned. Yet, after such failures, amazingly, Merkel’s Teflon coating remains firmly intact.
It is therefore unsurprising that the CDU/CSU still can’t get their succession strategy in order. With the SPD in such disarray and support for the AFD apparently in decline, there appears to be no incentive to get on with the task.
I guess Politics in Germany is very different to the UK and most other places, for that matter !
November 22, 2020
May I refer you to history of the people? Start about 1870 and read forward to 1945.
Then have a look at 1957 and fast forward to 1973.
Draw conclusions on strategic vision and desire, if at first you don’t succeed, try try again. Mission accomplished?
November 22, 2020
how could I not include 1990? Hasty pressing of ‘Post Comment’
November 22, 2020
24-hour rolling news and journalist’s total lack of respect for the office of PM, or anything else, for that matter, means that comparisons with any period before the Rolling News era are meaningless.
Reply Under Margaret Thatcher we had plenty of disreapect from journalists, and rolling 24 hour news worldwide through tv and radio.
November 22, 2020
The truth of what you say is borne out by the fact that this is the first time I have read anything cogent about the three front runners you name; indeed I was barely aware of their existence.
Probably the BBC finds it easier to report what is presented to it on a plate rather than having to dig for real news. After all, Wokeism, which seems to power the BBC and most other media organisations, is a prime means of avoiding the mental effort necessary to reach the truth about anything, rather than relying on emotional impacts of things like climate change or slavery to justify ones views.
November 22, 2020
I’ve been reading the EUs own website for years. Many alarming policies have been published, all written in English, but never once has our media published articles telling the public about them. The media is a huge propaganda machine manipulating the masses into believing what the ruling classes want them to believe. The BBC even gets us to pay to receive it.
November 22, 2020
It’s a pity that millions more didn’t do that before that silly vote in 2016.
They would have seen the tripe spouted by Johnson, Farage and the rest for what it was.
November 23, 2020
Very few take much notice of what our own parliament does let alone a foreign comedy one.
November 22, 2020
John, all heirachel systems fail in the end. The corrupt only promote the corrupt, but they need a few good MPs, controlled by party loyalty to keep the whole thing afloat.
November 22, 2020
Totally off topic. I have just heard on the radio that in the Evening Standard there are 16 adverts of theatres who are hoping to reopen again at the beginning of December. They are keeping fingers crossed and hoping that Boris will allow them to do so. They said they had spent lots of time and money getting the theatre safe for people, even elderly people who may be concerned.
The response from government will be interesting. A test of their true intentions?
November 22, 2020
Nope.
Apparently âAugmentedRealityâ is the way forward.
November 22, 2020
Meanwhile it is being reported that the Government are planning to keep so-called ‘wet pubs’ closed by redefining the Tier system. A ‘wet pub’ is apparently one that doesn’t serve food, as the virus won’t touch anybody with a chicken masala in front of them. The ludicrous vendetta against the hospitality industry and its many young employees continues when it is common knowledge that the virus spreads in schools and colleges.
November 23, 2020
As I said a couple of weeks ago, my county was very low risk, then the Uni opened and within a month we were in tier two. The Uni’s should have been shut up for this year – seems most students are not getting value for their money anyway
November 22, 2020
Sharon
This PM is in cahoots with Labour’s unionised and all powerful client state including the now political entity that is the former medical serivces provider that is the NHS. Yes, the NHS. You know the one I am talking about. The one that encourages compliant clapping to create a protective culture and insulate itself from harm and control the spineless Tory party leadership
Another ÂŁ3bn down the NHS black hole by a once Thatcherite Chancellor now finding his socialist soul
Politics, politics, all is State politics and humanity and compassion can go and die in a corner
Johnson’s now a puppet PM controlled by er indoors and all of Labour’s authoritarian, vile client state
I bet McCluskey, the NHS, the BBC, teaching unions, the MET, O’Grady, Khan etc etc cannot believe their luck that they now the Tory party right where they want them.
A vote for Labour or Tory is a vote for authoritarianism and an expansion of illiberalism to the point of hate
November 22, 2020
I agree with Steve, JR is indeed one of very few others.
Farage and his team are the only ones I will vote for again, I will never vote for any who are now killing our Country, that is the inhabitants of The Commons and the Lords
November 22, 2020
“Troupe” might have been better than “team”, I think, Ian.
November 22, 2020
Peter, you know at some point we had to deal with the over population problem.
November 22, 2020
Now the Conservative Party has lost its way over core values such as free speech, equality of opportunity, contributory welfare schemes, the CDU is indubitably the most successful political party in Europe. And ignoring one-party oddities like the PAP in Singapore and the Communist Party in China, a global exemplar too.
But Mutti is a hard act to follow.
And I think the more intelligent members appreciate that the EU in its current form is not sustainable. What they canât agree on is a full scale federal union with fewer members or scaling back to a Common Market. Or how to get to either destination
November 22, 2020
Iâm loving your digs at wokeism Sir John, keep it up, the vast majority of people outside of Westminster and the MSM are fully behind you.
November 22, 2020
I doubt if MSM is.
November 22, 2020
+1
November 22, 2020
A very good rundown of what’s happening at the top in German politics- perhaps you could do the same for the French and bring us up to speed?
I believe the French also have elections due next year
November 22, 2020
You’ll clearly believe literally anything that you are spoon fed by such as John, but appear incapable of ascertaining a blind thing for your self.
Perfect.
November 22, 2020
Sir John for German/EU politics, but You for all things Chinese.
We are so grateful.
November 22, 2020
Having lived and worked in Germany for five years, I follow events there and regularly read the German News. John’s analysis is spot on, although, like the German press, he is rather too kind to Merkel.
November 23, 2020
+1. Satisfying getting our German pension, earned before the EU came into being.
November 22, 2020
Regional elections likely to be moved from March to June.
November 22, 2020
Portuguese appeal court rules PCR tests are unreliable for C19 and that all quarantine are unlawful base on PCR tests, a victory for common sense at last.
November 22, 2020
+1
November 22, 2020
……President of the USA on 20 January 2021 the situationMAY change?????
November 22, 2020
An interesting article in the Sunday Times tells us how the Tory pensioners have – without a vote in Parliament – ended the chance of young Britons to qualify as ski instructors in Europe. Just one example of many of what you have all taken away from young generations.
I am sure when you all voted to kick our foreigners – because that was what Brexit was about after all – none of your thought for a moment of the impact on your kids, grandkids and great grandkids.. But then Baby Boomers are selfish. Itâs all about me, me, me with you lot. You are the most appalling generation in history.
November 22, 2020
Which Country/Countries in Europe have banned British workers being able to qualify as ski instructors Andy? Sorry I used to subscribe to The Times but it wasnât worth the subscription and I want to be clear on who is refusing work visas.
November 22, 2020
Thats truly tragic, and we are famed for skiing – we win loads of medals at the Winter Olympics etc. But if they want coaching in aprĂšs-ski – well the Brits lead the way.
November 22, 2020
Yeah, all those young Britons wanting to be ski instructors when we haven’t had serious snow in this country for about 30 years……
November 22, 2020
Odd because years ago, way before the EU even existed lots of young UK people worked in the European ski industry.
How did that happen?
November 22, 2020
That Generation grew up with Rationing still in force.
November 23, 2020
How many asylum seekers currently in your French Chateau, Andy?
November 22, 2020
Whatever we think of the combo of Mr Johnson and Miss Symonds in British politics, or of Mr Biden and Mrs Harris in USA, Sir John’s views on their concurrence with the policies of the Great Resetters may give our concerns, and those of the electorates of EU member states, a more accurate perspective than is readily available from other sources.
November 22, 2020
antiwar.com, even.
November 22, 2020
You can read about the court case at, greatgameindia.com.
November 22, 2020
Interesting that Merz thinks the delay is to hobble his chances – presumably Merkel trying to interfere in the democratic process to ensure her successor is of the same views. You can take the girl out of East Germany… you know the rest. Sigh.
Has politics become dirtier in the last couple of decades, or is it that we’ve just started noticing? Perhaps Brexit made a difference – such an obvious attempted betrayal on that scale seems to have made more people interested in politics.
I can only hope that the EU falls apart, I genuinely believe it to be a force for ill in the world. There seem to be pressures from everywhere – could Hungary and Poland be the start of its demise rather than Italy / Greece?
Even Holland could get tired of paying in for other countries to take out – just to trade with other countries. Who has ever heard of a club where only some of the members pay a subscription and the others divide that up among themselves? Bizarre.
November 23, 2020
Hard luck, XY.
Its popularity with its people is at an all-time high, and, funnily enough, in the UK too at around 60% positive according to latest analysis.
November 22, 2020
Delighted you are continuing to take such interest in European politics-
I believe that together we have much in common- UK and EU- much more than we let on
Time and the next generation will sort it all out and you’ll be back
November 23, 2020
I hope not, Harkin.
November 23, 2020
We take an interest in Chinese politics. We have no intention of becoming Hong Kong.
November 23, 2020
yes for a while – always grateful when we rescue you, later of course we remind you, so we become unpopular.
November 23, 2020
In the meantime Harkin – you’ll have to divvy up that ÂŁ650 Billlon Covid Recovery bill without our help and also try and work out who is going to pay the more routine EU costs (1 Trillion Euros over 7 years) without our help too.
That’s assuming that Poland and Hungary can be bribed to sign up to the EUs “rules” of course….
November 22, 2020
Just read the UK government is Thinking of restricting gatherings at Christmas to three households âOne option that has been discussed is that three households could be allowed to meet up “over a number of days, maybe five days”.
Not all families live around the corner from each other now where you could see two families one day, two another, two another and so one, meeting potentially ten separate families in the same five day span (why five days – what do Uni students do who need to be home for three to four weeks is that allowed? This is just ridiculous now). If you are all 60 and under just what is the risk of serious illness? I understand about elderly relatives but now some of them are saying I canât stand the idea of being alone all over the holidays. 95% of the people dying of covid 19 had underlying conditions, weâre just not given all the facts to make our own minds up and I donât trust a word out of Hancocks mouth. For many this will be the first meeting since March, if you have three children which child do you say canât come home for Christmas this year? How do you tell your parents, sorry we canât see you all over Christmas (even with masks and taking care with them) because weâve got a couple of the children home.
November 22, 2020
By the way if we could just get a paid for test 48 hours before meeting anyone for Christmas isnât that protection enough, it was seen as protection for flying into Europe all over the summer holidays (bringing the virus back into the UK because you didnât insist on tests on return), it seemed enough protection for all the rich people to take their breaks all around the World.
November 23, 2020
A-tracy, It is appalling that the UK government should dare to restrict our gathering, and that we should roll over and accept it. Not even the first national lockdown affected the death toll curve, and the second certainly won’t – out and about I see traffic as normal indicating few are taking any notice.
November 23, 2020
Johnredwoodsdiary.com Status
Is johnredwoodsdiary.com down right now?
It’s not just you! johnredwoodsdiary.com is down.
November 23, 2020
the remoaners have hacked it.
November 23, 2020
can’t be true I still get included !!
November 23, 2020
Could Christmas be the last straw for The U K
People, I think we will indeed be totally fed up with this Government and itâs leader. Far too much dictating.
And still no Brexit ? As for the
Priti Lady, why is she being praised, is it because she and her master have let in more Illegal immigrants ?
November 23, 2020
The UK left months ago.
If you’re waiting for something noticeable and good to happen as a result then you will be disappointed.
Accept that simple reality.
It’s all detrimental.
November 23, 2020
I have the feeling that Germany is content with the dominance that it has within the EU as it stands and doesn’t want to rock the boat. The real Euro-fanatic is M Macron, who can hopefully be left baying in the wind.
November 24, 2020
Germany has exactly the same Covid issues as the UK insofar older folks in confined settings and industrial centres have the highest per 100k ratio . The numbers for Bremmen are very similar to West of Scotland . Their guru is worried about the capacity of laboratories to process tests . He should know as he developed the PCR one for Covid-19 virus .